The biggest difference in Detroit’s running game since Lombardi was fired is that they are using it to their advantage, instead of forcing what isn’t there. Jim Bob Cooter deserves a lot of credit for that.
In theory, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick are too similar in their abilities to both achieve success on the same team. The Lions runners each totaled over 100 all-purpose yards in yesterday’s thrilling
win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Their success was without a doubt, partly due to playing against a terrible defense. Jim Bob Cooter – the Lions offensive coordinator – deserves credit, however, for creatively using the two running backs that are not complementary players on paper.
The typical NFL model has been using a power back to run between the tackles, with a quicker, scatback that can catch the ball on 3rd downs. They make very few Adrian Peterson or LaDainian Tomlinson-types, capable of doing it all. As a result, most teams have taken a running back-by-committee approach with guys that specialize in one particular trait or the other. They no longer look for guys that can do it all. These days, teams tend to get their speed guy, their power guy, and a pass-catching specialist.
Coming into this season, few people viewed Theo Riddick as anything more than a great pass-catcher. Ameer Abdullah was thought of as a slightly better runner but worse at catching the ball than Riddick. Translation – the Lions had two scatbacks, something that is not considered a formula for success. Jim Bob Cooter has seemed to have the magic touch since taking over during the middle of last season. My biggest problem with former offensive coordinator, Joe Lombardi, was that he too often called obvious, overly-predicable runs that would essentially be a waste of a down. Detroit is just not built to run the ball down your throat. Particularly, the last few years with Calvin Johnson, the team’s strength has been their talent on the outside. Even Riddick and Abdullah looked extremely ineffective at points last season when asked to do things that were not suited for.
Most successful offenses are the ones that keep defenses on their heels with tempo, precision and most of all, aggressiveness. That last trait is what Cooter has that Lombardi didn’t. Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are all at their best when dictating the tempo by keeping the defense guessing. Those guys earned that right to be aggressive and pass on traditional running downs. Since the coordinator switch, Matthew Stafford has been showing a certain cautious effectiveness that’s giving Cooter the confidence to be so aggressive. The Lions’ offense is clicking at a rate we’ve not seen in all the time Matthew Stafford has been here.
Too much is made of coaching in most sports, but in the NFL, every play is meaningful. The old cliche about needing to run the ball is less true than ever. It helps, but you win by doing what you do best. Theo Riddick is best in space, but when the defense is backing off, he can be dangerous in the run game. This was evidenced by his 21-yard touchdown scamper early in the game. Abdullah was running well but his best play came on a leaping grab he made in space that he took for a touchdown. Both players were effective both through the air and on the ground because of Detroit taking advantage of what was there and utilizing their skills. Look at the two backs’ combined stats.
Abdullah & Riddick combined stats vs Colts:
19 carries for 108 yards and 1 touchdown. 5.7 yards per carry.
+ 10 catches 120 yards and 2 touchdowns.
= 228 total yards & 3 touchdowns.
The Colts may have a putrid defense but this isn’t just one game. Jim Bob Cooter has been putting guys in position to succeed since he took over. Matthew Stafford isn’t restricted by the system, he’s free to take advantage of matchups. He is at is best, like most good quarterbacks, when he’s pushing the tempo, allowed to freestyle. The Lions used the pass to set up the run and it has worked very well thus far. They still will pound it up the middle with one of their bigger backs when they like the matchup (like they did with Dwayne Washington on the goal line in Sunday’s win). The biggest difference in the Lions’ running game has been using it to their advantage instead of forcing what isn’t there. Jim Bob Cooter deserves a lot of credit for that. Follow Matt Urben @MattUrben88 on Twitter.