Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew wants to get offence running the ball again - NFL News
The game-play for teams in the National Football League (NFL) has leaned toward the passers over the last few seasons but one team is looking to buck that trend and reignite its running game in offence.
Speaking in a pre-draft press conference on Thursday, Detroit Lions general manager, Martin Mayhew said that he values the running back position highly even though the trend is more towards the passing game in the rest of the league.
“The running back position has been kind of de-valued lately; people don’t really view the running back as a key position the way they used to. I think it’s a critical position. I think careers are shorter, obviously, but I think it’s a really important
position on your football team. We felt that way and we drafted that way in the past.”
The Detroit Lions last year had one of the most pass-dependent offences in the league as the running game was virtually non-existent from their playbook.
That was mostly down to the fact that the Lions lost both of their best running backs to injury early in the season while Kevin Smith who was brought in as a stop-gap measure also failed to stay healthy.
Lions’ running back, Jahvid Best was ruled out for the rest of the season after the week six defeat to San Francisco 49ers as he suffered from concussion like symptoms while rookie running back, Mikel Leshoure was counted out for the season in training camp
after tearing his Achilles tendon.
Both running backs are currently working out in the voluntary workouts as they prepare to provide a new dimension to the Lions attack in 2012-13.
General manager, Martin Mayhew talking to Mlive.com on Thursday said that he has seen Best at the training ground although he has not seen him do workouts.
"I saw (Best) in the meeting room, but I haven't seen him working out. From what I understand, he's been doing everything, as far as conditioning and working out with everybody."
The Lions have drafted running backs in both their previous drafts and Mayhew is certainly planning on bringing more cover for the position as both current players are highly injury prone.
If the Lions can get their running game back on track in the new season they will be strong contenders to re-enter the playoffs once again.
Tags: