Detroit Lions Weblog

Kevin Jones to PUP List, Importance of Ground Attack

This news is not good.   Kevin Jones being placed on the PUP list is a major disappointment, if not an unsurprising development.  The Lions should err on the side of caution considering the severity of Jones’ foot injury, but it doesn’t lessen the blow to the Lions roster as the season approaches.  The Lions ground attack has struggled mightily during the pre-season, a situation that has not been aided much by Mike Martz’s poor playcalling thus far, in my opinion.

Jones is a consistent dual threat running/receiving option, which allows Mike Martz to expand the way in which he can exploit opposing defenses, a valuable trait that no one else on the current roster can consistently provide.   I think that one reason Martz has under-utilized the ground game this pre-season is the simple fact that the Lions can ill-afford to suffer any more injuries in that roster group.   That being said, the Lions lack of a ground attack is quite disconcerting, especially with how clear it has become that Jon Kitna absolutely can’t suffer any sort of injury if the Lions hope to enjoy any sort of success this season. 

If the Lions can’t establish a more consistent ground game, the Lions offense will continually operate out of second and third downs with long yardage to convert a first down.   This allows their opponents to pin their ears back and come after the Lions QB’s, or should I say Kitna and his succesor(s), if the Lions are unable to run the ball. 

Mike Martz’s offense demands a lot receiving options and usually utilizes multiple receivers, tight ends, h-backs and running backs in pass routes.   In other words, Kitna is usually only protected by his front five, a less than vaunted unit, and possibly a running back.   If teams know that Kitna will be vulnerable on a particular play, they will hope to get to him before he can throw the ball to his excellent receiving options.

Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett can be effective, if utilized properly.  I have been impressed with Bell’s quickness and ability to dart through small running lanes.   Duckett has exhibited that he could potentially be an every down back in Martz’s offense, not just a situational option.   Bell will likely assume most of the regular load until Jones can return.   Duckett will be important in short-yardage, goal-line, and situations where the Lions are pinned back at their own goal line.   I think Duckett could be the type of back who can also eat up yardage and valuable game time as the Lions attempt to close out games with a lead.  

Since the Lions have ran the ball so infrequently, and ineffectively, it is very difficult to gauge whether either Duckett or Bell will execute on a consistent basis.   If Jon Kitna has to throw 50-60 passes a game, the Lions will be one of the most exciting 2-14 teams, with their starting QB on injured reserve, in NFL history.

The Lions released Rex Tucker, and a bunch of no-names, during their first roster cut-down.   Tucker’s release is a small surprise that hopefully eliminates the last vestige of Matt Millen’s poor track record of signing injury-prone, underachieving, and incompetent offensive linemen.