nerdmann
14 years ago

Starks Says He'll Make NFL Debut vs. 49ers 

James Starks let the cat out of the bag.

The rookie running back will make his NFL debut on Sunday against San Francisco.

I should be playing, from what I know, special teams and everything. I should be good to go, Starks told Packer Report on Friday.

Coach Mike McCarthy had said that Starks and Dimitri Nance would compete to be the second halfback spot behind Brandon Jackson, and he gave no hint on which direction he would turn during Fridays news conference. But Starks figured hed get the call and Nance, who suffered a concussion last week at Atlanta, said he handled only the scout team reps all week.

Starks, a sixth-round choice out of Buffalo, hasnt played in a game since Jan. 3, 2009, with his senior season lost due to shoulder surgery in August 2009. With Green Bay, he missed most of the offseason work and all of training camp with a strained and then torn hamstring.

Its been a long time since Starks has been hit, which has led to a cautious approach by the coaching staff. But as offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said on Thursday, the team needs to find out at some point, and that point appears to be this week with the Packers (7-4) hosting the 49ers (4-7) in a battle of teams who trail their divisions leaders by one game.

He continues to get better and work on his fundamentals and get comfortable with our scheme and what were asking him to do, running backs coach Edgar Bennett said. Its been extremely positive. In all of the situations that weve put him in, certainly some extremely competitive, he stepped up to the challenge. We see this kid continuing to improve. At some point, hell probably get an opportunity and hell respond.

At 6-foot-2, Starks presents an inviting target for an aggressive 49ers defense. Compound that with the fact Starks hasnt seen live action in 23 months, and ball-security is first and foremost on the minds of the offensive coaches.

Thats been an emphasis ever since Starks was allowed to practice after spending the first six weeks of the season on the physically unable to perform list, with Starks getting extra time in inside linebackers coach Winston Moss daily ball-security drills.

I get hit by my teammates so Ive been getting used to that, he said. Im used to contract. Ive prepared well for it to simulate getting hit. Every day in practice, thats what we train for, with strips and the defense constantly trying to get the ball from me and Ive been doing a good job. Im going to be conscious of it. Just hold the ball high and tight and just play. Im a running back. Youre going to get hit.

In the last two games, Jackson and Nance have averaged 2.5 yards per carry. While that doesnt all fall on the backs, clearly, the running game could use a spark. Starks hopes he can provide it in his first game action in what has seemed like an eternity.

It feels like its been like six years, he said. Im excited. I cant wait. I cant wait.


“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.”
Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago
I find it incredible that San Francisco at 4-7 trails their division leader by merely one game.
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Pack93z
14 years ago
I am starting to think that interview in which he looked aloof had more to due with nervousness than lack of intelligence... based on the quotes above.. or possibly just a poor public speaker.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago
True, although quotes are always smoothed up a bit for print.
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peteralan71
14 years ago

I find it incredible that San Francisco at 4-7 trails their division leader by merely one game.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:



What a horrible division. And what a horrible way to make the playoffs, simply winning a division. There will be 4 or more teams that will not make the playoffs that will deserve it much more than the Seahawks or whatever team comes out of the NFC West.
Green Bay: Home of the Green & Gold. And the hunter orange. And the camouflage.
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Zero2Cool
14 years ago
I'm hoping the winner of the West goes 7 - 9.
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zombieslayer
14 years ago
I could care less what the West does, but I'm hoping Starks can get 1000 yards this year. We got 5 games left to play. He should be able to do it.
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
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Zero2Cool
14 years ago

I could care less what the West does, but I'm hoping Starks can get 1000 yards this year. We got 5 games left to play. He should be able to do it.

"zombieslayer" wrote:

and if he doesn't, cut his ass.
UserPostedImage
14 years ago
I still have hope that all the run game criticism disappears as Starks leads the Packers on a great playoff run with his fantastic ability.
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Pack93z
14 years ago

I still have hope that all the run game criticism disappears as Starks leads the Packers on a great playoff run with his fantastic ability.

"CaliforniaCheez" wrote:



I think that is asking a ton of a rookie.. especially a player that hasn't taken a snap in 18 plus months.

I think we have a better chance of Colledge and Clifton suddenly becoming run blockers. 😉
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
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