RB Ameer Abdullah:
Lions’ snap counts: Stephen Tulloch sees reduced role (Running backs: Theo Riddick, 35; Ameer Abdullah, 31; Joique Bell, 18; fullback Michael Burton, 10. Analysis: Riddick played the most because the Lions were running their 2-minute offense for most of the second half, and even though he had 41 yards on five catches, his lost fumble overshadows the performance. Abdullah had six carries for 9 yards and one 9-yard catch, which is far too few touches. Bell had four carries for 2 yards and two catches for 16 yards, and he failed on a 2-point conversion.) (9-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/21/lions-snap-counts-stephen-tulloch-sees-reduced-role/72567436/
This is how bad the Lions' running backs were against the Vikings (Adrian Peterson led the Vikings in rushing with 134 yards. Matthew Stafford led the Detroit Lions with 20. You can probably guess who won the game. Detroit's tailbacks combined for just 16 yards Sunday in a 26-16 loss against Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium, and the Lions managed just 38 yards on the ground as a team. That's their worst rushing performance since gaining 20 yards against the Vikings on Sept. 25, 2011. "You'd think (they would be better)," Stafford said. "It wasn't our day running the football. "We've got talented players. The guys up front are really good run-blockers. We just didn't play as well as we could have today in the run game." Rookie Ameer Abdullah earned his first career start in the backfield, but looked nothing like the guy who scampered for a 24-yard touchdown in a promising debut against San Diego. He finished with six carries for just 9 yards. Joique Bell, the usual starter, came off the bench to contribute four carries for 2 yards. Theo Riddick added one carry for 5 yards. Total it all up, and the tailbacks combined for just 16 yards on 11 carries. Peterson needed only two carries to match that total, and had 50 by the end of Minnesota's first drive. Do the Lions have any answers for what's gone wrong? "We're not playing well," Bell said. This was a Vikings rush defense that let San Francisco's Carlos Hyde rumble for 168 yards just last week. Did they at least do something different defensively to confuse Detroit? "Nope," Bell said. The last time the Lions had a rushing game this bad, against Minnesota in 2011, they actually won the game to move to 3-0 for the first time since 1980. But this one offered very different circumstances, with Detroit falling to 0-2 for the first time since 2010. Their punchless running game is a key reason why.) (9-21-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/matthew_stafford_rushes_for_mo.html
FOUR DOWNS: Stafford hurting (Second Down: Where's the run game? The San Francisco 49ers put up 230 rushing yards on the Vikings last week in an easy win at home. The Lions couldn’t have expected to have that kind of success heading into the game. The Vikings were going to make some adjustments. But to come out of that game with Stafford leading the team in rushing with 20 yards says a lot about the state of the Lions’ offense and their run game. Detroit all but abandoned the run midway through the game and finished with just 38 yards on 16 carries (2.4 average). Rookie Ameer Abdullah had nine yards on six carries. Joique Bell had just two yards on four carries. “Didn’t execute well enough,” was Caldwell’s answer after the game when asked why the running game never got going. The Lions woes running the ball were summed up in one play. After inching to within 10 points late in the game on an Eric Ebron touchdown, and needing a two-point conversion to trim the Vikings lead to one possession, Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi dialed up a run to Bell up the middle that was stuffed. It was a head-scratching call given the Lions run game had been stuffed all day long. Since the second half of the San Diego game, the offense has been horrible. Simply put.) (9-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-Stafford-hurting/e01fe93f-8217-4690-945d-88c0dc1dab49
RECAP: Lions at Vikings (Rookie watch: After an explosive debut in which he racked up 199 total yards, rookie running back Ameer Abdullah was held in check vs. Minnesota. He had just nine rushing yards on six carries, caught one pass for nine yards and returned two kicks for a total of 58 yards (29 average).) (9-20-14): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/RECAP-Lions-at-Vikings/cbc3876d-601a-4747-a395-585865e21744
Free Press Lions' report card: Offensive line failed QB, RBs (Running backs - D+: The Lions struggled to run against a defense that allowed 230 yards last week. Some of it was a lack of commitment to the run as the Lions ran just eight times in the first half and 16 times (including four Stafford scrambles) overall. Ameer Abdullah had a quiet day (six carries, 9 yards), but he looks like he's playing at warp speed compared to Joique Bell (four carries, 2 yards). Theo Riddick caught five passes after he was used sparingly in Week 1. Special teams - C: Abdullah had one nice kick return (32 yards), but the Lions didn't get much out of their special teams overall. Tate returned one punt for 2 yards before giving way to Moore, and there was a coverage breakdown on Marcus Sherels' 31-yard punt return. Tight end Tim Wright was called for holding on the Vikings' first punt, and Matt Prater made his only field goal (26 yards).) (9-20-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-report-card-minnesota-vikings/72542456/
Detroit News Lions grades: Offensive line failed to protect Stafford (Running backs - The running backs finished with 18 yards on 12 carries. They ran the ball four times in the second half, and lackluster results forced the Lions to throw more. Joique Bell had two catches for 16 yards, Theo Riddick had two for 13 and Ameer Abdullah had a 9-yarder. Any bonus the backs provided in the pass game, though, was nullified by Riddick’s fumble. Grade: D) (9-20-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/20/lions-grades-offensive-line-neglected-protect-stafford/72538176/
Detroit Lions sink to 0-2 after ugly loss against Vikings (Lowlights - It's never a good sign when your quarterback leads you in rushing, especially when your quarterback is a beat-up Matthew Stafford. Yet Stafford's 20 yards were good enough to lead Detroit's supposedly on-the-rise rushing attack. Ameer Abdullah started the game but managed just 9 yards on six carries. (Friendly reminder that Carlos Hyde ripped off 168 yards for the 49ers against the Vikings last week.) Ameer Abdullah started at tailback, after rotating in behind Joique Bell last week.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_sink_to_0-2_afte.html
Detroit Lions — Five main reasons for loss to Vikings (The biggest head-scratcher is the run game or lack of it. “Today wasn’t our day running the football but it’s something we’re committed to,’’ Stafford said. The Lions finished 28th in 2014 in rushing. They put much emphasis on improving by working on the offensive line and adding Ameer Abdullah. Still on Sunday, Stafford was the leading rusher with four carries for 20 yards. They finished with 39 net rushing yards. Rookie Ameer Abdullah had six carries for nine yards, Joique Bell was worse with four carries for three yards. In the fourth quarter, the Lions had to go strictly pass because they were behind but it didn’t matter. They just couldn’t seem to find holes and run the ball.) (9-20-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150920/detroit-lions-x2014-five-main-reasons-for-loss-to-vikings
Peterson powers Vikes over Lions - 7 thoughts (Poor blocking up front for Detroit also hurt a nonexistent running game. Rookie sensation Ameer Abdullah couldn't get loose from a swarming Vikes' D (a meager nine yards on six carries). Detroit's play-callers inexplicably insist on handing the ball to Joique Bell outside the red zone. The veteran back displays neither speed nor can he create a hole, just flopping forward on most carries -- reminiscent of Maurice Jones-Drew in Oakland last season. The stat that epitomizes the pathetic Lions rushing effort: a clearly injured Stafford led the team with 20 rushing yards.) (9-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000534688/article/adrian-peterson-powers-vikings-past-lions
Vikings, Peterson bounce back with home win over Lions (Lions rookie Ameer Abdullah had 18 yards on seven touches, down from 94 yards on 11 touches in his debut.) (9-20-15): http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/minnesota-vikings-detroit-lions-adrian-peterson-bounces-back-with-home-win-092015
Peterson, Bridgewater help Vikings hammer the Lions (The Lions’ offensive line didn’t give Stafford a lot of time to pass, and couldn’t open any holes for the running backs. Both Ameer Abdullah and Joique Bell were repeatedly hit behind the line of scrimmage, including on a desperation two-point conversion attempt after the Lions scored to cut the deficit to 26-16 with less than two minutes left: On that play, Bell had absolutely nowhere to go, and the Vikings won by that 26-16 margin.)(9-20-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/20/peterson-bridgewater-help-vikings-hammer-the-lions/
3 Detroit Lions to watch: Calvin Johnson needs more targets, veteran LB looks to rebound (Running back Ameer Abdullah - The rookie rusher out of Nebraska had a stellar debut, racking up 94 yards from scrimmage with just 11 touches. He had big gains on both the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield, giving Lions fans hope that general manager Martin Mayhew stuck gold with this second-round draft pick. The Vikings run defense isn't very good. They ranked in the bottom 10 last season and couldn't do a thing to stop San Francisco's Carlos Hyde in the opener. This will be a great opportunity for Abdullah to keep his early-season momentum going.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/3_detroit_lions_to_watch_calvi.html
Detroit Lions — Five keys to game at Minnesota Vikings (Keep the run game going, don’t be shy about handing the ball to rookie Ameer Abdullah who had 199 all-purpose yards against the Chargers. To open the game up downfield, the run game must be consistently successful.) (9-19-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150919/detroit-lions-x2014-five-keys-to-game-at-minnesota-vikings
Detroit Lions notes: Calvin Johnson gets involved; Ebron too (Ameer Abdullah had six carries for nine yards and three returns for 84 yards.) (9-20-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150920/detroit-lions-notes-calvin-johnson-gets-involved-ebron-too
Vikings, Lions eager for first win of 2015 (Ameer Abdullah continued to dazzle after a sensational preseason and led the league with 199 all-purpose yards in Week 1, taking a 24-yard carry to the end zone on his first touch from scrimmage. He's likely relishing the opportunity to take on what appears to be another porous Vikings run defense.) (9-19-15): http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/minnesota-vikings-detroit-lions-nfl-eager-for-first-win-of-2015-091915
Vikings vs. Lions: 5 keys for Vikings (HOLD THAT LINE: After being highly touted to start the season, Minnesota's defensive line was a disaster against the 49ers. The Vikings must improve their pass rush after getting just one sack. They also couldn't stop the run as Carlos Hyde ran for 168 yards on 26 carries. They can't afford to let rookie running back Ameer Abdullah break loose. The defensive line must prove it is indeed one of the strongest and deepest areas on the team.) (9-19-15): http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_28843505/vikings-vs-lions-5-keys-vikings
Six Points: Lions vs Vikings (Unleash Ameer Abdullah - The Lions have a new offensive weapon in Abdullah, and he can hurt the Vikings in several different ways. He should be employed as a ball-carrier, pass-catcher and kick-returner on Sunday, as he was last weekend when he accumulated 199 all-purpose yards against the San Diego Chargers. Abdullah is an electric rookie, and he could turn out to be the difference in this game.) (9-18-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/six-points-detroit-lions-minnesota-vikings-091815
10 QUESTIONS WITH TWENTYMAN: What's up with the offense? (Q. Will Ameer Abdullah be playing a bigger role in the offense this week or at least get more touches? A. Don’t forget the Lions offense ran just 47 plays in San Diego, Phil. Usually that number is in the 60-to-70 range. A normal slate of plays will mean more touches for a lot of players, including Abdullah. Abdullah had a fine debut with 50 rushing yards and another 44 through the air. I expected his touches on offense to be in the 10-15 range heading into the game. He had 11. That’s still what I’m thinking for this week in Minnesota.) (9-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-QUESTIONS-WITH-TWENTYMAN-Whats-up-with-the-offense/47018f17-2d37-4cd4-90c8-ac5bd503c294
Lions don't believe offensive play-calling is an issue (Ameer Abdullah had seven carries. Golden Tate caught four passes. Theo Riddick barely played until the final minutes. But no one was shortchanged more Sunday than Calvin Johnson, who 11 days shy of his 30th birthday remains the best receiver on the planet.) (9-17-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/lions-dont-believe-offensive-play-calling-issue/72369974/
Jim Caldwell Speaks On Calvin Johnson Targets, Ameer Abdullah Consistency (The argument for using Johnson less has been that the Lions have several other offensive weapons to spread the ball around to. One of those is rookie running back Ameer Abdullah, who impressed in his debut with 199 all-purpose yards. But according to Caldwell, beginner’s luck is sometimes an issue in the NFL. And until Abdullah is consistent with the kind of production he notched on Sunday, teams aren’t going to design their gameplans around the rookie from Nebraska. “There’s a lot of players that have a pretty good game at the onset and disappear,” Caldwell said. “Until you’re able to do it time and time and time again, then you build a reputation in this league where I think they begin to take notice of you. He’s a young guy. He’s still got a ways to go. That was just one ball game. I don’t think they’ll go to any extra precautions to defend him.”) (9-17-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/17/jim-caldwell-speaks-on-calvin-johnson-targets-ameer-abdullah-consistency/
Ameer Abdullah blog: I want to improve my toughness this week (9-16-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ameer-abdullah/article-1/Ameer-Abdullah-blog-I-want-to-improve-my-toughness-this-week/6fc48fac-4a83-4435-b3a9-30a54e383c66
Detroit Lions Twitter Talk: On a silver lining not named Ameer Abdullah and going for 4th down (Q. What week does Ameer Abdullah finally wrestle away the top spot on the depth chart and most of the carries? A. Why does it matter? Both offer value to the team and it's not like either is going to rack up 300 carries this season. Abdullah played more snaps and had more touches in the opener and it wasn't like Bell stunk up the joint.) (9-16-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_twitter_talk_12.html
Week 1 rookie roundup: Five up, five down (Five up - Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions: Abdullah looks like a clone of Darren Sproles in terms of the matchup problems he'll present to opponents. He can make the first tackler miss and has the quickness to make a ton of plays. This was obvious in San Diego on Sunday, when Abdullah picked up 50 yards on seven carries -- including a 24-yard scoring run on his first carry of the day -- and chipped in a 36-yard pass play and a 48-yard kick return. If he did that well on the grass in San Diego, he should be even better on the turf at Ford Field. He doesn't have the size to play every down, and he doesn't have the speed to run away from people and pop off 80-yard gains, but he'll produce in spot situations. Grade: B) (9-16-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000531511/article/week-1-rookie-grades-marcus-mariota-up-jameis-winston-down
Vikings Roundup, 9/16: Barr Preps for Abdullah Again (The Vikings shifted focus Wednesday to Detroit, which lost 33-28 at San Diego Sunday. The Lions, however, got a strong performance by rookie Ameer Abdullah (50 rushing yards on seven carries, 44 yards on four catches and 105 yards on three kickoff returns). Barr has seen Abdullah twice before as a linebacker at UCLA (2012-13) when the Bruins played Nebraska. “I played him a couple of times in college,” Barr said. “He’s a very quick and instinctive back, so we’ve got to contain him and make him run between the tackles.” Barr had four tackles, 1.5 for loss, a sack and forced fumble in 2012 when Abdullah rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. In the rematch, Barr had 10 tackles, 1.5 for loss and two forced fumbles, including one by Abdullah, who rushed for 98 yards on 23 carries and caught three passes for an additional 50 yards. Head Coach Mike Zimmer said the Vikings looked at Abdullah “really hard” during pre-draft evaluations. “He’s a big-time explosive back, gets in space, can put his foot in the ground and accelerate, catches the ball good out of the backfield,” Zimmer said. “He’s a dangerous weapon.”) (9-16-15): http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Roundup-916-Barr-Preps-for-Abdullah-Again/c50269e7-e4e4-463a-9df1-4860efdb3df9
Transcript: Zimmer Addresses the Media on Wednesday (Q: What have you seen from Ameer Abdullah? A: He’s a big-time explosive back. We looked at him really hard coming out. He’s a big-time explosive back, gets in space, can put his foot in the ground and accelerate, catches the ball good out of the backfield. He’s a dangerous weapon. Q: Is swarming to the ball and lane integrity all the more important against a guy like Abdullah? A: All important, yeah. Q: How does Detroit present a different challenge as far as its rushing attack compared to San Francisco’s? A: They’ve got a lot of weapons outside with Golden Tate and [Calvin] Johnson. [Eric] Ebron is a good tight end, he had some catches last week. They’ve got some skill guys in the backfield with [Theo] Riddick and [Ameer] Abdullah, like he mentioned. I’m assuming it will be a different attack. The problems are the same, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do and you’ve got to do it the right way.) (9-16-15): http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Transcript-Zimmer-Addresses-the-Media-on-Wednesday/df72e7a3-1f63-406b-b321-ee931d7339fe
Vikings Week 2 scouting report: Detroit Lions (Running back Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska) was one of the most productive rookies in Week 1. He rushed seven times for 50 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown run, and caught four passes for 44 yards. He also had 105 yards on three kickoff returns.)(9-16-15): http://www.startribune.com/vikings-week-2-scouting-report-detroit-lions/327974821/
FILM REVIEW: Abdullah's first carry goes for a TD (9-15-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/film-review/article-1/FILM-REVIEW-Abdullahs-first-carry-goes-for-a-TD/30e7d260-bad9-4d55-9fe1-5129f3cbbc08
STATS PACK: Key stats from opening loss (A look at some key numbers from Sunday's defeat at San Diego: 1 - The number of carries it took for Ameer Abdullah to find the end zone. He took his first handoff 24 yards to the end zone on the Lions' first drive of the season. He became the first Lions rookie to rush for a touchdown on his first attempt in a Week 1 game since Gene Gedman in 1953. 35.0 - Ameer Abdullah's 35.0 yard kick-return average ranked second in the league among players with more than one return in Week 1. 199 - Abdullah's total yards - 50 on the ground, 44 receiving and 105 returning kicks.) (9-15-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/STATS-PACK-Key-stats-from-opening-loss/01e61bd2-fc9b-4ca9-9a6e-07492de039b7
Lions' usage of Abdullah a sign of things to come (Ameer Abdullah didn't start in his NFL debut Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, but the rookie second-round pick led all Detroit Lions running backs in snaps, and his usage is a clear indication of the team's plans for him going forward. "What he did (Sunday) is kind of what we see him doing," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "He's returning kicks, he's running the ball and he's catching the ball out of the backfield. I'm not certain there's anything more (he can do) than that. He had 199 yards or so of total offense. That's the kind of role that I think you'll see him play, for the most part." Abdullah touched the ball on 23.4% of the Lions' 47 offensive plays. He had seven carries for 50 yards, caught four passes for 44 yards and handled kick returns for the team, taking three out of the end zone for 105 total yards. With 11 touches on offense, the Lions actually used Abdullah slightly less than most of the league's other top running backs, both rookies and veterans. Carlos Hyde of the San Francisco 49ers (42.4% of his team's offensive touches), LeSean McCoy of the Buffalo Bills (36.4%) and Alfred Morris of Washington (36.2%) were among the most heavily utilized running backs in Week 1. Among rookies, Tevin Coleman was involved in 22 of 70 offensive plays for the Atlanta Falcons (31.4%), including two pass targets he did not catch. T.J. Yeldon had 15 touches and one additional target on 66 offensive plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars (24.3%). And Melvin Gordon touched the ball on 17 of 74 offensive plays for the Chargers (23%). None of those players doubles as their team's primary kick returner. Caldwell defended the Lions' usage of Abdullah on Monday, noting that the team also wants to keep Joique Bell (eight touches) and Theo Riddick (two) involved in the offense. Riddick played primarily in the Lions' final two-minute drive, while Abdullah handled most of the third-down snaps early. "I think (Ameer's) a guy that gets the ball a number of different ways, too," Caldwell said. "I think you have to look at the total. He's carrying the ball on kick returns, he's carrying the ball on pass receiving, he's carrying the ball from scrimmage. So that's a pretty good sampling size there." Abdullah said Sunday he's not worried about how many touches he gets on offense, and Bell, who played his first game of the season after January knee surgery, said Monday that he can see his role growing as he gets healthier.) (9-15-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/15/detroit-lions-starting-running-back/72299490/
Detroit Lions' rushing game shows promise despite modest numbers (9-15-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_rushing_game_sho.html
Wojo: Lions offense needs to bear its teeth this season (There have to be more ways to sustain drives, which brings us to the new twist — rookie runner Ameer Abdullah. The second-round pick from Nebraska looks special, and the Lions deserve credit for recognizing it. They'll get more credit the more they utilize it. Abdullah's speed and skill should make it easier for Stafford and Lombardi, but they couldn't sustain anything in the opener. When Abdullah touched the ball, something positive usually happened — 50 yards rushing, 44 receiving, 105 on kickoff returns. Abdullah scored on a 24-yard run on the opening drive. He raced 36 yards with a short pass on the opening play of the second half. He finished with seven carries, four receptions and three kickoff returns, low volume exacerbated by the Lions' ridiculously puny total of 47 plays. With Abdullah's talent, the Lions should have another way to shoo some of those defenders from Johnson and Tate.) (9-15-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/columnists/bob-wojnowski/2015/09/14/wojo-lions-offense-better-bear-teeth-season/72286462/
Ameer Abdullah, Golden Tate prove to be explosive return duo (9-15-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18831/ameer-abdullah-golden-tate-prove-to-be-explosive-return-duo
Heroes and Villains: Mariota wows, Chip narratives die (Heroes - 3. Ameer Abdullah: The hype was real. Detroit's rookie running back is already flashing the qualities as a long-term find for the Lions. Hisspeed off the cut reminds me of former Browns and Falcons star Eric Metcalf, while his quickness has drawn comparisons to Barry Sanders. We're getting to the point whereMatthew Stafford -- surrounded by weapons -- has run out of excuses.) (9-15-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000531141/article/heroes-villains-mariota-shines-chip-narrative-fails
KEY QUESTIONS: How did Ingram hit affect Stafford's play? (How did running back Ameer Abdullah perform in his regular-season debut? Abdullah was a clear bright spot for the Lions in multiple phases of the game. He stood out running the ball, as a pass catcher and returning kicks. He led the team in rushing with seven carries for 50 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. He added 4 catches for 44 yards. Abdullah’s three kick returns for 105 yards helped set the offense up with good field position. Caldwell likes what he saw from his rookie running back and anticipates more of the same in the future. “What he did yesterday is kind of what we see him doing,” Caldwell said. “He’s returning kicks, he’s running the ball, he’s catching the ball out of the backfield. He had 199 yards or so of total offense.”) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/KEY-QUESTIONS-How-did-Ingram-hit-affect-Staffords-play/d4f93b29-9db5-4477-92e7-68b176884cd8
NOTEBOOK: Abdullah, Hunt make most of first plays (First touches couldn’t have produced much better results for two Lions who came from vastly different backgrounds to make their presence felt in the Lions’ season-opening loss at San Diego. Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah turned his first regular-season carry into a 24-yard touchdown run on the Lions’ first possession. It was the kind of play the Lions envisioned Abdullah making when they drafted him in the second round. On the other side of the ball, defensive end Phillip Hunt sacked quarterback Philip Rivers on the Chargers’ first possession. It was Hunt’s first play as a Lion, and something the Lions envisioned him making when they kept him on the 53-player roster in the final cut. Hunt was a prolific pass-rusher in college at the University of Houston, and with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League. He had three sacks in 23 games with the Eagles in 2011 and 2012. Those two plays were among the Lions’ highlights Sunday. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough others as the Lions squandered a 21-3 lead in a 33-28 loss. Among the other noteworthy developments Sunday was a hit that injured quarterback Matthew Stafford’s right elbow, the question of why the Lions didn’t target Calvin Johnson more than four times in the passing game, and rookie left guard Laken Tomlinson’s review of his performance. Some of the highlights and low spots: Abdullah: He generated 199 all-purpose yards – 50 rushing, 44 receiving and 105 on kickoff returns – but the TD run is the play that stood out. Abdullah did not downplay it when he spoke to reporters after Monday’s meetings and a brief afternoon practice, but his focus was on getting ready for Game 2 on the road against the Vikings. “We’re just moving on,” Abdullah said. “We made our corrections today on film and our walk-through. The past was the past. Now we’re moving on.” Abdullah stressed that he has to make corrections, despite what the stats may say. “I definitely do,” he said. “Sometimes from the fan’s perspective all you see is the big plays, but you don’t see what goes on. A lot of things needed correcting today, and I got them corrected. Now we focus on Minnesota.” Abdullah gave credit to the offensive line for clearing the way for his TD run, especially left tackle Riley Reiff, who got a good back-side block. “Riley got an excellent pick block on the back-side end to create that running lane,” Abdullah said. “It was a huge gap.” Abdullah kept the ball from the TD run and plans to give it to his father, Kareem.) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Abdullah-Hunt-make-most-of-first-plays/d1bb3229-d944-42c0-a807-a03fe3fcc7a2
Lions rookie report: Despite low marks, Tomlinson happy (Ameer Abdullah (second round): Abdullah was one of the Lions' biggest stars Sunday. He saw the most work of any Lions running back (21 snaps to Joique Bell's 18), ran for a team-high 50 yards on seven carries and scored the game's first touchdown.) (9-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/detroit-lions-laken-tomlinson/72244748/
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Takeaways from Lions-Chargers (5. Abdullah debut: One aspect of Sunday’s game that might have a “what if” is how Abdullah’s performance would have been viewed if the Lions had won. His first carry of the game went 24 yards for a touchdown. He froze Chargers safety Eric Weddle with a move and sprinted into the end zone. “I cut right, then cut left,” is how Abdullah described it. Abdullah’s next touch was a 48-yard kickoff return. Later in the game he had a 36-yard reception. His final stats: seven carries for 50 yards and a 7.1-yard average; four catches for 44 yards and an 11-yard average; three kickoff returns for 105 yards, a 35-yard average. “That guy has the shake and bake,” Johnson said after the game. “That guy can get up the field for us. I love when he has the ball.”) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Takeaways-from-Lions-Chargers/82c4b0f2-78c1-4e27-96e9-d40c75c56f25
Seidel: 2nd-half flameout reminiscent of same old Lions (And then, there was Ameer Abdullah, the rookie running back, who looks as if he's playing in fast forward when everybody else is playing in normal speed. "I just do what I'm supposed to do," Abdullah said. Abdullah led the team in rushing and caught four passes, and during his breaks, he returned kickoffs. Already, he is must-watch TV. When he gets the ball, you never know what is going to happen. "Man, the guy has some shake-and-bake," Johnson said. "I love when he has the ball. When he has the ball, I'm looking for the next guy to block.") (9-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2015/09/14/detroit-lions-san-diego-chargers-jeff-seidel/72240082/
Lions extra points: Overheard, talking points and more (Lions running back Ameer Abdullah: "I'm a little disappointed. We came out strong. But it's a long season. It's a marathon not a race. We know what we need to get better at and we know the areas we need to improve." Fear Ameer - The Lions didn't have many bright spots in Sunday's loss, but rookie running back Ameer Abdullah was one. Abdullah ran for a team-high 50 yards, caught four passes for 44 yards and returned three kicks. A rookie second-round pick out of Nebraska, Abdullah scored on his first career carry, when he broke into the open field and juked Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle on his way to the end zone from 24 yards out. After the game, Abdullah exchanged jerseys with Chargers first-round pick Melvin Gordon (14 carries, 51 yards). "I've dreamt about playing in this league since I was 6 years old and for my first touch to be a touchdown, it's special," Abdullah said. "I know my father's probably watching, smiling. I'll talk to him. I know he'll love it, but I would have traded that run for a win any day.") (9-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/detroit-lions-overheard-talking-points/72239012/
San Diego 33, Detroit 28: Why the Lions lost Sunday (A-plus for Ameer: Running back Abdullah is the future. The rookie was sensational. He often made his own yards while racking up 94 yards of offense. He had seven carries for 50 yards, including a beauty of a 24-yard TD run, and four catches for 44 yards. He also had a 35-yard kick-return average, bringing out three kicks for 105 yards, including a 48-yarder.) (9-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/detroit-lions-lost/72238712/
Snap counts: Linebackers must produce to play (Running backs: Ameer Abdullah (21 of 47), Joique Bell (18), Michael Burton (11), Theo Riddick (eight), Zach Zenner (two). Analysis: Abdullah playing more than Bell is likely a sign of things to come as the rookie was significantly more productive than the veteran. The second-round pick had 94 yards from scrimmage on 11 touches compared to Bell’s 41 yards on eight touches. Most of Riddick’s snaps and both of his catches came on the final drive. The use of Zenner early might have been a surprise tactic as he carried it on both snaps for 6 yards.) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/snap-counts-linebackers-must-produce-play/72258958/
Josh Katzenstein's Four Downs: Calvin Johnson cast adrift (Third down - One of the few highlights for the Lions was in the return game as the coaches realized that it’s important for their best players to touch the ball as much as possible. Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah had kickoff returns of 48, 34 and 23 yards. Receiver Golden Tate had punt returns of 20 and 14 yards. “I think we can be really special,” Abdullah said. “You guys know what Golden can do. … I tried to prove my case a couple times.” The Lions knew what Tate could do last year. Despite being one of the NFL’s best punt returners for the Seahawks in 2013, he didn’t have a single punt return in the regular season. “I don’t think there’s any question that he added a spark in there,” Caldwell said of Tate. Reflecting on his punt returns, Tate said his goal is to give the offense one extra first down. “It felt good,” he said. “Any time I can help this team out, whatever it is, I want to do, and it felt like the Seattle days.”) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/13/josh-katzensteins-four-downs-johnson-cast-adrift/72237068/
3 things we learned about the Lions, including the real problem at LB (and it's not Josh Bynes) (Ameer Abdullah is the team's best tailback. He looked like it throughout the offseason, when Joique Bell was out with an injury, and he looked like it the opener, even with Bell back. Once he hit the open field on his first carry, I leaned over to John Niyo of the Detroit News in the press box and told him, "touchdown." Sure enough, Abdullah shake-n-baked Eric Weddle — and All-Pro, mind you — into yesterday and hit paydirt. It was the best rookie debut by a Lions draft pick since Barry, and he added a 48-yard kick return for good measure. Yeah, this kid can play, and it seems inevitable he'll eventually overtake Bell as the team's preferred back.) (9-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/3_things_we_learned_about_the_30.html
Golden Tate, Ameer Abdullah shine as Lions' new return men (Golden Tate has been campaigning for a shot to return punts dating all the way back to the day he first signed with the Detroit Lions.
It took a year, but he finally got his wish. Tate started on punt return for the Lions in their season opener Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, while promising rookie Ameer Abdullah beat out TJ Jones and Jeremy Ross for the kick return job. And although the Lions lost the game 33-28, their new return men were bright spots. Tate had 34 yards on two punt returns, while Abdullah returned three kicks for 105 yards. That's an average of 17 yards per punt return, up from 8.9 last season, and 35.0 yards per kick return, up from 24.5 last season. That's obviously a small sample size, but the early explosion is a good sign Detroit has found some answers for its wayward return units.
"Felt good," Tate said. "Anytime I can help this team out, whatever it is, I want to do it. It felt like the Seattle days being back here on punt return and just helping, trying to at worst make sure our offense is stepping on the field for one, and secondly, get us one more first down so we don't have to do it on offense." Tate was the league's best punt returner in 2013, according to ProFootballFocus, but Detroit opted to use Ross there last year to keep Tate healthy. His averages slipped to the middle of the pack, though, and he wasn't providing many splash plays. His longest punt return was 28 yards, and his longest kick return was 41 yards. Abdullah eclipsed that on his first career kick return, breaking free for a 48-yarder. And Tate didn't have a punt return of fewer than 14 yards.
Not a lot went right for Detroit in its season opener, but the return units really showed promise that the Lions' months-long audition for new return men has paid off.
"You guys know what Golden can do, stop(ping) on a dime better than anyone in this league, and I'm trying to prove myself," Abdullah said. "A couple times I may have missed a couple of things. We'll see on film.") (9-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/golden_tate_ameer_abdullah_shi.html
Detroit Lions snap counts: DT Tyrunn Walker proves capable of playing heavy load (Rookie Ameer Abdullah led the way in the backfield rotation, getting 21 snaps to Joique Bell's 18. Zach Zenner was on the field just two plays and he got carries on both.) (9-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_snap_counts_tyru.html
Ameer Abdullah has best rookie debut by Lions tailback since Barry Sanders (9-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/ameer_abdullah_has_best_rookie.html
Detroit Lions notes: Ameer Abdullah still work to do; injury updates (It was all business for running back Ameer Abdullah on Monday after his NFL debut where he gathered 199 all-purpose yards in the loss to the Chargers. “we’re just moving on, made our corrections today in film and walk-throughs,’’ Abdullah said. “The past is past, now we’re just moving on.’’ While it looked like he played a solid game it wasn’t perfect. “I definitely do (have corrections). Sometimes from the fan standpoint you don’t see what’s going on,’’ Abdullah said. “There’s a lot of things I needed to correct today, I got them corrected. His first play from scrimmage he romped 24 yards into the end zone. First snap, first NFL touchdown. He kept the ball and is going to give it to his father Kareem. “I know it’d be special to him,’’ Abdullah said on Monday. The second-round pick had 50 yards rushing, 44 receiving and 105 in returns. “What he did yesterday is kind of what we see him doing. He’s returning kicks, he’s running the ball, he’s catching the ball out of the backfield,’’ coach Jim Caldwell said. “I’m not certain there’s anything more than that. He had 199 yards or so of total offense. So that’s the kind of role that I think you’ll see him play for the most part.’’) (9-14-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150914/detroit-lions-notes-ameer-abdullah-still-work-to-do-injury-updates
Return Game A Bright Spot In Detroit's 33-28 Loss (9-14-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/14/return-game-a-bright-spot-in-detroits-33-28-loss/
Ameer Abdullah's all-purpose production vs. Chargers was rare (9-14-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah-all-purpose-production-san-diego-chargers-rare-091415
Week 1 awards (Nice to Meet You Award - Ameer Abdullah and Tyler Lockett: The first regular-season game is an important moment for every rookie because it's their first real test against NFL players going at full speed. Lockett and Abdullah look like they have the engines to speed past the competition. Lockett scored a TD for the Seahawks on a 57-yard punt return -- the first NFL special teams TD of 2015 -- and Abdullah flashed his blinding speed with seven carries for 50 yards and a touchdown for the Lions. Their next task? Getting a win as both Seattle and Detroit stumbled to losses on Sunday.) (9-14-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/photos/marcus-mariota-excellent-debut-rex-ryan-jay-cutler-week-1-awards-091315#img_1
PFF's DET-SD grades: Rough start for Lions’ Stafford-Johnson connection (His fourth quarter fumble aside, rookie RB Ameer Abdullah (+0.4) provided a solid outing for the Lions (94 yards on just 11 touches). Check out 10:53 of the first quarter and 9:21 of the third quarter for his best plays. It will be interesting to see how the Lions continue to get him the ball going forward.) (9-14-15): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/09/14/det-sd-grades-rough-start-for-lions-stafford-johnson-connection/
Lions have plenty to correct after second-half fade (If Detroit's season opener against San Diego had ended a bit differently, Ameer Abdullah might be the talk of the NFL. Instead, the rookie running back can only look ahead to next weekend with the rest of his team after an ugly loss for the Lions. ''Sometimes
from the fans' standpoint, all you see is the big plays,'' Abdullah
said Monday. ''There's a lot of things I needed corrected.'' The
Lions have quite a list of problems to address after wasting a 21-3
lead against the Chargers in a 33-28 loss Sunday. Detroit started
impressively before allowing 30 unanswered points, its defense unable to
hold on in its first game since the departure of Ndamukong Suh. The
Lions are coming off a playoff appearance last season, but they're in
danger of falling off the pace quickly this year thanks to a tough early
schedule. Detroit plays at Minnesota next weekend before hosting Denver
and visiting Seattle. ''You
better get your problems corrected and move on,'' coach Jim Caldwell
said. ''The next opponent sees them and you can guarantee you'll see
those things over and over again until you make certain that you have
them ironed out.''
Abdullah
ran for a 24-yard touchdown on his first carry, and he finished with 50
yards on seven attempts. He also caught four passes for 44 yards and
averaged 35 yards on three kick returns.
