Why Keeping Two Running Backs Makes Sense

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

8 years ago

Aaron Rodgers said the Packers were screwed when they didn't have someone who could stretch the field when Jordy Nelson went down and it limited their playbook. That (among other things) has me going with nine spots between running back and wide receiver and these seven being virtual locks.

RB: Eddie Lacy, James Starks
WR: Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Ty Montgomery, Davante Adams, Trevor Davis

That leaves RB John Crockett, WR Jared Abberderis and WR Jeff Janis to battle it out for two positions.

Both Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery fit the bill of prototypical 3rd down back better than Eddie Lacy, James Starks and John Crockett. I also believe Crockett has the best chance of the three to be stashed away on the practice squad. I think Abberderis or Janis get plucked.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Packers keep two running backs and seven receivers and deploying more receiver out of backfield plays.

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nerdmann
Premier Member

8 years ago

Abby has yet to make it through a TC.

“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.”

wpr
Preferred Member

8 years ago

Can you guarantee that one or both RB won't be injured and miss games?
They need 3 RBs plus one stashed on the PS.

DakotaT
Select Member

8 years ago

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

I think you're fucked in the head on this one. 😝

I cringe when I see Cobb or Monte lined up in the backfield until I see them go in motion. You don't put your WR's in harms way like that. Crockett makes this team, and should get more action on third. Afterall, he went to college at North Dakota State. [fing1]

musccy
Veteran Member

8 years ago

Both Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery fit the bill of prototypical 3rd down back better than Eddie Lacy, James Starks and John Crockett. I also believe Crockett has the best chance of the three to be stashed away on the practice squad. I think Abberderis or Janis get plucked.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

After two seasons, aren't you no longer eligible for the P.S?

beast
Select Member

8 years ago

With the rate that RBs can get injured or banged up, going with just two RBs does NOT seem smart to me. RBs aren't protected by the refs like QBs are... heck the Packers have been quite lucky they haven't had more injuries at the RB position in the past couple of years since Johnathan Franklin got over 100 yards against the Bengals (because Lacy and Starks were injured, and then Franklin got injured).

Also, is Trevor Davis a lock?... it has seemed as if he has disappeared since the pads went on.

And I believe Aaron Rodgers said the Packers were screwed when they didn't have Jordy Nelson... and no one could step up and replace him. Janis and Davis can probably stretch the field... but probably still can't step up and replace Nelson (at least not yet).

Keeping two RBs might make sense if there is a clear third guy who can play full time RB, including taking it between the tackles. I don't think that's Cobb... Monty might be able to do it. Through I've wondered if we might be able to switch Janis to RB if he can't pick up better route running. Janis has the speed, power, size and toughness... and at times playing RB is like returning kicks. Though he would need to learn to read the OL blocks.

steveishere
Veteran Member

8 years ago

Can you guarantee that one or both RB won't be injured and miss games?
They need 3 RBs plus one stashed on the PS.

Originally Posted by: wpr

Not really unless Crockett is just too good to let go. If he is nothing but practice squad quality then it won't really hurt to keep him or a similar quality player on the ps. If one of the other 2 is going to miss a game then bring the PS guy up. Don't keep an inferior player on the 53 just to hit some arbitrary number for the position.

yooperfan
Veteran Member

8 years ago

I'm betting Crockett would be plucked from the practice squad in a heartbeat.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

8 years ago

The Packers offense uses the pass to open up the run, not the other way around. That's why more threats at receiver are more valuable than player who won't contribute anywhere. The receivers all have additional value where Crockett is just a running back body. Relatively speaking obviously.

I'm betting Crockett would be plucked from the practice squad in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by: yooperfan

Why? He hasn't done anything to merit a lock onto someone's 53 roster. Jared Abberderis and Jeff Janis have more plays on film when games counted so I gotta lean towards one of them before Crockett.

wpr
Preferred Member

8 years ago

#10

Not really unless Crockett is just too good to let go. If he is nothing but practice squad quality then it won't really hurt to keep him or a similar quality player on the ps. If one of the other 2 is going to miss a game then bring the PS guy up. Don't keep an inferior player on the 53 just to hit some arbitrary number for the position.

Originally Posted by: steveishere

Sorry this just isn't true. They keep the 53 that will make the best TEAM.

Exaggerated example- No organization keeps the #4 QB or # 15 LB simply because he is a better athlete than the #6 DB.

Closer to reality- GB won't keep a #3 QB even if he is a superior player over the 10th DB. Every team needs a certain number of bodies at every position. They may fill in with others already on the team. A TE could be a FB. An OLB may line up at DB. OLmen fill in at more than one position.

Arguably GB could use Cobb as a RB but I don't see them keeping only 2 RB.

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