Kevin Smith's Mentality
by Twon82 on Nov 5, 2009 11:20 PM EST
69 comments
I've always loved Kevin Smith as a Lion. From the time he was drafted, I've been happy he was a part of the team. He's a strong runner, a prolific talent that continues to improve. I think half the reason he's not been even better is because of our sour offensive line (what's new?). So, needless to say, I became even more content with Smith as our starting RB because of the following report from Yahoo! Sports:
"RB Kevin Smith is likely to play after leaving Sunday's game against St. Louis with a shoulder injury -- the second such problem he has had this season -- and knows he needs to produce better. Coach Jim Schwartz has talked about breaking big runs. Smith's longest is 20 yards. He averages 3.1 yards per carry. "We're all looking to kind of quiet the critics that Detroit doesn't have a running game," Smith said. "Because I get the ball first, I want to be that tempo-setter and that lead dog. I think enough's enough." The Lions are trying to give Maurice Morris and rookie Aaron Brown a few more carries, while keeping Smith as the No. 1 back. "We've got to, between the three of them, come up with a productive plan in the run game to win," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "We haven't gotten there yet." Smith bristled and declined to comment when asked if the coaches were increasing competition. But earlier he talked about feeling heat. "The coaches have expectations," Smith said. "Of course you want to prove to them that you can do your thing, but the most pressure is coming from myself, because I didn't come in this league to be a bottom-list rusher. ... I've got to stick with it. If it's not going my way, there's two things you can do: You can give up, or you can get better. There's only one option for me.""
I love the attitude. The commitment to improvement. We need guys like him on this team. It is things like this that let me know that they aren't quitting, that they are always focusing on improving, and that they are buying into the new coaching system completely. I feel good about this team's future, even though they've shown some major inconsistency through the season. We will get better. We just have to build more around our solid talent.
Restore the roar!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit's main writer, Sean, or the site in general. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.
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One problem Twon
K Smith has been saying the same thing for a long time – going back to last year. I know his shoulder is bothering him but he hasn’t had a rush longer than 20 yards this season (I think) and he won’t crack the 1,000 yard mark either.
I love the attitude as well, please don’t get me wrong but I don’t think he’s a better back than James Stewart or Kevin Jones for that matter.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 6, 2009 9:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
what back on an equivalent team has produced more?
slaton is the closest comparison…but really, for a team that passed what 60 or 65% of the time last year, he was still able to put up solid numbers after not really playing at all through the first five games…i say he produced just fine last year. this year…a rb needs his shoulders as much as he needs his legs…don’t discount that…
by londonlion on Nov 6, 2009 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin Jones??
He’s definitely better than Jones. Way better.
GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!
by Twon82 on Nov 6, 2009 6:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No way Twon
Not when K Jones was healthy. Look at the numbers I think you will find Jones was better with a worse O Line
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 6, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Define "better"
Is it more yards or more TDs that makes back better than another? Is it yards per carry, yards per game, or is it yards from scrimmage that make a back better than another?
I do not agree that Kevin Jones was a better back than Kevin Smith, based on compasrison. Yes, Jones had 1133 yards in his rookie season while Smith only had 976. However, Jones had 5 TDs to Smith’s 8 (rushing) and Jones started 14 games to Smith’s 12. Jones had a slightly better yards per attempt average with 4.7 to Smith’s 4.1, and a slightly better rushing yards per game average with 75.5 yards per game to Smith’s 61. However, Kevin Smith had 39 catches for 286 yards (in 12 starts) while Jones had 28 catches for 180 yards and a receiving TD (in 14 starts)…..Jones ended up with 1313 yards from scrimmage as a rookie (in 14 starts) to Smith’s 1262 (in 12 starts). 51 yards more from scrimmage in 2 starts? That hardly makes him a better back than Kevin Smith.
Comparing either player to Stewart is like comparing apples to oranges….it is just a completely different story as he was never a rookie in Detroit.
