Allen Park -- It's easy to overlook rookie running back Theo Riddick. He plays in a position group behind Reggie Bush, Joique Bell and Mikel Leshoure.
Lately, though, the team's sixth-round pick from Notre Dame has been hard to miss.
"Riddick has stepped up and done some nice things," Schwartz said, "particularly in the passing game."
Bush has also been impressed, saying Riddick interior running skills are well ahead of where he was as a rookie.
None of this was evident during OTAs, when Riddick was, like most rookies, struggling to find his way.
"I was just trying to learn everything on the fly, trying not to mess up, trying to make a great impression," he said. "You end up doing a lot more thinking than just playing."
Riddick put the six-week break between OTAs and mini-camp to good use.
"Having that time off to study the plays really helped," he said. "I like to get acclimated with the playbook more and know my craft as opposed to just thinking out there and playing a lot slower."
The Lions drafted Riddick to be an understudy to Bush. He has a similar, though still undeveloped skill set. But speedy undrafted rookie Steven Miller has impressed, as well. Unlike Riddick, Miller is also in the mix in the return game.
The exhibition season will settle that debate.
From The Detroit News:
Lions rookie RB Theo Riddick shines after getting past rough start | The Detroit News
