Ryan Grant

[pbmax]

Teams might have adjusted to Chris Johnson later in the season but I saw very little of the Titans late so I do not know.

The Titans passing game was relatively bad all year...Vince Young did a little bit in the second half, but it was all Chris Johnson last year. Sorry Max...it didn't take NFL defenses 8+ games to recognize Chris Johnson was their #1 priority.

Not sure why you are sorry,

My point is that Johnson may very well have made defenses adjust, but the games I saw were with Collins at QB and the adjustment hadn't happened yet.

I do think I could find 10+ RBs that would put up equivalent or better numbers as a RB in the Packer system if they were swapped onto our roster in place of Grant.

And that leads exactly to my point. He executes, but is not a threat. There are places on the team (and some coincide with strong areas of the draft) that have questions about execution by Packer starters. So I don't anticipate his replacement being drafted, at least someone good enough to take his spot this year.

That is not to say the position isn't ripe to be upgraded. But top 10 physically talented runners, while devalued compared to QBs, tackles and CBs, still don't come free unless they are older. And while its possible a top 10 talent (NFL talent, not top 10 draft pick) might drop to the Packers, it seems unlikely.

Thompson seemed to go against BPA last year with the trade up to get Matthews. But he has said he considered him with the number 9 pick. That is probably exaggeration, but its not outside the realm of possibility that the Packers had a first round grade on Matthews AND he fit a need. I don't see that happening at running back.

[vince]

I think Grant is undervalued (in terms of his value to the Packers) by many fans because he doesn't have the same skills that the flashier backs have. It's obvious to see that he's not as quick or shifty as many other backs. And because he’s more of a loping runner, he doesn’t look quite as fast as he really is.

The skills Grant does have are a very good fit for the Packers' offensive approach, running scheme, techniques, and accompanying personnel though. That makes him valuable to the Packers – probably on par with the value that almost any of the other backs with different skill sets would deliver the Packers.

The most effective back for the Packers is a reliable one-cut north-south runner with size and burst through the hole, then straightline speed on the second level. The argument about who’s “better” or more talented than him without the context of the Packers approach is irrelevant.

Some backs would be effective in any scheme. Grant’s probably not one of them, but he doesn’t play in any scheme. That doesn’t mean that most of the other backs would be more valuable than him if they played for the Packers today. Most of them wouldn’t.

GM’s get paid to inexpensively acquire the right players for their schemes, sign them for good value (under a salary cap environment where there is only so many dollars to go around anyway), and hire the right coaches to coach them up and deliver the approaches, schemes and techniques that allow them all to be effective as a unit. Then they have to get a little bit lucky with injuries, catching opponents at good times in the season, etc.

In that context, Ryan Grant is practically the definition of success.

[Fritz]

In all this discussion, the thing that bugs me most is that McCarthy sees third and three as a passing down. That's depressing to me somehow.

[Bretsky]

In all this discussion, the thing that bugs me most is that McCarthy sees third and three as a passing down. That's depressing to me somehow.

not me; on 3rd and three we don't have the type of pounders to get that yardage more than our passing game would. I'd pass too

[Joemailman]

I don't think there's that many teams that run on third and three frequently anymore. I would venture that most teams see that as a passing down.

[LP]

In all this discussion, the thing that bugs me most is that McCarthy sees third and three as a passing down. That's depressing to me somehow.

not me; on 3rd and three we don't have the type of pounders to get that yardage more than our passing game would. I'd pass too

Thats the depressing part. Get that type and turn third and three from a passing down into a whatever we damn well please down.

[Fritz]

I don't think there's that many teams that run on third and three frequently anymore. I would venture that most teams see that as a passing down.

Dagnabbit, back when I was a kid we used to walk uphill to school - both ways. And we liked it.

[pbmax]

I don't think there's that many teams that run on third and three frequently anymore. I would venture that most teams see that as a passing down.

Dagnabbit, back when I was a kid we used to walk uphill to school - both ways. And we liked it.

I blame that foof Bill Walsh and his fancy flooding of the zone. Fullbacks don't catch the ball, they run people over!

[Fritz]

Dern right, PB.

Three yards and a cloud of dust!

[ThunderDan]

Dern right, PB.

Three yards and a cloud of dust!

Better hope that cloud of dust doesn't get you 2 and a half.

[RashanGary]

I'm about where Bretsky is on Grant. Good player, doesn't deserve probowl talk. Just not special at anything other than not fumbling and toughness (two very underrated aspects, mind you).


I think Vince had some good points about Grant's strengths really fitting well with what we do. For him, the Packers are the perfect fit. He's a legit starting RB with us, probably wouldn't be with most team.

I wish he had a little more elusiveness in the open field. Doesn't have to be Jones-Drew, Ray Rice or Chris Johnson, but just a touch more shiftiness. If he had that, we'd have a star.


I'm happy with Grant, but I'd be happy finding a star RB too. I surely wouldn't pass on a superstar because we have Ryan Grant. If I were the Titans, and I had the 8th pick, I'd have a hard time taking a perceived star RB. If I were the Packers, I'd nab him in a heartbeat. That's what I think of GRant. Not disappointed, but not content.

[vince]

I'm about where Bretsky is on Grant. Good player, doesn't deserve probowl talk. Just not special at anything other than not fumbling and toughness (two very underrated aspects, mind you).


I think Vince had some good points about Grant's strengths really fitting well with what we do. For him, the Packers are the perfect fit. He's a legit starting RB with us, probably wouldn't be with most team.

I wish he had a little more elusiveness in the open field. Doesn't have to be Jones-Drew, Ray Rice or Chris Johnson, but just a touch more shiftiness. If he had that, we'd have a star.


I'm happy with Grant, but I'd be happy finding a star RB too. I surely wouldn't pass on a superstar because we have Ryan Grant. If I were the Titans, and I had the 8th pick, I'd have a hard time taking a perceived star RB. If I were the Packers, I'd nab him in a heartbeat. That's what I think of GRant.

I can agree with that. If an absolute stud RB falls to us, no reason to pass him up, but I don't think you target the position as a need, except for adding a scatback/returner who can complement Grant and Jackson.