Lombardi Impressed By Abdullah, Liking Him More Every Day
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK - With OTA practices soon to conclude and mandatory minicamp approaching, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said Wednesday that he feels good about the running back position and especially about rookie Ameer Abdullah.
"I like Abdullah more every day," Lombardi said. "He's a real pro, and every day you can see him do things that really excite you."
The Lions drafted Abdullah in the second round this year after they released veteran running back Reggie Bush following an unproductive, injury-plagued 2014 season. At the end of the year, Detroit's run game ranked 28th in the NFL.
Abdullah racked up more than 1,600 yards in each of his last two seasons at Nebraska, and he also turned in at least 200 receiving yards in each of those years. In the practices Abdullah has had with the Lions, he has caught Lombardi's eye for his hands as well as his feet.
"He didn't get a chance maybe to show everything he can do as a receiver at Nebraska, but he's even better in that phase of the game than I thought when we drafted him," Lombardi said, "so it was kind of a bonus when you see how well he catches the ball and how well he runs routes."
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell concurred.
"He's does a lot of things well for a young guy," Caldwell said. "One thing that you notice quickly is he can catch the ball. He catches it, knows what to do with it when he gets it in his hands, so he's making good progress in that area."
Last season, with Bush battling injuries, Joique Bell emerged as the team's number one running back. He churned out 860 yards on 223 carries last season, and both totals were the highest of his career. Currently Bell is not practicing because he is recovering from an injury, and Lombardi said the team plans to continue playing it safe with him.
"You're always concerned, but the doctors and he all [tell] us that he's going to be able to come back," Lombardi said. "Really, I think your biggest concern is just is he going to be able to get in the shape that you wanted to at the beginning of camp. But we'll be careful with him and smart and ramp him up as we go."
Another player competing for reps at the position will be Theo Riddick, who had 51 rushing yards and 316 receiving yards last season. Lombardi praised Riddick as exceptional at running routes.
"Theo, we're excited about what he's going to be able to do," Lombardi said. "He showed some flashes last year, but he'll get more opportunities."
Between Abdullah, Bell and Riddick - and maybe another back or two, depending on how the offseason unfolds - Lombardi likes the unit.
"That's an exceptionally bright group," Lombardi said. "I think we've got a really good mix of skills in there."