The second-round draft pick from Nebraska was Detroit's most exciting player, in part because Calvin Johnson was limited to two catches for 39 yards.) (9-14-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lions-plenty-correct-second-half-fade-234731489--nfl.html
Video - Week 1: Top 5 Runs (Abdullah's run is ranked 2nd.) (9-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-countdowns/0ap3000000530340/Week-1-Top-5-Runs
Video - Abdullah on turning the page (9-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Abdullah-on-turning-the-page/5a107b65-bff0-4fab-8270-a72e503f87c5
Ameer Abdullah, Melvin Gordon pull off postgame jersey swap (9-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18821/ameer-abdullah-melvin-gordon-pull-off-postgame-jersey-swap
Thirty-nine things we learned from Week 1 (The Ameer Abdullah summer of hype was justified. The Lions running back got right to work on his highlight reel, nearly juking Eric Weddle -- an All-Pro safety -- out of the building on a 24-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Abdullah finished with 94 yards from scrimmage and added a long kickoff return.) (9-13-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000529609/article/39-things-we-learned-from-week-1
NOTEBOOK: A pair of starters leave game with injuries (Bright Spot - One bright spot for the Lions was the play of rookie running back Ameer Abdullah, who contributed on the ground, through the air and in the return game. “You know, I think he’s demonstrated that he’s got quickness and ability,” Caldwell said. “Still young, you know, but he certainly can be a factor in the ballgame, also in the return game as well.” The Lions’ second-round pick introduced himself very quickly to the league by taking his first carry 24 yards to the end zone. Abdullah capped off the run with a juke move on Chargers Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle in the open field to leave him a clear path to the end zone. He finished as the team’s leading rusher with 50 yards on just seven carries. Abdullah tied for second on the team with 44 receiving yards on four catches. “It felt good,” Abdullah said. “Everyone’s working so hard and makes me so comfortable because I know I don’t always have to shoulder the load because we have a lot of backs that can do it. So we just go out there and trust everyone, the blocks, the pass-protection it makes for a better for a better atmosphere and makes you play better.” He also provided a spark in the return game with 105 kick return yards, averaging 35.0 yards per return. Abdullah turned in the Lions’ longest reception on a 36-yard screen pass and his 24-yard touchdown was the longest rushing play of the game as well. The rookie came close to breaking a kick return for a score as well before he was tripped up after a 48-yard return. -- Stuart Zaas. Returning Hope - A glimmer of good in the Lions’ fall to the Chargers was undoubtedly Abdullah, but it wasn’t only his 24 yard touchdown that impressed. Abdullah, along with WR Golden Tate, showed signs of a promising return game. “I think we can be really special,” Abdullah said. “You guys know what Golden can do. He can stop on a dime better than anyone in this league and I’m trying to prove my case and a couple times I may have missed a couple things, so we’ll see the film.” Abdullah’s compulsion to improve is shared by Caldwell. “Overall, we just got to play better,” Caldwell said. “We didn’t play well enough. Anytime you don’t win, you can find some silver linings, but, you know, the fact of the matter is, we didn’t play well enough.”) (9-13-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/NOTEBOOK-A-pair-of-starters-leave-game-with-injuries/07ad5346-5a51-475d-91a6-438ce5e8400a
Lions' new return men Tate, Abdullah provide spark (Golden Tate has lobbied for punt return duty in the past, and it seems the Detroit Lions are finally listening to their electric receiver. Tate served as the Lions' primary punt returner and Ameer Abdullah handled kick returns Sunday, providing one of the few bright spots in the team's 33-28 season-opening loss to the San Diego Chargers. "Felt good," Tate said. "Anytime I can help this team, out, whatever it is I want to do. It felt like the Seattle days being back here on punt return and just helping, trying to at least, at worst make sure our offense is stepping on the field for one, and secondly get us one more first down so we don't have to do it on offense." Tate was one of the league's best punt returners when he handled the duties for the Seattle Seahawks in 2013, but the Lions used Jeremy Tate as their primary returner last year. After waiving Ross last week, the Lions decided to split the return chores between Tate and Abdullah, and may mix Lance Moore and TJ Jones in as well. Tate averaged 17 yards on his two punt returns Sunday, and set up the Lions' third touchdown in the first half with a 14-yard return to near midfield. Abdullah, who led the Lions with 50 yards rushing on seven carries, had a 48-yard kick return in the first half and averaged 35 yards on his three returns for the game. "I don't think there's any question that he added a spark in there," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said of Abdullah. "He's got some ability, did some nice things." Abdullah, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, said he thinks the Lions' return game can be "really special" this year. "I mean, you guys know what Golden can do, stop on a dime better than anyone in this league, and I'm trying to prove myself," Abdullah said. "A couple times I may have missed a couple of things. We'll see on film.") (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-golden-tate-ameer-abdullah/72231000/
Lions ticker: Good start leads to usual unsurprising end (Yeah, yeah, it was just one game. But I'm starting to see the Barry Sanders comparisons for Lions rookie Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah ripped off a 24-yard TD run, a 36-yard catch-and-run and a 48-yard kickoff run, and — here's what ties it all together — it all went to waste in a Lions loss Sunday.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions/72235104/
Abdullah’s TD ‘special,’ but he’d prefer a victory (The Lions started to hide Ameer Abdullah in the preseason because they knew what he could do. And the second time he touched the ball — and his first carry — in Sunday’s 33-28 loss to the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium, the second-round pick scooted up the gut for a 24-yard touchdown. “It’s definitely special,” he said. “I’ve dreamt about playing in this league since I was 6 years old and for my first (carry) to be a touchdown is special. I know my father is probably watching and smiling. “But I would’ve traded that run for a win any day.” As impressive as Abdullah was Sunday, finishing with 50 yards on seven carries and four catches for 44 yards, his opportunities were limited by a Lions offense that repeatedly stalled after jumping out to a 21-3 first-half lead. Abdullah also had more touches than Joique Bell, 11 to eight, and looks like the team’s best option out of the backfield. “The guy has some shake and bake, man, and the guy can get up and down the field for us,” wide receiver Calvin Johnson said. “I love when he has the ball because once (he) catches the ball, I’m looking for the next guy to block to try to keep him on his feet and get him to the end zone.” After catching a pass for no gain on the fourth play of the game, Abdullah flashed that agility on the run as he made star Chargers safety Eric Weddle miss in the open field end route to the end zone. “I just went one way and went the other way,” Abdullah said. “I’m sure you can make the same move.” In addition to saving the touchdown ball, Abdullah will head back to Detroit with another souvenir — Chargers running back Melvin Gordon’s jersey. The two made an exchange after the game because they’ve known each other since high school and are close friends.) (9-13-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/abdullahs-td-special-prefer-victory/72233024/
Lions postgame: Ameer Abdullah, Glover Quin bright spots in loss to Chargers (Three Stars - Ameer Abdullah -- The rookie running back had an impressive first game, at least early. Abdullah rushed seven times for 50 yards, including a 24-yard run for a touchdown early in the first quarter. He also caught four passes for 44 yards. By the Numbers - 69 -- Yards rushing for the Lions in the first game of the season, split up between three different running backs. Ameer Abdullah led the team with 50 yards on 7 carries, with 24 of them coming on his first-quarter touchdown run, while Joique Bell had 14 yards on six carries and Zach Zenner, in his first pro game, had two rushes for six yards.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_postgame.html
Why didn't the Detroit Lions throw to Calvin Johnson more? (Quarterback Matthew Stafford used to force the ball into a lot of Johnson double-coverages back in the day, but the new staff has instructed him to progress through his reads to find the open guy instead. That led to a lot of parity in the targeting, with Golden Tate leading the way with eight. He caught four of those balls, which tied him with tight end Eric Ebron and tailback Ameer Abdullah for a team high in receptions. Tate and Ebron (five) both had more targets than Johnson, while Abdullah had as many as him (four).) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/why_didnt_the_detroit_lions_ta.html
Detroit Lions notes: Ameer Abdullah impressive; Glover Quin keeps string alive (When Ameer Abdullah got his first touch in the NFL, he made the most. He took it 24 yards to the endzone, juking out Chargers safety Eric Weddle in his final move. Not only did it put the Lions up 7-0 on their first possession, it was history making. No Lion had scored a rushing touchdown on his first touch in his first regular game since Gene Gedman in 1953. The Lions lost 33-28 to the Chargers, but it was a good day for Abdullah in his NFL debut. He finished with 199 total yards: Seven carries for 50 yards, four catches for 44 yards and three returns for 105 yards. Not bad. “I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do, cut it up made a move,’’ Abdullah said. “It was a great play but we need more of those have to be more consistent and run the ball.’’ Overall he said he was disappointed because it’s about the team and the team lost. Abdullah was drafted in the second round to beef up the run game which struggled in 2014. He showed flashes of what could be in the preseason, but nothing counted until Sunday. He led the running backs on Sunday. Joique Bell, who didn’t play in the preseason because he was coming off surgery, had six carries for 14 yards and a pair of receptions for 27 yards. Undrafted rookie Zach Zenner had two carries for six yards. Theo Riddick had two catches for 37 yards including a 21-yard touchdown catch late in the game. The Lions kept five guys from the backfield active in the game which is an unusual move. Fullback Mike Burton played but did not touch the ball.) (9-13-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150913/detroit-lions-notes-ameer-abdullah-impressive-glover-quin-keeps-string-alive
NFL Winners and Losers: What do we make of Peyton Manning and Denver? (Losers - Detroit Lions: When you lead 21-3 on the road, you have to finish the job. The Lions are going to regret collapsing at San Diego in Week 1. There were some positives, most notably that rookie running back Ameer Abdullah looked like the real deal. But even though they got two huge interceptions off Philip Rivers, including one returned for a touchdown and another in their own end zone, they couldn’t win. That’ll sting later.): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-winners-and-losers--what-do-we-make-of-peyton-manning-and-denver-022428022.html
Free Press Lions' report card: Poor marks for linebackers, receivers (Running backs - B-: Ameer Abdullah was as advertised in his first game, carrying seven times for 50 yards and scoring a pretty touchdown on his first carry when he juked Eric Weddle out of his shoes. Abdullah had plenty of open field on his TD thanks to a misplay by one of San Diego's linebackers. Joique Bell (six carries, 14 yards) wasn't particularly effective in his return from knee surgery, and Theo Riddick wasn't part of the game plan until the final drive. Special teams - A: The Lions could be really dangerous on special teams this year with Abdullah returning kicks and Tate handling punts. Tate averaged 17 yards on his two punt returns Sunday, while Abdullah had 48-yard kick return. Matt Prater was perfect on the new longer extra point, while Sam Martin did a good job nullifying Jacoby Jones in the return game.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-report-card/72236260/
Detroit News Lions grades: Coaches failed to recalibrate (9-13-15) (Grade: B. Running backs: The Lions actually ran the ball OK when they were committed to it, but too often their first-down runs didn't work out. Ameer Abdullah was the star, gaining 50 yards on seven carries including a 24-yard touchdown on his first NFL run. The rookie added four catches for 44 yards. Joique Bell struggled on the ground — six carries, 14 yards — but had two catches for 27 yards. And Theo Riddick added two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. Special teams: With so many problems elsewhere, this was actually the best unit for the Lions. Sam Martin downed three of his five punts inside the 20. Ameer Abdullah had a 48-yard kickoff return, and Golden Tate averaged 17 yards on his two punt returns. Grade: B.) (9-13-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/lions-grades-coaches-failed-recalibrate/72233574/
MLive Detroit Lions Grades: Defense flops, RB Ameer Abdullah shines as team withers in San Diego (RBs: A-. Rookie Ameer Abdullah is as good -- no, better -- than advertised. He blasted up the middle for a 24-yard touchdown run on his first carry and had a couple other nice runs. He also added a 36-yard reception on a swing route after a bobbled snap. Joique Bell got the start and didn't do much, gaining 41 yards from scrimmage on eight touches. Theo Riddick was a no show until late in the fourth quarter when he caught a couple passes, including a touchdown with a little more than a minute remaining. Special Teams: A- : Abdullah flashed on kickoffs and giving Golden Tate a go at punt return proved to be an effective strategy. The coverage units also performed well, keeping Chargers return man Jacoby Jones in check. Kicker Matt Prater didn't attempt a field goal, but made all four of his extra points. Punter Sam Martin wasn't at his best, but did pin the Chargers inside their 20-yard line three times on five boots.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/grading_the_detroit_lions_san_1.html
S.D. 33, Detroit 28: Lions melt in season-opening loss (The Lions, coming off an 11-5 season that tied for the second best mark in franchise history, opened with splash as rookie second-round pick Ameer Abdullah capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown on his first career carry. Abdullah, who split time with Joique Bell in the backfield, was one of the Lions' few bright spots on an otherwise tough-to-stomach day for the Lions. He finished with a team-high 50 yards rushing on seven carries, left Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle grasping at air with an open-field cut on his touchdown run, caught four passes for 44 yards and had a 48-yard kickoff return.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-san-diego-chargers/72226862/
Chargers, with 30 straight points, shred Lions defense (What looked like a magical debut for rookie running back Ameer Abdullah and the new-look Lions defense took a sour turn Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium. Abdullah’s highlights began early as he turned his first NFL carry into a 24-yard touchdown, racing up the middle of the defense and shaking safety Eric Weddle to cap an 80-yard scoring drive at the start of the game.) (9-13-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/chargers-straight-points-shred-lions-defense/72227852/
Third-quarter update: Lions 21, Chargers 20 (The Detroit Lions are coming unraveled. The team turned the ball over twice in the third quarter, a pair of interceptions by quarterback Matthew Stafford, as the San Diego Chargers have sliced what was once an 18-point edge to a single point. The Chargers opened the second half driving 73 yards on 12 players, but were forced to settle for a short field goal. Detroit appeared poised to answer, crossing mid-field after a long catch-and-run by rookie running back Ameer Abdullah on a swing pass, but Stafford was crushed as he went to throw on a third-down play, floating a pass easily picked by the Chargers. The Lions quickly got the ball back after defensive end Jason Jones forced a fumble, but Stafford tossed a second pick under pressure, which the Chargers returned into the red zone.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/third-quarter_update_lions_cha.html
Halftime analysis: Detroit Lions' offense looks impressive against Chargers (And amid all those solid performances, it is a rookie, Ameer Abdullah, who has stolen the show. He juked All-Pro Eric Weddle for a 24-yard touchdown on his first career carry, then later went off for 48 yards on his first career kick return.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/halftime_analysis_detroit_lion.html
First-quarter update: Lions 7, Chargers 3 (It couldn't have been a better start for the Detroit Lions in San Diego. Receiving the opening kickoff, Detroit drove 80 yards in eight plays, with an exceptional run-pass balance. Quarterback Matthew Stafford completed four of his five throws for 48 yards and rookie running back Ameer Abdullah burst up the gut for a 24-yard touchdown on his first professional carry.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/first-quarter_update_lions_cha.html
Pat Caputo - 3 thoughts during the first half Lions vs Chargers (If they get injured returning kicks, the Lions will be criticized harshly for using Golden Tate and Ameer Abdullach on returns. But there is no denying how much more threatening they are than tradition return-only players.) (9-13-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150913/pat-caputo-3-thoughts-during-the-first-half-lions-vs-chargers
Ameer Abdullah proves valuable in Lions complete collapse to Chargers (But Abdullah, whom the Lions used in a timeshare situation in a 33-28 loss to San Diego on Sunday, showed in the regular-season opener to be everything he had been in the preseason. He looked like Detroit’s most explosive offensive option out of the backfield and was a complete run and receiving back that the Lions have coveted for a long time. If anything can be learned from the Lions' run game Sunday for the future, it is that Abdullah needs to be used even more than he was in the offense going forward than he was in Week 1, when he split time with Joique Bell. Abdullah ended up leading the Lions in rushing with 50 yards and had 44 yards receiving as well -- second only to tight end Eric Ebron. He had more carries than any Lions back and had as many receptions -- four -- as Golden Tate and more targets and receptions than Calvin Johnson. That should be an issue for the Lions' offense that Johnson was essentially a non-factor, but it also shows how valuable Abdullah could be. The added bonus for Detroit is that Abdullah looked sharp as a kick returner as well, almost breaking two of the three returns he took out of the end zone, averaging 35 yards per return. But as good as Abdullah’s debut was -- even he reverted back to his old form from college for a play. His miscue was fumbling once after not dropping a ball in any preseason game or practice that was open to the public. The Lions recovered that, but it was just part of a day in San Diego that started strong but unraveled everywhere else.) (9-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18787/ameer-abdullah-proves-valuable-in-lions-complete-collapse-to-chargers
Week 1 Game Balls (Ameer Abdullah. On a day when everything collapsed for the Lions after a strong start, Abdullah was the one constant for Detroit. From his first offensive carry -- a touchdown -- to showing game-breaking speed and vision on special teams, Abdullah was consistently the best Detroit offensive option on Sunday. He finished with 94 total offensive yards while playing in a timeshare with Joique Bell, something that might change as the season progresses.) (9-13-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/178757/packers-james-jones-chiefs-alex-smith-jets-brandon-marshall-dominate-in-season-openers
Ameer Abdullah outduels Melvin Gordon, but Chargers beat Lions (Ameer Adbullah got the highlight reel. Melvin Gordon got the win. Abdullah's first NFL carry was a ridiculous 24-yard touchdown run in which he juked Chargers safety Eric Weddle to give Detroit an early lead. The Chargers later rallied for a 33-28 victory. Abdullah, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, only saw six more carries and finished the game with 50 yards to lead the Lions in rushing. Gordon, who was San Diego's first-round pick in April, ran for 51 yards on 14 carries. He had a touchdown called back after nearly keeping his balance for a long run, but it was ruled that his elbow had touched the turf at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. "I was hoping they'd give me that touchdown," said the former Wisconsin running back, who finished second last year in the Heisman race behind Oregon's Marcus Mariota. The Chargers did have two rushing touchdowns, but both of those came courtesy of veteran scatback Danny Woodhead. Neither rookie had the total number of carries, nor the impact, many thought they would in the opener. But it's just the first of 16 games this season and the first game of what the Detroit and San Diego brass hope will be long careers.) (9-13-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-09-13/ameer-abdullah-melvin-gordon-san-diego-chargers-detroit-lions
Rivers, Allen lead Chargers' comeback over Lions (The Ameer Abdullah summer of hype was justified. The Lions running back got right to work on his highlight reel, nearly juking Eric Weddle -- an All-Pro safety -- out of the building on a 24-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Abdullah finished with 94 yards from scrimmage and added a long kickoff return.)(9-13-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000529744/article/rivers-allen-lead-chargers-comeback-over-lions
Keenan Allen leads Chargers to comeback win over Lions (If there was a promising aspect of today’s game for the Lions, it was that rookie running back Ameer Abdullah looked great. He scored a 24-yard touchdown on his first carry, took his first kickoff return back 48 yards and was fast and explosive throughout the game. Abdullah became the first NFL player since at least 1960 to have 50 rushing yards, 40 receiving yards and 100 kickoff return yards in a game. The Lions got a keeper when they spent a second-round pick on Abdullah.) (9-13-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/13/keenan-allen-leads-chargers-to-comeback-win-over-lions/
Chargers ride second half surge (Ameer Abdullah plays faster than anyone else - The football world knew Ameer Abdullah had game-breaking speed from his days at Nebraska. However, concerns about the running back's size prevented him from coming off the board until the 54th selection of this year's draft. Though he may never develop into a workhorse back, Abdullah can tilt the field with just one carry, such as his electric 24-yard touchdown run through the heart of San Diego's defense. Fantasy Focus - Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah had a strong enough day on the ground to please his fantasy owners, rushing seven times for 50 yards and a score. However, it's his four catches for 44 yards that has everyone excited for what may come. The Lions appear to have a young, ultra-versatile weapon coming out of their backfield, the type of player who keeps defensive coordinators from sleeping the night before a game.) (9-13-15): http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/149182146/san-diego-chargers-detroit-lions-game-recap
Rivers rallies Chargers to 33-28 victory over Lions (Rookie Ameer Abdullah scored easily on his second run, a 24-yarder. Quin's interception return on a poor decision by Rivers and Ebron's touchdown catch made it look as if it was going to be a blowout.) (9-13-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rivers-rallies-chargers-33-28-victory-over-lions-231618580--nfl.html
Ameer Abdullah's first career run scores six points, breaks two ankles (9-13-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25300791/ameer-abdullahs-first-career-run-scores-six-points-breaks-two-ankles
NFL rookies make quick impact in Week 1 (Ameer Abdullah’s first carry for the Detroit Lions was a 24-yard TD against the San Diego Chargers.) (9-13-15): http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/09/13/nfl-rookies-make-quick-impact-week-1/72223930/
Video - Abdullah 24 yd TD (9-13-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000529185/Lions-Ameer-Abdullah-24-yard-TD
Video - Abdullah 48 yd run (9-13-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000529286/Lions-Ameer-Abdullah-makes-a-48-yard-run
Video - Abdullah 36 yd run (9-13-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000529508/Lions-Ameer-Abdullah-makes-a-36-yard-run
Video - Abdullah on his first career touchdown (9-13-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Abdullah-on-his-first-career-touchdown/8c53ea43-0ec8-4b1c-9150-7e450da1f334
O'HARA'S FINAL THOUGHTS: Abdullah's regular-season debut (Abdullah’s focus: This year’s class of rookie running backs will get showcased early, and comparisons will be made. But Abdullah isn’t interested in a personal battle with Chargers rookie Melvin Gordon. Gordon, drafted in the first round and 15th overall out of Wisconsin, has already been named as a starter. Joique Bell is listed as the Lions’ starting tailback, but Abdullah is certain to be used extensively as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Abdullah was a second-round pick out of Nebraska. No matter how he’s used or how much he plays, Abdullah’s focus is on his own performance. “You’ve got to focus on what you’ve got to do,” he said. “This league, it’s intense. When you get out there, if you have your mind on other things you’re bound to make a mistake. No one wants to make a mistake. No one wants to hurt his team in any way. “We have a lot of high hopes for this season. As long as I’m taking care of my job, I’m not going to worry about what somebody else is doing with their job.” Abdullah’s excitement level to start the season is higher than it was at the end of his career at Nebraska. “Definitely, I’m a little bit more excited,” he said. “College got a little monotonous at times. Now it’s fresh. It’s new to me. I’m juiced up.” From the time capsule: Gordon set the FBS single-game rushing record with 408 yards on 25 carries in Wisconsin’s 59-24 win over Nebraska last year. Abdullah had 18 carries for 69 yards and one reception for 26.) (9-13-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/final-thoughts/article-1/OHARAS-FINAL-THOUGHTS-Abdullahs-regular-season-debut/27fbc430-8461-438e-8bbc-5b535ea31a76
Seidel: Why didn't Lions get Megatron the ball? (This offense showed flashes. Ameer Abdullah looks like a future star. But they need to give him the ball even more. He touched it only 11 times on offense (seven runs and four rushes) and returned three kickoffs, which isn't nearly enough offensively. He can handle a bigger load. He touched the ball, on average, 22 times a game last year for Nebraska.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-calvin-johnson-jeff-seidel/72236390/
DeAndre Levy, TJ Jones out for Detroit Lions; Ameer Abdullah likely the returner (It looks like Ameer Abdullah will be the Detroit Lions' starting returner after all. They drafted the tailback in the second round in part because of his possible contributions on special teams. But then he repped behind Jeremy Ross during training camp, then was listed behind TJ Jones on the Week 1 depth chart. But the Lions announced shortly before their Sunday opener against the San Diego Chargers that Jones is among the team's seven inactive players. That means Abdullah likely is returning kicks, and possibly punts as well. Receiver Golden Tate could also be in the mix for return duties. Lance Moore and Josh Wilson will be the backups.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/deandre_levy_tj_jones_out_for.html
Jim Caldwell confirms Golden Tate will be involved in return game vs. San Diego (The Detroit Lions listed TJ Jones as the team's starting kick and punt returner on the unofficial depth chart earlier this week, but with the young wide receiver inactive for the season opener in San Diego, the duties will be split according to coach Jim Caldwell. In a pre-game interview with 97.1-FM, Caldwell said among those handling returns for the Lions against the Chargers will be wide receiver Golden Tate. "You're going to see a mixture," Caldwell said. "You're going to see Golden back there, you're going to see Ameer (Abdullah) back there, you're probably going to see Lance (Moore) back there. There's going to be a combination of guys working this game." Tate returned punts for the Seahawks from 2011-13, averaging 11.6 yards on 68 attempts. He fielded just one punt for the Lions last season, early in the team's playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Abdullah served as a kick returner in college, averaging a healthy 26.1 yards during his time at Nebraska. And during his nine year NFL career, Moore has been mixed into return duties. He brought back 47 punts and 18 kickoffs as a member of the New Orleans Saints.) (9-13-15):
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/jim_caldwell_confirms_golden_t.html
Seidel: 13 reasons why these Lions could be tremendous (An improved running game. The passing game will be even stronger because the Lions' running game will be stronger with the explosive Abdullah. One caveat: That's assuming that LaAdrian Waddle comes back from knee surgery. The Lions are loaded with weapons. This "New Orleans" offense needs a lot of receivers to work. In 2011, Brees threw for 5,476 yards, had 46 TDs and a 110.6 QB rating. That season, six different Saints had at least40 receptions, and the Saints finished 13-3. By comparison, the Lions only had three players catch 40 balls or more in 2014. But this season, Abdullah, Johnson, Tate, Ebron, Joique Bell and Theo Riddick all have the potential to catch at least 40. Add some production out of Corey Fuller, and the Lions could put up some amazing numbers.) (9-12-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/12/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-ameer-abdullah/72159440/
Ask Kyle: On how much Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner will play for Lions (Q: How many snaps/usage will Ameer Abdullah get this Sunday? — Chuck. A: I still believe Joique Bell is this team's starting tailback, and probably its primary tailback. But I also expect Ameer Abdullah to get a ton of action as well, both out of the backfield and as a pass-catcher. He is the Lions' best big-play threat out of the backfield, and will be used accordingly. Joe Lombardi said this on Thursday about Abdullah's usage: "He's going to get a chance to run the ball, and he's also going to get used extensively in the pass game. Like a lot of running backs, he's a well-rounded player which makes it easy (to keep him out there). People call them 'three-down backs' and he's certainly a guy that can do it all." I have no idea what that means. Or maybe it means nothing, which would be a great troll on his part. But "extensively" is a strong word, you know?) (9-12-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/ask_kyle_on_how_much_ameer_abd.html
Detroit Lions' Ameer Abdullah worried about dodging linebackers, not zombies ... for now (9-12-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_ameer_abdullah_z.html
7 teams that can win the Super Bowl (6. Detroit Lions - The Lions may have lost superstar DT Ndamukong Suh to the Miami Dolphins, but the remaining defensive components will be enough to bring Lions fans the glory. DE Ezekiel Ansah generated the second-best pass rushing productivity among 4-3 DEs last season, and the combination of CBs Rashean Mathis and Darius Slay provide Detroit with one of the better secondaries in the NFL. On offense, QB Matthew Stafford is coming off a down 2014 season in our grades, but ranked No. 7 among QBs in 2013 and should be able to bounce back with a full season of the WR duo of Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, who both produced yards per route totals within the NFL’s top 15 (2.29 and 2.13, respectively). The difference-maker on offense will be the addition of RB Ameer Abdullah, who will give the Lions the breakaway threat they have sorely lacked in previous seasons.) (9-12-15): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/09/12/7-teams-that-can-win-the-super-bowl/
Touted rookie RBs Abdullah, Gordon to meet (9-11-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/11/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah-melvin-gordon/72047786/
Lions expect full workload for Ameer Abdullah on Sunday (9-11-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18728/detroit-lions-expect-full-workload-for-ameer-abdullah-on-sunday
10 takeaways from Austin and Lombardi (Lombardi is completely confident in the abilities of rookie running back Ameer Abdullah heading into Sunday’s game in San Diego. Lombardi said Abdullah is a true three-down back and that he’ll be used “extensively” in the passing game. What does that mean for Fantasy Football owners? Stay tuned.) (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-takeaways-from-Austin--Lombardi/919e6e78-baba-460e-9083-20213bd92d56
10 QUESTIONS WITH TWENTYMAN: Who will lead Lions in rushing yards? (Q. Who do you think should start Week 1, Bell or Abdullah at RB? A. The game designations for Sunday will officially be out Friday afternoon, but I'd be shocked if Bell wasn't ready to roll, Moe. He wasn't even on Wednesday's injury report. He's been running full speed and with the first-team offense for a couple weeks now. He actually told me last week he feels better than he has in a couple years after getting the knee and Achilles injuries that have plagued him taken care of this offseason. Bell, 29, is motivated to have a 1,000 yard season and prove he's well-worth the $9.3 million contract he signed last offseason. He'll be the starter and I'd expect he gets the most carries. Abdullah will get a solid 10-15 touches, depending on how the game is going. That could change from week-to-week depending on the matchup. San Diego had the league's 26th ranked rush defense last year and didn't add a lot to improve that area this offseason. I suspect the Lions will try to establish the run early and often, first with Bell and then a change of pace with Abdullah. Expect Riddick to be a larger part of the passing game than the run game. Q. who will lead the team in rushing yards this year? A. I still think it willl be Bell. It will be close between he and Abdullah, but Bell is a grinder. He always gets positive yards and he wears down a defense. Coaches love those kinds of backs, especially when they have a lead. I wouldn't be surprised if Bell and Abdullah each rush for at least 500 yards and have 500 receiving yards, like Bell and Reggie Bush did in 2013, but I'll say Bell ends with more rushing yards and Abdullah with more receiving yards. Q. Is Riddicks role cut down with the arrival of Abdullah as a receiving option? A. I think it will a bit, but nothing too severe. Abdullah is a better receiver than the Lions thought he'd be, certainly a better receiver already than Reggie Bush was. The Lions will use him a lot in that role and that could dip into Riddick's numbers some. Riddick caught 34 passes last season and had four touchdowns. He's a terrific receiver and the Lions have a lot of confidence throwing him the football, especially late in games. I'd be surprised if he didn't get to at least 25 catches this season with a couple more touchdowns. That number could swell if the Lions suffer injuries ahead of him.) (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-QUESTIONS-WITH-TWENTYMAN-Who-will-lead-Lions-in-rushing-yards/2159f189-a647-479a-9483-78201d96e08f
Ameer Abdullah Blog: I'm just ready to play (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ameer-abdullah/article-1/Ameer-Abdullah-Blog-Im-just-ready-to-play/c564ef0d-97d6-449f-b805-acc583a40430
Jamie: For Lions to flourish, Abdullah must be top rusher (9-10-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah-joique-bell-jamie-samuelsen/71989610/
Abdullah-Gordon rivalry leaps from college to pros (9-10-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/rushers-rivalry-leaps-college-pros/71978854/
Lions Rookie Backs Trusted By Coaching Staff For Reliability, Versatility (The Lions’ two rookie running backs have earned something more than their paychecks this preseason: They’ve earned the coaching staff’s trust. While rookie Ameer Abdullah (Detroit’s second-round draft pick this year) is most likely going to see the ball much more than fellow rookie Zach Zenner (undrafted, but still earned a spot on the roster), both are seen as reliable by the coaches. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said Thursday that he expects Abdullah to get his fair share of carries. But the Lions are also expecting him to accumulate some stats through the air as well. “He’s going to get a chance to run the ball and he’s also going to get used extensively in the pass game,” Lombardi said. “Like a lot of running backs, he’s a well-rounded player which makes it easy. People call them ‘three-down backs’ and he’s certainly a guy that can do it all. So he’ll be rotated in there and we expect good things from him.” While many NFL running backs are indeed well-rounded, like Lombardi said, not all can be a viable threat in the passing game. Last year, two running backs (the Bears’ Matt Forte and the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell) were in the top 20 in the league in receptions. After that, there was a significant drop-off, with no other running backs in the top 40. Forte led all running backs last season in targets, with 130. Abdullah most likely won’t get that many (Detroit has a couple of decent receivers, if you haven’t heard), but should still serve as a way to put pressure on the defense to cover players vertically. He may never have played a down in the NFL, but Abdullah has apparently shown enough in the preseason and in training camp to warrant some targets. “He’s a really smart player,” Lombardi said. “He’s a professional, so we don’t have any qualms about limiting what he does.") (9-10-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/10/lions-rookie-backs-trusted-by-coaching-staff-for-reliability-versatility/
Why Your Team Won't Win the Super Bowl (Detroit Lions - Ameer Abdullah is getting high praise from prospective fantasy football owners, but then again, so did Jahvid Best and pretty much every rookie Lions running back not named Barry or Billy. They also lost the heart of their defense when DT Ndamukong Suh signed with the Dolphins. Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley are also gone, leaving Haloti Ngata an even bigger hole to fill.) (9-10-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/photos/2015/09/08/why-your-team-wont-win-super-bowl/11
SOE's Season Predictions (one expert picks the Lions to be a wildcard team and one picks Abdullah to be OROY) (9-10-15): http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/148432876/nfl-predictions-2015-super-bowl-mvp
5 things to watch: Time for Lions offense to put up, or shut up (How are the carries divvied up? One personnel rotation to watch will be in the offensive backfield, where Detroit has to figure out how it wants to spread reps between Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner. Bell is the top returner, but has barely practiced all offseason while recovering from knee and Achilles surgery. Abdullah has been nothing short of electric, but rookies can be a crapshoot. Zenner was maybe the biggest surprise of camp. And Riddick can still get it done as a pass-catcher. Detroit is seeking — nay, needing — an improvement over last season, when it finished 28th in rushing despite Jim Caldwell's wishes to turn into a running team. There are opportunities in the backfield, and it'll be interesting to see where things stand once the dust settles.) (9-9-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/5_things_to_watch_time_for_lio.html
Just how good could Lions rookie RB Ameer Abdullah be? (9-9-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/just_how_good_could_lions_rook.html
Detroit Lions update: Ameer Abdullah, Melvin Gordon friends since high school (Two of the NFL’s top rookie running backs will be on the field Sunday when the Lions play at the San Diego Chargers. Ameer Abdullah was drafted 54th overall by Detroit while Melvin Gordon was the 15th overall pick by the Chargers. Oddly enough the two have been friends since they were roommates during a high school all-star game. “He’s definitely one of the best backs in my class this year,’’ Abdullah said. I’m expecting good things from him, he’s got a lot on his shoulders. We still talk and try to make each other more comfortable since it’s our rookie season. I know he has a good season ahead of him.’’ Abdullah said he will not be in competition with Gordon yard for yard on Sunday. “You’ve got to focus on what you have to do, this league is so it’s intense,’’ Abdullah said. “When you’re out there if you’ve got your mind on other things, you’re bound to make a mistake. … As long as I’m taking care of my job I’m not going to worry if someone else is doing their job.’’ Since Gordon didn’t play much in the preseason, the Lions will likely be looking at his college film from Wisconsin where he became second all-time single season rusher in FBS history with 2,587 yards last season. “You look at it every bit of tape that you can and obviously, this preseason he has not carried the ball a whole lot, but you can see flashes of ability that he has, he can still cut and run, he’s strong in a very good way,’’ coach Jim Caldwell said. “They’ve got a stable of backs.”) (9-9-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150909/detroit-lions-update-ameer-abdullah-melvin-gordon-friends-since-high-school
Top 10 Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates (1. Ameer Abdullah, Lions running back:Abdullah passes the eye test with flying colors. When I studied his college film in mid-July, I saw a rare runner who actually seems to pick up speed when he cuts in tight spaces as well as in the open field. Abdullah went on to steal the show in Lions camp, highlighted by defensive coordinator Teryl Austin's lament that his defenders couldn't even get a finger on the Senior Bowl MVP. Abdullah didn't disappoint in his preseason debut, breaking off a pair of electric runs that inspired Jets coach Todd Bowles to invoke Barry Sanders comparisons. To be clear, Abdullah is not Barry Sanders. But he is a special talent in an offense that has high-flying potential with a strong-armed quarterback passing to Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and breakout candidate Eric Ebron. It doesn't hurt his chances that incumbent starter Joique Bellmissed the entire offseason and preseason after undergoing knee and Achilles surgeries.) (9-9-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000524618/article/top-10-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-candidates
TJ Jones listed as return man, Laken Tomlinson second-team on latest Detroit Lions depth chart (Second-round pick Ameer Abdullah is the No. 3 running back behind Joique Bell and Theo Riddick.) (9-8-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/tj_jones_listed_as_return_man.html
Justin Rogers' 8 Detroit Lions predictions for 2015 (Ameer Adullah will lead team in all-purpose yardage - This prediction is predicated on the rookie running back returning kicks for the Lions, where he should be able to rack up more than 500 yards if he holds the role all season. Combine that with the reasonable expectation of 1,000 yards from scrimmage and you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who will top Abdullah in all-purpose production.) (9-8-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/justin_rogers_8_detroit_lions.html
USA TODAY Sports NFL experts' 2015 NFL predictions (Nate Davis picks Ameer Abdullah to win rookie of the year) (9-8-15): http://sportswire.usatoday.com/2015/09/08/nfl-super-bowl-award-predictions-experts-staff/
Five things we learned about the Lions this preseason (The Lions have options at running back - Starting running back Joique Bell spent most of the summer on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but a pair of rookies stood out in his stead. Ameer Abdullah, a second-round pick in this year's draft, brings electricity to Detroit's offensive backfield; Zach Zenner, an undrafted FCS product, brings a bit of grit. And don't forget about third-year pro Theo Riddick, who's notably skilled as a pass-catcher.) (9-8-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/five-things-we-learned-about-the-lions-this-preseason-090815
Ameer Abdullah hoping he becomes the Lions’ return man (9-8-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/08/ameer-abdullah-hoping-he-becomes-the-lions-return-man/
O'hara's Monday Countdown: Season Predictions (Offensive player to watch besides Stafford - Ameer Abdullah: In the preseason Abdullah showed why the Lions drafted him in the second round. He's quick and decisive with his cuts, and he can accelerate through seams. As a unit, it shouldn't be hard to improve on last year's puny running stats - 88.9 yards per game, 3.6 yards per rush, six runs of 20 yards or longer. On his own, Abdullah can get six runs of at least 20 yards. He's also an effective receiver out of the backfield, and he's a willing blocker. Chris Spielman's take: "I had a chance to do probably four games with Nebraska on ESPN. In order to be a good pass blocker, you have to be willing, and Ameer is a willing guy. Ameer can be an effective blocker. "One thing Ameer can do is, he has excellent hands, and he's very difficult to cover in space with a linebacker. You can create matchup problems with his shiftiness. Ameer is just as shifty running routes as he is catching the football, which will create a problem for defenses who try to match up with him with an inferior athlete." Special teams player to watch - (tie) punter, return man: It's a tie, for obvious reasons. Playoff experience will make punter Sam Martin better equipped to perform under pressure. He's one of the league's top combination punter/kickoff specialists. With the departure of Jeremy Ross in the final cut, whoever returns punts and kickoffs will be in the spotlight. Indications are that the job's between TJ Jones and Abdullah, and it might not be known publicly until the first punt return or kickoff return of the opening game.) (9-7-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Season-predictions/4543d0dd-bb0e-4001-9741-f506f5dbb521
Highlights from Lions coach Jim Caldwell's news conference (On why Ameer Abdullah can handle the job: "Quickness. Speed. Good hands. He's a young guy, and I think he's got potential.") (9-7-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/07/detroit-lions-jim-caldwell/71861386/
Abdullah eyes return role, but Lions to explore options (With Jeremy Ross no longer on the team, the Lions haven’t yet made a decision about who will be the primary returner in 2015. But after explaining that Golden Tate could be an option on punt returns this year, coach Jim Caldwell said fear of injury won’t be a factor when the coaches decide which player will be the primary returner. “We’re in the business of winning games, and anybody that can get back there and help us, we’re going to put him back there,” Caldwell said Monday. Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah remains the favorite to be the return man this year as his combination of speed, agility and vision make him a dangerous weapon in the open field. The Lions drafted Abdullah in the second round knowing he could contribute on special teams. He averaged 10.2 yards per punt return, 26.1 yards per kickoff return and scored a touchdown on each during his career at Nebraska. Caldwell praised Abdullah’s speed, quickness and hands when talking about the possibility of him being the returner, and the rookie said he absolutely hopes to have that chance. “I’m hoping so,” he said. “Any way I can be on the field, I hope I can out there. If they give me any work at all as a returner, I’d be grateful.” On two kickoff returns in the preseason, Abdullah averaged 23.5 yards, and he had a fair catch and a return for no gain on his chances to return punts. However, Abdullah said he’s “improved 360 degrees” on returns this offseason because special teams coach Joe Marciano has the players “practice with game habits.” Effectively, the returners do everything except get tackled during practice.) (9-7-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/07/abdullah-eyes-return-role-lions-explore-options/71855072/
Lions not naming return man; Golden Tate could contribute (9-7-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_not_naming_starting_kick.html
A look at the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (Ameer Abdullah: The rookie will be, at worst, a change-of-pace back. At best, he siphons carries from Bell immediately.) (9-7-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18706/linebacker-is-a-deep-group-on-the-detroit-lions-53-man-roster
Lions hoping defense can still excel without Suh (Abdullah's emergence: Detroit cut RB Reggie Bush in the offseason and drafted Ameer Abdullah in the second round. It looked like Abdullah would provide some much-needed help for Bell in the backfield, but with Bell's health not totally certain, it's possible Abdullah could play an even bigger role as a rookie.) (9-7-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lions-hoping-defense-still-excel-without-suh-005558214--nfl.html
Ranking the 25 players most important to the Detroit Lions' 2015 success (No. 15 -- Ameer Abdullah: All it took was one long preseason run and expectations shot through the roof for the electric rookie out of Nebraska. Abdullah is a playmaker who should complement Joique Bell nicely in Detroit's scheme. He's also a front-runner to handle kickoffs following the release of Jeremy Ross.) (9-6-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/25_most_important_players_to_d.html
9 thoughts on the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (Who returns kick and/or punts? With Ross out of the picture, it's unclear whether Ameer Abdullah or Jones has won the return job, or if they're splitting the duties. Jones was the best punt returner in the preseason, but Abdullah was selected in the second round partly because of his potential as a return man.) (9-6-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/9_thoughts_on_the_detroit_lion.html
Concern over Larry Warford's health among things gleaned from Lions cuts (The returner will be new: With the Lions cutting Jeremy Ross, it means the team will have a new kick and punt returner in 2015. It isn’t entirely clear who that will be yet, but Ameer Abdullah will be the likely option. The Lions might consider Josh Wilson or TJ Jones at returner as well, especially if Abdullah ends up being the main running back against San Diego. Jones showed some spark as a punt returner and he has been on special teams as well so he could end up being the No. 4 receiver ahead of Lance Moore based on special teams work. The Lions spent a good part of their pre-draft visits looking at potential return specialists and let the return job be a wide-open competition during camp, so Ross was always in trouble.) (9-6-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18702/concern-over-larry-warfords-health-among-things-gleaned-from-lions-cuts
Marshall Faulk's offensive ROY prediction a running back, but not a Ram (Ameer Abdullah - Rookie of the Year: Marcus Mariota and Amari Cooper are popular picks for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but Faulk thinks Lions running back Ameer Abdullah will shock everybody and vie for the award. "I believe that what they have in Detroit and how they play and coupling him with Joique Bell (when he is healthy), he becomes a guy that can that can come in and really help this offense," Faulk said. With Calvin Johnson being Detroit's deep threat and Golden Tate being Matt Stafford's best option for intermediate passes, Faulk thinks Abdullah will excel as a receiving option. "It can really open the field for him in the passing game and he is a dynamic runner," Faulk said. We saw that in the preseason as well. Abdullah finished the preseason with 82 rushing yards on 12 carries and one catch for 21 yards.): http://www.sportingnews.com/list/4654498-marshall-faulk-predictions-ameer-abdullah-todd-gurley-demarco-murray-leveon-bell/slide/352529
Detroit Lions — Five thoughts on the 53-man roster (With Jeremy Ross gone, it looks like Ameer Abdullah could be the new return guy. If not him, possibly Josh Wilson or TJ Jones. One of the reasons Abdullah was drafted in the second round was his return ability.) (9-5-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150905/detroit-lions-xadx2014-five-thoughts-on-the-53-man-roster
2015 NFL award predictions: MVP, Rookie of the Year and more (Offensive Rookie of the year - Colleen Wolfe: Ameer Abdullah, RB, DetroitLions. Amari Cooper was close to being the pick here, but Abdullah is really quick and his vision for finding holes and breaking runs gives him the edge. The Lions have been looking for a running back for a while. They found him. Comeback Player of the year - Dave Dameshek: Haloti Ngata, DT, Detroit Lions. Deemed expendable by Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome, the former Ravens lynchpin is key to Detroit's D surviving the losses of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.) (9-4-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000519781/article/2015-nfl-award-predictions-mvp-rookie-of-the-year-and-more
5 things to watch: Lions vs. Bills (Return Man - The coaching staff still hasn’t settled on a return man for the regular-season opener in San Diego. “We’ve still got to make sure we’re looking at the returners,” Caldwell said Tuesday. He’ll get a good look at that part of the game tonight and will probably make a determination on who his kickoff and punt returner will be soon after because that decision could affect roster cuts. Jeremy Ross is trying to hang on to both jobs, but will have to fend of Ameer Abdullah (punt and kickoff), TJ Jones (punt), Josh Wilson (kickoff) and Zach Zenner (kickoff). How each of those players performs tonight in the return game could go a long way to determining who wins the job to start the season.) (9-3-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/5-things-to-watch-Lions-vs-Bills/63a935d4-0751-48e0-bb20-eab779ca580c
