While rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs is known in scouting circles for his blazing speed, what the Detroit Lions didn’t know when they drafted him was how physical of a runner he was.
Gibbs, who isn’t blessed with a big frame (5’9”, 200), ran through would-be tacklers during last Thursday’s 21-20 win over the host Kansas City Chiefs.
The Lions Were Impressed By Rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs in Week 1
A source with knowledge of the situation said that Gibbs’ college tape didn’t show the physical nature that the coaches and front office saw at times during training camp, which was a welcome surprise. And he carried that over against the Chiefs.
Veteran RB David Montgomery is the clear starter, and Gibbs only saw 19 of 70 offensive snaps, but the first-year pro is headed for a bigger role going forward.
“No, I would say that was what we talked about with him. First game out of the gate, there again, man, and we really didn’t want to overload any of those guys,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said when asked about whether Gibbs’ snaps were planned or game dictated by the game.
Campbell added, “I think it’s important you go in and let them get a feel of what it’s going to be like. It’s the first one — let’s go in and make sure that the guys that have been around here, the guys who have taken a load for us that we’ve been in games with, that they take on a bigger load and we work these rookies in and get them a feel of it.
“And now they’ve got that one under their belt, so for Gibbs, he’ll begin to get more touches now. So, that was just the beginning last night.”
Montgomery is seen as a very physical type of player, but the fact that Gibbs ran with such velocity and power through the hole has to give the offensive coaches confidence that he’s more than just a speed back.