On the ground, running back James Starks has hardly been tested this preseason. He has a grand total of three carries. That's hardly worth putting under the microscope.
At Indianapolis, the Packers threw the ball 72 percent of the time. Again, the no-huddle offense took centerstage. Still, Starks did get a close look as the third-down back. He caught five passes for 38 yards. And while it appeared that Starks was partially at fault for one sack, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said he was not.
Philbin wouldnāt declare anyone the third-down back yet. Rookie Alex Green and fullback John Kuhn are also in the mix. A lack of exotic blitzes makes preseason games difficult to read, Philbin said.
The Packers are bound to see many more packages from, say, Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams than they did last Friday.
āObviously the checkdowns are important, timing with the quarterback and all that,ā Philbin said. āBut the real proof in the pudding is if you can step up and take on a linebacker. Can you find the blitzing safety regardless of what side he lines up on? Thatās to be determined. You orchestrate it the best you can in practice and see if we can put him in as many situations as possible. But you have to get out there and do it.ā
Starksā only carry against the Colts was a two-yard gain in the second quarter. As a receiver, he showed promise with receptions of 11, 15 and seven during the drive that ended in Chastin West's nullified touchdown. Starks slipped behind his blocks and finished plays. On the 15-yarder, he blasted through Colts defensive back David Caldwell, who haphazardly tried to tackle him too high.
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