Tidbit from Seattle game

[Patler]

Meant to mention this, because it kind of surprised me. They mentioned during an interview with him that in the 40 games or so since he became the starter, Ryan Grant has the second most rushing yards in the NFL.

Can that be right? I wouldn't have been surprised if they said 4th or 5th, but 2nd?

[Joemailman]

Wait a minute! Why are you asking us? You're the Stat Rat!

I suspect it's true.

[Patler]

Wait a minute! Why are you asking us? You're the Stat Rat!

I'm too lazy to verify it.

[RashanGary]

I saw that. Crazy.His balance and ability to break tackles isn't great, but his speed and toughness are.

[Patler]

I saw that. Crazy.His balance and ability to break tackles isn't great, but his speed and toughness are.

...and the fact he lines up and plays every week.

[Brandon494]

It doesn't hurt that he doesn't have to share carries

[packers11]

It also doesn't hurt that he never plays against a 'stacked box'...

I really think the missing piece to this offense is a CJ Spiller type of back...

[Brandon494]

It also doesn't hurt that he never plays against a 'stacked box'...

I really think the missing piece to this offense is a CJ Spiller type of back...

Agreed, LT would have been a solid pickup this offseason as well. Hopefully when Starks gets healthy he can provide that threat out of the backfield

[Mazzin]

I saw that stat last year, and I may be wrong, but I thought the stat was second behind Adrian Peterson in rushing yards...making him second in the NFC in yards since he became the starter.

[hoosier]

I saw that. Crazy.His balance and ability to break tackles isn't great, but his speed and toughness are.

...and the fact he lines up and plays every week.

I think that surprising stat is due to two things: Grant's durability and the phenomenal second half he had in 2007 at a level of productivity that almost nobody would be able to maintain for an entire 16 game season. Look at the other great, almost great and formerly great backs in the NFL today:

--LT has been hurt and in a long decline.
--Stephen Jackson has missed nine games over the last three years because of injuries.
--Maurice Jones-Drew only became the full-time feature back last year.
--Thomas Jones has been consistently solid but has never matched Grant's production in the last half of 2007.
--and Chris Johnson has only been in the league for two years.

[mraynrand]

Wait a minute! Why are you asking us? You're the Stat Rat!

I'm too lazy to verify it.

[Patler]

I think that surprising stat is due to two things: Grant's durability and the phenomenal second half he had in 2007 at a level of productivity that almost nobody would be able to maintain for an entire 16 game season.

Huh? His 2007 season was very, very good, but hardly phenomenal. Starting with 104 yards against Denver, he had 929 yards in 10 games, roughly 1500 over a 16 game schedule.

[bobblehead]

It also doesn't hurt that he never plays against a 'stacked box'...

I really think the missing piece to this offense is a CJ Spiller type of back...

I disagree. This offense is as complete as an O can be in the free agent era. We have a couple holes on D, but our O is missing nothing but a trophy.

[pbmax]

I saw that. Crazy.His balance and ability to break tackles isn't great, but his speed and toughness are.

Not so sure about speed. I have a feeling if Grant had shaved .15 off his forty, he would have been drafted and far more expensive.

Funny, but complaints about his contract have really declined. And his number this year is pretty high. Its just hard to be upset. He isn't a gamebreaker, but he does almost everything else.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Actually, Grant has good speed--especially for a big back. I'm pretty sure he timed in the 4.4s coming out.