By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK–After not addressing the running back position in this year’s draft, the Lions decided to add a veteran to the backfield by signing Matt Asiata to a one-year deal last weekend. After playing the last five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, the 29-year-old back tried out for the Lions during the team’s rookie mini camp at the beginning of May, but he didn’t get signed right away.
“That’s how the business is,” Asiata told reporters after OTAs on Wednesday afternoon. “[You] come here, show what you got and just hope for the best.”
By signing with the Lions, Asiata proves once again he’s a survivor in the NFL. In 2011, the California native of Samoan decent went undrafted and signed as a free agent with the Vikings. By September he was cut, and when no team claimed him, went back home to Utah and worked at an industrial supply company, driving a fork lift. But in 2012 the Vikings gave him a second chance, where he remained until this current offseason.
After the tryout at rookie mini camp, Asiata said he continued to stay in shape because “you never know what’s going to happen.” And he revealed it was his two-year-old son Henry, who was the one to break the good news to him last week. Asiata, who was sleeping at the time, said Henry handed him his cell phone, vibrating from an incoming call, which was his agent with the news the Lions were offering him a contract.
The five-year veteran played in all 16 games for the Vikings last season, filling in for the injured Adrian Peterson along with Jerrick McKinnon. He finished with 402 rushing yards on 121 carries and six touchdowns, to go along with 32 receptions on 38 targets. The Vikings finished dead last in the NFL in rushing in 2016. “it was just a big struggle last year, trying to get different people to run the ball,” he said.
Asiata is a versatile running back, who can help out the Lions’ backfield–which finished 30th in the NFL in 2016–in a number of different ways. In 2016, according to Pro Football Focus, Asiata finished 29th out of 53 running backs (minimum 83 carries) in short yardage situations with a 57 percent success rate. PFF had him ranked 47th in pass protection.
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said he likes the variety of what Asiata brings to the table.
“I think without question he’s certainly been involved in a lot of football, [played in] big games and certainly has experience and background,” Caldwell said. “He’s played in a number of different phases besides the offensive load that he’s carried. He’s also been a real, steady performer in terms of special teams, [he’s a] real pro and we’re happy to have him.”
Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick will remain as the top two backs in the Lions’ offense going into the 2017 season. After those two there are several, who will be joining Asiata in a summer battle for a spot on the roster, including: Zack Zenner, Dwayne Washington, Mike James and Tion Green, a rookie free agent out of Cincinnati.
Asked if he envisioned himself as a starter, Asiata said, “Whatever I can do to help the team. I’m here to win. That’s my main focus is to try to bring this team to a championship.”
He’s adjusting to a new team, new city, and new playbook, but the top priority, he says, is earning the respect of his new teammates.
“Yeah, just trying to gain the respect with these guys that have been here, just trying to go out there and improve and try to do my best to get the plays down.”