Professor

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...604090348/1126

Jones is in a rush for '06

After dismal '05, he's encouraged by 'new' Lions

Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

Kevin Jones feels like he went on vacation and returned to work to find that just about everything had changed except the address on the building.

The structure is the same. The furnishings are familiar. But many of the faces are different, and so is the atmosphere.

The Lions have undergone an extreme makeover -- even by their ever-changing standards -- since the end of the 2005 season. There is a new coaching staff, new quarterbacks, new players at other positions -- and a fresh attitude.

"It almost feels like I went to a new team," Jones said the other day. "With the same uniforms."

For Jones, any change from last season will be for the better. A 2005 season of discontent has turned into an offseason of optimism.

As a rookie in 2004, Jones rapidly climbed the ladder to rank among the NFL's elite tailbacks. He was fifth in the NFC in rushing with 1,133 yards and was a Pro Bowl alternate.

It should have been a launching point. Instead, he stepped into the 2005 season and fell off a cliff with the rest of the Lions. Jones was injured, missed three games and rushed for only 664 yards.

Jones did not have a 100-yard game. Inexplicably, there were long periods when he was not a main part of the team's offensive game plan. He had more than 20 carries in only three games, and his average per carry plummeted from 4.7 yards in '04 to 3.6.

His personal performance chart reflected the team's 5-11 record.

By season's end, the Lions played home games in front of hostile fans who at times openly rooted for the opponent.

"All of last year was one of the worst seasons I ever had playing football," Jones says now.

It ought to be better in 2006 for Jones. Rod Marinelli, the new head coach, puts a premium on what he sees on tape and likes what he saw from Jones in his first two years. He has the power to run through tackles and the speed to get around the corner.

"He's a beast," Marinelli said at the recent NFL meetings in Florida.

Jones took that as a compliment -- and an indication that Marinelli and Mike Martz, the new offensive coordinator, will turn him loose this year.

Another change in the coaching staff is more subtle but might have an impact on Jones. Tom Rathman, the running backs coach the last two years, was one of Jones' biggest backers. Rathman played fullback in the NFL. Wilbert Montgomery, the new running backs coach, played tailback -- the same position as Jones.

Montgomery sees the game from a tailback's perspective.

"He sees the game a little different than Tom," Jones said.

This is a time for the Lions and Jones to look forward. Jones likes Marinelli's discipline and structure. Former head coach Steve Mariucci had a much more relaxed approach.

"I thought it was too loose," Jones said. "I like it this way. This is what I'm used to."

Jones began his conditioning program Feb. 7, two days after the Pittsburgh Steelers beat Seattle, 21-10, in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field -- the Lions' home stadium.

Jones loved Super Bowl week. He made the rounds, doing public appearances and going to parties.

"I had a lot of fun, dealing with the kids, dealing with the community, just being able to be around the Super Bowl," Jones said. "I went the year before in Jacksonville, but it was different. The City of Detroit was packed. It was like being in New York City.

"It was fun. A good experience. I was disappointed that we didn't make a playoff run or something like that to hang our hats on for a lot of people coming in. I just wish we'd have been in a situation to have a chance."

Jones has lived in Metro Detroit with his family since the Lions drafted him in 2004 out of Virginia Tech. He lives with his parents, Thomas and Tracey, two sisters and a brother.

Two days after the Super Bowl, Jones knew it was time to go to work. He went to a workout camp in Scottsdale, Ariz. He dropped 10 pounds -- from 239 to 229 -- and intends to start the season at 225. That's about five pounds lighter than his playing weight last year.

Jones also worked on his long-range future -- for life after football. He took a three-day seminar at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

"They stuff two weeks of work into 90-minute sessions," Jones said. "I want to get started on business opportunities while I'm still playing and not have a late start."

Jones has made some cosmetic changes. He wore his hair long last year. It has been cut short.

"It was too much losing," he said. "I had to cut all that off."

MickeyG

Jones has the talent to be very good and i think we may see it this season.

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pumzy

if the new QB's can help revive the passing game, jones could end up having a pretty good year running the ball

Professor

he is in the same situation that teams like houston are in, their line cannot run block worth a crap and as long as that is the case then it won't matter how pumped he is to play, he will still be getting nowhere.

juggalo6772

You said it, last year espn said he was going to lead the leauge in rushing. Even barry sanders had more of a team them jones dose now. Untill the lions get an o-line they will go no were

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MACTANK

For one thing, he didn't carry the ball as much per game as 2004. Mooch seemed to resort back to running back by committee at times.

He needs to be the Lion's feature back........ PERIOD!

Marinelli thinks very highly of his talents, so I think that if he works in camp, that will happen.

I expect the line to be more agressive this year, and more passes down field that will open up the running game.

We'll see

coldarmy20

It was unbelievable how little they gave him the ball last year.

For some reason they spread the ball out between three RBs: Jones, Bryson, and Pinner. Hopefully they will use alot of Jones and put bryson in special situations.

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MickeyG

i don't think we will see Jones's full potential until he can become the feature back. He isn't going to rush for 1500 yards sharing the ball.

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Professor

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...604130311/1126

Schlesinger left to wonder about role

Fullback has excelled as a lead blocker, but he might not be a fit with system Martz will run.

ALLEN PARK -- For 11 seasons, Cory Schlesinger has had a well-defined role in the Lions' offense as a 247-pound, ground-clearing fullback.

After two days of minicamp, Schlesinger is wondering if he will have a role for a 12th season in the new scheme under offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

Schlesinger has done his research on the type of players Martz used to block in the running game for the last seven years in St. Louis. Some were bigger. Some were smaller. Some weren't even fullbacks.

For now, Schlesinger is more than a little puzzled about his future with the Lions. In fact, he isn't sure if he has one. It is too early to make any final judgments, but the indications are that the classic fullback could be phased out.

"That's what I'm wondering right now," Schlesinger said between practices Wednesday. "I'm wondering where I fit in with this offense, this staff. So, really I don't want to say anything until I get my facts straight.

"I'm not talking much."

Schlesinger spoke for two minutes before departing the locker room. He didn't want to cause any disruption. That doesn't mean he isn't concerned about his status.

"I'll give you news later on," Schlesinger said. "We'll find out."

Coach Rod Marinelli pursued Martz doggedly as one of his most important additions to his staff because of the success Martz had in St. Louis, first as offensive coordinator and later as head coach.

Marinelli has said he likes the versatility Martz has in his offense, in the balance between the running and passing games and how he adjusts in both phases.

That is evident in the different players Martz uses. The first five games of 2005 -- which also were Martz's last five as coach -- were typical of how he uses players as specialized parts of the offense.

Madison Hedgecock, a 266-pound rookie, started one game at fullback. In another, Brandon Manumaleuna, a 288-pound tight end, was listed as the starting fullback. In another, Blaine Saipaia, a 310-pound offensive lineman, lined up as a starting tight end in a one-back formation.

On the 1999 Rams team that won the Super Bowl, Robert Holcombe, a 220-pound rookie, was the primary fullback.

"He's had a lot larger guys than me," Schlesinger said. "He's had, in the late 1990's, a smaller guy. He's had them all. Where's he going with it now? What does he want?"

Schlesinger, who turns 34 in June, made the Lions' roster in 1996 as a sixth-round draft pick from Nebraska.

He became a full-time starter at fullback in 1999 and has been one of the most respected lead blockers in the league. His style has made him a fan favorite, and he has been a stand-up pro in the locker room.

Schlesinger missed one game his first nine seasons. He missed three because of a hamstring injury in 2004 and five last season because of a broken fibula suffered in the first exhibition game.

Detroit's offense under Martz will look nothing like the West Coast offense used the last five years. It's an entirely different style, with more passes downfield. In two days of workouts, the practice tempo has been noticeably faster and more intense.

The personnel groups are sure to be affected. The Lions carried two tight ends last season. This year, they'll probably have three. Dan Campbell, a blocking specialist, has been added to incumbents Marcus Pollard and Casey FitzSimmons.

The roles of the running backs and fullbacks will change. Kevin Jones is in line for more carries at tailback, and Shawn Bryson's role at fullback likely will expand to take advantage of his speed and receiving ability.


key excerpt

The roles of the running backs and fullbacks will change. Kevin Jones is in line for more carries at tailback, and Shawn Bryson's role at fullback likely will expand to take advantage of his speed and receiving ability.

lionsfan06

i think kevin jones has a lot of talent last year the lions were nuts not givin him the ball and to run the ball successfully u need a good o-line and the lions did not have that last year but jones i think will have a break out year in 2006