RADIO
When the Detroit Lions fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, my immediate reaction was “this means more work for rookie running back Ameer Abdullah.” While I still believe that to be true, nobody seems to be happier about the move than quarterback Matthew Stafford.
According to the Detroit Free Press, one of the reasons head coach Jim Caldwell made the move to promote Jim Bob Cooter to offensive coordinator is his relationship with the quarterback.
"I think that's one of the things that we considered strongly because of the fact that those two worked so closely together," Caldwell said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "It's tough anyway, but it makes it a little bit easier just in terms of the communication. I found it to be that way."
Although Cooter will hold the title of offensive coordinator, Caldwell is expected to call most of the team’s offensive plays. Look for the Lions to try harder to establish a run game with Abdullah in order to take pressure off of Stafford. Once the run game is established, it should help open up things downfield for Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate in the passing game.
With as much talent on the Lions offense, it’s hard to imagine this move being anything but good. There’s absolutely no reason why the Lions have been held under 20-points five out of seven games thus far this season.
Stafford can be considered a low-end QB1 against the Chiefs in Week 8.
In other news, the San Francisco 49ers have no plans to sit running back Carlos Hyde while he tries to recover from a stress fracture in his foot. Coach Jim Tomsula says the foot is not at risk of further injury, so Hyde will continue to handle the bulk of the team’s carries.
"With our medical staff, we're not going to put somebody in danger," Tomsula said, according to the Sacramento Bee. "So I have complete confidence in that. Our people don't put people on the field that are at risk to further injure themselves."
Hyde has flashed signs of being a RB1, but the injury – and the fact that the 49ers are a horrible team – has hurt his fantasy football value. With a tough matchup against the St. Louis Rams in Week 8, Hyde can be considered a low-end RB2.
Regardless if Hyde is at risk of further injury or not, the team should sit him for a week or two. The injury obviously bothers him and he would benefit from some rest.
