There’s been an odd trend with the Detroit Lions’ losses this year, and it’s involved running back David Montgomery. In most of those games, he’s been very efficient, but underutilized. Check it out:
- at Packers: 11 rushes, 25 yards
- at Chiefs: 4 rushes, 24 yards
- vs. Vikings: 11 rushes, 40 years, 1 TD
- at Eagles: 6 rushes, 27 yards
- vs. Packers: 8 rushes, 32 yards, 1 TD
- at Rams: 7 rushes, 32 yards, 1 TD
That has led many to believe that the Lions are doing Montgomery wrong, and it appears—at least to some degree—that Lions coach Dan Campbell agrees. Addressing Montgomery’s decreased role on Wednesday, Campbell admits he’s been thinking about ways to get him involved more because the team is better off when he’s able to participate more.
“It’s something I think about a lot, is how do we get them all involved? He’s one of those, when they’re all involved, we’re just better. We’re a better offense,” Campbell said. “Where do we get him touches? Where do we find them? So, I do. I think about him a lot.”
Of course, it’s easy to just say “give the ball to Montgomery more.” It’s a bit harder to find the actual opportunities in the game to feature him. So today’s Question of the Day is:
How should the Lions get David Montgomery more involved?
My answer: Well, I first want to say I think this problem is being a bit over-exaggerated. While Montgomery’s usage is certainly down from last year, that’s what happens when you go from a 15-2 team to an 8-6 one. Detroit has been playing with leads far less often, meaning they need to rely more on the passing game late.
Take Sunday’s game against the Rams, for example. While it was certainly frustrating to see Montgomery used in just one second-half running play, where could the Lions have realistically gotten him more involved? Detroit spent nearly the entire fourth quarter down two possessions, and couldn’t really afford to grind out long possessions when the Rams were scoring so quickly
As for those three three-and-out possessions to start the second half, I’m not sure the Lions missed Montgomery that much. Look at the nine plays they ran:
- First-and-10: Gibbs 5-yard run
- Second-and-15 (after penalty): Gibbs 6-yard run
- Third-and-9: 4-yard pass
- First-and-10: INC deep shot to Jameson Williams
- Second-and-10: Sack
- Third-and-22: INC to Gibbs
- First-and-10: Gibbs 2-yard run
- Second-and-8: 1-yard pass to Williams
- Third-and-7: INC to Amon-Ra St. Brown
In those nine plays, there were probably only one or two opportunities in which the Lions didn’t produce a good play that could’ve been replaced by a Montgomery carry.
All that being said, I do like the idea of getting Montgomery some of the work at the start of games. Gibbs has literally started every single game this season after Montgomery started every one he played in. Gibbs is a dynamic player, and one you do not want to take off the field too much, but Montgomery’s physically imposing style of play can definitely help set the tone. So if there’s any adjustment to be made, I’d like to see Montgomery early in games.
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