Not only is Kevin Smith just as good as Kevin Jones, if not better, but Kevin Jones regressed from his rookie year to the following season….starting less games, gaining less yards rushing (664 on 13 starts…..there’s a better comparison for you right there), less receptions and receiving yards (20 catches for 109 yards and no TDs), less rushing yards per attempt (3.6), less yards per game (51.1), and less yards from scrimmage (773). Kevin Smith is a far more complete back than Kevin Jones ever was, and he is also more durable.
by KDawg on Nov 6, 2009 7:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with ya there...
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 7, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
More durable
’ll give you that but when healthy I liked K Jones better for sure
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 8, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nope.
I notice that Smith gets us first downs or closer to first downs much more consistently. I never trusted Jones like I do Smith.
GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!
by Twon82 on Nov 8, 2009 10:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's funny to me.
It’s basically the same damn line that was there for both of those two backs, take out 1 piece of crap lineman and insert another one that can’t block. Until we can get some descent talent up front we have no chance to even see what we have back there. Barry would of had a hard time running with this O-line. Jansen has to be put in at the other tackle position and Backus has to become the alternate. Cherilous has to become pissed off out there and start dominating at some point and . . . .well we need to get rid of both guards, Center might be good with help around him but how can we tell with an ever changing line and schemes every year.
by davis0169 on Nov 27, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
we need him in the run game to open up the passing lanes
just as much as we need calvin playing to draw safety attention to open up the rush…we need both…and both need not only eachother…but both need a productive line
by londonlion on Nov 6, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
btw i completely agree...i am a huge fan of smith & his versatility
and his attitude & approach as much if not more. its the intagibles that can’t be taught…he will get there…
by londonlion on Nov 6, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
London
Agreed – I think the shoulder is a big problem for a RB (I was a tight end in high school and even I need my shoulders………LOL). I’m just saying its a pattern where K Smith keeps saying he’s gonna havea break out game and he never does………….he’s not a break out kind of guy. I think his attitude should stay EXACTLY the same just stop saying “lead dog” and “Break out game is coming” because it never does.
I spray paint my dog Honolulu Blue and Silver
Pic - me and the great Herman Moore
by NYCLionsfan on Nov 6, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, i wish he'd keep his mouth shut about that, and just leave it at "i didn't come here to be an average guy"
i had my shoulder separated playing wr in highschool…took a helmet in the shoulder…you don’t realize how much strength you lose until you hurt it…let alone facing a 250lb lineback who wants to crush you
by londonlion on Nov 6, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he had an offensive line that could block.....
He might have a chance to break out.
by KDawg on Nov 6, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1 for sure
one thing i haven’t seen in smith that i loved in jones…probably his most memorable play for me…was standing ray lewis up three plays in a row, hitting him head on, and scoring on the final one.
by londonlion on Nov 7, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i was a big fan of jones btw
i used pick him up in every year of madden in the fantasy drafts
by londonlion on Nov 7, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I liked Jones too
If only he could have stayed healthy……
by KDawg on Nov 7, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Go VT!
KJ was my favorite Lion… Still have his jersey, along with his VTech one, which is signed…
Too bad he ended up on the Bears :(
by Nate D. on Nov 7, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he didn't end up on the stretcher every year, he would still be here....
Now he is Garrett Wolfe’s backup…..
by KDawg on Nov 7, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He does bust the big ones , but we have Brown for that it is the OLINE that is horrible
Smith is a football player, not a cry baby, not a egotistic jerk, a strong minded big hearted football player. He the Brandon Inge of the Lions. love this guy just hopes he has better luck with his line and busts a few big runs this year or else that is a problem that will have to be analyzed in the offseason.
Jack of all trades-Master of None.....
by Peter Chung on Nov 8, 2009 12:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he is here in 4 yrs...
Then you can compare him to BInge… He’s gotta be able to pull weight and show up in the clutch. (not that we have much clutch, YET)!
by j16941 on Nov 8, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He's adequate for the teams needs.
Thats the best I can say. Does anyone want to be adequate? Not really…
He’s got the attitude, and some move, and good vision, but he’s slow!!! We really need a back that can take it the distance once he gets past the Dline.