O'HARA: Rising team, rising city land Lions on SNF (Color analyst Cris Collinsworth did not put Stafford in the elite category when asked where to rank him, but said he likes the overall talent around him. The addition of rookie running back Ameer Abdullah potentially adds a threat. Collinsworth spoke highly of running back Theo Riddick, who emerged last year as a valuable receiving threat, and wide receiver Golden Tate, who had 99 catches and made the Pro Bowl last year. “I think he’s a good player,” Collinsworth said of Stafford. “I don’t know that I’m ready to go beyond that yet. I think there are a lot of guys in that top 15 category that sort of come and go. I’m anxious to see what happens this year with the full complement of receivers. “Of course Calvin was out last year. I thought Golden Tate played great. Now you throw Abdullah into that mix. I saw a lot of Theo Riddick at Notre Dame. I thought he really helped them some last year.” Collinsworth referred to Stafford’s relative youth for his level of experience. Stafford is 27 and will be the opening-day starter for the seventh straight year. “He’s still young enough on the quarterback scale,” Collinsworth said. “I think he’s good. Do I put him in that elite, top five? No. I don’t think he deserves to be there. “This could be a fun year for them.”) (9-2-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-Rising-team-rising-city-land-Lions-on-SNF/59c17e5e-2f12-487b-a85e-5ad095d6a677
Ameer Abdullah blog: It's great having Joique back (9-2-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ameer-abdullah/article-1/Ameer-Abdullah-blog-Its-great-having-Joique-back/95e89e7d-67d0-40c3-bdfc-07f0b661b387
Around The NFL's Rookie of the Year predictions (Chris Wesseling's pick: Ameer Abdullah and Vic Beasley - Amari Cooper could threaten Anquan Boldin's rookie record for receptions (101). An impressive-looking Marcus Mariota could be the rare quarterback to contend for the award. I chose Abdullah because he passes the eye test with flying colors. It's rare to see a running back who actually appears to pick up speed when he makes a cut. I envision Abdullah making an impact on par with Chris Johnson's 2008 rookie season that featured 1,228 rushing yards, 43 receptions and 10 touchdowns.) (9-2-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000519934/article/around-the-nfls-rookie-of-the-year-predictions
Video - Breakout running back candidates (Ameer Abdullah is picked as one) (9-1-15): http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000519727
Joique Bell calls out Ameer Abdullah for autocorrect fail (9-1-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-joique-bell-ameer-abdullah-autocorrect-fail-called-out-090115
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Zenner more than just a good story (AA – passing game: Two plays in the passing game – one obvious, one more subtle – showed his awareness and ability in the passing game. Both were in the second quarter. The obvious play was a 21-yard gain with a screen pass that set up the second touchdown. There was no hesitation, no wasted motion, as Abdullah caught Stafford’s pass and accelerated immediately. Before that, Abdullah had a chip block on a Jaguars pass-rusher as he broke out of the backfield and into his pass pattern. Fouts noted the block on a play that ended in Stafford’s 62-yard pass to Golden Tate. The word on Abdullah is that he’s a willing, competent blocker when called on in pass protection.) (8-31-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Zenner-more-than-just-a-good-story/137ea4cf-bc10-4712-984b-2435a150241c
Column: The Detroit Lions offense will be better in 2015 (Second-round pick Ammer Abdullah has also been added to the fold, and he's an instant hit. So much so, he's getting the veteran treatment in the preseason with only five carries the past two weeks. The Lions are protecting his health for the regular season, which tells you all you need to know about how good they think their rookie already is. He just might have the most talent of any Detroit tailback.) (8-31-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/column_its_no_longer_a_matter.html
Video - Next Gen stats: Ameer Abdullah vs. Zach Zenner (8-31-15): http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000519147
Jim Caldwell quotes from Saturday (On RB Ameer Abdullah’s lack of carries being a sign of comfort with the coaching staff: "Probably more a sign that there’s only one ball and it gets spread around a little bit. You can come out of a game not exactly knowing what your intentions were in terms of being able to evaluate someone properly, so sometimes it takes a little bit more of a concerted effort to make certain. We certainly didn’t want to come out and have questions about the ball carriers.") (8-30-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/30/9227913/jim-caldwell-quotes-from-saturday
Mailbag: What will Zach Zenner's role be if he makes Detroit Lions? (Q. What do you think Zach Zenners role will be, assuming he makes the team? A. He'll be a backup once Joique Bell is healthy. Let's start there. Yes, Zenner has been fantastic during the preseason and has likely given himself a 53-man roster spot. But Joique Bell is still a proven starter in the league and won't be displaced or discarded easily. Plus, the Lions also drafted Ameer Abdullah in the second round and they still view him as a back who will have a major role. So Zenner's role is still likely heavily on special teams with maybe a few carries here and there. The intriguing thing could be on the goal-line. His touchdown carry Friday night was impressive and could be a role worth exploring more. Q. Is AA looking like the no.1 for the opener? JB missed everything and even if he plays it'd be limited right? A. Until Joique Bell is taken off the PUP list, yes. If that happens within the next few days -- and even if it comes as late as next Monday -- Bell is still the starter. Ameer Abdullah will have a large role in the Detroit offense this season, but if he's healthy, Bell will start the season as the starter. Of course, you should expect some sort of carry/snap split between Bell, Abdullah, Theo Riddick on passing downs and potentially Zach Zenner or George Winn in certain situations (perhaps short-yardage). Just because Bell hasn't taken in-game snaps doesn't mean he's been sitting around. The guy's running on the side daily.) (8-30-15) : http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18582/mailbag-what-will-zach-zenners-role-be-if-he-makes-detroit-lions
Lions RBs Zenner, Abdullah continue to shine (8-29-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/29/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah-zach-zenner/71365962/
The 5 Best Moves The Detroit Lions Made During The Offseason (2. Drafted RB Ameer Abdullah in the second round: Since 2001, the Lions have had only three players rush for 1,000 yards or more in a season — James Stewart in 2002, Kevin Jones in 2004 and Reggie Bush in 2013. Ameer Abdullah rushed for more than 1,100 yards three times while at Nebraska, cracking 1,600 yards in both his junior and senior years. It would be hard to imagine Abdullah stepping into the NFL as a rookie and rushing for 1,000 yards, but what he will do is bring stability to the Lions running game. Paired with Joique Bell, the Lions will have a “Smash and Dash” combination that was envisioned while Reggie Bush was in Detroit. Abdullah will also be relied on to catch the ball out of the backfield. He caught 20+ passed in each of his last three seasons at Nebraska for just under 700 yards.) (8-29-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/08/29/the-5-best-moves-the-detroit-lions-made-during-the-offseason/
Things we WON'T be talking about by midseason (2. "Running back by committee? Yeah, that's the right approach in Detroit." No chance anyone will say this about the Lionsfor the foreseeable future. Rookie Ameer Abdullah, as I've written before, is an absolute gem. He was a steal for Detroit in the back half of the second round, and it's only a matter of time before he steals the bulk of the snaps in the Lions' backfield. (Apologies to Joique Belland Theo Riddick.) Abdullah is a true all-around back. With rare lateral quickness and agility, he's quite a threat running the football. And he's also a weapon in the passing game, as evidenced by his seven receiving touchdowns over his final three years at Nebraska. I see Abdullah being right in the mix for Offensive Rookie of the Year.) (8-29-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000517196/article/melvin-gordon-a-bust-jimmy-garoppolo-a-stud-not-so-fast
What we learned: Chiefs boast new set of triplets (Detroit Lions 22, Jacksonville Jaguars 17: 3. Lions rookie sensation Ameer Abdullah not only worked as the first-team kickoff returner, but also earned the first carry of the game in the backfield. He's locked and loaded for a major role regardless of Joique Bell's health. The more interesting question is how the Lions could possibly cut hard-charging undrafted rookie Zach Zenner after a third consecutive strong showing. Seeing action with the first- and second-string offenses, Zenner led the Lions with 85 yards on eight carries, bringing his preseason average to 6.5 yards per carry. If Bell isn't ready for Week 1, Zenner's size and physicality will be needed between the tackles.) (8-29-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000517581/article/what-we-learned-chiefs-boast-new-set-of-triplets
Rookies Abdullah, Zenner filling in nicely for Lions (8-29-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rookies-abdullah-zenner-filling-nicely-lions-004519165--nfl.html
Video - Abdullah on running back depth (8-29-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Abdullah-on-running-back-depth/f4284407-eb86-4d10-a18f-8bdcdb1f8894
O'hara's Burning Questions: What Happened To Defense In 1st Half? (Q. Rookie runners and roster battles: Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner have gotten a lot of attention. How did they play, and did anyone else help his cause on the offense? A. Zenner and Abdullah played well, and there are going to be some hard decisions at running back, especially because of how Zenner continues to gain yards – tough yards at that. Abdullah had three carries for eight yards, but the play that stood out was what he did on a screen pass on the second TD drive. He accelerated and turned it into a 21-yard gain to the seven. There was no hesitation or wasted motion by Abdullah. Zenner had eight carries for 85 yards with a long run of 41 yards. What Zenner has done in the first three preseason games – 25 carries for 162 yards – makes it hard to argue against him making the roster.) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara-burning-questions/article-1/OHARAS-BURNING-QUESTIONS-What-happened-to-defense-in-1st-half/c8b0f5ee-3b56-4048-93f5-b7dd7959ab0a
Lions observations: Abdullah gets first carry; Zenner shines (The Lions gave Ameer Abdullah first crack at returning kicks Friday, a job I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hold onto this season. Abdullah isn’t an every-down back yet — not with Joique Bell still expected to play a major role — and this is another way to get him on the field. It might not be good news for Jeremy Ross, though, whose value is partially tied up in his special-teams ability. Abdullah also got the first carry of the game, a 2-yard run up the middle, but it was his rookie counterpart, Zach Zenner, who once again opened some eyes. Zenner played most of the second series at running back (with the first-team offense) and had a 41-yard run late in the half. Considering Bell’s health problems, the Lions would be wise to keep Zenner.) (8-28-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/detroit-lions-observations/71348162/
Lions doing early homework on opener vs. Chargers (Early Returns: Ameer Abdullah handled the opening kickoff (a touchback) tonight against the Jaguars, a departure from the first two weeks when the Lions used incumbent Jeremy Ross as their top return man. With a week until they set their 53-man roster, the return job is one of a handful spots still up for grabs. Ross, Abdullah and Golden Tate (on punts) are the most likely candidates to handle returns this fall, though Josh Wilson, TJ Jones and Zach Zenner also should see time at the position next week. “You probably won’t see a change in that,” Caldwell said. “You’ll see multiple guys back there and where it is right now, it’s ongoing, which is a good thing for us.”) (8-28-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/detroit-lions-regular-season/71345264/
Offense shines, defense struggles as Lions win (Wide receiver Lance Moore was the third receiver to play behind Tate and Corey Fuller. Greg Salas started on the second drive. Running backs Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah and George Winn had opportunities on the first drive, including a nice third-down conversion by Winn. Abdullah, who was the kick returner in the first half, did have a 21-yard reception on the Lions’ second scoring drive.) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/offense-shines-defense-struggles-lions-win/71358214/
Lions Zach Zenner drags defenders into end zone for game-winning TD against Jags (The Lions wanted to get a look at Ameer Abdullah on kick return, so much so they started him there ahead of Jeremy Ross. But they didn't get much of a look at him, with Jacksonville drilling most of his attempts deep into the end zone. Abdullah returned his only attempt 22 yards. Ross returned his only attempt 20 yards.) (8-28-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_zach_zenner_drags_defend.html
Detroit Lions — Five things learned in win over Jaguars (After just two carries a week ago, rookie running back Ameer Abdullah got more involved in the offense. The second-round pick showed a true burst of speed on a 21-yard pass play. He also had three carries for 8 yards. Pound-for-pound he’s one tough back. He also lined up as the kick returner and had one return for 22 yards.) (8-28-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150828/detroit-lions-x2014-five-things-learned-in-win-over-jaguars
Detroit Lions notes: Run game up to speed in win over Jaguars (Bell has hardly been missed thanks to a pair of rookies - Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner. Much was expected of Abdullah since he was a second-round pick. The coaches were pleasantly surprised in the spring when they discovered he had good hands to go along with his running ability. He hasn't let them down. He had three carries for eight yards and a pass play for 21 yards on Friday night.) (8-28-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150828/detroit-lions-notes-run-game-up-to-speed-in-win-over-jaguars
NFL preseason Week 3: Matthew Stafford, Alex Smith nearly perfect (Lions running back Ameer Abdullah couldn't pull off any of the magic that made people praise him during Detroit's first exhibition. He had just three carries for 8 yards and a 21-yard reception.) (8-28-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-08-28/nfl-highlights-patriots-panthers-titans-chiefs-lions-jaguars-brad-stafford-alex-smith
Stafford, Bortles shine as Lions beat Jaguars 22-17 (Rookie Watch - Lions: Second-round draft pick Ameer Abdullah carried three times for 8 yards. He looked really good when he bowled over safety Craig Loston on a 21-yard reception.) (8-28-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/stafford-bortles-shine-lions-beat-jaguars-22-17-031230382--nfl.html
Loss of Suh leaves Lions defense in tough spot (Second-round rookie running back Ameer Abdullah has intriguing raw physical traits. The man he’ll eventually replace, Joique Bell, does not. Bell is 5-11, 230 but runs with the measured control (a more callous term: sluggishness) of a 245-pounder. He does, however, have lighter feet than you’d expect, making him surprisingly viable on screens and with the occasional cutback. But obviously, if the Lions thought these traits could shine all the time they wouldn’t have drafted Abdullah. Especially considering that the depth at running back was already set, with Theo Riddick providing quickness and burst as a receiver out of the backfield.) (8-28-15): http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/08/28/detroit-lions-defense-ndamukong-suh-departure-haloti-ngata-nfl-matthew-stafford
Video - RB Ameer Abdullah talks about his comfort with the offensive playbook (8-28-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Abdullah-on-his-comfort-with-the-playbook/a742e17b-8c5a-4cb5-9574-802d0e91d61b
O'HARA'S FINAL THOUGHTS: More carries possible for Abdullah (Rookie runner – more for Ameer? Ameer Abdullah and fans who have gotten a preview of what he potentially can bring to the Lions’ offense could be satisfied with how much he plays in the featured “dress rehearsal” game of the preseason. Abdullah expects to get extended playing time against the Jaguars in a game that comes closest to the preparation and competitive level of the regular season. Safety James Ihedigbo put it as “a 5 or 6” on a scale of 10 when asked to rate the Game 3 preparation compared a regular-season game. Abdullah welcomes the opportunity for more playing time. “It should be the first time I’m in there consistently for a while,” Abdullah said. “I should be able to see some different looks, different fronts, and sustaining that consistency throughout the game is what I’m looking for. “Most importantly, just being sound in my assignments – making sure I’m playing up to speed, finishing hard and get a good test of where I am in my condition.” Abdullah played a combined 22 snaps in the first two games, and only seven in Game 2 last week at Washington. Such a conservative snap count could be an indication of head coach Jim Caldwell not wanting a valuable running back to take more pounding than necessary in games that do not count. However, Abdullah would like to get a few more carries. His heaviest running load was seven carries for 67 yards in Game 1 vs. the Jets. “I feel like every running back needs a couple carries to get going,” he said. “Early on, unless you just break one early, you’ve got to get a feel for the defense -- how they’re playing you. It’s always good to get more carries, to get more acclimated.”) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-FINAL-THOUGHTS-More-carries-possible-for-Abdullah/57223724-846f-42cf-9e0c-10bd2294a2ac
5 things to watch: Lions at Jaguars (Ameer Abdullah got somewhat limited action last week in Washington after storming onto the scene in the first preseason game vs. the Jets. Abdullah has shown terrific vision and open-field running ability throughout training camp and the preseason. He and Tomlinson are expected to be key components in a rushing attack that needs to be much better for the Lions in 2015. They’ll get plenty of action on the field together tonight. How will they perform?) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/5-things-to-watch-Lions-at-Jaguars/0b4fbfe3-fb0f-4ee9-837c-bd275176875c
5 things to watch in Lions vs. Jaguars (Rookie showdown: There were three running backs taken ahead of Ameer Abdullah in this year's draft. One of them, Jaguars rookie T.J. Yeldon, will make his preseason debut Friday. Yeldon is returning from a finger injury but will see time with the first team. Abdullah should get a number of touches tonight, in what amounts to a dress rehearsal for Week 1 after playing sparingly last week.) (8-27-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/27/detroit-lions-jacksonville-jaguars/32473459/
Ameer Abdullah looking forward to being “in there consistently” on Friday (8-27-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/27/ameer-abdullah-looking-forward-to-being-in-there-consistently-on-friday/
Lions' Ameer Abdullah fine with running game by committee (8-26-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/26/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah-running-game-committee/32454965/
Video - Tomlinson, Abdullah are Lions to watch this week (8-26-15): http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/26/32406337/
Detroit Lions — Five reasons why running back by committee works (If Joique Bell is healthy he’ll likely be 1A to Ameer Abdullah’s 1B. Other backs could definitely contribute on game day also. Rookie Ameer Abdullah has made the decision easy. Abdullah’s first preseason game opened eyes around the NFL with seven carries for 67 yards that included a 45-yard scamper. He only got two carries last week at Washington due to the flow of the game, but Lombardi expects he’ll see more work on Friday in the third preseason game at Jacksonville.) (8-25-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150825/detroit-lions-x2014-five-reasons-why-running-back-by-committee-works
Teryl Austin, Joe Lombardi quotes from Monday (On RB Ameer Abdullah having an expanded role against Jacksonville: "I would expect to. You know, we kind of, it was kind of a funny flow to that game against Washington with getting behind the sticks a few times and not getting as many snaps as we did in the first game, so yeah, you’d expect him to get, he only had two plays or two carries? Two carries? Ok, yeah, so yeah I would think he would get a few more than that.") (8-25-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/25/9208627/lions-quotes-from-teryl-austin-and-joe-lombardi
Video - Abdullah on adjusting to the NFL game (8-25-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Abdullah-on-adjusting-to-the-NFL-game/c78a449c-043a-4113-a2f2-ca85922ff05d
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Roster watch (Rookies Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner have created a buzz as preseason playmakers. They are at opposite ends of the spectrum as far as security on the depth chart. Abdullah is a second-round pick who sent a charge through Ford Field in the opening preseason game with his quickness. Return game: A decision has to be made on punts, with Ross and Abdullah the leading candidates. The last two preseason games might provide some clues, but the decision is more likely to be revealed on Sept. 13 – on the first punt return of the regular-season opener at San Diego.) (8-24-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Roster-watch/f00f0d89-7772-4948-881b-0fafd5e183d7
Running back committee will carry load for Lions (Ameer Abdullah feels ready to be a starting running back in the NFL. Although he's 5-foot-9, he's a rock-solid 203 pounds and endured plenty of hits with at least 250 offensive touches each of the last three years at Nebraska. Yet, regardless of how well Abdullah has played this summer, the Lions plan to use a committee of running backs in 2015, whether Joique Bell is ready to play Week 1 or not. "Whenever we get (Bell) back, it's going to be a committee," quarterback Matthew Stafford said Monday. "Joique, Ameer, Theo (Riddick), all those guys; they're talented players, top to bottom in that lineup right now. We've got a lot of talented running backs, so we'll find ways to utilize all of them." Don't expect the Lions to feed any of their running backs close to 300 carries, which is the mark for many of the top rushers. Caldwell said Abdullah's role "remains to be seen," but he thinks the rookie will "be able to do what we ask him today. Exactly what that is likely won't be clear until after the preseason, but it could include punt or kickoff returns in addition to the offensive duties. "I'm comfortable playing by committee or being the starter," Abdullah said. And even though Bell thinks this year's second-round pick is "the real deal," he quickly included Riddick's name when asked how much Abdullah can handle if he misses time.) (8-24-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/24/running-back-committee-will-carry-load-for-lions/32291097/
Detroit Lions practice notes: Pass-catchers struggle with drops during final session open to media (One player who didn't drop a pass was Ameer Abdullah. I cannot think of a single time the rookie running back let a ball hit the ground this offseason. He made a difficult grab during red zone work, fully extending on the run to snag a pass near the goal line while covered by linebacker DeAndre Levy.) (8-23-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_practice_notes_p.html
Jim Caldwell quotes from Sunday's practice (On RB Ameer Abdullah handling a big workload: "It just kind of depends on what you expect of him. Your expectations might be different than ours, but he will be able to do what we ask him to do." On his expectations for Abdullah: "That remains to be seen, so we will see where he is. Couple more games yet.") (8-23-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/23/9194775/jim-caldwell-quotes-sunday-practice
Pat Caputo - More questions raised than answered for Detroit Lions so far this preseason (An area of encouragement is running back. The Lions’ biggest problem last season was a floundering rushing attack. Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah has been more than expected. He played so well in the first preseason game, a rout of the New York Jets, he played little in the second vs. the Washington Redskins. There is no need to push him at this stage. Just keep him healthy.) (8-22-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150822/pat-caputo-more-questions-raised-than-answered-for-detroit-lions-so-far-this-preseason
Four Downs: Orlovsky Feeling Comfortable And Confident (Third Down: Coaches Decision - Caldwell goes into every preseason game with a plan for what he wants to see. Sometimes it’s a healthy dose of young players. Thursday he wanted to see his starters on defense a bit more than he did the week prior. Caldwell apparently didn’t want to see Ameer Abdullah run the football much in Washington. He had just two carries. Fourth Down: Rookie Report - Ameer Abdullah, RB: He ran the ball just twice for seven yards and had one punt return for zero yards. The Lions have a pretty good idea what they have in Abdullah.) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-Orlovsky-feeling-comfortable-and-confident/c188163d-6b57-4c18-af78-9d3faae6f61f
Notes: Abdullah mostly silent in preseason loss (After a rousing NFL debut, Ameer Abdullah was mostly M.I.A. in his second preseason game Thursday against Washington. Abdullah, the Detroit Lions' exciting rookie running back, played just seven snaps in Thursday's 21-17 loss, all in the first quarter, and finished with two carries for 7 yards. Last week in a 23-3 win over the New York Jets, the second-round pick had seven carries for 67 yards and made two dazzling cuts that earned him praise across the league. The Lions are counting on Abdullah to be a big part of their offense this fall, but coach Jim Caldwell wouldn't admit to giving his rookie the veteran treatment on Thursday. "There was circumstances within the ballgame, just kind of the flow of things and how they go," Caldwell said of Abdullah's lack of play time. "There'll be games like that, particularly when you're only playing a limited amount of time.". While first-round pick Laken Tomlinson played into the second half as the Lions' No. 2 left guard, Abdullah spent the final three quarters on the sidelines with the likes of Matthew Stafford, DeAndre Levy and Calvin Johnson, who did not play for a second straight week.) (8-21-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/detroit-lions-laken-tomlinson-duke/32100481/
Lions snap counts: Abdullah kept on short tether (After an impressive display in his exhibition debut, Lions running back Ameer Abdullah didn't have many opportunities to shine again Thursday night against Washington. This year's second-round pick, Abdullah played just seven snaps on offense with two carries for 7 yards, though he had another 1-yard run eliminated by a penalty. He also had a 7-yard punt return, which was also negated by a penalty, in the 21-17 loss at FedEx Field. Asked if the Lions were preserving Abdullah because he's already shown coaches what they want to see, coach Jim Caldwell said his limited action was simply circumstantial. "Circumstances within the ballgame, just kind of the flow of things and how they go," Caldwell said. Obviously, the Lions will try to keep Abdullah healthy this preseason, especially while Joique Bell continues to recover from offseason surgeries. Abdullah didn't participate much in team drills Tuesday, the last practice before Thursday's game, and Caldwell said that decision wasn't related to an injury. Assuming that's the case, it looks like the Lions planned to limit Abdullah in the second exhibition. With the rookie playing just seven snaps and Thursday's starter Theo Riddick in for just nine, the coaches took the opportunity to look at the other running backs at the back of the depth chart. Riddick finished with three carries for 4 yards and a 9-yard catch.) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/snap-counts-abdullah-kept-short-tether/32125633/
Ameer Abdullah has quiet night after stealing show in debut (8-21-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/21/ameer-abdullah-has-quiet-night-after-stealing-show-in-debut/
Lions licking wounds after loss at Washington (After impressing last week against the New York Jets, rookie running back Ameer Abdullah received the star treatment as his night ended with just two carries for 7 yards with one touch on each of the first two drives. Any caution would be logical, especially after star right guard Larry Warford exited in the first quarter with an ankle injury.) (8-20-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/20/lions-licking-wounds-loss-washington/32094485/
Lions defense destroys RGIII before backups lose exhibition in Washington (Lowlights - While the Lions' offensive line was great in pass protection (the first unit, at least), the run blocking was an eye sore. Neither Theo Riddick nor Ameer Abdullah could do much carrying the load in the first half, and Detroit entered the break with just 16 rushing yards on seven carries.) (8-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_defense_destroys_rgiii_b.html
Jeremy Ross, Jermelle Cudjo put together good nights for Detroit Lions (Lows - S Don Carey: Not a great night for the backup safety and key special teamer. A holding penalty knocked out an Ameer Abdullah punt return and he missed a couple tackles from my vantage point.) (8-20-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18392/jeremy-ross-jermelle-cudjo-put-together-good-nights-for-detroit-lions
RG3 leaves with injury in Redskins' 21-17 win over Lions (Rookie Watch - Lions: A week after gaining 67 yards on seven carries, including a 45-yard run, RB Ameer Abdullah only had two rushes for 7 yards.) (8-20-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rg3-leaves-injury-redskins-21-17-win-over-022439520--nfl.html
5 things to watch: Lions at Redskins (Ameer Abdullah had a terrific debut against the Jets, rushing for 67 yards on just seven carries (9.6 average). That total included a 45-yard scamper in the first quarter that set up a Matt Prater field goal. Abdullah said in his weekly blog on detroitlions.com that his performance was just OK and that he missed some holes. He certainly seems to have the right attitude about staying humble and always looking to get better. From the outside looking in though, Abdullah showed terrific quickness, vision and a burst -- three things the Lions wanted to see translate from the practice field to the game. The Redskins have now seen Abdullah and know what to expect. How will he perform on the road, on natural turf in what could be wet conditions? Return Game - The Lions are far from settled in this department. Incumbent Jeremy Ross was the first man out on both kickoff and punt return last week. He didn’t get a chance to return a punt, but had a nice 26-yard kickoff return. TJ Jones looked good returning punts. He finished with a 10.3 average, which included a nice 24-yard return in the second half. Abdullah nearly sprung loose on a 25-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. He also fair caught a punt that he had room to run on. “You know, he kind of felt what he felt and made the decision he wanted to make in that situation, but you know, we live and learn don’t we?" Caldwell said of the fair catch. The Lions are looking for ball security and big-play potential out of their return game. Who’ll be the first to make a big play? That person might just win a job.) (8-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/5-things-to-watch-Lions-at-Redskins/0a3dc84e-75ca-4c67-a56f-84cd4f6933dd
O'hara's Final Thoughts: Slay wants Washington's receivers to test him (It was a good first game for the young tailbacks. Rookies Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner, and veteran Theo Riddick all ran well, but they were barely used in the passing game. Abdullah was not targeted.) (8-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-FINAL-THOUGHTS-Slay-wants-Washingtons-receivers-to-test-him/50672a42-f51f-415a-873e-84024b16315a
Here are five guys to pay attention to -- both in terms of snaps and where they land on special teams -- against Washington (RB Ameer Abdullah: Not sure exactly how much work the rookie will receive Thursday against Washington, but it’ll be interesting to see if he follows up his impressive preseason debut with another strong contest. He’s going to factor into Detroit’s run game this season, but consistency will be the next thing he needs to prove. A few big runs Thursday would help there.) (8-20-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18367/can-detroit-lions-rookie-ameer-abdullah-repeat-his-preseason-opener-performance
Top 10 storylines for Week 2 of the NFL preseason (Ameer Abdullah’s roster spot is locked up in Detroit. It just remains to be seen whether the Lions plan on him being the primary ball-carrier when the regular season starts next month. The rookie second-round pick has impressed in both camp and the preseason. With Joique Bell still out of action and Theo Riddick failing to impress, we can be pretty sure that Abdullah will see a fair amount of action Thursday night against the Washington Redskins. If he’s able to build off a strong NFL debut from last week, the Lions’ decision might not be that difficult moving forward. Giving someone of Abdullah’s electric play-making ability a big role in the team’s offense could be huge this season.): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/top-10-storylines-for-week-2-of-the-nfl-preseason-082015
Lions vs. Washington: Five things to watch Thursday (Repeat offender: Ameer Abdullah ran for 67 yards on seven carries in his Lions debut last week. What will he do for an encore Thursday? Lions coach Jim Caldwell said things will get tougher for Abdullah now that teams have film of him, but the rookie is still an electric player.) (8-19-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/19/detroit-lions-washington-redskins/31984749/
Detroit Lions — Five things to watch vs. Redskins in preseason action (Ameer Abdullah got off to a fine start in the preseason opener. Let’s see how he adapts now that the Redskins know what to expect from the shifty running back. Will he still be able to dodge defenders even when they know he’s coming? He’ll likely play in the first half like he did last week.) (8-19-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150819/detroit-lions-x2014-five-things-to-watch-vs-redskins-in-preseason-action
Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates (4. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit Lions: Abdullah has been turning heads lately, drawing a comparison from Jets coach Todd Bowles to none other than Barry Sanders. While that's a bit like comparing a promising young writer to Shakespeare, I do see some similarities. Abdullah has the 1989 Offensive Rookie of the Year's quickness and vision. He also has burst, acceleration and a history of producing at Nebraska. Everybody's looking for the total package, and Abdullah is exactly that, capable of dashing off big plays in both the aerial and the return game. If he notches 1,000 rushing yards and 45 to 50 catches, he should garner some OROY consideration, especially if he also returns a touchdown or two. Modern defenders are so good that we don't see 80-yard runs like we once did, but Abdullah has the quickness to rack up the sizable gains.) (8-19-15): http://www.nfl.com/photoessays/0ap3000000512727/todd-gurley-amari-cooper-lead-nfl-oroy-candidates
In NFC North, it's Green Bay and then everyone else (Rookie to watch: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions - Abdullah needed all of three carries in Detroit's preseason opener to electrify the home fans. On his second attempt against the Jets, Abdullah juked safety Calvin Pryor in the hole to pick up a few extra yards. Later in the first quarter, he left linebacker Demario Davis in his wake on a highlight-reel 46-yard scamper. While the Lions still plan to use Joique Bell and Theo Riddick also is stating his case for playing time, Abdullah's presence as a three-down option could be just what this offense has been missing. It's what GM Martin Mayhew hoped to get from Reggie Bush. And he did, at times—Bush totaled 1,500 yards from scrimmage in 2013, before settling for 550 during an injury-plagued 2014. Abdullah's talent catching passes out of the backfield should get him on the field early. But he is far more than a change-of-pace back. Don't be surprised if Detroit turns the run game over to him before long.) (8-19-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/08/19/nfc-north-preview-bears-lions-packers-vikings
Ameer Abdullah blog: I was a little rusty (8-19-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ameer-abdullah/article-1/Ameer-Abdullah-blog-I-was-a-little-rusty/a10255b8-fe1d-4c36-9312-20fa93dc9ee2
Freep Lions observations: 'No reason' Abdullah limited in practice (Ameer Abdullah's star has risen enough in the last three weeks that the Detroit Lions gave him a veteran's helping of reps at their final practice of training camp today, which is to say not many at all. Abdullah, who ran for 67 yards on seven carries in his preseason debut last week against the New York Jets, got precious little work in team drills today. He didn't take any reps (that I saw) in a red-zone seven-on-seven drill, and he got just one rep with Matthew Stafford and the first-team offense in the day's final 11-on-11 period. Lions coach Jim Caldwell said Abdullah is not dealing with any injury and declined to elaborate on why the rookie was a bit player in practice. "No reason," he said. Abdullah wasn't the only regular to get more rest than usual today as the Lions continue to give backups like Zach Zenner, Joseph Fauria and Isa Abdul-Quddus long looks in practice.) (8-18-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/18/lions-training-camp-notes/31948017/
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: Nevin Lawson finishes strong camp with pick, pass breakup (Ameer Abdullah got very limited work during the team portions of practice. Coach Jim Caldwell indicated the workload decrease was not injury related.) (8-18-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_32.html
Detroit Lions mum on why Ameer Abdullah was held back at practice (8-18-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_mum_on_why_ameer.html
ESPN Camp Notes - Stephen Tulloch looks ready; Nevin Lawson has standout practice for Lions (Ameer Abdullah's reps were scaled back: The Lions rookie running back didn't have as active a role as normal during Tuesday's practice, but Jim Caldwell said the second round pick is not injured. He didn't give a reason for the decreased workload. This shouldn't be a concern, though, as it likely means the Lions have an idea of what they have in Abdullah but need to see more from George Winn and Zach Zenner, both of whom are competing for roster spots. It wouldn't be surprising to see heavy workloads for both of those players Thursday against Washington. Remember, too, that until Joique Bell returns, Abdullah's role in the Lions' offense could be massive, so keeping him from some hits makes sense.) (8-18-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18344/stephen-tulloch-looks-ready-for-detroit-lions-and-nevin-lawson-has-standout-practice
NFC preseason player grades, Week 1 (Detroit Lions: Ameer Abdullah, RB - GRADE: A. Strengths: Whenever an opposing coach likens a runner's game to that of Barry Sanders -- as Jets coach Todd Bowles did following Abdullah's performance in his team's matchup with the Lions on Thursday -- evaluators take notice. Abdullah's play merited rave reviews. The ex-Nebraska standout showed off extraordinary balance, body control and vision with the ball in his hands en route to posting 67 yards on just seven carries. He demonstrated remarkable wiggle and elusiveness in the hole, flashing an impressive lateral jump-cut that only special runners are able to execute in tight quarters. Considering Abdullah also displayed soft hands and strong receiving skills as a pass catcher out of the backfield, it is hard to contain the excitement about the rookie's potential as a feature back in the Lions' offense. Weaknesses: Abdullah's size (5-foot-9, 205 pounds) and strength are concerns when considering his chances of survival as a full-time running back. The second-round pick lacks the girth to take the pounding as an inside runner; this relative dearth of bulk also prevents Abdullah from employing a physical running style to break tackles on power plays. What he needs to work on: To win the RB1 job, Abdullah must convince Detroit's coaches that he can effectively run between the tackles against a loaded box. With defenders more aware of his dangerous "shake-and-bake" running style, Abdullah needs to show a diversified game to enhance his chance of earning the workhorse role.) (8-18-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000511389/article/nfc-preseason-player-grades-week-1-ameer-abdullah-dazzles
Forgot to mention this yesterday, but Abdullah fumbled in individual drills yesterday. First one I've seen. Immediately did push-ups (8-18-15): https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/633696629619601408
Detroit Lions — Nate Burleson sizes up Ameer Abdullah (8-18-15): http://oplions.blogspot.com/2015/08/detroit-lions-nate-burleson-sizes-up.html
Three Impressive Preseason Rookie Performances (Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions RB: Abdullah has been attracting hype all across the fantasy football world, especially after wild comparisons were made claiming that Abdullah has “Barry Sanders” speed. Abdullah had an impressive run in his first preseason outing, leaving Jets’ defenders’ heads spinning as he gained 45 yards on a speedy run. He finished the night with 7 carries for 67 yards, clearly a chunk of the yardage coming from the one carry. His runs highlighted his potential when he has the ball in his hands. Without a big name running back on Detroit’s roster, Abdullah could push for the starting gig, though he currently sits behind Theo Riddickwho had a solid game himself. The Lions have two phenomenal receivers in Calvin Johnsonand Golden Tate, and a franchise quarterback inMatthew Stafford. What they need is a running back that is better than Joique Bell and less injury prone than former Lion Reggie Bush. Abdullah is doing himself justice with the way he is running, and he can find himself atop the depth chart if he keeps it up.) (8-18-15): http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/three-impressive-preseason-rookie-performances/
Camp observations: Lions unveil 2-point attack (During training camp at Edsel Ford High, the Lions spent a significant portion of team drills running and defending plays from the 2-yard line, which is where the 2-point try begins. Based on the plays, the offense has the advantage in the short-yardage situation at the moment. For the backups, Kellen Moore led three conversions on four attempts. The defense stopped Desmond Martin in the backfield on the first play, but Zenner ran the next one in and Martin scored after that. Moore threw a score to Abdullah on the second team’s final rep.) (8-17-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/18/camp-observations-lions-unveil-2-point-attack/31894665/
Best, worst performances of preseason's first week (First Down: Ameer Abdullah - All you really need to know here is that Jetscoach Todd Bowles said Abdullah is "about as quick as Barry Sanders." Perhaps that is hyperbole (hyper-Bowl-e?) but the Lions' rookie running back definitely made an impression in his first NFL outing. Abdullah broke off a Sanders-like 45-yard run to pace his 67-yard rushing day in Detroit's win. The Lions did not target Abdullah on any passes, but he may be most dangerous this season as a receiver—the footwork and ability to hit the hole that Abdullah showed throughout his college career is still present. If projected starting RBJoique Bell does not get back in action soon, his job is going to be gone.) (8-17-15): http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/08/17/nfl-preseason-week-1-bills-quarterbacks-khalil-mack-josh-boyce
Despite dazzling debut by Abdullah, Riddick listed as Lions starting RB (Ameer Abdullah was impressive enough in his preseason debut last week that New York Jets coach Todd Bowles compared him to Hall-of-Famer Barry Sanders, but the Detroit Lions are still making the rookie running back earn his keep. Abdullah is listed as the second-string running back on the Lions' second depth chart of the season released today, behind Theo Riddick. Riddick started in last week's 23-3 win over the Jets and ran for 35 yards on eight carries, but no running back has had a better training camp than Abdullah. A second-round pick out of Nebraska, Abdullah gained 67 yards on seven carries last week, prompting Bowles to say Abdullah is "about as quick as Barry Sanders." "I'm not saying he is Barry," Bowles said. "But he's a good running back and we have to go take our shot and we have to attack the inside out of a leverage and he made us miss today."Riddick and Abdullah played the same amount of snaps against the Jets. Riddick, Abdullah and Joique Bell are expected to comprise a three-headed backfield for the Lions this fall, with the latter two getting the bulk of the work.)
(8-17-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/17/lions-starting-running-back/31855677/
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Monday (On RB Ameer Abdullah's decision to fair catch a punt against the Jets: "You know, he kind of felt what he felt and made the decision he wanted to make in that situation, but you know, we live and learn don't we?") (8-17-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/17/9167531/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-monday
Ameer Abdullah's 45-yard gain for Detroit Lions named No. 1 run of week by NFL Network (8-17-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/ameer_abdullahs_45-yard_run_fo.html
First impressions: Who flourished? Who flopped? (Fear Ameer - On Thursday morning, I wrote that Ameer Abdullah was one of the true risers in NFL training camps. On Thursday evening, Abdullah made me look wise. Showing off speed, power, vision and awe-inspiring lateral quickness, theLions' second-round pick shredded the Jets for 67 yards on just seven carries -- including a jaw-dropping 45-yard scamper. After the game, New York coach Todd Bowles brought up Motor City royalty: "He's quick as a cat. He's about as quick as Barry Sanders. I'm not saying he is Barry, but he's a good running back." As I've said many times on SiriusXM this offseason, I think Agholor, Abdullah and Amari Cooper are the top three candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Abdullah should get 20 to 25 touches a game for Detroit. Joique Bell should not be an option to start.) (8-17-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000511030/article/ameer-abdullah-cardinals-shine-jimmy-garoppolo-disappoints
Takeaways from Preseason Week 1 (Star of the Week - The head-turning, game-changing star of Preseason Week 1 was, without question, rookie Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah ran seven times for 67 yards against the New York Jets on Thursday night, but the stat line doesn't tell the whole story. In fact, let's let Jets head coach Todd Bowles tell it: "He's just what he was in college. He's about as quick as Barry Sanders. I'm not saying he is Barry Sanders, but he's got that kind of quickness." Now Bowles is not saying Abdullah is the same as the legendary Lion, but he's not-not saying it, either. Forget about Canton for Manziel, Mariota and Winston -- melt down those half-finished hunks of bronze because it's Abdullah's turn for early enshrinement. Each of Abdullah's carries were impressive, but none as much as his 45-yard run that included juking Jets linebacker Demario Davis out of his cleats. Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said just last week that, "We can't even tackle that guy. We can't even touch him. He's like grasping at air." For once, a coach's praise about his own player was not hyperbole. My whole week is now centered around seeing Abdullah get his next carries.) (8-17-15): http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/143601938/nfl-preseason-week-1-notes-injuries-stars
Detroit Lions' TJ Jones impresses in battle for return jobs (Ross and Abdullah are the clubhouse favorites to win the return job, but Caldwell said he couldn't really judge the competition until he saw them against live competition, and Jones was the most impressive returner against live competition.)(8-16-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_tj_jones_impress.html
Freep Observations from Lions camp: Don't sleep on DT Cudjo (In a 9-on-7 run period early in practice, Cudjo shoved his way past rookie left guard Laken Tomlinson to stop everyone's favorite running back, Ameer Abdullah, for a loss in the backfield.) (8-15-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/15/lions-training-camp-standouts/31797691/
Detroit News Camp Notes - Calvin Johnson is Lions’ top star in practice, too (The players fielding punts were Ameer Abdullah, Lance Moore, Golden Tate, TJ Jones and Ryan Broyles.) (8-15-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/15/calvin-johnson-lions-top-star-practice/31799653/
Caldwell trying to ignore Ameer Abdullah hype (8-15-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/ameer-abdullah--good/31746441/
Detroit Lions' Joique Bell: 'I see a lot of greatness' in Ameer Abdullah (8-15-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_joique_bell_i_se.html
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Friday (On the hype surrounding RB Ameer Abdullah: "I haven't heard any of that, but just like anything else, it's early. We just finished the first preseason game, we have a lot of work to do, and he's got a lot to learn." On Jets Head Coach Todd Bowles comparing RB Ameer Abdullah to Barry Sanders: "Well, there's only one Barry Sanders. Plain and simple. You know, I think the young man does have some talent, but he's young, it's his first preseason game and he's got a long way to go.) (8-15-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/15/9156997/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-friday
TJ Jones off to good start in Lions' returner competition (TJ Jones was one of four players to receive a chance to return at least one punt. Two -- one by Ameer Abdullah and one by incumbent Jeremy Ross -- were fair caught. Ryan Broyles returned one punt seven yards. Another punt was downed. But for now, it would appear those could be the main candidates for the punt return gig moving forward. Ross and Abdullah are still the likely candidates, but Jones may have put himself in the conversation.)(8-15-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18304/tj-jones-off-to-a-good-start-in-detroit-lions-returner-competition
Audio - Ameer Abdullah on Sirius NFL Radio (8-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/audio/Ameer-Abdullah-on-Sirius-NFL-Radio-081515/b3364c10-ee2a-4b5e-b817-ee951e52c08f
Video - Pre WK 1 Can't-Miss Play: Abdullah rips the Jets defense for 45 yards (8-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000509583/Pre-WK-1-Can-t-Miss-Play-Abdullah-rips-the-Jets-defense-for-45-yards
Video - Preseason Week 1: Ameer Abdullah highlights (8-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000509749/Preseason-Week-1-Ameer-Abdullah-highlights
Video - Abdullah on his first career game (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Abdullah-on-his-first-career-game/993e0709-afc5-4bd5-b53b-f7e2c7692d4c
Video - Postgame 1 on 1 with RB Ameer Abdullah (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Postgame-1-on-1-with-RB-Ameer-Abdullah/ed9d3eb5-a427-4fb7-b798-81f0e0ecb080
Video - Orlovsky on Abdullah (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Orlovsky-on-Abdullah/b63c10a7-cca0-4016-89ac-f6f1e6f0d4f4
Recap: Lions Vs. Jets (Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah, who the Lions drafted in the second round this year, had a terrific debut. He rushed seven times for 67 yards (9.6 average), including a 45-yard burst up the middle in the first quarter. Play of the game: There’s been a lot of talk in Allen Park about Abdullah bringing the big-play back into the Lions’ run game. The team finished 28th in rushing last year, averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and had only six rushes of 20-plus yards. On just his third carry, Abdullah went outside the right tackle, made one cut, and sprinted off 45-yards to the Jets 37-yard line. Abdullah got terrific blocks from tight end Brandon Pettigrew and receiver Lance Moore to help spring him. The play helped lead to a 28-yard Matt Prater field goal to give the Lions a 10-3 lead.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/RECAP-Lions-vs-Jets-/382f4afe-6052-45d1-b2c6-def8c9daa732
Four Downs: So Far So Good For Lions Run Game (First Down: Improving the running game - Offensive linemen take pride in rushing totals more than they do passing total. “One hundred percent,” Lions left guard Larry Warford confirmed after Thursday night's 23-3 win over the Jets at Ford Field. “It’s just an alpha-male mentality. When you’re running the ball it’s a physical thing. “It just speaks to the nature of offensive line if you can push people and knock them off the ball and get huge chunks of yards day in and day out.” The Lions’ offensive line pushed the Jets around pretty good in their preseason debut. Detroit's offense rushed 40 times for 193 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. It's only one game, and a preseason game at that, but the Lions have raved about the prospects for their run game with a revamped offensive line and the drafting of running back Ameer Abdullah throughout training camp thus far. Playing in his first NFL game, Abdullah did nothing to quell that excitement. He rushed for 67 yards on seven carries, including a 45-yard scamper in the first quarter. All four of the Lions’ top four running backs of the evening averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry – Abdullah (9.6), Desmond Martin (5.2), Theo Riddick (4.4) and Zack Zenner (4.2). The Lions run game needs to be a much bigger factor this year if they're going to be the type of offense they hope to be, which is fast, physical and balanced. The Lions appear to have a nice mix of different styles of runners. Abdullah and Riddick showed terrific elusiveness and quickness. We know what Bell brings to the table when he returns. Zenner showed great vision and toughness and the ability to finish runs. Thursday was a good start for the run game. Third Down Rookie Report - Ameer Abdullah, RB: This youngster is going to be fun to watch. He can make defenders look silly -- just ask some of the Jets defenders. He finished with 67 yards on the ground on only seven rushes.)
