The Green Bay Packers have had just two running backs since they released Jhurell Pressley about a week after signing him. We told you the Packers’ lack of depth at running back was a problem and needed to be addressed. Some of you disagreed, but boy, does not having depth there look even stupider now.
Eddie Lacy is dealing with a bum ankle and his status for Sunday is unclear, despite him saying he expected to play this week. Lacy didn’t practice on Wednesday and guess who else didn’t practice on Wednesday.
If you said backup running back James Starks, then go ahead and pat yourself on the back!
While Lacy appeared at practice in order to stand around and watch, Starks was nowhere to be found. He was listed with a knee injury and typically when guys are sequestered somewhere during practice, that means their injury is fairly severe. The player is likely doing some sort of testing or rehab, rather than just resting as Lacy was doing.
Now, we don’t know much about Starks’ injury. Unlike Lacy, he actually finished the win over the Giants.
But here’s the nightmare scenario we suggested could play out looking like it might play out. Both Lacy and Starks sit with injury and then what?
Are the Packers going to hand it to fullback Aaron Ripkowski 20 times on Sunday? No, they’re not.
Are they going to keep trying to pretend Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery are running backs? We wouldn’t doubt it, although we find those packages completely idiotic because they haven’t produced jack this season.
More than likely, you’d see all three of those guys lined up in the backfield at one time or another and they’d probably combine for 15 total carries. That, of course, would give McCarthy an excuse to throw the ball 50-plus times with his below-mediocre quarterback.
And that, my friends, is a recipe for total disaster.
So once again, Green Bay Packers, maybe it’s time to address that running back depth.
I bet Dallas is working OT on their blitz packages. If not then their D coordinator should be fired. The Pack will have either inexperienced or gimpy backs protecting A. Rodgers? The good thing is screens should work and be used this week against the blitzing Cowboys. The bad thing is there are no RBs to throw to on screens. The screens will just need to be to wide receivers. I guess offensive innovation is currently ongoing at Packer headquarters. This could be the breakthrough needed to get consistency back into the offense. Hopefully Rodgers still has a high QBR when blitzed because it will be tested.
If the RB’s sit out this one, this game could get ugly quick and stay that way into the second half because MM does not make adjustments at halftime. Should be a real test of wills . . . The blitzes will come. Will the Packers be ready? Rodgers will be bailing early and often. should be an interesting game because MM most likely had his “game plan” drawn up three weeks ago! lol! The players will just have to adjust. But seriously, get some slants and crossing routes going to offset the mad rushes because they will come.
“Are they going to keep trying to pretend Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery are running backs? We wouldn’t doubt it,…”
Yes, please stop the handoffs to skinny wide receivers weighing 190 lbs & focus on the quick slant passes like we executed so well in 2011
The WR iso is a failed play that hasn’t worked in probably the 25 tries its been called
Maybe an edit on this article including free agent RB’s?
Who is actually even out there? No C.J. Spiller of Justin Forsett.
Here you go: Montee Ball, Alex Green, Jonas Gray, David Cobb, Storm Johnson, Bernard Pierce ….
Too bad we put John Crockett on IR
I don’t think the team will bring in anyone new this late in the week. I would guess Don Jackson will be promoted from practice squad if anything happens. Don’t know anything about him,but the team does and that is the Packer way right or wrong.
I know who he is. He is from Miami Vice circa 1984-1990. He wears white suits, drives a ’72 Daytona Spider & he has great hair
Well, on a positive note, looks like McCarthy will be forced to abandon his 50-50 run/pass ratio. Like some comments earlier in the week suggested, Rodgers may finally hit 60 pass attempts and have a 500+ yard game. One can only hope. Maybe this was the long con all along with the RB situation, to have an excuse to throw at will out of desperation. Sort of like finally using all the available WRs in the playoff game against AZ last season.
At the rate Rodgers is going, passing for more than 300 yards would be an accomplishment.
You are correct, I was being sarcastic because Rodgers hasn’t looked sharp. More opportunities simply means he could further tank his completion percentage right now.
Geriatric Ted will bring back that maintenance man FATMIKE had fired years ago to run the ball?? He comes cheap. Teds gotta be close to packing up for Sunnyvale until April, when he can rub one out over draft picks.
Got to be more Justin Harrells he can uncover
Handoff to Jason Spriggs.
Man I loved Bernard Pierce when he came into the league. Thought he would take over for Ray Rice or even win the job from him.
I’m assuming there’s work ethic or other issues because the guy has talent. I’d kick the tires on him for sure.
Is it me or is it true that whenever 12 is in shotgun and a RB or WR lines up to his left the WHOLE WORLD knows they are handing it to him. Big Mike must think he’s fooling someone…where is Samkon Gado? Someone call him.
Where is John Crockett?
Where’s Don Jackson? Just found out Crockett is hurt. But what about Jackson?
Ted knows what he’s doing, guys. If you carry more than 2 RBs on the roster, you won’t have room for 5 WRs that have no purpose on the team, because ARodg won’t throw their way. Is it just me, or would Abby and Janis have 50+ catches per year playing for the Patriots?