Ryan Grant or any of the other RB's will have a good year if MM lets AR and the receiving corpse loose on opposing defenses.

I hate to go back to 2007, Packers had no running game until RG got his chance, by then opposing defensives were so enamored in stopping the passing game, the running game finally exploded with RG.

The 2009 version of the Packers passing game IMHO, is better than the 2007 version, more experience at the WR position and a QB who has proven(tho it being only 1 year)that he can run the offense.

Set up the running game with the passing game, that's what the original west coast offense was all about(see the 49r's of the 80's).

One thing lacking in this years passing game(and last years) is a FB who can catch the ball out of the backfield, that is unless the rookie is that guy. Anyone have any info. on his ability to receive?

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If clifton can rebound this year I think the Oline has a chance to be the best McCarthy has had to work with.

While Sherman had an outstanding line remember that was put in place for him with the break through of Clfton and Tausher in the 2000 season.

The problem was there was no developing players coming up behind those guys and when it became problematic in dealing with what to do with both guards and Flanny running out of steam the entire interior of the line went through a transition with only Wells having time to develope some.

Last year injuries kept moving people around and Clifton and Tausher both played at less than what you expect from those two.

I like that we have Spitz at the position where he is at his best and Sitton is a big kid with some bulk and strength. If Clifton can come through we have an abundance of options at RT so I can see where this Oline should be more prepared to be affective than in any of the four previous seasons.

I expect this will equate to a better year for Grant and all the RB's. I can't believe Grant has just forgot how to break loose for big runs. That doesn't make sense to me. Holding out and then getting a hamstring injury that kept him from hitting stride until very late in the year does though.

I think this shows how important the off season is and what the training, conditioning, and studying can do vs. not getting back until camp, or, in Grants case last year, even later than that.

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The only quibble I have with your statements is the part that says he ran hard last year. I didn't see that - I saw him go down on first contact much more than he did in 2007.

NOW: I'm also quite convinced he wasn't right physically last year, and I think that had a lot to do with the going down on first contact. Assuming he's healthy this year (and assuming the O-Line gives him anything to work with), I don't think your prediction is off-base at all.

But they still need a counter-punch, and the screen needs to come back into play this season. Jackson can run that screen, I'm convinced of that.

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You're not appalled about him wagering his left nut? How much of this man's anatomy do we need on the line this year?

I like all four of our running backs going into camp. I'll let Edgar and McCarthey weed them out.

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THIS.

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