(8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-So-far-so-good-for-Lions-run-game/e92257d1-1d66-4cd5-a374-2be6d5517bca
O'hara's Burning Questions: What Did The Offense's Opening Drive Mean? (Q. Ameer Abdullah: He was impressive, carrying seven times for 67 yards and breaking a long run of 45 yards. Is the rookie back the second-round steal that people have predicted he will be? A. So far he has passed every test as he moves up the ladder – from the offseason program to training camp and now to live action in full contact against another team. Abdullah made people miss. A back who can get yards on his own is invaluable. There were some other good performances in the running game, notably from Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner, another rookie who was undrafted out of South Dakota State and signed as a free agent. They all got help up front from the offensive line. Bottom line: for one night, the emphasis on improving the line and the running game looked like it was on track.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara-burning-questions/article-1/OHARAS-BURNING-QUESTIONS-What-did-the-offenses-opening-drive-mean/1a45ac04-e7c4-41a1-883a-44c04c2db262
Detroit 23, N.Y. Jets 3: Plenty to like from Lions' exhibition debut (Ameer Abdullah was impressive enough in the first week of training camp that Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said trying to tackle the rookie running back was like "grasping at air." The New York Jets got a whiff of that tonight at Ford Field. Abdullah, the Lions' second-round pick, had an impressive debut, carrying seven times for 67 yards in the Lions' exhibition opener, a 23-3 victory over the Jets. With starting running back Joique Bell still sidelined by off-season knee surgery, Abdullah and Theo Riddick saw the bulk of the work at running back in the first half for a Lions team that played without Calvin Johnson and benched most of its starters before the first quarter was over. Matthew Stafford played just five snaps and one series, leading the first-team offense on a 71-yard touchdown drive before joining his top receiver on the bench. But as sharp as Stafford was, it was Abdullah and receiver Golden Tate who did most of the heavy lifting on the Lions' opening drive. Abdullah entered the game on the third play and took a sweep around left tackle for 7 yards. He ran up the middle for 4 yards on the next play, juking Jets safety Calvin Pryor for the first down, then was a decoy on a play-action fake on Stafford's 35-yard touchdown pass to Tate on the next snap. On the Lions' second series, after the Jets answered with a 34-yard Nick Folk field goal, Abdullah broke a 45-yard run on the first play from scrimmage before Darrelle Revis hauled him down on the edge of field-goal range. Abdullah made a sharp cut on the long run, spinning starting linebacker Demario Davis around before accelerating through a hole to the open field.Abdullah also took a turn as a kick- and punt-returner in the first half.) (8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/13/detroit-lions-new-york-jets-exhibition/31682513/
Five observations from Lions' first exhibition ("A" for Ameer: Rookie second-rounder Ameer Abdullah looked as good as advertised. The pads finally came on, the hitting was live, and Abdullah flashed. He looked fast and decisive on his cuts. His highlight play came on a 45-yard run on the second possession. If Darrelle Revis hadn't caught Abdullah, he might have blown the top off Ford Field with a touchdown.(8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/detroit-lions-extra-points/31692871/
Lions notes: WR Greg Salas has big game vs. former team (Like Barry:Ameer Abdullah had a dazzling Lions debut, running for a game-high 67 yards on seven carries and impressing Jets coach Todd Bowles along the way. "He looked like he did in college," Bowles said. "He's quick as a cat. He's about as quick as Barry Sanders. I'm not saying he is Barry, but he's a good running back and we have to go take our shot and we have to attack the inside out of a leverage and he made us miss today.")(8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/detroit-lions-preseason-greg-salas/31690321/
Seidel: Abdullah, starting offense put on nice exhibition (And rookie Ameer Abdullah was spectacular in his Lions debut. Abdullah did a little bit of everything, except catch a pass. He returned a kickoff and caught a punt (with no return). He showed great vision and patience waiting for blocks; and he made several impressive cuts, exploding through holes, while making the Jets look silly. Oh, and one more thing: He broke, unofficially, four ankles. "The Lord has blessed him with some pretty unique talents," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "He is a guy who is very quick and he has vision. Quickness without vision is a bit of a waste. But he's got both of those." On his first carry, Abdullah got the pitch heading to the left. He showed patience, waiting for Riley Reiff to make a block. And then, it looked like Abdullah exploded out of a cannon, turned the corner, exploded through the hole and picked up 7 yards. He has serious quicks. On his second carry, Abdullah made a tremendous cut to the inside, avoiding a defender, and picked up 4 yards. He has an uncanny ability to make a simple run look spectacular and to make people miss. "It's something that I take a lot of pride in," Abdullah said. "It's something that I look forward to bringing to this team." Consider it brought. Abdullah gives the Lions a legitimate running threat, which is what they were missing last year when they ranked 28th in the NFL in rushing, averaging 88.9 yards a game. Abdullah rushed for 67 yards, by himself, in the first half.) (8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2015/08/14/abdullah-starting-offense-impressive-limited-time/31689053/
Abdullah wasn't only Lions RB to impress vs. Jets (The Lions took a long look at most of their draft picks. Besides Robinson and Tomlinson, Gabe Wright played 22 snaps at defensive tackle, Michael Burton 17 at fullback and Abdullah 15 (the same as Riddick) at running back.) (8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah/31706151/
Abdullah lives up to hype in preseason debut (8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/ameer-abdullah-lions/31689251/
Barry good? Lions’ Abdullah earns Bowles’ praise (8-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/barry-good-lions-abdullah-earns-bowles-praise/31709889/
Lions ground Jets in exhibition opener (Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah displayed the enormous potential he's flashed in training camp thus far and looks like he could give the offense another dynamic playmaker. On the opening drive, Abdullah had two carries for 11 yards, and the second was a 4-yard scamper in which he lost safety Calvin Pryor in the backfield with a sharp cut inside. To start the second offensive series, Abdullah had an explosive 45-yard run. He started right, cut left to leave linebacker Demario Davis behind, then scooted up the middle of the field. In an impressive first half, Abdullah had seven carries for 67 yards. Theo Riddick ran well, too, with eight carries for 35 yards. The Lions' only two first-half returns were on kickoffs, a 26-yarder by Jeremy Ross and a 25-yarder by Abdullah.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/13/jets-lions-exhibition-season/31660483/
Snap counts: Zenner gets long look with Lions (Ameer Abdullah played just 15 snaps as he broke through for 67 yards on seven carries in the first half.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/snap-counts-zenner-gets-long-look-lions/31721387/
Niyo: Lions rookie Abdullah dazzles in debut (8-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/niyo-lions-rookie-abdullah-dazzles-debut/31687833/
Wojo: Abdullah shines, but retooled line key for Lions (8-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/columnists/bob-wojnowski/2015/08/14/wojo-abdullah-shines-retooled-line-key-lions/31732633/
Detroit Lions stock report: Kellen Moore fails to take advantage of opportunity (Stock up -- Running back Ameer Abdullah: The hype is real. The rookie flashed his big-play ability in the opening quarter, sharply cutting back up the middle and into the second level for a 45-yard gain. He finished the first half with 67 yards on seven carries. He also returned a kickoff, deep out of the end zone, but only got back to the 18-yard line.) (8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_stock_report_ame.html
Ameer Abdullah makes dazzling debut in Detroit Lions win against Jets (Remember when some fans wanted the Detroit Lions to draft Tevin Coleman instead of Ameer Abdullah? Remember how they put Martin Mayhew on blast for drafting a fumble-prone guy with small hands who wouldn't translate to the NFL? If you can't remember, then you might be out of luck. The doubters are vanishing -- fast. Abdullah has been not just the Lions' best rookie during the first two weeks of training camp, but one of their most electric offensive players overall. And he didn't disappoint in his preseason debut, gaining 67 yards on just seven carries in Detroit's 23-3 win Thursday night against the New York Jets at Ford Field. The rookie running back took the field on the third play of the game, and immediately outran the Jets defense for a 7-yard pickup. He got the ball on the next play, too, and a sharp cut helped him gain 4 yards and a first down. On Detroit's next play, quarterback Matthew Stafford hit Golden Tate for a 35-yard touchdown pass. Stafford left the game after that series, but Abdullah stuck around and had his best carry of the night on the next drive. He wanted to bounce to the right edge, but cut it upfield instead -- and outran the defense for a 45-yard gain, the longest play of the night for Detroit. Coaches emphasize just how little can be gleaned from a preseason game, when schemes are vanilla and starters' chief concern is just staying healthy. But this was yet another impressive display from the rookie, and further evidence he will factor into the rotation significantly this season. Jeremy Ross was first up at kick and punt return, followed by Abdullah.) (8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/ameer_abdullah_makes_dazzling.html
A quick recap on who's winning, and who's losing, the Detroit Lions' job battles (Tailback - As we've been saying throughout the past few months, Ameer Abdullah is ahead of Theo Riddick and George Winn as a rusher. With Joique Bell still out with a knee injury, he was the most impressive back against New York, rushing seven times for 67 yards. He had that 45-yarder up the middle, which was impressive. But I might have liked his 4-yard run on the game's first series even more. That juke was just so athletic. It was executed in traffic. And it picked up an important first down, with Tate scoring his touchdown on the next play. It might not show up in the box, but those are the kinds of plays that win games. Abdullah is going to be the rushing complement to Bell this season, with Riddick getting some action as a pass-catcher. Riddick did run hard against the Jets, though, like he might be a little pissed off about the kid taking his spot or something. Winn has received a steady diet of first-team reps in practice, but finished with just five carries for 3 yards against New York. Zach Zenner had a much better game, finishing with 55 yards on 13 carries, including a 14-yard pop. That could help him close the gap with Winn for that last tailback job. Kick/punt returner — This one's interesting. Ross worked as the top kick and punt returner, but Abdullah was next up on both units, not Wilson (kicks) and Tate (punts), as was listed on the depth chart. But TJ Jones might have looked better than both players, at least on punt return. He gained 31 yards on three attempts, with a long of 24. For comparison, Ross had only two returns that long all last season. Broyles also returned one punt.)(8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/a_quick_recap_on_where_the_det.html
Rookie Ameer Abdullah's debut for Detroit Lions reminds New York Jets coach of Barry Sanders (8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/rookie_ameer_abdullahs_debut_f.html
Column: Ameer Abdullah confirms what everyone's been seeing, and saying, for months (8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/column_lions_ameer_abdullah_co.html
Young Detroit Lions shine in win over Jets (Ameer Abdullah wasted no time in earning the love and respect of the Detroit Lions coaches and fans at Ford Field on Thursday night. There’s been a buzz about the running back since he was drafted in the second round in May. He proved he’s buzz-worthy with his performance in the Lions’ 23-3 preseason win over the N.Y. Jets. It was a night that the young guns displayed their potential with Abdullah at the head of the pack. His first run was for seven yards. His second for a 4-yard gain was good for a first down. Those runs helped set up the 35-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate. Then on the first play of the Lions’ next offensive series, Abdullah slithered and cut for 45 yards, embarrassing a linebacker along the way. Three runs for 56 yards, not a bad start in the NFL, even in a preseason game. “The line did a great job of sealing things for me, it’s my job to make the first guy miss, and the receivers busting their butts to block down field. It was executed pretty well the timing of it,’’ Abdullah said of the 45-yard scamper. He said he couldn’t really describe how it feels to make such cutbacks. “I don’t have much time to reflect on it, then I get on to the next defender,’’ Abdullah said. “It’s something that I take a lot of pride in and something I look forward to bringing to this team. The defense is doing a great job of giving us great looks in practice.’’ It’s tough to judge running backs without pads and the Lions have only had two padded practices. So Thursday was the first good chance to see what Abdullah and all the running backs could do. “We’ve seen his quickness and obviously when we were evaluating him coming out of college, you could see he could run, tough competitor,’’ coach Jim Caldwell. “It’s good to see him against another team. He was able to find some cracks and got off to a pretty good start.’’) (8-14-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150813/young-detroit-lions-shine-in-win-over-jets
Detroit Lions — Five things learned from preseason opener (Ameer Abdullah is the real deal. We’d seen flashes at training camp, but in pads and against another opponent, Abdullah had a jaw-dropping 45-yard run. Where did he get those moves? Afterward he said he was excited to get into his first NFL game even though it was preseason. He also thanked the offensive line and the receivers for their blocks. Two things: His runs were against the Jets’ defense and it’s too early to draw comparisons to Barry Sanders, a Hall of Famer. Special teams is blocking better on returns than last season which was an issue. Jeremy Ross started it with a 26-yard kickoff return. Abdullah had one for 25 yards and TJ Jones had three solid punt returns.) (8-14-15): http://oplions.blogspot.com/2015/08/detroit-lions-five-things-learned-from.html
Ameer Abdullah, journeyman Greg Salas shine in Lions' preseason opener (Rookie watch: Ameer Abdullah was the star of the night. He had seven carries for 67 yards, including a 45-yard run in the first quarter on which he completely juked Jets linebacker Demario Davis out of the play. The cutting and vision he showed in practice translated well to his debut game. One reason to freak out, good or bad: It starts with Abdullah. He looked electric -- kind of like a newer, slightly slower Reggie Bush -- when he was in the game. If he can carry that production into the regular season, the Lions might have found a solution for their running game even when Joique Bell returns.) (8-14-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18256/ameer-abdullah-journeyman-greg-salas-shine-in-detroit-lions-preseason-opener
TJ Jones, Greg Salas improve their stock with Lions in preseason opener (Stock Up - RB Ameer Abdullah: He was one of the stars for the Lions on Thursday night, gaining 67 yards on seven carries -- including an electric 45-yard run that was the highlight of the game for Detroit. He had shown glimpses of this during training camp, but Joique Bell should be on notice that if he doesn’t get back soon, there’s at least a chance Abdullah cuts into the veteran’s snaps sooner than later.) (8-14-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18269/tj-jones-greg-salas-improve-their-stock-with-detroit-lions-in-preseason-opener
Ameer Abdullah showed glimpses of being a high-level running back for Detroit Lions (8-14-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18267/ameer-abdullah-showed-glimpses-of-being-a-high-level-running-back-for-detroit-lions
Jim Caldwell comments on Lions' win over Jets (On RB Ameer Abdullah's performance: "We've seen his quickness and obviously when we were looking at him, evaluating him coming out of college you see he could run, tough competitor all those things and it's good to see him out there against another team and he was able to find some cracks and got off to a pretty good start." On Abdullah's athleticism: "The Lord's blessed him with some pretty unique talents. He's the guy that's very, very quick and he has vision. He has both of those things. Obviously, quickness without vision is a bit of a waste, but he's got both of those and you didn't see him catch the ball at all, but he can catch the ball as well. Yeah, a pretty productive night." On if Abdullah can create opportunities once he finds a hole: "I'd say that's affirmative. He's got some talent and he can make you miss and he can run around you and we'll see whether or not how much he does with power, but that's probably not his forte necessarily of just running over people. The Lord's blessed him with some other gifts that he can use, but he's a good player." On Abdullah finishing his runs: "He's fun to watch. You can see he can bang it up in there and he's got vision and he's deceptive. You can see him accelerate through the holes with a good forward lean, has some pop behind him. He's fun to watch.") (8-14-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/14/9145911/lions-jets-preseason-quotes-jim-caldwell
Lions players comment on win over Jets (Lions RB Ameer Abdullah: On his long run tonight: "The line did a great job of getting the edge and sealing things for me. It's my job to make the first guy miss, and the receivers released to block downfield. So, it was executed pretty well. The timing of it, the quarterback selling the opposite way well, we executed on all cylinders." On the feeling he gets when making linebackers miss their tackles: "I don't have much time to reflect on it, because once that happens I have to get on to the next defender. But it's something that I take a lot of pride in, and something that I'm looking forward to bringing to this team." On how he works on dodging tacklers: "In practice every day. We practice it. The defense is doing a good job of giving us great looks in practice. They compete to the highest level, so we feel confident coming into this game after going against our defense. You get to practice those things on your own players, so when you go out and play in the real game it's much easier." On the offensive line's performance tonight: "Outstanding, outstanding. They got a lot of good push, a lot of good push. We really wanted to emphasize running today, and the offensive line really answered the call and brought their A-game. Pretty much all you saw was because of them opening up lanes." Stafford on RB Ameer Abdullah's long run: "It was impressive. It's kind of a different view from the sideline. He ran to the opposite side of the field of our sideline, so couldn't really see. But it looked like he made a pretty good move on some guys, and then showed a really nice burst. I thought all our backs played well tonight. Theo (Riddick) had some great, tough runs, we churned out yards. Our offensive line was doing a good job making little dents in the defensive line. Our guys were doing a good job of running physical and picking up yards.") (8-14-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/14/9145897/lions-jets-preseason-quotes-players
Winners and losers from Lions' first preseason game (Winners - Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick - These three players combined to rush for 157 yards on 28 carries, which is good for 5.6 yards per carry. Abdullah accounted for 67 yards on seven carries, and he looked really electric and extremely shifty. Zenner, meanwhile, had 55 yards on 13 carries, while Riddick picked up 35 yards on eight runs. Overall, the Lions have to like how their running game performed on Thursday night.) (8-14-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/13/9145923/lions-jets-preseason-winners-losers
Grantland: Ameer Abdullah is imitating Barry Sanders, football is back (8-14-15): http://grantland.com/the-triangle/ameer-abdullah-is-imitating-barry-sanders-football-is-back/
RB Bell sees Abdullah shine, gets more eager for return (8-14-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rb-bell-sees-abdullah-shine-gets-more-eager-225457579--nfl.html
Thursday's NFL preseason takeaways: Jimmy Garoppolo takes his lumps (Don't Sleep on Ameer: This is a really good rookie running back class. Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon can be superstars. T.J. Yeldon is underrated. Duke Johnson is a potential modern-day stud. But don't sleep on Ameer Abdullah. Drafted as part of the Lions effort to revamp their offense and focus on the running game (Detroit also traded for Manny Ramirez, drafted Laken Tomlinson and snagged a fullback), Abdullah flashed some serious next-level explosion on a 46-yard run against the Jets. Abdullah's got quick-twitch moves, breakaway speed and the capability of being an every-down back. Abdullah is the same size as Giovani Bernard and has the same explosiveness, but feels and looks a little bit stronger. The crowd reaction when he chops his feet and snaps everyone's ankles is fantastic. It's OK if you made the same noise. In a crowded group that features Joique Bell and Theo Riddick, it's totally possible he steals the starting job and, pun intended, runs with it.) (8-14-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25269420/nfl-preseason-week-1-takeaways-jimmy-garoppolo-still-a-work-in-progress
Ameer Abdullah spins Jets in circles, could be Lions starting RB (If you're picking one rookie running back who could end up making teams regret not taking him in the first round, it's Ameer Abdullah of the Lions. He set out to prove as much Thursday night and did a pretty good job with an explosive run that put a hurting run on several Jets defenders. With the Lions trying to beef up the running game -- or at least the way they attack the running game -- there's some question about who gets the nod. Joique Bell's been surprisingly consistent these past few years and Theo Riddick is a very versatile back. But it could be Abdullah, with his impressive footwork and explosion.) (8-14-15): http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25269303/watch-ameer-abdullah-spins-jets-dl-in-circle-could-be-lions-starting-rb
Rookie watch: Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Ameer Abdullah could flash (Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah — Everyone who has passed through Lions camp has raved about the performance of Abdullah, who has exhibited the kind of electric running and receiving skills the team thought it was getting when it drafted concussion-prone Jahvid Best a few years ago. Abdullah is almost certain to carve out a role in the backfield, given his unique skill set. He might not be a true, straight-line blazer, but Abdullah has compact power, excellent vision and make-you-whiff elusiveness. He's going to be a gem, you watch.) (8-14-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/rookie-watch--jameis-winston--marcus-mariota--ameer-abdullah-could-stand-out-205203692.html
Ameer Abdullah continues strong summer in preseason debut (8-14-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/13/ameer-abdullah-continues-strong-summer-in-preseason-debut/
NFL preseason Week 1: Tom Brady briefly plays for Patriots (Impact rookies - Lions running back Ameer Abdullah had an excellent preseason debut. He ran for 67 yards on seven carries against the Jets' first-team defense.) (8-14-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-08-14/nfl-preseason-week-1-results-packers-patriots-browns-saints-ravens-redskins-dolphins-bears-cowboys-chargers
Ameer Abdullah earns plenty of new fans with 46-yard run against Jets (8-14-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-08-13/ameer-abdullah-detroit-lions-run-jets-rookie-nfl-fantasy-football-sleepern
O'HARA: Abdullah steals show in preseason opener (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-Abdullah-steals-show-in-preseason-opener/9b70583b-947d-4ec7-9916-694633891c13
Video - Get to know Lions' rookie Ameer Abdullah (8-14-15): http://fanpass.nfl.com/story/574/virtual-rookie-card-ameer-abdullah
Video - ATN: Do the Lions have a star in Ameer Abdullah? (8-14-15): http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000509967
Video - PFT Live: Where is Ameer Abdullah in Lions’ RB rotation? (8-14-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/14/pft-live-where-is-ameer-abdullah-in-lions-rb-rotation/
Video - Bell on Abdullah's performance (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Bell-on-Abdullahs-performance/41e11eea-343b-402d-9518-af398b2e5411
PFF Grades for Jets-Lions (Ameer Abdullah had the big run and looked sharp, but Theo Riddick also put his hand up for a role in this offense, and could earn a larger one the longer Joique Bell is out.) (8-14-15): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/08/14/grades-for-jets-lions/
5 things to watch in Lions' preseason opener (Fear Ameer: Ameer Abdullah has been one of the most impressive Lions of training camp, and the second-round pick finally will get a chance to showcase his abilities on the big stage. Theo Riddick probably starts, but Abdullah should get a long look in the first half and make plays when he's on the field.) (8-12-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/12/detroit-lions-jets-geno-smith/31528637/
Ten Lions to watch in exhibition opener (Ameer Abdullah, RB: Besides WR Calvin Johnson, Abdullah has been the most consistently eye-popping player during camp. The Lions might not use Abdullah as much as the other backup running backs, but he should have opportunities as a runner and receiver in the first half.) (8-12-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/12/ten-lions-watch-thursday-jets/31561587/
Abdullah looking like dynamic playmaker Lions need (8-12-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/12/abdullah-looking-like-dynamic-playmaker-lions-need/31579593/
Barry Sanders on Abdullah: 'He’s a big-play player' (8-12-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/Barry-Sanders-on-Abdullah-He%E2%80%99s-a-big-play-player/38428ffc-4118-4488-bdab-14c43d7eb329
Ameer Abdullah stealing the show in Lions camp (8-11-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000508820/article/ameer-abdullah-stealing-the-show-in-lions-camp
Camp Spotlight: Quarterback Matthew Stafford (Stafford was a perfect 6-for-6 in the 7-on-7 period. He completed passes to six different receivers – Ameer Abdullah, Moore, Michael Burton, Fuller (deep TD), Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron.) (8-11-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Quarterback-Matthew-Stafford/fd36d5af-f099-46cc-9aaa-9394e3204f4c
Freep Camp Notes - Lions offense sloppy with preseason opener on deck (He probably wouldn't have picked up many yards on the play, but Ameer Abdullah had one run in a team period that shows why he'll be so tough for teams to tackle this fall, slithering through a tiny space to get by an unsuspecting Caraun Reid. Abdulah, who stands 5-feet-9, runs with a low center of gravity and is able to hide behind his big offensive linemen. In that red-zone period, the first-team offense ran three plays from inside the 10. On first-and-goal from the 9, Theo Riddick took a dive play out of the shotgun for a short gain. Abdullah caught a short pass on second down, and might have made it into the end zone after deeking a linebacker had Jim Caldwell not have blown the play dead at the 1.) (8-11-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/11/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations/31494755/
Detroit News Camp observations: Narrower posts help kickers hone in (Ameer Abdullah continued to display his impressive receiving skills with an ability to catch balls that don't hit him in the strike zone. Stafford has been off-target at times on short passes throughout his career, so Abdullah making catches on balls away from his body will be important for the offense. Abdullah, running back Zach Zenner, cornerback Quandre Diggs and wide receiver TJ Jones were among the players fielding kickoffs Tuesday. Jeremy Ross wasn't in the group as he worked with the coverage unit.) (8-11-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/11/camp-observations-narrower-posts-help-kickers-hone/31494087/
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Tuesday (On RB Ameer Abdullah's style of play: "You know, the style that we are looking for is one that can gain yards on the ground and one that can catch the ball when we throw it to them and run with it. He can do both. He also is a guy that will stick his nose in there in terms of pass protection, but he has a lot of ability, which you can see. Quick guy, but we're excited to get an opportunity to kind of see him against guys in this league other than the guys we practice against, so this should be fun coming up Thursday.")(8-11-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/12/9134179/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-tuesday
Beating a dead horse at this point but Ameer Abdullah is much better than Reggie Bush as a pass catcher (8-11-15): https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/631174964322934785
Notebook: Revamped Reid Playing Important Role On D-line (Ameer Abdullah held his own in pass blocking drills against the linebackers. Theo Riddick struggled a bit.) (8-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Revamped-Reid-playing-important-role-on-d-line/0bf61d8a-3c0c-4e79-a7ef-b2da7f96abc9
MLive Training Camp Notes (Travis Lewis, who is quietly having a solid camp, threw Theo Riddick to the ground and later overpower rookie Ameer Abdullah.) (8-10-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_2015_training_ca_10.html
Ameer Abdullah just dropped a ball trying to make one-handed catch in offensive drills. So, he's not perfect (8-10-15): https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/630730315795943424
5 who shined during first week of Lions training camp, and 5 who didn't (Thumbs up: RB Ameer Abdullah - The rookie looked good filling in for the injured Joique Bell during OTAs and minicamp. And he’s looked really good during training camp -- good enough to make you wonder whether he could actually challenge Bell at some point this season for the starting job. Abdullah has a way of making everyone else look like they’re running in mud. He’s just a little bit faster, a little bit crisper, and that first step is something to behold. Fans might get to see that first step a lot this season, regardless of what’s up with Bell’s health.)(8-10-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/5_who_shined_during_first_week.html#1
Freep Lions camp observations: Stafford sharp, backups not (Ross got first crack at the kick-return job in the early portion of practice. Josh Wilson and T.J. Jones also fielded kicks, and Ameer Abdullah and Ryan Broyles saw time on punts. Ross joined Johnson, Golden Tate, Brandon Pettigrew and Theo Riddick on the field for the first offensive play in skeleton period.) (8-8-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-matthew-stafford/31338835/
Lions rookie RB Ameer Abdullah shows ‘unique ability’ (8-8-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/08/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah-training-camp/31360569/
Abdullah back in with the 1s. Michael Burton with a crushing lead block, AA cut off it hard and fast (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/630038966956392448
Abdullah up gingerly after taking a shot, got bent awkwardly (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/630034661369118720
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: Defense dominates 2-minute drill work (The Lions ran out an interesting two-back set with Ameer Abdullah and George Winn. Obviously, in the regular season, that's Joique Bell in there with the rookie, but it's a wrinkle the team didn't utilize much last season. Given that both are talented pass-catchers, the Lions could really stretch an opposing defense with the look.) (8-7-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_28.html
Ameer Abdullah blog: I like the direction that I'm moving in (8-7-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ameer-abdullah/article-1/Ameer-Abdullah-blog-I-like-the-direction-that-Im-moving-in/7860e894-54eb-47f1-8ff5-5c6a702c56b4
Free Press Camp observations: Van Noy struggling in pass coverage (Ameer Abdullah, meanwhile, continues to impress as a pass catcher and route runner. In the same one-on-one drills, he blew past Travis Lewis on a circle route that left Lewis looking like he was playing in quicksand. Both Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner left Van Noy spinning in his shoes in one-on-one drills today. First, Zenner ran by him on one route with such ease that Van Noy lunged to grab the undrafted rookie in the open field. On Van Noy's next rep in the drill, he lost his eye placement and was nowhere near Abdullah when he turned to catch a 12-yard comeback.)(8-6-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/06/kyle-van-noy-detroit-lions/31254217/
ESPN Lions Camp notes (Ameer Abdullah has another nice day: With Joique Bell still out, George Winn and Abdullah handled a lot of the first-team carries – and Abdullah again looked strong and decisive with his cuts. Because the Lions don’t want to fully take guys to the ground, it’s tough to tell exactly how he would have fared, but his instincts are definitely there and definitely strong. He also had the most impressive return of the day during the special-teams period, finding a hole and cutting right through it. Even with somewhat limited contact, it likely would have been a big return. Plays like that in practice could help Abdullah win the returner job by the start of the regular season.) (8-6-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18134/detroit-lions-rb-ameer-abdullah-is-starting-to-stand-out
NOTEBOOK: Levy happy with new extension (The one thing that stands out early on about the running style of Ameer Abdullah is that he’s decisive. He has the shakes in the open field when he needs them, but he had a run Wednesday night in the red zone where he saw a hole, made one cut and hit it. He wasn’t touched.)(8-5-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Levy-happy-with-new-extension/205e8e1c-d1c9-4d22-91d3-f1c20d1f0014
Camp Spotlight: Defensive end Ziggy Ansah (In team drills, Ansah played both left and right end. He got terrific penetration on Cornelius Lucas on one particular run play and was able to get to the ball carrier (Ameer Abdullah) and shove him to the ground. He’s always played the run well.)
(8-5-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Defensive-end-Ziggy-Ansah/daa7fd62-a7cf-4f0d-b160-ae41fb4ddc22
Free Press Camp observations: Lions hold first practice in pads (Not sure if it was Ameer Abdullah's fault, but a few plays after Riddick's nice blitz pickup, the Lions gave up a sack when Walker came untouched up the middle. Abdullah kicked out to his right to block Tapp, who didn't appear to be a threat on the play.) (8-5-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/05/riley-reiff-detroit-lions/31197729/
Detroit News Camp observations: For Lions, pads ratchet up intensity (Second-round running back Ameer Abdullah continued to shine with his one-cut running style. When there’s a hole, he accelerates through it and quickly gets upfield.)(8-5-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/06/camp-observations-lions-pads-ratchet-intensity/31201307/
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: Matt Prater does his best Kickalicious impression (I'm going to keep saying it until it's not true, but rookie Ameer Abdullah continues to be the clear-cut best running back on the field while Joique Bell remains sidelined. While it was tough sledding at times against an aggressive front seven on Wednesday, Abdullah showed the best vision and burst among the backs and continues to display better-than-expected receiving skills. Levy spent a healthy amount of time in the backfield, dropping running back Ameer Abdullah for a loss and recording a strip-sack on Stafford.) (8-5-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_26.html
Lions camp observations: Pads come on at Novi HS (The return drills became more physical after each rep, but for the most part it was pretty tame. I was most impressed with Abdullah weaving his way through defenders, while Tate and Jones really stood out to me as well. With Joique Bell out, Abdullah looks leaps and bounds better than every other RB out there. His shiftiness is no joke, and his first cut is absolutely dirty. If you aren't already a big fan of his, you will be very soon. That being said, there were some moments where Abdullah looked pretty indecisive as a runner, but I wouldn't be too worried.) (8-5-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/6/9106515/lions-training-camp-observations-novi-high-school
Lions first pads practice: Abdullah running behind Burton at fullback. Rookie tandem (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/MikeOHaraNFL/status/629083445516455936
Abdullah's first cut is dirty man. You guys are gonna love him if you don't already (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/629080315697491968
Finally some contact. Doing running drills. Abdullah's shiftiness is no joke (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/629079575981654016
Back on returns are Abdullah, Broyles, Ross, Moore, Tate and Jones. Nothing new (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/629070142232743936
Freep Camp Notes - RB Abdullah impressive again, more (Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah was once again one of the more impressive players on the field. Abdullah, the Lions' second-round pick, showed good hands on several occasions, catching several passes thrown low or wide of his body and turning to make a play upfield. Teams don't draft running backs in Round 2 unless they have big plans for them, and Abdullah is no exception. "He's really an outstanding talent," Mayhew said. "The guy's solid running the ball, he catches the ball a lot better than what I thought. They didn't use him a lot in the passing game in college, so we were kind of unsure how good he would be in the passing game. He's going to be really good as a receiver out of the backfield, it's obvious. The guy's got great body control. He's always in control. You never see him off-balance or out of control moving down the field. So he's a talented kid and he has a lot of upside, I think.") (8-4-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/04/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations/31140041/
MLive Camp Notes (Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah continues to catch everything thrown his direction. He even managed to haul in a sharply thrown pass away from his body at knee level.) (8-4-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_25.html
Quotes from Martin Mayhew's Tuesday presser (On what he has seen from RB Ameer Abdullah: "He's really an outstanding talent. He's solid running the ball, he catches the ball a lot better than what I thought. They didn't use him a lot in the passing game in college, so we were unsure of how he would be in the passing game and he's going to be really good as you can see. The guy has great body control. He's always in control, you never see him off-balance or out of control moving down the field. He's a talented kid and he has a lot of upside.")(8-4-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/5/9097637/lions-training-camp-quotes-martin-mayhew
Camp Spotlight: Running back Ameer Abdullah (Abdullah’s full arsenal was on display during the first practice of training camp. He showed terrific burst in the run during a team drill, making one cut into the A-gap and accelerating through the hole and out to the sideline past pursuing defenders. The pads need to come on before we get a true evaluation of Abdullah, but that play showed off both his vision and burst. He gets to full speed quick and is shifty in the open field. He also caught a swing pass from Matthew Stafford earlier in the same team period and was able turn the corner and race down the sideline before a cornerback came over. The crowd cheered loudly on both plays, but Abdullah said after practice that he didn’t hear them. “I get kind of tunnel vision when I play football,” he said. “That’s the focus it takes at this level. I just need to continue to hone in on that and get better with that focus.” The Lions are in pads for the first time Wednesday and Abdullah said after Monday's practice he can’t wait.)(8-3-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Running-back-Ameer-Abdullah/ca64a7e7-1b08-4642-9bbb-7ed03c72622b
Freep Camp Notes (After Ebron, running back Ameer Abdullah earned the most cheers from fans. He was quick in the hole, showed good vision and the ability to pull away from defenders. Joique Bell's still the expected starter, but Abdullah will see significant minutes this year.) (8-3-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/03/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations/31085707/
Detroit News Camp Notes (Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah continued to impress as a receiver and inside runner, and a juke move during one team portion drew loud cheers from the fans.) (8-3-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/08/03/camp-observations-rookie-alex-carter-sidelined-ankle-issue/31082849/
Niyo: Abdullah takes first step in quest for job (8-3-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/03/abdullah-takes-first-step-quest-starting-job/31090643/
MLive Camp Notes (We can still only tell so much without pads, but running back Ameer Abdullah's ability to change direction and burst through the running lane is evident. He also successfully ran a nice delayed screen, weaving his way through the second level of defenders. The second-round draft pick has shown steady improvement from the day he stepped on the field with this organization and looks like he's going to be a significant contributor from the start.) (8-3-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_24.html
Oakland Press Notes (Working on returning punts were Ryan Broyles, Lance Moore, Ameer Abdullah and Golden Tate.) (8-3-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150803/detroit-lions-notes-ngata-alex-carter-out-ebrons-good-day
Video - Ameer Abdullah Highlights (8-3-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Ameer-Abdullah-highlights/d16cd990-e6da-42ee-aa61-9fd2563661ef
Video - Abdullah on the first day of training camp (8-3-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Abdullah-on-the-first-day-of-training-camp/50f892b5-049b-4ef3-b5ed-23c7ab3117d1
RB Joique Bell:
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Looking ahead to next 3 games (5. Bell’s prediction: Joique Bell told a reporter in June that he’d be disappointed if he doesn’t gain at least 1,200 yards rushing this season. After two games, Bell has 10 carries for 16 yards. 6. Two point play: Second-guessing is one of the hazards of calling plays, and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi has been questioned often in his two seasons with the Lions. The critics were out when a running play was called after the Lions scored a TD with 1:54 left. Bell was stopped for no gain. Not including Stafford’s four runs for 20 yards, the Lions’ runners had gained 18 yards on 12 runs. Bell had four runs for two yards. Attempting to run for two points was not a high-percentage play.) (9-21-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Looking-ahead-to-next-3-games/68adfa56-8a06-461c-8ca7-4e4460bf7855
Lions’ snap counts: Stephen Tulloch sees reduced role (Running backs: Theo Riddick, 35; Ameer Abdullah, 31; Joique Bell, 18; fullback Michael Burton, 10. Analysis: Riddick played the most because the Lions were running their 2-minute offense for most of the second half, and even though he had 41 yards on five catches, his lost fumble overshadows the performance. Abdullah had six carries for 9 yards and one 9-yard catch, which is far too few touches. Bell had four carries for 2 yards and two catches for 16 yards, and he failed on a 2-point conversion.) (9-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/21/lions-snap-counts-stephen-tulloch-sees-reduced-role/72567436/
This is how bad the Lions' running backs were against the Vikings (Adrian Peterson led the Vikings in rushing with 134 yards. Matthew Stafford led the Detroit Lions with 20. You can probably guess who won the game. Detroit's tailbacks combined for just 16 yards Sunday in a 26-16 loss against Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium, and the Lions managed just 38 yards on the ground as a team. That's their worst rushing performance since gaining 20 yards against the Vikings on Sept. 25, 2011. "You'd think (they would be better)," Stafford said. "It wasn't our day running the football. "We've got talented players. The guys up front are really good run-blockers. We just didn't play as well as we could have today in the run game." Rookie Ameer Abdullah earned his first career start in the backfield, but looked nothing like the guy who scampered for a 24-yard touchdown in a promising debut against San Diego. He finished with six carries for just 9 yards. Joique Bell, the usual starter, came off the bench to contribute four carries for 2 yards. Theo Riddick added one carry for 5 yards. Total it all up, and the tailbacks combined for just 16 yards on 11 carries. Peterson needed only two carries to match that total, and had 50 by the end of Minnesota's first drive. Do the Lions have any answers for what's gone wrong? "We're not playing well," Bell said. This was a Vikings rush defense that let San Francisco's Carlos Hyde rumble for 168 yards just last week. Did they at least do something different defensively to confuse Detroit? "Nope," Bell said. The last time the Lions had a rushing game this bad, against Minnesota in 2011, they actually won the game to move to 3-0 for the first time since 1980. But this one offered very different circumstances, with Detroit falling to 0-2 for the first time since 2010. Their punchless running game is a key reason why.) (9-21-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/matthew_stafford_rushes_for_mo.html
FOUR DOWNS: Stafford hurting (Second Down: Where's the run game? The San Francisco 49ers put up 230 rushing yards on the Vikings last week in an easy win at home. The Lions couldn’t have expected to have that kind of success heading into the game. The Vikings were going to make some adjustments. But to come out of that game with Stafford leading the team in rushing with 20 yards says a lot about the state of the Lions’ offense and their run game. Detroit all but abandoned the run midway through the game and finished with just 38 yards on 16 carries (2.4 average). Rookie Ameer Abdullah had nine yards on six carries. Joique Bell had just two yards on four carries. “Didn’t execute well enough,” was Caldwell’s answer after the game when asked why the running game never got going. The Lions woes running the ball were summed up in one play. After inching to within 10 points late in the game on an Eric Ebron touchdown, and needing a two-point conversion to trim the Vikings lead to one possession, Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi dialed up a run to Bell up the middle that was stuffed. It was a head-scratching call given the Lions run game had been stuffed all day long. Since the second half of the San Diego game, the offense has been horrible. Simply put.) (9-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-Stafford-hurting/e01fe93f-8217-4690-945d-88c0dc1dab49
Free Press Lions' report card: Offensive line failed QB, RBs (Running backs - D+: The Lions struggled to run against a defense that allowed 230 yards last week. Some of it was a lack of commitment to the run as the Lions ran just eight times in the first half and 16 times (including four Stafford scrambles) overall. Ameer Abdullah had a quiet day (six carries, 9 yards), but he looks like he's playing at warp speed compared to Joique Bell (four carries, 2 yards). Theo Riddick caught five passes after he was used sparingly in Week 1.) (9-20-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-report-card-minnesota-vikings/72542456/
Detroit News Lions grades: Offensive line failed to protect Stafford (Running backs - The running backs finished with 18 yards on 12 carries. They ran the ball four times in the second half, and lackluster results forced the Lions to throw more. Joique Bell had two catches for 16 yards, Theo Riddick had two for 13 and Ameer Abdullah had a 9-yarder. Any bonus the backs provided in the pass game, though, was nullified by Riddick’s fumble. Grade: D) (9-20-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/20/lions-grades-offensive-line-neglected-protect-stafford/72538176/
MLive Detroit Lions report card: Minnesota Vikings dominate trench battles to get division win (RBs: D, The Lions running backs never had a chance in this one, often getting hit in the backfield. Joique Bell looked tentative on his rushes, making matters worse. Theo Riddick fumbled his lone carry, a turnover the Vikings turned into a touchdown.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_report_card_minn.html
Detroit Lions — Five main reasons for loss to Vikings (The biggest head-scratcher is the run game or lack of it. “Today wasn’t our day running the football but it’s something we’re committed to,’’ Stafford said. The Lions finished 28th in 2014 in rushing. They put much emphasis on improving by working on the offensive line and adding Ameer Abdullah. Still on Sunday, Stafford was the leading rusher with four carries for 20 yards. They finished with 39 net rushing yards. Rookie Ameer Abdullah had six carries for nine yards, Joique Bell was worse with four carries for three yards. In the fourth quarter, the Lions had to go strictly pass because they were behind but it didn’t matter. They just couldn’t seem to find holes and run the ball.) (9-20-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150920/detroit-lions-x2014-five-main-reasons-for-loss-to-vikings
Peterson powers Vikes over Lions - 7 thoughts (Poor blocking up front for Detroit also hurt a nonexistent running game. Rookie sensation Ameer Abdullah couldn't get loose from a swarming Vikes' D (a meager nine yards on six carries). Detroit's play-callers inexplicably insist on handing the ball to Joique Bell outside the red zone. The veteran back displays neither speed nor can he create a hole, just flopping forward on most carries -- reminiscent of Maurice Jones-Drew in Oakland last season. The stat that epitomizes the pathetic Lions rushing effort: a clearly injured Stafford led the team with 20 rushing yards.) (9-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000534688/article/adrian-peterson-powers-vikings-past-lions
Peterson, Bridgewater help Vikings hammer the Lions (The Lions’ offensive line didn’t give Stafford a lot of time to pass, and couldn’t open any holes for the running backs. Both Ameer Abdullah and Joique Bell were repeatedly hit behind the line of scrimmage, including on a desperation two-point conversion attempt after the Lions scored to cut the deficit to 26-16 with less than two minutes left: On that play, Bell had absolutely nowhere to go, and the Vikings won by that 26-16 margin.)(9-20-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/20/peterson-bridgewater-help-vikings-hammer-the-lions/
Detroit Lions Twitter Talk: On a silver lining not named Ameer Abdullah and going for 4th down (Q. What week does Ameer Abdullah finally wrestle away the top spot on the depth chart and most of the carries? A. Why does it matter? Both offer value to the team and it's not like either is going to rack up 300 carries this season. Abdullah played more snaps and had more touches in the opener and it wasn't like Bell stunk up the joint.) (9-16-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_twitter_talk_12.html
Detroit Lions' rushing game shows promise despite modest numbers (9-15-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_rushing_game_sho.html
Snap counts: Linebackers must produce to play (Running backs: Ameer Abdullah (21 of 47), Joique Bell (18), Michael Burton (11), Theo Riddick (eight), Zach Zenner (two). Analysis: Abdullah playing more than Bell is likely a sign of things to come as the rookie was significantly more productive than the veteran. The second-round pick had 94 yards from scrimmage on 11 touches compared to Bell’s 41 yards on eight touches. Most of Riddick’s snaps and both of his catches came on the final drive. The use of Zenner early might have been a surprise tactic as he carried it on both snaps for 6 yards.) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/snap-counts-linebackers-must-produce-play/72258958/
Lions postgame: Ameer Abdullah, Glover Quin bright spots in loss to Chargers (By the Numbers - 69 -- Yards rushing for the Lions in the first game of the season, split up between three different running backs. Ameer Abdullah led the team with 50 yards on 7 carries, with 24 of them coming on his first-quarter touchdown run, while Joique Bell had 14 yards on six carries and Zach Zenner, in his first pro game, had two rushes for six yards.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_postgame.html
Detroit Lions notes: Ameer Abdullah impressive; Glover Quin keeps string alive (Abdullah led the running backs on Sunday. Joique Bell, who didn’t play in the preseason because he was coming off surgery, had six carries for 14 yards and a pair of receptions for 27 yards. Undrafted rookie Zach Zenner had two carries for six yards. Theo Riddick had two catches for 37 yards including a 21-yard touchdown catch late in the game. The Lions kept five guys from the backfield active in the game which is an unusual move. Fullback Mike Burton played but did not touch the ball.) (9-13-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150913/detroit-lions-notes-ameer-abdullah-impressive-glover-quin-keeps-string-alive
Free Press Lions' report card: Poor marks for linebackers, receivers (Running backs - B-: Ameer Abdullah was as advertised in his first game, carrying seven times for 50 yards and scoring a pretty touchdown on his first carry when he juked Eric Weddle out of his shoes. Abdullah had plenty of open field on his TD thanks to a misplay by one of San Diego's linebackers. Joique Bell (six carries, 14 yards) wasn't particularly effective in his return from knee surgery, and Theo Riddick wasn't part of the game plan until the final drive.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-report-card/72236260/
Detroit News Lions grades: Coaches failed to recalibrate (9-13-15) (Grade: B. Running backs: The Lions actually ran the ball OK when they were committed to it, but too often their first-down runs didn't work out. Ameer Abdullah was the star, gaining 50 yards on seven carries including a 24-yard touchdown on his first NFL run. The rookie added four catches for 44 yards. Joique Bell struggled on the ground — six carries, 14 yards — but had two catches for 27 yards. And Theo Riddick added two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/lions-grades-coaches-failed-recalibrate/72233574/
MLive Detroit Lions Grades: Defense flops, RB Ameer Abdullah shines as team withers in San Diego (RBs: A-. Rookie Ameer Abdullah is as good -- no, better -- than advertised. He blasted up the middle for a 24-yard touchdown run on his first carry and had a couple other nice runs. He also added a 36-yard reception on a swing route after a bobbled snap. Joique Bell got the start and didn't do much, gaining 41 yards from scrimmage on eight touches. Theo Riddick was a no show until late in the fourth quarter when he caught a couple passes, including a touchdown with a little more than a minute remaining.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/grading_the_detroit_lions_san_1.html
3 Detroit Lions to watch: A massive debut, a returning RB and DeAndre Levy's replacement (Running back Joique Bell: There's little question fans are more curious about electric rookie rusher Ameer Abdullah, but Bell's punishing north-south style is more important to the Lions' offensive success. Bell was outstanding in the second half of last season, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and showing a tackle-breaking capability that forces opponents to commit an extra defender to the box. After missing nearly the entire offseason while rehabbing from a pair of offseason surgeries, it's unclear whether he'll be able to pick up where he left off last year.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/3_to_watch_detroit_lions_san_d.html
Seidel: 13 reasons why these Lions could be tremendous (The Lions are loaded with weapons. This "New Orleans" offense needs a lot of receivers to work. In 2011, Brees threw for 5,476 yards, had 46 TDs and a 110.6 QB rating. That season, six different Saints had at least40 receptions, and the Saints finished 13-3. By comparison, the Lions only had three players catch 40 balls or more in 2014. But this season, Abdullah, Johnson, Tate, Ebron, Joique Bell and Theo Riddick all have the potential to catch at least 40. Add some production out of Corey Fuller, and the Lions could put up some amazing numbers.) (9-12-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/12/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-ameer-abdullah/72159440/
Ask Kyle: On how much Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner will play for Lions (Q: How many snaps/usage will Ameer Abdullah get this Sunday? — Chuck. A: I still believe Joique Bell is this team's starting tailback, and probably its primary tailback. But I also expect Ameer Abdullah to get a ton of action as well, both out of the backfield and as a pass-catcher. He is the Lions' best big-play threat out of the backfield, and will be used accordingly. Joe Lombardi said this on Thursday about Abdullah's usage: "He's going to get a chance to run the ball, and he's also going to get used extensively in the pass game. Like a lot of running backs, he's a well-rounded player which makes it easy (to keep him out there). People call them 'three-down backs' and he's certainly a guy that can do it all." I have no idea what that means. Or maybe it means nothing, which would be a great troll on his part. But "extensively" is a strong word, you know?) (9-12-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/ask_kyle_on_how_much_ameer_abd.html
10 QUESTIONS WITH TWENTYMAN: Who will lead Lions in rushing yards? (Q. Who do you think should start Week 1, Bell or Abdullah at RB? A. The game designations for Sunday will officially be out Friday afternoon, but I'd be shocked if Bell wasn't ready to roll, Moe. He wasn't even on Wednesday's injury report. He's been running full speed and with the first-team offense for a couple weeks now. He actually told me last week he feels better than he has in a couple years after getting the knee and Achilles injuries that have plagued him taken care of this offseason. Bell, 29, is motivated to have a 1,000 yard season and prove he's well-worth the $9.3 million contract he signed last offseason. He'll be the starter and I'd expect he gets the most carries. Abdullah will get a solid 10-15 touches, depending on how the game is going. That could change from week-to-week depending on the matchup. San Diego had the league's 26th ranked rush defense last year and didn't add a lot to improve that area this offseason. I suspect the Lions will try to establish the run early and often, first with Bell and then a change of pace with Abdullah. Expect Riddick to be a larger part of the passing game than the run game. Q. who will lead the team in rushing yards this year? A. I still think it willl be Bell. It will be close between he and Abdullah, but Bell is a grinder. He always gets positive yards and he wears down a defense. Coaches love those kinds of backs, especially when they have a lead. I wouldn't be surprised if Bell and Abdullah each rush for at least 500 yards and have 500 receiving yards, like Bell and Reggie Bush did in 2013, but I'll say Bell ends with more rushing yards and Abdullah with more receiving yards.) (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-QUESTIONS-WITH-TWENTYMAN-Who-will-lead-Lions-in-rushing-yards/2159f189-a647-479a-9483-78201d96e08f
Joique Bell Says Lions Are Offensively ‘Clicking’ Better Than Last Year (9-10-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/10/joique-bell-talks-sundays-opener-personal-goals-offensive-cohesion-for-lions-video/
5 things to watch: Time for Lions offense to put up, or shut up (How are the carries divvied up? One personnel rotation to watch will be in the offensive backfield, where Detroit has to figure out how it wants to spread reps between Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner. Bell is the top returner, but has barely practiced all offseason while recovering from knee and Achilles surgery. Abdullah has been nothing short of electric, but rookies can be a crapshoot. Zenner was maybe the biggest surprise of camp. And Riddick can still get it done as a pass-catcher. Detroit is seeking — nay, needing — an improvement over last season, when it finished 28th in rushing despite Jim Caldwell's wishes to turn into a running team. There are opportunities in the backfield, and it'll be interesting to see where things stand once the dust settles.) (9-9-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/5_things_to_watch_time_for_lio.html
Detroit Lions LB DeAndre Levy dealing with a hip injury; 3 teammates limited (Running back Joique Bell and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who missed almost all of training camp, were full participants.) (9-9-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_lb_deandre_levy_8.html
TJ Jones listed as return man, Laken Tomlinson second-team on latest Detroit Lions depth chart (Second-round pick Ameer Abdullah is the No. 3 running back behind Joique Bell and Theo Riddick.) (9-8-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/tj_jones_listed_as_return_man.html
Five things we learned about the Lions this preseason (The Lions have options at running back - Starting running back Joique Bell spent most of the summer on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but a pair of rookies stood out in his stead. Ameer Abdullah, a second-round pick in this year's draft, brings electricity to Detroit's offensive backfield; Zach Zenner, an undrafted FCS product, brings a bit of grit. And don't forget about third-year pro Theo Riddick, who's notably skilled as a pass-catcher.) (9-8-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/five-things-we-learned-about-the-lions-this-preseason-090815
Highlights from Lions coach Jim Caldwell's news conference (On what Joique Bell and Haloti Ngata contribute: "I think in both cases, with Joique being back, obviously he adds a little bit more experience to the group. Then, also, he was a bell cow for us last year. To have him back in the middle of those things is very good. He's a tough runner, he looks good and can perform well. Obviously, Haloti is an integral part of what we think we're going to be able to do up front. I believe that we're going to have a real good, strong, solid front, and he's a big part of that. So, anytime you can get him back out where he's practicing this week, it puts him in a little better position to play for us.") (9-7-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/07/detroit-lions-jim-caldwell/71861386/
Detroit Lions update: Preparation for Chargers starts on Labor Day (Running back Joique Bell and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata who both returned to work early last week, were back at it on Labor Day.) (9-7-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150907/detroit-lions-update-preparation-for-chargers-starts-on-labor-day
A look at the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (Joique Bell: He’s coming off knee and Achilles injuries and will be the team’s featured back to start the season after rushing for 860 yards last year.) (9-7-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18706/linebacker-is-a-deep-group-on-the-detroit-lions-53-man-roster
Ranking the 25 players most important to the Detroit Lions' 2015 success (No. 9 -- Joique Bell: Bell will be, no pun intended, Detroit's bell cow in the backfield, even with the addition of Abdullah. When healthy, the bruising back is tough to bring down and can consistently move the chains, which will take pressure off the quarterback.) (9-6-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/25_most_important_players_to_d.html
Detroit Lions update: Bell, Ngata return to work; Broyles released (The Detroit Lions return to practice for the second day with running back Joique Bell and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. The two, who missed all of training camp, were taken off the PUP list on Monday. It is unclear if either will play in Thursday night’s final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field.
