ALLEN PARK – David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have approved his new nickname for their double out of the backfield for the Detroit Lions.
So, everyone meets the newly christened running back duo “Sonic and Knuckles.” The one-two is one of the deadliest combinations in the league, and the Lions plan to use both in a 50-50 split as much as possible to keep each fresh for the final stretch.
“…’Sonic and Knuckles’ — it’s official now, I was told that’s what they want to be called — ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ does what we ask them to do to do,” Scottie Montgomery, the team’s running backs coach and assistant head coach, said Wednesday. “As you can see, if you look at David, he’s a huge fan of cartoons, Disney Channels and ‘Sonic and Knuckles.’ And the speed and then also the impertinence of Knuckles.
“And of course I knew that because I have kids, right? So “Sonic and Knuckles,” I think it works well. They love it, so I’ll run with it.
The coach even joked that the PB&J nickname for both is dead, and that’s because no NFL player wants to be called “jelly” in that part of the equation.
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Regarding keeping the pair fresh for the home stretch, Scottie Montgomery said that’s the beauty of this pairing. They each bring a different flavor and even have an unspoken language for when someone isn’t 100% and needs a breather.
David Montgomery has recorded 137 offensive snaps in five games, less than 50% of the team’s snaps. And Gibbs is at 182 plays, or just over 50% of those offensive reps. Montgomery usually sets the tone in the first quarter, then Gibbs gets his chance to eat, before moving back into the rotation depending on the flow.
But in terms of touches and rushing attempts, it’s David Montgomery who leads the way with 75 carries and 10 catches on the 10 targets thrown. Gibbs has managed 66 carries, completing 14 of the 18 passes thrown so far. And it looks like something is going according to plan for this high-powered unit.
The Lions rank eighth with 4.8 yards per rushing attempt and are also third with 165 attempts in that department through five games. Pro Football Focus ranks David Montgomery third among all running backs, with 260 yards after contact and 18 forced missed tackles to his name.
“It just works differently. But you know, we talked about being built for the long haul,” Scottie Montgomery said. “And when you talk about the long term, both at the same time, what we’ve been able to do now a little bit more. I’m starting to do that. There are things we can do schematically to help us. But the truth is with the back, it’s all about the wear and tear on the back. How they get through weeks 13 and 14, how they feel. If we can continue to have these guys at 50-50 or sometimes 60-40, either way we can reduce the number of hits.
“We’re just reducing the mileage, and they look so fresh when they’re in the game. It’s like the next guy comes in, there’s no hands on the waist. Nobody leans over. They look at each other, they look at each other and look at each other, and they know, “OK, I’m not 100%. Be 100%.” So, I really appreciate that.
David Montgomery is in it for the long haul, adding a two-year extension to his existing contract this weekend. And Gibbs just signed his rookie contract, so get used to “Sonic and Knuckles” setting the tone for these racing-loving Lions.
“When you have David, he holds others accountable by holding himself accountable,” Scottie Montgomery said. “So, you know, in the building, I’ve said it before, I see David and I see Dan (Campbell) the same way, man, it’s like guys who are leaders who do it the right way way, who demand the most out of the people around them.
“If you have these guys in the locker room on the team, you have a great chance to win.”
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