Start Mikel Leshoure for Week 3? (1 Viewer)

[Deadzone21]

Sorry if this sounds like a WDIS post. It's not meant to be but is Mikel Leshoure worthy of starting in Week 3? He comes off his suspension and the Lions look like they are making an honest attempt at balancing their offense and running 20+ times. K.Smith (16/53/0) and J.Bell (6/14/0) combined for 22 carries against a solid run SF defense even when playing from behind. Detroit faces the Titans in week 3 - a defense that gave up 100+ yards and 2 TDs vs the Chargers.

 

[flc735]

Sorry if this sounds like a WDIS post. It's not meant to be but is Mikel Leshoure worthy of starting in Week 3? He comes off his suspension and the Lions look like they are making an honest attempt at balancing their offense and running 20+ times. K.Smith (16/53/0) and J.Bell (6/14/0) combined for 22 carries against a solid run SF defense even when playing from behind. Detroit faces the Titans in week 3 - a defense that gave up 100+ yards and 2 TDs vs the Chargers.

unless they specifically say leshore is getting most of the carries, i'd wait a week. we could easily see a 3 way split until/if leshore separates himself from the others.i don't think DET is trying to run more in general. I think they specifically wanted to negate SF's pass rush a bit. That won't be much of a problem against Ten.

 

[bulger2holt]

Only if Smith gets hurt

 

[Darryl Talley]

What in god's name is wrong with Kevin Smith?

 

[jbz]

Kevin Smith ran tough today. I don't see any reason why he should lose the starting RB job as of yet.

 

[duaneok66]

Sorry if this sounds like a WDIS post. It's not meant to be but is Mikel Leshoure worthy of starting in Week 3? He comes off his suspension and the Lions look like they are making an honest attempt at balancing their offense and running 20+ times. K.Smith (16/53/0) and J.Bell (6/14/0) combined for 22 carries against a solid run SF defense even when playing from behind. Detroit faces the Titans in week 3 - a defense that gave up 100+ yards and 2 TDs vs the Chargers.

unless they specifically say leshore is getting most of the carries, i'd wait a week. we could easily see a 3 way split until/if leshore separates himself from the others.i don't think DET is trying to run more in general. I think they specifically wanted to negate SF's pass rush a bit. That won't be much of a problem against Ten.

Three way split? Are you kidding? Bell will be on the bench now - he is pedestrian at best. The Titans are so bad that you could probably start either Lions back and be good for the week.

 

[dmac37]

I would not start him this week but I would have him in the on deck circle ready to insert in a few weeks. Kevin Smith is starting to look really sloooow.

 

[Phenix]

I would not start him this week but I would have him in the on deck circle ready to insert in a few weeks. Kevin Smith is starting to look really sloooow.

Did you even watch the game? That remark makes it look like you didnt.In no way did he look slow, he ran hard and down hill yesterday against a very very very tough D.Shows how some watch football and people read stats.

 

[ponchsox]

According to the Detroit Free Press, Mikel Leshoure is "expected to take over as the starter before long."

Leshoure is off suspension as of Monday. Meanwhile, the Lions showed a lack of faith in Kevin Smith Sunday night, using replacement-level talent Joique Bell for large chunks in both halves against the Niners. Still, we're not so sure the Lions will brush Smith to the side so quickly. Leshoure is coming off an Achilles' tear and Smith is a better fit in the Lions' pass-first attack. Both backs should be owned while we wait for this committee to shake out.

 

[flapgreen]

What in god's name is wrong with Kevin Smith?

He didn't dominate the 49ers. Duh...

 

[BroadwayG]

I can't think of any better option to lock in as a starter than a guy with zero career regular season carries and coming back from a major heel injury.

 

[tonato]

Meanwhile, the Lions showed a lack of faith in Kevin Smith Sunday night, using replacement-level talent Joique Bell for large chunks in both halves against the Niners.

As a K-Smith owner, I was actually glad they did that, not letting him get too killed by that freaking tough D. They will never trust him with a 25 carries workload anyway.

