RADIO
Detroit Lions rookie running back Ameer Abdullah may soon see more work with the team. The second round draft pick out of Nebraska has shown flashes of greatness, but the team hasn’t been using him as much as they could be. That could all change now that the team has fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
Under Lombardi, Abdullah has only seen 62 carries through seven games and only 13 receptions. That’s clearly not enough for the team’s best big-play threat. Against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7 Abdullah only received eight carries and he didn’t record a single reception.
With all of the talent on the Lions offensive roster, there’s absolutely no excuse for the team being held under 20 points. Unfortunately, they have only scored more than 20 twice this season.
Abdullah has proven to be an all-around back who can make plays in open space, out of the backfield and in the receiving game. The team needs to try harder to establish Abdullah’s dominance instead of just trying to sling the football around to Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate and Eric Ebron.
Head coach Jim Caldwell is expected to call the plays for the rest of the season. The team also fired two offensive line coaches.
Consider Abdullah a low-end RB3 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8
Darren McFadden is another running back who should soon see a much larger workload. Many thought it would be Joseph Randle or Christine Michael who would run away with the team’s starting job, but my money is on McFadden.
Against the New York Giants in Week 7, McFadden put up 162 total yards and a touchdown against the Giants. He made plays out of the backfield and in the receiving game.
McFadden’s talent has never been questioned. When he was healthy with the Oakland Raiders, he was considered one of the best backs in all of football. Unfortunately, he was rarely healthy.
As long as McFadden is healthy, he should see the majority of the playing time at running back for the Cowboys. Randle has played great at times and Michael is a nice young talent, but none of those backs put fear in opposing defenses like McFadden.
McFadden has the ability to score from anywhere on the field and in any situation. He will be a high-end RB3 against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8. He has the ability to become a RB1 as the season goes on if he secures the starting job.
