J Stew to need surgery!!!

[cheesner]

From last year's draft, we know that TT is not necessarily put off by an injury.

We also know from last year that TT will draft a player at a position we are already deep at.

If he is the BPA and could make a significant impact on the team, by all means, do it. Even if that impact is 1 or 2 years down the road. I agree that there are far more pressing needs for the Packers, but then again, as fans, we don't know what is all going on. BJ could have put on 80 lbs this off-season. Ryan Grant may want $15M/season or planning on sitting. Who knows? The Packers sure wouldn't be putting that out there. Or going the other way, our deficiencies could not be as bad as we thought. Perhaps our young CBs are really looking good this offseason. Weren't we all worried about our TEs last year?

[twoseven]

The fact that people want to draft a banged up RB in the 1st round when we have what essentially is a 1,000 yard RB combined with a 2nd round draft pick is absurd. We have needs much more pressing than a #2 RB.

Stewart and Grant/Bjack are two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT kinds of back.

How banged up did Stewart look in 07' and during his combine?

We have ZERO power running backs worth a spit. If Grant gets hurt or defenses key on him who then is our savior? BJack, Wynn? What other dire needs do we have that demand the #30 pick.. another backup at which position exactly?

[twoseven]

My guess is that with Grant as the #1, Stewart as the power back, and Jackson as the 3rd down back, that would be a pretty good backfield.

Ding ding ding.. someone that knows the difference between the three backs, and how they should be used.

[The Leaper]

We have ZERO power running backs worth a spit. If Grant gets hurt or defenses key on him who then is our savior? BJack, Wynn? What other dire needs do we have that demand the #30 pick.. another backup at which position exactly?

It doesn't really matter...with no veteran upgrade to the interior line, and with Favre's departure, the run game is going to have a tough time moving the ball in 2008. Expect a steady diet of 8 man fronts.

[Partial]

We have ZERO power running backs worth a spit. If Grant gets hurt or defenses key on him who then is our savior? BJack, Wynn? What other dire needs do we have that demand the #30 pick.. another backup at which position exactly?

It doesn't really matter...with no veteran upgrade to the interior line, and with Favre's departure, the run game is going to have a tough time moving the ball in 2008. Expect a steady diet of 8 man fronts.

Correct. That's why we need a playmaker at RB. Stewart would satisfy that.

[The Leaper]

Correct. That's why we need a playmaker at RB. Stewart would satisfy that.

So what the hell is Grant?

[twoseven]

Correct. That's why we need a playmaker at RB. Stewart would satisfy that.

So what the hell is Grant?

Another playmaker, one with size.

I agree that without the interior line improving and Favre gone that the running game will probably struggle. I just don't think you look past a talent like Stewart if he falls in your lap because of what might be a manageable toe issue. Hearing that Dorsey, the DT from LSU, might fall due to a hairline stress fracture in his leg made me laugh as well. Most wounds heal, the talent that you get at the time of their recovery can pay huge dividends.

IMO, anyone that thinks that all we need is Grant and some random backs behind him is in for a helluva surpirse in 08'. He isn't an unknown anymore, defenses will be prepared for him, and minus Brett he's gonna get plenty of 8 in the box. I'm not saying Grant won't be able to have good games, but the odds are against him running wild all year long if he's our only quality back. These days any teams that try to get by without two cpable backs are taking their chances. Teams that don't have a reliable power back for short yardage (like us), and do nothing about it get exactly what they deserve.

[Partial]

Correct. That's why we need a playmaker at RB. Stewart would satisfy that.

So what the hell is Grant?

A slightly above average back.

I don't think Grant has anywhere near the YPC he had with with TJack under center.

[MJZiggy]

Who gives a shit who hands him the ball? They turn, hold the ball out and he takes it. It's not like Brett blocked for him or anything.

[Partial]

Who gives a shit who hands him the ball? They turn, hold the ball out and he takes it. It's not like Brett blocked for him or anything.

Are you serious?

C'mon Zig, you don't think that having a guy like Favre keeps safeties and linebackers deeper? The passing game opened up the running game. Note Grant's colossal failures when the passing game wasn't effective.

Favre was the 2nd best player in the league and you're trying to say that he had little effect on how the defense gameplanned?

Just like a great receiver can open up the running game, a great QB can even moreso.

Grant is very, very overrated around here.

[MJZiggy]

Any quarterback who can throw the ball with any effectiveness can keep linebackers deep. If you can't throw the ball effectively, you don't last very long as a QB in the NFL. They now have to gameplan against Rodgers' scrambling ability, something they didn't do with Favre in his later years. I think McCarthy's ability to be unpredictable in calling the game will determine more. If he can keep them guessing, I think there lies the possibility that you're quite wrong.

[BallHawk]

Grant is very, very overrated around here.

He put up about 1,000 yards rushing in half a season so I would imagine people are excited about him. Unless I see him falter early in the season it is safe to assume he's as good as people say he is. He runs well. I know he had Favre as a QB, but we haven't seen him without Favre handing off to him so you can't hold that against him. He did everything he was asked and more. That is what playmakers do.

[Partial]

Any quarterback who can throw the ball with any effectiveness can keep linebackers deep. If you can't throw the ball effectively, you don't last very long as a QB in the NFL. They now have to gameplan against Rodgers' scrambling ability, something they didn't do with Favre in his later years. I think McCarthy's ability to be unpredictable in calling the game will determine more. If he can keep them guessing, I think there lies the possibility that you're quite wrong.

Rodgers is an OK scrambler, he isn't a world beater. They aren't going to gameplan for that at all. It's only going to happen on broken plays.

Yes, a good quarterback will keep a defense honest. How many QBs were close to Favre's level last year, or close to the game changing level?

I'd say 4-5.

Rodgers has a long way to go before he's in this category.

[Partial]

I disagree. He did not run the ball well in the cold when the passing game wasn't keeping 6-7 guys in the box. In fact, he was terrible. I'd like to point out that BJack looked great on all the days that Grant looked awesome as well. I am not sold on either at this point. They both look like they belong in the league, but there are 1500+ people that belong in the league. I don't think either can be considered solid yet.

[BallHawk]

He didn't perform well in the cold because McCarthy abandoned the running game. Notice MM stuck to the running game against the 'Hawks and look what Grant did.

I can understand if you don't think he's a playmaker, but if 1,000 yards doesn't qualify you as solid, what does?