The Detroit Lions needed to up their ground game if Matthew Stafford was going to have a solid 2015 season. The Lions were forced to release Reggie Bush as a salary cap casualty with the intentions of replacing him in the NFL Draft. After getting linked to a trade for Adrian Peterson and a deal for Ray Rice, the Lions selected Ameer Abdullah who is expected to contend for the starting job.
With their second-round draft pick, the Lions selected Abdullah with the purpose of replacing Bush. While his 2014 season was forgettable, Bush was still a dynamic threat on the field, being used as a rusher, pass catcher and return man at times. Abdullah does not want to think about the task of replacing Bush who is now with the San Francisco 49ers. Instead he is focused on being himself and getting the starting spot.
"I honestly think there is only one Reggie Bush," Abdullah said, via MLive.com. "And hopefully, I'm out to prove there's only one Ameer Abdullah. Reggie Bush is own style of back, and Barry Sanders was his own style of back. My goal, and what I am aspiring to be, is unique in my own way. To be the only Ameer Abdullah."
According to MLive.com, Abdullah is expected to contend for the starting job immediately considering his versatility on the field. When Bush was released, many believed that was a ringing endorsement for Joique Bell to take over as the starter, but clearly Detroit has their doubts and felt the former Nebraska star would be a threat needed. Abdullah will also battle Jeremy Ross for the return duties.
"You might want to check some of the other backs and see how many fumbles they had," general manager Martin Mayhew said. "He only had (two). He has worked really hard on that. He has improved on that every single year. That is something he will continue to work on and keep getting better."
The Lions' offense should be set now heading into the 2015 season. According to the Detroit Free Press, Calvin Johnson is expected to be healthy after an injury-riddled 2014 season. The pressure is on Eric Ebron to step up in his second year with the team while Ryan Broyles and Corey Fuller will battle to stay put and return next year.
