Detroit Lions: Jerome Harrison's Brain Tumor Voids Ronnie Brown Trade, Depth Behind Jahvid Best Still Solid

Thursday, October 20, 2011

DetroitLions.com

By Alek Frost
Senior Writer

A Detroit Lions trade at Tuesday's deadline apparently never happened and because of it, the Lions will have to depend on familiar faces at running back.

The trade involving running back Jerome Harrison and a 2013 seventh-round pick for Philadelphia Eagles running back Ronnie Brown, was voided because it was discovered that Harrison had a brain tumor, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Brown may have gotten the start this week at running back—had the trade went through—despite having limited practice opportunities with the team. With Brown headed back to Philly and Harrison obviously not healthy enough to play, the Lions will have to look elsewhere at running back while their featured runner tries to shake his latest injury.

With Jahvid Best's concussion and the likelihood he won't suit up against the Atlanta Falcons this week, the Lions will turn to 10-year veteran Maurice Morris and fullback/halfback hybrid Keiland Williams. Despite what the trade for Brown might indicate, the Lions do have depth at running back. They were simply looking for a more consistent presence between the tackles, in the form of a power runner.

Morris is a viable option at halfback and has done an adequate job at spelling Best the last two years and carrying the load when Best has been injured. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz is comfortable with what Morris will bring to the table come Sunday.

“Maurice has answered the bell anytime that it’s rung for him," Schwartz said. "He’s been a very productive runner for us. We know that he’ll do well if he plays on Sunday."
Williams will likely see the third-and-short and goal line opportunities he's accustomed to, as well as a few extra carries when he's forced to move up the depth chart. Schwartz said that despite Williams' short-yardage role this season with Detroit, he's capable of more.

"Keiland has shown some really nice things. A little bit more short yardage and goal line and things like that, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only thing that he can do," Schwartz said. "He played a lot of third down back for the Redskins last year. He’s done some really nice things for us."


Morris and Williams do not provide explosiveness and speed Best possesses, but both are physical runners and might just be exactly what the doctor ordered. A more smash mouth approach was what the Lions were looking for when they traded for Brown and while Brown is a bigger name, Morris and Williams are capable of providing a similar style of play.

The pair of unsung runners will get an opportunity to prove themselves this week and should produce. But no matter who carries the ball against the Falcons, the Lions have faith in the personnel behind Best.

"Not matter who we’re handing the ball to, we expect them to gain yards and be able to make explosive plays for us,” Schwartz said.


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