 

[mr roboto]

I've never seen such unsubstantiated and blind hate for a good player like this board has for Kevin Smith.

He is currently the best back they have in Det. Including Mikel, Bell, and Best. Mikel has proven nothing. Bell was ok last night, but def not better than Smith, and made a few mistakes that cost them some yards. Best isn't even a lock to play this year at all.

K Smith is not a special back. He is a pretty good back, drafted in the 2nd, with a history of injuries. When healthy, he can be the lead back and be a startable fantasy RB 1 or 2.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

touches were 18 to 8 in favor of Kevin Smith, a few touches for antoher RB isnt anythign to be alarmed about.

I think Leshoure gets Bells touches this coming week for sure.

 

[jon_mx]

Only if Smith gets hurt

Why? Leshoure is their best back.

 

[MCguidance]

No.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Only if Smith gets hurt

Why? Leshoure is their best back.

based on?

 

[Banger]

I have Leshoure on two teams and I'm not sure what to think. I wouldn't be surprised if Smith / Leshoure split carries 50/50 or if Smith got the majority and Leshoure gets 3-4 touches. I don't really think it matters much what happens next week but how Leshoure looks with the touches he gets.

I have no direct evidence but I just don't think the staff trusts Smith and are willing to try others. I think Smith has done a good job but for some reason the staff just doesn't seem settled with him as the guy. Not sure why, maybe I'm just reading into the situation a bit much but it'll be interesting to watch and see what happens.

 

[jon_mx]

K Smith does not have the burst they are looking for in this offense. The Lions WANT to replace K Smith. It has nothing to do with hate, K Smith is not the back the Lions want and Leshoure will be given plenty of opportunity to replace him.

 

[mr roboto]

Only if Smith gets hurt

Why? Leshoure is their best back.

Ok. What are his NFL accomplishments?

 

[jon_mx]

Only if Smith gets hurt

Why? Leshoure is their best back.

based on?

Watch the next two weeks.

 

[Isotopes]

At the risk of hi-jacking this thread, can anyone tell me if Jahvid Best has any chance of returning this year?

 

[jon_mx]

Only if Smith gets hurt

Why? Leshoure is their best back.

Ok. What are his NFL accomplishments?

He has more burst than K Smith and that is all it is gonna take.

 

[dickey moe]

Only if Smith gets hurt

Why? Leshoure is their best back.

No he isn't.

 

[dickey moe]

At the risk of hi-jacking this thread, can anyone tell me if Jahvid Best has any chance of returning this year?

I think he will -- and at that point the Lions backfield is going to get REALLY messy.

 

[Boone22]

K Smith does not have the burst they are looking for in this offense. The Lions WANT to replace K Smith. It has nothing to do with hate, K Smith is not the back the Lions want and Leshoure will be given plenty of opportunity to replace him.

How is Leshoure at pass catching? Honest question. I don't know. But if he doesn't catch passes he won't completely replace Smith.

 

[BobbyLayne]

At the risk of hi-jacking this thread, can anyone tell me if Jahvid Best has any chance of returning this year?

Seems unlikely he will, but it's even less likely anyone knows one way or another.I think his future is retirement and a lawsuit. I hope I am way wrong.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Only if Smith gets hurt

Why? Leshoure is their best back.

based on?

Watch the next two weeks.

[*]He didn't make it on the field for any game for 606 days.

[*]He looked horrible his first game, passed the eyeball test the 2nd (4th preseason) game.

[*]Zero snaps in the NFL regular season.

I get the hope/hype factor, always nice to be on the (b)leading edge, but he hasn't accomplished anything to date. Said to have talent. Here's hoping he does.



ETA: forgot to add - while he looked better in preseason game 4, IIRC his stats didn't show it. Still had shown nothing in game situations. But any half-talented back should be productive in that offense.

 

[jon_mx]

K Smith does not have the burst they are looking for in this offense. The Lions WANT to replace K Smith. It has nothing to do with hate, K Smith is not the back the Lions want and Leshoure will be given plenty of opportunity to replace him.

