Pride of Detroit

Lions counting on running game to turn it up a notch
Friday, September 08, 2006
By Tom Kowalski

ALLEN PARK -- The cut-and-run philosophy might be something hotly debated among politicians in Washington, but it's a strategy the Detroit Lions will stick to throughout the season.

The Lions open the regular season Sunday against the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field. The Lions, who are six-point underdogs, will try to beat the Seahawks at their own game: with a dominant running attack.

In addition to the inside traps and counters in Detroit's new offensive system, there will be an emphasis in getting outside and stretching defenses. That means running back Kevin Jones has to be good at making a snap decision, making one cut upfield and then exploding.

"I think it's a learning process in that you have to trust that the linemen are going to be there and make the block. And then you read it off of that," Jones said. "If the defense makes a good play and gets past the person who's supposed to be blocking, you've got to cut it up faster."

The Lions have a long way to go to match the statistics of Seattle's ground game, which was led by Shaun Alexander's 1,880 rushing yards and NFL-high 27 touchdowns last season. Alexander averaged 5.1 yards per carry, the highest of his six-year career.

It was that dominance on the ground that opened up the passing game for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, exactly the strategy the Lions want to use this season.

"That's what I've been saying the last two years: We need a running game," Lions wide receiver Roy Williams said. "You've got to have a running game in this league to keep the defense off the field.

"The defensive guys are really excited that we're not three-and-out like we have been in the past. The only times we messed up on offense (in the preseason) is when we stopped ourselves with dumb penalties or bonehead plays or missed assignments. In my opinion, you can't stop this offense, no matter what you do."

For the first time in years, the Lions will have an offensive line with a lot of starting experience from tackle to tackle.

"I think (Jones) is finally at the point where he's patient as well as an attacking-style runner. He found that medium where he can make that cut and see the holes," said center Dominic Raiola.

Said fullback Cory Schlesinger: "I thought (Jones') best game (in the preseason) was probably against the (Oakland) Raiders when he started taking it downhill. One cut and he was downhill and that's what the coaches were looking for. And it worked for him because he got more yards and ran a couple of guys over doing that. That's definitely a positive for this running game."

The running game itself isn't going to change drastically, but there will be more variety under new offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

"The best way to put it is that we can run every play in the NFL," said guard Ross Verba. "That's why he likes a veteran offensive line, so he can run anything."

It's not like Martz is trying to re-invent the wheel with the ground game, but he's going to add some spice to it.

"Running games are all basically the same," Schlesinger said. "The thing is, we'll catch the defense off-guard sometimes because we do so much shifting and motions. It'll be an advantage for us."

"I don't know if it's going to change as much as our techniques and assignments have changed," Raiola said. "It's the same concepts -- we want to get outside and get in space, but I think it's a different way of doing it.

"Coach Martz's ideas are unmatched by anybody I've been around. I think it's going to help out our running game a lot."

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Gobears81

I don't see the running game changing.....it just might get abandoned for 1, 2, 3 quarters.

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imported_izlez

We had like 1 run on first down all year last season. Martz isnt that stupid to do **** like that, so our run game is already better

Pride of Detroit

and im sure he will be more creative in the design of runs instead of a draw every third down and a run up the middle every first down

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Catalyst

Marinelli better keep Martz in check, if they want ANY kind of running game.

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Pride of Detroit

every word out of camp has been Marinellis will is to run the ball and in preseason(from what i saw, didnt see all the games) we ran the ball more than i would have expected.

Just hope it keeps up over the course of the season, especially since our ****ty d will have us playin from behind a lot

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imported_Judge Smails

By NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
The Lions released running back Arlen Harris and signed wide receiver Devale Ellis from their practice squad Friday.

No explanation was given. The move was announced after Lions coach Rod Marinelli addressed the media for the final time before Sunday's season opener against Seattle.

Harris, who played for offensive coordinator Mike Martz in St. Louis, was expected to play a role in the offense. The Lions cut running back Artose Pinner on Saturday, and Pinner was claimed off waivers by Minnesota.

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imported_izlez

Wow, I thought Harris had the #2 spot locked up

imported_Judge Smails

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(izlez @ Sep 8th ) [snapback]1693549[/snapback]</div>So did I.
Looks like Bryson is back as #2 back and not a fullback.

I guess Peter Warrick was in town on Wednesday...

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Pride of Detroit

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Judge Smails @ Sep 8th ) [snapback]1693539[/snapback]</div>
wow, that came out of nowhere... i was sure he had backup locked up, he looked good in preseason as well

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