The Detroit Lions added depth in the backfield
Stephen Anderson Jersey , signing LeGarrette Blount and re-signing Zach Zenner.
Detroit signed both players Friday to compete with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick for carries this year.
Blount, an unrestricted free agent, ran for a team-high 766 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season last year in Philadelphia and scored three touchdowns during the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning run. He previously played for the New England Patriots, who used to employ Detroit general manager Bob Quin and coach Matt Patricia.
Blount, who has also played for Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, has run for 5,888 yards and 51 touchdowns in his career along with catching 54 passes for 387 yards and two scores.
Zenner, who was a restricted free agent this offseason, played in eight games last season and ran for 26 yards and a TD. Over his three-year career with the Lions
Quenton Nelson Jersey , Zenner has 119 carries for 420 yards and five touchdowns along with 20 receptions for 207 yards.
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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-11)
OPEN CAMP: July 26, One Buccaneer Place, Tampa, Florida
LAST YEAR: Failed to play up to heightened expectations coming off winning nine games previous season. Lost 10 of 13 following 2-1 start, missing playoffs for 10th straight year. QB Jameis Winston missed three games, plus most of fourth due to injury he tried to play through in three other starts. Lack of consistent running attack was problem. Gerald McCoy-led defense was disappointing, too, ranking last in league with 22 sacks.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DT Beau Allen
Rigoberto Sanchez Jersey , DE Vinny Curry, DT Vita Vea, RB Ronald Jones, C Ryan Jensen, DT Mitch Unrein.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: RB Doug Martin, DE Robert Ayers, Jr., G J.R. Sweezy, DT Chris Baker
Tarik Cohen Jersey , DT Clinton McDonald, S T.J. Ward.
CAMP NEEDS: Reconstructing defensive line and improving anemic pass rush were top priorities this offseason. However, getting newcomers Pierre-Paul, Allen, Curry, Unrein and first-round draft pick Vea acclimated to defensive coordinator Mike Smith’s system isn’t only concern entering camp. Winston will miss first three games of season while serving suspension for violating NFL’s personal conduct policy. So, balancing starter’s workload in practice along with that of backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, will be focal point during preseason.
EXPECTATIONS: With Winston entering his fourth season, suspended three games for off-field behavior and also due to see his salary increase to $20.9 million in 2019
DeShawn Shead Jersey , coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht – as well as 24-year-old Winston – are on hot seat to end franchise’s long playoff drought. Winston will miss season opener at New Orleans, as well as home games against Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. An 0-3 start could be difficult to overcome, even if Pierre-Paul, Vea and Curry are answers to club’s pass-rushing woes.
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