How is Leshoure at pass catching? Honest question. I don't know. But if he doesn't catch passes he won't completely replace Smith.

He caught a couple balls in pre-season for nice gains. I don't see it an issue. He is no Javid Best though in the pass carching area, who I think will return this season.

 

[MAC_32]

Probably, with Forte out I'm looking at him vs. Quizz vs. Dwyer.

I'm expecting 10-15 touches and hope for a TD, I'm sure if there's a run TD inside the 10 that's not a QB sneak at the goal line it'll be LeShoure's touch.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Probably, with Forte out I'm looking at him vs. Quizz vs. Dwyer.I'm expecting 10-15 touches and hope for a TD, I'm sure if there's a run TD inside the 10 that's not a QB sneak at the goal line it'll be LeShoure's touch.

Yes, his best leagues to use him should be td heavy leagues imo.

 

[huthut]

Seems more like fantasy wishing than reality. I picked up Mikel Leshoure in a few leagues, but I am not going to start him until he does something or Smith gets hurt. Smith has looked good, there is no reason for the Lions to not play him.

 

[DepthCharts]

game film.....if Leshoure made use of the 12 months he has been away (not in games) it is watching film to understand how to pick up a/the blitz. If he cant read a D and make a block for the pass he wont be in at all on 3rd down and a time share at best on 1 and 2. I am curious how far he is along in that department first. Then onto the running competition....he wins that. The guy in for the majority of plays (until game is out of hand), is the guy who wont get stafford killed I believe, regardless if he is "better" than Kevin Smith, whoever he is.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

game film.....if Leshoure made use of the 12 months he has been away (not in games) it is watching film to understand how to pick up a/the blitz. If he cant read a D and make a block for the pass he wont be in at all on 3rd down and a time share at best on 1 and 2. I am curious how far he is along in that department first. Then onto the running competition....he wins that. The guy in for the majority of plays (until game is out of hand), is the guy who wont get stafford killed I believe, regardless if he is "better" than Kevin Smith, whoever he is.

Yep. Pass blocking will be a critical factor. Stafford's having difficulty as it is and as Collinsworth said last night, he can't throw on the run. Gotta keep him protected in the pocket.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

At the risk of hi-jacking this thread, can anyone tell me if Jahvid Best has any chance of returning this year?

For Best's sake, I hope not. He had two concussions his final season in college, and now he has this one which has kept him off the field since late November. I worry that he will suffer for it down the road if he comes back.

 

[Eminence]

You guys are ridiculous, watch Leshoure's game tape. Use your eyeballs.

Could Leshoure have made the same plays as Smith last night? Yes. I am going on a limb to say he could have been more productive than Smith.

Don't write him off because you have Smith rostered...

 

[Boone22]

You guys are ridiculous, watch Leshoure's game tape. Use your eyeballs.Could Leshoure have made the same plays as Smith last night? Yes. I am going on a limb to say he could have been more productive than Smith.Don't write him off because you have Smith rostered...

Who's being ridiculous? Just because Leshoure is big and fast doesn't mean he's got the starting job nailed down. If he can't pass protect or catch the ball out of the backfield, he won't play. Smith may not be all world talent or a physical freak of nature but he's solid and he does the "other" important things a RB needs to do.

 

[lod01]

I can't think of any better option to lock in as a starter than a guy with zero career regular season carries and coming back from a major heel injury.

No ####. They will phase him in at first.

At the risk of hi-jacking this thread, can anyone tell me if Jahvid Best has any chance of returning this year?

mush melon? Even if he does, he will get another concussion quickly.

 

[DevilintheDetail]

game film.....if Leshoure made use of the 12 months he has been away (not in games) it is watching film to understand how to pick up a/the blitz. If he cant read a D and make a block for the pass he wont be in at all on 3rd down and a time share at best on 1 and 2. I am curious how far he is along in that department first. Then onto the running competition....he wins that. The guy in for the majority of plays (until game is out of hand), is the guy who wont get stafford killed I believe, regardless if he is "better" than Kevin Smith, whoever he is.

