Positional Analysis: RB's/FB's...

Running Backs

1. Kevin Smith: It hasn't taken much time at all for Kevin Smith to make his mark on the team and show that he is a good value, and the Lions could have a franchise type Running Back with a third round pick here. If people knock him for his speed, he ran a 4.45 forty at the combine, and is tough to take down. He's a football player, through and through. Some people might knock the point he ran 450 times as a Senior, which is alot. He's run a similar style of offense in college and was extremely successful with it.

2. Tatum Bell: As the de facto #1 running back coming into camp, Bell is very possibly on his last legs in Detroit. With rookie Kevin Smith showing he can handle most responsibilities, there isn't a need for another RB who can't play special teams, a job Brian Calhoun, Artose Pinner, and Aveion Cason all do well. I'd be surprised if he made the team, actually.

3. Brian Calhoun: If the injuries are behind him (and that's a very big "if"), Calhoun could surprise as a multi-faceted, multi-functional backup who could also help out in returns. He needs to show the burst he showed when he ran a sub 4.4 at his pro day when he came out of Wisconsin. If he has the burst, he should make the team. If not, his spot should go to Cason.

4. Aveion Cason: Cason has been a steady pro, and has somehow remained in the league for 8 years after signing with the Rams as an undrafted free agent. He's a good kick returner, and his return abilities could win him the roster spot. It's possible that both he and Calhoun could make the team, although they have similar abilities. They can both help out in more areas than Tatum Bell, who to me, either wins the #1 job, or gets cut.

5. Artose Pinner: Pinner was signed as an insurance back, but I don't see the Lions needing to use him. This is a good sign for the Lions, who are in better shape that they could have imagined going into training camp. I don't see any way that Pinner will make the team, although he can help out on special teams.

Fullbacks

1. Jerome Felton: Although they haven't had a game yet, Jerome Felton figures to be a key figure in the Lions offense. It was thought that he wasn't a pure fullback when they drafted him, but his techniques are very sound, and he's also played in the zone blocking scheme in college. He also has inside running skills, and can catch the football. He could easily be projected as a game one starter at fullback for the Lions. Look for him to be a one back in large formations with extra tight ends in some formations. He's a good player.

2. Jon Bradley: Although listed at 310 pounds, Bradley has lost weight, and looks like he's under 300 pounds. He's not svelte, but has pretty decent feet. He doesn't have good hands, which could be his downfall. He's also pretty handy on special teams, working on the kick return unit, on the wedge. He has a good chance to make the team, I see the team carrying 3 runners (Smith, Calhoun and Cason) and 3 fullbacks (Felton, Bradley, and Shaun McHugh, who would double up as a TE).

Positional Analysis: When Kevin Jones got cut, I thought it was the end of the world for the Lions running game, but now I can see why they did it. Jones is on PUP currently for Chicago, but the Lions should know what direction they are headed in with their running game. They will carry either 3 RB's and 3 FB's; or 4 RB's and 2 FB's. I think they'll carry 3 and 3 for the reasons I listed above. One thing is for certain, they need to keep Smith and Felton healthy. I think Smith has a chance to be special.