Could Detroit Lions' Lack of Ground Game Burn Them in 2012-13?

Let's start from a premise here, that the Detroit Lions' ground attack is, at best, uncertain. If you've been reading me here on the NFC North blog, you know I have concerns and think that the Lions might want to grab a running back in the first two days of the NFL Draft.

As you can tell from the comments, not everyone is on board.

I still believe that getting a reliable running back is important to the Lions; however, I don't believe it is the end-all, be-all of success in the NFL. Not anymore.

Here's where I split hairs. A consistent running game matters because you want to keep a defense on its toes. However, unlike at times in the past, you don't win or lose games merely with a ground attack.

Heck, as any Lions fan will tell you, when they had Barry Sanders—one of my all-time favorite players and one of the greatest ever to grace us with his presence—they didn't win Super Bowls.

It is, after all, a team game. Unlike almost any game, this is the sport where one player can have a tremendous performance and still lose because others aren't doing their jobs.

For example, Matthew Stafford can have a technically perfect day and still not win because his receivers drop too many balls, or worse, a key one. Or he can statistically look bad but not because of the way he played, but the way others played.

In the end, the whole team (usually) has to play well to win, especially in a Super Bowl.

As I like to give credit where due, reader JP Hachey made a salient point in the running back article.

He said:

"

Actually, out of the last 5 Super Bowls, only one winning team has rushed for over 100 yards.

SB XLVI: NY Giants—114 rushing yards
SB XLV: GB Packers—50 rushing yards
SB XLIV: NO Saints—51 rushing yards
SB XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers—58 rushing yards
SB XLII: NY Giants—91 rushing yards

"

Now, this isn't exactly definitive proof because it depends on the team, and the Giants actually have one of each (though were very close in Super Bowl XLII).

However of those five teams, all but the Steelers have a high-powered passing offense, and the Steelers, while not in the same category, aren't run-first anymore by any stretch.

Let's also look at who they played as well. The Patriots, Colts and Cardinals were all pass-heavy teams, and again, while the Steelers aren't a powerhouse passing team, they throw the ball often enough.

Now, these are of course extreme examples—only one team wins a Super Bowl and only two play in it,  so the sample size is teeny tiny.

However, it's clear you don't need a dynamic rushing attack to win.

Of course, it makes life easier if you have a back who can move the chains in short yardage and is healthy on a consistent basis.

My biggest issue with the Lions' backfield is the lack of health. As it's been pointed out to me, yes, Jahvid Best didn't have a concussion his rookie year. After two in two months, we have a much different situation, though.

We also should remember he battled turf toe all year long that rookie season, but aside from the head injuries, he's pretty consistently healthy. It's just that those concussions for a running back are a huge concern.

Kevin Smith filled in ably, but he's been banged up consistently since entering the league and had a lot of wear and tear on his legs before he took a snap at the pro level.

Which leaves Mikel LeShoure, who is, honestly, the biggest wild card. I cited a study about players returning from Achilles injuries in the earlier piece, and to me, it's a concern. Another reader pointed out that the study was heavy with older players so it might not apply, but I think until we see him play, it's hard to judge what he may or may not have lost.

Hopefully the Lions have a chance to test him before the draft so they know, but they might not be able to.

There is also, of course, the issue of his two drug arrests, which are a big concern as well. Will he be suspended, and for how long? And is there a larger issue in play as well? Will he do it again?

So our best bet is a guy who might be suspended and may not be the back he was when he was drafted.

The Lions were okay with a rotating cast of characters at running back last year, and it wasn't a lack of consistency which kept them from the playoffs, though it did contribute.

The secondary was a larger factor, and if there is something which will kill them again, it's likely to be that.

The Lions should get themselves a reliable back in the NFL draft, someone they can turn to to take some of the pressure off of Stafford and the receivers.

If they can do that, it will make life a little easier.

If they don't, though, it won't be the end of the world.