Zero2Cool
14 years ago
Another Starks thread? Why not?

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/113251949.html 

Out of necessity, coach Mike McCarthy embraced a committee approach to running the football this year.

After Ryan Grant went down with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 1, the Green Bay Packers were left without a true every-down back. They didn't have a runner who could move the pile, move the chains, handle 20 carries per game, catch the ball out of the backfield and protect Aaron Rodgers' back side.

Brandon Jackson's strengths were best suited to third down: picking up the blitz and catching the ball. John Kuhn was the short-yardage battering ram. The Packers signed Dimitri Nance as insurance on Sept. 14, but he has added little to the mix.

Waiting in the wings was a rookie sixth-round draft pick who sat out his senior season at the University of Buffalo with a shoulder injury and started his professional career on the Packers' physically unable to perform list:

James Starks.

The committee buster.

After Starks played a key role Sunday by rushing for 123 yards in Green Bay's 21-16 victory over Philadelphia in an NFC wild-card game, it would appear the committee approach has run its course.

Jackson and Kuhn still have a place in certain offensive packages, but McCarthy has found his 20-carry back.

And not a moment too soon, because the Packers (11-6) face the NFC's top-seeded team, the Atlanta Falcons (13-3), at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Georgia Dome.

"Well, he definitely deserves opportunity," McCarthy said at his news conference Monday. "He'll run the ball against Atlanta, if that's what you're asking me. Yeah, he's going to carry the ball in Atlanta. He earned that."

Starks has played extensively in just two games as a pro, and he's already set two team records.

When he rushed for 73 yards against San Francisco in his NFL debut Dec. 5, he broke the franchise record for yards by a running back in his first game. Against the Eagles, he broke the record for yards by a rookie in the postseason. The previous mark was 88 by Travis Williams on Dec. 23, 1967.

"We've known how good James was the first day he came in," said linebacker A.J. Hawk. "We weren't even wearing pads back in the spring and we knew he could do some great things."

Starks, 6 feet 2 inches, with a chiseled upper body and long legs, suffered a hamstring strain during practice May 18 and was placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp. He missed invaluable practice time and some wondered whether he'd be able to contribute anything this year.

"I didn't have doubts," Starks said. "I stayed in a positive light and prayed on it. I knew I would get blessed with an opportunity."

The week after his promising debut against the 49ers, Starks gained just 8 yards in six carries in an ugly 7-3 loss to Detroit. He was inactive the next two games and admitted he needed to develop better practice habits.

All indications are that he did just that.

"I think he really learned the last month or so how to be a professional and that this is a seven-day-a-week job and you have to practice well if you are going to play on Sunday," Rodgers said. "His practice habits have really improved in the last month and he has been re-energized."

Starks, 24, is a polite, quiet kid who breaks into a smile when reporters approach him. He never lets more than a question or two go by without repeating how grateful he is for his opportunity in Green Bay and how thankful he is for the offensive line, the fullbacks, the receivers and just about anybody who draws a paycheck from the Packers.

He also seems oblivious to pressure, doesn't over-think and so far has not made any glaring mistakes. His performance against the Eagles, in a difficult venue and with the Packers' season on the line, came in just his fourth game as a pro.

"I'm just going to do my job," Starks said. "The coaches don't ask too much of me. They just ask you to do your job. That's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to be the best at my job."

When the Packers played the Falcons on Nov. 28, they had virtually no running game. Jackson rushed for 26 yards and Rodgers scrambled for 51. Nance was stoned on a key third-and-1 and Rodgers failed to score from the 1 on two consecutive carries, fumbling the ball away on the second.

If Starks can be half as effective against Atlanta as he was Sunday, the Falcons will have to honor play-action, and Rodgers, who threw for 344 yards in that first meeting, will have precious extra tenths of a second to scan the field.

And there is nothing like a back breaking off a 25-yard run to energize an offense.

"It really is a boost to the offense when you see a guy running his heart out," said tight end Tom Crabtree. "You want to make plays for him."

"Gary DAmato of the Journal Sentinel" wrote:


RUNNING TO DAYLIGHT
The top individual performances by Packers running backs this season:


  		Yds. 	Att. 	Avg. 	Date 		Opp.
Starks 		123 	23 	5.3 	Jan. 10 	Phil.
Jackson 	115 	10 	11.5 	Oct. 10 	Wash.
Jackson 	99 	22 	4.5 	Dec. 19 	N.E.
Starks 		73 	18 	4.1 	Dec. 5 		S.F.
Jackson 	63 	18 	3.5 	Sept. 12 	Phil.

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Zero2Cool
14 years ago

Is Starks the missing piece in Green Bay 
Heading into Wild Card weekend in the NFL I had questions about the Packers offensive attack. Multiple weapons on the outside and a quarterback in Aaron Rodgers that should be mentioned with the other elite names in the league: Brady. Manning, Brees, etc.

