S&B Classics: The Kevin Smith Comeback 11.20.2011
A well known Lions running back saves the day against the Carolina Panthers.
Information sourced from: ESPN, Pro Football Reference, Spotrac, Pride of Detroit, Detroit Lions Website
Welcome to a new series here at Silver & Blues, outlining some of the most memorable Lions games in the modern history of Detroit as we wait for football to return to us in the fall. Today let’s step back to the 2011 season of the Lions. Back when the likes of Stafford, Burleson, Best, Scheffler, and of course Smith were playing for our Lions.
Jahvid Best Injured
In week 6 of the 2011 season, Jahvid Best suffered a concussion which led to him ultimately being placed on season ending injured reserve. However, before sustaining his concussion he had managed to rush for 390 yards and 2 touchdowns and an average of 4.6 yards per attempt. Things seemed pretty bright, until his concussion. However, this led to a very memorable comeback for another well known Lions running back.
Kevin Smith: From the Couch to the Turf
While Kevin Smith hadn’t panned out always for the Lions to this point, they needed a running back in the worst way. Kevin Smith was unsigned to this point in the season, but brought with him a familiarity with Detroit and the scheme being run, so it made perfect sense to sign him right off his couch. He signed with the Lions on November 6, 2011, and found himself thrust into action almost immediately.
A Messy Day at Soldier Field
The Lions made the trek down to Soldier Field with the recently signed Kevin Smith back on the roster. While it would have been nice for Smith to make an immediate impact, he only logged 4 rushes for 19 yards. Nothing to write home about. The Lions and Bears had plenty of fumbles and interceptions (Stafford was actively playing through a broken finger) leading to an ugly 37-13 loss for the Lions.
The Lions Return Home and Take Care of Business
However, the Lions then returned to Ford Field. Smith had a week to get his legs back under him. The Panthers and rookie Cam Newton made the trek to meet the Lions on the gridiron, and the result was a thing of legends. Smith roared back on to the field and rushed 16 times for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns. Nate Burleson and Tony Sheffler also logged touchdowns, propelling the Lions to a 49-35 win over the Panthers at home.
Would Smith make performances like this a regular thing for him? The answer is no, though his numbers are nothing to bat an eye at. Remember, the 2011 Lions made it to the wild card!
The thing about this game for me was the ability to root for the underdog. Smith had been at home not playing, no NFL team was beating down his door. However, the Lions brought him back and he didn’t take his chance for granted. Sure, after four games his yards per attempt fell off, but it was an exciting four games thinking perhaps he would be able to shoulder the load left by Jahvid Best.
I’ll never forget watching this game from my couch, texting with a friend who said their grandfather was going crazy about the Lions turning in this performance. It definitely injected some hope into the veins of a fanbase who badly needed some after a messy loss, and I was among them. We all know how the 2011 season ended, but nonetheless we will always have this memorable game to look back upon.