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.”
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Martha Careful (3h) : *front four
Martha Careful (3h) : Re frout four, I wish we had some Green "People Eaters" or a fearsome foursome
dfosterf (10h) : *directions*
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dfosterf (10h) : Jim Marshall was an all-time great DE for the Purple People Eaters. Didn't like him. That's a compliment. RIP
Zero2Cool (3-Jun) : ooppppss
Zero2Cool (3-Jun) : “Kenny Clark played all of last season hurt by the way and got surgery to fix it in January”
Mucky Tundra (3-Jun) : @ByRyanWood How much did the injury affect him last fall? “A lot.”
Mucky Tundra (3-Jun) : @ByRyanWood Kenny Clark said he had foot surgery in January. Injured his foot in opener against Eagles and played through it all year.
Zero2Cool (3-Jun) : Golden is wearing guardian cap again. I bet he plays with it on too.
Mucky Tundra (3-Jun) : All the stuff I'm reading from Lions fans are pointing at his toe; he more or less has permanent turf toe in one of his big toes
dfosterf (3-Jun) : Kenny played through it, and a shame he gets little credit for that, imo
dfosterf (3-Jun) : Big men. I hope it's not the undoing of Kenny Clark
dfosterf (3-Jun) : Probably his toe. Pretty much a great center. Toe injuries are brutal to bigen
Mucky Tundra (2-Jun) : Lions All-Pro C Frank Ragnow retires
wpr (30-May) : It's all good.
beast (30-May) : Yeah, and I enjoyed your comments and just attempted to add to it. Sorry if I did it incorrectly.
wpr (30-May) : Beast I never said Henderson was the salt of the earth. Nor even that he was correct. Just quoting the guy.
Zero2Cool (29-May) : What did you do??
Zero2Cool (29-May) : Whoa
beast (29-May) : OMG the website is now all white, even some white on white text
beast (29-May) : Henderson, who admits to taking cocaine during the Super Bowl against the Steelers, might dislike Bradshaw as he lost two Superbowls to him
wpr (28-May) : Hollywood Henderson said Bradshaw “is so dumb, he couldn't spell 'cat' if you spotted him the C and an A.”
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : Cooper stock=BUY BUY BUY
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : Also notes he’s playing with more confidence.
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : @AndyHermanNFL MLF says there was a time last year where Cooper was at 220 pounds. Now he’s at 240 and still flying around.
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : And don't even get me started on Frank Caliendos "impersonations"
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : I got tired of them being circle jerks with them overlaughing at each others jokes.
Zero2Cool (28-May) : It used to be must watch TV for me. now it's "meh" maybe to hear injury update
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : I haven't watched the pregame shows in years and I don't feel like I've missed a thing
Zero2Cool (28-May) : Love says knee affected him all season, groin injury didn't help matters.
Zero2Cool (28-May) : I used to enjoy him on FOX Pregame. Now it's like a frat party of former Patriots.
Zero2Cool (28-May) : LaFleur on Watson: “Christian is doing outstanding. I would say he’s ahead of schedule.”
Martha Careful (28-May) : Bradshaw is a dumb ass cracker. I am so tired of his "aw shucks" diatribe. He should shrivel up and go away.
buckeyepackfan (28-May) : He wad all butt hurt because Aaron duped the media saying he was immunized.
buckeyepackfan (28-May) : Bradshaw needs to retire. He's been ripping on Rodgers ever since the covid crap. He was all hury
Zero2Cool (28-May) : Terry Bradshaw doesn't want Rodgers in Pittsburgh lol wow
Zero2Cool (27-May) : one day contract, which he also feels is pointless, but if Packers came to him, he would
packerfanoutwest (27-May) : Aaron Rodgers talks possibility of retiring with Packers, just another rumor
dfosterf (27-May) : Go watch 2001
Zero2Cool (26-May) : 1984
dfosterf (26-May) : That movie sent a chill through many. 1968.
dfosterf (26-May) : "Open the pod bay doors, HAL"
buckeyepackfan (25-May) : Haven't we all seen thus movie? It doesn't end well!! Lol
Zero2Cool (25-May) : lol Anthropic’s new AI model turns to blackmail when engineers try to take it offline
dfosterf (25-May) : Claude Opus 4
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