It’s too early to say if Bell is the lead running back. “You know, obviously right now, he’s just getting back. We’ll see where he is,’’ Caldwell said on Monday. “Nobody’s even said he’s going to be ready to go, you know, he’s out there practicing. We’re trying to get him there, but, you know, there’s no guarantees at this point, so we’ll wait and see.’’) (9-1-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150901/detroit-lions-update-bell-ngata-return-to-work-broyles-released
Joique Bell calls out Ameer Abdullah for autocorrect fail (9-1-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-joique-bell-ameer-abdullah-autocorrect-fail-called-out-090115
NOTEBOOK: Bell gets work in with first team (Joique Bell wasted little time getting back into the flow of practice after coming off the PUP list on Monday. Bell’s reps were limited, which is understandable since he hasn't practiced all offseason or training camp, but he was able to take part in all the drills Monday and even ran some with the first team. Joique Bell and Haloti Ngata return to practice “I did everything with the ones,” he said. “Obviously, I was limited as far as reps, but I did everything from team blitz to regular team.” Bell said he’s exceeded his expectations of where he thought he’d be when coming off PUP. He’s been running full speed for weeks now and he should be ready by Week 1 of the regular season, though head coach Jim Caldwell wouldn’t commit to that just yet. “We’ll see where he is,” Caldwell said. “Nobody’s even said he’s going to be ready to go. He’s out there practicing. We’re trying to get him there, but there’s no guarantees at this point, so we’ll wait and see.”) (8-31-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Bell-gets-work-in-with-first-team/a72adcdb-7fe0-4480-a3cf-a8e82a0d4a52
Lions' Joique Bell says he's exceeded his expectations (8-31-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/31/detroit-lions-joique-bell/71486788/
Roster moves: Ngata, Bell activated, nine cut (The Detroit Lions activated Joique Bell from the physically unable to perform list and Haloti Ngata from the nonfootball injury list today, giving hope that both players will be ready for the season opener against the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 13. Bell said during the weekend that he was close to returning from off-season knee surgery and still expected "to be carrying the load" for the Lions' running game this year. Ngata has not practiced with the team, after suffering a summer hamstring injury. Both players ramped up their workouts with trainers in recent weeks, though neither is expected to play in Thursday's exhibition finale against the Buffalo Bills (7:30 p.m., Channel 2).) (8-31-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/31/haloti-ngata-detroit-lions/71474316/
Chances ‘slim’ Lions’ Calvin Johnson plays vs. Bills (Joique Bell and Haloti Ngata, who were activated from PUP and the non-football injury list Monday, respectively, will surely sit, too.) (8-31-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/31/chances-slim-lions-calvin-johnson-plays-vs-bills/71486982/
Lions' Calvin Johnson likely won't play against Bills in preseason finale (8-31-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_calvin_johnson_likely_wo.html
Column: The Detroit Lions offense will be better in 2015 (That's two promising additions to the backfield, and that doesn't even consider the return of Joique Bell, about the only thing that worked in the rushing game last season. He battled shoddy offensive line play and his own nagging injuries to average 4.2 yards a pop in the second half of the year. He was on pace for a 1,000-yard season over that stretch. And that's saying something, with that offensive line blocking for him. There is some concern about Bell's health and fitness, now that he's sat out the entire offseason with knee and Achilles injuries. But he remains confident that he'll be ready for the start of the season. Even if he's limited, Detroit sure looks like it has options. And that is huge for a team that ranked 28th in rushing last year, making its offense one-dimensional. "I'm seeing things this preseason, with things opening up," Bell said, "and it brings back a smile to my face.") (8-31-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/column_its_no_longer_a_matter.html
Haloti Ngata hoping to shake off some dust in Detroit Lions return (Bell said he worked completely with the first team offense Monday. He said he participated in team drills and the only thing that he was limited in was the amount of reps he was able to take as he works back into the lineup. "I'm actually right on pace on where I think I should be right now," Bell said. "Actually I've exceeded my expectations, so it feels good." And what, exactly, were those expectations for returning? "I just wanted to be back out there running around," Bell said. "I didn't know exactly where I would be right now, but I didn't think I would be this far ahead. But I definitely feel good right now.") (8-31-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18628/haloti-ngata-hoping-to-shake-off-some-dust-in-detroit-lions-return
Video - Bell on returning to practice (8-31-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Bell-on-returning-to-practice/ddb4a11d-edae-4de6-9714-c49117f2087b
Lions' Bell says he's close to returning (Joique Bell bounced around the NFL his first few years, making pit stops in Buffalo, Philadelphia, Indianapolis and New Orleans before finding a home in Detroit. When Bell, who grew up in Benton Harbor and played collegiately at Wayne State, signed his first contract with the Lions in the winter of 2011, he said he planned to stay long enough to retire in his adoptive city. "That's still my plan," Bell said Saturday, albeit one he doesn't think he'll be needing anytime soon. Bell has spent all of training camp on the physically unable to perform list after off-season surgery to fix a knee problem that's nagged him for years, but the running back said Saturday he's close to returning – he should come off PUP this week – and still has plenty of football left in his 29-year-old body. "I'm a young buck," Bell said. "If you want to be honest, this is my first year really (where I am) going to be carrying the load, so you can kind of consider me a rookie." Bell, who played through his knee problems but missed one game with a brain injury last year, led the Lions with 860 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in 2014, when he shouldered the bulk of the workload in the Lions' backfield with Reggie Bush slowed by ankle injuries. Bush is gone now, and the Lions drafted Ameer Abdullah as his replacement, but Bell is the only proven commodity among Lions running backs having amassed more than 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns the last two seasons. Lions coach Jim Caldwell hinted that Bell will be ready for the team's regular-season opener Sept. 13 against the San Diego Chargers when asked about the running back's rehab on Saturday. "We have a good sense of that and it's just a matter of him coming along the rest of the way," Caldwell said. "But, being honest with you, both (Bell and injured defensive tackle Haloti Ngata) look really good and both guys are in good shape right now." Bell said doctors told him in June that if he was running by the end of July he'd be in good shape to play Week 1. He hit that milestone, and has ramped up his return-to-play workouts in recent weeks. "I feel the exact same way that Coach Caldwell feels, I'm getting close," he said. So what should the expectations be for Bell once he gets back on the field? "I'm not going to say I'm ready to go out there and take every play and run every down right now," he said. "But you never know how I feel in two weeks.") (8-30-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/30/detroit-lions-joique-bell/71415286/
Jim Caldwell quotes from Saturday (On RB Joique Bell and his progression: "Moving along really well, I can just tell you that." On when Bell returns how much work will he have to do to get up to game speed: "One of the things about return to play protocol is that they do a good job of giving him the kind of load that he’s going to experience when you see him come off that list, okay. He’s ready to go in terms of the amount of work. It’s not one of those things where we’re trying to make a determination on whether or not he can handle the data we collect, in terms of what our running backs go through on a daily bases. We have a good sense of that and it’s just a matter of him coming along the rest of the way. But, being honest with you, both guys look really good and both guys are in good shape right now.") (8-30-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/30/9227913/jim-caldwell-quotes-from-saturday
Mailbag: What will Zach Zenner's role be if he makes Detroit Lions? (Q. What do you think Zach Zenners role will be, assuming he makes the team? A. He'll be a backup once Joique Bell is healthy. Let's start there. Yes, Zenner has been fantastic during the preseason and has likely given himself a 53-man roster spot. But Joique Bell is still a proven starter in the league and won't be displaced or discarded easily. Plus, the Lions also drafted Ameer Abdullah in the second round and they still view him as a back who will have a major role. So Zenner's role is still likely heavily on special teams with maybe a few carries here and there. The intriguing thing could be on the goal-line. His touchdown carry Friday night was impressive and could be a role worth exploring more. Q. Is AA looking like the no.1 for the opener? JB missed everything and even if he plays it'd be limited right? A. Until Joique Bell is taken off the PUP list, yes. If that happens within the next few days -- and even if it comes as late as next Monday -- Bell is still the starter. Ameer Abdullah will have a large role in the Detroit offense this season, but if he's healthy, Bell will start the season as the starter. Of course, you should expect some sort of carry/snap split between Bell, Abdullah, Theo Riddick on passing downs and potentially Zach Zenner or George Winn in certain situations (perhaps short-yardage). Just because Bell hasn't taken in-game snaps doesn't mean he's been sitting around. The guy's running on the side daily.) (8-30-15) : http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18582/mailbag-what-will-zach-zenners-role-be-if-he-makes-detroit-lions
Notebook: Joique Bell Close To Coming Off Pup (Running back Joique Bell has been ramping up his rehab workouts for weeks now and it appears he’s very close to coming off the PUP list. Head coach Jim Caldwell told members of the media on Saturday Bell was “moving along really well” in his effort to be ready to go for the Lions in Week 1 of the regular season. “One of the things about return to play protocol is that they do a good job of giving (Bell) the kind of load that he’s going to experience when you see him come off that list," Caldwell said. "We have a good sense of that and it’s just a matter of him coming along the rest of the way.” When Bell does come off that list, which is expected to be sometime this week or next week, he expects to hit the ground running because of the return-to-play protocol he's been on. “They do a good job of getting me ready,” Bell said. “We have monitors in our jerseys that monitor how much each player runs per day. The speed. How far they run and the distance they run at that speed. “The average running back in practice runs probably around 3,000 to 4,000 yards a day. So, I’ve worked my way up to that. I’ve been running on the side, some days doing it faster than other running backs out there.” While his teammates were going through a light walkthrough on the practice field Saturday afternoon, Bell was hitting it hard on the indoor field with trainers. “However much time I have to get ready is how much time I need,” Bell said. “I just feel good to be able to go out there and run full speed.”) (8-29-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Joique-Bell-close-to-coming-off-PUP/9f39ca6e-cee1-426d-8fe3-35551780d7b1
Caldwell optimistic: Bell, Ngata 'look really good' (8-29-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/29/jim-caldwell-optimistic-lions-joique-bell-haloti-ngata-look-really-good/71399486/
Detroit Lions' Joique Bell continuing to progress, but being ready Week 1 not a lock (8-29-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_joique_bell_cont.html
Detroit Lions notes: Joique Bell progresses; Laken Tomlinson optimistic (Joique Bell must get tired of saying this line, because he’s repeated it so often. “I’m working as hard as I can to get back as quick as I can,’’ the Detroit Lions running back said on Saturday. He had offseason surgery on his Achilles and knee. He has not practiced since and is still on the physically unable to perform list. Bell does seem optimistic with the regular season two weeks away. “I feel the exact same way that coach Caldwell feels that I’m getting close,’’ Bell said. He wouldn’t offer a timeline or a guarantee. “It’s based on how I feel. As of right now we’re still playing it by ear so we’ll see next week,’’ Bell said. He did say he is making good progress. “After speaking to the doctor back in June he told me that if I’m running at all by the end of July I’m making good progress,’’ Bell said. “By the end of July, I was running. I’m not going to say I’m ready to go out there and take every play and run every down right now, but you never know how I’ll feel in two weeks.’’ In a roundabout way he said he doesn’t need to play in a preseason game to be ready to go on Sept. 13. “I’ve been playing football for 20-something years, I know what it feels to hit somebody, i’m pretty sure I”ll get acclimated quickly,’’ Bell said. Bell has been missed but his absence has given rookie running backs Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner more reps in practice and games.) (8-29-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150829/detroit-lions-notes-joique-bell-progresses-laken-tomlinson-optimistic
Lions' Bell (knee, Achilles) progressing in rehab (As the Detroit Lions start to move toward the regular season, the team's starting running back is apparently getting closer to a return as well. Lions coach Jim Caldwell said Saturday that Joique Bell is "moving along really well" in his recovery after being placed on the physically unable to perform list prior to training camp. Bell had offseason surgery to help solve knee and Achilles issues and missed the entire spring recovering from those injuries. He's also missed all of training camp but has been running off to the side almost daily in an attempt to ramp up for his eventual return. "After speaking to the doctors back in June, he said if I was running at all by the end of July, I'm making good progress," Bell said. "I feel by the end of July I was running. I'm not going to say I'm ready to go out there and take every play and run every down right now, but you never know how I feel in two weeks. Bell did say he does not think he needs to take hits during the preseason to prepare for the season opener, mostly because he's been playing football his entire life. He said he and the Lions are "still playing it by ear" as for when he'll be activated. When Bell does return, the Lions expect he'll be able to handle a full workload fairly soon after that. Bell rushed for 860 yards last season, initially splitting time with Reggie Bush before taking over the majority of the carries in the second half of the year. "One of the things about return-to-play protocol is they give him the kind of load that he's going to experience," Caldwell said. "When you see him come off that list, he's ready to go in terms of the amount of work. It's not one of those things where we're trying to make a determination of whether or not he can handle the data we collect in terms of what our running backs go through on a daily basis. "We have a good sense of that. It's just a matter of him coming along the rest of the way. Being honest with you, both [Bell and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata] look really good, and both guys are in good shape right now.") (8-29-15): http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13540505/running-back-joique-bell-detroit-lions-moving-really-well-comeback-offseason-surgery
Video - Bell on Zenner (8-29-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Bell-on-Zenner/7a1b70e9-37ad-40b4-b080-bbcc7af6f750
9 potential starters sidelined for Lions, including 6 linemen; Calvin Johnson out too (Linebacker DeAndre Levy (unknown), right guard Larry Warford (ankle), right tackle LaAdrian Waddle (ACL), linebacker Kyle Van Noy (unknown), tailback Joique Bell (Achilles/knee) and cornerbacks Alex Carter (ankle) and Chris Owens (unknown) also won't play.) (8-28-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/10_potential_starters_sideline.html
Who are the running backs to watch near the goal line? NFL Nation has the answers (Detroit Lions: As long as Joique Bell is healthy, he's going to be the between-the-tackles guy for the Lions throughout the season. So expect him to maintain a goal-line role. A sleeper could be fullback Michael Burton since the Lions likely won't be shy to run a fullback set close to the goal line. But as far as running backs, Bell is your goal-line guy -- at least to begin the season. If he gets hurt, it's anyone's guess.) (8-28-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/175988/who-are-the-running-backs-to-watch-near-the-goal-line-nfl-nation-has-the-answers
Lions sign Joe Madsen to bolster offensive line depth; DeAndre Levy out again (Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), cornerback Chris Owens (unknown), cornerback Alex Carter (ankle), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (hamstring) and tailback Joique Bell (knee/Achilles) also did not practice on Wednesday.) (8-26-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_sign_joe_madsen_to_bolst.html
Haloti Ngata gets in side work during Lions practice; DeAndre Levy out (Joining Van Noy and Levy as practice absentees were: Offensive tackle Michael Williams (unknown), defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), tailback Joique Bell (knee/Achilles), defensive tackle Caraun Reid, right guard Larry Warford, cornerback Chris Owens and Ngata.) (8-25-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/haloti_ngata_gets_in_side_work.html
Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell confident knee injury won't lead to another slow start (8-25-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_joique_bell_3.html
Detroit Lions — Five reasons why running back by committee works (If Joique Bell is healthy he’ll likely be 1A to Ameer Abdullah’s 1B. Other backs could definitely contribute on game day also.) (8-25-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150825/detroit-lions-x2014-five-reasons-why-running-back-by-committee-works
Teryl Austin, Joe Lombardi quotes from Monday (On managing the number of snaps for WR Calvin Johnson and RB Joique Bell: "Yeah, I think a lot of that, every day you kind of get a feel for how they’re feeling and you get a report from the trainers. If a guy’s sore you might back off a little bit. I feel like Calvin this year is a little healthier than he was last year. There’s not as much talk about how he’s feeling. I think he’s feeling a little bit better than he did last year coming off some injuries. But going back to the first question, you get better at playing football by playing football full speed and hitting people, but that’s also how guys get worn down and hurt. I think that no one has a better balance of that than Jim Caldwell and the way that he does our schedule. He’s always very aware of not over-working guys and making sure they get the work they need. But talking about Joique as he’s coming off this injury and starts playing, you have to be aware of how he’s feeling and what his condition level is but I think it just depends on what the player and the trainer is telling us as far as how much you want to work him.") (8-25-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/25/9208627/lions-quotes-from-teryl-austin-and-joe-lombardi
Running back committee will carry load for Lions ("Whenever we get (Bell) back, it's going to be a committee," quarterback Matthew Stafford said Monday. "Joique, Ameer, Theo (Riddick), all those guys; they're talented players, top to bottom in that lineup right now. We've got a lot of talented running backs, so we'll find ways to utilize all of them." For the Lions, using multiple backs will be nothing new. The past two years, Bell and Reggie Bush shared the duties, and Mikel Leshoure and Bell split them in 2012. Bush had 223 carries in 2013, Bell had 223 last year, and Bush's 1,006 yards two years ago made him the Lions' first 1,000-yard rusher since Kevin Jones had 1,133 yards in 2004. So, don't expect the Lions to feed any of their running backs close to 300 carries, which is the mark for many of the top rushers. But Bell has increased his carries each of the last three years, and despite him nursing offseason injuries since January, coach Jim Caldwell said the team expects a lot from him in 2015 and called him a "bell cow." And, Caldwell said, Bell feels like he's close to returning, and any time working with the new-look offensive line before the regular season could be a boost to the offense, though Stafford said he expects to be comfortable with Bell as soon as he returns. For the Lions, Bell proved to be a better fit last year than Bush, gaining hard yards through the middle while contributing 34 catches for 322 yards, a 9.5-yard average that led the team's running backs a year ago. Even though Bell averaged just 3.9 yards per carry last year, he averaged 4.4 yards per carry in the second half of the season while playing through the knee and Achilles tendon injuries he had surgically repaired. The Lions could also consider that the 29-year-old Bell is going into the second year of his three-year, $9.3 million deal. The financial impact won't be the determining factor, but the Lions might want to get their money's worth from Bell in 2015 before handing the reins to Abdullah. "(Bell is) one of those guys that's always been a workhorse, and we fully expect him to come back and be what he was last year for us — and that was a bell cow," Caldwell said. "He was a tough, hard-nosed guy that set a great tone for us, so we're anticipating that exact same sort of effort.") (8-24-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/24/running-back-committee-will-carry-load-for-lions/32291097/
Eric Ebron among 6 starters sidelined for Detroit Lions practice (Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), linebacker Kyle Van Noy (undisclosed), tight end Eric Ebron (undisclosed) and linebacker Kevin Snyder (hand) also missed practice, while tailback Joique Bell (Achilles/knee) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (hamstring) remain on the physically unable to perform list.) (8-24-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/eric_ebron_among_6_starters_si.html
Detroit Lions notes: Lance Moore, Joique Bell, Zach Zenner (Bell remains out - Joique Bell said on Monday that he’s working hard to get back to the practice field. “I condition every day so as far as that I don’t think that’s going to be an issue as far as getting back into football shape. Right now my main concern is getting healthy,’’ said Bell who is coming off Achilles and knee injuries. He must be close because he looked quite mobile playing Ping Pong in the locker room before practice. It shouldn’t take long for him to acclimate. “You know, I have a lot of experience with Joique, so I’m going to feel comfortable whenever he’s ready to come back, there’s no question about that,’’ Matthew Stafford said. “But, I think it’s good experience for these other guys to kind of get in there and get some playing time with that first unit.”) (8-24-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150824/detroit-lions-notes-lance-moore-joique-bell-zach-zenner
Jim Caldwell quotes from Monday (On the adjustments made in RB Joique Bell’s rehab this offseason: "Yeah, I haven’t done anything to be honest with you. That’s up to our medical staff. They have a return to play protocol that they use. They follow it, they adjust it according to the information they get back from the individual, and when we get them and are able to work with them, there’s still a part of that that’s a ramping up sort of activity that goes on. Going from individual drills to maybe a seven-on-seven or team drills, so he’s still in that process. We don’t do anything particularly special in how they’re handled. That’s up to the people that have spent a whole lot of time studying their craft." On if there is concern with Bell not being physically ready to play when the season begins: "I can just tell you that there are no guarantees. You just don’t know in this league. He’s young, he’s strong, he’s one of those guys that has always been a workhorse, and we fully expect him to come back and be what he was last year for us, and that was a bell cow. He was a tough, hard-nosed guy that set a great tone for us, so we’re anticipating that exact same sort of effort. He feels he’s close, so I feel good about that.") (8-24-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/24/9202201/jim-caldwell-quotes-monday-practice
Lions RB Joique Bell's main goal right now is to get healthy (8-24-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18470/detroit-lions-rb-joique-bells-main-goal-right-now-is-to-get-healthy
Video - Bell on his recovery process: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Bell-on-his-recovery-process/cb074ba6-548c-400a-969f-bf4669845b34
Detroit practiced without a laundry list of players today (DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), TE Eric Ebron (undisclosed), DT Caraun Reid (ankle), RG Larry Warford (ankle), RB Joique Bell (knee/Achilles), DT Haloti Ngata (hamstring), LB Kyle Van Noy (unknown), WR Lance Moore (excused for birth of child), LB Kevin Snyder (hand), CB Crezdon Butler (unknown) and safety Isa Abdul-Quddus (unknown) all did not practice on Sunday. In more promising injury news, Caldwell said Bell is making "really, really good progress" and is "getting closer" to rejoining the team. Bell has not practiced since the end of last season.) (8-23-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_lb_kyle_van_noy_4.html
Jim Caldwell quotes from Sunday's practice (On being comfortable with his running backs if RB Joique Bell can’t play Week 1: "Probably the same reason last year. You talk about inexperience with our coordinators and, you know, you know when guys can do the job. We’ll have guys in there that can do the job if he can’t though.") (8-23-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/23/9194775/jim-caldwell-quotes-sunday-practice
Pat Caputo - More questions raised than answered for Detroit Lions so far this preseason (As good as Abdullah has been, and the apparent depth the Lions have added with Zenner, Joique Bell is needed. He is a strong inside runner. The Lions need him in tandem with Abdullah. Will he be effective following return from surgery?) (8-22-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150822/pat-caputo-more-questions-raised-than-answered-for-detroit-lions-so-far-this-preseason
Lions' Calvin Johnson, Lance Moore out against Washington; expect lots of Corey Fuller (The rest of Detroit's inactives, according to the team: tailback Joique Bell (knee/Achilles), right tackle LaAdrian Waddle (ACL), defensive end Jason Jones (knee), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (hamstring) and cornerback Alex Carter (ankle).) (8-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_wrs_calvin_johnson_lance.html
Joique Bell still the Lions' starting RB, Zenner says (8-19-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/19/detroit-lions-joique-bell-zach-zenner/31976055/
NOTEBOOK: Swanson won't take starting role for granted (Joique Bell, Jason Jones, LaAdrian Waddle and Haloti Ngata have yet to return to practice from the PUP and NFI lists.)(8-18-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Swanson-wont-take-starting-role-for-granted/fd95f7eb-5bea-4729-8de8-007ee434309d
Detroit Lions notes: Golden Tate takes the high road over Harvin comments (Others who have not participated in training camp include Joique Bell, Haloti Ngata, Jason Jones and LaAdrian Waddle.) (8-17-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150817/detroit-lions-notes-golden-tate-takes-the-high-road-over-harvin-comments
ESPN Notes - Calvin Johnson continues a strong camp and Rashean Mathis has another good day (The injured guys are still working: Not a huge update here, although Joique Bell continues to look like he is making positive progress toward a return soon.) (8-15-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18320/calvin-johnson-continues-a-strong-lions-camp-and-rashean-mathis-has-another-good-day
RB Bell sees Abdullah shine, gets more eager for return (8-14-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rb-bell-sees-abdullah-shine-gets-more-eager-225457579--nfl.html
Rashean Mathis among 6 starters out for Lions' preseason opener; Calvin Johnson active (Tailback Joique Bell (knee/Achilles), right tackle LaAdrian Waddle (ACL), defensive end Jason Jones (knee), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (hamstring) and cornerback Alex Carter (ankle) round out Detroit's inactives for the game. None of those players have practiced since the start of camp.) (8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/rashean_mathis_among_6_players.html
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: Devin Taylor, Corey Robinson continue going opposite directions (Running back Joique Bell was sprinting up and down the sidelines.) (8-11-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_30.html
Joique Bell looks like he's ramping up his side work, running hard as I've seen him (8-11-15): https://twitter.com/davebirkett/status/631171281845682176
Notebook: Revamped Reid Playing Important Role On D-line (Joique Bell and LaAdrian Waddle, who are also on the PUP list with Jones, have been working off to the side of practice for a week now and have been ramping up those workouts in recent days.) (8-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Revamped-Reid-playing-important-role-on-d-line/0bf61d8a-3c0c-4e79-a7ef-b2da7f96abc9
Oakland Press Detroit Lions notes: Stafford, offense solid in mock game (Joique Bell, Jason Jones, LaAdrian Waddle and Alex Carter remained out of practice.)(8-8-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150808/detroit-lions-notes-stafford-offense-solid-in-mock-game
NOTEBOOK: Bell making progress as he nears return (About three quarters of the way though an extensive workout session off to the side of practice Friday, running back Joique Bell and physical therapist/athletic trainer Tom Colt exchanged a high five. It's a simple gesture seen hundreds of time through the course of an NFL practice, but this one was a little more significant. It came after the injured Bell ran through sprints and cone drills, all while Colt was timing him with a stopwatch. Bell walked over to Colt to see his time and that's when he gave him the high five. It's a good sign that Bell, who has been on the PUP list since the start of camp after having knee and Achilles injuries taken care in the offseason, is getting closer to returning. "It's not really about the time, though the time is good," Bell said about the high fives exchanged with Colt. "I can run up to my top speed right now. We're basically smacking hands because I look better and better each day that I run. "He's been watching me every day and seeing my progress and he's giving me high fives to show encouragement and that he sees improvement in my running." Bell said he feels a little better every day than the day before and he's light years stronger than he was a couple months back.) (8-7-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Bell-making-progress-as-he-nears-return/4ba6930b-b3e8-4a15-98ba-fbe30e8bac40
Joique Bell now cutting, appears to be nearing return; DeAndre Levy, Haloti Ngata still out (Joique Bell kept saying he would be ready for the start of training camp. Yet five days in, the Detroit Lions' running back still hasn't taken a practice snap in 2015. But he's close. Bell put in some good work with a trainer on the side during Friday's practice in Allen Park. That includes not only sprinting and footwork, but cutting too, as well as stopping and starting. Those are often the final hurdles for running backs to return to the field. He seemed to move deliberately, as he eases his way back into things after taking the past seven-plus months off with knee and Achilles injuries. He's not expected to participate in Saturday's scrimmage, nor Thursday's preseason opener against the New York Jets. But it would not be a surprise if he were back at practice sometime next week, and pain-free for the first time since sometime in the middle of last season. "Obviously, we certainly are looking forward to that," coach Jim Caldwell said. "I think he's looking forward to it more than we are, because he had to deal with the pain (last season). But he's one of those guys that's extremely tough, he battles through a lot of difficulties. "His training has gone well. I think you can see him out here running, that he looks better and better every day, so hopefully we'll have him back before too long. It'd be great to get him back when he's feeling good." Bell hasn't been able to practice, but he's done everything possible to not lose ground in the tailback hierarchy. That includes attending every OTA, all three days of minicamp and now every day of training camp -- often with some kind of strategy for improving his physique, even if he can't strap on pads. One day he wore an oxygen mask, for example, to build up lung strength. While his teammates wore pads for the first time Wednesday at Novi High School, he strapped on a weighted vest under his jersey to build leg and core strength. "Right now I'm just working as hard as I can to get back as fast as I can, period," Bell said. "(The vest is) just extra conditioning. A little extra weight to put pressure on my legs, so when I take it off, it'll help me come back quickly.")(8-7-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/joique_bell_now_cutting_appear.html
Stephen Tulloch, Darryl Tapp help Lions' defense dominate offense and other Camp notes (Injured players are inching closer: Running back Joique Bell did a bunch of straight-line running and also had cutting movements as well. Bell looked close to full speed during the straight-line running when I watched him. I'd be surprised if he was activated Saturday, but he's making progress.) (8-7-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18147/defense-led-by-stephen-tulloch-and-darryl-tapp-dominates-detroit-lions-offense-friday
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Day 5 of training camp (On how much he's looking forward to RB Joique Bell returning: "Obviously, we certainly are looking forward to that. I think he's looking forward to it more than we are because he had to deal with the pain. But, he's one of those guys that's extremely tough, he battles through a lot of difficulties, but his training has gone well. I think you can see him out here running, that he looks better and better every day, so hopefully we'll have him back before too long. It'd be great to get him back when he's feeling good.") (8-7-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/7/9118855/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-day-5
Detroit Lions TE Joseph Fauria leaves camp after tweaking something; DeAndre Levy sits (Tailback Joique Bell (Achilles/knee), defensive end Jason Jones (knee), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (hamstring) and cornerback Alex Carter (ankle) also did not practice.) (8-6-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_te_joseph_fauria_3.html
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: Matt Prater does his best Kickalicious impression (Speaking of Bell, he continued to run sprints on the sidelines, wearing a weight vest for added intensity to his workout.) (8-5-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_26.html
Still no Bell, Waddle, Jason Jones, Alex Carter at Lions practice (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/kmeinke/status/629066485865037824
NOTEBOOK: Team player Brandon Pettigrew embracing all roles (The same five players remained out Tuesday who sat out Monday. Joique Bell, LaAdrian Waddle and Jason Jones remain on the PUP list. Haloti Ngata is on the NFI list with a strained hamstring. Alex Carter rolled an ankle last week and remains out of practice.) (8-4-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Team-player-Brandon-Pettigrew-embracing-all-roles/275880f7-af33-437b-9d4b-58c6727765b6
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Day 1 of training camp (On RB Joique Bell's health: "Well, obviously he doesn't have pads on, but he's running well, he holds the ball well and he's reacting well, so none of those are issues." On Bell's desire to get back on the field: "All of these guys are here because they're great competitors. If they weren't, they certainly wouldn't be in the National Football League. So it's very, very difficult at any point in time to take some of the guys who are accustomed to going at full speed and eager to get in there to realizing they can't yet. He understands that we aren't playing tomorrow, but it is indeed difficult." On Bell's progress in returning to full strength: "I think he's feeling as good as he's felt in a long time. He had a string of injuries there that held him back a little bit, and you can see it out on the field. He's moving better, his reaction times are better, so certainly when we get pads on we're excited to see what he can do.")(8-3-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/4/9091091/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-day-1
Joique Bell and LaAdrian Waddle are running on the side with trainers. Good sign for both. (8-3-15): https://twitter.com/ttwentyman/status/628290749109551104
Joique Bell on PUP list with (Waddle and Bell both underwent procedures in January, shortly after the Lions were ousted from the postseason. The offensive lineman finished the year on injured reserve after suffering an ACL injury in Week 15. Bell had nagging issues with his knee and Achilles addressed) (7-29-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/07/3_detroit_lions_starters_will.html
FB Michael Burton:
Lions’ snap counts: Stephen Tulloch sees reduced role (Running backs: Theo Riddick, 35; Ameer Abdullah, 31; Joique Bell, 18; fullback Michael Burton, 10. Analysis: Riddick played the most because the Lions were running their 2-minute offense for most of the second half, and even though he had 41 yards on five catches, his lost fumble overshadows the performance. Abdullah had six carries for 9 yards and one 9-yard catch, which is far too few touches. Bell had four carries for 2 yards and two catches for 16 yards, and he failed on a 2-point conversion.) (9-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/21/lions-snap-counts-stephen-tulloch-sees-reduced-role/72567436/
Detroit Lions — Matthew Stafford pressured too often; Rodney Harrison wrong (The offensive line was charged with 18 total pressures with most of it falling on right tackle Cornelius Lucas and left tackle Riley Reiff. Lucas gave up a hit and four hurries while Reiff surrendered a hit and six hurries, per Pro Football Focus. Left guard Manny Ramirez and fullback Michael Burton were the only offensive players to get positive grades from Pro Football Focus.) (9-21-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150921/detroit-lions-x2014-matthew-stafford-pressured-too-often-rodney-harrison-wrong
Best players at every position for Week 2 (Safeties: Kurt Coleman, Panthers (+4.4) and James Ihedigbo, Lions (+4.4) - Coleman is trying to write a story of redemption, and more plays like the one that saw him deflect a potential game-tying pass can’t hurt. Ihedigbo is about as good a safety in the NFL gets when you put him in the box and the opposition runs at him. Fullback: Michael Burton, Lions (+2.4) - Burton was actually our highest-graded fullback in college football last year, so it’s not a huge surprise to see him looking so good right now.) (9-21-15): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/09/21/the-best-players-at-every-position-for-week-2/
PFF DET-MIN Grades: poised Bridgewater, pass rush lead the Vikings (Lions Top Performers - FB Michael Burton +2.4) (9-21-15): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/09/21/det-min-gradespoised-bridgewater-pass-rush-lead-the-vikings/
Lions' rookie diary: 1st game experience of a lifetime (9-20-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/michael-burton-diary/72516690/
Lions get back Larry Warford, LaAdrian Waddle against Vikings; Devin Taylor a healthy scratch (The loss of Pettigrew puts the Lions in a tough place, because their only other tight ends -- Eric Ebron and Tim Wright -- are mostly pass-catchers. Detroit says fullback Michael Burton will earn the start in place of Pettigrew as an extra blocker.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_get_back_larry_warford_l.html
Lions rookie report: Despite low marks, Tomlinson happy (FB Michael Burton (fifth round): Burton did not have an offensive touch, but he played 11 snaps at fullback and 10 on special teams and was one of just six Lions offensive players to earn a positive grade (+0.1) from Pro Football Focus.) (9-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/detroit-lions-laken-tomlinson/72244748/
Snap counts: Linebackers must produce to play (Running backs: Ameer Abdullah (21 of 47), Joique Bell (18), Michael Burton (11), Theo Riddick (eight), Zach Zenner (two). Analysis: Abdullah playing more than Bell is likely a sign of things to come as the rookie was significantly more productive than the veteran. The second-round pick had 94 yards from scrimmage on 11 touches compared to Bell’s 41 yards on eight touches. Most of Riddick’s snaps and both of his catches came on the final drive. The use of Zenner early might have been a surprise tactic as he carried it on both snaps for 6 yards.) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/snap-counts-linebackers-must-produce-play/72258958/
Rookie diary with Lions fullback Michael Burton (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/michael-burton-diary/72201936/
Detroit Lions notes: Ameer Abdullah impressive; Glover Quin keeps string alive (Abdullah led the running backs on Sunday. Joique Bell, who didn’t play in the preseason because he was coming off surgery, had six carries for 14 yards and a pair of receptions for 27 yards. Undrafted rookie Zach Zenner had two carries for six yards. Theo Riddick had two catches for 37 yards including a 21-yard touchdown catch late in the game. The Lions kept five guys from the backfield active in the game which is an unusual move. Fullback Mike Burton played but did not touch the ball.) (9-13-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150913/detroit-lions-notes-ameer-abdullah-impressive-glover-quin-keeps-string-alive
A look at the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (Michael Burton: The fifth-round pick won the job and will be primarily a blocker and special-teams guy.) (9-7-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18706/linebacker-is-a-deep-group-on-the-detroit-lions-53-man-roster
Where Lions stand at each position after final cuts (Although Emil Igwenagu turned it into a good competition, Burton became the favorite to earn this job when the Lions drafted him in the fifth round this year. He'll play 10-20 snaps per game as well as the majority of special teams plays.) (9-6-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/06/where-lions-stand-at-each-position-after-final-cuts/71813142/
Twentyman: Lions Cut Their Roster To 53 (Igwenagu had a terrific camp and preseason, but the Lions spent a fifth-round pick on Burton, and that ultimately gave him the leg up here.) (9-5-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-cut-their-roster-to-53/acd5e7d6-9c7c-4c9f-92c2-fc99ec894784
Lions roster jobs could be up for grabs against Bills (At fullback, Michael Burton has long been the favorite because of his status as a fifth-round draft pick. But Emil Igwenagu has made a compelling case for a job with a strong camp, and started last week's dress rehearsal against Jacksonville. A strong finish from him could create all sorts of problems for the Lions, as they figure out whether to keep their fifth-round pick, the hot hand — or, maybe, both.) (9-3-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_roster_jobs_could_be_up.html
Several jobs still up for grabs in Lions-Bills game (Running back: Last year, the Lions kept four running backs and one fullback. This year, they have seven players worthy of backfield jobs on their roster. Zach Zenner leads the NFL in rushing this preseason, but he's not as good of a special teams player as Southfield's George Winn and he's not going to take carries away from Joique Bell nor Ameer Abdullah. At fullback, Emil Igwenagu is a physical blocker and solid special teams player, while fifth-round Michael Burton offers more diversity on offense. It's possible the Lions go heavy at the position and keep just eight offensive linemen. "I've never been through this before, so what does it take? I don't know if there's a set bar," Zenner said. "I think, for me, I've just got to focus on this next game and go out and do the best that I can.") (9-2-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/02/detroit-lions-position-battles/71569438/
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Zenner more than just a good story (TD blast – Fouts’ take: A fumble recovery gave the Lions possession at the Jaguars’ 18 with just under four minutes left. On second and goal from the three, Zenner scored on a power run off the right side, following rookie fullback Michael Burton and the offensive linemen who sustained their blocks as though they intended to drive Jacksonville’s defenders all the way to Georgia. “He stayed on his feet, driving, and allowed his offensive line to give him that extra step,” Fouts said. “Look at everybody in blue push Zenner into the end zone.” It was a group effort – fullback, running back and offensive line.) (8-31-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Zenner-more-than-just-a-good-story/137ea4cf-bc10-4712-984b-2435a150241c
Jim Caldwell quotes from Saturday (On the push from the offensive line on Zenner’s touchdown run: "Yeah, it was a very, very good effort by the guys in front of him. They did a nice job creating a seam. It was certainly a good effort from him just in terms of getting his pads down and moving the pile. It was a very good effort by (Michael) Burton, who did a nice job in terms of his block. If you want to see a very good block that didn’t end until the whistle blew, he certainly gave it his all. So there where certainly a lot of good performances on that particular play.") (8-30-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/30/9227913/jim-caldwell-quotes-from-saturday
Igwenagu, Burton neck-and-neck for Lions' fullback job (8-28-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/who--detroit-lions-fullback/71299510/
Battle for Lions fullback a ‘very heated battle’ (After the Lions let Jed Collins leave in free agency this offseason, Emil Igwenagu was the only fullback on the roster. Weeks later, the Lions drafted Michael Burton in the fifth round, which meant Igwenagu’s best chance to make the 53-man roster likely was to convince the team to carry two fullbacks. “It’s not like I thought I was going to be the only fullback in here,” Igwenagu said with a smile this week. “Obviously, there’s going to be competition. That pushes me; I’m sure that pushes (Burton)." So far this summer, Igwenagu has done enough to give the coaches and personnel staff a few reasons to consider the possibility of keeping him along with the rookie. “Very, very close and heated battle, which has been good for us,” coach Jim Caldwell said of the fullback competition. “I think they both have worked extremely hard at it and they both certainly are the kind of guys you’re looking that can step up in there and take on a linebacker.” The 6-foot-2, 248-pound Igwenagu is taller and rangier than the typical fullback — Burton is 6-foot and 245 pounds. But he’s been playing the position for most of his football career, so he understands the importance of keeping his pads low to maintain leverage while he blocks. The extra length, though, helps Igwenagu on special teams, which is the unit he’ll have to make a mark to make the team. After going undrafted out of UMass, Igwenagu signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012. He played in three games as a rookie, but spent most of his first two years on the Eagles’ practice squad. Philadelphia waived him after the third exhibition game in 2014, and the Lions claimed him before stashing him on the practice squad all of last season. Although Burton has been more impressive as a blocker, so far, Igwenagu spent all of last year learning the Lions offense, which was an extremely valuable experience. The Lions have also used Igwenagu briefly as a tight end and H-back during practices this summer, and he knows that versatility could be his ticket to the active roster, though he doesn’t think the coaches moving him around says much about where he stands. “I just go out and do what’s on the call sheet,” he said. “I really don’t read into any of that because at the end of the day, they’re just evaluating and trying to choose the best squad to make it all the way.”) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/contest-lions-fullback-heated-battle/71349792/
Lions Zach Zenner drags defenders into end zone for game-winning TD against Jags (Emil Igwenagu got the start at fullback, a possible sign he is pushing fifth-round pick Michael Burton f'or that job. Burton entered later on the series, and his assignment on the play made the tackle.) (8-28-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_zach_zenner_drags_defend.html
Detroit Lions notes: Run game up to speed in win over Jaguars (They are also likely to keep a fullback - either Emil Igwenagu (who started Friday) or rookie Michael Burton.) (8-28-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150828/detroit-lions-notes-run-game-up-to-speed-in-win-over-jaguars
Who are the running backs to watch near the goal line? NFL Nation has the answers (Detroit Lions: As long as Joique Bell is healthy, he's going to be the between-the-tackles guy for the Lions throughout the season. So expect him to maintain a goal-line role. A sleeper could be fullback Michael Burton since the Lions likely won't be shy to run a fullback set close to the goal line. But as far as running backs, Bell is your goal-line guy -- at least to begin the season. If he gets hurt, it's anyone's guess.) (8-28-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/175988/who-are-the-running-backs-to-watch-near-the-goal-line-nfl-nation-has-the-answers
Detroit Lions won't dismiss possibility of carrying 2 fullbacks into regular season (8-27-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_wont_dismiss_the.html
Detroit Lions — Five reasons why running back by committee works (It’s likely they’ll keep one fullback, but it could be either rookie Michael Burton or Emil Igwenagu.) (8-25-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150825/detroit-lions-x2014-five-reasons-why-running-back-by-committee-works
Teryl Austin, Joe Lombardi quotes from Monday (On the battle between FBs Michael Burton and Emil Igwenagu: "I think they’re both good fullbacks. A lot of these are good problems to have when you have sometimes more good players at a position than you think you can keep. We’re kind of cross-training those guys a little bit, maybe giving them some roles to learn that might be for a tight end in our mind. But those guys are big enough and strong enough to do some of those roles. So we’re cross-training them because you never know with injuries and depth when you might need one of those guys. But they’re both playing well." On what it would take to keep both fullbacks on the roster: "Oh, I don’t know. That’s above my pay grade. But you’re always thinking about injuries and depth and what happens if, and that’s kind of where the cross-training comes in. If we’re short a position, this guy could fill that role a little bit. But again, to ask me how the final roster is going to look, we sit in there, Martin (Mayhew) tells us something, Jim (Caldwell) tells us something and then they ask our opinion and that’s how the decisions are made. For me to tell, you know, and what would have to happen to keep two fullbacks, I’ve got no idea. That’s above my pay grade a little bit.") (8-25-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/25/9208627/lions-quotes-from-teryl-austin-and-joe-lombardi
