RB situation

[MichiganPackerFan]

If this were 2003 that list would be exciting

well said!!!

Running backs can have more of an impact early in their careers than other positions, but their legs die earlier too.

Atlanta's run defense played VERY well, there weren't many holes for ANY running back to get to.

Grant is obviously a stronger, more punishing back and would be better in the lineup than B Jack. However, I was thinking that BJack had become a better receiver out of the backfield and a better blocker. Thoughts?

[packrulz]

I thought Quinn Johnson was supposed to be such a brutal run blocker, I never saw him open a hole, the only time I saw him was when he batted down a pass from ARod that wasn't even intended for him.

[Joemailman]

If TT had kept Kregg Lunpkin and released one of the FB's (Johnson?) instead, would the Packers be significantly better off?

[Brando19]

TT should have resigned Ahman Green for one year before the season. He showed flashes last year and was better than BJack. I can't stand Brandon Jackson...I've never been a fan. He's taking up a roster spot, IMO.

[retailguy]

TT should have resigned Ahman Green for one year before the season. He showed flashes last year and was better than BJack. I can't stand Brandon Jackson...I've never been a fan. He's taking up a roster spot, IMO.

Understand your frustration, but this is a little harsh. Ted knows by this point that what he has in jackson is a 3rd down back. I'm certain that's why he drafted Starks. Jackson is a good 3rd down back, and Ted figured he had time to get Starks up to speed, but just didn't figure on an injury during week 1.

As much as I dislike the guy, I can't fault him for this. Ahman Green would've been the waste of the roster spot. On September 1st, Jackson was more deserving of a roster spot. On September 15th, he was still deserving of the spot, but now there was a gaping hole next to him. It happens. Ahman Green wouldn't be running any better, most likely (except for the veteran know how, which you'd think Jackson would have by now).

The problems yesterday were more directed at the line than the back, Jackson's dancing notwithstanding.

[Brando19]

Understand your frustration, but this is a little harsh. Ted knows by this point that what he has in jackson is a 3rd down back. I'm certain that's why he drafted Starks. Jackson is a good 3rd down back, and Ted figured he had time to get Starks up to speed, but just didn't figure on an injury during week 1.

As much as I dislike the guy, I can't fault him for this. Ahman Green would've been the waste of the roster spot. On September 1st, Jackson was more deserving of a roster spot. On September 15th, he was still deserving of the spot, but now there was a gaping hole next to him. It happens. Ahman Green wouldn't be running any better, most likely (except for the veteran know how, which you'd think Jackson would have by now).

The problems yesterday were more directed at the line than the back, Jackson's dancing notwithstanding.

I understand what you're saying and you're right...I am frustrated. But if Starks shows he's pretty good this year...and Grant comes back healthy...BJack needs to go. His salary could go to someone better.

[Joemailman]

I think having Grant, Starks and Jackson would be ideal. Let Jackson stay in the role he's good at as a 3rd down back. I doubt his salary is all that high.

[rbaloha1]

If TT had kept Kregg Lunpkin and released one of the FB's (Johnson?) instead, would the Packers be significantly better off?

What about the backup on the Carolina roster that had a good preseason w/the Packers? Failure to secure Lynch is hurting the Packers.

[Joemailman]

What about the backup on the Carolina roster that had a good preseason w/the Packers? Failure to secure Lynch is hurting the Packers.

Tyrell Sutton? Packers released him in 2009.

Lynch is averaging 3.1 YPC with Seattle. And no. the problem isn't the OL because Rookie Justin Forsett is averaging 4.3.

[superfan]

I can't buy into the Lynch theory. I haven't seen him play much this year, but statistically speaking he is one of the worst starting RBs in the league.

Lynch - 12.6 attempts/game, 39 yards/game, 3.1 yards/carry, 2 TD, 11.4% of runs result in a first down
Jackson - 12 attempts/game, 46.7 yards/game, 3.9 yards/carry, 3 TD, 14.4% of runs result in a first down

Jackson is not performing at a sufficient level, and stats aren't always an accurate gauge of RB talent. But I see no evidence that suggests Lynch would be a significant upgrade over Jackson.

[sheepshead]

Im hearing Starks will see more playing time.