I would like to see A Brown get the start, and develop him.. He has lots to learn, but he has the most long term potential
Just livin' the dream...
by Brefstink on Nov 6, 2009 1:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He may not have speed in it's "pure" form.....
But he is a back with great acceleration and rare agility…..coupled with excellent vision. If he could get past the first level (IE if there were running lanes) he would break his foot off in some linebacker’s asses and run into the secondary a lot more.
by KDawg on Nov 6, 2009 7:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Speed
People said Barry Sanders didnt have straight line speed either.
by LionInIowa on Nov 6, 2009 10:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Barry didn't
Barry had quickness;eusiveness and thighs the size of the silver dome, but Barry didn’t have straight speed. How many times did you see him get caught from behind??? Alot!
by davis0169 on Nov 27, 2009 9:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
K-Smooth
Like you said Twon, I love his attitude. That’s the sorta stuff we need from our players of the future, and I think he is a player of our future.
The sad fact of the matter is, Kevin is running behind some very poor blocking. He rarely gets a hole and when he does, he can’t break free because the blocking wasn’t substantial enough in the first place. Sure, Mo had a pretty good game last week, but Smith wasn’t terrible either, and he’s also proved he can play well, eg. the Skins. And that’s not even mentioning his versatility in the passing game.
I say we lay off Smith, he’s still young, and things will get better for him.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 6, 2009 6:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Honestly...
I think the Lions, like being on the Lions…thats a huge change
http://cmufootball.blogspot.com/
by CapitolLions on Nov 7, 2009 9:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
absolutely
as long as he doesn’t go all jon kitna on us saying this playoff thing every year…think it please…drive for it please…just don’t come out year after year and predict it. do it. and that goes for the whole team…just damn well get out there and beat the guy in front of you.
by londonlion on Nov 7, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
K Smith--great vision
all the K Smith haters need to put down the hatorade and watch some film (carefully). since we grew up watching greats like Billy Sims and Barry Sanders, we should be connoisseurs of RBs and know what we are looking for.
you can’t blindly judge a back merely by his yardage or YPC. some of the greatest runs i’ve ever seen were on short gains—remember Barry? i think the proper way to evaluate a back is how he optimizes his yardage in each situation, how he reacts to what is given on each play. even Barry, who worked magic like no other RB in history (including beauties like Gale Sayers), would danced around a little too much on certain plays and not take the 2.5 yd gain, sometimes gettting a force-out for 0 when he tried to give ground and take it outside. since he could create in hopeless situations anyone can give him a pass. he was a special case.
but football is a game of inches and even a 2.5-3.0 yard carry can help set a team up on second down and make a difference in what is available to an offense. K Smith is a top 10 RB in this league. watch him closely, watch each play dozens of times, one thing that jumps out at you is his amazing vision. He sets up his blocks very well because he knows his fronts and optimizes his yards on almost every play. He anticipates things that aren’t there yet. He is not just physically gifted, this talent comes from studying his craft. contrast this to Kevin Jones running into the backs of his OLs, unable to adapt to the evolution of a particular play. he can also create—check out his amazing play to get the 1st down in the St. Louis game—it looked impossible but he is so aware of his space, and 1st-down marker, that just knows how to get there.
believe me, this team has MUCH bigger problems than RB.
by x$pcents IV on Nov 7, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
one thing i like about smith too
is about 95% of the time…as he’s going down he pushes for the extra two yards … bout the only exception is when he’s caught behind the line…great multidimensionalism (is that even a word?)
by londonlion on Nov 7, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
he has great vision to get those last inches...
and with blockers in front…i’d say look out. look what he did down the stretch last year (his first year) once his oline, which was far from great, simply played consistantly individually and as a unit (getting reps as a unit and not switching guys around)
by londonlion on Nov 7, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
His ability to escape a tackle for a loss, and make it a 2 or 3 yd gain, is a nice talent.
2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).
Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind.
by Hyperion Ecta on Nov 7, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A Brown
also, when you look at speed, A Brown has very good pro speed, but when he hits his top end, he falls over very easily (ankle tackle last game (St. Louis) where he should have popped one for a big gain). most backs don’t hit their top speed when a play is developing. i suppose you can hit the holes a top speed when they are consistently there and but this is taking a big risk since it reduces your chance to accommodate changes in the play. i’d rather see a guy make the proper reads, adjust to the play, and then hit the burners when he sees the hole. this is what Kevin does. also, he is NOT slow. he just runs in with a very controlled style and sets up his blocks.
don’t get me wrong, i love to have a guy like A Brown to complement a guy like Kevin Jones. if Brown gets stickier hands (caused an INT last game and stumbled in his route), and works as hard as Smith, we are going to have a very good backfield.
by x$pcents IV on Nov 7, 2009 2:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
So it WAS Aaron Brown.....LOL!
Somebody said it was Northcutt…..I thought it was Brown.
Brown is great for getting outside the tackles…..while Smith is better at running between the tackles. I agree that Kevin Smith is a patient back who tries hard to let the play develop before he hits the afterburners. In contrast, we saw what happens when a guy (Mo Morris) hits full speed before the play completely develops. Morris is a bruiser, Smith is a workhorse, and Brown is a speedster…..sounds like a good combo for RBBC (if they would or could utilize it). However, the offensive line has to do a much better job at run blocking before any of our backs will see much success at all. You said it perfectly when you said that a back needs to “make the proper reads, adjust to the play, and then hit the burners when he sees the hole”. That is the mark of a good running back who averages over 4 yards per carry (when he has an offensive line that can open some running lanes). Patience and vision are the keys. If you want 2-3 yards and a cloud of dust, give Morris the ball. If you want to get outside in space, toss it to Brown. If you can block and want to see if a back can hit the home run…..you go with Smith.
by KDawg on Nov 7, 2009 8:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I said Northcutt, it was Brown. My bad
by JazzyBBP on Nov 8, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No one caught that!
x$pcents I think you ment KevinSmith at the bottom of your post not Kevin Jones……But good point about needing the change up back reguardless.
by davis0169 on Nov 27, 2009 9:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin Smith is good but not great. I’d like to see a BIG Brandon Jacobs-type of back in the mix. Have the big guy beat them down and a fresh K-Smooth to finish them off or vice-versa, just get a bull in the mix
by JazzyBBP on Nov 7, 2009 3:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
We have a guy like that
His name is Jerome Felton
by Nate D. on Nov 7, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+100
Kevin is a good back behind a crappy line. If they can improve next year (new LT to start) his performance will get better. Therre are many, many, many problem areas on the Lions and RB isn’t one of them.
"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx
by Jettero2112 on Dec 5, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Lions players were like Kevin Smith
we would have a decent program
Jack of all trades-Master of None.....
by Peter Chung on Nov 8, 2009 12:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's the O-line
Look, any running back is not going to put up great numbers when you have an O-line as weak as Detroit’s. People pointing out some of Smith’s numbers could look better need to remember that a football team is a unit. Big running plays happen when the O-line opens up the big hole. Detroit’s line basically never does that, so how is Smith supposed to get a 50-yd gain?
Smith is not the problem on the team. I think the Lions have the core down pretty well. They have the RB, the QB, and one really good WR. Pettigrew might develop into something good, too. The game-changer for the Lions right now on offense is the line. It sucks. A second good WR and some talent on the line, and this team could have a dominant offense in the next year or two.
But if you look at the Lions’ history, it’s hard to believe they’re going to do that.
by Fishmandude on Nov 9, 2009 8:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Fish
It’s not just about blocking at the point of attack, Emmit had that but great lines get into the second level and put linebackers and safeties on there ass’s as well, I don’t remember the last time our lineman got into the second level to block; except on screen plays before Staff lets go of the ball that is.
by davis0169 on Nov 27, 2009 9:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry but Kevin Smith
would not be the starter for any other team in the league except Cleveland. On quite a few teams he would struggle to make the roster. Smith is the classic Lions player that our fans overrate. We did it with Batch, Sims and others. The guys they replaced were so awful that they seem like pro-bowlers in comparison. If CJ Spiller were there at the top of round 2, I would not hesitate.
by Russ Aronson on Nov 27, 2009 3:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You're insane.
