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Detroit Lions need more snaps under center, less shotgun

By James F. Puzzuoli

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls a play in the huddle against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls a play in the huddle against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 06: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 6, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 06: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 6, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

AMEER ABDULLAH

Running back Ameer Abdullah did little to impress last season, but the game against the Giants was a highlight. He was very effective on the ground:

  • 17 carries, 86 yards, 5.0 yards per carry
    • handed snap – 15 carries, 76 yards, 5.0 yards per carry
    • thrown snap – 2 carries, 10 yards, 5.0 yards per carry

The numbers are exactly the same with both snaps in terms of yards per carry. However, the important point is Ameer’s effectiveness when he is closer to the line of scrimmage.

When the Lions move away from center, some of the hand-offs are seven to eight yards deep in the backfield. It is a lot of ground to cover.

Detroit was able to have more positive outcomes running the ball from the under center snap.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCE

A mix of under center and shotgun/pistol is important because it keeps defenses on their toes. The two times that Abdullah ran out of a deep hike, he had two and eight yards.

In both cases, the Giants were probably expecting a pass. Actually, there was only one other run that was out of the deep formation: running back Theo Riddick ran for 11 yards.

The rest of the game Riddick had eight carries for just nine yards, so that one run was his highlight. However, the Giants were surprised to see a run on that particular play. It was “3rd down and 11” at the time (late in the 4th quarter). That element of surprise made for a nice running lane.

The balance that the Detroit Lions seek this season is not just between run and pass, but in the use of snaps under center. Keeping the backs closer to the line of scrimmage upon hand-off will be a key to jump-starting the rush attack.

It will also keep defenses on their heels when it comes to Detroit’s play calls. More effective play-action passes from under center, and more effective hand-offs or draws when in shotgun or pistol.

My hope is that offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will commit to the running game with more under center snaps. Detroit is very good at passing the ball, but they could be so much better. Especially if they had a legitimate run game to pair with it.

Next: The Detroit Lions Quiz (2000-2009): Test your fandom!

Not sure that the Lions can raise their run game to the level of the Jaguars, but with a quarterback like Stafford that isn’t necessary. If they can raise their average to 110 yards per game, they can rise above the bottom third of the league in rushing.

That would be a welcomed difference from last year.

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