It's May, which is the time of year where everybody looks great at OTAs and is primed for a big season. Some of that optimism will no doubt pan out, but a lot of it will just disappear. Lions second-year back Ameer Abdullah looks like one who could go either way.

The Detroit Free Press thinks Abdullah might be primed for a breakout season, albeit with a qualifier. "With Calvin Johnson settling into retirement, the Lions will need more from their running game this fall. Ameer Abdullah is the No. 1 back, and if he conquers his fumble problems, he should be in for a big season."

I was a fan of Abdullah coming out and thought he could have a big rookie season. Then he had a couple of explosive plays in the exhibition season, and it all looked good.

But Abdullah struggled with fumbles, as noted, and his chances were limited. And just as important (I think) is the Theo Riddick situation. The team is using Riddick on the kind of plays where Abdullah is most likely to make an impact; the ones most suited to his skill set. If Riddick is always on the field in passing situations, catching 4-5 passes a game, how is Abdullah going to put up big numbers?

He's not an inside runner; they'll try Zach Zenner, Stevan Ridley, or somebody else in that role. Riddick has very little in the way of explosiveness or moves, but they apparently trust his hands and blocking in pass protection, so they'll continue to send him out there on third downs.

I'd like to believe a breakout is coming for Abdullah, but with Riddick still on the roster, I don't see it. (As an aside, the newspaper's belief that Megatron's retirement will leave the team more relying on their running game doesn't ring especially true, either.)

Abdullah hanging onto the football will be a start, but he'll need to get more offensive chances -- in the passing game -- to have a breakout year.

--Andy Richardson