Are we all ready to believe in Theo Riddick?
After an offseason during which the team parted ways with headliner Reggie Bush and stayed away from a less-than-inspiring second-tier running back market, the Detroit Lions are in a position to once-again talk up the 23-year-old former sixth-round pick.
Per MLive.com, Jim Caldwell did just that at the NFL Annual Meeting last week in Phoenix.
"We try and give (the ball) to the guys who are going to do something with it, and I think he's going to be one of those guys who's going to force us to give him the ball more," Caldwell said. "I think you're really going to see him come along."
The now-third-year back put up decent numbers one year ago despite being third on the depth chart. Appearing in 14 games, Riddick hauled in 34 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns. He ran the ball 20 times for a little over 2.5 yards per carry.
If his production on the ground improves, it would seem to make him an obvious pairing with Joique Bell for a combination of power and speed.
But can Caldwell rely on his hopes and instincts? Or will the Lions be players in the running back market during the draft?
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