Please, leave the posts for the sane members of the board.
by LionInIowa on Nov 27, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree.....
In fact I think Smith would be the starter just about anywhere that a team does not already have a big name RB as their starter (IE LT, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, Michael Turner, Steven Jackson, DeAngelo Williams, Maurice Jones-Drew, Brandon Jacobs, and Ronnie Brown). With a good offensive line, I think Smith may be even better than Ryan Grant, Thomas Jones, Cedric Benson, Ray Rice, Parker/Mendenhall, Knowshon Moreno, Marion Barber, and Matt Forte. He is already statistically better this year than Pierre Thomas, Matt Forte, Joseph Addai, Clinton Portis, Beanie Wells/Tim Hightower, Jamal Lewis, Tomlinson, Lawrence Maroney, Cadillac Williams, Julius Jones, Steve Slaton, and Marshawn Lych/Fred Jackson. He’s certainly better than anything Oakland or Kansas City has.
So there are only 10 teams where Kevin Smith would not be the starter. You could probably make an argument that he does not fit the mold of a Baltimore running back, and maybe even that Matt Forte is faster and more explosive, but even so that is still only 12 teams he would not be the starter on. Kevin Smith would be the starter on any of the remaining 20 NFL teams, beyond any sort of reasonable doubt. Give him an offensive line that can sustain run blocks and allow him to hit the second level at full speed, and he will be a dominant top 10 back guaranteed.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is out of their minds…..Kevin Smith is the real deal. He may not be the fastest back in the league, and he may not be the strongest, but he is one of the more complete backs in the league. People need to get off his nuts. He is currently 18th in the league in rushing, and that is behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league.
by KDawg on Nov 27, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You have it right every where except
The raiders. . .they have 2 backs better than K-smooth.
by davis0169 on Nov 27, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd take McFadden any day over Smith.
by davis0169 on Nov 27, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not me
McFadden is over rated and so is Michael Bush. Fargas is the best back they have.
by KDawg on Nov 27, 2009 10:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I watched Bush run at Louisviile
and Smith makes him look like a practice squad guy. McFadden is over-rated and I would take Smith over Fargas any day. Smith is a top back even with a crappy line.
"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx
by Jettero2112 on Dec 5, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You're doing exactly what I said
Ranking a 3rd year back that has never attained 1000 yards above most the league. 18th in total yards is an empty stat. 25th in yards per game, just 3 touchdowns, 3.4 yards a carry is amongst the worst of the starters in the league but thats all the lines fault right? How about runs over 20 yards, just two. If we had a better line maybe they could get down field and block the linebackers and d-backs Smith never seems to elude right? He is tied for third in the league in fumbles though, so he is pretty solid there. Look at his adjusted stats and he shows worse as a runner. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/rb
My comment stands, he is not a clear starter anywhere but here and Cleveland. I think he is a capable player as he has shown ability in the passing game this year. Our problem exists in relying on him for exclusive carries when clearly there is room for improvement. Yes a better O-line will help some. But there are major flaws in his running game, and he is better suited as a part of a platoon. We need a guy that decisively runs the ball, punishes defenders and can break away. I saw a post comparing Smith to Marshall Faulk, they are half right he compares to Kevin Faulk. But that is not all bad, unless you are basing your whole rushing attack around a Kevin Faulk.
by Russ Aronson on Nov 28, 2009 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Your comment stands on shit
To answer your question, yes it is ALL the offensive line’s fault. Prove to me that it isn’t. You can’t. You have some kind of hard on for a new running back, and you are blinded by your own ideas. Kevin Smith averages 3.4 yards per carry BECAUSE HE IS CONSTANTLY OPPOSED IN THE BACKFIELD!! The fact that he has 3.4 yards per carry clearly shows that he DOES elude well. How do you get a ton of TD’s when you 1) are rarely in the red zone, 2) do not have a line that gets a push, but rather one that gets pushed back and into your running lanes on a consistent basis, and 3) do not get the ball in goal line situations because the coaching staff KNOWS that the line doesn’t get a push??
