Detroit Lions

Jets' Bowles likens Lions rookie Ameer Abdullah to Barry Sanders

Published Aug. 14, 2015 11:18 a.m. ET

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In Thursday night's preseason opener, first-year Jets head coach Todd Bowles got a real good look at Detroit Lions rookie running back Ameer Abdullah as he gashed New York's defense.

Abdullah burnt the Jets defense for 67 yards on just seven carries, the first NFL action he's seen in his career. He showed incredible quickness with his cutbacks, finding hole after hole in the Jets defense.

Standing at just 5-foot-9 and 205 pounds, Abdullah is far from the biggest running back in the league. Neither was the legendary 5-foot-8 Barry Sanders. And as strange and extreme as it sounds, Abdullah reminds Bowles of No. 20.

"He's quick as a cat," Bowles said of Abdullah. "He's about as quick as Barry Sanders -- I'm not saying he is Barry, but he's a good running back."

Bowles did backtrack on his comments slightly, but not with regards to Abdullah being as quick as Sanders. With the night Abdullah had, including a spectacular 45-yard gallop, it's easy to see why Bowles had high praise for the Lions rookie.

It may not take long for Abdullah to unseat Theo Riddick atop the depth chart. The same goes for making Lions fans forget the electric Reggie Bush. It's early, but Adbullah has the makings of a great scatback.

(h/t NJ.com)