James Starks should be the Packers primary running back when the regular season opens on Sept. 8. This statement shouldnt be taken as a knock against Ryan Grant. Rushing for over 1,200 yards in back-to-back years is nothing to sneeze at. But after re-watching all four postseason games, its my opinion that the second-year player from Buffalo is simply too talented to be used in a supporting role.
Starks carried the ball 81 times in the playoffs, and he made more people miss in those four games than Grant has made miss in four seasons (this is a slight exaggeration, but you get the point). He also showed good feet and enough competitive speed to get outside and to accelerate when he broke through the line. In short, theres very little Starks cant do as a pure runner.
He needs to improve his vision, but that should come with experience. Its important to remember that he missed his entire senior year with a shoulder injury and then spent all of training camp and the first three months of his rookie season on the PUP list with a strained hamstring.
The best thing about Starks is that hes more than just a gifted runner. He wasnt used very often in the passing game last season, but he showed good hands in college. And while his pass blocking paled in comparison to the brilliant work done by free-agent-to-be Brandon Jackson, he hardly embarrassed when asked to protect star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Can he develop into a good enough blocker to play on the majority of third downs? Maybe, but if not, the Packers always have reliable John Kuhn to stick in there.
As far as Grant is concerned, the Packers should keep him around even at his hefty salary. If healthy, hell provide quality depth at a position that requires quality depth. And considering how high Starks tends to run, the odds of him starting all 16 games arent great. Will Grant be happy as a highly paid insurance policy? Of course not, but hes a high-character person who wont cause trouble. Plus, coach Mike McCarthy is adept at keeping all of his players involved, so hed never let Grant rot away on the bench.
One scout called Starks a poor mans Adrian Peterson. I know where hes coming from, but I wouldnt dare compare the two players in any way. Peterson is a special talent who could wind up in Canton some day. Starks will only get to the Hall of Fame by purchasing a ticket. Hes not special, but he has a chance to be very good. And very good is all this offense needs at the position. So whats the only thing that should keep Starks from ascending to the starting job? Drafting Mark Ingram. But thats an unlikely story for another day.
"PU" wrote: