Reggie Bush Says Lions Are Using An Offense That Has Won A Super Bowl
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) - Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush can reasonably be more confident than most about how well the new Lions offense will work this season. After all, he played in the same offense with the New Orleans Saints.
"I've been in this offense before, another five years, so I've seen it work," Bush said. "I've seen it win us a Super Bowl, so it works. It definitely works.
"Now it's just about us making it work," Bush added, "and putting it together, everyone getting on the same page. We've got to be on the same page as [quarterback] Matt [Stafford] and just make sure that we're in the right spots, our timing is down, our chemistry is right, all those different things."
Bush outlined some of the differences fans may notice in the offense this season.
"We're not going to be spread out as much as people would think," Bush said. "Last year we were in three-wides, four-wides a lot. I think this year you won't see as much of that, and I think you'll see a little bit more fullback used, tight ends, two-tight end, three-tight end sets. [Those] I would think would be the biggest differences."
Fans might see a decently accurate representation of that new offense Saturday. Preseason games are notorious for just-barely-cracked playbooks, but Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said he is not particularly worried about showing too much.
"I think that concern about showing too much of the offense is a little bit overblown," Lombardi said. "Certainly there will be some things that maybe we haven't worked on quite enough that you don't want to call, or there might be one or two things that you want to save for the regular season, but for the most part we're going to go out and institute the offense that we've been practicing here.
"It's obviously going to be a lot less game plan specific and probably not quite as specific when it comes to the personnel who's coming in," Lombardi said. "When we get to a game, it'll be like, 'Calvin's on that route, Golden's on that route, Reggie's on that route,' and here it's going to be a little less specific, but it'll give you a flavor at least."
The fullbacks whom Bush mentioned having more of a role in this Lions offense include Jed Collins and Montell Owens. Lombardi described the pair as different types of players - both of which can help the Lions.
"Obviously Jed's more of a traditional, bigger fullback," Lombardi said. "Montell gives you a lot of flexibility. He can do some of the fullback role that Jed does, but he also, you can hand the ball off to him. You're not going to hand the ball off to him rather than Joique [Bell] or Reggie, but you can hand the ball off to him and he can be effective as a runner. And also, third down nickel protections, he can be in there, protect the quarterback and then get out on check downs.
"They're different players," Lombardi concluded, "but they both have value."
One of the most critical pieces of the offense, superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson, was excused from practice Thursday. Head coach Jim Caldwell remained noncommittal about whether Johnson will play in Saturday's preseason game, though the coach said he does expect Johnson will be available.
The other most essential element of the Lions' offense, quarterback Matthew Stafford, has encouraged Lombardi with his performance so far, embracing the drills and instruction of new quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter.
"He's been great all through camp," Lombardi said. "Knock on wood, he hasn't thrown one interception in a team or 7-on-7 period all camp, so that's a credit to him and the work that he's done."
As usual, expectations are high for Stafford, whose strong arm and smarts have long marked him as a passer with loads of potential. As his statistics have declined the past two seasons, however, questions have arisen about his ability. With Johnson still near his prime and potent offensive weapons Golden Tate and Eric Ebron added this offseason, Stafford has more help than ever this season, so hopes for him are higher than ever.
Lombardi said such expectations for Stafford are par for the course.
"That's the quarterback position - all the pressure's always going to be on him," Lombardi said. "Like all competitive people, he's a highly competitive guy, they put more pressure on themselves than anyone else does. It's fair."
