Lions will use more two-back sets in 2014

Mar 20, 2014

The Lions signed Jed Collins to fill the traditional blocking fullback role. That follows the signing of tailback Joique Bell to a three-year deal worth $9.3 million.

But the cash-strapped Lions also would not be making these investments if they were not serious about actually featuring all these backs in the offense. Team president Tom Lewand confirmed as much this week.

"You're going to see some more two-back sets," Lewand told a small crowd this week at the TAP restaurant in the MGM casino in downtown Detroit. He added that they would mimic what New Orleans has done with deploying a multitude of tailbacks.

"It's a very adaptable offense, and they want to use the talent and the guys that we have, not just one back at a time because that's what the personnel group calls for."

The Lions wanted to use more two-back sets last year after signing fullback Montell Owens, but Owens played only one offensive series due to a pair of knee injuries. Bell and Bush were occasionally featured on the field at the same time, though those formations usually split Bush out at receiver.

Fantasy Impact:

The Lions are paying Bell about the same as what Ben Tate and Toby Gerhart signed for, so it's starting to look like Bell will play the Pierre Thomas/Mark Ingram role in the Lions offense with Reggie Bush returning to more of a Darren Sproles-like role as a receiving specialist. Bell's stock is up while Bush's is down.

yesterday

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo (foot) listed as DNP Tuesday

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 6:31 PM EST

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan shared his team’s pre-practice injury report at a Tuesday press conference and it was the same as Monday’s estimated one, so several key players are on the sideline ahead of Thursday’s game against the Rams.

Among them was RB Isaac Guerendo.

Related players: Patrick Taylor, Israel Abanikanda

Fantasy Impact:

Guerendo had a great game in Week 14, but left with a sprained foot. Guerendo said afterward he felt great and it was just precautionary. However, we know by now we can't always trust when a player talks about his status for the following week. The DNPs for both Monday and Tuesday are not a great sign for Guerendo's chances to play in Week 15, which is a short week against the Rams on Thursday Night Football. Guerendo's practice status for Wednesday will hopefully will give us a better idea. Taylor would likely be next up for the 49ers if Guerendo can't go.

Moore: Eagles want to 'increase the likelihood' WR A.J. Brown gets the ball

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 4:49 PM EST

Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown’s comment that the team’s passing offense needs to improve in the wake of Sunday’s 22-16 win over the Panthers has been the biggest topic of conversation of the week in Philadelphia and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore got his chance to weigh in on it Tuesday.

Moore said he speaks to Brown and other members of the offense every week and said “the flows of seasons” call for weekly conversations about how to get the most out of the passing offense. Part of that process for this week is working on ways to get the ball to Brown after he was targeted four times against Carolina.

“I’m going to focus more on trying to find different ways of increasing the likelihood of the ball going to him,” Moore said, via a transcript from the team.

Fantasy Impact:

Brown came out and criticized the passing game after just getting by the Panthers in Week 14. The Eagles, thanks to Saquon Barkley, have been a run-first team this year, and it's largely worked, thanks also to an improved defense. DeVonta Smith has also voiced frustration recently. The Eagles aren't likely to stop giving Barkley the ball, but we've had a few stories in the news this week featuring unhappy WRs, and there can often be a bit of a change in the game plan to keep players happy. The Eagles host the Steelers this week, so things may not come easy again for the offense.

Steelers call WR George Pickens doubtful, outside chance to play

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 12:37 PM EST

The Steelers did not have receiver George Pickens for their Week 14 victory over the Browns and they are likely to be without him again against the Eagles on Sunday.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said in his Tuesday press conference that Pickens could be characterized as doubtful for Week 15, but there is still an outside chance he’ll play.

Fantasy Impact:

The Steelers thought Pickens would play last week but was eventually ruled out. After Sunday’s contest, Pickens underwent an MRI, which revealed the injury was more significant than initially believed, the story said. Reports from those who follow the team on Monday mentioned it was unlikely Pickens would play, and that's certainly looking like the case.