Lions Reportedly Work Out Kevin Smith, Leonard Davis

by Sean Yuille on Nov 4, 2011 11:45 PM EDT in Detroit Lions News

Scout.com's Aaron Wilson is reporting that the Detroit Lions worked out running back Kevin Smith and offensive guard Leonard Davis on Thursday.

Smith has essentially been a free agent ever since the Lions decided not to tender him a contract offer this past offseason. The Lions decided to go in a different direction at running back after Smith rushed the ball only 34 times for 133 yards in six games in 2010. He was placed on injured reserve with a thumb injury, and this came one year after he had his season ended early by a torn ACL.

As for Davis, he has been a free agent since the Dallas Cowboys released him this past July. The Lions brought him in for a workout in August, but there were no developments following his visit to Allen Park.

In all likelihood, the Lions were probably just kicking the tires on Smith and Davis. That is usually the case for most in-season workouts. I don't anticipate either being signed, although things could potentially change if any injuries occur during the second half of the season.

UPDATE: Adam Caplan reports that 24 players worked out for the Lions this week. In addition to Smith and Davis, Antwaan Randle El, Brian Brohm and former Lion Aaron Brown were some of the guys on the list.

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In all likely hood even though i would love Davis to push the pile

Smith would have a higher likelyhood of signing if there is any likelyhood. RB has been ok at best, Best i believe will be fine, he will be susceptible to concussions in the future but should be alright next year with Leshore getting back healthy. By the way does anyone know if Leshore comes on trips to the games or not even if he is on injured reserve?

by Liontotheextreme on Nov 4, 2011 11:51 PM EDT reply actions

Ya know, I was just wondering the same thing about Leshoure

Whether he is at the facility learning the system, traveling with the team, observing practice, etc.

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by AlaskaLion on Nov 5, 2011 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

There is nothing in the rules that stop a player from traveling with the team if they are on IR.

It is strictly up to the team and the player whether they will travel to road games. Usually it depends a lot on whether the player has therapy for their injury that would be interrupted by the travel. There is no hard and fast rule about this though. Some teams, like the Dallas Cowboys, have an informal policy that players on IR will not travel with the team, while other teams often take IR players on road trips.

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by TuffLynx on Nov 5, 2011 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I am all for K-Smoove as a Lion again.

by tmyers09 on Nov 5, 2011 12:03 AM EDT reply actions

He was solid when healthy

But he’s an injury concern, which is already a problem at RB. Sign him for the vet min and see what happens.

Yes, I really am that great.

by atvman on Nov 5, 2011 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions

This is weird

Just yesterday I thought to myself “what ever happened to Kevin Smith”
Now he may be coming back.

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by FrankWyt on Nov 5, 2011 12:18 AM EDT reply actions

Give K Smooth Harrison's spot

Or whoever was signed to replace him. He can’t be any worse.

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by WalterM on Nov 5, 2011 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

Always liked Kevin Smith, but this makes me a bit nervous

About how long Jahvid Best may be out. If the Lions are kicking the tires on more running backs, putting two and two together tells me this is a contingency plan in case Best ends up on IR.

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by Evilsmurf on Nov 5, 2011 1:05 AM EDT reply actions

Yep I thought the same thing

I even think they brought in Davis to decoy people not looking that much into Smith getting worked out. If Best does not come back after the bye I’ll start to wonder when they might I.R. him.

I always said Best was a 10-14 carries a game back, then I looked up his last 3 games and he was getting 10-14 carries a game!!!! That’s what scares me, he’s getting concussions with limited carries… : (

by msivits on Nov 5, 2011 7:24 AM EDT up reply actions

the guys life has to be in jeopardy.

that play in college, two or three quick concussions in the NFL. I’m more worried about his life than i am him helping the Lions win games.

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by FrankWyt on Nov 6, 2011 3:56 AM EDT up reply actions

over-react much?

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by j16941 on Nov 6, 2011 6:15 AM EST up reply actions

i don't know

did we take a trip back to 2004 where we make a claim, then follow it up with “much”?

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by FrankWyt on Nov 6, 2011 6:46 AM EST up reply actions

but I am curious to know what you mean by overreact (no hyphen necessary)

is it the guys very real possibility of death, given his history?
or is it the ridiculous trivialization of his injuries on this thread?

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by FrankWyt on Nov 6, 2011 6:49 AM EST up reply actions

As for Leonard Davis

He could probably step in day one and do no worse than what Stephen Peterman has given us. I was a Peterman apologist last year, based off him playing injured, but there has been little improvement this year. Yes he is doing better, but he is not the road grader in run blocking he was two years ago and he has become a liability in pass protection at times.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Nov 5, 2011 1:07 AM EDT reply actions

Funny, I've read occasional blurbs on Peterman in ProFootballFocus

and they’re pretty much the opposite of what you and LionsD say.

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by drgarnett on Nov 5, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Davis is a Pro Bowler

I would like to see him come in and push some guys maybe as we go into the second half. The guy is enormous, he should be able to help us. He’s not that old. Peterman has def. made enough mistakes this season.

by LionsD on Nov 5, 2011 3:33 AM EDT reply actions

What a coincidence!

I contacted my HS girlfriend the other day, just to make sure my life was better without her…. bwaaahahahahaahha!

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by CLF on Nov 5, 2011 8:50 AM EDT reply actions

Davis a lion?

on reddit i read a post a guy wrote saying that he works at a hotel and davis’s wife called to book a room until january? this was before any news of this. could this be a sign we will sign him

by Do_Shawn on Nov 5, 2011 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

Lol

Why would a multi millionaire live in a hotel for three months?

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by Latif Masud on Nov 5, 2011 3:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

haha

heck if i no lol :P who would buy a house if they are only going to be here a few months

by Do_Shawn on Nov 5, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

people that know their careers are short, and want to not waste money?

journey men always rent something, hotels, apartments etc.

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by FrankWyt on Nov 6, 2011 3:57 AM EDT up reply actions

huh?

Isn’t randle el just an older version of what we already have in Stephen Logan? And Brian brohm? Wtf? We have stafford….hill….stanton! Why work out brohm? Weird things going on……. Well I’m confused….

by hostage42 on Nov 5, 2011 2:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions