Finley88Beast
14 years ago
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81cc41a0/article/packers-rookie-rb-starks-lifts-struggling-ground-game 

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- James Starks had 18 carries for 73 yards against the San Francisco 49ers and his coaches didn't cite him for any major mistakes in pass protection. He even remembered to thank his offensive linemen.

Not bad for a rookie who hadn't played a meaningful down in nearly two years.

"The kid, he never gave the impression that it was too big for him," Packers running backs coach Edgar Bennett said. "He was poised, I guess you could say. Even in pregame warmups, you saw it in his eyes. This kid was ready to play."

He certainly had plenty of time to get ready before.

Starks missed his entire senior season at Buffalo because of a shoulder injury and slipped to the sixth round of the draft before the Packers chose him.

Then he hurt his hamstring in offseason workouts and began the season on the physically unable to perform list. Green Bay added him to the active roster Nov. 9 but he didn't get into a game until Sunday.

"Even when I was out, I was in the playbook a lot more than probably the other guys," Starks said. "They were probably tired and drained out. I had a little extra time to study the playbook and get in there and learn concepts a lot more. I feel like I'm pretty much catching up. It doesn't feel like I'm far behind at all."

Coaches believe Starks has far more to show, and are eager to see his speed.

"When he comes off the back end, you better watch out," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "It's going to the end zone."

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Bennett insists the 6-2, 218-pound Starks runs a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash and can be a breakaway threat.

"Oh yeah," Bennett said. "He has that type of ability."

Bennett praised Starks for using his time away from football to prepare.

"This kid was coming in here early and leaving late, studying film and making sure he was raring to go," Bennett said. "Like I said, it was about making the most of his opportunity. And he was excited to get out there and play with his teammates. He kept talking about going down and complimenting the offensive line for the job they were doing, I mean, when you see a young kid that in tune, making sure that he thanked his teammates, that's what it's all about."

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers -- who hasn't been afraid to get after teammates for their mental mistakes of late -- made it clear he wants to see more out of Starks and other younger players in practice.

"Say what you want about Ryan Grant. Obviously, I think he's a lot more appreciated in injury than in health, unfortunately," Rodgers said. "That guy, no one could ever question his practice habits. Look at Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Brett Swain. Those guys practice as well as everybody. Every day they bring it. Jermichael (Finley) became that player this season. I want to see those young guys take that seriously.

"Because how can I have any confidence in you being on the field if you can't show me what you can do in practice? That to me, is the most important thing. And that's what being a professional is about. This is a whole-week job."

The fact that Starks' debut was such a big deal in Green Bay this week shows just how badly the Packers running game is struggling going into Sunday's game at Detroit.

Green Bay has had a pass-first offense under McCarthy, and that certainly hasn't changed after a season-ending ankle injury to Grant in Week 1. Rodgers was their leading rusher in a loss at Atlanta two weeks ago.

Brandon Jackson has struggled, and has made the case in recent weeks that he needs more carries to get into a rhythm. That isn't likely to happen if Starks can show that his debut wasn't a fluke.

"I would like to have some type of rotation of all three of those backs, but Brandon is still our main guy," McCarthy said. "He's done it all year. As I've stated before, I don't think it's in our best interests with as much football as we have in front of us to sit there and run Brandon Jackson 25 times a game."

Jackson didn't complain about getting only four carries to Starks' 18 on Sunday.

"He just adds another dimension," Jackson said. "Hopefully, he's going to do good things in the running game to help push us forward."

Starks said he'll take whatever the coaches are willing to give him.

"We've got great backs," Starks said. "Whatever is asked of me, that's what I'm going to do. I'm up for any challenge, just as the other backs are. If you put us in the right situation, we'll all succeed."


A Quote from my brother Mike(Bears Fan)
"Fucking Greg Jennings"
After he makes a catch
Yerko
14 years ago
You gotta love what the kid is already bringing to the Packers. He seems very grateful to be in the position he is in and is making the best out of it here and now.

I want to see that sub 4.4 speed....hot damn.
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Since69
14 years ago
I hope we see a heavy dose of him against the Lions...
UserPostedImage
14 years ago
I hope so too, more so since I picked him up in my fantasy playoffs because I didn't like the Benson vs. Pittsburgh matchup.
UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
beast (2h) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (2h) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (3h) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (3h) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (3h) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (3h) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (3h) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (4h) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (4h) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (4h) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (5h) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (5h) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (5h) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (5h) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (5h) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (6h) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (15h) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (15h) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Losing 2nd round pick for a one year rental, not ideal. Especially a headcase.
TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Pickens for Jaire may be interesting. Definitely not sure we want Pickens long term.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : No.Absolutely not
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : NO NO NO NO NO NO!!1 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
dhazer (25-Apr) : scenario: Our main prospects are off the board when our pick comes around, do we just throw a 2nd round pick at Pittsburgh for Pickens
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