Kevin Smith: Why His Days as a Detroit Lion Could Be Numbered, Again

Despite his productive season for the Detroit Lions in 2011, Kevin Smith's future with the team is as predictable as a Michigan winter. In fact, there is probably a better chance of seeing 80-degree weather in February than Smith wearing Honolulu Blue and Silver in 2012.

Re-signed during the bye week last season, Smith quickly established himself as the Lions' most effective runner in a crowded backfield of fill-ins.

In seven games he tallied 72 carries, 356 yards (a 4.9 average) and seven touchdowns (four rushing and three receiving). His performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11 was the biggest reason the Lions won the game.

Unfortunately, his abbreviated season was made even shorter due to injuries; an issue that's plagued him his whole career. His rookie year of 2008 is the only season he's played 16 games. He played in 13 games in 2009, and only six in 2010.

In 2011, he sat out the Lions' Week 14 matchup with Minnesota and was limited in several other games due to injuries.

Despite his limitations Smith was a reliable contributor and he's a Lion through and through.

This is why it will be difficult to see him go—again. The Lions will likely say goodbye to Smith for the second time in two years.

Smith deserves better. He's a warrior and a decent runner when the offensive line gives him help. He's also very effective in the passing game—although not nearly as dangerous as Jahvid Best.

Unfortunately, the numbers don't favor Smith. 

The Lions have four running backs currently under contract: Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, Keiland Williams and Joique Bell. Barring injuries, Best and Leshoure are the clear starters.

Bell, the former Wayne State star, was quietly signed away from New Orlean's practice squad in December. It's not clear whether the former Division II player of the year can cut it in the NFL. Equally unclear is his status with Detroit.

Will he make the active roster or be a practice squad signing?

The biggest question is between Kevin Smith and Keiland Williams. In a perfect world, the Lions would be able to re-sign Smith. The Lions drafted him, he's a fan favorite and he was a more effective runner all year.

Williams never got on a roll and had two bad fumbles in 2011. These turnovers look even worse when you consider he only carried the ball 58 times.

Smith had no fumbles on 72 carries.

Unfortunately—as with most things in the NFL—it all boils down to money. Smith is a free agent and Williams is still under contract for only $490,000 for one more year. Smith would be pricier to re-sign. 

The Lions signed him to a one year deal worth $600,000 last November. Depending on interest from other teams, the Lions would have to pay even more to re-sign him.

Martin Mayhew is already looking at a daunting financial conundrum this year. Key pieces to the Lions' championship puzzle need to be re-signed: Stephen Tulloch, Calvin Johnson and Cliff Avril, to name a few.

 Spending extra dough on a fifth running back—that would start the year third on the depth chart—is not a priority.

Perhaps it should be a priority, though. Best and Leshoure's status are unknown. With those injuries, who knows how either player is going to come back. Best could get another concussion in Week 1 and Leshoure might not be the same player the Lions drafted.

The thought of losing both of those players again should scare the pants off the Lions and their fans.

What could be worse than that?

Having only Keiland Williams and Joique Bell as viable backups, that's what. I shudder just thinking of it. 

Smith can be a valuable part of any team and his clean bill of health should help him find another home. I, for one, hope that home remains in Detroit.

I would hate to see the Lions reach the pinnacle without Smith. Same as I would hate to see them do it without Dominic Raiola or Jeff Backus. Call me sentimental. Call me a bleeding heart. Call me a horrible business man.

I'll confess to each one. In my opinion, these players have earned the right to remain in Detroit and be part of something special. They don't have to start each game, but they should have a choice if they want to stay.

These three players have seen the lowest of lows. They've been where this current team never wants to go; and where this franchise never wants to go back to.

That's why their presence is important. They are a connection to the past—a painful past—and their leadership and experience helps remind everyone of what can happen when you don't do things the right way.

When discussing his future with Detroit, Smith was pure class, as usual.

In this article on MLive.com, Smith said,"I would love to be here. This is all I know, so I would love to be here. But I understand this is a business, and they're doing whatever they need to make this better. If I'm a part of that, that'll be great. If not, my career will keep moving forward."

Great attitude. Yet another reason he should remain a Lion.