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One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

4/03/2012

Expect Leshoure to be a vital part of offense, despite mistakes

Certainly Mikel Leshoure made mistakes in the past few months — mistakes which led to two charges of marijuana possession within a month.

To top it off the Lions running back skipped out on Monday’s arraignment in Berrien County.

Still, I was shocked at the reaction on Twitter on Monday. Many fans called for the Lions to trade him or whatever it takes to get drive him out of town and then draft another running back.

That’s just nonsense. Leshoure will go through the legal system for the second offense. He paid a $485 fine for his first violation.

It seems unlikely he’ll be suspended by the NFL, although it is a possibility.

It seems highly likely he’ll get face time with coach Jim Schwartz to talk about the situation and will be told to clean up his act. He’ll have to deal with his peers and, of course, with jokes about trying to eat the evidence.

But then I would expect he’ll take on a big role in the offense just like everyone expected. After missing his rookie season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, he’s been working out at the Lions’ facility in the offseason. When Stephen Tulloch signed his big deal, he mentioned he’d seen Leshoure working out — actually running — and was impressed.

All along Lions management has been optimistic he’ll be ready for training camp.

At 6-foot and 227 pounds, he’s rock solid and will share reps with Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith. In his few days at camp last year before his injury Leshoure was impressive.

He’s made mistakes, but not enough to be chased out of town.

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1 Comments:

Blogger John Leach said...

Glad you touched on Leshoure being teased by his teammates for "eating the evidence". It's reminiscent of the old Cheech and Chong bit. "I'm eatin man, I'm eatin it". Too bad this time those flashing lights coming up from behind didn't turn out to be an ambulance. LOL

12:48 AM 

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