The Detroit Lions and The Great Running Back Conundrum
By Mike Payton
The Detroit Lions have had many issues with their run game in the 17 years since Barry Sanders untimely retirement in 1998. In that time the Lions have gone through 35 different running backs, only three of them have run for 1000 yards or more. The Lions rushing attack has not ranked higher than 17th since 1998 and has not rushed for more that 112 yards per game in that time as well.
June 12, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best (44) during mini camp at Detroit Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE
The Lions have had every type of running back imaginable. From undrafted rookies to injury plagued 1st round selections. In 2015 the Detroit Lions will start again with a brand new running back and a brand new system. The question of if the Lions run game will succeed in 2015 is one that cannot be answered yet.
But what we can do is take a look back at the last 17 years of Detroit Lions rushing attacks to see what went wrong. Each year will show players stats and the stats of the leagues number 1 rushing attack for comparison.
Next: 1999-2002