The Green Bay Packers’ search for a backup running back has so far come up empty. Unless addressed, it’s bound to become a major problem as the season wears on.
The team’s official depth chart lists no backups behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks. Should either or both get hurt, possible fill-ins are receivers Ty Mongomery and Randall Cobb or fullback Aaron Ripkowski.
The other option is activating practice squad running back Don Jackson. Very little information is available on the undrafted rookie out of Nevada, who measures 5’10” and 208 pounds. However, the Packers actually released Jackson before training camp started, only to bring him back on the practice squad without seeing him in camp or the preseason.
It’s not that the team hasn’t tried to find a backup.
John Crockett, who had nine carries for 21 yards last year, had been running about neck-and neck with Brandon Burks during the preseason. On August 30, however, the team placed him on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury.
Burks was on the final roster for one day, then bumped off by Jhurell Pressley, who was cut by the Vikings and claimed off waivers on September 4 by the Packers. Pressley, who coach Mike McCarthy had praised for his big-play ability, was let go 10 days later.
The Packers also brought in veteran C.J. Spiller for a tryout on September 20. The 29-year old, who was let go by the Saints on September 13, had 3,433 rushing yards in six years with the Bills and Saints, but the rumors were that he had a bad knee. The Packers didn’t sign Spiller and the Seattle Seahawks did on September 28. They immediately put him to use in week 4.
Could there be redemption for free agent Alonzo Harris? He was the companion of Eddie Lacy when the two missed curfew last year, resulting in Harris immediately being waived by the team. Though Harris only had four rushes for 19 yards in 2015, he had beaten out Crockett to make the final roster in 2015. He’s available.
The latest possibility is Justin Forsett, who the Ravens released on Tuesday. Forsett, now 30, is a 5’8” 195-pound journeyman who has played for the Seahawks, Colts, Texans, Jaguars and Ravens.
Given James Starks’ abysmal start (12 carries for 9 yards), an injury to Eddie Lacy could imperil the Packers offense somewhat like Jordy Nelson’s injury did last year. Lacy has been hobbled by injuries all three of his previous years, and he’s missed games due to injury in two of those seasons.
The team’s lack of depth at running back badly needs to be resolved.
Two words: Ray Rice
Well, the headline did say the Packers need to badly address it, and that would be one way.
Just like they need to address their lack of depth at TE. Forget about it, they aren’t going to do anything of significance. As liberated from another article here not so long ago, more verbal diarrhea:
“But you can’t establish a running game if you refuse to run the football. McCarthy appears to be just now getting wise to this fact.
“The analysis of our offense after two games, the running backs have not been given enough opportunities, so that’s something that I need to focus on,” McCarthy said. “Our perimeter players, we need to get them more opportunities too. We’re not getting the ball (for enough plays), and it really goes back to the efficiency, execution and flow of our offense.
“We’ve got to convert first downs. Frankly, our problem in the first half was we didn’t generate enough first downs. And the production reflected it. So I thought the second half we played more like we want to play.”
Like keeping 7 WRs on the team makes no difference, what do they need 3 RBs or 3TEs for? Remember the OL fiasco from last year? There wasn’t any depth there either. They will roll with what they have because that is what they do. Help isn’t coming until there is a change in philosophy.
It has come to my attention that me and Big Ted are being critizized on this website.well you can all go bite the big one because we are smarter then all of you and we have all the power and there is not a damn thing you can do about it.mawaaaahhhaaa.
We need two more wrs not running backs. You guys dont know anything about draft and develop. Have 17 recievers onlt play three get with the program
Janis could play running back;)
Janis can play RB, OLB, swing tackle, first base, pitcher, curling.
You guys are absolutely correct! Janis CAN play anywhere! But MM will not let him . . . Lol
Since Janis is such a great body catcher I would suggest the Packers run some jet/fly sweep action with Janis and Davis. It would also open up inside runs and passing lanes. Give this offense some new looks and options for other teams to have to defense. It should be a good series to get Davis and Janis involved, and open up other plays. As receiving a handoff is no different than body catching it should come natural to Janis. :-)
First off we need a Coherent GM. Strike 1. Second a GM who will pull trigger on Free Agent, Strike 2. Third a GM who knows his ASS from a hole in the ground, Strike 3…..we’re OUT.
FATMIKE understands Process & Pad Level, maybe that fat-ass will suit up & run dive plays.
Maybe all of this is The Cadaver Thompsons master plan?? Surround Rodgers with next to NOTHING at all skill positions, until he holds out & demands out of Green Bay (Ala Carson Palmer-Cin). Then Ted can bring the 70s-80s back to Titletown. As we all know, this suck-ass corporate structure of the Packers means it takes bout 20 years to change anything!