The Seattle Seahawks might’ve just done the Detroit Lions a huge favor.
In a switcheroo involving running backs, the Seahawks signed free-agent Edgerrin James and opened up a roster spot for him by cutting loose former Michigan State standout and ex-Lion T.J. Duckett. The transaction provides the Lions with a fantastic chance to plug a glaring hole on their roster. The need for a short-yardage back such as Duckett was all too obvious while watching the Lions suffer a 27-10 lackluster loss to the Cleveland Browns on Saturday night in preseason action. Aveion Cason, called upon to gain 1 yard on fourth down, went backward. It’s a role that Cason is ill-suited to fill. Duckett, 28, once a prep star at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, is just the man to reclaim that job for the Lions. He is coming off a productive season for the Seahawks as a goal-line runner. He ran the ball 62 times for 172 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Sure, his 2.8 rushing average is nothing special, but that’s a product of his role as a goal-line back. In his lone season in Detroit in 2007, the 6-foot, 254-pound Duckett ran 65 times for 335 yards (5.2 per rush) with three touchdowns in a reserve role. He caught four passes for 54 yards and fumbled just once. He also was a breath of fresh air in the locker room.
He has averaged 3.9 yards per carry and scored 44 touchdowns throughout his seven-year NFL career.