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Roster watch (Rookie Michael Burton has the lead at fullback.) (8-24-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Roster-watch/f00f0d89-7772-4948-881b-0fafd5e183d7
Four Downs: Orlovsky Feeling Comfortable And Confident (Fourth Down: Rookie Report - Michael Burton, FB: Burton didn’t carry the ball but had a 14-yard reception from Stafford on the second possession of the game. Stafford said after the game that Burton is more athletic than most fullbacks as a pass catcher.) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-Orlovsky-feeling-comfortable-and-confident/c188163d-6b57-4c18-af78-9d3faae6f61f
Detroit Lions snap counts: Coaching staff has plenty of defensive tape after loss to Washington (Fullback Emil Igwenagu got a little more work than Michael Burton, on both offense and special teams. The rookie remains the favorite for the job, but Igwenagu has practiced and played well, making the competition tighter than expected.) (8-21-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_snap_counts_wash.html
O'HARA'S BURNING QUESTIONS: What stood out from first-team units? (Q. Standing out: What was it for the offense? A. On the second possession rookie fullback Michael Burton – a fifth-round pick from Rutgers – got 14 yards on a rollout pass from Stafford. Burton showed some speed and quick feet that has been missing at the fullback position in recent seasons.) (8-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara-burning-questions/article-1/-OHARAS-BURNING-QUESTIONS-What-stood-out-from-first-team-units/0b576dc9-abed-421b-bd0f-d1f63b6881ff
Detroit Lions training camp notes: Gabe Wright impresses, Greg Salas gets first-team work (Getting in some goal-line work (possibly two-point conversion), the Lions worked in some three-back looks with Michael Burton as a lead blocker and the team's other fullback, Emil Igwenagu as an H-back , offset behind the tackle.) (8-17-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_31.html
Camp Spotlight: Running back Zach Zenner (Practice report: The one area of his game Zenner is working on more than any other is his pass protection. Every day after practice he and rookie fullback Michael Burton work off to the side on it.) (8-15-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Running-back-Zach-Zenner/128035b8-ea56-4424-9b43-9ea2dae69fb2
Detroit News Camp Notes - Calvin Johnson is Lions’ top star in practice, too (Rookie fullback Michael Burton continues to look technically sound. He plays with good footwork and can deceive defenders as to where and when he’ll block them.) (8-15-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/15/calvin-johnson-lions-top-star-practice/31799653/
Four Downs: So Far So Good For Lions Run Game ((Third Down Rookie Report - Michael Burton, FB: He didn’t run or catch the football, but did help plow the way for the Lions terrific effort on the ground.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-So-far-so-good-for-Lions-run-game/e92257d1-1d66-4cd5-a374-2be6d5517bca
Camp Spotlight: Quarterback Matthew Stafford (Stafford continues to be crisp in all phases of practice. In one-on-one drills against the cornerbacks, Stafford’s lone incompletion of the session was on a deep ball to Lance Moore, where Moore turned to find the ball over the wrong shoulder and couldn’t adjust back in time. He laid the ball right into the hands of Corey Fuller and Golden Tate on deep balls in the one-on-one period. Stafford was a perfect 6-for-6 in the 7-on-7 period. He completed passes to six different receivers – Ameer Abdullah, Moore, Michael Burton, Fuller (deep TD), Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron. The Lions also worked on some 3rd down situational drills against the defense. Stafford was given seven reps on 3rd and 6 and completed 5-of-7 passes. One of his two incompletions went off Fuller’s hands, though it was thrown behind him, and the other was an out route that TJ Jones appeared to slip a little bit out of his break. Stafford was also sharp in the last team drills of practice, distributing the ball around to Brandon Pettigrew, Calvin Johnson, Tate and Ebron for completions. This has been typical of Stafford throughout camp. He’s looked good so far.) (8-11-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Quarterback-Matthew-Stafford/fd36d5af-f099-46cc-9aaa-9394e3204f4c
Abdullah wasn't only Lions RB to impress vs. Jets (The Lions took a long look at most of their draft picks. Besides Robinson and Tomlinson, Gabe Wright played 22 snaps at defensive tackle, Michael Burton 17 at fullback and Abdullah 15 (the same as Riddick) at running back.) (8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah/31706151/
Detroit Lions snap count report: Young offensive linemen get plenty of work (Emil Igwenagu and Michael Burton split reps evenly at fullback, but Igwenagu got significantly more special teams work compared to the rookie (13-4).) (8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_snap_count_repor_36.html
Lions rookie check-in: Preseason Week 1 (Michael Burton: Burton split time with the Lions' only other fullback on the roster, Emil Igwenagu. Burton saw 17 snaps, while Igwenagu participated in 16. Burton actually saw the field with the first-string offense, albeit one snap. But that is a pretty good sign that Detroit has confidence in him, although it's worth noting that the Lions switched between the two all game. Neither Burton nor Igwenagu really had any notable plays during the game. This is a camp battle that has yet to be won or lost.)(8-14-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/14/9153591/lions-rookie-check-in-preseason-week-1
Detroit News Camp observations: Narrower posts help kickers hone in (Michael Burton's blocking skills were on display again. On one kickoff return, he easily threw wide receiver Greg Salas to the ground, and as expected, Burton should have a role on all special teams units.) (8-11-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/11/camp-observations-narrower-posts-help-kickers-hone/31494087/
Notebook: Revamped Reid Playing Important Role On D-line (Play of the Day - Today we aren’t highlighting a single play, but rather a sequence of plays in a pass blocking drill by rookie fullback Michael Burton. In consecutive reps in a drill where the running backs have to keep a blitzing linebacker off the quarterback, Burton stonewalled both Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy in consecutive reps. That’s a good sign for Burton, who’s responsibilities are going to include pass blocking, along with being a lead blocker, short-yardage runner and receiver out of the backfield. Levy wasn’t going to let the rookie get the better of him twice though. He won the second rep vs. Burton. Still, it was impressive to see the rookie fullback stand his ground against two really good linebackers in this league.) (8-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Revamped-Reid-playing-important-role-on-d-line/0bf61d8a-3c0c-4e79-a7ef-b2da7f96abc9
Freep Lions camp observations: Michael Burton can block (The Detroit Lions spent most of practice today working on run-game type situations. They did a nine-on-seven run drill early in practice, spent a period working on red-zone plays and did their first period of one-on-one blitz pickup of camp. While the blocking drills is slanted heavily towards defenders, over pitting overmatched running backs against linebackers like Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy, one of the standouts of the drill was rookie fullback Michael Burton. Burton, a fifth-round pick out of Rutgers, is the odds-on favorite to win the fullback job, and he showed a little bit of why today. In his first match-up with Tulloch, who's as tough to block as anyone in the drill, Burton stonewalled the middle linebacker, mirroring his movement on a spin move. Burton split his two reps against Levy, stonewalling the outside linebacker in their first meeting before Levy beat him on the rematch. As good as Tulloch and Levy are physically, Burton said it's even more of a challenge to match up with them mentally because of their unique ability to read a player's body language and answer with a pass-rush move or otherwise be able to shed a block. When Levy beat him the second time, Burton said "he had a very good move, something that he adjusted from the first time when I got him." "It's just, I really enjoy going against those types of players, especially those two because like I said they've played a lot of football, they're very good players," Burton said. "Ultimately that's just going to make me better so to get out there and just out there and compete with those guys is really special." Tulloch tipped his cap to Burton after the drill, too. "Good player, solid," Tulloch said. "Still young, but you can tell he wants to be in there, stick his nose in there as far as blocking and having good contact.") (8-10-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/10/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes/31418325/
MLive Training Camp Notes (Rookie fullback Michael Burton shined, stonewalling Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy on his first two reps. Given what I've seen the past few years, that's an impressive accomplishment. Burton wasn't able to make it a perfect day though, as Levy zipped past him on a final rep. During team drills, Burton probably got more touches today than the past week of practice. The fullback had two carries as well as a catch out of the backfield.) (8-10-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_2015_training_ca_10.html
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Monday (On FB Michael Burton: "He switches in and out. He and Emil (Igwenagu) are doing a nice job of working and competing. He's a guy that doesn't make very many mistakes. He knows his assignments, but it's just a matter of getting in there and getting him enough experience against the kind of caliber of player he's going to face week in and week out, but he's making strides and he's also working hard on special teams as well. It's kind of important for those guys to be able to hold down a little bit more than one role just simply as a fullback. He's also got to be periodically, pretty versatile for us in the kicking game.")(8-10-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/11/9128321/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-monday
DeAndre Levy is back at practice working through pass-rush drills at Lions Camp today (video of Levy vs Burton) (8-10-15): https://twitter.com/Lions/status/630728501222633472
Burton stops both Levy and Tulloch in blitz pickup drill. That's very impressive. Levy got the rook on a second snap (8-10-15): https://twitter.com/Justin_Rogers/status/630727511769526272
Abdullah back in with the 1s. Michael Burton with a crushing lead block, AA cut off it hard and fast (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/630038966956392448
Lions camp observations: Pads come on at Novi HS (Michael Burton also had a pretty solid day and it's pretty obvious he'll be making the team as the Lions' starting fullback. He had a couple of nice grabs and looks to be a pretty solid passing option out of the backfield. A lot more talented than Jed Collins.) (8-5-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/6/9106515/lions-training-camp-observations-novi-high-school
Burton makes a nice sideline catch in 7 on 7s (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/629086825605394432
Van Noy with a deflection as well. Not much zip on Orlovsky's passes (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/629087217638580224
Lions first pads practice: Abdullah running behind Burton at fullback. Rookie tandem (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/MikeOHaraNFL/status/629083445516455936
RB Theo Riddick:
Lions’ snap counts: Stephen Tulloch sees reduced role (Running backs: Theo Riddick, 35; Ameer Abdullah, 31; Joique Bell, 18; fullback Michael Burton, 10. Analysis: Riddick played the most because the Lions were running their 2-minute offense for most of the second half, and even though he had 41 yards on five catches, his lost fumble overshadows the performance. Abdullah had six carries for 9 yards and one 9-yard catch, which is far too few touches. Bell had four carries for 2 yards and two catches for 16 yards, and he failed on a 2-point conversion.) (9-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/21/lions-snap-counts-stephen-tulloch-sees-reduced-role/72567436/
This is how bad the Lions' running backs were against the Vikings (Adrian Peterson led the Vikings in rushing with 134 yards. Matthew Stafford led the Detroit Lions with 20. You can probably guess who won the game. Detroit's tailbacks combined for just 16 yards Sunday in a 26-16 loss against Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium, and the Lions managed just 38 yards on the ground as a team. That's their worst rushing performance since gaining 20 yards against the Vikings on Sept. 25, 2011. "You'd think (they would be better)," Stafford said. "It wasn't our day running the football. "We've got talented players. The guys up front are really good run-blockers. We just didn't play as well as we could have today in the run game." Rookie Ameer Abdullah earned his first career start in the backfield, but looked nothing like the guy who scampered for a 24-yard touchdown in a promising debut against San Diego. He finished with six carries for just 9 yards. Joique Bell, the usual starter, came off the bench to contribute four carries for 2 yards. Theo Riddick added one carry for 5 yards. Total it all up, and the tailbacks combined for just 16 yards on 11 carries. Peterson needed only two carries to match that total, and had 50 by the end of Minnesota's first drive. Do the Lions have any answers for what's gone wrong? "We're not playing well," Bell said. This was a Vikings rush defense that let San Francisco's Carlos Hyde rumble for 168 yards just last week. Did they at least do something different defensively to confuse Detroit? "Nope," Bell said. The last time the Lions had a rushing game this bad, against Minnesota in 2011, they actually won the game to move to 3-0 for the first time since 1980. But this one offered very different circumstances, with Detroit falling to 0-2 for the first time since 2010. Their punchless running game is a key reason why.) (9-21-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/matthew_stafford_rushes_for_mo.html
Minnesota 26, Detroit 16: Lions beat up, drop to 0-2 (The Lions fumbled a second time in the third quarter on their next series, when Harrison Smith punched the ball out of Theo Riddick's grasp) (9-20-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-minnesota-vikings/72513932/
Free Press Lions' report card: Offensive line failed QB, RBs (Running backs - D+: The Lions struggled to run against a defense that allowed 230 yards last week. Some of it was a lack of commitment to the run as the Lions ran just eight times in the first half and 16 times (including four Stafford scrambles) overall. Ameer Abdullah had a quiet day (six carries, 9 yards), but he looks like he's playing at warp speed compared to Joique Bell (four carries, 2 yards). Theo Riddick caught five passes after he was used sparingly in Week 1.) (9-20-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/20/detroit-lions-report-card-minnesota-vikings/72542456/
Detroit News Lions grades: Offensive line failed to protect Stafford (Running backs - The running backs finished with 18 yards on 12 carries. They ran the ball four times in the second half, and lackluster results forced the Lions to throw more. Joique Bell had two catches for 16 yards, Theo Riddick had two for 13 and Ameer Abdullah had a 9-yarder. Any bonus the backs provided in the pass game, though, was nullified by Riddick’s fumble. Grade: D) (9-20-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/2015/09/20/lions-grades-offensive-line-neglected-protect-stafford/72538176/
MLive Detroit Lions report card: Minnesota Vikings dominate trench battles to get division win (RBs: D, The Lions running backs never had a chance in this one, often getting hit in the backfield. Joique Bell looked tentative on his rushes, making matters worse. Theo Riddick fumbled his lone carry, a turnover the Vikings turned into a touchdown.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_report_card_minn.html
Detroit Lions sink to 0-2 after ugly loss against Vikings (Highlights - On a day when Ameer Abdullah and Joique Bell did nothing, Theo Riddick's pass-catching out of the backfield was vital. He finished with five catches for 41 yards. Though he's still not much of a rusher -- one carries for 5 yards -- at least it was something from a Lions tailback.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_sink_to_0-2_afte.html
Third-quarter update: Vikings 23, Lions 10 (The Lions lost a pair of fumbles in the third quarter, with Lance Moore and Theo Riddick coughing it up to Minnesota.) (9-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/third-quarter_update_vikings_l.html
Lions don't believe offensive play-calling is an issue (Ameer Abdullah had seven carries. Golden Tate caught four passes. Theo Riddick barely played until the final minutes. But no one was shortchanged more Sunday than Calvin Johnson, who 11 days shy of his 30th birthday remains the best receiver on the planet.) (9-17-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/lions-dont-believe-offensive-play-calling-issue/72369974/
Detroit Lions Twitter Talk: On a silver lining not named Ameer Abdullah and going for 4th down (Q. Also, why isn't Riddick used as a WR more often? That's prob best way to get him on the field. A. Riddick's advantage comes as a mismatch against linebackers and safeties. If you roll him out as a wide receiver, the opponent can cover him with a nickelback, who is going to have no issue with Riddick's average speed. I'd like to see the Lions use more two back sets, not a back and a fullback, and tax the defense by having both run routes.) (9-16-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_twitter_talk_12.html
Transcript: Zimmer Addresses the Media on Wednesday (Q: How does Detroit present a different challenge as far as its rushing attack compared to San Francisco’s? A: They’ve got a lot of weapons outside with Golden Tate and [Calvin] Johnson. [Eric] Ebron is a good tight end, he had some catches last week. They’ve got some skill guys in the backfield with [Theo] Riddick and [Ameer] Abdullah, like he mentioned. I’m assuming it will be a different attack. The problems are the same, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do and you’ve got to do it the right way.) (9-16-15): http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Transcript-Zimmer-Addresses-the-Media-on-Wednesday/df72e7a3-1f63-406b-b321-ee931d7339fe
Lions' Theo Riddick phased out of RB rotation, and that probably won't change (9-15-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_theo_riddick_phased_out.html
Snap counts: Linebackers must produce to play (Running backs: Ameer Abdullah (21 of 47), Joique Bell (18), Michael Burton (11), Theo Riddick (eight), Zach Zenner (two). Analysis: Abdullah playing more than Bell is likely a sign of things to come as the rookie was significantly more productive than the veteran. The second-round pick had 94 yards from scrimmage on 11 touches compared to Bell’s 41 yards on eight touches. Most of Riddick’s snaps and both of his catches came on the final drive. The use of Zenner early might have been a surprise tactic as he carried it on both snaps for 6 yards.) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/snap-counts-linebackers-must-produce-play/72258958/
Monday breakdown: Lions’ ‘O’ still sputters in Year 2 (Theo Riddick played just one snap before the crunch-time scoring drive. As was the case last year, Lombardi and coach Jim Caldwell seem to not know how to put their top offensive playmakers in position to make plays. If the Lions trust Riddick with the game on the line, why didn’t he have chances to utilize his stellar receiving skills earlier?) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/monday-countdown-lions-still-sputters-year/72276694/
Detroit Lions notes: Ameer Abdullah impressive; Glover Quin keeps string alive (Abdullah led the running backs on Sunday. Joique Bell, who didn’t play in the preseason because he was coming off surgery, had six carries for 14 yards and a pair of receptions for 27 yards. Undrafted rookie Zach Zenner had two carries for six yards. Theo Riddick had two catches for 37 yards including a 21-yard touchdown catch late in the game. The Lions kept five guys from the backfield active in the game which is an unusual move. Fullback Mike Burton played but did not touch the ball.) (9-13-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150913/detroit-lions-notes-ameer-abdullah-impressive-glover-quin-keeps-string-alive
Free Press Lions' report card: Poor marks for linebackers, receivers (Running backs - B-: Ameer Abdullah was as advertised in his first game, carrying seven times for 50 yards and scoring a pretty touchdown on his first carry when he juked Eric Weddle out of his shoes. Abdullah had plenty of open field on his TD thanks to a misplay by one of San Diego's linebackers. Joique Bell (six carries, 14 yards) wasn't particularly effective in his return from knee surgery, and Theo Riddick wasn't part of the game plan until the final drive.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-report-card/72236260/
Detroit News Lions grades: Coaches failed to recalibrate (9-13-15) (Grade: B. Running backs: The Lions actually ran the ball OK when they were committed to it, but too often their first-down runs didn't work out. Ameer Abdullah was the star, gaining 50 yards on seven carries including a 24-yard touchdown on his first NFL run. The rookie added four catches for 44 yards. Joique Bell struggled on the ground — six carries, 14 yards — but had two catches for 27 yards. And Theo Riddick added two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/lions-grades-coaches-failed-recalibrate/72233574/
MLive Detroit Lions Grades: Defense flops, RB Ameer Abdullah shines as team withers in San Diego (RBs: A-. Rookie Ameer Abdullah is as good -- no, better -- than advertised. He blasted up the middle for a 24-yard touchdown run on his first carry and had a couple other nice runs. He also added a 36-yard reception on a swing route after a bobbled snap. Joique Bell got the start and didn't do much, gaining 41 yards from scrimmage on eight touches. Theo Riddick was a no show until late in the fourth quarter when he caught a couple passes, including a touchdown with a little more than a minute remaining.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/grading_the_detroit_lions_san_1.html
S.D. 33, Detroit 28: Lions melt in season-opening loss (Theo Riddick caught a 21-yard touchdown from Stafford one play after the near-pick to make the final score look respectable.) (9-13-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/detroit-lions-san-diego-chargers/72226862/
Chargers, with 30 straight points, shred Lions defense (The Lions’ desperation drive produced points as Theo Riddick, who had zero touches until the last drive, caught a 21-yard touchdown ed with 64 seconds left, making it a 33-28 deficit.) (9-13-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/13/chargers-straight-points-shred-lions-defense/72227852/
Video - Stafford finds Riddick for a 21 yd TD (9-13-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000529645/Lions-Matthew-Stafford-finds-Theo-Riddick-for-a-21-yard-TD
Seidel: 13 reasons why these Lions could be tremendous (The Lions are loaded with weapons. This "New Orleans" offense needs a lot of receivers to work. In 2011, Brees threw for 5,476 yards, had 46 TDs and a 110.6 QB rating. That season, six different Saints had at least40 receptions, and the Saints finished 13-3. By comparison, the Lions only had three players catch 40 balls or more in 2014. But this season, Abdullah, Johnson, Tate, Ebron, Joique Bell and Theo Riddick all have the potential to catch at least 40. Add some production out of Corey Fuller, and the Lions could put up some amazing numbers.) (9-12-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/12/detroit-lions-matthew-stafford-ameer-abdullah/72159440/
10 QUESTIONS WITH TWENTYMAN: Who will lead Lions in rushing yards? (Q. Who do you think should start Week 1, Bell or Abdullah at RB? A. The game designations for Sunday will officially be out Friday afternoon, but I'd be shocked if Bell wasn't ready to roll, Moe. He wasn't even on Wednesday's injury report. He's been running full speed and with the first-team offense for a couple weeks now. He actually told me last week he feels better than he has in a couple years after getting the knee and Achilles injuries that have plagued him taken care of this offseason. Bell, 29, is motivated to have a 1,000 yard season and prove he's well-worth the $9.3 million contract he signed last offseason. He'll be the starter and I'd expect he gets the most carries. Abdullah will get a solid 10-15 touches, depending on how the game is going. That could change from week-to-week depending on the matchup. San Diego had the league's 26th ranked rush defense last year and didn't add a lot to improve that area this offseason. I suspect the Lions will try to establish the run early and often, first with Bell and then a change of pace with Abdullah. Expect Riddick to be a larger part of the passing game than the run game. Q. Is Riddicks role cut down with the arrival of Abdullah as a receiving option? A. I think it will a bit, but nothing too severe. Abdullah is a better receiver than the Lions thought he'd be, certainly a better receiver already than Reggie Bush was. The Lions will use him a lot in that role and that could dip into Riddick's numbers some. Riddick caught 34 passes last season and had four touchdowns. He's a terrific receiver and the Lions have a lot of confidence throwing him the football, especially late in games. I'd be surprised if he didn't get to at least 25 catches this season with a couple more touchdowns. That number could swell if the Lions suffer injuries ahead of him.) (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-QUESTIONS-WITH-TWENTYMAN-Who-will-lead-Lions-in-rushing-yards/2159f189-a647-479a-9483-78201d96e08f
5 things to watch: Time for Lions offense to put up, or shut up (How are the carries divvied up? One personnel rotation to watch will be in the offensive backfield, where Detroit has to figure out how it wants to spread reps between Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner. Bell is the top returner, but has barely practiced all offseason while recovering from knee and Achilles surgery. Abdullah has been nothing short of electric, but rookies can be a crapshoot. Zenner was maybe the biggest surprise of camp. And Riddick can still get it done as a pass-catcher. Detroit is seeking — nay, needing — an improvement over last season, when it finished 28th in rushing despite Jim Caldwell's wishes to turn into a running team. There are opportunities in the backfield, and it'll be interesting to see where things stand once the dust settles.) (9-9-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/5_things_to_watch_time_for_lio.html
TJ Jones listed as return man, Laken Tomlinson second-team on latest Detroit Lions depth chart (Second-round pick Ameer Abdullah is the No. 3 running back behind Joique Bell and Theo Riddick.) (9-8-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/tj_jones_listed_as_return_man.html
Five things we learned about the Lions this preseason (The Lions have options at running back - Starting running back Joique Bell spent most of the summer on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but a pair of rookies stood out in his stead. Ameer Abdullah, a second-round pick in this year's draft, brings electricity to Detroit's offensive backfield; Zach Zenner, an undrafted FCS product, brings a bit of grit. And don't forget about third-year pro Theo Riddick, who's notably skilled as a pass-catcher.) (9-8-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/five-things-we-learned-about-the-lions-this-preseason-090815
A look at the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (Theo Riddick: He’s likely destined for a two-minute-drill, third-down role again as a receiver out of the backfield.) (9-7-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18706/linebacker-is-a-deep-group-on-the-detroit-lions-53-man-roster
O'HARA: Rising team, rising city land Lions on SNF (Color analyst Cris Collinsworth did not put Stafford in the elite category when asked where to rank him, but said he likes the overall talent around him. The addition of rookie running back Ameer Abdullah potentially adds a threat. Collinsworth spoke highly of running back Theo Riddick, who emerged last year as a valuable receiving threat, and wide receiver Golden Tate, who had 99 catches and made the Pro Bowl last year. “I think he’s a good player,” Collinsworth said of Stafford. “I don’t know that I’m ready to go beyond that yet. I think there are a lot of guys in that top 15 category that sort of come and go. I’m anxious to see what happens this year with the full complement of receivers. “Of course Calvin was out last year. I thought Golden Tate played great. Now you throw Abdullah into that mix. I saw a lot of Theo Riddick at Notre Dame. I thought he really helped them some last year.” Collinsworth referred to Stafford’s relative youth for his level of experience. Stafford is 27 and will be the opening-day starter for the seventh straight year. “He’s still young enough on the quarterback scale,” Collinsworth said. “I think he’s good. Do I put him in that elite, top five? No. I don’t think he deserves to be there. “This could be a fun year for them.”) (9-2-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-Rising-team-rising-city-land-Lions-on-SNF/59c17e5e-2f12-487b-a85e-5ad095d6a677
Mailbag: What will Zach Zenner's role be if he makes Detroit Lions? (Q. Is AA looking like the no.1 for the opener? JB missed everything and even if he plays it'd be limited right? A. You should expect some sort of carry/snap split between Bell, Abdullah, Theo Riddick on passing downs and potentially Zach Zenner or George Winn in certain situations (perhaps short-yardage).) (8-30-15) : http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18582/mailbag-what-will-zach-zenners-role-be-if-he-makes-detroit-lions
Offense shines, defense struggles as Lions win (Wide receiver Lance Moore was the third receiver to play behind Tate and Corey Fuller. Greg Salas started on the second drive. Running backs Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah and George Winn had opportunities on the first drive, including a nice third-down conversion by Winn. Abdullah, who was the kick returner in the first half, did have a 21-yard reception on the Lions’ second scoring drive.) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/offense-shines-defense-struggles-lions-win/71358214/
Detroit Lions notes: Run game up to speed in win over Jaguars (Along with Bell, the Lions have Theo Riddick, who excels at catching balls out of the backfield, and George Winn, who is your guy on third-and-1s and also a beast on special teams.) (8-28-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150828/detroit-lions-notes-run-game-up-to-speed-in-win-over-jaguars
Detroit Lions — Five reasons why running back by committee works (Theo Riddick is not a lock, but his catching skills make him valuable.) (8-25-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150825/detroit-lions-x2014-five-reasons-why-running-back-by-committee-works
Loss of Suh leaves Lions defense in tough spot (Second-round rookie running back Ameer Abdullah has intriguing raw physical traits. The man he’ll eventually replace, Joique Bell, does not. Bell is 5-11, 230 but runs with the measured control (a more callous term: sluggishness) of a 245-pounder. He does, however, have lighter feet than you’d expect, making him surprisingly viable on screens and with the occasional cutback. But obviously, if the Lions thought these traits could shine all the time they wouldn’t have drafted Abdullah. Especially considering that the depth at running back was already set, with Theo Riddick providing quickness and burst as a receiver out of the backfield.) (8-28-15): http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/08/28/detroit-lions-defense-ndamukong-suh-departure-haloti-ngata-nfl-matthew-stafford
Notes: Abdullah mostly silent in preseason loss (Theo Riddick started at running back for the Lions on Thursday, and like Abdullah was used sparingly. Riddick, who's expected to join Abdullah and Joique Bell in a three-man running back rotation this fall, had three carries for 4 yards in nine snaps Thursday, and the Lions finished with just 46 yards rushing on 13 carries one week after steamrolling the Jets for 193 yards.) (8-21-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/detroit-lions-laken-tomlinson-duke/32100481/
Running back committee will carry load for Lions ("Whenever we get (Bell) back, it's going to be a committee," quarterback Matthew Stafford said Monday. "Joique, Ameer, Theo (Riddick), all those guys; they're talented players, top to bottom in that lineup right now. We've got a lot of talented running backs, so we'll find ways to utilize all of them." Even if Bell can't return, there are contingency plans in place. In addition to Abdullah, Riddick has worked a lot on his running skills this year after proving to be a successful passing option in 2014. And even though Bell thinks this year's second-round pick is "the real deal," he quickly included Riddick's name when asked how much Abdullah can handle if he misses time.) (8-24-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/24/running-back-committee-will-carry-load-for-lions/32291097/
Lions snap counts: Abdullah kept on short tether (Riddick was in for just nine snaps, the coaches took the opportunity to look at the other running backs at the back of the depth chart. Riddick finished with three carries for 4 yards and a 9-yard catch.) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/snap-counts-abdullah-kept-short-tether/32125633/
O'hara's Final Thoughts: Slay wants Washington's receivers to test him (It was a good first game for the young tailbacks. Rookies Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner, and veteran Theo Riddick all ran well, but they were barely used in the passing game. Riddick proved to be an excellent receiver out of the backfield last year. Against the Jets, he caught one pass for minus one yard.) (8-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-FINAL-THOUGHTS-Slay-wants-Washingtons-receivers-to-test-him/50672a42-f51f-415a-873e-84024b16315a
Lions defense destroys RGIII before backups lose exhibition in Washington (Highlights - Pass protection has been a major priority this offseason, after Stafford took 45 sacks in 2014 — up 95.7 percent from 2013. And the first unit looked quite good against Washington, including buying Stafford enough time to hit Golden Tate for a pickup on third-and-12. Stafford was sacked just once, and that was a coverage sack — against a blitz, no less -- and Theo Riddick actually got in two blocks on the blitzer before Stafford finally went down. Lowlights - While the Lions' offensive line was great in pass protection (the first unit, at least), the run blocking was an eye sore. Neither Theo Riddick nor Ameer Abdullah could do much carrying the load in the first half, and Detroit entered the break with just 16 rushing yards on seven carries.) (8-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_defense_destroys_rgiii_b.html
Camp Spotlight: Wide receiver Corey Fuller (Practice report: One area Fuller continues to improve on is his blocking down field. He had a nice one on a screen today that helped spring Theo Riddick for a nice gain.) (8-18-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Wide-receiver-Corey-Fuller/c645d2b0-f168-41f7-a067-49de1b26ea5a
Freep Lions observations: 'No reason' Abdullah limited in practice (Travis Swanson had a couple of nice blocks in a nine-on-seven run period early in practice, including one on Stephen Tulloch to spring Theo Riddick for a nice gain. But Swanson also got beat cleanly by Jermelle Cudjo in a team run period. Cudjo would have dropped Riddick for a couple-yard loss had the play been live.) (8-18-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/18/lions-training-camp-notes/31948017/
NOTEBOOK: Slay enjoying competition at practice (Running back Theo Riddick jumped into the one-on-one drills with the receivers. It’s the first time I can remember him doing so in camp. As usual, he was terrific in that role, catching every pass thrown his way. The second scenario in situational team drill had the offense on their own 47-yard line with 45 seconds on the clock with no timeouts and needing a field goal to win. Stafford hit Riddick for a 26-yard gain up the middle on the first play to set the first-team offense in field goal range. Matt Prater made the 45-yard field goal to win it.) (8-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Slay-enjoying-competition-at-practice/4e111365-8f86-436e-b4ac-9b5e1bab56e9
Camp notes: Could Igwenagu make Lions as TE? (Both the Lions' first- and second-team offenses drove into field-goal territory in one play on the final period of practice, when the offense was given 45 seconds on the clock and first-and-10 at the 50. Stafford completed a 24-yard pass to Riddick with the first-team offense.) (8-17-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/17/emil-igwenagu-/31892773/
Despite dazzling debut by Abdullah, Riddick listed as Lions starting RB (Abdullah is listed as the second-string running back on the Lions' second depth chart of the season released today, behind Theo Riddick. Riddick started in last week's 23-3 win over the Jets and ran for 35 yards on eight carries, but no running back has had a better training camp than Abdullah. Riddick and Abdullah played the same amount of snaps against the Jets, and Riddick ran the ball better than he did last year, when he was used mostly in the pass game. "Theo ran well," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "Theo got some tough yards, some great effort plays and then also he made some people miss, which he's certainly capable of doing. So it was fun to get an opportunity to see him go at it a little bit and I thought on the ground he was productive." Riddick, Abdullah and Joique Bell are expected to comprise a three-headed backfield for the Lions this fall, with the latter two getting the bulk of the work.) (8-17-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/17/lions-starting-running-back/31855677/
Camp observations: Lions unveil 2-point attack (Theo Riddick ran routes with the wide receivers during one-on-one drills against cornerbacks. It’s possible he’s done this already in training camp — he and Reggie Bush frequently worked with receivers during the 2014 practices — but the work is a sign that the coaches realize Riddick’s best chance to contribute could be in the slot. On his first play, cornerback Josh Wilson bumped him hard at the line in press coverage, but Riddick slipped free to make a nice catch. During training camp at Edsel Ford High, the Lions spent a significant portion of team drills running and defending plays from the 2-yard line, which is where the 2-point try begins. Based on the plays, the offense has the advantage in the short-yardage situation at the moment. Matthew Stafford and the first-team offense scored on four of five attempts. The fifth was actually ruled a conversion, but the ref didn’t see that the ball likely hit the ground before Calvin Johnson corralled it — a ball that might have been intended for Ameer Abdullah. George Winn scored on runs on two of the others, and Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick each scored, too.) (8-17-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/18/camp-observations-lions-unveil-2-point-attack/31894665/
Riddick ready to rumble in rebuilt Lions backfield (8-17-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/17/theo-riddick-ready-to-rumble-in-rebuilt-lions-backfield/31867879/
Detroit Lions training camp notes: Gabe Wright impresses, Greg Salas gets first-team work (In the two-minute drill, Stafford threw his first interception in full-team work, overshooting Ebron running down the seam into the waiting arms of safety James Ihedigbo. On their second series, both quarterbacks put the offense in position to win the game. Starting at their 47-yard line with 45 seconds on the clock and no timeouts, Stafford beat the blitz with a dump-off to running back Theo Riddick, setting up Matt Prater for a 45-yard winner.) (8-17-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_31.html
ESPN Notes - Lions offense looks sharp in goal-line situations during night practice (Offense dominated the goal-line session: The Lions ran a period of goal-line offense with the three top quarterbacks Monday and the offense was dominant throughout.The most important thing to take away is the offensive line was particularly dominant during this period, a good sign for the team’s run game. George Winn, Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick all had rushing touchdowns with the first group.) (8-17-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18334/detroit-lions-offense-looks-sharp-in-goal-line-offense-during-night-practice
ESPN Notes - Lions offense looks sharp in goal-line situations during night practice (Theo Riddick got some receiver work: I’m not sure if this has been going on for the majority of camp because I’ve often been focused on line and running back play, but Riddick ran receiver-versus-cornerback drills with the wideouts Monday night. He didn’t receive too many reps there, but he did beat Nevin Lawson on a nice route. Riddick's primary role during his first two seasons has been as a pass-catcher out of the backfield and he has experience as a slot receiver in college. This could be an instance of the Lions getting Riddick some extra receiving work, especially since he had a bunch of carries during team period. But it is something to watch.) (8-17-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18334/detroit-lions-offense-looks-sharp-in-goal-line-offense-during-night-practice
With all eyes are on Ameer Abdullah, Lions RB Theo Riddick making strides as a ball carrier (8-15-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_theo_riddick.html
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Friday (On RB Theo Riddick's performance last night: "You know, Theo ran well. Theo got some tough yards, great effort plays and then also he made some people miss, which he's certainly capable of doing. So it was fun to get an opportunity to see him go at it a little bit and I thought on the ground he was productive.") (8-15-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/15/9156997/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-friday
Four Downs: So Far So Good For Lions Run Game (First Down: Improving the running game - Offensive linemen take pride in rushing totals more than they do passing total. “One hundred percent,” Lions left guard Larry Warford confirmed after Thursday night's 23-3 win over the Jets at Ford Field. “It’s just an alpha-male mentality. When you’re running the ball it’s a physical thing. “It just speaks to the nature of offensive line if you can push people and knock them off the ball and get huge chunks of yards day in and day out.” The Lions’ offensive line pushed the Jets around pretty good in their preseason debut. Detroit's offense rushed 40 times for 193 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. It's only one game, and a preseason game at that, but the Lions have raved about the prospects for their run game with a revamped offensive line and the drafting of running back Ameer Abdullah throughout training camp thus far. Playing in his first NFL game, Abdullah did nothing to quell that excitement. He rushed for 67 yards on seven carries, including a 45-yard scamper in the first quarter. All four of the Lions’ top four running backs of the evening averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry – Abdullah (9.6), Desmond Martin (5.2), Theo Riddick (4.4) and Zack Zenner (4.2). The Lions run game needs to be a much bigger factor this year if they're going to be the type of offense they hope to be, which is fast, physical and balanced. The Lions appear to have a nice mix of different styles of runners. Abdullah and Riddick showed terrific elusiveness and quickness. We know what Bell brings to the table when he returns. Zenner showed great vision and toughness and the ability to finish runs. Thursday was a good start for the run game.)
(8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-So-far-so-good-for-Lions-run-game/e92257d1-1d66-4cd5-a374-2be6d5517bca
O'hara's Burning Questions: What Did The Offense's Opening Drive Mean? (Four Downs: So Far So Good For Lions Run Game (Q. End runs: Who were some of the players and plays that stood out, good and bad? Theo Riddick ran well to show he can be more than a third-down receiver out of the backfield.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara-burning-questions/article-1/OHARAS-BURNING-QUESTIONS-What-did-the-offenses-opening-drive-mean/1a45ac04-e7c4-41a1-883a-44c04c2db262
Abdullah wasn't only Lions RB to impress vs. Jets (Theo Riddick added 35 yards rushing on eight carries as he started in place of the injured Joique Bell.) (8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah/31706151/
Abdullah wasn't only Lions RB to impress vs. Jets (The Lions took a long look at most of their draft picks. Besides Robinson and Tomlinson, Gabe Wright played 22 snaps at defensive tackle, Michael Burton 17 at fullback and Abdullah 15 (the same as Riddick) at running back.) (8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah/31706151/
Snap counts: Zenner gets long look with Lions (Theo Riddick, the starter, also played 15 snaps and had eight carries for 35 yards.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/snap-counts-zenner-gets-long-look-lions/31721387/
A quick recap on who's winning, and who's losing, the Detroit Lions' job battles (Tailback - As we've been saying throughout the past few months, Ameer Abdullah is ahead of Theo Riddick and George Winn as a rusher. With Joique Bell still out with a knee injury, he was the most impressive back against New York, rushing seven times for 67 yards. He had that 45-yarder up the middle, which was impressive. But I might have liked his 4-yard run on the game's first series even more. That juke was just so athletic. It was executed in traffic. And it picked up an important first down, with Tate scoring his touchdown on the next play. It might not show up in the box, but those are the kinds of plays that win games. Abdullah is going to be the rushing complement to Bell this season, with Riddick getting some action as a pass-catcher. Riddick did run hard against the Jets, though, like he might be a little pissed off about the kid taking his spot or something. Winn has received a steady diet of first-team reps in practice, but finished with just five carries for 3 yards against New York. Zach Zenner had a much better game, finishing with 55 yards on 13 carries, including a 14-yard pop. That could help him close the gap with Winn for that last tailback job.)(8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/a_quick_recap_on_where_the_det.html
Lions players comment on win over Jets (Stafford on Riddick: Theo (Riddick) had some great, tough runs, we churned out yards. Our offensive line was doing a good job making little dents in the defensive line. Our guys were doing a good job of running physical and picking up yards."): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/14/9145897/lions-jets-preseason-quotes-players
Winners and losers from Lions' first preseason game (Winners - Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick - These three players combined to rush for 157 yards on 28 carries, which is good for 5.6 yards per carry. Abdullah accounted for 67 yards on seven carries, and he looked really electric and extremely shifty. Zenner, meanwhile, had 55 yards on 13 carries, while Riddick picked up 35 yards on eight runs. Overall, the Lions have to like how their running game performed on Thursday night.) (8-14-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/13/9145923/lions-jets-preseason-winners-losers
PFF Grades for Jets-Lions (Ameer Abdullah had the big run and looked sharp, but Theo Riddick also put his hand up for a role in this offense, and could earn a larger one the longer Joique Bell is out.) (8-14-15): https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/08/14/grades-for-jets-lions/
Camp Spotlight: Quarterback Matthew Stafford (Stafford continues to be crisp in all phases of practice. In one-on-one drills against the cornerbacks, Stafford’s lone incompletion of the session was on a deep ball to Lance Moore, where Moore turned to find the ball over the wrong shoulder and couldn’t adjust back in time. He laid the ball right into the hands of Corey Fuller and Golden Tate on deep balls in the one-on-one period. Stafford was a perfect 6-for-6 in the 7-on-7 period. He completed passes to six different receivers – Ameer Abdullah, Moore, Michael Burton, Fuller (deep TD), Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron. The Lions also worked on some 3rd down situational drills against the defense. Stafford was given seven reps on 3rd and 6 and completed 5-of-7 passes. One of his two incompletions went off Fuller’s hands, though it was thrown behind him, and the other was an out route that TJ Jones appeared to slip a little bit out of his break. Stafford was also sharp in the last team drills of practice, distributing the ball around to Brandon Pettigrew, Calvin Johnson, Tate and Ebron for completions. This has been typical of Stafford throughout camp. He’s looked good so far.) (8-11-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Quarterback-Matthew-Stafford/fd36d5af-f099-46cc-9aaa-9394e3204f4c
Freep Camp Notes - Lions offense sloppy with preseason opener on deck (In that red-zone period, the first-team offense ran three plays from inside the 10. On first-and-goal from the 9, Theo Riddick took a dive play out of the shotgun for a short gain. Abdullah caught a short pass on second down, and might have made it into the end zone after deeking a linebacker had Jim Caldwell not have blown the play dead at the 1.) (8-11-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/11/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations/31494755/
Five observations from Lions' first exhibition (Run, Riddick, run: Theo Riddick is a proven pass-catcher, but he hasn't produced on the ground. He certainly had his chances to grind out the ground yardage with eight carries for 35 yards in the first half. That was good for a 4.4-yard average, and Riddick's effort was apparent on several tough situations.)(8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/detroit-lions-extra-points/31692871/
Detroit News Camp observations: Narrower posts help kickers hone in (Speaking of receiving backs, Theo Riddick could have a role as a receiver at times. On Tuesday, he lined up as a receiver in some bunch formations while George Winn was at running back.) (8-11-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/11/camp-observations-narrower-posts-help-kickers-hone/31494087/
Notebook: Revamped Reid Playing Important Role On D-line (Ameer Abdullah held his own in pass blocking drills against the linebackers. Theo Riddick struggled a bit.) (8-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Revamped-Reid-playing-important-role-on-d-line/0bf61d8a-3c0c-4e79-a7ef-b2da7f96abc9
Camp Spotlight: Cornerback Darius Slay (Slay also had terrific recognition in zone coverage later in the 7-on-7 drill to come up and make a play on Theo Riddick after just a 2-yard gain. The defense was better than the offense Monday and that was particularly the case in the red zone.)
