nerdmann
14 years ago
Nice to see PU posting again. He must be on spring break! Anyway, I agree with his assessment here. Grant has to beat out Nance to be the backup, imo. That's what the competition will be. I love Grant, but Starks can run rings around him.


James Starks should be the Packers primary running back when the regular season opens on Sept. 8. This statement shouldnt be taken as a knock against Ryan Grant. Rushing for over 1,200 yards in back-to-back years is nothing to sneeze at. But after re-watching all four postseason games, its my opinion that the second-year player from Buffalo is simply too talented to be used in a supporting role.

Starks carried the ball 81 times in the playoffs, and he made more people miss in those four games than Grant has made miss in four seasons (this is a slight exaggeration, but you get the point). He also showed good feet and enough competitive speed to get outside and to accelerate when he broke through the line. In short, theres very little Starks cant do as a pure runner.

He needs to improve his vision, but that should come with experience. Its important to remember that he missed his entire senior year with a shoulder injury and then spent all of training camp and the first three months of his rookie season on the PUP list with a strained hamstring.

The best thing about Starks is that hes more than just a gifted runner. He wasnt used very often in the passing game last season, but he showed good hands in college. And while his pass blocking paled in comparison to the brilliant work done by free-agent-to-be Brandon Jackson, he hardly embarrassed when asked to protect star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Can he develop into a good enough blocker to play on the majority of third downs? Maybe, but if not, the Packers always have reliable John Kuhn to stick in there.

As far as Grant is concerned, the Packers should keep him around even at his hefty salary. If healthy, hell provide quality depth at a position that requires quality depth. And considering how high Starks tends to run, the odds of him starting all 16 games arent great. Will Grant be happy as a highly paid insurance policy? Of course not, but hes a high-character person who wont cause trouble. Plus, coach Mike McCarthy is adept at keeping all of his players involved, so hed never let Grant rot away on the bench.

One scout called Starks a poor mans Adrian Peterson. I know where hes coming from, but I wouldnt dare compare the two players in any way. Peterson is a special talent who could wind up in Canton some day. Starks will only get to the Hall of Fame by purchasing a ticket. Hes not special, but he has a chance to be very good. And very good is all this offense needs at the position. So whats the only thing that should keep Starks from ascending to the starting job? Drafting Mark Ingram. But thats an unlikely story for another day.

"PU" wrote:


“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
millertime
14 years ago
It's funny how we can have one RB that's overrated, and one RB that's underrated.

I'll let you guess which is which...

:microwave:
Dexter_Sinister
14 years ago
AP will be the new Barry Sanders. Waste of a great running back.

I would think Grant starts the year as number 1. Even if they put Starks at number one, I would expect a fairly even split in carries. The ball going to whoever is hot at the time.

I don't think they are going to have Nance in the mix.

I also think Jackson is one of the best 3rd down backs in the league at blocking and receiving. I would be surprised if they let him go without an offer.
I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.
coltonja
14 years ago

Grant has to beat out Nance to be the backup, imo. That's what the competition will be.

"nerdmann" wrote:



Oh wow. Hilarious. Anyway, Starks could start and do a good job no doubt. If Grant is healthy and running like he used to I'd be more than happy with him taking the bulk of carries. I agree with Dexter that splitting the carries is the best choice. If anything it will show who the better runner is early. I have a feeling Grant will be coming out strong though.
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nerdmann
14 years ago
Grant is no slouch. Between the tackles, he can get it done. Just don't expect him to see holes, be able to cut, catch the ball or get around the corner. Nance doesn't necessarily have Grant's power, but he can see the field, has quick feet and (gasp!) can CATCH the ball.
Nance has to prove himself, but I think he's got a chance. There's a reason Ted Thompson had his eye on him.
Man if this team could run SCREENS effectively...
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
Tezzy
14 years ago
Are you as sure about this as you were about BJack being better than Grant? I haven't had a chance to get out to the practice field to see the two of them compete yet, so if you could post the video that would be great. I will wait until I actually see some cleats on the grass and then I'll pass judgement.
On top of every beard grows a man.
"The Bears are shell-shocked... and it's breaking my heart."
nerdmann
14 years ago

Are you as sure about this as you were about BJack being better than Grant? I haven't had a chance to get out to the practice field to see the two of them compete yet, so if you could post the video that would be great. I will wait until I actually see some cleats on the grass and then I'll pass judgement.

"Tezzy" wrote:





Grant never had to split carries with Kuhn in order to be available for third down duty. Not so sure he's a good match for the zBS either.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
Dexter_Sinister
14 years ago
Nance had a 2.6 yards per last year, ouch.

Grant was off to a great start at 5.6 before he got hurt. Career he is 4.4 per.

Starks had a 3.5 in the reg season and 3.9 in the post.

Grant might be a little better than Nance.

Even Jackson managed to average 3.7 in the reg and 4.7 in the post.

Now, why should we keep Nance?
I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.
nerdmann
14 years ago

Nance had a 2.6 yards per last year, ouch.

Grant was off to a great start at 5.6 before he got hurt. Career he is 4.4 per.

Starks had a 3.5 in the reg season and 3.9 in the post.

Grant might be a little better than Nance.

Even Jackson managed to average 3.7 in the reg and 4.7 in the post.

Now, why should we keep Nance?

"Dexter_Sinister" wrote:




Because he can also catch the ball? He's quicker, can cut, has vision.
Nance was a rookie who was picked up in the middle of the season. Once he has been in the system for a year and knows the playbook, he might look a little better. Not to mention having a year under his belt in the league.
BTW, Jackson had an additional 350 yards receiving last year, bringing his all purpose total to over 1000 yards. This also after splitting time with Kuhn so as to reserve his status as the "third down" pass pro guy. Not to mention Jackson also gave way toward the end of the season for Starks.
Grant has never had more than 200 yards receiving in any season. And has never had to stand down to reserve himself for pass pro on third down.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
earthquake
14 years ago
I think its very possible that, if the lockout goes on for an extended period of time, Starks WILL start due to Grant's injury situation and the fact that Starks finished up the season as the starter. If GB doesn't get any chance to work Grant back in, I see it tough for him to be the opening day starter.
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