which one comes first? The chicken (Oline) or the egg (RB)?
There are legitimate arguments on both sides of the aisle. A great RB will make any O line look better than it really is but at the same time a great O line will make any RB look better than he is.....
So, here we are. Are the Lions, as we know them, ready to make that leap? If you read the mock drafts that have flooded our lives, you know that the one of the two "first round RBs" will likely be available to the Lions at pick 23. The problem, there is a reason they are available.......
RBs aren't first round material anymore. Rule changes have devalued the position too much to be viable first round selections, except for those teams stuck in the stone age.
I want to believe the Lions aren't spending their time chipping rocks making crude outdated tools.....
Interesting topic, first I will answer your question. Chicken. Teams like Dallas and Seattle have shown that with a solid o-line in place your RB becomes that much better.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that new rules have devalued the position but the coaches themselves have. The NFL has always been a copycat and a the now trend league. You have so many HC's and OCs that have intertwined relationships its become a deep backwoods/mountain inbred family tree. It is the coaches that can think outside the current tread that can capitalize on the new "thing".
The Saints which has had one of the more dominate passing attacks in the NFL over the past 10 seasons have spent 2 first round picks on RB including a #2 overall. Packers have spent resources and high draft picks on finding a solid run game. Look what Chip Kelly did this offseason, he got rid of a speed type back and brought in 2 high prices ground and pound style running backs. Indy has taken some shots at finding a strong running game.
The truth is there is only a handful of legit passers in the NFL that can carry a pass heavy team. When new coaches and OC realize this more and more teams will try to incorporate more of a balance to their offense.
IMO it comes down to philosophy. The HC and OC really need to embrace that mentality of keeping the offense somewhat simple and run the ball. As for the Lions I think Cadwell wants this maybe Lombardi is on board too, but is Mayhew?
interesting points.. it would seem like in a money ball way, there's opportunities at RB for value.
DeleteI wonder where Mayhew falls in all this…. it seems like he's been slow to committing to really rebuild the offensive line
this should be an interesting draft
I have been saying this for 4 years now. Give Stafford a legit running game and you will see a much more productive QB. Lions have been a team the sets up the pass with a pass. 95% of the time the opposing D's are in nickle and dime. Imagine what Calvin could really do if teams had to worry about a running game. I think it was in '10 when the last 6 games of the season the Lions led the NFL in rushing. Won the lat 4 games with Stanton and Hill as the starting QBs. If the Lions could replicate that with Stafford...fuck that offense would be Brady-esque.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, I agree. I have always wanted a better run game for the exact same reasons. Even back on POD during game threads, I used to beg for the Lions to run it more. I just think it is easier to get a dominate run game from building a dominate offensive line than it is to find the rare "stud" RB that can do with a mediocre O line.
DeleteI remember the Shanny days in Denver. That O line was beast and Denver was constantly pumping out great Backs, who would leave for more money and do jack shit on their new team.
If Matt had a legit run game to cushion him from having to always carry the team, he could be so much more effective as a passer.
I always remember what Jimmy Johnson said about the glory days of the Cowboys. He had about 6 different running plays and challenged the defense to stop them. Simple approach to what some coaches try to make to complicated. Football is a simple game it is not overly difficult. Use your strengths against your opponents weaknesses. Look at the Pats overall rankings from season to season. '03 they were a top 5 passing team ranked 22 in rushing. '04 they were a top 5 in rushing and ranked 22 in passing. Won back to back Super Bowls using THEIR strengths against other teams weakness.
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