Where The Lions Roster Stands: Running Back

by Sean Yuille on Jun 19, 2011 1:05 AM EDT in Detroit Lions Roster

Returning from last season: Jahvid Best, Maurice Morris, Aaron Brown, Ian Johnson (he was on the practice squad)

Currently a free agent: Kevin Smith (he is a restricted free agent, but the Lions didn't tender him a contract offer)

New to the team: Mikel Leshoure (he was picked by the Lions in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft)

Last year, the Detroit Lions kept four running backs when they established their 53-man roster: Jahvid Best, Maurice Morris, Aaron Brown and Kevin Smith. Smith, who is set to become a restricted free agent, has already essentially been told he won't be back next season. The Lions didn't tender a contract offer to him earlier in the offseason before the NFL lockout began, meaning he will be free to sign anywhere he wants.

Out of the other three running backs that were on the roster last season, only Best is a lock to make the team next season. He will be joined by draft pick Mikel Leshoure to form the Lions' one-two punch at running back. With Smith gone both Morris and Brown could end up making the roster, but neither has lock status. Morris is certainly likely to be on the team considering he showed some promise in the second half of last season, but Brown could be on his way out.

The other running back currently in the mix is former Boise State Bronco Ian Johnson. He joined the Lions' practice squad in November, and while he doesn't project to be an impact player, he could potentially work his way onto the roster and push Brown out of a spot if he has a good training camp.

Need going forward?

The Lions could sign a free agent running back to add another body during training camp, but that's the only movement I really expect with this position. If a veteran running back hit the open market I could see the Lions giving him a look just for depth purposes, but it's clear this position is going to sink or swim with Best and Leshoure in 2011.

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Bye K-smooth

I’m torn between Morris and Brown. I think Morris is more of an all around back then anybody else on the team at this point. Brown, he’s kind of an enigma. He looks like he has potential, but at his best he’s almost like a less talented Best.

Being a Boise State fan I do have to talk about Ian Johnson though. He seemed like a back that would have really flourished in the old Denver Bronco’s running back system. He was a one cut and go kind of runner. If he can find a way to get on the final roster I’m not going to complain.

LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! LITTLE MAN IN BACKFIELD! GO STEFAN LOGAN!

by BBlades on Jun 19, 2011 1:21 AM EDT reply actions

Give me Morris

It’s pretty simple: Morris has contributed since signing him and Brown hasn’t contributed since being drafted. Morris adds that veteran influence you need on two young running backs and you can’t just cut a guy like that for a 3rd year player who hasn’t ever contributed anything.

by TheForceOfFollett on Jun 19, 2011 1:57 AM EDT reply actions

I'd say you'd be looking at a 3 man tandem

Best will take the slight majority of snaps, useful for pass plays plus slashes to the outside. Mikel will probably be the goal-line back, plus short-yardage, at least at first. Mo will be a change-up and backup for those two, giving that experience and vision to the team. Aaron Brown may stay on, but I’m unsure, we could look at someone Undrafted.

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by Hyperion Ecta on Jun 19, 2011 2:20 AM EDT reply actions

RB

cut some of the fat and go younger, save the dough they spend for the spots we really need CB LB

by bizmarce on Jun 19, 2011 3:35 AM EDT reply actions

I am actually a fan of Ian Johnson

Hope to see him do well and earn a spot on the roster

Yeah, I'm on Zoloft, but I take that to keep from killing ya'll! - Mike Tyson

by xanderjd on Jun 19, 2011 5:11 AM EDT reply actions

Another Kevin with the #34 that I liked gone.

Damn.

'The reality is - the police become necessary in human society, only at that junction in a society where it is split between those who have, and those who ain't got' - Omali Yeshitela

"In the absence of logic it is not uncommon that sanity can only be found by embracing lunacy." – Leonuro, circa 2011

by Nate D. on Jun 19, 2011 6:15 AM EDT reply actions

Hate to see K-Smooth go.

Maybe a team that needs a 3rd down back will pick him up.

by coolbreeze42 on Jun 19, 2011 8:42 AM EDT reply actions

Good Luck Kevin Smith

I hope he improves with another year recovered from his ACL injury, hopefully it’ll give him a better shot to compete for a job. Dude was a workhorse for us and got paid like a Special Teams player, a damn shame.

NO HOMO!!!!!!!

by FMFDOC8404 on Jun 19, 2011 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

I really had high hopes for 34K

I was high on him after he got drafted and after his rookie year. Just unfortunate that injuries and a bad football team are the reasons he didn’t make it. Its too bad, I really thought he couldve been special.

From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!

by DLions4Eva on Jun 19, 2011 9:41 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I really had high hopes for 34K

From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!

by DLions4Eva on Jun 19, 2011 9:41 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Sean, Does Ian Johnson play special teams as well?

He has pretty good size [5’ 11" and 212] and ran a half decent 40 [4.46] so he might make a good coverage guy if he can tackle.

LINK: http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=56515&draftyear=2009&genpos=RB

Not sure what the issue is with Ian, he seemed to be tailing off since his outstanding sophomore season at Boise State. Went undrafted too. Weird.

"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."

by NorthLeft12 on Jun 19, 2011 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

Morris is a better keep for us, simply because Brown and Best are similar

But if cut Brown, he will land somewhere and be productive.

All men are created equal. Its just that some men are more equal than others....

by CapitolLions on Jun 19, 2011 10:26 AM EDT reply actions

And for that matter...

I won’t be surprised to see KSmith produce somewhere…

All men are created equal. Its just that some men are more equal than others....

by CapitolLions on Jun 19, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

by coolbreeze42 on Jun 19, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Aaron Brown

I really hope he finds a way to make the team. I think of we have Best, LeShoure, Mo, and Brown with a mix of Stefan Logan our backfield will be solid.

just pass me the damn ball

by Christopher Moriarty on Jun 19, 2011 12:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Morris all day...

It sucks to see the speed of Brown leave town but if i remember correctly it was Logan given Best a breather.

I like Johnson as well but in the end it could be Best Leshoure Morris and Brown.

It should be fun to watch Best and Leshoure this year but the real question has to be who will be the futured back. (Best or Leshoure)

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by SmittyJ on Jun 19, 2011 12:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I really hope...

KSmith goes on to have a solid career with another team (not located in the NFC North). I used to really like Aaron Brown, but after reading stuff about him not understanding his assignments in blocking, I lost a little hope for him. I think he has all the physical potential, but doesn’t grasp the game mentally.

by lions_sucker on Jun 19, 2011 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

I can not imagine MoMo being cut

Like i said in the off season thread, he is solid in every aspect of the game. Not stellar in any one of them. Re-watching the TB game. He was a difference maker. Confident hitting holes. Always falling forward. moderately effective in the passing game. Solid in pass blocking and he was the one that had the 30 yard rush in OT that pushed us to mid field and the eventual win.

Cutting him would be terrible.

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by joshsun on Jun 19, 2011 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Ian will not make the the 53 I bet

Someone is out probably Kevin sadly but I think everyone else stays intact. With Best and Leshoure being the bread winners here.

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." Mario Andretti

PCP 4 LIFE

by The Profiler on Jun 19, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

You don't think Ian can beat out Aaron?

It’s a bias of course, but I think if he’s putting in the work at DCC with everybody else, he has a good shot a at the fourth spot. He’s not gonna beat out Best, Morris, or Leshoure, but I think he might be able to beat out Brown.

Yeah, I'm on Zoloft, but I take that to keep from killing ya'll! - Mike Tyson

by xanderjd on Jun 20, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

iwouldcut both morris and browen because morris macks to muchmoney and browen has not done any thing in the last 2years to keep a roster spot plus late year draft class and year before has alot of rbs who might be late rostercuts this year that could upgrade the backup rbs spot for the lions .

by kwfords on Jun 20, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Keep morris

I had high hopes for brown, but he looked at times like he had no idea where he was going, and he looked like he was afraid of contact. Morris filled in admirably, and I have no problems keeping him around.

by big smoove on Jun 20, 2011 6:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions