Part of the success that the lions used to have was that defenses always respected both Gibbs and Dmo. This kept defenses honest and allowed Ben to be more creative for lack of better term.
When Dmo entered the game the defense couldn’t just commit to it being a passing down. Simply because Dmo could run, catch and also excel in pass protection. He also delivered some of the most devastating blows on opponents I’ve ever seen watching the Lions all these years. Combined, Gibbs and Dmo could wear down defenses so that by the 4th quarter they could close out games better with more precision.
Gibbs is no slouch. One of the things I loved about him coming out of college was that he never shied away from contact and would always deliver extra blows to pick up yards. Watch the way he stiff arms defenders and lowers the shoulder boom vs just running out of bounds. Thing of beauty.
This past week his pass protection leverage took a step further which is great.
But if the lions can get Vaki rolling a bit more so that defenses start to have to respect him (both run and catch) vs just sending him on obvious passing downs (and to give Gibbs a breather), then this will give the Lions a dangerous extra element that can still be exploited. They’re just starting to work him in a bit. But I wanna see more. Especially when they’re playing with a bit of a lead if they are cautious otherwise.
I liked Vaki coming out of college. I’m not confident in Pacheco and he’s not going to be back any time soon. I say give the man some more touches
Not sure I was trying to make this a DMO sucks or doesn’t suck thread. It’s more about using Vaki so that he can assume a more DMO like role in the current offense vs just a dude coming in on obvious passing downs.
Sure. But to be clear it’s not just giving a Gibbs a breather. It’s for Vaki to start acting and becoming a chess piece in his own right.
Sonic and Knuckles
became the first RB duo in NFL history to each accumulate at least 1,500 scrimmage yards and 15 scrimmage TDs within their first 20 games played together
First RB tandem in NFL history to accomplish consecutive 10+ Rush TD Seasons
No doubt Gibbs is going to take more snaps regardless of who he’s paired up with now. But if that kind of production was already achieved, you’d think a second back would be able to come in and get similar results in this offense.
What rb outside of barry doesn’t. He was pretty good with the bears as well. Then again kw9 beat the shit out of teams including Hutchinson with zero oline.
Yes I think the Lions knew he didn’t have burst anymore and why they limited his touches at the end of the season and then traded him. Vaki and Saylors have much more burst.
One thing Brad does really well outside of the draft is knowing when to let players go. Just about every player he let go got worse afterwards outside of ‘Lif and Amik and “Lif looks to have fallen back to earth the last few games. Monty is the next in line to fall off hard.
I’m not exactly following what DMO is doing now, but the point is that the two headed duo at RB was extremely successful. So much so that when they were at their best together here is when the Lions were 2 qtrs away from a Super Bowl followed by earning home field advantage.
It would be nice to have somebody new / else be able to step into that role. If you don’t need any skill as some assume, then anybody including the guys we already have should be able to just plug right in there and get it done with the same results as before.
I have to question why Gibbs is still in the game when we are up 38 - 14 with 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter. If there was ever a time to give Vaki some carries.
Yeah, we pay Gibbs too much money to split too much carries. And he’s obviously one of the best players in league.
But I agree with more carries for Vaki - guy looked good (esp. in pass pro) and it keep Jah fresh. And I could use him in my FF, I’m desperate for a RB..