Yep. Pass blocking will be a critical factor. Stafford's having difficulty as it is and as Collinsworth said last night, he can't throw on the run. Gotta keep him protected in the pocket.

This. And if Leshoure gets in there and misses a block and Stafford gets hit, he could be riding the bench for awhile. Without Stafford, this team goes nowhere.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Yaknow, I don't know.

But I like what Dave Birkett of the Free Press has to say:

"The Lions have to make a roster move to clear space for Leshoure, who’s expected to take over as the starter before long."

http://www.freep.com/article/20120917/SPORTS01/120917014/1049/sports01?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreepDetroitLions+%28freep.com+|+Detroit+Lions%29

That's good enough for me.

 

[MIMN]

According to some on this board, the Lions traded in the 2011 draft to move up 18 spots to get the perfect player to sit on their bench. The Lions thought very highly of Leshoure and I doubt a single injury in preseason has changed that.

Kevin Smith is averaging 57.5 yards per game rushing. That does not sound like someone that has locked up the position for the year barring injury.

I expect a time-share in the next few weeks until someone demonstrates they deserve the #1 back spot (or until they prove that they don't have a #1 back).

Leshoure is a perfect flier player. Low investment with the potential to be the #1. I wouldn't start him this week unless I had to but Tennessee can be had and it would be a opportunity for him to take over with a big game. If you have an open spot because of Forte or a what-the-heck-flex, why not drop in Leshoure and see what happens? If you have safer choices there is no need to risk a 5 carry game.

 

[TheGrimReaper]

Meanwhile, the Lions showed a lack of faith in Kevin Smith Sunday night, using replacement-level talent Joique Bell for large chunks in both halves against the Niners.

As a K-Smith owner, I was actually glad they did that, not letting him get too killed by that freaking tough D. They will never trust him with a 25 carries workload anyway.

Thank you. Thats exactly my thought as well. Watch the game people. He had no where to go. Why get him beat up and injured against that stone wall? There will be better days ahead for K. Smith owners.

 

[Shutout]

Only if Smith gets hurt

Why? Leshoure is their best back.

Ok. What are his NFL accomplishments?

Since when did a guy actually have to accomplish something recently to get hype around here? LOL. Don't let you good reasoning skills take away from this thread, sir.

 

[Shutout]

You guys are ridiculous, watch Leshoure's game tape. Use your eyeballs.Could Leshoure have made the same plays as Smith last night? Yes. I am going on a limb to say he could have been more productive than Smith.Don't write him off because you have Smith rostered...

Who's being ridiculous? Just because Leshoure is big and fast doesn't mean he's got the starting job nailed down. If he can't pass protect or catch the ball out of the backfield, he won't play. Smith may not be all world talent or a physical freak of nature but he's solid and he does the "other" important things a RB needs to do.

Are you tom Coughlin?? Still fuming here about his old man crotchety grudge he is holding against Wilson.

 

[Shutout]

Ok, after two jokes, I'll try to add something of relevance here. I am NOT a Leshoure, Best, Smith, or Bell owner.

From the outside, looking in and from what I remember listening to Jim Miller (who follows the Lions closely), my take is:

-IF Best ever comes back, he is obviously the guy they want in the offense, except when/if they are trying to run short-yardage and grind out clock.

-LeShoure was getting MASSIVE praise in camp before his injury last year. They said he was "doing it all" and that he had quickly become adpet at blocking, receiving, and they loved his ground game. In general, had he not gotten hurt, there are a lot of analysts who were talking about it at the time that thought he was the missing piece for this team to make some noise.

-It probably won't sit well because I know there have been A LOT of people around here that have really wanted to make big of Smith and him being a steal of the draft at this draft round and all that, but I honestly think he has a definite shelf life. I think they brought him in out of desperation and they know very well his tendency to NOT stay healthy and I just don't think they are willing to hitch their wagon to him and design any part of what they do around him because they know him beig available long-term is not likely. I think they will allow him to start and play as their main back until he becomes less effective, gets hurt, or someone else makes it obvious that he is not the best back and I don't think they expect that to take too long.