(8-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Cornerback-Darius-Slay/f47f63ee-f170-4126-8833-7f333b19106a
Freep Lions camp observations: Michael Burton can block (On the one play the offense scored from the 2-yard line, Calvin Johnson, Joe Fauria, Lance Moore and Golden Tate line up as receivers and Theo Riddick took a draw to the house.) (8-10-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/10/detroit-lions-training-camp-notes/31418325/
MLive Training Camp Notes (Travis Lewis, who is quietly having a solid camp, threw Theo Riddick to the ground and later overpower rookie Ameer Abdullah.) (8-10-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_2015_training_ca_10.html
Lions notes: Unorthodox catching style works for Riddick (There’s an old saying in golf: They don’t draw pictures on the scorecard. In football, they don’t draw pictures on the stat sheet. And that’s probably the way Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick likes it when it comes to his unorthodox catching style. “I don’t know,” Riddick said of the reason behind his catching method. “A lot of people say my hands are kind of placed differently at times. I don’t know. I just kind of look it in and my hands do the rest.” But there’s no arguing with results. “Not as long as it works,” coach Jim Caldwell said, “and it works for him.” Riddick proved as much last season, when he took advantage of an expanded role as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He tied for second on the team with four touchdown passes, was fourth on with 316 receiving yards and tied for fourth with 34 catches. “He has shown that obviously he has some real proficiency in some areas where he can catch the ball out of the backfield,” Caldwell said. “He’s a good route runner, he’s real solid in terms of his assignments and things of that nature. “But I still think he’s growing and developing and you can see just his ability to run inside and out keeps growing and developing and I think that certainly has created, obviously, some trust because he’s highly productive for us.” Running well never hurts a running back. But the changing nature of the position — a veering away from the traditional up-the-gut power back to a versatile runner with good hands — falls in line with Riddick’s skill set. “I think it definitely helps,” he said. “It’s an extra receiver out there. You can obviously create mismatches with strong safeties and linebackers. So, like I said, it’s another element to the game that we bring.”)(8-8-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/08/detroit-lions-theo-riddick/31343639/
Freep Lions camp observations: Stafford sharp, backups not (The Lions didn't go strictly 1s vs. 1s and 2s vs. 2s, but rather mixed and matched personnel. Still, it was interesting to see how the Lions deployed some of their personnel. They played two tailbacks together at least three times, and threw passes with both backs running routes on all three occasions. In fact, George Winn and Theo Riddick were on the field together on Johnson's touchdown pass.) (8-8-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-matthew-stafford/31338835/
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: First-team offense looks good in scrimmage (Theo Riddick flashed his receiving chops, hauling in a difficult back-shoulder throw on a wheel route to convert a third-and-8.)(8-8-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_29.html
GREAT blitz pickup by Riddick, squared up Josh Wilson and stoned him hard (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/630034422423777280
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Day 4 of training camp (On how RB Theo Riddick established trust last season and how it has carried over to the present: "It's consistency. He has shown that obviously he has some real proficiency in some areas where he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He's a good route runner, he's real solid in terms of his assignments and things of that nature. But, I still think he's growing and developing and you can see just his ability to run inside and out keeps growing and developing and I think that certainly has created, obviously some trust because he's highly productive for us. " On if anyone has ever tried to change Riddick's catching style: "Not as long as it works, and it works for him.")(8-6-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/7/9113713/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-day-4
Video - Riddick on his pass catching ability (8-6-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Riddick-on-his-pass-catching-ability/d717eddd-e5ef-4a0e-84b8-850c74b1cde1
Free Press Camp observations: Lions hold first practice in pads (Johnson caught a touchdown pass over Wilson and Isa Abdul-Quddus on the first play (when Theo Riddick showed good awareness on a blitz pickup), and Matthew Stafford overthrew Johnson on the second play.) (8-5-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/05/riley-reiff-detroit-lions/31197729/
ESPN Camp Notes (Stephen Tulloch continued to look fast: This was the day to watch for Tulloch, because he hasn't been in pads in almost a year. Tulloch fared well throughout the day and appeared to have a good amount of burst to him. This is just another encouraging sign for the Lions as they solidify what could be one of the better back sevens in the NFL. Tulloch provided one of the first big hits of practice on running back Theo Riddick, but Riddick was able to keep his feet after the hit.) (8-5-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18118/first-padded-detroit-lions-practice-yields-a-strong-day-for-riley-reiff
Lions camp observations: Pads come on at Novi HS (Riddick received a lot of reps and looked surprisingly good as a runner and also had a nasty juke that completely fooled James Ihedigbo on a screen pass.) (8-5-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/6/9106515/lions-training-camp-observations-novi-high-school
Tully just gave Riddick a nice wake up call (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/629080105554432000
Freep Camp Notes (The best defensive play went mostly unnoticed by the season-ticket holders in attendance. Outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead was split wide to his right and singled up in coverage against running back Theo Riddick in one period late in practice. Riddick ran a quick slant, but Whitehead recognized the route and got his hand around Riddick to break up the pass.) (8-3-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/03/detroit-lions-training-camp-observations/31085707/
MLive Camp Notes (While there were no turnovers generated by the defense today, several passes were broken up in the secondary. I thought the most impressive knock down came when linebacker Tahir Whitehead, covering Theo Riddick split out wide, jumped a quick slant to the dangerous running back.) (8-3-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_24.html
Zach Zenner:
Detroit Lions snap counts: Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick shoulder RB load against Vikings (First-round draft pick Laken Tomlinson and popular undrafted running back Zach Zenner were limited to special teams roles.) (9-21-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_snap_counts_amee.html
Eagan's Zach Zenner 'just happy to have a number' as Lions rookie (9-20-15): http://www.twincities.com/prep/ci_28847842/eagans-zach-zenner-just-happy-have-number-lions
Eagan's Zach Zenner returns to Minnesota -- in Detroit Lions uniform (9-19-15): http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_28842660/eagans-zach-zenner-returns-minnesota-detroit-lions-uniform
Vikings' Turner seeks better pass protection from his offensive line (Zenner returns - Zach Zenner will return home this weekend as a member of the Lions. The Eagan native and former standout South Dakota State running back grew up a Vikings fan and now will get a chance to play on the same field against them. The undrafted rookie was one of the top rushers in the NFL in the preseason with 35 carries for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He had two carries for 6 yards and played on the kickoff coverage unit in Week 1 against San Diego, a 33-28 loss. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is well aware of this local talent. “He’s got some explosiveness to the hole and has some physicality to him,” Zimmer said. If Zenner is active for Sunday’s game at TCF Bank Stadium, he’ll likely continue to play a limited role for Detroit, which was powered by another rookie running back, second-round pick Ameer Abdullah, in the season opener.) (9-18-15): http://www.startribune.com/vikings-turner-seeks-better-pass-protection-from-his-offensive-line/328140411/
Video - Zenner on playing in his home state (9-16-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Zenner-on-playing-in-his-home-state/5c7e3a15-424e-447e-b9fd-23e62c4b122d
Zenner’s dream becomes reality as a Lion (9-15-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/15/zenners-dream-becomes-reality-lion/72352112/
Lions rookie report: Despite low marks, Tomlinson happy (RB Zack Zenner (undrafted): Zenner played just two offensive snaps, but he carried the ball both times he was in the game (for 6 yards). He played ahead of Theo Riddick as the Lions' No. 3 running back, though the two have different offensive roles.) (9-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/detroit-lions-laken-tomlinson/72244748/
Snap counts: Linebackers must produce to play (Running backs: Ameer Abdullah (21 of 47), Joique Bell (18), Michael Burton (11), Theo Riddick (eight), Zach Zenner (two). Analysis: Abdullah playing more than Bell is likely a sign of things to come as the rookie was significantly more productive than the veteran. The second-round pick had 94 yards from scrimmage on 11 touches compared to Bell’s 41 yards on eight touches. Most of Riddick’s snaps and both of his catches came on the final drive. The use of Zenner early might have been a surprise tactic as he carried it on both snaps for 6 yards.) (9-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/14/snap-counts-linebackers-must-produce-play/72258958/
Detroit Lions snap counts: DT Tyrunn Walker proves capable of playing heavy load (Rookie Ameer Abdullah led the way in the backfield rotation, getting 21 snaps to Joique Bell's 18. Zach Zenner was on the field just two plays and he got carries on both.) (9-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_snap_counts_tyru.html
Lions postgame: Ameer Abdullah, Glover Quin bright spots in loss to Chargers (By the Numbers - 69 -- Yards rushing for the Lions in the first game of the season, split up between three different running backs. Ameer Abdullah led the team with 50 yards on 7 carries, with 24 of them coming on his first-quarter touchdown run, while Joique Bell had 14 yards on six carries and Zach Zenner, in his first pro game, had two rushes for six yards.) (9-13-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_postgame.html
Detroit Lions notes: Ameer Abdullah impressive; Glover Quin keeps string alive (Abdullah led the running backs on Sunday. Joique Bell, who didn’t play in the preseason because he was coming off surgery, had six carries for 14 yards and a pair of receptions for 27 yards. Undrafted rookie Zach Zenner had two carries for six yards. Theo Riddick had two catches for 37 yards including a 21-yard touchdown catch late in the game. The Lions kept five guys from the backfield active in the game which is an unusual move. Fullback Mike Burton played but did not touch the ball.) (9-13-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150913/detroit-lions-notes-ameer-abdullah-impressive-glover-quin-keeps-string-alive
Ask Kyle: On how much Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner will play for Lions (Q: Under what circumstances do you see Zach Zenner taking carries in regular season? — Derek Paige. A: The season is a long one, so as long as he doesn't fall on his face, he'll be needed on the active roster at some point. Even George Winn, last year's fourth tailback, earned 19 carries. And Zenner appears to be much further along as a rusher than Winn ever was. The more interesting question is, does Zenner get any carries against San Diego? He'll have to be active first, of course, and that's no certainty. The Lions can dress only 46 of their 53 players, and Zenner is a candidate to be one of the seven who are down. He's stacked behind Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick at the position, so his best case for getting on the field — or in a jersey at all — will be on special teams. He worked on the kick and punt return units during the preseason, and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi seemed to see a lot of progress out of him. But if he does earn a spot on the active roster, I wouldn't be surprised to see Detroit get his feet wet with a carry or two. But not much more than that. Bell and Abdullah are the better rushers, and the ball needs to be in their hands. Fun side note: Zenner's 24th birthday is the day of the opener. Nothing like getting yourself a $25,588.24 game check as a present, aye?) (9-12-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/ask_kyle_on_how_much_ameer_abd.html
Detroit Lions Q and A: Zach Zenner really likes iPods, naps and Ronda Rousey (9-11-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_qa_zach_zenner_r.html
Detroit Lions' Zach Zenner might be inactive for opener, but team fully trusts RB's abilities (9-11-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_zach_zenner_migh.html
10 takeaways from Austin and Lombardi (Lombardi said he has the utmost confidence in all his running backs, including rookie Zach Zenner. Lombardi said he wouldn’t hesitate for a minute putting Zenner in the game in the fourth quarter on a key 3rd and 8 play knowing the blitz was coming. Whether or not Zenner gets the opportunity on Sundays is yet to be determined. The Lions can only keep 46 active on game day. We’ll see how the numbers play out for Zenner.) (9-10-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-takeaways-from-Austin--Lombardi/919e6e78-baba-460e-9083-20213bd92
Don't expect Zach Zenner to play much (Zach Zenner led the NFL in rushing yards this preseason, but with a stacked depth chart ahead of him, the undrafted rookie might be hard-pressed to get carries in the Detroit Lions' crowded backfield this year. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said today he's not sure if Zenner will be active for Sunday's season opener against the San Diego Chargers. Just 46 of a team's 53 players are allowed to dress on game day, and Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick are the Lions' top three running backs. "I think, again, a lot of it will depend on everybody's health," Lombardi said. "But he's a heck of a special-teams player and he's a guy that we're really comfortable with on offense because we like him as a runner and he's very reliable in protections." Zenner's biggest role, for now, appears to be as a special-teams player, where he played on the kick-return and punt-cover teams in the preseason. At running back, Bell is expected to start and split time with Abdullah, the Lions' rookie second-round pick. Riddick will play as a change-of-pace back and receiving option, and rookie Michael Burton is the team's fullback. Zenner is fourth in the tailback rotation, though he worked some with the first-team offense this preseason, when he finished with 183 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 35 carries. "I would have no, like on Sunday - and again, I have no idea whether he's going to be active or not - but if it was third-and-8 in the fourth quarter on Sunday, and we're like, 'Hey, they're going to dial up one of these blitzes' and Zach Zenner was out there, I wouldn't have any problems with that," Lombardi said. "I know that he's going to do the right thing, block the right guy and do it well. He's a very, very reliable player.")
(9-10-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/10/detroit-lions-zach-zenner/72020268/
Lions Rookie Backs Trusted By Coaching Staff For Reliability, Versatility (The Lions’ two rookie running backs have earned something more than their paychecks this preseason: They’ve earned the coaching staff’s trust. While rookie Ameer Abdullah (Detroit’s second-round draft pick this year) is most likely going to see the ball much more than fellow rookie Zach Zenner (undrafted, but still earned a spot on the roster), both are seen as reliable by the coaches. Further down the depth chart is Zenner: the Lions’ fourth running back, and until maybe the last week of the preseason, wasn’t a lock for a roster spot. But he scored two game-winning touchdowns in the preseason, and was a workhorse in all aspects, according to his coaches. NFL rules mandate that only 46 of a team’s 53 players can be active on game days. It’s unclear whether Zenner will be on that list. But Lombardi said that his trust in Zenner once he gets on the field is far from shaky. “He’s a heck of a special teams player and he’s a guy who we’re really comfortable with on offense,” he said. “We like him as a runner and he’s very reliable in protections. … On Sunday, I have no idea whether he’s going to be active or not, but if it was third and eight in the fourth quarter on Sunday, and we’re like, ‘Hey, they’re going to dial-up one of these blitzes’ and Zach Zenner was out there, I wouldn’t have any problems with that. I know he’s going to do the right thing, block the right guy and do it well.” That philosophy on a rookie running back is certainly not always reached so quickly. Adjusting to the speed and athleticism of the NFL game is tough at any position, especially running back where speed is such a factor – both in the running game and in pass protection. In Detroit, though, the Lions think they have rookie backs – including fullback Michael Burton as well – who have all gained the kind of trust that’s difficult to find in first-year players. “Really from day one, Ameer, Zach and Michael, these guys have shown a maturity that maybe is rare for rookies,” he said. “How quickly they pick things up and how seriously they take it. … I think a lot of times I would say not comfortable at all, but all three of those guys I feel real good about.”) (9-10-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/10/lions-rookie-backs-trusted-by-coaching-staff-for-reliability-versatility/
Free agent Zach Zenner rushes his way onto Detroit Lions' roster (9-10-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/zach-zenner-detroit-lions-south-dakota-state-091015
5 things to watch: Time for Lions offense to put up, or shut up (How are the carries divvied up? One personnel rotation to watch will be in the offensive backfield, where Detroit has to figure out how it wants to spread reps between Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner. Bell is the top returner, but has barely practiced all offseason while recovering from knee and Achilles surgery. Abdullah has been nothing short of electric, but rookies can be a crapshoot. Zenner was maybe the biggest surprise of camp. And Riddick can still get it done as a pass-catcher. Detroit is seeking — nay, needing — an improvement over last season, when it finished 28th in rushing despite Jim Caldwell's wishes to turn into a running team. There are opportunities in the backfield, and it'll be interesting to see where things stand once the dust settles.) (9-9-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/5_things_to_watch_time_for_lio.html
Five things we learned about the Lions this preseason (The Lions have options at running back - Starting running back Joique Bell spent most of the summer on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but a pair of rookies stood out in his stead. Ameer Abdullah, a second-round pick in this year's draft, brings electricity to Detroit's offensive backfield; Zach Zenner, an undrafted FCS product, brings a bit of grit. And don't forget about third-year pro Theo Riddick, who's notably skilled as a pass-catcher.) (9-8-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/five-things-we-learned-about-the-lions-this-preseason-090815
A look at the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (Zach Zenner: He had the hype in the preseason but he’s likely not going to see a ton of work Sundays.) (9-7-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18706/linebacker-is-a-deep-group-on-the-detroit-lions-53-man-roster
Video - Zenner on earning his spot on the roster (9-7-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Zenner-on-earning-his-spot-on-the-roster/cb7ad224-6498-4997-b728-91714520738d
9 thoughts on the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster (The NFL is never truly a meritocracy, but this was close, give or take a Cudjo. Detroit liked George Winn, but kept an undrafted rookie (Zach Zenner) instead. It would have liked more time to develop a fourth-round pick in Larry Webster, but went with a CFL guy (Phillip Hunt) instead. It was about to cut a second-round pick (Ryan Broyles) who eventually asked for his release, and did cut their return man (Jeremy Ross), to carry a second-year receiver (TJ Jones) who closed the preseason with a bang. In every one of those cases, Detroit parted with an established guy to carry someone who was producing more.) (9-6-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/9_thoughts_on_the_detroit_lion.html
Where Lions stand at each position after final cuts (The top three jobs were set when the Lions drafted Abdullah, but Zenner's strong training camp and preseason helped him earn the No. 4 spot over George Winn. Whether or not the Lions trust Zenner on special teams, though, will determine if he's active on game day.) (9-6-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/06/where-lions-stand-at-each-position-after-final-cuts/71813142/
Birkett: Don't expect Lions' Zenner, Jones on field much (What you read: Zach Zenner made the Lions after leading the league in rushing in exhibitions. What it means: Zenner absolutely deserved to be on the team. He had a strong exhibition season, rushing for 183 yards (an average of 5.2 yards per attempt), and he proved that his vision, athleticism and running ability do indeed translate to the NFL. But don't expect huge contributions by Zenner this fall. Joique Bell and Ameer Abdullah are still the Lions' top two running backs, and Theo Riddick is an excellent receiving option out of the backfield. Zenner essentially takes the place of George Winn as the Lions' No. 4 running back, which means he'll play primarily on special teams. He's valuable insurance, though, in case Bell has more knee issues.) (9-6-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/06/detroit-lions-roster-cuts/71831912/
Twentyman: Lions Cut Their Roster To 53 (Zenner led the NFL in rushing yards this preseason and wasn’t going to clear waivers if the Lions let him go. Winn is a core special teamer that plays on all four units, but Zenner has proven he’s got some upside on special teams.) (9-5-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-cut-their-roster-to-53/acd5e7d6-9c7c-4c9f-92c2-fc99ec894784
Lions' TJ Jones wins 5th WR job; Ross released (Zen Master: Zenner, who led the NFL with 183 yards rushing on 35 carries this exhibition-season, is another in a long line of undrafted free agents to make the Lions’ initial 53-man roster. Both Fauria and Moore made the team as undrafted rookies, and Cornelius Lucas and LaAdrian Waddle are other rookie free agents who’ve made an impact with the Lions their first year. Zenner is expected to backup Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick in the running back rotation, and perhaps play on special teams. Winn, one of the Lions’ more dependable special-teams players last year, could return on the practice squad.) (9-5-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/05/tj-jones-wins-wr-job/71777286/
Detroit Lions finalize 53-man roster; Zach Zenner makes cut (They call him "Doc," because he wants to attend medical school. They call him "Z2K," because he rushed for 2,000 yards three times in college. They call him "Team Issue," because of his propensity to wear the free stuff handed out in the practice facility. They call Zach Zenner a lot of things. And you don't give nicknames -- let alone three of them -- to a guy who is not making an impression. The rookie running back has made an impression ever since he signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. He was well-liked around Allen Park for his workmanlike disposition, and by fans for his game-day production. Zenner then led the NFL in rushing during the preseason with 183 yards. Fears grew within the organization that he would be claimed if exposed to waivers. So, they didn't. The Lions finished off their initial 53-man roster Saturday afternoon, and Zenner is among the most notable names to be included. He edged out George Winn for the fourth tailback behind Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick.) (9-5-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_finalize_53-man_2.html
Reports: George Winn cut by Lions, victim of Zach Zenner's breakout preseason (Zenner led the NFL in rushing this preseason with 183 yards and two touchdowns on 35 attempts.) (9-5-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/report_zach_zenners_breakout_p.html
Detroit Lions — Five thoughts on the 53-man roster (Zach Zenner, an undrafted free agent, has what it takes to play in the NFL. Will he get his chance on Sundays? Will he have role on offense immediately? We will see.) (9-5-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150905/detroit-lions-xadx2014-five-thoughts-on-the-53-man-roster
Preseason star Zach Zenner makes it as Lions get down to 53 (The Lions have kept Zach Zenner on their 53-man roster. Zenner, an undrafted rookie from South Dakota State, looked like an extreme long shot when he was first signed in May. The Lions had good depth at running back, and Zenner seemed more like a training camp body than a player with a real shot of making the team. But Zenner led all NFL players in rushing yards this preseason, and as a result the Lions have decided to keep him.) (9-5-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/05/preseason-star-zach-zenner-makes-it-as-lions-get-down-to-53/
The Day After: Five Takeaways From Lions' 17-10 Win Over Buffalo (Zach Zenner still a touchdown factory - The Lions’ rushing game on Thursday night was bad: 46 total yards on the ground. But Zenner continued to be the touchdown factory that he’s been all preseason: Once again, he scored the game-winner after he bulled his way into the end zone from three yards out in the fourth quarter. He only finished with 21 yards rushing off 10 carries, but with the way he’s performed this preseason, he might just be bulling his way into a roster spot, too.) (9-4-15): http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/04/the-day-after-five-takeaways-from-lions-17-10-win-over-buffalo/
NFL preseason winners and losers (WINNER! Lions RB Zach Zenner - Undrafted out of South Dakota State, Zenner has stated his case throughout the preseason that he can excel at the NFL level. Zenner scored what became the game-winning three-yard TD run in the fourth quarter Thursday against Buffalo. Zenner finished the preseason as the NFL’s leading rusher with 183 yards on 35 carries, which translates to an impressive 8.8-yard average. That should be good enough for a roster spot behind Lions RBs Joique Bell and rookie Ameer Abdullah.) (9-4-15): http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/photos/nfl-preseason-winners-and-losers-tim-tebow-has-finally-arrived-again-090415#img_7
O'HARA'S BURNING QUESTIONS: Who made good impressions? (Q. Running game: Was the way the Bills hammered their running game the most disappointing part of the game for the Lions? A. Yes. In a word, it was atrocious until late in the game. Until then, George Winn and Zach Zenner alternated at tailback, and neither one was given any running room by an offensive line that was manned exclusively by backups. After their first possession of the second half, the Lions had 13 carries for 3 yards. That’s less than one foot per carry, let alone one yard. The way they were alternating made it look like Zenner and Winn were competing for the same roster spot, but neither one got much help up front until midway through the third quarter. Zenner broke a 15-yard run off the left side, then followed it up with a five-yard gain up the middle. It was the first spark of any kind from the running game. It was Winn’s chance on the next possession, and he got some running room. Winn runs with a lot of power. It shouldn’t be forgotten that he led the Lions with 48 yards on 11 carries in a regular-season loss to the Bills last year. That was against one of the NFL’s best defenses. Later, Zenner scored on a three-yard run to give the Lions the lead. Whatever happens when the cuts are made, Winn and Zenner cannot be faulted for the effort they gave, or what they produced under touch circumstances. Q. Winner: Did either one win a roster spot over the other? A. That’s hard to say, but why can’t both make it over another player?) (9-3-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara-burning-questions/article-1/OHARAS-BURNING-QUESTIONS-Who-made-good-impressions/0d9528db-b157-4ad4-8637-789aa4e1ee50
RECAP: Lions vs. Bills (Critical moment: With 25 seconds left in the third quarter and Buffalo facing a 1st and 10 at the Detroit 25-yard line, Lions linebacker Josh Bynes was able to get to Simms in the backfield on a pass attempt. In the process of trying to throw the ball away, Simms inexplicably threw the ball backwards, which is a fumble. There to pick up the ball was Lions defensive tackle Kerry Hyder, who had already recovered two fumbles earlier in the game on mishandled snaps by Simms. The Lions were able to convert the fumble recovery into the Zenner game-winning touchdown run to give them a 17-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Rookie watch: Zenner finished the game with 21 yards on 10 carries and got into the end zone for the third straight game. He also caught two passes for six yards and made a tackle on special teams.) (9-3-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/RECAP-Lions-vs-Bills-/d50028af-eaa0-40ef-9cfe-e012f00f393d
Lions win as roster battles go to wire (The Lions had just 2 yards on 11 first-half carries, but started to run the ball a little better in the second half. Zach Zenner finished with 10 carries for 21 yards and the game-winning 3-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. George Winn had 14 carries for 27 yards. Overall, it was a sloppy performance for the offense with just 217 yards.) (9-3-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/03/lions-win-roster-battles-go-wire/71678186/
Zach Zenner scores another game-wining TD, Lions finish preseason 3-1 (Rookie tailback Zach Zenner plunged into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown with 10:28 in the fourth quarter, lifting the Detroit Lions to a 17-10 win Thursday against the Buffalo Bills in their exhibition finale. The Lions close the preseason with two straight wins -- both on Zenner winners in the fourth -- and a 3-1 record. Winn carried the bulk of the load, with 14 carries for 27 yards, while Zenner had 10 carries for 21.) (9-3-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/zach_zenner_scores_another_gam.html
Detroit Lions top Buffalo in preseason finale (The run game, which looked good in the first three preseason contests, struggled with most of the starting offensive line getting the night off. It made a difference for running backs George Winn and Zach Zenner who carried the bulk of the load and managed a combined two yards on 11 carries in the first half. However, Zenner picked up the pace in the second half and went up the gut for a three-yard touchdown to give the Lions the 17-10 lead with 10:19 left. Zenner also had a 21-yard return on a kickoff and a tackle on a punt return.) (9-3-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150903/detroit-lions-top-buffalo-in-preseason-finale
Lions' T.J. Jones may have swayed decision on receiver spots with strong effort (Running Game AWOL: The Lions had two yards of rushing offense in the first half. George Winn had five yards on five carries and Zach Zenner had -3 yards on six carries. In fairness, the Lions did not have any of their expected starters on the offensive line playing. Rookie Report: Zenner, the undrafted running back out of South Dakota State, came into the game leading the league in rushing with 25 carries for 162 yards. Despite the negative first-half total, Zenner picked up the pace in the second half and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 10:19 left in the fourth quarter. Second-round pick Ameer Abdullah did not play.) (9-3-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18666/lions-t-j-jones-may-have-made-decision-on-receiver-spots-easier-with-strong-effort
Lions' T.J. Jones may have swayed decision on receiver spots with strong effort (Rookie Zach Zenner, who is also vying for a roster spot, ran for a go-ahead, 3-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter for the Lions (3-1) after the Bills (2-2) had a head-scratching penalty. Caldwell was committed to running the ball a lot, perhaps in part to keep the clock moving, and was not happy that George Winn was able to run for just 27 yards on 14 carries and that Zenner gained a mere 21 yards on 10 attempts.) (9-3-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18666/lions-t-j-jones-may-have-made-decision-on-receiver-spots-easier-with-strong-effort
Lions’ Zach Zenner is the preseason’s leading rusher (When Lions running back Zach Zenner arrived in Detroit as an undrafted rookie in May, he appeared to be a long shot to make the roster. Zenner was an excellent college player, with three 2,000-yard seasons, but that was at South Dakota State, which isn’t exactly known for producing NFL talent. But the way Zenner has played in the preseason, it would be tough for the Lions to justify cutting him — and he probably wouldn’t clear waivers if they tried to stash him on the practice squad. Zenner finished the preseason as the NFL’s leading rusher, with 183 yards on 35 carries. In last night’s preseason finale, Zenner scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter, and he said afterward that he sees his preseason performance as proof that he can make it in the NFL. “Every preseason game is very important, especially for a guy like me as an undrafted free agent,” Zenner said, via the Associated Press. “Those opportunities, not everyone gets them.” One person who isn’t surprised by the way Zenner played in the preseason is his fellow Lions rookie running back, Ameer Abdullah. South Dakota State played Abdullah’s Nebraska team in 2013, and Zenner finished that game with 21 carries for 202 yards and two touchdowns, plus a 21-yard reception. Although Abdullah ran for 139 yards in that game and Nebraska won in a blowout, he said he and his teammates left that game with a lot of respect for Zenner, and when Abdullah found out they were going to be NFL teammates, he figured Zenner was going to prove himself on the next level, too. “I expected it,” Abdullah said. “We played South Dakota State in 2013 and his first run was like a 50-yard touchdown. I think he ran for like 220 on us. At that point, I knew what kind of player he was going to be.” Abdullah was ahead of the curve: Most people didn’t know what kind of player Zenner was until this preseason. Now everyone who’s been paying attention knows that Zenner is for real.) (9-3-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/04/lions-zach-zenner-is-the-preseasons-leading-rusher/
Video - Zenner 3-yard rush TD (9-3-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000521370/Zenner-3-yard-rush-TD
Video - Zenner 15-yard run (9-3-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000521317/Zenner-15-yard-run
5 things to watch: Lions vs. Bills (Zenner Mania - Ameer Abdullah had a terrific response in the locker room earlier this week when a reporter asked him where Zenner was (their lockers are close to each other). “He’s with the President,” Abdullah said. It was a joke, obviously, but it speaks to Zenner’s popularity after leading the team in rushing (162 yards) through the first three preseason games, while averaging 6.5 yards per carry with two touchdowns (one receiving). Zenner is fighting for the fourth running back spot on the final 53. In his way is George Winn, who was a very good short-yardage back and special-teams performer for the Lions last year. Both players have one more shot to prove the job should be theirs. Return Man - The coaching staff still hasn’t settled on a return man for the regular-season opener in San Diego. “We’ve still got to make sure we’re looking at the returners,” Caldwell said Tuesday. He’ll get a good look at that part of the game tonight and will probably make a determination on who his kickoff and punt returner will be soon after because that decision could affect roster cuts. Jeremy Ross is trying to hang on to both jobs, but will have to fend of Ameer Abdullah (punt and kickoff), TJ Jones (punt), Josh Wilson (kickoff) and Zach Zenner (kickoff). How each of those players performs tonight in the return game could go a long way to determining who wins the job to start the season.) (9-3-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/5-things-to-watch-Lions-vs-Bills/63a935d4-0751-48e0-bb20-eab779ca580c
10 Detroit Lions to watch as team hosts Buffalo to close out the preseason (Running back Zach Zenner: We already know what Zenner can do. He's shown it all preseason, running with a nice combination of vision, speed and power. He's steadily improved all offseason and should see the bulk of the work against Buffalo, so buckle up.) (9-3-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/10_detroit_lions_to_watch_buff.html
Lions roster jobs could be up for grabs against Bills (At tailback, the Lions appear settled on Zach Zenner for the fourth and final job. But Zenner could get a long look in this game anyway, before the regular season schedule sets in and the Lions start giving the bulk of the reps to Bell and Abdullah.) (9-3-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_roster_jobs_could_be_up.html
Tim Wright, Joseph Fauria provide interesting Lions storyline in preseason finale (Zach Zenner? George Winn? Emil Igwenagu? Zenner has been one of the stars of the Lions' preseason, doing everything he possibly can to win a spot on the 53-man roster. While it seems fairly likely the undrafted rookie will make the team, he could use another good performance in the fourth preseason game to be sure. Winn and Igwenagu have been stronger special-teams performers, so where the three line up – and when – will be something to pay attention to.) (9-3-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18643/tim-wright-joseph-fauria-provide-interesting-lions-storyline-in-preseason-finale
Swashbuckling rookie RB Zach Zenner has a shot with Lions (9-3-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/swashbuckling-rookie-rb-zach-zenner-shot-lions-063635936--nfl.html
Several jobs still up for grabs in Lions-Bills game (Running back: Last year, the Lions kept four running backs and one fullback. This year, they have seven players worthy of backfield jobs on their roster. Zach Zenner leads the NFL in rushing this preseason, but he's not as good of a special teams player as Southfield's George Winn and he's not going to take carries away from Joique Bell nor Ameer Abdullah. At fullback, Emil Igwenagu is a physical blocker and solid special teams player, while fifth-round Michael Burton offers more diversity on offense. It's possible the Lions go heavy at the position and keep just eight offensive linemen. "I've never been through this before, so what does it take? I don't know if there's a set bar," Zenner said. "I think, for me, I've just got to focus on this next game and go out and do the best that I can." The return job is unsettled, too, with Ross and Zenner among those who'll get opportunities Thursday.) (9-2-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/02/detroit-lions-position-battles/71569438/
Lions vs. Bills: 5 things to watch (Zen master: Zach Zenner leads the NFL in rushing this preseason (162 yards on 25 carries). More important, he has impressed enough to close in on a roster spot. With Joique Bell out and Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick expected to play sparingly, Zenner will see plenty of time Thursday.) (9-2-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/02/detroit-lions-buffalo-bills/71573850/
Ten Lions on the bubble (Zach Zenner, RB: Zenner should be a lock as he leads the NFL with 162 yards through three exhibitions. He also has 60 receiving yards, two touchdowns and has shown improvement on special teams. The undrafted rookie’s spot won’t be 100 percent safe until Saturday.) (9-2-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/02/lions-bubble/71620742/
‘Opportunity’ is magic word tonight for on-the-bubble Lions (The Lions also could keep five tailbacks instead of four if Zach Zenner and George Winn prove worthy.) (9-2-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/02/opportunity-magic-word-lions/71621372/
Detroit Lions — Five things to watch in preseason finale against Bills (Running back George Winn was thought to be a lock until rookie Zach Zenner started working his magic. Winn was called the most physical guy on the team by Matthew Stafford recently. He excels at short yardage situation and also on special teams. Keep an eye on him and Zenner especially on special teams.) (9-2-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150902/detroit-lions-x2014-five-things-to-watch-in-preseason-finale-against-bills
NFC preseason player grades (Detroit Lions: Zach Zenner, RB - GRADE: B+, Strengths: Zenner is an instinctive runner with adequate vision, balance and body control. He runs well between the tackles, exhibiting surprising strength and power running through arm tackles at the point of attack. The rookie's 21-yard run against the Jaguars on Friday showcased his ability to spot creases and run through contact, which is why coaches should be excited about what he could bring as a backup and special-teams contributor. Weaknesses: Zenner needs to be a consistent pass catcher out of the backfield. Though he entered Friday's contest as one of the Lions' top receivers, Zenner dropped an easy pass in the fourth quarter; the miscue could lead to some concerns about his dependability as a receiver. What he needs to work on: Zenner is definitely making a strong push to secure a roster spot after a pair of solid performances in consecutive weeks, but he must put the cherry on top of the sundae with a brilliant showing in Week 4. The undrafted rookie needs to run with authority between the tackles to convince coaches he can handle the workload as a potential grinder. Most importantly, he must show strong hands and solid receiving skills in the passing game. With the Lions poised to throw it around behind Matthew Stafford, Zenner must be able to contribute in that area if he is to stick with the team.) (9-1-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000520063/article/nfc-preseason-player-grades-week-3-aaron-donald-rolls
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Zenner more than just a good story (ZZ -- Reality check: All the elements have lined up to create a compelling storyline since Zenner signed with the Lions as a free agent in May. Start with the passed-over college star -- three straight seasons of more than 2,000 yards rushing at FCS powerhouse South Dakota State, and no team drafted him? How is that possible? Add the personal career path. Zenner already had applied to, and been accepted to, medical school – his career after football already plotted out, and put on hold to chase a dream of playing in the NFL. What a story – and time to update it and shift to the present reality that he is a pro-caliber running back who has demonstrated the ability and production in the first three preseason games to make an NFL roster. Sentiments and personal opinion aside, there are no guarantees. 2. Stepping up – opportunity, production: Not every player can handle opportunity. For what it is worth in the preseason – a testing period when the team’s ultimate goal is to build the strongest roster possible -- Zenner has produced when given the opportunity at every step, as follows in the three preseason games: Game 1: 13 carries, 55 yards, a long run of 14 yards. Game 2: four carries, 22 yards; five catches, 59 yards with one TD and a long reception of 36 yards. Game 3: eight carries, 85 yards, with a long run of 41 yards and the game-winning TD in the fourth quarter. Against Jacksonville, Zenner played early in the first half with the starters, and late in the game with the reserves. “It was good to get in with the first group, just the quarterback difference for sure,” Zenner said. “How they call plays is different – just little things here and there. The tempo, literally how they say the play in the huddle, is different for each guy. It’s just their style.” A factor in Zenner’s favor is that he wasn’t awed or over-matched in either circumstance, especially with the first unit. “What he’s done is, he’s progressively gotten better,” head coach Jim Caldwell said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.” 3. Roster spot – the numbers: In this regard, Zenner is no different than a half dozen players or more on every team in the league. The best 53 players don’t always make the final roster because of varying needs at different positions. For example, the sixth running back might be better than the third tight end or eighth offensive lineman, but the value of depth at those positions can exceed the luxury of keeping an extra player at another position. It’s a balancing act that is not unlike shopping for groceries on a budget. Buy the staples, then the snacks. 4. Roster number – 14 of 53: After the final cut last year, 14 players made the Lions’ final roster at running back (5), wide receiver (6) and tight end (3) combined. Three tailbacks and two fullbacks filled out the running back group. If the Lions want to keep six running backs, they might cut back to five receivers or two tight ends to add the extra spot. Keeping two quarterbacks is an option, but, Martin Mayhew has kept three since his promotion to GM during the 2008 season. TD blast – Fouts’ take: A fumble recovery gave the Lions possession at the Jaguars’ 18 with just under four minutes left. On second and goal from the three, Zenner scored on a power run off the right side, following rookie fullback Michael Burton and the offensive linemen who sustained their blocks as though they intended to drive Jacksonville’s defenders all the way to Georgia. “He stayed on his feet, driving, and allowed his offensive line to give him that extra step,” Fouts said. “Look at everybody in blue push Zenner into the end zone.” It was a group effort – fullback, running back and offensive line. The best of Game 3: The big play offense – 173 yards passing and two TDs by Stafford; 108 yards rushing, led by Zenner’s 85; the defense getting four sacks in the second half; rookie Kyle Brindza making a 51-yard field goal look as effortless as Dustin Johnson hitting an 8-iron; a good 32-yard sideline catch by Jeremy Ross on a throw from Dan Orlovsky.) (8-31-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Zenner-more-than-just-a-good-story/137ea4cf-bc10-4712-984b-2435a150241c
Column: The Detroit Lions offense will be better in 2015 (The latest craze is running back Zach Zenner, who has led the Lions in rushing the past two weeks, and now leads the entire league overall (162 yards). He's stormed his way onto the roster, and into the hearts of thousands of fans.) (8-31-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/column_its_no_longer_a_matter.html
Video - Next Gen stats: Ameer Abdullah vs. Zach Zenner (8-31-15): http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=0ap3000000519147
Birkett: Lions' exhibition craze Zenner has earned spot (8-30-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/30/detroit-lions-zach-zenner/71412838/
Jim Caldwell quotes from Saturday (On RB Zach Zenner showing his ability to be a physical runner: "You know, I think he’s done a number of things well, and he improves every single week. There was never any question in our eyes whether or not he was a physical runner, just whether or not he could function. That’s why we got him in pretty early, giving him a chance to work against the number one group and see what happens. He was able to perform pretty well." On Zenner showing his ability to perform in the NFL: "You know, I think he’s performed well. Obviously, that’s the reason why we put him in where he put him in this particular ball game to kind of get a real good sense of him, and get a good feel for what he can do and what he’s capable of. But it still doesn’t tell the story. That’s the thing about this league, you know. It’s a humbling league and it takes more than one outing, it takes more than a couple games to see, and then sometimes you don’t know after that. You make an educated guess for the most part. But what he’s done is he’s progressively gotten better, done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s done the job in terms of his special teams and he’s been productive.") (8-30-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/30/9227913/jim-caldwell-quotes-from-saturday
Mailbag: What will Zach Zenner's role be if he makes Detroit Lions? (Q. What do you think Zach Zenners role will be, assuming he makes the team? A. He'll be a backup once Joique Bell is healthy. Let's start there. Yes, Zenner has been fantastic during the preseason and has likely given himself a 53-man roster spot. But Joique Bell is still a proven starter in the league and won't be displaced or discarded easily. Plus, the Lions also drafted Ameer Abdullah in the second round and they still view him as a back who will have a major role. So Zenner's role is still likely heavily on special teams with maybe a few carries here and there. The intriguing thing could be on the goal-line. His touchdown carry Friday night was impressive and could be a role worth exploring more. Q. Do zenner and salas make the 53 man roster? A. Zenner yes. Q. Is AA looking like the no.1 for the opener? JB missed everything and even if he plays it'd be limited right? A. You should expect some sort of carry/snap split between Bell, Abdullah, Theo Riddick on passing downs and potentially Zach Zenner or George Winn in certain situations (perhaps short-yardage).) (8-30-15) : http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18582/mailbag-what-will-zach-zenners-role-be-if-he-makes-detroit-lions
Notes from preseason Week 3 (Notes: Rookie free agent Zach Zenner, a 5-11, 223-pound truck, is either going to med school this fall or playing for the Lions. He continued his quest for the latter, with an eight-carry, 85-yard night in Jacksonville … Allen Hurns, who came out of nowhere last year as an undrafted free agent from the University of Miami, continues to appear to be Bortles’ favorite target. Four targets, four receptions in this game … Golden Tate is going to be Matthew Stafford’s best friend if he keeps it up. With Calvin Johnson resting, Tate caught a perfect 62-yard strike from Stafford to open Detroit’s scoring … The Jags want T.J. Yeldon to win a prominent role in the running game, but he’s going to have to be better than he was in this game: eight carries, 10 yards, mostly stonewalls. Stat of the day: Zenner, an undrafted free agent from South Dakota State, rushed for 2,044, 2,015 and 2,019 yards in his last three college seasons.) (8-30-15): http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/08/30/deflategate-concussion-movie-preseason-week-3-nfl
Lions RBs Zenner, Abdullah continue to shine (8-29-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/29/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah-zach-zenner/71365962/
Lions’ Zenner showing coaches he can operate (8-29-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/29/lions-zenner-showing-coaches-can-operate/71370826/
Detroit Lions snap counts: Starting defense gets a workout against Jacksonville (Friday's hero, running back Zach Zenner, got 28 reps of work, earning carries with every unit. His workload was the highest among skill position players, edging out starting quarterback Matthew Stafford by one snap.) (8-29-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_snap_counts_jack.html
Column: Now leading the NFL in rushing, Zach Zenner has to make Lions roster (8-29-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/column_zach_zenner_leading_the.html
Detroit Lions — Five players on or near the bubble (Zach Zenner, the undrafted running back, had another stellar preseason performance that included the game-winning touchdown late in the game and a 41-yard scamper in the second quarter. It looked like his teammates pushed him over the goal line on the touchdown but it didn’t feel that way. “Honestly I didn’t know I got pushed until I watched the film,’’ Zenner said on Saturday. “It was great we needed it, I needed it, who knows if I would have gotten in without it so it was great to have those guys behind me to help me get in the end zone.’’ He had eight carries for 85 yards. He’s earned the respect of his coaches and teammates. “Quite honestly one of the hardest workers I’ve been around in quite some time,’’ Joique Bell said. He played with the starters early in the game. “There was never any question in our eyes whether or not he was a physical runner, just whether or not he could function,’’ coach Jim Caldwell said. “That’s why we got him in pretty early, giving him a chance to work against the number one group and see what happens. He was able to perform pretty well.” Of these five, he’s probably got the best chance of making the 53-man roster.) 8-29-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150829/detroit-lions-x2014-five-players-on-or-near-the-bubble
Winners and Losers from Lions' victory over Jaguars (Zach Zenner - Zenner got a significant amount of playing time with the first string offense and made it count. After also getting some playing time toward the end of the game, he finished with eight carries for 85 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 41-yard scamper. Zenner's day overshadowed George Winn, who mostly saw the field with the second-string offense and only managed 13 yards on six carries.) (8-29-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/29/9223745/winners-losers-lions-jaguars-preseason
What we learned: Chiefs boast new set of triplets (Detroit Lions 22, Jacksonville Jaguars 17: 3. Lions rookie sensation Ameer Abdullah not only worked as the first-team kickoff returner, but also earned the first carry of the game in the backfield. He's locked and loaded for a major role regardless of Joique Bell's health. The more interesting question is how the Lions could possibly cut hard-charging undrafted rookie Zach Zenner after a third consecutive strong showing. Seeing action with the first- and second-string offenses, Zenner led the Lions with 85 yards on eight carries, bringing his preseason average to 6.5 yards per carry. If Bell isn't ready for Week 1, Zenner's size and physicality will be needed between the tackles.) (8-29-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000517581/article/what-we-learned-chiefs-boast-new-set-of-triplets
Lions' Bell (knee, Achilles) progressing in rehab (One of the beneficiaries of Bell's injury has been rookie Zach Zenner, who has rushed 25 times for 162 yards and one touchdown in the preseason. He also has caught six passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Zenner has been one of the more impressive players in training camp for the Lions, catching the attention of the coaching staff and his teammates. Included in that is Bell. "We got a steal on Zenner," Bell said. "That kid there, man, his numbers speak for himself.") (8-29-15): http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13540505/running-back-joique-bell-detroit-lions-moving-really-well-comeback-offseason-surgery
Rookies Abdullah, Zenner filling in nicely for Lions (8-29-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rookies-abdullah-zenner-filling-nicely-lions-004519165--nfl.html
Video - Bell on Zenner (8-29-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Bell-on-Zenner/7a1b70e9-37ad-40b4-b080-bbcc7af6f750
Video - Zenner on his NFL opportunity (8-29-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Zenner-on-his-NFL-opportunity/2939c18d-4225-410a-9b45-0a62b90dc207
Video - Any way Zach Zenner doesn't make Lions? (8-29-15): http://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/29/71397252/
Four Downs: Wake-up Call For Defense (Second Down: Physical Runner - When rookie running back Zach Zenner was asked to evaluate his 85-yard rushing performance on eight carries after the game, the first plays he talked about were a holding penalty he was called for, a pass he dropped on a screen play and one run in particular where he didn’t feel he read the hole right. That, in a nutshell, is Zenner. Always looking to get better. One part of his game he was happy with in the locker room afterwards was the physical way in which he ran the ball. That’s something he says he’s really been focusing on this preseason. “I really think I want to get more physical with my running game,” he said. “That’s something I think today I improved on, but there’s still more room to improve, in my opinion. We’ll see the tape, but that’s just a gut reaction right now.” Zenner ran hard and finished runs against the Jaguars, which is something that’s impressed the Lions about his game since he first put on pads. It’s getting to a point where it’s unlikely Zenner will clear waivers if he's not included on the 53-man roster because of the tape he's put together. He’s made plays when given the opportunity and that’s all a coach can ask of a player. “We still have games left,” Caldwell said when asked if Zenner has played his way onto the final roster yet. “Obviously, he’s performing well.") (8-28-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-Wake-up-call-for-defense/49d7a12e-d3ca-4d2d-aac0-ccfedd4b1d4e
RECAP: Lions at Jaguars (Both teams traded field goals in the second half, with Lions backup Kyle Brindza hitting from 51 yards, and Lions rookie running back Zach Zenner had the game-winning 3-yard touchdown in the final two minutes of the game. Rookie watch: Running back Zach Zenner continues to make a case for inclusion on the 53-man roster. Every time he gets a chance to play he makes a play. It was no different in Jacksonville. He finished the night with 85 yards rushing that included runs of 41 and 21 yards and the game-winning 3-yard touchdown run with 1:41 left in the game.) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/RECAP-Lions-at-Jaguars/aedb2f47-d659-418e-a6ff-a41cf8e3c3c9
