McCarthy on Starks
 Feb 2, 2011 4:33:26 PM

Here's Packers coach Mike McCarthy on University at Buffalo running back James Starks: "He had a hamstring injury throughout the spring. We thought that we had it under control going into training camp, but that was not the case. He missed all of training camp so he was placed on PUP and just missed a lot of padded work, all the fundamental work, foundation work that you need as a young player. The development has been consistent since his opportunity to come onto the 53. I think it is clearly evident to everybody to see the player that he can be. What is exciting about him is that his best football is in front of him. He has all of the tools, the work ethic, the intelligene and the instincts to be an every-down player. Everything is in front of him. Running the football will definitely be a factor in this game and James will be a part of it."

Starks has rushed for 263 yards in the playoffs so far. The Packers team playoff record is 316 yards by Dorsey Levens in 1997. The NFL record for a rookie in the playoffs is 342 yards by Washington's TIm Smith in 1987. So Starks needs 79 yards to set the league rookie playoff record.

---Mark Gaughan

Packers coach Mike McCarthy touted James Starks as a potential "every-down" back down the line.

"His best football is in front of him," said McCarthy. "He has all of the tools, the work ethic, the intelligence and the instincts to be an every-down player." Starks had over 100 catches in college, but has been pulled for Brandon Jackson on all pass downs in the playoffs. Still, it appears the Packers prefer Starks to Ryan Grant in terms of potentially being a complete back.

I think Starks will be more of a complete back than Grant.

"Zero2Cool" wrote:

By the way, I don't think Grant picks up that 3rd down conversion when Starks got stood up and bounced it outside.

"MassPackersFan" wrote:

I think it's a little harsh to say Grant isn't a REAL running back. Go watch the Seattle playoff game in '08 and tell me he's not at the very least a real RB.

I'm excited about Starks, not because of Grant's deficiencies, but because of Starks' ceiling.

"MassPackersFan" wrote:

Grant:: averages ~2 fumbles per regular season game..

"millertime" wrote:

I think it's a little harsh to say Grant isn't a REAL running back. Go watch the Seattle playoff game in '08 and tell me he's not at the very least a real RB.

I'm excited about Starks, not because of Grant's deficiencies, but because of Starks' ceiling.

"MassPackersFan" wrote: