Position battles are normally the most entertaining thing when it comes to training camp. Most times it is the quarterbacks highlighting that portion of the offseason, but with the Detroit Lions, it is the backup spots that players are competing for. Matthew Stafford, Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson are penciled in with the first team, but a few other players would like to see their names there as well.
The Lions have some overcrowding in the backfield headed into training camp. Bush highlights the running back unit alongside Joique Bell and Mickel Leshoure. Contract wise, Bell just agreed to a three year contract worth $9.3 million to remain in Detroit. Leshoure on the other hand is entering a contract year with Detroit and is looking to get more involved in the offseason in order to raise his stock before likely being forced onto the free agent market after the season.
"I can't tell you (what my role will be) during OTAs, but it looks like I'll be involved a little more that last year so far," Leshoure said, via MLive.com. "As far as the role, I don't know. That could change weekly. But I think I'll be more involved than last year obviously. It's a new beginning. It's a lot of running plays. (Coordinator Joe Lombardi) comes from New Orleans, where backs rotated a lot. We know we're going to run the ball here, and I'm excited by the opportunity."
Not only does Leshoure have to compete with Bush and Bell, but Theo Riddick is expected to see his role in the new offense for the Lions. Offensive coordinator Lombardi praised the running back as a standout in OTAs and Bush expects his role to increase in the new year.
"He's hard to guard one-on-one, so that is going to be good for us to have another piece of the puzzle," Bush said, via The Oakland Press. "He has a natural given ability to be able to make people miss in space. He's far more advanced now compared to where I was as a rookie. I wasn't as good of a natural runner, it took me a couple years to get to that point and he already kinda has that."
Outside of the running backs, the Lions loaded up on receiving offense this offseason, leaving players like Ryan Broyles wondering where he stands in 2014. Currently recovering from yet another injury, Broyles has yet to see his NFL career take off and that might continue to be the case this year. The Lions drafted Eric Ebron while signing Golden Tate in the offseason. Ebron is a hybrid tight end who can play a Jimmy Graham-like role for the Lions while Brandon Pettigrew lines up in the tight end spot. This leaves Broyles competing for field time.
The wide receiver has spent most of the offseason fighting trade rumors after uncertainty came up about his ability to stay healthy. The Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers have all been linked to needing another wide receiver. If Ebron develops quickly, Broyles could be sent packing.