Lions haven't had a playmaking running back since Barry Sanders up and left town before the 1999 season. they probably will bring another running back to camp with Kevin Smith's future in doubt. If the CBA agreements are not met, running backs like Ronnie Brown, Mike Bell, Jerome Harrison, Darren Sproles, LenDale White, and Jerious Norwood will be restricted free agents, not unrestricted free agents, making them harder to pursue. With no agreement, the unrestricted pool of running backs dwindles to players with six or more years of experience. Those players would include LaDamian Tomlinson, Willie Parker, Leon Washington, and Chester Taylor. Lions fans would love to see an experienced back enter the fray in the Lions backfield, but players like Tomlinson, Parker and Taylor don't make much sense for the Lions. The Lions aren't a player or two away from being competitive. They are five or six players away, and that could take two or three more years. By that time, those backs will be facing retirement. The Lions should make a play for one of the veteran restricted free agents running backs. But if the price proves too high, the Lions will be smart and continue to build through the draft.
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