Packers to claim RB Dimitri Nance

[Lurker64]

I love how everyone has a monster hard-on for Kuhn after two carries for 15 yards and a TD. IMO this is like Ruvell Martin getting emergency snaps at QB. When you sign a new QB, Ruvell is not going to be above him on the depth chart. Kuhn is a full back. His runs were from the full back position. He'll stay a fullback although he may get more carries now.

I don't think Kuhn is the answer for 20 carries/game, but he was surprisingly good in the preseason. I think he's good for a half dozen carries/game.

And before we get worried about the # of carries the #2 back will have in this offense, let's look at the # of carries the #2 back has had in this offense. In 2009 Jackson had 2 carries against the Lions, 9 against the Browns, 1 against the Bucs, 2 against Dallas, 4 against the niners, 6 against the Lions, 2 against the Bears, 1 agains the Steelers, 5 against the Seahawks, 6 against the Cardinals, and 2 against the Cardinals in the playoffs. In 2008 Jackson's carries were 7, 7, 3, 1, 2, 1, 10, 2, 11, 1 in the games where he actually had a rushing attempt. In those two years he did have 21 and 30 receptions, but this appears to be a job that someone like Kuhn can do.

[woodbuck27]

I love how everyone has a monster hard-on for Kuhn after two carries for 15 yards and a TD. IMO this is like Ruvell Martin getting emergency snaps at QB. When you sign a new QB, Ruvell is not going to be above him on the depth chart. Kuhn is a full back. His runs were from the full back position. He'll stay a fullback although he may get more carries now.

I don't think Kuhn is the answer for 20 carries/game, but he was surprisingly good in the preseason. I think he's good for a half dozen carries/game.

And before we get worried about the # of carries the #2 back will have in this offense, let's look at the # of carries the #2 back has had in this offense. In 2009 Jackson had 2 carries against the Lions, 9 against the Browns, 1 against the Bucs, 2 against Dallas, 4 against the niners, 6 against the Lions, 2 against the Bears, 1 agains the Steelers, 5 against the Seahawks, 6 against the Cardinals, and 2 against the Cardinals in the playoffs. In 2008 Jackson's carries were 7, 7, 3, 1, 2, 1, 10, 2, 11, 1 in the games where he actually had a rushing attempt. In those two years he did have 21 and 30 receptions, but this appears to be a job that someone like Kuhn can do.

Solid effort in that post.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I was overly impressed with his college highlights, but the big plus is that Nance played in Atlanta's zone blocking scheme, and they seemed to like him.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2010-09/packers-rbs

As expected, the Packers added a street free agent to take Grant's roster spot and supplement Jackson. They signed undrafted rookie Dimitri Nance off Atlanta's practice squad. The Packers, like the Falcons, utilize a zone-blocking scheme. At 5-11 and 211, Nance's running style is a good fit for the system.

Nance, a former Texas high school superstar who starred at Arizona State, just fell short of making the Falcons' roster. At one time in camp, it looked like he might challenge Jerious Norwood for the spot behind starter Michael Turner.

[Fritz]

I love how everyone has a monster hard-on for Kuhn after two carries for 15 yards and a TD. IMO this is like Ruvell Martin getting emergency snaps at QB. When you sign a new QB, Ruvell is not going to be above him on the depth chart. Kuhn is a full back. His runs were from the full back position. He'll stay a fullback although he may get more carries now.

I don't think Kuhn is the answer for 20 carries/game, but he was surprisingly good in the preseason. I think he's good for a half dozen carries/game.

And before we get worried about the # of carries the #2 back will have in this offense, let's look at the # of carries the #2 back has had in this offense. In 2009 Jackson had 2 carries against the Lions, 9 against the Browns, 1 against the Bucs, 2 against Dallas, 4 against the niners, 6 against the Lions, 2 against the Bears, 1 agains the Steelers, 5 against the Seahawks, 6 against the Cardinals, and 2 against the Cardinals in the playoffs. In 2008 Jackson's carries were 7, 7, 3, 1, 2, 1, 10, 2, 11, 1 in the games where he actually had a rushing attempt. In those two years he did have 21 and 30 receptions, but this appears to be a job that someone like Kuhn can do.

But you're missing the point of the criticism of some fans here. They don't want McCarthy to promote Jackson to the #1 back and then find a new #3, moving Kuhn to #2. They want Thompson to trade a future pick plus a player on the team they either hate or don't care about in exchange for a running back whose name they've heard before, like Laurence Maroney or Marshawn Lynch.

The sense I get is that those folks believe that if this is going to be a team that goes far in the playoffs, it needs that big name at running back since Grant has gone down.

I don't agree. I think that's fan-think. But I'm only a fan, too. To me, your post is very logical. I have no problem moving Jackson up and using Kuhn as the #2 since, as you point out, he's not going to get many carries anyway.

[Little Whiskey]

Wasn't grant on the Giants Practice Squad when the packers traded for him? As a giant he was an undrafted free agent that nobody heard of. maybe lightning strikes twice!

[imscott72]

I went to the FalconFans board which is completely independent (like Packer Rats).

-A couple of posters liked him better than their #3 guy on the active roster

-He is said to be a good receiving back.

-He had one preseason fumble which probably cost him the roster spot.

-mostly positive about the guy and some anger at the Packers for poaching him.

I can't wait to see him play. I'm anxious to hear comments from practice this week. I don't imagine he'll be active until week 3.

[imscott72]

I love how everyone has a monster hard-on for Kuhn after two carries for 15 yards and a TD. IMO this is like Ruvell Martin getting emergency snaps at QB. When you sign a new QB, Ruvell is not going to be above him on the depth chart. Kuhn is a full back. His runs were from the full back position. He'll stay a fullback although he may get more carries now.

I don't think Kuhn is the answer for 20 carries/game, but he was surprisingly good in the preseason. I think he's good for a half dozen carries/game.

And before we get worried about the # of carries the #2 back will have in this offense, let's look at the # of carries the #2 back has had in this offense. In 2009 Jackson had 2 carries against the Lions, 9 against the Browns, 1 against the Bucs, 2 against Dallas, 4 against the niners, 6 against the Lions, 2 against the Bears, 1 agains the Steelers, 5 against the Seahawks, 6 against the Cardinals, and 2 against the Cardinals in the playoffs. In 2008 Jackson's carries were 7, 7, 3, 1, 2, 1, 10, 2, 11, 1 in the games where he actually had a rushing attempt. In those two years he did have 21 and 30 receptions, but this appears to be a job that someone like Kuhn can do.

But you're missing the point of the criticism of some fans here. They don't want McCarthy to promote Jackson to the #1 back and then find a new #3, moving Kuhn to #2. They want Thompson to trade a future pick plus a player on the team they either hate or don't care about in exchange for a running back whose name they've heard before, like Laurence Maroney or Marshawn Lynch.

The sense I get is that those folks believe that if this is going to be a team that goes far in the playoffs, it needs that big name at running back since Grant has gone down.

I don't agree. I think that's fan-think. But I'm only a fan, too. To me, your post is very logical. I have no problem moving Jackson up and using Kuhn as the #2 since, as you point out, he's not going to get many carries anyway.

Fans are always going to want a name they're familiar with. With those guys you listed, we've seen what they can do, whereas this Nance dude, we know nothing about. I'm all for getting someone for cheap like we did as long as he's an adequate replacement. Of course we won't know this for weeks to come.

[Tarlam!]

I don't imagine he'll be active until week 3.

I don't see why this would be. Of course he needs to learn the play book and language, but he could get instruction from A-Rod in the huddle on some basic plays. "Hit this gap, block this guy".

He could contribute this Sunday.

[imscott72]

I don't imagine he'll be active until week 3.

I don't see why this would be. Of course he needs to learn the play book and language, but he could get instruction from A-Rod in the huddle on some basic plays. "Hit this gap, block this guy".

He could contribute this Sunday.

Possibly. I guess that depends on how practice goes. I'd like to think we don't really need to rush him in there being we're playing Buffalo.

[Tarlam!]

I see your point, but I just can't wait to see what he's got.

[3irty1]

Just realized that Ryan Torain, whom Dimitri Nance backed up in college is also available on the Redskins PS. Ted works in mysterious ways.

[Joemailman]

http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/1/2010_east_west_shrine_game_day_2_practice_report_-_west/

Dimitri Nance (Arizona State) tried to bounce a few too many runs outside. That’s just not his game, and it certainly won’t work at the pro level. Nance is swift, but he needs to get past the line and to the linebackers before he even thinks about cutting outside. He gets very low, and can spin off contact. Nance is hard to bring down because of his girth, and he doesn’t give defenders much to grab onto. He found the cutback lanes on a couple of different runs, and shows good field vision. Occasionally he would stutter step before hitting the hole up the middle and it was just enough for him to move the oncoming linebacker - which allowed him to run through an arm tackle rather than take a defender head on. Nance does have power to run over people, and runs with a great pad level.

Now we know why he's here!!

[gbgary]

Yup...not just good pad level...but GREAT!

[Smidgeon]

http://draftguys.com/index.php/artic...report_-_west/

Dimitri Nance (Arizona State) tried to bounce a few too many runs outside. That’s just not his game, and it certainly won’t work at the pro level. Nance is swift, but he needs to get past the line and to the linebackers before he even thinks about cutting outside. He gets very low, and can spin off contact. Nance is hard to bring down because of his girth, and he doesn’t give defenders much to grab onto. He found the cutback lanes on a couple of different runs, and shows good field vision. Occasionally he would stutter step before hitting the hole up the middle and it was just enough for him to move the oncoming linebacker - which allowed him to run through an arm tackle rather than take a defender head on. Nance does have power to run over people, and runs with a great pad level.

Now we know why he's here!!

A poor man's Maurice Jones-Drew?

[KYPack]

I don't imagine he'll be active until week 3.

I don't see why this would be. Of course he needs to learn the play book and language, but he could get instruction from A-Rod in the huddle on some basic plays. "Hit this gap, block this guy".

He could contribute this Sunday.

He could pick up the running plays real quick. But he won't hit the field until he is familiar with the pass pro, the hot reads and the blitz pick-ups. Those have unique terminology and no QB will trust him until he has all that stuff down cold.