The New England Patriots kicked the tires on running back James Starks on Thursday.
The free agent visited the Pats, but no deal has been announced.
It appears the Green Bay Packers are also interested, now that they’ve lost out on Matt Forte.
According to a source on Thursday, the team has told Starks that they’re interested in re-signing the veteran running back.
Even though he’s coming off his most-productive season (993 total yards), we’re not terribly high on Starks.
He’ll be 30 this year and he doesn’t provide the type of match-up problem the Packers really need coming out of the backfield. Although Starks is a decent receiver, opposing teams can still cover him with a linebacker.
What would really tilt the field in the Packers’ favor is if they had a receiving threat at running back who was much faster and more elusive than a linebacker. Then an opposing defense would have to use a defensive back to cover the running back.
That creates a mismatch elsewhere.
Bringing back James Starks doesn’t make the Packers better.
It makes them the same.
Regardless of whether it’s Starks or someone else, the Packers will need to come up with another running back somehow this offseason.
Currently, only Eddie Lacy and former undrafted free agent John Crockett are under contract.
I used to love Starks but that guy still has to ask ARodge what his blocking assignment is EVERY effing play.
If Starks is in the game he’ll tip off that it’s a run or a pass. If he has to lean into ARodge and ask him what he’s supposed to do on that given play…it’s a pass.
If he lines up and doesn’t say shit, it’s a run.
That and a complete refusal to switch the ball to his outside arm. Instead he always keeps it in his right hand…except for when he’s fumbling…which is often.
He was still a big part of the Super Bowl run and he might be back, but it feels like time to let him go.
He’s old and a fumbler. Let him go!
If a team does not get better at each position every year then they stand a good chance of falling behind the other teams. I believe the Packers can upgrade the position Starks held in 2015 by replacing Starks. Starks is not going to improve. Draft a back in the third or fourth round.
In fairness to Starks the one thing Starks has improved on, and performed well is protecting Rodgers. A rookie will struggle with that aspect of the game and MM will not let them see the field if they cannot pickup blitzes.
Take a look at Tyler Ervin RB from San Jose st. He has Randall Cobb type quickness and toughness but with better ball carrier vision. Ran 4.41 He could be a great compliment to Lacy.
How did the Packers lose out on Forte? How do you lose out when you weren’t even in the game?