The Lions' Pride

Personally, I think Belton and Lynch are both all purpose backs and can get them job down in any down and situation we may need them to get something done in. Yes, I say that with confidence even without Lynch ever taking a collegiate snap yet. Both of these guys will be our homerun hitters out of the backfield.

Dukes - strictly a power back. Nothing more than short yardage.

Zordich - same as Dukes but he'll be more effective since he's a senior and just loves to hit people.

Zwinak - a bit of an unknown still but he could be a good change of pace to Lynch and Belton. I can see off tackle/sweeps with him.

Day - same a Zwinak. Sweeps, off tackle plays.

belton is only listed as 5-9 i think so im not sure if he will be getting as many carries as redd did last year, i see him splitting way more touches with dukes and lynch as short yardage guys who can just pound the ball up the field

If Belton actually weighs 202 pounds (or even ~190)...then at his height, I have a sneaking suspicion he could be close to an every down back this year.

Dukes could be very effective mixed in occasionally.

I'm actually getting more excited to see this group. Belton has quickness, Lynch has speed (and maybe quickness, haven't seen enough of him on film to say confidently), and we've got a few bulldozers in the crowd as well. I think our running attack could be pretty potent this year, especially if the OL works well.

Running back stable

Belton - He would be my lead back with approximately 20 to 25 touches a game (about 15 to 20 caries and 5 to 10 targets in the passing game)...he would be my primary 3rd downback and run both inside and outside. He also might be used in the slot.

Dukes - Dukes would be the dive guy in the spread offense...he would be used primarily on traps, dives and draws. He would be used a lot in the hurry up offense (if he can work on his pass blocking)....to keep LBs honest.

Zordich - Zordich would be my backup 3rd downback due to his pass blocking and hands. It would be a lot like the Pats used Heath Evans a while ago...(if anyone remembers that...it was pre-OB)...he also would be used as a lead-blocker around the goal-line

Lynch - Lynch would be limited early on to run plays and 3-step drop pass plays getting about 10 plays or so a game (unless we get into mop-up time)...as the season progressed if he picked up the playbook...he would be used more often towards the end of the season to keep Belton fresh so in 2013 we have a two headed monster...

Belton & Lynch---both guys seem to have the ability to cut and go, so I like running stretch plays with them that involve zone blocking. This allows them to watch the play develop and pick their hole. From watching both of them, they seem very decisive. For Belton though, I would add screens and counters as well since we've already seen him display his ability to cutback and go the other way.

Dukes---I like running Dukes off tackle, downhill. Just give him that seam and let him hit it. Even though he's a big back, I don't necessarily view him as a short yardage back. He was great on a few plays last year hitting the edge. Also helps utilize his size because those guys at the edge tend to try to arm tackle a guy his size.

Zordich---Give him short yardage plays, and I also like slipping him out of the backfield into the flat as a check down on short passing plays. Not fluid enough though to run a wheel route out the backfield though. I also like using those H-Back types, like Royer, etc for those wheels or slip outs into the flats as well.

Derek Day--- I think there's more to this guy than people think. Didn't he earn a scholarship and earn camp MVP a couple of seasons ago? He just seems like a guy who will fight for yardage and can be used to spell any of these guys. Seems like he does a lot of things good, but nothing great. Take this one with a grain of salt because I'm basing this off of hearsay, not any of my observations.

Zwinak--Haven't seen enough, but off tackle like Dukes, and he seems like he can catch the ball well too.