Lions Release Aaron Brown To Make Room For Joique Bell

by Sean Yuille on Dec 27, 2011 3:01 PM EST in Detroit Lions News

The Detroit Lions officially signed running back Joique Bell today. They also released fellow running back Aaron Brown from the roster to make room for Bell, who joins the Lions after spending most of the season on the New Orleans Saints practice squad.

Brown was brought back by the Lions at the end of November when Jahvid Best was placed on injured reserve. He was originally let go by the team after the final round of NFL roster cuts when Keiland Williams was claimed off waivers.

In his second stint with the Lions, Brown only appeared in one game (against the Minnesota Vikings) and had one carry for zero yards and one reception for nine yards. With Bell joining the team, it's no surprise that Brown was let go. Bell is expected to contribute to the Lions as early as Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, and it's possible he could get playing time in the playoffs as well. Brown just wasn't in the Lions' plans going forward.

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I always liked Brown...

Oh well….

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by Detroitnr1 on Dec 27, 2011 3:04 PM EST reply actions

it's not surprising since he never earned their trust since signing so didn't get any play time to speak of

but it is surprising in a way since he was to be the speed back option to KWill power run. Well neither of those materialized very well., granted KWill has shown enough promise to get at the least a camp invite imo. The thing is now we have a jack of all trades back in momo, a sorta power back in KWill, and an unproven power back in Bell. That’s a lot of overlap without any real home run threat scat type guy. Odd, but then again I suppose if given a choice an unreliable scat option isn’t as appealing as a somewhat reliable power option.

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by Ee Oulo on Dec 27, 2011 3:07 PM EST reply actions

Sorry but IMO

K Will as done jack. He hits the O line and goes down. Starting to see why Shannahan didn;t give him carries. If you can run in that offense well you must be bad. Rather would have seen Keiland go but either way I think Bell will add something. He’s gonna want to sieze this oppertunity

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by The Profiler on Dec 27, 2011 4:19 PM EST up reply actions

I hear ya

I think you’re right Bell is going to want to seize this opportunity. It’s his home town team and also could be his best shot to prove himself to the league.

Kwill has been a disappointment but yet he shows a good flash every now and again when given the opportunity. I can’t imagine him not getting a camp invite at the least.

by Ee Oulo on Dec 28, 2011 1:32 AM EST up reply actions

umm...

are you purposely not looking at k smoove? he is our current starting back and big threat, and hopefully can get some better numbers when healthy

by ridebmx on Dec 27, 2011 4:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

His body can't stand up to NFL hits

That much is certain at this point.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a damn shame.

by Hurr Durr on Dec 27, 2011 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

He's been injured just as much as Stafford has

Are you saying Stafford won’t be able to hold up too?

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by Bighaircut on Dec 27, 2011 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

Its not going to cost anything to keep Kevin Smith around so we might as well

If he gets hurt we will kick him to the curb.

by Eddie Apoc on Dec 27, 2011 9:25 PM EST up reply actions

yup

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by Bighaircut on Dec 28, 2011 1:20 AM EST up reply actions

actually yes, yes I was overlooking him

I guess I just totally blanked out he’s on the roster again. The sad thing is that I actually do like him. I’m not going to advocate they rely on him or anything, but he has proven he has something to offer if/when healthy. At this stage I think he’s more of a jack of all trades type than a big threat due to the ankle.

by Ee Oulo on Dec 28, 2011 1:27 AM EST up reply actions

I think this was a GREAT move

I really like this move and I can’t wait to see what he can do for the Lions. I remember him from his days at Wayne State and I’m fairly confident that we now have a runner who will be a much bigger threat between the tackles and for short yardage situations. I am tickled pink with this signing Happy New Year Lions fans because this is like a belated Christmas gift for anyone who wants to see the Lions have a running game. There is no doubt about the size of Bell’s heart, or courage… I just hope that he can get up to speed relatively quickly, and that our O-line can open up a few creases for him to blow through. GO LIONS!!!

by Jeff Lamphere on Dec 27, 2011 3:23 PM EST reply actions

Called it.

by Eddie Apoc on Dec 27, 2011 3:56 PM EST reply actions

Brown was fast

But that dude couldn’t run through a stiff breeze. One finger on him and down he went.

by orenthal on Dec 27, 2011 4:21 PM EST reply actions

Bell looks like Lions first draft pick of 2012

Keiland Williams has had 15 games to prove he is capable of taking carries away from the other Lions backs. Fact is, Williams is a fumble waiting to happen much like DeDe Dorsey from a few seasons ago. Brought in Aaron Brown for a looksee, and he couldn’t take carries away from Keliand Williams.

