James Starks and Brandon Jackson, who's had more opportunities to have a solid game?

Starks is the only RB I've seen this year who consistently attacked the hole. In these BS scheme, that's what we need. Not a dancer, not a prancer, someone who's gonna make one cut and boogie. That's what Ryan Grant does and it's worked for him.


I believe Korey Hall is out, so maybe we'll get to see Starks this week.

"Zero2Cool" wrote:

You cant blame (not being active) on anybody, Starks said, thats myself, because if I was doing what I was supposed to, broke some runs it doesnt matter how many people are getting in, great running backs make people miss and break tackles, do good things. I put that on my shoulders. Why I havent been playing, thats totally on me.

A hard lesson learned

Starks says bad practice habits have kept him out

Green Bay James Starks is no Allen Iverson. But when it comes to practice, something has been missing.

Therefore, so has his playing time.

Starks, a rookie running back for the Green Bay Packers, had a memorable season-debut against San Francisco on Dec. 5. Since then, Starks has faded from the picture and been inactive the past two games.

Turns out, it's largely because Green Bay's coaching staff doesn't like Starks' practice habits.

"I just haven't been practicing well," said Starks, a sixth-round draft pick from Buffalo. "It's something I've just got to get used to.

"Coming from college to the NFL has been a lot different. Practice tempo is a lot different. Now, coaches harp on that and that's something I have to get better at."

Starks, who missed the first 11 games of the year due to a hamstring injury, rushed for 73 yards on 18 carries against the 49ers. And for one afternoon, anyhow, Starks looked like he could help solve the Packers' rushing woes.

The following week in Detroit, though, Starks had just six carries for eight yards. The last two games, the Packers kept Dimitri Nance active instead of Starks.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said the decision came down to special teams. But Starks said he thought it had more to do with his performance in practice.

"As far as tempo, I need to pick it up and be more consistent," Starks said. "I haven't been doing that all the time and haven't always practiced very good. Things happen. The best players pick themselves up. I'm just going to keep practicing and keep getting better."

Starks figures to get a chance to impress his bosses again this week. With fullback Korey Hall out (knee), Starks likely will be on the 45-man game-day roster.

"James is just a young player," McCarthy said. "He missed a lot of practice time. Works hard. Obviously gifted, and we have him working with both the special teams and he's been getting some offensive reps."

JSOnline wrote:

Urgh. Is that a personality flaw? If so, could get him off the team in '11.

"zombieslayer" wrote:

Perhaps wishful thinking here ... I am hoping he's one of those extremely gifted athletes who skated through High School and College on his mere 'talent' and now is realizing talent means diddly squat when everyone from top to bottom has talent, its your work ethic an dedication to being a student of the game that will separate you from the rest.

"Zero2Cool" wrote: