Nov 20, 2011; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush (22) hauls in a catch as Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Kelvin Sheppard (55) defends during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The specialization of skill-sets suited for a particular role obviously has advantages as it allows the Lions to take advantages of particular weaknesses in a defense. However, the Lions’ use of personnel also has the potential to severely tip their hand to opposing defenses.

Reggie Bush and Mikel Leshoure are different players and won’t be used to do the same things. It’s an overly simplistic explanation but the Lions will look to get Bush free in space while Leshoure will be the more traditional between the tackles runner.

The Lions will have to flip the script just enough to keep defenses honest or punish defenses cheating towards a tendency, but can’t do it so often as to misuse their running backs. Jim Schwartz touched on another way the Lions can add a level of deception to their offensive attack:

During the NFC coaches breakfast this morning Jim Schwartz said we could see Leshoure or Bell and Reggie Bush on the field together in 2013.

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 20, 2013

That likely means we’ll see a combination of two-back backfields and Bush split out wide. Having Bush line up on the outside accomplishes the goal of giving him opportunities to work in space while also having Leshoure in the backfield gives the defense something else to think about and another option for Matthew Stafford as he reads the defense before the snap.

The NFL is all about matchups and the different ways the Lions can use their running backs thanks to the addition of Reggie Bush helps to ensure they have more matchup advantages than they had in 2012.

Dec 2, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions received a lot of praise coming off their successful 2011 season with a lot of it coming in early June. Pro Football Weekly giving the Lions consideration for having the best offense in the NFL, early fantasy football rankings were kind to the Lions and Adam Schefter saw no reason to say that the Lions couldn’t contend for Super Bowls.

After losing his rookie season to an Achilles injury, Mikel Leshoure was probably anxious to get the 2012 season started. The NFL announced that Leshoure would have to wait a couple games to make his debut when they handed him a two game suspension as a result of his marijuana-related arrests.

The Lions had a total of six arrests through the month of June when Aaron Berry got in on the act. Criticism of the Lions started getting louder but Jim Schwartz and the Lions agreed on a contract extension, although both sides remained quiet on the details.

Scanning the Savanna searches the web for Detroit Lions content each morning and brings it to your fingertips in one easy location.

Another ‘Optimus Prime’ thinks he can stand up to Lions’ Calvin Johnson
Josh Katzenstein – The Detroit News

Another week, another Optimus Prime.

Packers cornerback Tramon Williams told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this week he plans to be Megatron’s villain, becoming the second cornerback this season to make the claim (Seattle’s Richard Sherman was the first). Several gave the nickname to Chicago’s Charles Tillman after their Week 7 matchup, too.

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who has 19 catches for 336 yards the past two weeks and leads the NFL with 974 receiving yards, doesn’t mind Williams’ confidence.

“It doesn’t do anything for me. It really doesn’t,” he said.

O’Hara’s Friday Focus: Sunday’s game begins a last-gasp attempt to salvage the season
Mike O’Hara – DetroitLions.com

This week’s Friday Focus looks at a position change for the Packer with a Detroit-area background, a key matchup that involves that change, whether Matthew Stafford throwing to Johnson can carry the offense, and injury issues that have affected both teams.

Lions’ run game lacking ‘explosive’ plays, getting little respect
Dave Birkett – Detroit Free Press

The Lions are the only NFL team without a run of at least 20 yards this year, and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said that might have something to do with how defenses are playing Calvin Johnson.

Leshoure taking hold of running game
Alex Marvez – FOXSports.com

After missing his rookie season because of a torn Achilles tendon, Leshoure has rebounded to become the team’s leading rusher entering the FOX America’s Game of the Week against visiting Green Bay (1 p.m. ET Sunday).

“I’m finally starting to get my legs back,” said Leshoure, who has 418 yards and four touchdowns on his 105 carries. “I was out a year, and I felt it. I feel good and healthy, but I definitely had to get back in the swing of things and get my rhythm back.”