Detroit Lions’ GM Martin Mayhew surprised by Jahvid Best’s failure to get clearance – NFL News
As running back Jahvid Best was not given clearance to practise with the Detroit Lions on Friday, the news came as a surprise to many.
The news was shocking even for general manager, Martin Mayhew. Although he has a reputation of speaking little in front of media, he was very vocal when he talked about Best on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. He said:
“I’m a little bit surprised, a little bit disappointed. Everything was tending toward him being ready to go the first day of training camp.”
While playing against San Francisco 49ers on October 16, 2011, Best had a concussion which ended the season for him.
There have been satisfactory remarks about Best’s recovery throughout the season from Lions’ camp as well as from Best himself.
When Best heard the news on Friday, he was astonished himself and said:
"I think just in terms of everything that's been going around with concussions, everybody's being extra careful. If this was four or five years ago, I probably would have played last season.”
In absence of Best, Lions’ running game looks weak. Although they have Mikel Leshoure, he is yet to prove his credentials as he missed most of his rookie season last year due to injuries.
Leshoure is also set to miss the first four games of the upcoming season after being penalised for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Talking about the situation in the Lions’ running game, Mayhew said:
“My belief in the spring was that we had a very heated competition at the right cornerback spot. There were a number of players involved and a lot of those guys are still here competing.”
With their two starting running back out of picture, Kevin Smith will lead Lions’ running game.
Lions drafted Best in the first round (30th overall pick) in the 2010 draft. Best has a history of getting concussions back from his college years.
Last season, Best was only able to play six games before getting injured. In those games, he managed to get 84 carries and rushed 390 yards.
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