When will the Detroit Lions have a real rushing attack?
As the Detroit Lions rushing attack continues to fail them, when will general manager Bob Quinn breakdown and get the team a real running back threat?
Does the offensive line make the running back or does the runner make the line? That’s the age old question the Detroit Lions are currently struggling with.
After sinking a large sum of money in signing free agents like guard T.J. Lang and tackle Ricky Wagner to their offensive line this offseason, and getting a healthy starting running back in Ameer Abdullah back after suffering a season-ending injury last year; the Lions rushing attack should be much improved this season.
Instead, the Lions struggled to run the ball in their home opener against a stout Arizona Cardinals defense that ranked ninth against the run in the NFL last season. Abdullah finished the day rushing for 30 yards on 15 carries. Third-string running back Dwayne Washington fared a bit better, posting 22 yards on only six attempts.
My biggest issue with Abdullah is his running style. The 5-foot-9, 203 pound back goes down far too easily. Yes, poor offensive line play and the pass-heavy scheme certainly share in the blame. But transcendent running backs make plays regardless.
Abdullah appeared to be a special player coming out of the draft in the second round. But the shifty, hard-nosed runner seen in the below highlight video was nowhere to be found on Sunday. Honestly, it’s a wonder how Abdullah rushed for two back-to-back 1,600+ yards seasons at Nebraska.
"“The Lions clearly want Ameer Abdullah to be their bellcow this season. His play, however, left a question mark on whether that will be the game plan moving forward,” wrote Edward Lewis for NFL.com. The tailback barely had a run longer than seven yards (that didn’t even come until late in the game) and he only posted 30 yards on 15 carries.”"
The Lions set their rushing hopes on a healthy Abdullah this season. The team could have landed themselves a very talented running back in free agency or via the draft this offseason. Instead, general manager Bob Quinn and this Detroit front office elected to address other areas of need. And that could end up being the Lions’ Achilles heel this year.
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If Ameer Abdullah fails to jump start the motor in the Motor City this season, the Detroit Lions absolutely must find themselves a franchise-changing running back as soon as possible. Because we’ve all been down the Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington starting rotation before. And quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s $135 million arm can only take this Lions’ team so far.