Marvin Jones: Detroit Lions offense can be 'best in the league' in 2018

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Detroit Lions had one of the highest scoring offenses in the NFL this season despite having no semblance of a running game.

And with Matthew Stafford and all of their leading receivers under contract for 2018, Marvin Jones said he expects even better next season.

"We have all the ability to be the best in the league," Jones said Friday from radio row at Super Bowl LII. "We have all the tools."

Both Jones and Golden Tate topped 1,000 yards receiving this season, one of just three sets of teammates to reach that mark in the NFL, rookie Kenny Golladay emerged as a deep threat despite missing five games with a hamstring injury, and Stafford set a career-high with a 99.3 passer rating.

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Lions general manager Bob Quinn has been clear about his intentions to add to the running back room this offseason, and the Lions need more from their running game to be a complete offense.

But the organization is banking on better health from their offensive line and on getting bounce from bringing Jim Bob Cooter back as offensive coordinator.

Stafford campaigned for Cooter's return after Jim Caldwell was fired, Tate said this week that Cooter's return was "very important" to the continuity of the offense, and Jones explained why he thinks having Cooter back will make the Lions even more dangerous come fall.

"With our second year, you seen a lot of improvement," Jones said. "You seen a lot of continuity within all of us, cause it was all of our first year in the system, Jim Bob included, so we’re all getting to know each other and stuff. And this past year I think a lot of things were done. It was great in terms of how we connect with each other, what we expect and stuff like that. and he’s great at doing it, so it’s nothing but excitement coming forth."

Jones, who moved his family to San Diego for the balance of the offseason last month, said he'll ramp up his workout program sooner this year to account for the Lions' early start to their training program under a new coach.

New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is expected to be introduced as head coach next week.

For now, he's in "rest mode" and relaxed about what the future holds under Patricia.

"It is my first time dealing with a coaching change ever, but I’m a vet," Jones said. "I’ve been around, so yeah, it’s something that you have to take just because this is the NFL and the organization is doing what they feel they need do for the good of our team, the good of the organization. Me, I work. I work hard, so it doesn’t matter who’s out there. I’m going to come to the stadium, I’m going to come to the facility ready to work."

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!