Detroit Lions Weblog

Lions Run Their Way to a 3-0 Record In Pre-Season, Yikes!

The Lions, at least at this very premature stage, are giving their fans an increased hope for a successful upcoming season.   They have appeared credible as team, and they have even exhibited the potential to improve, rather than exuding the appearance that they might have already reached their high watermark, as they clearly did at the midpoint of last season.

It’s still the pre-season, but the Lions seemed to have made the right decision with their choice to select rookie running back Kevin Smith.   The Lions running game is far from proficient, but Smith’s big run yesterday stands as a potential sign of things to come, if Drew Sharp is right.  Smith’s rookie cockiness is welcome, especially if he exhibits the ability to grow within the Lion’s offense.

Most importantly, in my opinion, the Lions appear to be a unified front.   Jim Colletto has adhered to his plans of utilizing the running attack as a weapon, in spite of the limited  success it has yielded thus far.  These statements from Rod Marinelli may be even more indicative of the strong organizational stance in favor of highlighting their rushing attack :

“We had a couple (runs) that broke, which is good, but what I want is punishment,” stated Marinelli.  “I want to punish the defense.  I want to take their legs out of them so they can’t (pass) rush.  That’s what I’m trying to do.  Will we run for 2,000 yards?  I don’t know.  But I want to be physical and make a physical statement with that front.  We have to keep punishing the ball inside.  And then we have a chance to hit the guys on the outside.”

Preach it brother Rod, this is most lucid, affirmative declaration I have heard from anyone inside of the Allen Park compound in years.   In spite of the Patton-esque speeches, Marinelli will be tested.  What will the team do when they are down early in a game against say, the Vikings who have a staunch rushing defense?  If the Lions can punish the interior of that defense, and stay committed to it despite it’s initial results, then the Lions may finally be going somewhere as an  organization.

The stable of running backs is another unresolved issue.   Kevin Smith is a given, and FB Jon Bradley is on the injured reserve.  At FB, rookie Jerome Felton and TE/FB hybrid Sean McHugh  would appear to be the primary fullbacks, with Casey FitzSimmons and John Owens providing spot duty, if Owens is kept on the team’s final roster instead of McHugh.

After Smith, and the versatile Aveion Cason, the tailbacks are engaged in a heated battle, with Brian Calhoun and, in my opinion, Artose Pinner outperforming disappointing fifth year back Tatum Bell.  This is the last piece of the Lions rushing puzzle, which back can step in and produce when called upon.

Calhoun would appear to have the edge, with “Tose” being a sentimental favorite.  This decision is very important for the Lions.   If Marinelli is going to continue to preach consistency and toughness, he needs to find the resolve to reward a player like Calhoun or Pinner, in spite of the team’s heavy investment and the previously successful track record of Tatum Bell.