Chavez Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 Well, I'm guessing based upoin what we've seen and heard so far that Grant is the starter and that Starks is his regular relief and the 3rd down RB this year. I'm guessing a typical box score would look something like Grant with 15 carries for 64 yds and 1 catch for 7 yds, with Starks getting 6 carries for 30 yds and 3 catches for 26 yds. I'd also guess that both guys will score about a TD every other game. So by the end of the year running like that, you'd see these kinds of numbers: Grant 240 carries 1024 yds rushing 16 catches 112 yds receiving 8 total TDs Starks 96 carries 480 yds rushing 48 catches 420 yds receiving 8 total TDs I'd think the most likely situation is similar to Edgar Bennett/Dorsey Levens in '96 - dependable vet splits time with more explosive youngster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 I like the cut of your jib there, sailor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Just a tidbit mined from the Milwaukee paper The goal is for Green Bay running backs Ryan Grant and James Starks to get an equal amount of rushing attempts Thursday night against New Orleans. e-mail print By Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel Sept. 5, 2011 |(9) Comments Green Bay - The goal is for Green Bay running backs Ryan Grant and James Starks to get an equal amount of rushing attempts Thursday night against New Orleans. That's the plan for now, anyway. With a healthy Grant back after missing nearly all of the 2010 season, the Packers are faced with the new challenge of merging his comeback with the progression of Starks, whose late-season emergence as a rookie paced the Packers through the playoffs. And the only way to figure it out literally is to let things play out. "We know what they can do," first-year running backs coach Jerry Fontenot said. "It's just a matter of getting them comfortable and making sure they've gotten enough reps to do it. The only way I see them doing that is getting them as equal of work as I possibly can." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 For where I drafted Starks, even if he shares carries it's still a plus & maybe I can trade him down the road to the Grant owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/129..._medium=twitter Packers are going to try to split load between Starks and Grant Green Bay - The goal is for Green Bay running backs Ryan Grant and James Starks to get an equal amount of rushing attempts Thursday night against New Orleans. That's the plan for now, anyway. With a healthy Grant back after missing nearly all of the 2010 season, the Packers are faced with the new challenge of merging his comeback with the progression of Starks, whose late-season emergence as a rookie paced the Packers through the playoffs. And the only way to figure it out literally is to let things play out. "We know what they can do," first-year running backs coach Jerry Fontenot said. "It's just a matter of getting them comfortable and making sure they've gotten enough reps to do it. The only way I see them doing that is getting them as equal of work as I possibly can." Grant ran for 83 yards in 18 carries (4.6-yard average) in the preseason, his first football action after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the opener a year ago. "We'll bring Ryan back in and see how he handles the game and the contact," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "He looks fine. He looks like he did before he ever got injured." Starks had just 17 yards in four carries this summer, but his production from the postseason - 315 yards in 81 carries (3.9 average) - is still fresh on everyone's mind. Starks began 2010 on the physically unable to perform list, so this is the first time the Packers have had the two backs together. "They're both going to take pretty much all situations in the game," Fontenot said. "Evenly dispersed? I can't guarantee it. But I'm certainly going try to get each one of those guys an equal amount of opportunities to carry the football, to hold onto the football and to control the clock for us." In an offense that probably will rely mostly on the passing game anyway, let's hold off on calling this anything like a two-back system or running back by committee just yet. Fontenot is simply looking for a working combination between Grant and Starks, not unlike the one he had in Chicago when he was the center and blocked for Neal Anderson and Brad Muster. Fontenot said the balanced attack featured the speedy Anderson and powerful Muster. "It's nice to have different options at tailback," Fontenot said. "We have Ryan who is as physical as anyone, playing behind his pads - a bruising-style runner. James is more elusive in the hole, but he's still a big back and he's strong, so tacklers bounce off him. "So, what course is better? I don't know. We'll find out." There are examples of teams that have made the two-back attack work: the Cowboys' Marion Barber and Julius Jones, the Jets' Thomas Jones and Leon Washington and even the Bears with Jones and Cedric Benson. Of course, the Pittsburgh Steelers had Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker and Duce Staley in 2004 to run all the way to the Super Bowl. The New York Giants found a way to work the Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combination to a Super Bowl victory after the 2007 season. And the New Orleans Saints shared the running duties pretty evenly between Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush in 2008, the year before they went to the Super Bowl. The yardage, statistics and internal team harmony may vary, but the teams found a way to capitalize on a roster featuring two solid backs. It makes sense for the Packers to try to determine a working combination between Grant and Starks. That said, everyone agrees that during the game, the plan may change. It's always possible the Packers will go with the hot running back to start the game, as well. "There's a place and time for riding the hot hand if that develops," Philbin said. "If they have a hard time tackling one guy, we may stick with one and not worry about it." That may affect Grant the most, since he's been a wear-the-defense-down kind of back. He would need the carries to really get his game going. But the Packers believe Grant will go along with any game plan they have - and any changes that are made. "Ryan's a team player all the way," Philbin said. "He's obviously a great competitor but Ryan is a consummate professional. He's a team player all the way." Starks has the same attitude and is willing to share carries with Grant or come in behind him. "You've got to be ready anyway," Starks said. "So whatever I get, I will be happy with it. I could be effective no matter what. I get enough reps in practice and know my plays." Edited September 6, 2011 by keggerz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco Billy Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/129..._medium=twitter Packers are going to try to split load between Starks and Grant A little late to the party, GB. Look upward two responses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 A little late to the party, GB. Look upward two responses oops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain77 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 what are your thoughts on alex green? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 what are your thoughts on alex green? He is not ready yet. But may emerge in dynasty leagues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 He is not ready yet. But may emerge in dynasty leagues. Took a flyer on him in a league where we can stash rooks for 2 yrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I thought Starks passed the eye test yesterday, albeit against a run D that isn't classically stellar. I didn't think Grant looked bad until Starks got in there. Starks has a bit of pop to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanTheMan_5 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I thought Starks passed the eye test yesterday, albeit against a run D that isn't classically stellar. I didn't think Grant looked bad until Starks got in there. Starks has a bit of pop to him. Agreed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byron2112 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 I'm just impressed at how big Starks is... he looks bigger than the LB's... ran pretty well too... showed alittle more balance and shake than he did last season IMO. Grant looks like a shrimp in comparison... I thought he ran OK, but looked stiff and a bit slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I'm just impressed at how big Starks is... he looks bigger than the LB's... ran pretty well too... showed alittle more balance and shake than he did last season IMO. Grant looks like a shrimp in comparison... I thought he ran OK, but looked stiff and a bit slow. James Starks - 6'1" 203 Ryan Grant - 6'1" 218 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loaf Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 what I like is that my 11th Round pick (Starks) got more touches than Grant. Grant did catch a pass though.. Probably not the way it will always play out but still... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 what I like is that my 11th Round pick (Starks) got more touches than Grant. Grant did catch a pass though..Probably not the way it will always play out but still... I actually think it will. I forgot about a draft and my team was completely auto-drafted. Just today I traded Grant for Starks straight up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byron2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 James Starks - 6'1" 203 Ryan Grant - 6'1" 218 Well, it is just how they look on the televisions to me... but I think your measurements are off my friend. Starks is a bit over 6'2" tall, and weighs closer to 230... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I agree. Starks looked big and powerful with some wiggle. Grant looked like a small, plodding back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byron2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I haven't read it, but I wouldn't doubt if Grant shed a few pounds to give his knee a break and retain his pre injury speed... seems to be a fairly common practice amongst injured RB's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Well, it is just how they look on the televisions to me... but I think your measurements are off my friend. Starks is a bit over 6'2" tall, and weighs closer to 230... Hmmm, you're right first site was off for some reason...offical roster measurements - Grant 6'2" 222 Starks 6'2" 218 Again, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byron2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I've never seen Grant listed at 6'2"... amazing rehab! James Starks - RB - Packers Packers RB James Starks went on a gluten-free offseason diet and has bulked up to 225 pounds. Starks played in the low-210s at Buffalo and weighed 218 at the 2010 Scouting Combine. The Packers view him as a physical, between-the-tackles back, so Starks isn't going to be much of a "change-of-pace" for Ryan Grant, who's a similar player. We're wary of pegging Starks as more than an RB4 this season. He'll likely need another Grant injury to be start-worthy in fantasy leagues. Source: Rob Demovsky on Twitter Aug 5 - 2:28 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I've never seen Grant listed at 6'2"... amazing rehab! Well, now you have - roster from Packers.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byron2112 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Umm... from your link... 25 Grant, Ryan RB 6-1 222 28 5 Notre Dame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Umm... from your link... I guess the difference between 6'1" and 6'2" is the world's biggest inch, then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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