Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell is already planning on big things for the upcoming 2015 season.
The 28-year-old product of local Wayne State University sat down for an interview with Kyle Meinke of MLive.com earlier this week, and the Motor City native believes that he is poised for a career year this season.
"“I’m going to rush for over 1,200 yards. That’s the minimum. If I do less than that, I’ll be surprised. I’ll be disappointed.”“Anything more than that, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.”"
If there’s one thing Lions fans can appreciate, its confidence — but they also like results too. The statement from Bell is a bold one considering he has yet to participate in any offseason workouts while recovering from both knee and Achilles surgeries.
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It’s also bold in the sense that no Detroit Lions running back has rushed for 1,200 yards since the great Barry Sanders did it in his final season, 1998.
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Generated 7/1/2015.
“My first year here I rushed for a few hundred (yards), second year, close to (700). Then last year, almost 900. So this next year, I’m just going to jump the gun and say 1,200. That’s the minimum.” – Joique Bell
If there were ever a year for a Lions runner to end that streak, this might just be the year to do it. Detroit has made solid improvements along their offensive line, the area of the team that was considered the “weak link” a year ago.
On day one of the 2015 NFL Draft, Lions general manager Martin Mayhew added not one, but two solid guards. Detroit traded back with the Denver Broncos, from No. 23 overall to No. 28, picking up former Lion Manny Ramirez in the process.
Then, when the eventually went on the clock a few minutes later they selected Duke’s Laken Tomlinson.
Second year center, Travis Swanson is also expected to take his place in the starting lineup this season, with Ramirez providing considerable depth if Tomlinson is able to win the starting guard job.
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Head coach Jim Caldwell has stated that he plans on emphasizing on the run more in 2015, however the idea of Bell reaping the rewards is debatable.
Detroit also select running back Ameer Abdullah in the second round of this years NFL Draft and the buzz surrounding Theo Riddick seems stronger than ever.
Whether you believe Bell will or won’t surpass the goal he has set for himself this year, it’s good to see that confidence entering the season. Now lets just hope it transitions onto the field.
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