Brandon494
09-01-2011, 11:09 PM
http://espn.go.com/nfl/preview11/team/_/name/gb
Inside The Numbers
The Packers were quiet in free agency, but the returns of Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant could make Green Bay's offense even more potent.
Before his injury in Week 5, Finley was the Packers' top downfield threat. Through the first four weeks of the season, Finley led the team in receptions (9), yards (190) and first downs (9) on passes thrown 11 yards or more downfield. In Weeks 5-17, Packers tight ends combined to catch only four passes of that length, for a total of 92 yards.
Grant's return will give the running game more versatility. The Packers weren'’t able to run with as much success to the left or right once Grant went down in Week 1 last season. Over the past two years, Grant averaged 1.5 yards per rush more than all other Packers running backs on such runs.
James Starks was strong rushing up the middle, averaging 4.5 yards per rush in the regular season and postseason. On rushes to the left and right, however, Starks averaged just 3.4 yards per carry.
• It should come as no surprise that Aaron Rodgers lobbied for the return of James Jones, who led the Packers in targets, first downs and touchdowns on third down last season.
• Rodgers has been getting it done with his arm and his legs the past few seasons. Since 2008, Rodgers leads all quarterbacks with 854 scramble yards, 167 more yards than the next closest quarterback, Jason Campbell.
Inside The Numbers
The Packers were quiet in free agency, but the returns of Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant could make Green Bay's offense even more potent.
Before his injury in Week 5, Finley was the Packers' top downfield threat. Through the first four weeks of the season, Finley led the team in receptions (9), yards (190) and first downs (9) on passes thrown 11 yards or more downfield. In Weeks 5-17, Packers tight ends combined to catch only four passes of that length, for a total of 92 yards.
Grant's return will give the running game more versatility. The Packers weren'’t able to run with as much success to the left or right once Grant went down in Week 1 last season. Over the past two years, Grant averaged 1.5 yards per rush more than all other Packers running backs on such runs.
James Starks was strong rushing up the middle, averaging 4.5 yards per rush in the regular season and postseason. On rushes to the left and right, however, Starks averaged just 3.4 yards per carry.
• It should come as no surprise that Aaron Rodgers lobbied for the return of James Jones, who led the Packers in targets, first downs and touchdowns on third down last season.
• Rodgers has been getting it done with his arm and his legs the past few seasons. Since 2008, Rodgers leads all quarterbacks with 854 scramble yards, 167 more yards than the next closest quarterback, Jason Campbell.