Upfront, LG Laken Tomlinson, last year's #1 pick, was benched last week.Reinforcements on the way
Jim Caldwell doesn't talk about injuries, but this is shaping up to be a week where Detroit should get some guys back. Running back Dwayne Washington hasn't missed a practice in more than a week, and tight end Eric Ebron was seen running on the side with trainers last week. Both appear close to making a return. And Josh Bynes has already re-signed too at linebacker.
Washington's return would boost a running game that has flagged without him, along with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick. Zach Zenner has been OK in their place, and Justin Forsett was better last week than he was in his debut, but neither is seeing holes or breaking tackles as well as Washington was at the start of the season. And Ebron's return would be even more welcomed. He was Stafford's second-favorite target when he went down three weeks ago with ankle and knee injuries, and Detroit has totally turned away from the tight ends in the passing game without him
The CMike hype was last year. But it was a joke anywaysSo we have to wait 2 more years for Dwayne Washington to hit as well?
Your right.Chaka said:Can you unpack this a bit? I must be missing something in what you appear to have written because Blount has been good, good, great, bad, good, good, great. He's top 5 in my league so far.
If Washington is healthy (who knows?), ZZ will start with Wash peppered in to get his feet wet. I think Forsett is a distant 3rd option. I'd think ZZ would get 2/3 and Washington 1/3 roughly...with Forsett getting a fewRealistically, what are you guys predicting for snap counts this weekend? Week 6 it was ZZ 48, Forsett 12. Week 7 it was ZZ 32, Forsett 16.
Howard heard that noise a few weeks ago.Just read Theo is back at practice today.
(*CRACK*)
That sound you heard was the window of opportunity closing.
The main difference being one of them produced during their window ... and most likely has a better chance to continue doing so ...Howard heard that noise a few weeks ago.
What ever makes u feel better about your Howard call buddy.The main difference being one of them produced during their window ... and most likely has a better chance to continue doing so ...
Eh? scroll back to the timing of my call and when it was made. Are you saying I made the wrong call and Washington was the play?What ever makes u feel better about your Howard call buddy.
Neither were but the way you kept bringing up Howard you acted like he won you your league already.Eh? scroll back to the timing of my call and when it was made. Are you saying I made the wrong call and Washington was the play?
Neither were but the way you kept bringing up Howard you acted like he won you your league already.
 You like Howard going forward?The main difference being one of them produced during their window ... and most likely has a better chance to continue doing so ...
I don't understand this.. you thought he was going to take Riddick's role in the offense?Just read Theo is back at practice today.
(*CRACK*)
That sound you heard was the window of opportunity closing.
Point is at the time it was an either or selection where somebody bypassed Howard for Washington and could not grab both, which I interjected that was a mistake based upon pure hype. Looking back at the past month's production I don't think I need to comment further on that call. If you are still high on Washington today, or last week or the week prior you could have easily added both on your team if you followed my advice as Washington is owned in the single digits for most leagues and Howard as of this morning is owned in 86% and 95.6% in the leagues I play. So even if you were high on both, Jordan was the play the week I made the call an I stand by that, and besides you could have had both if you are still a die hard fan of Washington, so the strategy was sound. I could pick up Washington for nothing today in both leagues I play in, but not Jordan so I still might use this strategy if the situation changes for Washington going forward. There is not doubt that Jordan Howard produced well, especially as a FA pickup.You like Howard going forward?
Used him as a Flex Weeks 5-6. benched him Week 7, cut him last night. 18 x 12 competitive league.
I'm moving on but GL ROS.
Like Swaggy a lot, just ran out of lottery slots after acquiring some WR upgrades. I'm down to Freeman, Ingram, Booker and Henry.
They have the same skill set.I don't understand this.. you thought he was going to take Riddick's role in the offense?
Their skill sets may overlap, but they are not the same player. Washington isn't a WR in the backfield.They have the same skill set.
Nobody was expecting Washington to keep Riddick off the field. We were hoping he would take AA's role.
No, he's a former WR in the backfield.Their skill sets may overlap, but they are not the same player. Washington isn't a WR in the backfield.
Size does not = power or being a good running back between the tackles. Swaggy has size on Dion Lewis and Lewis is a light years better RB on goal line, short yardage and between the tackles running. Swaggy is big, fast and has great hands. He's closer to Ty Montgomery than a polished running back. His skill set suits a time share with Zenner imo. Rolling out Swaggy and Theo hasn't worked in the past as they are essentially the same guy so neither is good between the tackles or at the goal line and both are good in space and catching passes. Not to say that cannot work as it has for some teams, but Theo is already there doing that for them in that role, so what upside is left for him to do? Point is I would have loved to see him in this offense with Theo out and Zenner taking snaps between the tackles. He could be even better than Theo at that role which Forsett played last week.Their skill sets may overlap, but they are not the same player. Washington isn't a WR in the backfield.
