The Lions Run Game Rests in the Hands of the Coaches

The Lions have the ability to have a great running game this year. If they don't, your fingers should be pointed at one place only. The coaches. 

The offensive line is talented. Very talented.  With Lang and Wagner healthy on the right side, and Decker a 1st round pick on the LT spot, the only question on the OL is who will play in which position out of Glasgow and Ragnow. Glasgow was playing well at LG last year but when he moved to Center, he was actually one of the better Centers in the NFL during those games.  Then the Lions drafted Ragnow who is a Center but can play guard.  Logically they will move Glasgow to Center and play Ragnow at LG for this year. Guard is an easier position to play physically and mentally for a rookie. It would be too much on the rookie t0 be thrust into a starting spot at Center on a team that is desperate for a run game. The fact Ragnow is supposed to be a road grader as well, says the Lions can really use him playing LG. Either way they have a lot of talent and they have added decent depth as well for this coming year.

They added Blount to be their short yardage beast and drafted a RB with speed and agility who also has fair power. The question will be if the Lions do what I believe they will do or if they do what I think they should do.

What I believe they will do...

On first and second downs they will use Kerryon Johnson for the most part. I expect them to give a few of those carries to Ameer Abdulah in hopes of keeping Johnson fresh and healthy for his rookie year.  On passing downs they will use Riddick and sometimes Abdullah with a touch of Johnson mixed in. On short yardage downs they will show us Blount. Spreading the ball out like this will keep the players fresher but it will have its down sides. For one, it wont allow for any one RB to pile up yards and get a good season going. The Lions will have no rushing leaders and likely wont even have a thousand yard rusher again. It will also allow defenses to recognize what is coming by who is on the field for the majority of the plays. The Lions will end up with a middle of the road run game.

What I think they should do...

Lean heavy on Kerryon for the first three downs. Make the guy their 3 down running back. Give him rests now and then and use Abdullah in his place during those times. IF it is obvious Johnson is getting hit hard and stopped early right off the bat in a game, change up and use Abdullah or start giving Blount some early plays in that case.  I don't believe in RB by Committees because they tend to tip off what is coming too much. Maybe Johnson will drop a few balls that Riddick would catch, I don't care. The difference will be made up and then some by having his speed and power allowing him a chance to break long gains off at a much higher clip than Riddick and defenses wont know if it is a pass or run when Johnson is staying on the field. Blount will be the obvious short yardage down guy but will also help run time down with leads.

Making Kerryon the main #1 Running back would keep defenses off balance, will get fans into the game more and give the fans a chance to see a thousand yard rusher in Detroit again. And the first time Johnson takes one to the house on 3rd down, it will make every fan forget about Riddick who has zero ability to do the same.

In the end, it really doesn't matter too much if they do what I think they should or what I think they will do.  The fact is, if they fix the scheme problems, the Lions run game will come to life. This will force defenses to play honest and open up the passing game more, allowing Stafford to take advantage of his golden arm. The Lions have the talent to be the best offense in the NFL and the only way it fails to have a good run game this year is if the coaches fail again.

The good sign is that they drafted a Fullback in the 7th round of the draft this year. Bawden is already hurt for the season but it doesn't matter. They will still use Bellore as their fullback. The fact they drafted Bawden shows they plan on using a FB this year and that is a good sign they will change up their offensive scheme when it comes to the run game. That gives me hope. That should give every Lions fan hope.