Well they didn't go with Hart but they did sign Jerome Harrison today. Mike Bell was also added to the roster. Harrison has the upside and talent to potentially start taking away carries from Best. Harrison has only taken on the bulk work at the running back position once in his career. And even that year he didn’t even reach 200 carries on the season. Bell has a very similar story to Harrison. In only 2 of his 6 years in the NFL has he even approached 200 carries (157 in ’06 and 172 in ’09). However, Bell has shown signs of his great talent at running back, something Detroit seems to have seen in both. It is unclear what their roles will be for week 1 but as of right now it looks like they’ll use a New Orleans committee system where everyone gets a piece of the pie.
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Original Article:
As all of you who are active on Twitter or the internet already know, Mikel Leshoure was injured in practice today. According to the Associated Press, Leshoure tore his Achilles tendon in a collision with Cliff Avril and has been ruled out for the year. Leshoure was the Lion’s 2nd round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft from the University of Illinois.
Leshoure was regarded as a potential fantasy sleeper with a lot of upside in a growing offense. Now the guessing and speculation as to who the Lions will sign to fill his shoes begin. Ricky Williams seems to be the most popular and probably best suited candidate to sign with Detroit. A big back like Williams will compliment the sideline to sideline playing style of Jahvid Best. If Williams is not their guy then the Lions could look to a guy like Mike Hart, former running back of the Indianapolis Colts. Hart also has the smash-mouth style of running that would contrast Best well.
Don’t expect the Lions to pick up the phone to call Tiki Barber or Julius Jones. They will probably sign Sticky Ricky before their 1st preseason game on August 12th. But if they haven’t come to terms by then, look for them to make a move for a lesser back like Hart.
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With Ricky Williams signing with Baltimore I would look for the Lions to make moves toward a guy like Hart or possibly Jerome Harrison who did not re-sign with Philly this year.
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