Artose Pinner vs. Kevin Jones

[TheBigBakedBean]

Artose Pinner was quoted in the Detroit Free Press as saying that he was looking forward to winning the starting job. Witnessing his senior season two years ago here in Lexington for the Big Blue was great - and he certianly showed promise for a successful NFL career - but that doesn't necessarily mean he is on track to win the starting job, especially with Kevin Jones being just about everybody's favorite for getting the carries in the Motor City. Do you think Pinner's days in Detroit are numbered, or do you think that he might just get the chance that he's been looking for now that he is finally back from breaking his leg in the Senior Bowl which caused him to miss most of his rookie season?

And in related UK news, does Bennett's return in Minnesota take Moe Williams out of the lineup? How will the Hefty Lefty fare behind Elisha? Input most appreciated...

[Flux]

For the Bennett/Moe question look down a topic topics and you should see a discussion on that already.

As for Pinner and K. Jones, I think, that there will be some sort of RBBC in Detroit(at least in the begining). Pinner was looking very good in the voluntary practices before training camp, and said he was at around 90% (would be 100% by training camp). You couple that with the HC's love for RBBC, and there is a pretty decent possibility we will see it to some degree.

That being said K. Jones is going to be a very good RB in the NFL. I do believe he is the better back and should win the starting/middle/end RB role by mid-season.

[kashikis]

First off welcome to the Cafe Bean

As for the DET RBs right now Pinner is the starter but I expect Jones to supplant him by the 2nd week or so. Pinner got 2 starts last year and only avg 2.5 yd/carry all season. This shows me that he didn;t exactly stun the coaches in the motor city. Jones on the other hand is a bit quicker but needs to work on his pass catching. Both are relatively the same size as each other so I don't see one becoming a shoryardage guy, which ends up a the infamous RBBC. And don;t forget Mooch is there and he tore our hearts out over Hearst or Barlow for several years in SF. I think Jones is the safer bet to pick up though so I'd go with him.

As for Bennet you will see Moe go back to the shortyardage and 3rd down situations and Smith will end the odd man out this season barring another Bennet injury. Smith still has a shot at the job but Bennet is the starter unless he gets blown out of the water.

As for Jared I wouldn;t expect much at all from him this season. I do think they plan on grooming him as either a quality backup or to shop him later to another club. Look for them to bring in Warner or another veteran to train the both of them but Eli has the job locked up and Hefty Lefty will be no more than a #3 for now.

Hope that helps

[TheBigBakedBean]

As for Jared I wouldn;t expect much at all from him this season. I do think they plan on grooming him as either a quality backup or to shop him later to another club.

Personally, I'd love to see the Packers pick him up and mold him into an NFL stud. Think of how many successful NFL Quarterbacks at one point backed up #4 in a Packer uniform - Mark Brunell, Kurt Warner, Aaron Brooks, Matt Hasselbeck...I know there are others (we won't count Akili Smith or Ty Detmer, however). Just a thought.

[CC]

I'm pretty sure KJ will be getting the lion's share of the carries, Pinner is nothing special. Welcome, Baked Bean. I'm a fan of the name.

[moochman]

Welcome to the show, 3-B! I trust you'll find the Cafe to your liking and look forward to you views.
I think that Pinner's role will end up being a short yardage specialist once Jones learns the playbook and settles into the job. Jones should be the feature back if he can prove he can catch the ball out of the backfield. Until that time, Pinner will have the inside track. He should have better success with the improvements made to the O-line.
I think that Bennett's return will lead to the reduction of Moe's PT. He will become more of a vulture, stealing goaline carries.
The other Jared, not the Subway guy, has a strong arm and can stand up to the pounding that a Giant QB may face this year so he may stick as E-cry's back-up or clipboard holder. He does have some flaws though, as when they told him to throw the deep passes he put a lot of mustard on the ball, but then ate it! Ba-dump bump! Thank you, I'll be here all week, don't forget to tip your...