But I couldnt get past the idea that the entire game plan would most likely fall into the lap of Rodgers. Tough to produce in playoff football [img_r]http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c1910342/media_center/images/rendered/blog/wysiwyg/Starks.jpg[/img_r]when you haven to line up in empty sets on 3rd and short or inside of the 10-yard line and throw combination routes instead of playing a physical brand of football with the running game.

That changed yesterday. As I wrote in my post game notes from the Packers Wild Card win at Philly, Green Bay had that balance on offense because of running back James Starks. And we arent talking about exotic formations or window dressing here with pre-snap motion, etc. What I saw was a football team that could line up in their big personnel and win at the point of attack. That sells in the playoffs.

Starks can provide that production the Packers have missed since Ryan Grant went down with an injury. That was supposed to be Brandon Jackson, but we saw yesterday that Starks in an upgrade in talent. The Packers needed a running back that could get downhill, cutback and find open running room. Produce in the Lead Strong, Lead Open and the Power O. Basic running plays that are installed on the first day of mini-campbut are crucial to winning in the post season. Thats it. Be a part of the offensive attack and take some of the stress off of Rodgers to make every play in order to win games.

And I always go back to balanced football. Think of the Falcons offensively, or the Bears in the second half of the season. They can control the clock and move the ball on the ground. That adds to your play action route schemes and also will change the way opposing defenses game plan.

Can Starks replicate his 123-yard performance this Saturday night in Atlanta? Maybe, but we are talking about a balanced approach to play calling. Thats more important than overall numbers or yards per attempt. And it will also impact the way Atlanta prepares for Green Bay this week.

Does that make the Packers' offense more dangerous? Without a doubtbecause you have to run the ball in the playoffs. Not bad for an unknown rookie who might just be that missing piece to a long playoff run for Green Bay.

"Matt Bowen" wrote:


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Pack93z
14 years ago
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Following along with the Starks hype.. although for me.. it is too early to say we now have balance.

That said.. he hits the hole hard and with a burst we haven't seen from another back this season.. making the offensive lines job both in run blocking and passing easier if we can continue it.

I hope to see us feed him the ball between 15 to 20 times and put pressure on the Falcon defense and allow Rodgers and the receivers skin them over the top.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
dfosterf
14 years ago
This is good stuff----The writer was head scout of the Bears

NFP- Starks 
Zero2Cool
14 years ago

James Starks was almost a Chicago Bear 
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 11, 2011, 7:32 PM EST


James Starks breakout game for the Packers almost never happened because he was this close to becoming a member of the Chicago Bears.

Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo confirmed to ESPNChicago.coms Michael C. Wright that the Bears called Starks to tell them they were drafting him in the sixth round. Angelo changed his mind at the last minute, instead picking Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour. (Doh.)

The story came to light Tuesday from former Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel, who now writes for NFP. Starks was taken 12 picks later by the Packers. Angelo said that he felt bad for playing with Starks emotions, but was now happy for his success.

Angelo may feel less charitable if Starks lights up the Bears in the NFC Championship.


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Dexter_Sinister
14 years ago

James Starks was almost a Chicago Bear 
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 11, 2011, 7:32 PM EST


James Starks breakout game for the Packers almost never happened because he was this close to becoming a member of the Chicago Bears.

Bears G.M. Jerry Angelo confirmed to ESPNChicago.coms Michael C. Wright that the Bears called Starks to tell them they were drafting him in the sixth round. Angelo changed his mind at the last minute, instead picking Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour. (Doh.)

The story came to light Tuesday from former Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel, who now writes for NFP. Starks was taken 12 picks later by the Packers. Angelo said that he felt bad for playing with Starks emotions, but was now happy for his success.

Angelo may feel less charitable if Starks lights up the Bears in the NFC Championship.

"Zero2Cool" wrote:


That has got to happen. We have a moral obligation to get Starks there. It would be awsome to have him run wild over the Bears and break a long run to seal the game in the 4th.
I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.
bozz_2006
14 years ago
I'm trying really hard to not expect another game like Philly out of Starks. I mean, we ran effectively against Philly in week 1, too. Not trying to burst anyone's bubble, but careful about expecting Starks to be the Second Coming.
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longtimefan
14 years ago
Chris Mortenson was on Mike and Mike just now

He asked Tom Donahoe (ex Pitts and Bills front office man) who was a sleeper..

He said Starks
zombieslayer
14 years ago
Dan LeWho? Over James Starks? That must really suck when Starks runs for 200 yards and 3 TDs against da Bears in the NFC CG.
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
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wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member
14 years ago

UserPostedImage

Following along with the Starks hype.. although for me.. it is too early to say we now have balance.

That said.. he hits the hole hard and with a burst we haven't seen from another back this season.. making the offensive lines job both in run blocking and passing easier if we can continue it.

I hope to see us feed him the ball between 15 to 20 times and put pressure on the Falcon defense and allow Rodgers and the receivers skin them over the top.

"Pack93z" wrote:



I would like to see Starks get 35 carries this weekend. That would mean GB is up by a bunch, their running game is effective and they are working the clock.
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