That window is also closing fast.Nobody was expecting Washington to keep Riddick off the field. We were hoping he would take AA's role.
It is as though you are completely unaware of how the Lions use their Rbs.Size does not = power or being a good running back between the tackles. Swaggy has size on Dion Lewis and Lewis is a light years better RB on goal line, short yardage and between the tackles running. Swaggy is big, fast and has great hands. He's closer to Ty Montgomery than a polished running back. His skill set suits a time share with Zenner imo. Rolling out Swaggy and Theo hasn't worked in the past as they are essentially the same guy so neither is good between the tackles or at the goal line and both are good in space and catching passes. Not to say that cannot work as it has for some teams, but Theo is already there doing that for them in that role, so what upside is left for him to do? Point is I would have loved to see him in this offense with Theo out and Zenner taking snaps between the tackles. He could be even better than Theo at that role which Forsett played last week.
Not saying Swaggy can't someday be a good between the tackles rusher, but he isn't right now from what I have seen this year (and definitely not from what I saw in college). He runs without leverage and without power, especially for his size. He also has a problem (since college as a converted WR) staying healthy and has a major history of fumbling, also not good traits for a between the tackles/ goal line rusher.
That window is also closing fast.
Abdullah can run between the tackles and finishes his runs off well. He is smaller than Swaggy, but a much better RB in the traditional sense. They are not the same guy. Swaggy is a lot closer to Theo's skillset than he is to AA, aside from having a history of fumbling. AA was known for that too. Fumbling problems can usually get fixed so its not a huge concern for either except I feel like AA will have a longer leash since he is the 2nd round prospect.
 fair enough, what are you expectations when Swaggy is healthy enough to play?It is as though you are completely unaware of how the Lions use their Rbs.
Riddick and Washington was always the plan. Riddick is Riddick, Washingon is Washington.. and assuming he is healthy Washington is expected to take AA's role with a little Zenner mixed in.
It isn't complicated, and Riddick being back does not change anyone's expectations.![]()
Lions RB Dwayne Washington (ankle) is practicing fully for Week 8.
Washington was a limited participant at last week's practices. He was a surprise inactive against the Redskins in Week 7 but should return to his usual role Sunday against Houston. With Theo Riddick (ankle) also expected to return this week, Washington is best viewed as a back-end RB3.
Plays HoustonAgain if somehow Washington leapfrogs Zenner/Forsett and gets most of the 1st/2nd down/goalline work, that's the dream scenario. He's got a soft matchup vs. Washington this week, he needs to capitalize on this opportunity though. Not a ton of favorable matchups coming up.
I would mostly agree with this. When Riddick is back, I think he will take back his receptions from Forsett and Zenner and also from Tate. Tate received a huge uptick in short passes these past few weeks with Riddick out. He will cede some of these back, but I think the coaching team will still look to keep him more involved than he was weeks 1-5.What I'm guessing happens, assuming both Riddick and Washington are back this week, is that they replace Forsett and Zenner completely. It may not fully come to fruition this week but it is eventual. I wouldn't be surprised if Forsett was waived soon since he looks completely washed.
Zenner has seen the field ~70% of the time and has been utilized an average of 12 times a game since Washington has been inactive. I feel pretty comfortable transposing most of those snaps and at least that utilization average to Washington moving forward. I think he could be utilized ~15 times a game considering that Zenner actually saw 6 targets in the passing game while he got the nod and he profiles worse than Washington in that regard.
And from the daily email:Dwayne Washington (at HOU) - Washington is in line to return Sunday, and just in time for the Texans defense that is deteriorating against the run. Last week they allowed 190 yards and two scores to the Broncos top two backs. They allowed two scores to LeGarrette Blount and Demarco Murray. They allowed Frank Gore to notch the first Colts 100-yard rushing game since 2012. Even in their “good” games against the run, the Chiefs had 118 yards on 16 carries, Jeremy Langford scored, and Matt Asiata scored. The complicating factor here is Zach Zenner maybe getting some work and Theo Riddick potentially getting snaps in the red zone instead of Washington, but if there is a back to target to take advantage of this matchup, it is Washington.
I think that means "Start Zenner".Detroit Lions RB Dwayne Washington (ankle) is expected to play against the Houston Texans in Week 8.
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With the return of Theo Riddick, bump Washington down to RB4 status as we think Riddick gets most of the carries.
Yep. Guess I was right about that lost opportunity that so many others were 100% SURE he hadn't lost. This guy is a fookin' joke.WTF! Inactive per NFL.com
Don't lose heart fellas
Next week will be the week for sure