Looking at the Lions 2008 Running Backs

DetroitLions.com is currently bragging about the Lions running back situation for the 2008 season — calling it an open competition for playing time.


Yuck.


Usually competition brings out the best in everyone…if there are talented players involved. In case you have forgot (or blocked it from your memory) here is was the Lions "running back corp" looks like for the upcoming season.

Suspect 1, Tatum Bell — The penciled in starter for the season. Yes, the same Tatum Bell that was lighting the world on-fire as a Lions' Running Back last year. He was so good in fact, that the Lions judged him to be a little too useful to the team and relegated him to DNP-CD decisions for the last part of the season.

Let me say this for the final time. Mr. Tatum Bell is not a good running back. He is the uber-definition of a lucky Denver running back — An untalented back, who lucked out that he got into the 1000 yard friendly system that is the Broncos. For further examples look consider Anderson, Mike and Droughns, Ruben.

Suspect 2, Kevin Smith? — I put a question mark after this because I'm really not sure who is going to be the second running back this year. Out of all of the guys on the list, Smith is my favorite. He almost broke Barry Sanders 'unbreakable' record for rushing yards in a season while at Central Florida. Seems like he must have at least some talent, but everything I've ever heard about him makes him sound he makes molasses seems fast, which is usually not a recipe for success in the NFL

Suspect 3, Aveion Cason — I like this guy because he pops up all the time. No matter the year or the coach you can count on Aveion Cason showing up in your programs at Ford Field. Problem is, I'm the only person happy to see him, as other people usually like players with "talent."

Suspect 4, Artose Pinner — On second thought, maybe I'm confusing Aveion Cason with Artose Pinner?

Suspect 5, Brian Calhoun — I really liked him at Wisconsin, but the NFL has not been kind to him. After what seems like 9 ACL tears, Calhoun has only managed 14 Rushing attempts for the Lions over his two year career. Don't count on much.

Suspect 6, Ervin Allen — I just had to point this guy out. His number is currently 39B, and he's from some college called Lambuth.

After running down the list, I feel less good about the RB situation that I did when I started the blog post. If I had to rank them I would probably put them somewhere in the neighborhood 39th in the NFL. Yes, it's that bad.