O'hara's Burning Questions: What Happened To Defense In 1st Half? (Q. Rookie runners and roster battles: Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner have gotten a lot of attention. How did they play, and did anyone else help his cause on the offense? A. Zenner and Abdullah played well, and there are going to be some hard decisions at running back, especially because of how Zenner continues to gain yards – tough yards at that. Abdullah had three carries for eight yards, but the play that stood out was what he did on a screen pass on the second TD drive. He accelerated and turned it into a 21-yard gain to the seven. There was no hesitation or wasted motion by Abdullah. Zenner had eight carries for 85 yards with a long run of 41 yards. What Zenner has done in the first three preseason games – 25 carries for 162 yards – makes it hard to argue against him making the roster.) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara-burning-questions/article-1/OHARAS-BURNING-QUESTIONS-What-happened-to-defense-in-1st-half/c8b0f5ee-3b56-4048-93f5-b7dd7959ab0a
Detroit 22, Jacksonville 17: Lions' defense needs work (Zach Zenner ran for 85 yards on eight carries and scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:41 to play as the Lions beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 22-17, despite a shoddy performance by their injury-riddled defense. As disappointing as the defensive effort was, the Lions got solid performances from Zenner, who may have locked up a roster spot with his performance, and quarterback Matthew Stafford. Zenner, an undrafted rookie out of South Dakota State, played most of the second series with the first-team offense and led the Lions in rushing yards for the second time in as many weeks. He broke a 41-yard run late in the second quarter to dig the Lions out of bad field position and set up Stafford’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Corey Fuller, and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 3-yard burst up the middle late in the game. “He's a guy that doesn't wow you without pads on, and then you go put the pads on, you play real football and does the right thing in protection, has pretty sure hands and then when he gets the ball in his hand when he's running the ball he does a great job,” Stafford said. “He has really good patience, good vision and he's obviously a big kid.”(8-28-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/detroit-lions-jacksonville-jaguars/71354100/
Lions observations: Abdullah gets first carry; Zenner shines (Abdullah also got the first carry of the game, a 2-yard run up the middle, but it was his rookie counterpart, Zach Zenner, who once again opened some eyes. Zenner played most of the second series at running back (with the first-team offense) and had a 41-yard run late in the half. Considering Bell’s health problems, the Lions would be wise to keep Zenner.) (8-28-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/detroit-lions-observations/71348162/
Lions doing early homework on opener vs. Chargers (Early Returns: Ameer Abdullah handled the opening kickoff (a touchback) tonight against the Jaguars, a departure from the first two weeks when the Lions used incumbent Jeremy Ross as their top return man. With a week until they set their 53-man roster, the return job is one of a handful spots still up for grabs. Ross, Abdullah and Golden Tate (on punts) are the most likely candidates to handle returns this fall, though Josh Wilson, TJ Jones and Zach Zenner also should see time at the position next week. “You probably won’t see a change in that,” Caldwell said. “You’ll see multiple guys back there and where it is right now, it’s ongoing, which is a good thing for us.”) (8-28-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/detroit-lions-regular-season/71345264/
Offense shines, defense struggles as Lions win (Matthew Stafford, rookie running back Zach Zenner and the reserve defensive players were among the bright spots. Penalties, special teams and covering tight ends were among the problems the Lions must correct before Sept. 13. Jacksonville converted its first seven third down attempts. After the eighth failed, the Jaguars went for a fourth down near the Lions goal line, but came up short. On the ensuing drive, the Lions drove 95 yards for a touchdown, highlighted by a 45-yard run by Zenner and capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Corey Fuller. Zenner was the most impressive back on the field with eight carries for 85 yards and the score.) (8-28-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/28/offense-shines-defense-struggles-lions-win/71358214/
Lions Zach Zenner drags defenders into end zone for game-winning TD against Jags (Zach Zenner carried the ball eight times. But it was that last one that was most impressive. With the Detroit Lions trailing by a point late in the fourth quarter, the rookie was hit by multiple defenders about 3 yards short of the end zone -- but he just didn't stop. Zenner dragged those defenders into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown that lifted Detroit to a 22-17 win Friday night in a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The undrafted rookie entered the game in Jacksonville with a tremendous amount of buzz, after leading Detroit (2-1) in rushing through two preseason games. This performance will only ratchet up the hype. He finished with 85 rushing yards, on a day none of his teammates managed more than 13. That's a huge step in the right direction for his bid to beat out George Winn for the fourth tailback job. Highlights - Zenner looks like he's played his way onto the offense, the same goes for DE Phillip Hunt on defense.) (8-28-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_zach_zenner_drags_defend.html
Detroit Lions stock report: Matthew Stafford ready for regular season, Zach Zenner strengthens case (Stock up -- Running back Zach Zenner: Zenner is trending toward being a roster lock. The popular undrafted rookie continued his brilliant preseason campaign, rushing for 85 yards and the game-winning touchdown on eight carries. He displayed good vision, hitting the correct lane for a big 41-yard gain and proved difficult to bring down on several other carries. On the score, he got hit at the three-yard line, but managed to drive the pile across the goal line. On the downside, Zenner did drop a pass and got flagged for a hold on a blitz pickup.) (8-28-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_stock_report.html
Detroit Lions — Five things learned in win over Jaguars (Zach Zenner, the undrafted rookie running back, was impressive for the third straight game. They are going to have to find a way to keep him on the 53-man roster. In the second quarter, he ran for 41 yards to the outside on a third-and-1. He’s got speed and toughness. He capped off a solid showing with a bull-dozing 4-yard run for the winning touchdown. He averaged more than 10 yards per carry (eight carries, 85 yards). If anyone thinks preseason games are meaningless they haven’t been watching Zenner in action. It’s really tough to judge running backs until the preseason action.) (8-28-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150828/detroit-lions-x2014-five-things-learned-in-win-over-jaguars
Detroit Lions notes: Run game up to speed in win over Jaguars (Bell has hardly been missed thanks to a pair of rookies - Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner. Detroit Lions notes: Run game up to speed in win over Jaguars (Bell has hardly been missed thanks to a pair of rookies - Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner. Zenner is the surprise so far. He's an undrafted rookie out of a small school (South Dakota State), but he has proven he can play with the big boys. He had eight carries for 85 yards and a punishing 4-yard touchdown run to win the game. He's sneaky fast and strong.) (8-28-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150828/detroit-lions-notes-run-game-up-to-speed-in-win-over-jaguars
Stock Report (Highs - Zach Zenner: The rookie is still trying to make the roster and had another strong performance Friday, rushing eight times for 85 yards -- including a 41-yard run where he ran perfectly off tackle and then along the sideline. It’s the second week in a row he had a massive gain. He also had a fourth-quarter touchdown.) (8-28-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18558/matthew-stafford-zach-zenner-stand-out-for-detroit-lions
Offensive starters shine, defense struggles for Detroit Lions (Play of the game: Two stood out -- both on offense. One came from running back Zach Zenner, who is trying to make the roster. He had a 41-yard carry where he ran through at least one tackle, continuing a strong preseason.) (8-28-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18556/offensive-starters-shine-defense-struggles-for-detroit-lions
Zach Zenner proves he deserves roster spot with Detroit Lions (Zach Zenner should make the Detroit Lions' roster. If not, he’s going to be playing somewhere else in the NFL this fall. His performance over the past two weeks has taken Zenner from a player destined for the Detroit practice squad to a player who, if the Lions cut him, would likely not make it all the way through waivers to reach that status. That’s how good Zenner has been in August. Players like him show up from time to time, smaller school rushers or receivers with massive college production, but questions about whether it’ll translate to the NFL. Zenner’s college production -- three straight 2,000-yard seasons -- was never a question. But how would that work against players much faster, much stronger than the ones he saw at South Dakota State? So far, the answer is just fine. Absolutely fine. Yes, it is only the preseason, but unlike last week, where Zenner gained the majority of his yards against players who are unlikely to make NFL rosters, Zenner was magnificent Friday against the Jaguars. The more important part of it -- Zenner did most of his running against Jacksonville’s first unit. He showed he can be just as good -- if not better -- when he’s facing an opponent’s starters. Zenner had eight carries for 85 yards against the Jaguars, but the biggest runs came against that first group, including a 41-yarder where he took a perfect path with the ball around the tackle, saw open field and ran down the sideline. This is the key for Zenner. He looked more like the one-cut-and-go runner he needs to be against Jacksonville than he did earlier in camp. He’s breaking more tackles than he did at the start of the preseason. He’s running stronger and appears to be gaining confidence with every carry or catch he has. Unlike some players who have one good preseason game and then fall off, Zenner has consistently improved. He’s a realist and understands his main role once the regular season begins could be on special teams, especially with Ameer Abdullah and Joique Bell around. If there’s a reason the Lions don’t keep Zenner -- and it’s the only conceivable one at this point. But Bell is still on the PUP list and Zenner has shown enough and done enough to prove he is an NFL running back. That’s reason enough for the Lions to find a way to keep him on the roster.) (8-28-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18564/zach-zenner-proves-he-deserves-roster-spot-with-detroit-lions
NFL preseason Week 3: Matthew Stafford, Alex Smith nearly perfect (Undrafted rookie running back Zach Zenner put on a show, though. Zenner worked a little with the first-team offense and finished with eight carries for 85 yards and a touchdown. It's yet another impressive preseason performance. In Week 1 he had 55 rushing yards on 13 carries and in Week 2 he had nine total touches for 81 all-purpose yards.) (8-29-15): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2015-08-28/nfl-highlights-patriots-panthers-titans-chiefs-lions-jaguars-brad-stafford-alex-smith
Stafford, Bortles shine as Lions beat Jaguars 22-17 (Matthew Stafford didn't even need Calvin Johnson to carve up the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stafford completed 11 of 15 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Lions beat the Jaguars 22-17 in a preseason game Friday night. ''He's been pretty sharp for us,'' Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. Detroit (2-1) trailed most of the night, but rookie Zach Zenner's 3-yard touchdown run with 1:41 remaining was the winner. Johnson sat out his third consecutive game as a precaution, but Stafford found other options. He threw a perfect deep ball to Golden Tate for a 62-yarder in the second quarter and then hooked up with Corey Fuller for a 4-yard score. Zenner had a 41-yard scamper that set up Fuller's TD. The undrafted rookie finished with 85 yards on eight carries, continuing his push for a roster spot.) (8-28-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/stafford-bortles-shine-lions-beat-jaguars-22-17-031230382--nfl.html
Video - Zenner runs 41 yards (8-28-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000517441/Zenner-runs-41-yards
Postgame 1 on 1 with Zach Zenner: http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Postgame-1-on-1-with-Zach-Zenner/596a12b8-4e3f-4a40-b65a-bf77369ee8b9
Some tight position battles with Detroit Lions could shake out on Friday (Does Zach Zenner work with the first group: The No. 4 running back battle between Zenner and George Winn has been getting closer by the week. Winn still appears to be in the lead, mostly due to his special teams work instead of what he has produced as a runner in the preseason. With Joique Bell out, there could be some early carries available after Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick receive theirs. If Zenner gets some work and Winn doesn’t, that could be a sign of the competition evening out. If Zenner has any first-team special teams work, then it might mean even more.) (8-28-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18548/some-tight-position-battles-with-detroit-lions-could-shake-out-friday
Five key position battles for the Lions (Fourth tailback: Zach Zenner was one of the best players in the first two exhibition games, running for 55 yards against the Jets and gaining 81 yards from scrimmage against Washington. George Winn hasn’t been as good on offense, (eight carries, 13 yards) but he’s a reliable special teams player and can be a physical short-yardage option behind Joique Bell. The Lions could keep both players because the 23-year-old Zenner could be a key player in the future while Winn is ready to contribute now.) (8-27-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/27/five-key-position-battles-lions/32477079/
13 players on the Detroit Lions' roster bubble (RB Zach Zenner: No one entered training camp with more hype than the undrafted rookie out of South Dakota State, and Zenner has lived up to the billing — and then some. He’s leading the Lions in rushing, with 17 carries for 77 yards, and also led them in receiving against Washington with five catches for 59 yards and one touchdown. Zenner has caught the eye of several people around Allen Park, and there’s a growing feeling in the organization they could have something in Zenner. Or at the very least, would not be able to sneak him onto the practice squad if they were to cut him. It’s not over with Winn yet. Those two are neck-and-neck for the last tailback job, and whoever finishes stronger in these two games will have the best shot to make the team. But Zenner seems to have the momentum now, and could find himself on the right side of the bubble Sept. 5.) (8-27-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/12_players_on_detroit_lions_ro.html
Detroit Lions — Five to watch in preseason game at Jaguars (Zach Zenner has made a splash in the first two preseason games. Can he keep it up? The undrafted rookie certainly has a shot at making the roster but the Lions have tough decisions to make at the position. Two of his teammates have talked about how holes open for him and he has a way of taking advantage. He’s one tough Doc.) (8-27-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150827/detroit-lions-x2014-five-to-watch-in-preseason-game-at-jaguars
Detroit Lions RB Zach Zenner puts off medical school to pursue NFL dream (8-26-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18505/detroit-lions-rb-zach-zenner-delaying-medical-school-to-pursue-nfl-career
Video - Zenner on the team competition (8-26-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Zenner-on-the-team-competition/e8889b72-2b24-4b08-9073-db8a801be0d6
Video - AskALion: Zach Zenner (8-26-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/AskALion-Zach-Zenner/11c60237-ba99-46ef-b9a5-ef65edd2256d
Lions' 'Dump Truck' Winn doesn't mind the dirty work (If Bell returns before the season as expected, though, Winn's roster spot won't be secure. It'll be tough for the Lions to keep five tailbacks on the roster, and in the battle for the fourth job, undrafted rookie Zach Zenner has been more productive offensively with 55 rushing yards two weeks ago and 81 yards from scrimmage last week. Although Winn is frustrated with his lack of production, he's happy for Zenner. After all, Winn knows what it's like to be battling to make a team after going undrafted. Plus, as much as Zenner has impressed with the ball in his hands, he'll have to measure up to Winn on special teams to make the team.) (8-25-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/25/lions-dump-truck-george-winn-doesnt-mind--dirty-work/32321485/
Lions RB George Winn hoping to make roster so he can move out of his parents' basement (Winn reported to practice as the leader to make the roster as Detroit's fourth tailback, behind Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick, but a breakout camp from rookie Zach Zenner has put him on the roster bubble. Zenner led Detroit in rushing and receiving last week against Washington, and leads the team in rushing during the preseason with 17 carries for 77 yards. He's also caught one touchdown pass. People within the organization have taken notice, and Zenner is expected to get a long look in the final two preseason games. But Winn isn't out of it yet. He originally made the team last year due to his thunderous collisions in practice, and a year later, he remains the hardest hitter in Detroit's backfield. "George is as physical a guy as we have on our team," quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "Our linebackers come in on blitzes, (and) don't feel like they want to hit him. I mean the guy is just ... he's done some pretty awesome stuff. Picking up blitzes, running with the football, just all sorts of physicality. "He's a tone-setter in that backfield, just the mentality-wise of how he plays. People watch that and understand what it's all about." Winn's production in the backfield has waned this year, with just eight carries for 13 yards through two preseason games. But the physicality is still there, which also makes him an asset on special teams. And that could prove to be more germane to the battle with Zenner than what either player does offensively, considering a fourth tailback typically receives most of his playing time on special teams. Zenner has not played there since covering kicks as a redshirt freshman at South Dakota State, and though he has improved, Winn has him beat in experience, not to mention strength. "I'm a physical player," Winn said. "I want to do it, so I'm happy to be out there." Zenner has the hot hand right now, after a couple really good weeks with the Lions, and that has put Winn in a precarious position with the final cuts looming next week. The Lions' decision essentially will come down to whether they want to carry the guy who has more upside and athleticism as a rusher (Zenner), or if they want to carry the guy who is more physical and productive on special teams. It's a tough decision, because both players could bring something to the roster. Winn understands his place in the battle — "I'm happy for (Zenner), man," he says — but hopes he has done enough to stick for another year.) (8-25-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_rb_george_winn_hoping_to.html
Detroit Lions — Five reasons why running back by committee works (There may not be room for both George Winn and Zach Zenner.) (8-25-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150825/detroit-lions-x2014-five-reasons-why-running-back-by-committee-works
Teryl Austin, Joe Lombardi quotes from Monday (On how RB Zach Zenner has helped his case for making the team: "Well, he’s a guy that’s been productive every time he’s had a chance to go out there and play. He’s dependable, a smart player and he seems to gain yards every time he gets the ball. So he’s had a really good preseason.") (8-25-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/25/9208627/lions-quotes-from-teryl-austin-and-joe-lombardi
O'HARA'S MONDAY COUNTDOWN: Roster watch (Rookies Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner have created a buzz as preseason playmakers. They are at opposite ends of the spectrum as far as security on the depth chart. Zenner has been a good story because of his production at South Dakota State – hitting the 2,000-yard rushing mark the last three seasons – and what he’s done so far in the preseason as an undrafted free agent.) (8-24-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MONDAY-COUNTDOWN-Roster-watch/f00f0d89-7772-4948-881b-0fafd5e183d7
Running back committee will carry load for Lions (When Bell missed a game last year, George Winn filled his role as the downhill, between-the-tackles option, and Winn said he's ready to hold that job again. Undrafted rookie Zach Zenner could play himself into a role, too.) (8-24-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/24/running-back-committee-will-carry-load-for-lions/32291097/
Detroit Lions notes: Lance Moore, Joique Bell, Zach Zenner (Just call him Moses - Zach Zenner has earned the nickname of Doc because he’s been accepted to medical school. The undrafted rookie running back has shown flashes all through camp. On Monday Matthew Stafford and Joique Bell commented on how holes seem to open when Zenner is handed the ball. “We mess with Doc every time because every time Doc gets the ball the holes just open up. So we say give the ball to Doc. Very smart player, very physical, very strong, great vision the guy makes plays just look at his college it speaks for itself,’’ Bell said. “You know, it seemed like every time we handed him the ball in the spring, it was like the perfectly blocked play for him and it was, you know, a nice big hole for him to go through and he was running it well, but he’s a smart guy,’’ Stafford said. “He understands where he needs to be in protection and that kind of thing which is big and then, when he’s gotten his chance with the football in his hands, he’s done a good job.’’) (8-24-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150824/detroit-lions-notes-lance-moore-joique-bell-zach-zenner
First Down/Fourth Down: Hayne electrifies in Week 2 (First Down: Backup running backs - Detroit's Zach Zenner, who hauled in a touchdown pass during Detroit's 21–17 loss to Jones and the Redskins. The touchdown was one of five catches Zenner had on the night, for 59 yards. He also carried four times for another 22 yards. The Lions have myriad options in the backfield, so Zenner could be squeezed out by the numbers game. If so, he's still done enough to warrant a spot somewhere.) (8-24-15): http://www.si.com/2015/08/24/nfl-preseason-week-2-jarryd-hayne-brandon-scherff
Video - Watch Detroit Lions reporters debate whether Zach Zenner or George Winn will make team (8-24-15): http://videos.mlive.com/mlive/2015/08/watch_detroit_lions_reporters_22.html
Lions roster: Bubble watch (Zach Zenner, RB: Who will win the fourth running back spot -- Zenner or George Winn? This will be a tough call for GM Martin Mayhew and Co. Winn brings a power running style and he’s good on special teams. Zenner has shown the ability to run both between the tackles and in space. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s also playing special teams and that’s where he’s going to have to really make a mark over the next two games to earn the job.) (8-22-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-roster-Bubble-watch/c6b6ad44-c101-4ebe-8895-22edd7eae28f
Lions RB Zenner is this year’s exhibition-season darling (8-22-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/22/detroit-lions-zach-zenner/32203033/
Zach Zenner, always improving, has played himself onto the Lions' roster bubble (8-22-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/zach_zenner_improving_every_we.html
Pat Caputo - More questions raised than answered for Detroit Lions so far this preseason (What is more difficult to distinguish is whether undrafted free agent rookie running back Zack Zenner is the real deal or simply a classic case of a preseason wonder flashing brightly against second- and third-team defenses.) (8-22-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150822/pat-caputo-more-questions-raised-than-answered-for-detroit-lions-so-far-this-preseason
Detroit Lions — Zach Zenner may have to delay medical school (8-22-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150822/detroit-lions-x2014-zach-zenner-may-have-to-delay-medical-school
Lions mailbag: Who will be offensive, defensive difference-makers? (Q. For backup RB & KR/PR, who's best at the less sexy ST roles (blocker, gunner, etc)? (A. George Winn has also been a mainstay at blocker and it's why he is likely to beat out Zach Zenner for a roster spot (although right now I have both on the roster).) (8-22-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18418/mailbag-who-will-be-offensive-defensive-difference-makers-for-detroit-lions
Four Downs: Orlovsky Feeling Comfortable And Confident (Fourth Down: Rookie Report - Zach Zenner, RB: Zenner continues to impress. He had 22 rushing yards in four carries and led the team with five catches for 59 yards, including a touchdown catch.) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-Orlovsky-feeling-comfortable-and-confident/c188163d-6b57-4c18-af78-9d3faae6f61f
Notes: Abdullah mostly silent in preseason loss (While the Lions struggled to run the ball overall, Zach Zenner had a solid day playing with the second- and third-team offense. Zenner caught a team-high five passes for 59 yards and added 22 yards rushing on four carries. He also had a 45-yard run called back by a holding penalty early in the third quarter, something Caldwell lamented after the game.) (8-21-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/detroit-lions-laken-tomlinson-duke/32100481/
Lions snap counts: Abdullah kept on short tether (Zach Zenner, who starred with 22 yards on four runs and five catches for 59 yards, received the most snaps in the backfield with 20. He also had six special teams plays, too.) (8-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/snap-counts-abdullah-kept-short-tether/32125633/
Lions running back hopeful Zach Zenner a rare breed (8-21-15: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/lions-running-back-hopeful-zach-zenner-rare-breed/32173593/
Lions’ Zenner puts versatility on display (8-21-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/21/lions-zenner-puts-versatility-display/32100439/
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Friday (On where RB Zach Zenner can improve: "He's just kind of getting a sense and feel for the competition he's facing. He's one of those guys that will adjust and adapt pretty well. He understands his assignments, but I think he's just getting a feel for the flow of the game. Every week he seems to improve upon that. You saw he had a little better feel for cutback lanes, when to start and stop, so on and so forth during the course of the game. He caught the ball well out of the backfield, so I think he's making good progress for a young guy.")(8-21-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/21/9188493/lions-jim-caldwell-quotes-friday
Rookie check-in: The Zach Zenner Show (8-21-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/21/9185811/lions-rookie-check-in-preseason-week-2
Zach Zenner knows special teams will be his way to making Lions roster (8-21-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18412/zach-zenner-knows-special-teams-will-be-his-way-to-making-detroit-lions
Small-school star Zach Zenner turning heads in Detroit (8-21-15): http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/21/small-school-star-zach-zenner-turning-heads-in-detroit/
Recap: Lions At Redskins (Play of the day: Zenner had himself a fine game both as a runner and receiver. He accounted for the Lions’ longest play from scrimmage on the night with a 36-yard reception in the third quarter that helped set up his 5-yard touchdown catch later in the drive. Zenner got himself open in the flat for a check down from Orlovsky and was able to scamper down the left sideline, making a defender miss on a cutback in the open field, before finally being dragged down at the Washington 42-yard line. Player of the game: Orlovsky deserves some votes, so does the first-team defense, but Zenner had a nice all-around game that included 22 rushing yards on four carries (5.5 average) and 59 receiving yards on five catches, including a touchdown. Zenner also had a 45-yard run called back on a holding penalty.) (8-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/RECAP-Lions-at-Redskins/cce7020b-6e20-48a4-aa49-a2850958279b
Washington 21, Detroit 17: Lions' starters fare well in preseason (Orlovsky, who's in a tight battle for the backup quarterback job, played through the third quarter and finished 13 of 17 passing for 118 yards with two interceptions. He hit Zach Zenner for a 5-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.) (8-20-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/20/detroit-lions-washington-redskins/32093793/
Lions licking wounds after loss at Washington (Running back Zach Zenner impressed with four carries for 22 yards and five catches for 59 yards, including a 36-yarder in which he juked away from a defender near the sideline and a 5-yard touchdown that gave the Lions a 17-14 lead with 1:43 left in the third quarter.) (8-20-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/20/lions-licking-wounds-loss-washington/32094485/
Detroit Lions stock report: Undrafted RB Zach Zenner continues to make case for roster spot (Stock up -- Zach Zenner: The undrafted running back showcased his receiving chops against Washington, catching five passes for 59 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The box score will show Zenner didn't accomplish much on the ground, but he had a 45-yard gain wiped out by a holding penalty committed by center Braxton Cave.) (8-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_stock_report_was.html
Lions defense destroys RGIII before backups lose exhibition in Washington (Highlights - Zach Zenner has been firmly behind George Winn throughout camp in that battle for the fourth (and likely final) tailback job. But he's helped himself in both exhibitions. He carried the offense throughout the second half of this one, and led the team in both rushing (four carries for 22 yards) and receiving (five receptions for 59 yards). He also had the longest rush of the night (14 yards) and the longest reception (36 yards). Winn, meantime, had three carries for 10 yards and no catches. (On the other hand, Winn does a lot more on special teams.)) (8-20-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/lions_defense_destroys_rgiii_b.html
Detroit Lions — Five things learned from loss to Redskins (Zach Zenner saw more action in the second half and made the most of his chances. Not only did the running back have four carries for 22 yards, he made a nice catch with the ball at his shoelaces, turned and fought for an additional five yards. On another catch he had a 36-yard gain, high-stepping down the sideline. He runs routes like a receiver which explains his five catches for 59 yards and a touchdown on a five-yard pass from Dan Orlovsky. Remember, Zenner was undrafted out of South Dakota State. The first-half run game wasn’t quite as head-spinning with Ameer Abdullah’s two carries for 7 yards.)(8-20-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150820/detroit-lions-x2014-five-things-learned-from-loss-to-redskins
Detroit Lions notes — Orlovsky, Moore continue battle to be No. 2 QB (Zach Zenner led in both running yards (22) and receiving yards (59).) (8-20-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150820/detroit-lions-notes-x2014-orlovsky-moore-continue-battle-to-be-no-2-qb
Winners and losers from Lions' second preseason game (Winners: Zach Zenner - Zenner also followed up a strong performance last week with another good outing. This week, he ran the ball four times for 22 yards and caught five passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. If it's based strictly on offensive production, Zenner should easily make the team over George Winn. Chances are special teams will be a factor, and that could swing things in Winn's favor, but Zenner sure seems to be playing his way onto the roster.) (8-20-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/20/9179617/lions-redskins-preseason-winners-losers
Jeremy Ross, Jermelle Cudjo put together good nights for Detroit Lions (Highs - RB Zach Zenner: He still needs to show special teams worth, but he’s made an impact offensively when he’s been in. His 36-yard catch-and-run off a screen, including making a Washington defender whiff badly, was a very crafty play as part of a drive that finished with a Zenner touchdown reception.) (8-20-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18392/jeremy-ross-jermelle-cudjo-put-together-good-nights-for-detroit-lions
Zach Zenner continues to make case for roster spot with Detroit Lions (8-20-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18394/zach-zenner-continues-to-make-case-for-roster-spot-with-detroit-lions
RG3 leaves with injury in Redskins' 21-17 win over Lions (ZZ top - Lions rookie RB Zach Zenner accounted for 60 of Detroit's 80 yards on a third-quarter touchdown drive. He caught two passes for 41 yards, including a 5-yard score, and ran three times for 19 yards.) (8-20-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rg3-leaves-injury-redskins-21-17-win-over-022439520--nfl.html
Video - Orlovsky to Zenner for 5-yard touchdown (8-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000000513856/Orlovsky-to-Zenner-for-5-yard-touchdown
Video - Zenner on scoring his first professional touchdown (8-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Zenner-on-scoring-his-first-professional-touchdown/b4b744c5-0587-4d93-8fc3-a1f94dd48909
Film room: Rookie running backs stealing the show (Zach Zenner, Lions: Abdullah isn't the only back gaining steam in Detroit. Zach Zenner out of South Dakota State ran with verve against the Jets. After frying college opponents with three straight 2,000-yard campaigns, the undrafted Zenner is a classic "Preseason Hero" archetype. He's fun to watch. Zenner's vision and balance stand out in the clip at right, with the rookie gaining extra yardage where a less agile back would falter. Working "intermittently" with the first-team attack in practice, Zenner is pushing for a roster spot behind Joique Bell, Abdullah andTheo Riddick. "You can see he can bang it up in there and he's got vision and he's deceptive," coach Jim Caldwell told the team's official website. "You can see him accelerate through a hole with a good forward lean. Has some pop behind him.") (8-20-15): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000513343/article/film-room-rookie-running-backs-stealing-the-show
5 things to watch: Lions at Redskins (Roster Bubble Performers - The Lions got good performances from receiver Greg Salas (5 catches, 92 yards, TD), running back Zach Zenner (13 carries, 55 yards, 4.2 average), kicker Kyle Brindza (2-for-2 FGs, 4 touchbacks) and TJ Jones (10.3 yard punt return average) vs. the Jets. All four of these players are on the roster bubble fighting for jobs. Coaches want to see that players can take what they learn on the practice field and apply it to the game. Then they’re looking for a level of consistency from game-to-game. Salas and Jones are looking to make the team as a fifth receiver. Zenner is battling George Winn for the fourth running back spot. Brindza is auditioning for 31 other teams, and maybe for a spot on the Lions’ practice squad. If any of these players can have a nice encore performance against the Redskins tonight, coaches will take notice and it could really help their job status.) (8-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/5-things-to-watch-Lions-at-Redskins/0a3dc84e-75ca-4c67-a56f-84cd4f6933dd
O'hara's Final Thoughts: Slay wants Washington's receivers to test him (It was a good first game for the young tailbacks. Rookies Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner, and veteran Theo Riddick all ran well, but they were barely used in the passing game. Zenner had one catch for a one-yard gain.) (8-20-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-FINAL-THOUGHTS-Slay-wants-Washingtons-receivers-to-test-him/50672a42-f51f-415a-873e-84024b16315a
Here are five guys to pay attention to -- both in terms of snaps and where they land on special teams -- against Washington (RB Zach Zenner: He had a better opener than George Winn and has been splitting more and more reps with Winn during practice. If he receives any carries with the first unit, that could be a really good sign for him, but moreover watch to see if he’s doing any first-unit special teams work. That’s where Winn really started to pop up last season and Zenner could end up doing something similar. The first three running back spots are pretty locked in, so that fourth back has to be a special teams contributor.) (8-20-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18367/can-detroit-lions-rookie-ameer-abdullah-repeat-his-preseason-opener-performance
Detroit Lions — Five things to watch vs. Redskins in preseason action (In the second half keep an eye on running back Zach Zenner who also had a good opening preseason game. He’s fighting for a roster spot and if he keeps going this way they’ll have to find a way to keep him around.) (8-19-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150819/detroit-lions-x2014-five-things-to-watch-vs-redskins-in-preseason-action
Joique Bell still the Lions' starting RB, Zenner says (8-19-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/19/detroit-lions-joique-bell-zach-zenner/31976055/
Detroit Lions RB Zach Zenner looking to improve pass protection, balance in second preseason game (8-19-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_zach_zenner.html
Freep Lions observations: 'No reason' Abdullah limited in practice (Abdullah wasn't the only regular to get more rest than usual today as the Lions continue to give backups like Zach Zenner, Joseph Fauria and Isa Abdul-Quddus long looks in practice. Zenner has worked intermittently with the first-team offense at running back this week.) (8-18-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/18/lions-training-camp-notes/31948017/
ESPN Camp Notes - Stephen Tulloch looks ready; Nevin Lawson has standout practice for Lions (Ameer Abdullah's reps were scaled back: The Lions rookie running back didn't have as active a role as normal during Tuesday's practice, but Jim Caldwell said the second round pick is not injured. He didn't give a reason for the decreased workload. This shouldn't be a concern, though, as it likely means the Lions have an idea of what they have in Abdullah but need to see more from George Winn and Zach Zenner, both of whom are competing for roster spots. It wouldn't be surprising to see heavy workloads for both of those players Thursday against Washington. Remember, too, that until Joique Bell returns, Abdullah's role in the Lions' offense could be massive, so keeping him from some hits makes sense. Tulloch is continually making hard contact with a running back or receiver and on Tuesday he hit Zenner pretty hard.) (8-18-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18344/stephen-tulloch-looks-ready-for-detroit-lions-and-nevin-lawson-has-standout-practice
Jim Caldwell's quotes from Tuesday (On RB Zach Zenner's drive to finish every play: "It's probably pretty innate, you know, and it's probably something I would assume he's been doing for quite some time. He's one of those guys that doesn't make very many mistakes. You tell him you want him to run 40 yards down the field, he's going to run 40. But he also is a guy that has ability as well, so we've been really pleased with what he's been doing thus far.") (8-18-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/18/9172895/lions-training-camp-quotes-jim-caldwell-tuesday
Video - Zenner on the speed of the NFL game (8-18-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Zenner-on-the-speed-of-the-NFL-game/b6a04679-a2de-4f43-887f-b372bbb60b1a
Detroit Lions — Five reasons Zach Zenner has shot at 53-man roster (8-18-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150818/detroit-lions-x2014-five-reasons-zach-zenner-has-shot-at-53-man-roster
Zach Zenner making strong impression with Lions (8-18-15): http://sports.yahoo.com/news/zach-zenner-making-strong-impression-lions-215013794--nfl.html
NOTEBOOK: Slay enjoying competition at practice (Rookie running back Zach Zenner got a lot of play with the first-team offense. Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said Zenner was “fun to watch” after last week’s preseason opener. He's obviously impressing the right people.) (8-17-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Slay-enjoying-competition-at-practice/4e111365-8f86-436e-b4ac-9b5e1bab56e9
Camp observations: Lions unveil 2-point attack (During training camp at Edsel Ford High, the Lions spent a significant portion of team drills running and defending plays from the 2-yard line, which is where the 2-point try begins. Based on the plays, the offense has the advantage in the short-yardage situation at the moment. Matthew Stafford and the first-team offense scored on four of five attempts. The fifth was actually ruled a conversion, but the ref didn’t see that the ball likely hit the ground before Calvin Johnson corralled it — a ball that might have been intended for Ameer Abdullah. George Winn scored on runs on two of the others, and Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick each scored, too. For the backups, Kellen Moore led three conversions on four attempts. The defense stopped Desmond Martin in the backfield on the first play, but Zenner ran the next one in and Martin scored after that. Moore threw a score to Abdullah on the second team’s final rep. Zenner had an excellent day all around, running with purpose on each touch. He showed good burst to the edge and top-end speed on a toss to the right. He also looked really slippery on an inside run with a tight window on a 2-point conversion.) (8-17-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/18/camp-observations-lions-unveil-2-point-attack/31894665/
ESPN Notes - Lions offense looks sharp in goal-line situations during night practice (Offense dominated the goal-line session: The Lions ran a period of goal-line offense with the three top quarterbacks Monday and the offense was dominant throughout.The most important thing to take away is the offensive line was particularly dominant during this period, a good sign for the team’s run game. George Winn, Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick all had rushing touchdowns with the first group.) (8-17-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18334/detroit-lions-offense-looks-sharp-in-goal-line-offense-during-night-practice
Camp Spotlight: Running back Zach Zenner (Practice report: The one area of his game Zenner is working on more than any other is his pass protection. Every day after practice he and rookie fullback Michael Burton work off to the side on it. The Lions worked a lot on their blitz and blitz protection during Saturday’s practice. Zenner held his own all day. He also made a nice catch on a 3rd and 9 play right at the first down marker in 7-on-7 drills. He was targeted on a screen pass in an 11-on-11 drill on a 3rd and 10 play. The play was set up nicely and Zenner was patient out of the backfield and set the screen up nicely. It appeared he would have gotten the first down in live action. Zenner usually makes the most of the reps he gets in practice.) (8-15-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Camp-Spotlight-Running-back-Zach-Zenner/128035b8-ea56-4424-9b43-9ea2dae69fb2
Camp notes: Could Igwenagu make Lions as TE? (The offense dominated the defense in goal-line drills from the 2, scoring seven of 10 times (not including an incomplete pass that officials called complete on the field). George Winn and Zach Zenner had nice runs during the period.) (8-17-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/17/emil-igwenagu-/31892773/
Detroit Lions training camp notes: Gabe Wright impresses, Greg Salas gets first-team work (Rookie running back Zach Zenner had a nice day, finding the end zone multiple times in short-yardage work and busting a long run on a toss sweep to the right side.) (8-17-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_31.html
Video - Zach Zenner highlights (8-15-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Zach-Zenner-highlights/40e44798-46f6-48b9-9659-9770f8967b88
Notebook: Defensive Line Off To A Good Start (Zack Zenner, RB: The rookie ran hard and finished his runs. He ran 13 times for 55 yards (4.2 average). “He’s fun to watch,” Caldwell said of Zenner. “You can see he can bang it up in there and he’s got vision and he’s deceptive. You can see him accelerate through a hole with a good forward lean. Has some pop behind him. He’s fun to watch.”) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Defensive-line-off-to-a-good-start/afc43b8e-4bc1-48a9-b924-fd364c4fff09
O'HARA: Abdullah steals show in preseason opener (Zach Zenner, an undrafted free agent from South Dakota State, added 55 yards on 13 carries to Abdullah’s team-leading total. Zenner did well for himself – “He’s fun to watch,” Caldwell said.) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARA-Abdullah-steals-show-in-preseason-opener/9b70583b-947d-4ec7-9916-694633891c13
Four Downs: So Far So Good For Lions Run Game (First Down: Improving the running game - Offensive linemen take pride in rushing totals more than they do passing total. “One hundred percent,” Lions left guard Larry Warford confirmed after Thursday night's 23-3 win over the Jets at Ford Field. “It’s just an alpha-male mentality. When you’re running the ball it’s a physical thing. “It just speaks to the nature of offensive line if you can push people and knock them off the ball and get huge chunks of yards day in and day out.” The Lions’ offensive line pushed the Jets around pretty good in their preseason debut. Detroit's offense rushed 40 times for 193 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. It's only one game, and a preseason game at that, but the Lions have raved about the prospects for their run game with a revamped offensive line and the drafting of running back Ameer Abdullah throughout training camp thus far. Playing in his first NFL game, Abdullah did nothing to quell that excitement. He rushed for 67 yards on seven carries, including a 45-yard scamper in the first quarter. All four of the Lions’ top four running backs of the evening averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry – Abdullah (9.6), Desmond Martin (5.2), Theo Riddick (4.4) and Zack Zenner (4.2). The Lions run game needs to be a much bigger factor this year if they're going to be the type of offense they hope to be, which is fast, physical and balanced. The Lions appear to have a nice mix of different styles of runners. Abdullah and Riddick showed terrific elusiveness and quickness. We know what Bell brings to the table when he returns. Zenner showed great vision and toughness and the ability to finish runs. Thursday was a good start for the run game.)
(8-14-15): http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/FOUR-DOWNS-So-far-so-good-for-Lions-run-game/e92257d1-1d66-4cd5-a374-2be6d5517bca
Abdullah wasn't only Lions RB to impress vs. Jets (When Abdullah retired to the bench for the night, undrafted rookie counterpart Zach Zenner took over as the focal point of the offense. Zenner, whose 25 snaps were eight more than any other Lions running back, gained 55 yards on a game-high 13 carries and set up two second-half field goals with his runs. "He's fun to watch," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "You can see he can bang it up in there, and he's got vision and he's deceptive. You can see him accelerate through the holes with a good forward lean, has some pop behind him. He's fun to watch." Zenner primarily played in the second half, with the Lions' third-team offense -- he had one first-half catch, on the Lions' final drive of the second quarter -- and had his longest run of the game just after the two-minute warning, helping the Lions run out the clock. Signed for $5,000 after an impressive career that included three straight 2,000-yard rushing seasons at South Dakota State, Zenner converted two third-and-short running plays for first downs and did not have a negative-yardage carry on the night.) (8-14-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/detroit-lions-ameer-abdullah/31706151/
Snap counts: Zenner gets long look with Lions (One of the players Lions coaches wanted to see was undrafted rookie Zach Zenner, whose 25 snaps led the team’s running backs in Thursday’s exhibition win over the New York Jets. Zenner finished the game with 13 carries for 55 yards, with a 14-yard long, and a 1-yard reception. “He’s fun to watch,” coach Jim Caldwell said after the game. “You can see he can bang it up in there, and he’s got vision and he’s deceptive. You can see him accelerate through the holes with a good forward lean, has some pop behind him.” George Winn’s 17 snaps were second to Zenner among running backs, but he had just 3 yards on five carries. Zenner joined the Lions after three straight 2,000-yard rushing seasons at South Dakota State. Unless the Lions keep five halfbacks — with Abdullah, Riddick and Joique Bell locked in — Zenner likely has to beat Winn for the final roster spot. Winn, though, has an edge on special teams at the moment, so Zenner will have to perform well in that phase to make the 53-man roster.)
(8-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/14/snap-counts-zenner-gets-long-look-lions/31721387/
Lions ground Jets in exhibition opener (Undrafted rookies Zach Zenner (13 carries, 55 yards)) (8-14-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/13/jets-lions-exhibition-season/31660483/
Detroit Lions stock report: Kellen Moore fails to take advantage of opportunity (Stock down -- George Winn: Winn is a favorite of the coaching staff and has been getting work with the first-team offense in practice, but he didn't get a carry until the second half of this contest. He also didn't do much with his touches, gaining three yards on five carries. His competition, Zach Zenner, didn't set the world on fire, but showed some elusiveness on his touches, gaining 55 yards on 13 carries and hauling in a short pass from Moore.) (8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_stock_report_ame.html
A quick recap on who's winning, and who's losing, the Detroit Lions' job battles (Tailback - As we've been saying throughout the past few months, Ameer Abdullah is ahead of Theo Riddick and George Winn as a rusher. With Joique Bell still out with a knee injury, he was the most impressive back against New York, rushing seven times for 67 yards. He had that 45-yarder up the middle, which was impressive. But I might have liked his 4-yard run on the game's first series even more. That juke was just so athletic. It was executed in traffic. And it picked up an important first down, with Tate scoring his touchdown on the next play. It might not show up in the box, but those are the kinds of plays that win games. Abdullah is going to be the rushing complement to Bell this season, with Riddick getting some action as a pass-catcher. Riddick did run hard against the Jets, though, like he might be a little pissed off about the kid taking his spot or something. Winn has received a steady diet of first-team reps in practice, but finished with just five carries for 3 yards against New York. Zach Zenner had a much better game, finishing with 55 yards on 13 carries, including a 14-yard pop. That could help him close the gap with Winn for that last tailback job.)(8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/a_quick_recap_on_where_the_det.html
Detroit Lions snap count report: Young offensive linemen get plenty of work (Undrafted rookie Zach Zenner led the running backs with 25 reps, racking up an impressive 14 touches during his playing time.) (8-14-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_snap_count_repor_36.html
Young Detroit Lions shine in win over Jets (Undrafted rookie running back Zach Zenner didn’t see playing time until the second half, but was impressive with 13 carries for 55 yards.) (8-14-15): http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150813/young-detroit-lions-shine-in-win-over-jets
Ameer Abdullah, journeyman Greg Salas shine in Lions' preseason opener (Battle for last RB could get interesting: Based on training camp thus far, George Winn looked to be in control over Zach Zenner. But Zenner looked sharper than Winn on Thursday night. This is going to be a job that could come down to special teams -- and Winn was on some first-team units -- but Zenner could receive more opportunities there if he continues to outrush Winn. Zenner had 53 yards on 13 carries while Winn had 3 yards on five carries.) (8-14-15): http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18256/ameer-abdullah-journeyman-greg-salas-shine-in-detroit-lions-preseason-opener
Winners and losers from Lions' first preseason game (Winners - Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick - These three players combined to rush for 157 yards on 28 carries, which is good for 5.6 yards per carry. Abdullah accounted for 67 yards on seven carries, and he looked really electric and extremely shifty. Zenner, meanwhile, had 55 yards on 13 carries, while Riddick picked up 35 yards on eight runs. Overall, the Lions have to like how their running game performed on Thursday night.) (8-14-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/13/9145923/lions-jets-preseason-winners-losers
Lions rookie check-in: Preseason Week 1 (Of all the undrafted rookies, the two who stood out the most were kicker Kyle Brindza and running back Zach Zenner. Zenner was also impressive in his debut, gaining 55 yards on 13 carries and looking confident while doing so. He still has an uphill battle to win a roster spot in Detroit's crowded backfield, but he's off to a good start.)(8-14-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/14/9153591/lions-rookie-check-in-preseason-week-1
Detroit News Camp observations: Narrower posts help kickers hone in (Abdullah, running back Zach Zenner, cornerback Quandre Diggs and wide receiver TJ Jones were among the players fielding kickoffs Tuesday. Jeremy Ross wasn't in the group as he worked with the coverage unit. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy leveled Zenner on one hit, knocking him to the ground.) (8-11-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/11/camp-observations-narrower-posts-help-kickers-hone/31494087/
Freep Lions camp observations: Stafford sharp, backups not (Winn filled in for Joique Bell as the big back working with the Lions' first-team offense. He didn't have a great day running the ball and was stopped on the 1-yard line on the No. 1 offense's second possession, but he's still the front-runner for the last running back job because of his special-teams play. Zach Zenner, who running backs coach Curtis Modkins calls "Doc," is a more polished runner.) (8-8-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/08/detroit-lions-training-camp-matthew-stafford/31338835/
Zenner was not effective in early goal line set. Winn runs balls out every tep, not fun to tackle (8-8-15): https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/630038623157678081
Free Press Camp observations: Van Noy struggling in pass coverage (Both Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner left Van Noy spinning in his shoes in one-on-one drills today. First, Zenner ran by him on one route with such ease that Van Noy lunged to grab the undrafted rookie in the open field.)(8-6-15): http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/06/kyle-van-noy-detroit-lions/31254217/
Detroit News Camp observations: For Lions, pads ratchet up intensity (The running backs took several hard hits, and undrafted rookie Zach Zenner seemed to be on the receiving end the most. On one play, linebacker Stephen Tulloch hit Zenner to a knee, and after he kept running, safety Glover Quin popped him hard, too. Defensive tackle Roy Philon and linebacker Tahir Whitehead hit Zenner hard, too. “He ain’t do nothing but put the pads on,” Whitehead said of Zenner being on the receiving end of the hits.)(8-5-15): http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/08/06/camp-observations-lions-pads-ratchet-intensity/31201307/
MLive Detroit Lions training camp notes: Matt Prater does his best Kickalicious impression (The pads were on Wednesday night and there was some pretty stiff hits going on in the second level. Rookie running back Zach Zenner took multiple shots that put him on his backside, while backfield mate George Winn had a thunderous collision with safety James Ihedigbo.) (8-5-15): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/08/detroit_lions_training_camp_no_26.html
Lions camp observations: Pads come on at Novi HS (Zach Zenner and George Winn both had pretty solid practices and it's hard to put one over the other.) (8-5-15): http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/6/9106515/lions-training-camp-observations-novi-high-school
Not sure what Zach Zenner did, but at least three defenders have tried to lay him out tonight (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/jkatzenstein/status/629092400762327040
Zenner just got hit hard and pops right back up to finish running it out (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/629091357588635648
Zenner getting reps and my god is he huge for a RB (8-5-15): https://twitter.com/alex_reno/status/629079905460994048
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