Journeymen RB Cason, Death, and Taxes
September 12, 2007 on 1:58 pm | In Uncategorized |A cliched, often utilized euphemism needs to be revamped a bit. The only certainties in life are now death, taxes and the likelihood that the Lions will pluck journeymen RB Aveion Cason from whatever barren NFL wasteland he resides in, when they are in dire need of a running back, and he’s not on another NFL roster.
Cason has an intimacy with Mike Martz’s offense that necessitates that he be the Lions 54th man, especially when you consider that T.J. Duckett will likely be unavailable Sunday with a high ankle sprain, and Kevin Jones may be unable to contribute, too. Unfortunately, WR Brandon Middleton was released in order to accomodate Cason.
Cason’s presence is less than inspiring in my book. Cason is a shifty, third down type of back who runs even less effectively between the tackles than Tatum Bell. I fully expect that Jon Bradley or Sean McHugh may have to be used in some short-yardage and goal-line situations as ballcarriers, in lieu of Duckett’s absence.
The other likelihood for Duckett-less Lions is that they will throw, and throw often, against a staunch Vikes rushing defense. The current Lions will induce a latent nostalgia for a prolific offense of Lions past, that featured Scott Mitchell at the helm, chucking balls to players like Herman Moore, Brett Perriman, and Johnnie Morton, while another eccentric playcaller, Darrell “Mouse” Davis, masterminded one of the more pass happy, and briefly productive, offenses in NFL history.
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As a realistic and unbiased fan, I can honestly say that Cason is the piece that they have been missing and . . . no, just kidding, but I kind of like the guy.
This weekend’s predictions . . . if you are going to this weekend’s game, and you are a fan of both the visiting team and of Government Mule, you will not leave happy. Our offense is that much better and our defense isn’t that much worse.
Comment by Hondo — September 14, 2007 #
Although it didn’t really affected them last Sunday against Oakland, I do believe that the Lions cannot afford to lose Duckett for a long period of time. Duckett is more important to this offense that we are lead to believe.
It went relatively unnoticed when Martz mentionned that for the 4 wide-outs offense to work, they need to show their opponents that they can run up the middle with power. As a matter of fact, it is crucial that they do! We all agree that an offense cannot only rely on passing. It must be able to establish a running game for many reasons. One of those reasons, that apply specifically to the Lions situation, is to prevent opposing defenses to go nickel or dime all the time, and rely solely on the defensive line and a good tackling middle linebacker to stop the run. Now you will not see the Lions running outside very often. Why? As pointed out by Gregg Easterbrook in his latest article on TMQ (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/070911&sportCat=nfl), by spreading out the offense, i.e. putting 4 wide-outs, you’re also spreading defenders outward, and hence, spreading makes it much more difficult for a tailback to turn the corner. So if you can run it inside effectively, you are forcing defenses to keep their nickel back on the sideline, and prevent the linebackers from dropping back in coverage. The offense keeps the defense honnest. The linebackers and even the safeties have to stay home to stop the run inside, and the wide-outs are left with single coverage. Now if you mix the play calling well enough to keep the defense guessing, you will eventually win you chess match!
That is the reason why the Lions organisation acquired this offseason T.J.Duckett and switched 300-lbs defensive tackle Jon Bradley to fullback. they want to make sure that they can pound it up the middle! Calhoun, Bell or Cason aren’t gonna cut it.
Comment by Simon — September 14, 2007 #
Like to point out the Mitchell Era OC was actually Tom Moore, not Mouse Davis. The difference was Moore’s offense ran with a TE (usually David Sloan.)
Comment by Fred — September 16, 2007 #
Thanks for the assist Fred. I guess Tom Moore has moved up in the world a bit, eh. I knew he was a Lions O.C., thought it was a little later. Plus nothing is more fun than genuflecting about the Ol’ Run-N-Shoot.
Comment by Steve — September 17, 2007 #