[MichiganPackerFan]

TT should have resigned Ahman Green for one year before the season. He showed flashes last year and was better than BJack. I can't stand Brandon Jackson...I've never been a fan. He's taking up a roster spot, IMO.

This isn't 2003. AG is done. Wahle, Rivera & Flanagan are retired. Young Legs beat Done Legs every day.

I think having Grant, Starks and Jackson would be ideal. Let Jackson stay in the role he's good at as a 3rd down back. I doubt his salary is all that high.

Agree: good 3rd down back. Good receiving out of the backfield and really good and picking up the blitz and blocking. He's paid $465,590 (per http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/player/...jackson/469355). He's worth keeping around but not breaking the bank for.

What about the backup on the Carolina roster that had a good preseason w/the Packers? Failure to secure Lynch is hurting the Packers.

Lynch would have been a bad move. He hasn't been productive and we would have had to pay him to be on the roster when Grant returns next year. He might be a decent backup, but he wants premium starter dollars.

Im hearing Starks will see more playing time.

He's young, why not?


When the O-line plays as bad as they did in the run game, RB & FB personnel don't matter all that much.

[denverYooper]

Here's What Baranczyk and Cristl had to say:

Failure of the running game

The Packers didn’t run the ball because they couldn’t run the ball.

Brandon Jackson is an I-formation back, and the Packers obviously decided they couldn’t get it done running out of the I. They lined up in a shotgun on 39 of 59 offensive plays. After their first two possessions, they ran out of a five-wide receiver set on 14 of 48 plays. You’re not going to effectively run the ball in those formations.

To run the ball, you need either a superior run blocking line or a great running back, and the Packers have neither. They didn’t have it with Grant; they don’t have it without him. Granted, Grant was better at running stretch plays and zones. But look at his numbers last year. He had three 100-yard games and six where he gained 51 yards or less.

Atlanta is able to run the ball because it has an outstanding back in Michael Turner, and the Falcons line up in formations to take advantage of his ability.

And, regarding the short yardage failures, they kill Colledge:

Short-yardage failures

Coaches constantly preach that especially in big games, the outcome usually is decided by one or two plays. Others might call that baloney. But coaches say that because it’s true. The two plays that beat the Packers were the third-and-1 play at the Atlanta 4-yard line before their field goal, and Aaron Rodgers’ failed sneak on second-and-2 on the play before his fumble. That was 11 points off the board right there.

On the first one, Dimitri Nance was stopped for no gain when the defensive tackle submarined Daryn Colledge and knocked him two yards deep in the backfield. As a result, Quinn Johnson, the lead blocker, tripped over Colledge and didn’t block anybody, and Nance had to cut earlier than he wanted with two guys lying in front of him. That’s the defense’s first priority in that situation: Force the running back off track. Even a high school lineman in those situations knows what the defense is going to do. But Colledge couldn’t get his pads underneath his man.

On the second one, the defensive lineman, Peria Jerry, was on one knee at the snap. You’d think with a guy on his knee, the blocker would lead with his shoulder pad into the defender’s facemask and drill him onto his back so Rodgers could walk into the end zone. But Jerry fired off and got underneath Colledge. That was inexcusable.

[RashanGary]

I think Jackson is more of an isolation running back (they call it I formation, but basically a isolation blocking scheme with a designed hole so the dummy doesn't have to think). He can't make reads like the zone system demands. Give him a hole, tell him to run into it and then run through a guy when he gets there. . . . Yep, Jackson can do that. There's nothing wrong with him, physically. But give him a zone, tell him to read which hole to hit, and what you're left with is a dancing idiot, waiting to get carted down for a loss.


Dimitri Nance seems like a much more natural runner. Strong, quick feet, fairly explosive. He lacks straight line speed, but he seems like a runner who's going to get nice gains over and over and over. He hasn't had much of a chance, but in his chances, I've liked him better than Jackson for what we run. I could see our running game improving with Nance, but the coaches are going to have to take Jackson out of 1st and 2nd down and put him back in his 3rd down role. I hear the little dummy glowing with excitement at his opportunity, even as he screws the pooch, so maybe it will be hard to tell the little retard that he's been demoted, but that's what has to happen here.

[Pugger]

Its too bad Nance got a concussion Sunday so we now have to wait another week at least before we can see if he can help us in our running game going forward.