"Kevin Smith wants to be the starting running back for the Detroit Lions, there's no question about that. While it appears that rookie Jahvid Best is going to fill that role, Smith is more worried about the team's success than his own personal goals.

"I see him making a lot of plays and that's good for the organization, that's good for the running backs, we're a tight group,'' Smith said today. "I'm a competitor. It's not just me. If you see a guy out there making plays, you want to make plays, too. I'm competitor, but I'm a teammate first.''

Smith said there's still some lingering issues with his surgically repaired knee, but he's getting further along in his recovery."