Lions Aim for Balanced Running Game as Coach Campbell Discusses Workload Strategy
The Detroit Lions have been navigating the early part of the NFL season with a notable imbalance in the carries between their two running backs, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. With both players showcasing their talents, the differentiation in their usage has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.
Uneven Distribution of Carries
Through the first six games, the Lions’ backfield has seen Gibbs and Montgomery share the load differently. In Week 6 alone, Gibbs received 17 carries, while Montgomery was limited to just four. This disparity has led to Gibbs logging 230 snaps — approximately 62 percent of the team’s total — compared to Montgomery’s 143 snaps, representing 39 percent.
Coach Dan Campbell addressed this issue during a recent press conference, shedding light on the factors influencing the snap allocation. He noted that Gibbs typically participates in the majority of the two-minute offense packages, which contributes significantly to his increased snap count.
Factors Behind Snap Allocation
“As a coach, I always strive to ensure that neither running back is overworked,” Campbell stated. “While it’s true that the distribution has leaned more towards Jah recently, it’s primarily due to his involvement in those critical two-minute drills. In many cases, that can skew the statistics.”
This strategic approach aims to maintain Gibbs’s performance while managing the risk of fatigue. Campbell emphasized that, despite Gibbs’s higher snap count, he has not been overburdened in any single game. “I feel pretty good about where he’s at,” he added, referring to Gibbs’s snap total of around 36 in a recent outing.
Aiming for Balance
Looking ahead, Campbell expressed a desire to create a more equitable division of carries between Gibbs and Montgomery. Both running backs possess unique skill sets that can be advantageous in different game situations. Campbell believes that, ideally, the workload should be more evenly split as the season progresses.
“I would like to balance them out,” Campbell affirmed. “I want to find opportunities to get David more involved. We had hoped to do that in the second half of our last game, but circumstances didn’t allow for it. We faced some fourth-and-long situations that limited our ability to run the ball and execute play-action effectively.”
As the Lions continue their journey through the season, the coaching staff remains committed to optimizing the performance of both backs. With the right adjustments, they hope to harness the strengths of Gibbs and Montgomery in a way that enhances the overall effectiveness of their offense.