You are criticizing us REAL fans for ranking OUR running back above a lot of others. Well guess what pal? I’m going to do the same thing to you. You are ranking a SECOND year running back (drafted in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft) who has been behind the WORST offensive line in the league BOTH YEARS that he has played in the NFL. Not only did he rack up 976 yards in his ROOKIE season, but he also scored 8 rushing TDs and had a 4.1 YPC average. On top of that he had 39 catches for 286 yards. As of right this moment, the Lions have 5 games remaining and Kevin Smith is 373 yards behind his rushing yardage total from the previous season. He has 5 less TDs. His YPC avg is 0.7 yards less. He is contributing more in the passing game this year than last, with just 2 less receptions and 81 more yards and a TD at this point. He has played injured for most of the season, and while the offensive line slightly improved in PASS blocking, it regressed even more in RUN blocking (our offensive line ranks 30th overall currently, with only Green Bay (44 sacks allowed) and Kansas City (37 sacks allowed) being worse. They are currently #1 in the league for most negative rushing attempts allowed (39).
You think it is a lack of ability on behalf of Kevin Smith that has him averaging only 54.8 yards rushing and 33.4 yards per game receiving? Being 18th in the league in rushing as a SECOND year player behind a terrible offensive line is an empty stat? I think your logic is what is empty.
by KDawg on Nov 28, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Are you Kevin Smith's dad?
I certainly did prove that it’s certainly not all the lines fault. You did not follow the link I provided. The Lions are 27th in the league in percentage of runs stuffed (negative or zero yards). Lets look at the teams below them.
28th- Tampa Bay – Cadillac Williams 3.8 YPC, Derrick Ward 3.7 YPC combined 4 TD, 5 +20yd runs
29th- Tennessee- Chris Johnson 6.1 YPC, 8 TD, 18 +20yds
30th- Minnesota- Adrian Peterson 4.9 YPC, 11 TD, 11 +20yd
31st- San Francisco- Frank Gore 5.4 YPC, 6 TD, 6 +20yd
32nd- Houston- Steve Slaton 3.1 YPC, 3 TD, 3 +20yd
Johnson, Peterson, and Gore are getting stuffed more but still get it done. Slaton and Ward were putting up Kevin Smith type numbers and both of them found their way to the bench. The offensive line is abysmal, I wholly agree with you there. Furthermore I also believe that O-Line is a bigger priority than another runner. I do not have a “hard on” for another back as you believe. I do understand what I see week to week and it could be much better. First off Smith needs to stop planting his foot at the line of scrimmage and lower his shoulder instead. Also deliver a hit to the second level player instead of trying to cut and losing his balance. This is Peterson’s bread and butter and also why he would be loads better than Smith on this team. Smith can also gain more yards by reading blocks better. Go back to his long screen against Cleveland, he waits for CJ to make a block only to follow it wrong and run into the safety. If he takes it sideline, he scores. On the positive side I believe that each of those issues are coachable and I would certainly not cut him. I just think the team would be better served with another guy that has some of the big play ability he lacks. CJ Spiller has some of that, so does soon to be free agent Leon Washington.
by Russ Aronson on Nov 28, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Your right.....I did not follow your link
Footballoutsiders? Give me a break. I got my stats from the source…..directly from the NFL.
Maybe I misunderstood your intentions in posting that Kevin Smith “would not be the starter anywhere but here or Cleveland”. However, that sure sounds like you think that we need a new running back. If he is not good enough to start anywhere else, then why keep him around? That’s because you are wrong, plain and simple.
