When the Detroit Lions signed former Los Angeles Rams running back C.J. Anderson, pretty much everybody automatically penciled him in as the No. 2 RB behind starter Kerryon Johnson, and rightfully so.
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After all, Anderson played extremely well in the Rams final two games of the season (43 carries for 299 yards and two TDs) and then again in the playoffs (46 carries for 189 yards and two TDs).
But Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press warns us, “don’t forget about Theo Riddick when it comes to the Detroit Lions’ backup running back job this fall.”
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In Birkett’s piece, he breaks down the contracts of the Lions’ current running backs and noted that Riddick, despite finishing fourth on the team in rushing, has the most expensive contract ($3.2 million base salary and $4.4 million cap hit) as things currently stand. That number is almost double what Zach Zenner and C.J. Anderson are slated to make combined.
Personally, I do not believe (and Birkett may agree) that the money will have anything to do with who enters the game first when Kerryon Johnson needs a blow. That decision will be based on who proves to be the next best RB on the team along with the game situation.
To read the rest of Birkett’s piece and to see the breakdown of the contracts, please click here.
