Lions second-year running back Kevin Smith, though, appears in no danger of losing his role as Detroit's workhorse in the backfield.
Smith doesn't have the breakaway speed of the league's top-level running backs, but Schwartz doesn't think that is what is stopping Smith from busting big gainers.
"I don't know that speed is always part of it," Schwartz said. "Making a guy miss doesn't necessarily mean explosive speed. We have the potential to do it, yes. It depends on a lot of other things. It depends on our wide receivers blocking. It depends on somebody making a guy miss. It depends on having a good enough passing game that it opens things up a little bit more inside. All of those things would go into making explosive runs."
Schwartz has been consistent with his support of Smith since the start of the season, and it has yet to waver. Smith should take advantage of the situation while he can because who knows when Schwartz's patience might grow thin.
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