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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Changes in Lions' offense might be in store
Kitna hints at some wrinkles being added; Johnson will start at running back vs. Bears.
John Niyo / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Barely a month after the Lions debuted their new, run-oriented offense, the players are hoping to see a few wrinkles.
"You have three weeks and then you have a bye week to look at things and kind of say, 'What have we done well? And what did we think was going to work well that hasn't worked out for whatever reason?" quarterback Jon Kitna said Monday, as the winless Lions began preparation for Sunday's home game against the Bears. "And then (you say), 'Let's start trying to hang our hat on the things that work well.' So I think we're gonna see some more of that."
Whether that's more wishful thinking on Kitna's part, or a sneak preview of coming attractions, remains to be seen. But the veteran wasn't the only one hinting at a slight shift in offensive philosophy after the 0-3 start. The Lions rank last in the NFC in rushing (78.3 yards per game) and ahead of only the Rams in the NFC in total offense (289.0 ypg).
One of the few bright spots has been the play of second-year receiver Calvin Johnson, who is among the league leaders with 276 receiving yards on 17 catches. Yet in a 31-13 loss at San Francisco a week ago, Johnson didn't catch a pass until the third quarter, after the Lions already trailed 21-3.
Fellow wideout Roy Williams has been openly critical of the Lions' game plan, one that's predicated on establishing the run with coordinator Jim Colletto's zone-blocking scheme. Asked about possible changes Monday, Williams smiled and said, "We'll be OK. We'll be OK for Sunday."
When asked if that smile indicated more four-receiver sets were in the offing, Williams laughed and shook his head: "Nah, we're not that OK. But, yeah, you see some things. You tell me what you see Sunday. And then we can talk."
Left tackle Jeff Backus also was tight-lipped after a week of what coach Rod Marinelli repeatedly described as "self-evaluation" before the bye.
"He talked (Monday) about some of the things he wants to do," Backus said. "A lot of the stuff's internal -- it's gonna stay in house. Some of it you guys might be able to see, some of it you probably won't be able to see. It was a little bit of everything. He evaluated the players and the coaching and the scheme."
One notable change will be the insertion of Rudi Johnson into the starting lineup at running back, a move that left rookie Kevin Smith
fuming Monday. Johnson had a productive day against the 49ers, finishing with 14 carries for 83 yards and three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. But Marinelli said he won't be shy about shuffling the two backs.
"I think we have two guys really fighting and competing, so I'm excited about that," he said.
Don't expect a change at quarterback anytime soon, though, despite the fact that Kitna has completed barely 50 percent of his passes the last two games (36-for-71) and his 73.6 rating this season ranks 22nd in the NFL.
"If I felt like I was the absolute reason why we were losing games, then they should make a change," said Kitna, whose sprained right knee suffered against the 49ers doesn't appear to be an issue after a week's rest. "But I don't think that's the reason. And I think our coaches have stated that."
You can reach John Niyo at John.Niyo@detnews.com
*****
For the record. He's smiling because they will try and showcase him against the Bears to improve his trade value.
Changes in Lions' offense might be in store
Kitna hints at some wrinkles being added; Johnson will start at running back vs. Bears.
John Niyo / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Barely a month after the Lions debuted their new, run-oriented offense, the players are hoping to see a few wrinkles.
"You have three weeks and then you have a bye week to look at things and kind of say, 'What have we done well? And what did we think was going to work well that hasn't worked out for whatever reason?" quarterback Jon Kitna said Monday, as the winless Lions began preparation for Sunday's home game against the Bears. "And then (you say), 'Let's start trying to hang our hat on the things that work well.' So I think we're gonna see some more of that."
Whether that's more wishful thinking on Kitna's part, or a sneak preview of coming attractions, remains to be seen. But the veteran wasn't the only one hinting at a slight shift in offensive philosophy after the 0-3 start. The Lions rank last in the NFC in rushing (78.3 yards per game) and ahead of only the Rams in the NFC in total offense (289.0 ypg).
One of the few bright spots has been the play of second-year receiver Calvin Johnson, who is among the league leaders with 276 receiving yards on 17 catches. Yet in a 31-13 loss at San Francisco a week ago, Johnson didn't catch a pass until the third quarter, after the Lions already trailed 21-3.
Fellow wideout Roy Williams has been openly critical of the Lions' game plan, one that's predicated on establishing the run with coordinator Jim Colletto's zone-blocking scheme. Asked about possible changes Monday, Williams smiled and said, "We'll be OK. We'll be OK for Sunday."
When asked if that smile indicated more four-receiver sets were in the offing, Williams laughed and shook his head: "Nah, we're not that OK. But, yeah, you see some things. You tell me what you see Sunday. And then we can talk."
Left tackle Jeff Backus also was tight-lipped after a week of what coach Rod Marinelli repeatedly described as "self-evaluation" before the bye.
"He talked (Monday) about some of the things he wants to do," Backus said. "A lot of the stuff's internal -- it's gonna stay in house. Some of it you guys might be able to see, some of it you probably won't be able to see. It was a little bit of everything. He evaluated the players and the coaching and the scheme."
One notable change will be the insertion of Rudi Johnson into the starting lineup at running back, a move that left rookie Kevin Smith
fuming Monday. Johnson had a productive day against the 49ers, finishing with 14 carries for 83 yards and three catches for 48 yards and a touchdown. But Marinelli said he won't be shy about shuffling the two backs. "I think we have two guys really fighting and competing, so I'm excited about that," he said.
Don't expect a change at quarterback anytime soon, though, despite the fact that Kitna has completed barely 50 percent of his passes the last two games (36-for-71) and his 73.6 rating this season ranks 22nd in the NFL.
"If I felt like I was the absolute reason why we were losing games, then they should make a change," said Kitna, whose sprained right knee suffered against the 49ers doesn't appear to be an issue after a week's rest. "But I don't think that's the reason. And I think our coaches have stated that."
You can reach John Niyo at John.Niyo@detnews.com
*****
For the record. He's smiling because they will try and showcase him against the Bears to improve his trade value.
