Detroit Lions for breakfast: Reggie Bush signing was necessary to win in 2013

"You guys have seen the way Calvin gets played. Teams don't play us honest, and the ability to make them pay for that is big." - Jim Schwartz
Reggie Bush Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush has the ability to make opposing defenses honest again in 2013.  

At first glance, the Detroit Lions' acquisition of running back Reggie Bush appeared to be a luxury.

Take a second look and you will realize it was a necessity.

Detroit still needs to fill its void at defensive end, but the Lions found a replacement for running back Jahvid Best, which will be essential to their success in 2013.

When Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Best started together in nine games between 2010 and 2011, the Lions were one of the NFL's most dynamic offenses. In all nine games, Detroit either won -- or were leading at the time -- when one of those players left with an injury. The Lions were 6-0 in games Best, Stafford and Johnson started and finished in 2010 and 2011.

After Stafford recovered from a shoulder injury in 2010, Detroit started the following season with a 5-0 record. It was the team's best start to a season since 1956.

We all know Best eventually sustained a career-threatening concussion, but he rushed for 390 yards and two touchdowns, plus had 287 receiving yards and one touchdown, prior to the injury. If Best stayed healthy, he was on pace to rush for 1,040 yards with five touchdowns, plus add 766 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

What has life been like without Best?

Very tough on Johnson.

The Lions only ran 855 of 1,160 plays against a defense with six-or-fewer defenders in the box last season, most in the NFL according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Detroit faced a standard look (seven defenders in the box) on 286 plays (third fewest in the NFL).

In addition, Detroit faced a stacked box (eight or more defenders) only 19 times in 2012 (1.6 percent), fewest in the NFL.

"We were last in the NFL in plus-20 runs last year," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "He's (Bush) got to be part of the antidote. The ability to score affects not just the offense, it affects the defense. If he can get a big chunk of yards early in a game, big chunks equal points, whether it's a field goal or a touchdown. He's a guy that can score the football, and score touchdowns, which, again, affects a defense. We had very few opportunities. We played so many close games. We had one game that we led pretty handily the whole time, and that was Jacksonville.

"Jacksonville was sort of a funny game because even though we had a really big lead, they really didn't scramble to catch up. They were just trying to keep the game under control and go. You really think, even those last couple of series, we didn't pin our ears back and rush and get three sacks in the fourth quarter because those opportunities weren't there. The opportunities we get to rush will come from a lot of different things - stopping the run, and everything else, but scoring is a big part of it. You guys have seen the way Calvin gets played. Teams don't play us honest, and the ability to make them pay for that is big."

STAFFORD DEDICATED TO DETROIT: Stafford was criticized by some Lions fans for not reworking his contract to help the team's the salary cap, but his dedication to the franchise has been evident this offseason.

When the season is over, Stafford typically leaves Michigan to train elsewhere. Stafford would return for the team's offseason workouts before disappearing again.

Stafford changed his routine this offseason.

Detroit's quarterback has been working out nonstop at the facility since the season ended. Instead of working out in Georgia or Florida, Stafford is staying close to home.

"It shows his commitment to the city of Detroit more than anything," Schwartz said. "He's making Detroit his home. He's not scared away by the weather. He's not scared away by anything else. That's a strong statement from a starting quarterback, a franchise quarterback. He's in a different spot."As experienced now as he has become, and as mature as he is, he's still young. He's still 25? It's just amazing. He's always been a worker. If you went back to high school, I'm sure he was doing the same things in the offseason. His personality is not going to shut it down. The strongest statement there is that he's committed to the city of Detroit."

After seeing Minnesota trade Percy Harvin, and Chicago deciding not to re-sign Brian Urlacher, the NFC North does not look so menacing for Detroit anymore. 

BIG POPPA: Congratulations go out to Lions receiver Patrick Edwards who recently enjoyed the birth of his son, Patrick Jr. 

"The Detroit Lions could turn me into a believer this season if ... "


"Everyone keeps talking like returning a punt is a death sentence. Logan survived just fine and so will Bush. You're paying the guy $4M /year ... USE HIM. It's like buying a super nice car and never driving it because you're afraid it might get scratched! What's the point? Use it or lose it."
-- lawrance