Kevin Jones To Miss Half Of 2007 Season
As if the Lions don’t have enough problems (where to start?), the team learned over the weekend that Kevin Jones Might Miss Half The Season. Jones had a Lisfranc injury in December and he had surgery on his foot just a few days later. Apparently, the recuperation time will be much longer than originally anticipated. The Lions were hoping that Jones would be ready by the start of the season. Now, we will be lucky to have him back by week 8.
It’s interesting to note that the team spent a third round draft pick on a running back last year, but the Lions already appear to have lost all faith in Bryan Calhoun to be the team’s starter. Arlen Harris was brought in to fill the void and although he has performed well, he is obviously not the long term solution. So, add RB to the list of needs that the Lions have to address immediately, either via the draft or free agency.
Given the fact that the Lions are 15 million under the salary cap, it might be wise for Detroit to take a serious run at restricted free agent runningback Michael Turner (Ladanian Tomlinson’s backup). Another solution might be drafting Adrian Peterson with their second overrall pick. Either way, the Lions clearly have a void here that needs to be addressed. The runningback is a vital position in the Mike Martz offense and Martz does always seem to get what he wants, so lets hope that Martz is able to convince the old man upstairs to loosen up the pocketbook and make a major move.
Posted: February 12th, 2007 under Players, Offense, Injuries.
Comments: 2
Comments
Comment from Rockne
Time: February 13, 2007, 9:12 pm
Who knows when Kevin Jones will be back or what condition he’ll be in? I hope they get a free agent to fill this gap - preferably a seasoned veteran on his way toward retirement with playoff experience who can be a mentor to Jones, Calhoun, and Williams. I’m thinking we could resurrect Marshall Faulk and rescue him from his 24/7 banishment to NFL Channel broadcasts.
Comment from Lisa
Time: February 15, 2007, 6:30 pm
Martz likes to run the one-back system with no fullback. So whomever is the RB needs to be able to read and go, not wait for a fullback to pick his lane. And with the zone-blocking scheme a one-cut runner is the best fit. Both Shaun Bryson and Kevin Jones fit this scheme, but both are coming off injury. However, News of KJs death have been greatly exagerated and he is on the same timetable he was on before the superbowl. He may not be ready for training camp, as it still stands he will most likely be ready during the 4 preseason games. Obviously, we’ve been through this waiting game before, so I would second the motion for insurance in case he isn’t ready or has a set back.
Michael “the Burner” Turner is a restricted free agent and will be tendered at the first level and that means he’s going to cost at least one first round draft pick, which is more important than money … and that is a no-no for a rebuilding team. Don’t worry there are going to be other unrestricted RBs in free agency who can stand on the sidelines just as well as Bryson. Dominic Rhodes is going to highly sought. And Chris Brown, Correll Buckhalter, Najah Davenport, Ron Dayne, T.J. Duckett, Tony Fisher, Nick Goings, Ahman Green, Justin Griffin, Reno Maje, Sammy Morris, Patrick Pass, Marcel Shipp, Musa Smith, Anthony Thomas, Labrandon Toefield, Kenny Watson are all slated for UFA. Kevan Barlow, Derrick Blaylock, Corey Dillon, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry are RBs likely to be cut if they don’t restructure their contracts during the offseason.
I’m close to labeling Calhoun a bust, but I’m just not quite ready. He needs to build up some upper body strength and really learn how to block, but he still has some tools to work with. At least he did before the ACL. He should be good to go, speedwise. Let’s see what’s he has done over the offseason before we write him off completely.
This is a terrible draft class for RBs after Peterson and Lynch. Brian Leonard is a possibility because he could move into the fullback mode in Martz offense, much like Bryson does. Next year looks like a much better draft class for RBs.
It’s not time to panic.
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