No matter what you say or think you understand, there is no way that ANY back would be that much better than Smith is right now in Detroit. Period. Sure, Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson may fare a bit better if they were here, but those two guys are RARE in terms of natural ability. Not only that, but they are also the two fastest backs in the NFL (or at least Peterson was when he was drafted….Johnson is the fastest man in the league hands down). We would be making a mistake drafting CJ Spiller, considering the fact that we have other needs, that are more prevalent, to which the BPA will be available when we draft. Spiller will not be the BPA when we draft in round 1. Leon Washington will likely get franchise tagged by the Jets, if they can not resign him immediately. Thomas Jones is a great back, but he is not getting younger and the Jets would be foolish to let Washington leave.
As I said, you can not prove that Kevin Smith’s lack of production is not the majority fault of the offensive line. Your stats are empty, and they only show that Johnson, Gore, and Peterson are better backs than Kevin Smith. They do not prove that Smith’s lack of production is not because of poor play by his offensive line, and they clearly support the fact that Smith would start on MOST other teams in the NFL. So you can prove that Peterson, Johnson, and Gore are better backs than Kevin Smith…..a fact that I never once disputed.
by KDawg on Nov 29, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
I’m glad you dug up this shit KDawg so I didn’t have to.
He’s averaging the same YPC that Matt Forte is, I don’t see Chicago wanting to get rid of him and he has a hell of a lot better o-line.
by LionInIowa on Nov 28, 2009 9:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
KDAWG
Thanks for the stats. Looking at numbers alone, combined with my opinion of our O-Line, shows that it is much too early to be giving up on Kevin. I’d also like to add that he made a heckuva block on the famous Stafford to Pettegrew TD with no time left.
I’m not convinced that Kevin is the long-term answer. Could be that his numbers are inflated due to Detroit needing to play from behind most of the time and the opposing defense focusing on the passing game.
Bottom line is that there is no way to know. Given his attitude, his numbers and his age it would be foolish to list RB as one of our biggest needs. If I were an intelligent defensive minded head coach for Detroit, I would limit the glaring needs to fill on offense to the line, then focus on defense the rest of the way.
by jimoska on Nov 28, 2009 9:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree
However, I think Kevin Smith can be the main guy in Detroit for at least another 8 years. If we put some guys up front that can sustain blocks into the second level for him, I have no doubt that he would easily average 4 yards per carry or more. The fact of the matter, and the crux of my argument, is that we DO NOT have an offensive line that can give Smith the proper blocking that he needs to showcase his abilities. If we did have a line that was good at run blocking AND pass blocking, Kevin Smith would EASILY be a top 10 back in the league. I am with you on the idea that our front office should focus on the glaring needs on the offensive line, followed by building the defense. Get the offensive line set, and then see what Kevin Smith does. If he still fails to get it done once a solid O-line is in place, then we can discuss replacing him or platooning him. Until then, saying that he is mediocre at best is a farce…..and that is putting it lightly.
by KDawg on Nov 29, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We can keep Smith and see how he does.........
Meanwhile, we can upgrade our power back by replacing Maurice Morris. Maybe we can get a bargain with a guy with “perceived” character issues. Schwartz knows LenDale White. Schwartz would know if he’s a guy he can rely on here. If so, he would be a great fit with the running game here, and we may get him cheap. Same goes for LaGarrette Blount. We’ll have to check him out thoroughly, but if his bad decision was a one-time incident of hotheaded youthful immaturity, he could be a great late round bargain in the draft.
What? He can’t block a dead gopher? Humph, details.
by GRLion on Dec 4, 2009 10:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Did you see the guy he punched?
I think I would have punched him too…..just like Brady Quinn…..LOL. Plus, it was a KO punch….the guy went down like a ton of crap. He got back up, but he didn’t know where he was….lol. I have my doubts that the Lions will go after Blount in the draft, but I definitely think he is a solid RB prospect (if he can stay out of trouble……red flag anyone?).
by KDawg on Dec 4, 2009 10:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree
the Boise kid kind of deserved it, kind of stupid he was not punished for taunting. But I guess the punch was enough. Blount is a great late draft prospect. If he works out he could be a short yardage runner unlike anything we have. I just wonder how many teams are thinking the same thing.
by Russ Aronson on Dec 5, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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