Caldwell On Using Bush Over Riddick: 'Numbers Don't Always Tell The Whole Story'
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) - Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush returned to the lineup Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and in what Lions head coach Jim Caldwell described as a corresponding move, the Lions did not use running back Theo Riddick at all on offense.
"Theo does a lot of things that Reggie does," Caldwell said Monday. "When Reggie's out, Theo kind of takes on a number of the same roles, so when Reggie's back, there's only one spot for one guy, so that gives you a few problems. We talked about [wide receiver Ryan] Broyles. You guys mention him I think every week for the most part; someone does, at least. The same thing holds true there. There's only so many spots for guys to occupy. You've got to do what you have to do in order to get the guys in and work them. We try to spread it around as much as we can, but we can't use everybody."
Over 11 games this season, Riddick has 19 carries for 47 yards as well as 27 catches for 272 yards and three touchdowns. Over eight games this season - an injury has caused him to miss five - Bush has recorded 217 rushing yards on 61 carries and has snagged 30 catches for 177 receiving yards.
Bush has amassed a total of 394 yards, while Riddick has totaled 319. Bush, however, has had nearly double the opportunities. Riddick's average yardage per touch - that is, per carry or reception - is 6.93, while the figure for Bush is 4.32.
Caldwell said the Lions determine Bush to be more effective than Riddick and that statistics are not necessarily the determining factor in their evaluation of the players.
"[Bush is] a guy that's done it, that's done well," Caldwell said. "You can look at the numbers; numbers don't always tell you the whole story. That guy's still capable, still a talented individual, can still take it the distance if you give him a crack, so that's how we feel about it."
Pressed for a more specific comparison between Riddick and Bush, Caldwell bristled.
"I think I just answered that question," Caldwell said. "You might want to just back the tape up and listen to that part of it. Not just trying to be smart, but I just answered that question."