The Green Bay Packers have informed [intlink id=”64″ type=”category”]Ryan Grant[/intlink] he’s still the team’s starting running back.
Grant, who went on injured reserve after the team’s first game in 2010, was replaced in the lineup by [intlink id=”77″ type=”category”]Brandon Jackson[/intlink], who’s a free agent, and rookie [intlink id=”1038″ type=”category”]James Starks[/intlink] carried the load for the Packers during the playoffs.
Starks’ success — an NFL best 315 yards rushing in the playoffs — led some to believe he’d be the Packers’ No. 1 back in 2011. Not the case, at least for the time being.
“From what I’ve heard, that’s the conversation that was told to me,” Grant told WSSP radio. “I was told that by [former running backs coach Edgar Bennett], initially. Jerry [Fontenot, the new position coach] didn’t tell me that anything changed. Jerry told me that as of right now I’m still the leader of the backfield and the expectations won’t change. . . . I do believe there will be competition, which is fine. I’m all for that.”
Of course, just because Grant’s penciled in as the Packers’ No. 1 doesn’t necessarily mean the team won’t use more of the backfield-by-committee approach or that Grant will remain the starter for the entire season.
The Packers like Starks and coach [intlink id=”67″ type=”category”]Mike McCarthy[/intlink] has already eluded to the fact the team will use him fairly extensively, saying they don’t want to wear one guy out.
That could mean fewer carries for Grant than he’s come to expect.
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9 Comments
I hope I’m wrong, but I will be very surprised if Grant is the same running back he was before this injury.
I agree, a pretty tough thing to bounce back from, but like you said, hope we’re wrong. I’d love to see him come back and be the downhill runner he once was
Who ever gets the most touches, i dont care, but we have to stop pretending we have a running game and mcCarthy can “act” like it isnt a problem all he wants, the bottom line is we were ranked 32nd in the regular season, and im not just blaming the backs, this offensive line has been getting by the skin of their teeth, partly because our pass plays are designed to get rid of the ball quick, because this line cant give Rodgers 4 seconds, and Rodgers buys time with his feet and savy to buy a second or 2 to compensate for the line, the running game…3 times Rodgers was the leading rusher with 51 yards, 25 yards, and 21 yards…yea…look it up, our leading rusher during the regular season averaged about 50 yards a game, thats pathetic, and how many times were we 1st and goal, and we cant run it in?…or 2nd and 1 on the 50, and we end up punting?..If your still not buying this, how about we only ran for 4 td’s in the regular season?…seriously awfull!!!! and dont even get me started on Shawn Slocum and his bottom of the league special teams he cant improve, but still keeps his job. Thank you defense, Rodgers, and receivers for winning the S b…:)…..McCarthy…take your head outa the sand and fix the line!!!!!!!!
But other than that i’m a happy camper :)
Randy, I don’t disagree with the gist of what you are saying, but the Packers ranked 24th in rushing last year and had 11 rushing TDs. Those stats are straight from NFL.com.
My god, Ryan Grant at 90% is a better option/back than Starks…its not even close. What are you people smoking? He was at or near the league lead in rush stats over the past couple of seasons. He’ll bounce back and be the primary option. Of course, its good to have others…
I think by committee is the way to go. Sometimes a guy just isnt getting it done so it needs to be switched up. Look at last year Brandon jackson did not get going at all, and there was no one to switch to. The benefit of having 2 good backs is you can go with the hot hand so to speak, and of course keep kuhn for short yardage
WHAT???? Grant doesent have the talent Starks has. END OF STORY. Grant put up good overall rushing numbers but his YPC was always roughly around 3.9. You are crazy VIJAY. Starks is ten times the REC out of the backfield and is ten times mroe explosive. He is always a threat to break one off. Oh and did we even touch on POWER yet? Starks can run THROUGH people, GRANT has never and will never do that. So with that said why are we debating who should be starting….. It should be Starks hands down!
Grant at 90% is better then Starks……… Man pass over whatever you are smoking because that is some crazy stuff!!! COMEDY!