nerdmann
13 years ago
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-8790197 

Green Bay Packers tailback Ryan Grant(notes) was an undrafted free agent whom Ted Thompson traded for before the 2007-2008 season started. He isn't the flashiest halfback and has always played behind the spotlight of Brett Favre(notes), Aaron Rodgers(notes), and a spread offense loaded with receiving talents. Football fans often view him as a one-year wonder who only thrived during his rookie campaign in 2007.

Packer enthusiasts understand the importance of a healthy Grant after witnessing Brandon Jackson's(notes) "East to West" running style in 2010. Grant has been one of the NFC's top running backs since taking over as the starter midway through the 2007-2008 season. He had two consecutive 1200-yard seasons from 2008-2009 and played well against the Philadelphia Eagles before being sidelined with injury.

Will Grant maintain his starting job after James Starks(notes) emergence? Grant will turn 29-years-old this season, approaching that 30-year-old mark where you fret about future production from running backs. Rodgers's playoff success can be accredited to the late-season addition of Starks. Starks rushed for 123 yards on 23 carries against the Eagles and was effective in all four postseason contests.

Grant has clarified that coaches have informed him that he's entering camp as the starter. That doesn't mean that competition won't evolve between Grant and Starks. Grant wasn't dismissive of accepting a reduced role as he claimed:

"If it was in the best interest of the team, I'm all for it."

The Packers backfield situation is much better than last season when Grant was their only legitimate back and they were relying on John Kuhn(notes) and Jackson as all-around tailbacks. The Packers backfield will probably consist of Grant, Starks, a short-yardage specialist in John Kuhn, and rookie Alexander Green. Dimitri Nance(notes) could also play a significant factor with a year's experience in the system while I could see trick plays being run for Randall Cobb(notes).

I'm confident that Grant and Starks can both handle starting roles. They'll be even more effective as they'll likely stay fresh by sharing carries throughout the game. The Packers are known for their high-powered offense under Mike McCarthy but that offense has always been at its best when opponents must account for a 100-yard potential ground game.

I'm more concerned with who will replace Jackson as the third-down specialist. While an ineffective runner, Jackson was cherished for his receiving and blocking talents that are valued on third down. He's a role player who serves a special purpose and his loss could sting more than you'd want to believe.

Green probably isn't going to have much impact during the first-half of 2011 as the Packers offensive system has proven complicated for running backs to learn. It's a big reason as to why Grant, Starks, and Nance weren't immediate contributors. I'd guess that Starks and Kuhn will share third-down responsibilities while Green learns the system. How well Starks can develop in pass protection?

I'm confident in the coaching staff.

Yahoo Sports wrote:


“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.”
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (7h) : 49ers might be down their QB, DL, TE and LT?
packerfanoutwest (21h) : Jaire Alexander says he has a torn PCL
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : Even with the context it's ... what?
Mucky Tundra (20-Nov) : Matt LaFleur without context: “I don’t wanna pat you on the butt and you poop in my hand.”
beast (20-Nov) : We brought in a former Packers OL coach to help evaluate OL as a scout
beast (20-Nov) : Jets have been pretty good at picking DL
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He landed good players thanks to high draft slot. He isn't good.
Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He can shove his knowledge up his ass. He knows nothing.
beast (20-Nov) : More knowledge, just like bring in the Jets head coach
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : What? Why? Huh?
beast (19-Nov) : I wonder if the Packers might to try to bring Douglas in through Milt Hendrickson/Ravens connections
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : The Jets fired Joe Douglas, per sources
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : Jets are a mess......
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Pretty sure Jets fired their scouting staff and just pluck former Packers.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Jets sign Anders Carlson to their 53.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : When you cycle the weeks, the total over remains for season. But you get your W/L for that selected week. Confusing.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the total and percentage are the same as the previous weeks
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the total and percentage are the same as the previous weeks
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : the totals are accurate..nrvrtmind
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : I don't follow what you are saying. The totals are not the same as last week.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : ok so then wht are the totals the same as last week?
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : NFL Pick'em is auto updated when NFL Scores tab is clicked
Martha Careful (19-Nov) : The offense was OK. Let's not forget the Bear defense is very very good.
packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : Who updates the leaderboard on NFLPickem?
beast (19-Nov) : Has the Packers offense been worse since the former Jets coach joined the Packers?
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Offense gets his ass in gear, this could be good.
Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : Backup QB helped with three wins. Special Teams contributed to three wins.
bboystyle (18-Nov) : Lions played outside thats why. They scored 16 and 17 in the only 2 outside games this year
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : The rest of the NFL is catching up to Packers ... kicking is an issue throughout league
packerfanoutwest (18-Nov) : Packers DL Kenny Clark: We knew 'we were going to block' Bears' game-winning field goal attempt
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : Lions seem to be throttling everyone, but only (only) got 24 lol maybe the rain is why
Zero2Cool (18-Nov) : Packers vs Lions game doesn't seem so bad.
beast (18-Nov) : Dennis Green "They are what we thought they were, and we let them off the hook!"
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : comment of the day Z2Cool "Bears better than we want to admit. Packers worse than we think. It's facts."
Mucky Tundra (17-Nov) : my worst case scenario: Bears fix their oline and get a coach like Johnson from the Lions and his scheme
Zero2Cool (17-Nov) : Bears get OL fixed amd we might have a problem
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : Pretty sure they already have scouting reports on guys who aren't even starting for their college team. The future is now for me.
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : I tend to let Gute and Co. Worry about the future.
beast (17-Nov) : That's great news and Packers need to keep upgrading their OL, DL and DBs this off-season, so missing one guy doesn't kill them
beast (17-Nov) : That's great news and Packers need to keep upgrading their OL, DL and DBs this off-season, so missing one guy doesn't kill them
buckeyepackfan (17-Nov) : Jaire and Evans Williams are both ACTIVE! Good news.
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : The badgers really need to change the whole offensive scheme. No draws no screens plus the quarterback is marginal
Cheesey (17-Nov) : If the Badgers had a decent QB, they would have won. The guy can't hit a wide open receiver
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : chop block
Martha Careful (17-Nov) : there was a very questionable job Block call that upon viewing replay was very borderline
beast (17-Nov) : How so? (I didn't watch)
Zero2Cool (17-Nov) : Badgers got hosed vs Oregon
packerfanoutwest (16-Nov) : damn,he hasn't played since week 2
Mucky Tundra (15-Nov) : poor guy can't catch a break
wpr (15-Nov) : wow. That three different things for the kid.
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