The Detroit Lions and The Great Running Back Conundrum
By Mike Payton
2003
| Player | Attempts | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | Yards per carry |
| Shawn Bryson | 158 | 606 | 3 | 3.8 |
| Olandis Gary | 113 | 384 | 2 | 3.4 |
| Artose Pinner | 39 | 99 | 0 | 2.5 |
| Avon Cobourne | 10 | 27 | 0 | 2.7 |
| Paul Smith | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2.5 |
| Stephen Trejo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 322 | 1,121 | 5 | 2.9 |
| NFL Rank: 32nd | ||||
| 03 Ravens | 552 | 2,674 | 18 | 4.8 |
The loss of James Stewart was sudden and put the Lions in need of a new starting running back. Instead of trying for Willis Mcgahee or Larry Johnson in the draft, the Lions opted to sign career back up Shawn Bryson and try their luck with the once promising Olandis Gary. The Lions wound up having the worst rushing attack in the league, which when looking at these brilliant signings makes you wonder how Matt Millen made it past this year. The Lions would finish 5-11 and again miss the playoffs.
2004
| Player | Attempts | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | Yards per carry |
| Kevin Jones | 241 | 1133 | 5 | 4.7 |
| Artose Pinner | 57 | 174 | 2 | 3.1 |
| Shawn Bryson | 50 | 264 | 0 | 5.3 |
| Total | 348 | 1,571 | 7 | 4.3 |
| NFL Rank: 19th | ||||
| 04 Falcons | 524 | 2,672 | 20 | 5.1 |
The Lions learned for their horrible mistake from the year before, sort of. The Lions took Kevin Jones in the 1st round of the NFL Draft over the summer, but neglected to find him a running mate. While Jones wasted no time breaking out in his rookie year, imagine what he could have been if he had another back to help carry the load. The Lions would go on to finish the year with a 6-10 record.
2005
| Player | Attempts | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | Yards per carry |
| Kevin Jones | 186 | 664 | 5 | 3.6 |
| Artose Pinner | 106 | 349 | 3 | 3.3 |
| Shawn Bryson | 64 | 306 | 1 | 4.8 |
| Total | 356 | 1,319 | 9 | 3.9 |
| NFL Rank: 26th | ||||
| 05 Falcons | 531 | 2,546 | 17 | 4.8 |
Little did Lions fans know that 2005 was the beginning of the end for Kevin Jones. Injuries led to fewer games, which led to fewer carries, which led to lower stats. The Lions elected to once again to not change a thing. The everything will work itself out mantra was the signature of the Matt Millen era. Artose Pinner improved, but was not the guy the Lions needed to help Jones. Somehow Bryson is still in Detroit at this time.
2006
| Player | Attempts | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | Yards per carry |
| Kevn Jones | 181 | 689 | 6 | 3.8 |
| Arlen Harris | 49 | 158 | 1 | 3.2 |
| Aveion Cason | 24 | 94 | 0 | 3.9 |
| Brian Calhoun | 7 | 19 | 0 | 2.7 |
| Lamar Gordon | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Sean Mchugh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 262 | 962 | 7 | 3.1 |
| 06 Falcons | 537 | 2,939 | 9 | 5.5 |
The Lions put a brand new group around Kevin Jones in 2006. The Lions took free agency by storm when they passed on guys like Ahman Green and Jamal Lewis, and took Arlen Harris. Harris had started two games in his NFL career when the Lions brought him on board to be their number two running back. Harris never played another season in the NFL after his one year with the Lions. Meanwhile, Jones would miss more time with yet another injury and the Lions finished 3-13.
2007
| Player | Attempts | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | Yards per carry |
| Kevin Jones | 153 | 581 | 8 | 3.8 |
| T.J. Duckett | 65 | 335 | 3 | 5.2 |
| Aveion Cason | 11 | 38 | 0 | 3.5 |
| Brian Calhoun | 7 | 35 | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 263 | 989 | 11 | 4.3 |
| NFL Rank:31st | ||||
| 07 Vikings | 494 | 2,634 | 22 | 5.3 |
The addition of T.J. Duckett was initially met with some fanfare. Duckett was a local guy, a 1st round draft pick and had some successful years with Atlanta as a back up running back. But his cup of coffee in Detroit wound up being a cold one. Duckett could not duplicate the success he had in Atlanta, nor could he produce the unexpected success he would have the following year in Seattle. Kevin Jones missed more games and the Lions pulled off their infamous switch and ended the season 7-9 after a hot 6-2 start.
Next: 2008-2012