Ryan Grant lobbied the Green Bay Packers to sign veteran running back Ahman Green and applauded their decision to finally make the move last Wednesday.[img_r]http://media.jsonline.com/images/199*130/ahman102409.jpg[/img_r]
Should he have?
There are two ways to look at it if you're Grant.
On the one hand, bringing in Green relieves some of the pressure on Grant to produce like a guy who is worthy of the four-year, $18 million contract he received in August 2007. On the other hand, it implies that the Packers no longer think Grant is capable of being a franchise back and probably would be better suited for a job-sharing role.
If the Packers simply wanted to fill the position vacated when third-down back DeShawn Wynn was lost for the season with a knee injury, they would have signed veteran free agent Dominic Rhodes or elevated practice squad running back Kregg Lumpkin. Instead, they turned to Green, a former franchise back whose career took a detour because of injuries.
There are several reasons the Packers took a shot with Green, but simple logic will tell you he might be able to fill gaps that are missing in the team's mediocre running game.
Things like:
Better production on first down.
Better production on screen passes and check-downs.
Better production running to the left side.
Upon signing Green, no one on the Packers' coaching staff, including head man Mike McCarthy, characterized the move as having anything to do with Grant, even though the fourth-year back ranks 18th in the NFL in yards with 347, 31st in yards per carry at 3.8 and 28th in runs of 20 or more yards with one.
Still, McCarthy did say he thought the move upgraded the position and provided the Packers with someone who is a good fit for his zone running scheme.
"He still has excellent in-line quickness," McCarthy said after Green's first practice Wednesday "He really has the ability to drop his pads and run with forward lean and the things you always liked about his running style.
"I'd like to see more of him."
Could make debut vs. Vikings
Green, who has been out of football since November, won't play against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium, but there's a chance he'll be available when the Minnesota Vikings come to Green Bay next Sunday. Common sense would tell you it's going to be awhile before he's effective - if he's effective at all at age 32.
At this point, the Packers' running game shouldn't really scare anyone. Green Bay ranks 19th mostly on the strength of some strong late-game finishes against St. Louis and Detroit, when the Packers were able to beat down a demoralized opponent.
When you're talking about production in key areas, such as on first down, the Packers are not a good running team. Obviously, the offensive line plays a part in that, but the right side of the line is solid, and backup center Scott Wells has done a fine job against some tough opponents.
McCarthy's reluctance to stick with the run is another factor. The Packers are running the ball just 39.6% of the time, and that's not enough to get a rhythm going. But still, he should be able to count on 4 yards on first down.
Through five games, the Packers are running the ball 44% of the time on first and 10. They rank 28th in yards on those downs. Grant averages 3.4 yards a carry on first and 10 and, while full rankings weren't available for that stat, San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson ranks 20th in the league with an average of 4.3, so you can imagine how far down the list Grant is.
It's something the Packers acknowledge is a problem.
"If you're averaging 3.2 yards on first down, that's not good enough," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "Obviously you want to mix some explosives (runs) in there. You're really looking at the consistency of winning the down.
"The thing that is more helpful is looking at your second and 8 call sheet and how many times you're filling that thing up. If you're up at 8, 10, 12, you know you have some issues."
Green likes to bang inside
To say Green can come in and immediately prop up those numbers is wishful thinking. Given his recent injury history, it's questionable whether he can help the Packers' running game at all. But the decision to take a chance on him is because he runs the ball the way the Packers would like to see Grant run it more often.
Green described his style this way:
"I love running in between the tackles. I love banging around in there. I like saying hello to the 'backers in the middle, let them know I'm going to be here and it's going to be for four quarters."
The Packers have to be hoping Green's style of keeping his head up, making decisive cuts and pumping his knees high so he can't be brought down with arm tackles will rub off on Grant. Running backs coach Edgar Bennett has made it clear in the past two weeks that he'd like all of his backs to get their knees up and start breaking more tackles.
Green envisions that he and Grant will complement each other.
"We're going to be battering up the linebacker crew and softening it up for each other," he said. "Whenever I do get in there, along with Brandon Jackson, it's like when it was myself and Dorsey (Levens) in the backfield. You give that defense something to think about."
It remains to be seen how many carries Green will take away from Grant, but if he has anything left in the tank he'll push the Packers' starter. One area where he might be most effective is on third downs.
Possible passing target
Since he left after the 2006 season, the Packers haven't had a back with more than 30 catches. Grant had 18 last season and has 12 in five games this year.
If you examine the Mike Holmgren and Mike Sherman years, the running backs made up for low per-carry averages with production in the passing game. From 1993-'95, Bennett ranked second on the team in catches each season.
The trend continued through the Sherman era when Green ranked first twice, second three times and third once during a seven-year stretch. This team has not used the screen pass or check-downs effectively.
"Every year is different," Bennett said. "I think lately we're getting back into that, as far as check-downs and things of that nature. We take pride in being complete backs, being a complete unit. When we are getting out we have to make the most of the opportunities. Catch the ball, look it in and make a play after."
Opportunity may be a big reason why the catches haven't come. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been stubborn about giving up on downfield throws and taking the check-down, and a lot will depend on him. It's possible Green's presence will make him feel more confident about doing it, given Grant and Wynn each have dropped two passes on check-downs.
Another area where Green can help is running to the left side, a problem for the Packers this season. According to the NFL's statistical database, the Packers average 2.67 yards when they run at the left guard, 3.18 at left tackle and 3.52 at left end. All of their runs to the right and middle average more than 4 yards.
Green is left-handed and it's more natural for him to turn that direction. During his record-breaking 2003 season, he averaged 8.78 yards running off left tackle and just over 4.0 at left end and left guard.
Adding Green is a desperation move for the Packers and uncharacteristic for general manager Ted Thompson, who prefers to bring up younger players when there is an opening.
But it shows their concern that they're not getting enough out of Grant.