It is one thing to get a compliment from anyone within national media who was a respected member of the NFL, it means another thing when it comes from a former rival general manager.
Rick Spielman was with the Minnesota Vikings from 2006 to 2021 and served as their general manager starting in 2012. The former front office member has pivoted to providing his highly regarded analysis through media outlets such as CBS Sports and The 33rd Team.
With The 33rd Team, Spielman made a post discussing what he saw from the Lions new backfield during joint practices with the New York Giants ahead of Friday’s game.
"I truly believe Montgomery and Gibbs will be an upgrade over Williams and Swift."
Rick Spielman thinks the #Lions' new backfield duo is set to run wild#OnePride pic.twitter.com/oIU4Z4btHc
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) August 10, 2023
He made the claim that “(David) Montgomery and (Jahmyr) Gibbs will be an upgrade over (Jamaal) Williams and (D’Andre) Swift…” with the basis coming off what he saw this week in practices. In the clip above he goes on to explain further that “the speed is better, the youth you can see it in the way they move, they’re elusive.” He wraps things up by pointing out that both players are complete backs in that they can provide production in both the run and pass game.
Comparing those skill sets to that of Williams and Swift to that of Gibbs and Montgomery may not be fair because of their complete skill set. Last year the Lions had positive results with their two running backs but depending on the play or package they had to interchange them. With the skillsets of Gibbs and Montgomery however, they will not need to be too specific in their game planning.
Quick thoughts from DET/NYG practice today. Montgomery/Gibbs is an upgrade over Williams/ Swift RB combo for DET. Aidan Hutchinson was unblockabe will have double digit sacks. Thibodeaux just blended in. Not near the effort Hutchinson practices with.
— Rick Spielman (@spielman_rick) August 8, 2023
That complete skillset by both backs won’t just make the offense more free-flowing but it complicates how teams can cover them. Last year with Williams being in, he was seemingly one less target to cover in pass coverage. They could stack the box in case of a run, or if they dropped back in coverage, they could seemingly provide double coverage on someone such as Amon-Ra St. Brown.
While the season has to be played yet, this is high praise from a general manager that is a proven talent evaluator with dozens of hits in the draft to back up these claims.