Best, Leshoure, Smith, Morris, Bell looks to be the backfield that will open the 2012 camp.

And now that the Lions are in the playoffs, eventually, the Lions’ weaknesses are going to show up. Regrettably, the Lions will not be going to the SuperBowl this year, however, with the critical eye review of Mayhew and Schwartz the 2012 draft is going to be very interesting and the Lions will not have to pick a late round running back with the signing of Bell.

Drafting at the bottom of the rounds, instead of at the top, selection of available draftees still on the board will not be as easy as a top 10 pick, still this draft is critical to the Lions success going forward, so the 2012 draft is the most important one in the Mayhew/Schwartz era and it would be great to know beforehand whom the Lions are planning on resigning and whom they are not.

by 5Bakerstreet on Dec 27, 2011 6:00 PM EST reply actions

Can you imagine having to actually cut GOOD RB's next camp?

We’ll have Best, LeShoure, Smith, Morris, Bell, Williams, and whoever we draft/pick up in the offseason. We’ll have to cut two of em. This is a good thing to have.

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by Bighaircut on Dec 27, 2011 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

What was that one NFC West team that was 2 minutes away from winning SB XLIII

I forget their name. :p

I mean sure it’s difficult to like the Lions’ chances at a serious playoff run. Virtually impossible, even.

If there’s one team that could make magic happen, though, it’s this one.

by Hurr Durr on Dec 27, 2011 6:43 PM EST up reply actions

Regrettably, the Lions will not be going to the SuperBowl this year

wait a minute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why not?

by chainsaw on Dec 27, 2011 6:44 PM EST up reply actions

"Drafting at the bottom of the rounds, instead of the top, selection of draftees still on the board will not be as easy as a top 10 pick"

I kind of like the Winning Record thing … sounds good, doesn’t it ???

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by AlaskaLion on Dec 27, 2011 11:12 PM EST up reply actions

+1

I think you hit the nail on the head. I’ve seen some mocks where folks have the Lions taking a RB in the first 3 rounds. I just can’t see it. And with this signing it is even less likely in my opinion if Bell shows flashes of being a quality RB on the active roster every week. Plus we get Leshoure back.

I think we have a legit shot at the NFC title game, but Saints will be in the SB this year. I think we can beat the Packers twice in three weeks if we lock up the 5th seed and get NY or Dallas. But that damn Brees in a NFC title game in that damn Dome!!!!

Finally, your last point about the draft is very true and interesting as well. I’m curious to see if we’ll stick to the best player available when picking near the end of the round? We need some OL help and if that doesn’t happen to be the best player, I wonder if we’ll pass and take a different position?

Anyway, nice RB signing on paper. Hopefully he’ll show up.

Go Lions!!!!

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by tmane333 on Dec 27, 2011 6:29 PM EST reply actions

Personally I think Brown was brought back for one reason

and that was to add the big play threat from the RB position designed for Best the coaches realized he brought nothing to the table that would make him any more of a threat then Burleson and Logan when they filled in on those plays so he was expendable I believe going forward we may see nate in the backfield to add what we lost when Jahvid went down.

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by Wayne Fontes on Dec 27, 2011 7:02 PM EST reply actions

That Wayne

Is a very long sentence

by Dave Marshall on Dec 27, 2011 11:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

That Wayne

Is a very long sentence

by Dave Marshall on Dec 27, 2011 11:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

excellent points

I believe that is exactly why they brought in Brown since they likely do want to be able to run those plays I’m just surprised they haven’t given Logan more snaps to try that role then again it would be cool to see TDY given that chance but I suppose they want him just focusing on learning his job which he’s done well so it’s really nice to have such quality WR talents and I find it interesting that you think Burleson will get increased looks from the backfield as that’s a bold idea and I like it so wtf it isn’t as much fun as I thought it would be typing 1 big huge run on sentence of a flow of thoughts

by Ee Oulo on Dec 28, 2011 1:37 AM EST up reply actions

I think that he was brought back because

he is a Best clone sorta. Did not really have to change much in the game plan or schemes.

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by JCruize on Dec 28, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

Something Interesting

I was looking around on Google to learn more about this guy, and came across this piece from 1-27-10.

m.bleacherreport.com/articles/333696-hometown-hero-could-solve-lions-problem-at-rb

I am interested in seeing get some carries on Sunday, this could be a good thing for us.

by GrumpyOldMan on Dec 27, 2011 7:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Bleacher report?

Come on man!

by Eddie Apoc on Dec 27, 2011 9:26 PM EST up reply actions

Never heard of it before, just did a search for Joique Bell to see some video, and this was in the results.
Just found it kinda funny seeing as its 2 years old

by GrumpyOldMan on Dec 28, 2011 3:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions