Montgomery/Gibbs: Interchangeable parts

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I found it interesting and I wasn’t aware that this is how it worked within the offense and the staff on that side of the ball.

Ben J doesn’t determine which RB is in for which series, Montgomery does if I read the below correctly.

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From the Freep:

Interchangeable parts

The Lions have a true time share at running back with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs splitting the role almost equally. Montgomery has 127 offensive touches this season, Gibbs 123, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said Thursday he doesn’t change his play calling based on which running back is in the game.

“We certainly have certain plays that go to each guy, but for the most part, they just have their series,” Johnson said. "(Running backs coach) Scottie Montgomery will tell me. ‘I’m going to start with Gibby this series,’ or, ‘I’m going to start with D-Mo this series.’ And truth be told, I don’t know what the numbers say if you look at our self scout entirely, but I don’t call the game that much different for either guy.

“I feel just as good about D-Mo perimeter-wise or splitting him out on routes as I do Gibby running inside the tackles. It’s really, that doesn’t influence me very much, it’s just the flow of the game and what we’re doing, and that’s because both those guys I view, we view, as complete backs. They really, they can do anything.”

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs against Green Bay Packers during the second half at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

Gibbs leads the Lions with 656 yards rushing and is averaging a league-best 6.4 yards per carry, while Montgomery has 488 yards. Both players are on pace for 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and both have seven rushing touchdowns this year.

“I think teams will do the running back-by-committee approach, but it’s certainly not a 1A, 1B like we have here where they’re both, if they went to, call it 28 other teams, they’d both be the No. 1 back on all those teams,” Johnson said. “So huge luxury for us. It makes my life easier as a play caller, it makes our O-line’s life easier as they’re blocking for them up front and as we like to say, they just elevate their teammates, elevate the people around them.”

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Just heard this on Chris Long’s podcast courtesy of the Athletic. Gibbs’ EPA per carry of .27 is twice the nearest competitor this year (Henry at .13) and is the highest of this this century. Big :eyes:

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Gibbs has not even reached his ceiling. The more reps vs. NFL defenders in live action, the better his vision will get as the game continues to slow down for him. At some point his burst and change of direction will decline, but not for a few years at least. In the meantime, he’s gaining muscle memory and vision that will propel his game even higher than it is now.

As Wayne Gretzy described vision, I don’t go where the puck is. I go where it’s going to be.

That vision and anticipation is just going to get better for Gibbs.

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Crazy to be averaging 6.4 yards per carry mid season. Last year he was darn good and averaged 5.3. He went from very good to elite status.

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That has to be pretty rare and also a definite luxury.

“We certainly have certain plays that go to each guy, but for the most part, they just have their series,” Johnson said. "(Running backs coach) Scottie Montgomery will tell me. ‘I’m going to start with Gibby this series,’ or, ‘I’m going to start with D-Mo this series.’ And truth be told, I don’t know what the numbers say if you look at our self scout entirely, but I don’t call the game that much different for either guy.

Our running backs coach can closer manage and care for Knuckles and Sonic while freeing up BJ to run his scheme. Doesn’t mean they don’t collaborate during a game,but how many teams have that luxury?
This team is built different. :smiley:

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Gibbs can run inbetween the tackles very well for a smaller guy. Makes sense what BJ is saying. Now running Monty on tosses I’d probably avoid.

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I really want to see us utilize a two back set and just impose our will over opponents.

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Sonic 3 Tails GIF by Sonic The Hedgehog

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Yep many of us have been predicting that…kinda surprised how rarely it happens. Can’t complain cause the offense is lethal. But Gibbs and Monty on the same field seems even more lethal.

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While I get that Ben does not change plays based on players, I am not sure I am buying that 100%.

You for sure have plays that have certain player mixes for that play.

And I also feel strongly that if I need 1 yard I am handing the ball to Monty all day every day. He is a beast. Gibbs is great but that must get 1 yard thing is kind of Monty’s calling card IMO.

I think we all want to see a set up of twins with Monty in backfield, Gibbs and ARST in the slots with JaMo and LaPorta on the outsides.

Seriously, you put Gibbs and JaMo on same side and the other team MUST cheat a safety over the top. You zero blitz that lineup and you are very likely seeing someone take it to the house

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They are both capable in the pass game…
so having both of them of the field doesn’t even result in a necessary run bias.

On the other hand… having to respect the inside run game and the outside… sure seems like it would help slow the pass rush.

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I assume and I could be wrong that we got some beauties with both on the field but we are holding them for playoff games or critical moments.

Gibbs and Monty in the same backfield, then Gibbs goes in motion presnap… Linebackers are literally shitting their pants.

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BJ has suggested that while suddenly springing those sets might confuse a defense, their nonuse also means he’s not confident they’d work. (And if the offense ain’t broke…)

But I absolutely can believe that the Lions are saving those 2-back looks for the playoffs.

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Well, he does acknowledge that “We certainly have certain plays that go to each guy…” so… yeah. Not seen as 100% interchangeable, fosho.

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As a former college linebacker and coach… I have no idea how to defend Jamo, St. Brown, LaPorta, Gibbs and Monty at the same time behind this oline and Goff.

It’s basically unstoppable if executed. 5 play makers… Strong oline and a smart and accurate QB is deadly.

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I’m sure he’s got some stuff in there for that, and as suggested by some perhaps he is saving it for later. But one of the things he also said was how unique it is to have someone come in who is ALWAYS fresh regardless of the point in the game. I think that speaks to part of the reason we don’t see it more.

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Riiiiiiiiiiiight…… somehow I don’t see a hook and ladder for Monty.

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So I need better hobbies clearly… But vs the Lions I’d load the box, play cover 1, man under, dare Goff to beat me. Good chance he slices me up a like a pizza…but I bring some exotic blitzes and try to mess with him.

Ps… Go ■■■■■■■ Lions :smiley::smiley:

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Or he’s saving them for the post season. He has done it some so he has at the very least experimented with it.

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I’d play it differently.

The Lions have too many weapons that can hurt you.

I’d go cover two and cover 3 - Zone coverages. Similar to the SEA defenses under Pete Carroll.

Being pressure hoping to cause mistakes and turnovers but let the offense eat. Utilizing cover 2&3 concepts means your defense will give up yards but it helps you to not give up the big play. Force the Lions into long sustained drives. Hope for mistakes. Then get even more aggressive in the redzone and hope to settled for FG’s, while maximizing turnovers.