For fantasy, I would be happiest if I were a LeShoure, Best, or Smith owner in that order. When the FF playoffs come around, I think LeShoure is the most likely of all of them to be useful (at that time).

 

[jon_mx]

Meanwhile, the Lions showed a lack of faith in Kevin Smith Sunday night, using replacement-level talent Joique Bell for large chunks in both halves against the Niners.

As a K-Smith owner, I was actually glad they did that, not letting him get too killed by that freaking tough D. They will never trust him with a 25 carries workload anyway.

Thank you. Thats exactly my thought as well. Watch the game people. He had no where to go. Why get him beat up and injured against that stone wall? There will be better days ahead for K. Smith owners.

Wishful group-think at its finest. The only way K. Smith wins the job is through attrition. This coaching staff has been trying to replace Smith from day 1. I am just a Lions fan, don't own any Lions back in any league. Leshoure is the back to own. If Leshoure does flop, K. Smith is a mid tier RB2. As of right now, it is Leshoure's job to lose.

 

[shader]

I've never seen such unsubstantiated and blind hate for a good player like this board has for Kevin Smith.

He is currently the best back they have in Det. Including Mikel, Bell, and Best. Mikel has proven nothing. Bell was ok last night, but def not better than Smith, and made a few mistakes that cost them some yards. Best isn't even a lock to play this year at all.

K Smith is not a special back. He is a pretty good back, drafted in the 2nd, with a history of injuries. When healthy, he can be the lead back and be a startable fantasy RB 1 or 2.

He's not a good player. He's below average.

 

[mr roboto]

I've never seen such unsubstantiated and blind hate for a good player like this board has for Kevin Smith.

He is currently the best back they have in Det. Including Mikel, Bell, and Best. Mikel has proven nothing. Bell was ok last night, but def not better than Smith, and made a few mistakes that cost them some yards. Best isn't even a lock to play this year at all.

K Smith is not a special back. He is a pretty good back, drafted in the 2nd, with a history of injuries. When healthy, he can be the lead back and be a startable fantasy RB 1 or 2.

He's not a good player. He's below average.

how do you come to this conclusion?Last year: 4.94 ypc 8.14 ypr

 

[jon_mx]

I've never seen such unsubstantiated and blind hate for a good player like this board has for Kevin Smith.

He is currently the best back they have in Det. Including Mikel, Bell, and Best. Mikel has proven nothing. Bell was ok last night, but def not better than Smith, and made a few mistakes that cost them some yards. Best isn't even a lock to play this year at all.

K Smith is not a special back. He is a pretty good back, drafted in the 2nd, with a history of injuries. When healthy, he can be the lead back and be a startable fantasy RB 1 or 2.

He's not a good player. He's below average.

how do you come to this conclusion?Last year: 4.94 ypc 8.14 ypr

Yes, all of 356 yards worth of carries.

 

[Sweet Love]

K Smith does not have the burst they are looking for in this offense. The Lions WANT to replace K Smith. It has nothing to do with hate, K Smith is not the back the Lions want and Leshoure will be given plenty of opportunity to replace him.

I actually have no problem with this statement. They've shown little commitment to him when they have other capable backs, but the problem is, they don't have enough backs that fit that mold right now. I know every "body" is different, so Best is not officially done, but if you look at the Collie situation (which is the closest comparison we have), Best has not even gotten to the "well maybe he can play" stage, and we saw what that meant for Collie this past week. My guess is that for 2012, he is out of the equation. Bell is a complementary back (heck, more of an emergency back) and the second LeShoure comes back, he is out of the picture. So now you have Smith and LeShoure. I do think LeShoure will get his opportunities, but since we have never seen him run in the NFL, we have no clue what to expect. Look at what Ryan Williams is doing in AZ (or really what he is NOT doing). LeShoure could easily be as ineffective as that. Where I am going with this is that DET would like for LeShoure to be the lead, but we have no clue whether he can. I'd assume a ton of rust and a big game or two towards the end of the season. I just don't see how he can take over, but he will get a chance.