James Starks (RB) Set for NFL Debut

[RashanGary]

I wouldn't say Jackson has no moves. He's a nice back in space on those screens and dumpoffs. His problem is trying to make those moves at the LOS... dancing around looking for a hole. One cut it and get it up in there.

Yup. When Jackson is in open space and he's just using his instincts, he has moves and they work. He took that little shovel pass, maybe it was against Atlanta at about the 10 yard line and made some nice moves on his way to score.

This is the NFL. You don't have time to dance in the backfield or before the hole, especially in this zone scheme. You have to get forward, hope you clear the lineman and then make a guy miss or run through him after that.

Jackson seems like a guy who's not running on instinct. He's trying to read the play as it unfolds and he's really bad at it. He sits there and studders and delays until he's nailed behind the line. Starks came in and immediately ran it up the shoot. Our running game just took off and maybe Jackson learns to just go because he lost his job. Maybe now he'll just pick a crease and run. I doubt it though. He doesn't seem to learn. But now I don't really care. Starks is our guy and Nance might be our short yardage guy.

[pbmax]

Colledge looked like he was in uncharted territory too. Had he kicked out to his left and blocked the safety that hit Starks, Starks could have broken that one. Instead, Colledge assisted Wells in knocking the DT down and then ran himself to the right out of the play. Somebody who knows more than I do - How has Colledge been lately on the second level? How are our other linemen at the second level?

This seems important now that we have an RB who is willing to stick his nose in and break into the linebackers and secondary. If any of our lineman are capable of getting off combo blocks and blocking that second level, I have a feeling we could see Starks breaking some runs.

I'm still hesitant to call him our "savior", but I do feel a bit more confidence in him after seeing how hard the kid runs.

As I remember it, Colledge was the guy who did get a block on a LB/DB in space. Wells went too far wide and had no one to block when Jackson took it upfield inside the numbers.

Colledge seems to still be having trouble hitting the DT and then getting to the LB. When Wells can go it alone, he does fine. But something about the dual job just slows him down. McGinn has given up and has called him everything but immobile.

[Little Whiskey]

So Snake just got back on here, but I see I can't edit shit from the past or even hilite your reply with an edit of your post...? WTF, Joe? Snake is legendary with his own edits, but I can't even hilite a guy and short-edit his post for a reply?

Damn this new site does suck then.

.

snake, just click (reply with quote) below the post you want to quote. then you can edit it how ever you want. if you want to insert a quote. click on the quote balloon above the text box once you are in quick reply. then add the text you want to quote. help?

[3irty1]

Colledge looked like he was in uncharted territory too. Had he kicked out to his left and blocked the safety that hit Starks, Starks could have broken that one. Instead, Colledge assisted Wells in knocking the DT down and then ran himself to the right out of the play. Somebody who knows more than I do - How has Colledge been lately on the second level? How are our other linemen at the second level?

This seems important now that we have an RB who is willing to stick his nose in and break into the linebackers and secondary. If any of our lineman are capable of getting off combo blocks and blocking that second level, I have a feeling we could see Starks breaking some runs.

I'm still hesitant to call him our "savior", but I do feel a bit more confidence in him after seeing how hard the kid runs.

It's really tough to say how they've been doing at the second level because with Jackson back there blocks needed to be sustained at the first level just to ensure some success in the power running game. When things have worked out, Sitton has been a wrecking ball downfield and almost always takes two or three guys out of the play. Hitting the moving target and blocking downfield is historically one of Colledge's strong points but he's pretty quick to throw a chop block and take himself out of the play and for whatever reason ball carriers running behind him seem to get caught in pursuit before they ever get a chance to get past Colledge, like Colledge just isn't aware of where the play is breaking down. Wells seems to get help with a double team to start nearly every running play which is common for a center but at the same time, Wells isn't going to move anybody off the ball on his own. He's a good positional blocker and can wall off a DT from making the play but its rare that he has much of a presence down the field. Bulaga doesn't seem like much of a mauler at this point but still gets a little push and has the awareness to know when its time to head to the second level. The most I've ever seen Clifton do at the second level is throw a chop block this year.

I can't help but wonder if Colledge is part of the Packers long term plans. Not because he's bad although he may be the weakest link, but because Lang would likely take his job next training camp barring another injury. The real exciting battle on the OL that should start as early as 2011 is the battle between McDonald and Wells. McCarthy and co. have shown in their promotion of Spitz to center that they very much buy into the league trend of bigger centers who can better take on nose tackles from the 3-4 which is also a growing trend. McDonald would make a monster center and since he got here McCarthy has raved about his footwork and style of play. Should McDonald eventually supplant Wells like Spitz once did, we could have an interior line of Lang-McDonald-Sitton which could be a force in the running game.

[wootah]

I know this is OT, but since this has turned into a DC discussion...

I can't help but wonder if Colledge is part of the Packers long term plans.

I've asked this in the 'Interesting comment on TJ Lang from MM' thread, but I'll do it here again; does anyone know why there hasn't been a 'Colledge experience' this year? Who took the initiative on this? DC after being frustrated for not getting a new contract? Or the FO?

I tried to look it up, but didn't find any info on it. Via google, you can see that they used to mention it in his profile on packers.com, but when I search for it now, that info has been removed.

[SnakeLH2006]

I've been gone for a bit....What is the "Colledge experience"? Sounds intriguing.

[vince]

It's really tough to say how they've been doing at the second level because with Jackson back there blocks needed to be sustained at the first level just to ensure some success in the power running game. When things have worked out, Sitton has been a wrecking ball downfield and almost always takes two or three guys out of the play. Hitting the moving target and blocking downfield is historically one of Colledge's strong points but he's pretty quick to throw a chop block and take himself out of the play and for whatever reason ball carriers running behind him seem to get caught in pursuit before they ever get a chance to get past Colledge, like Colledge just isn't aware of where the play is breaking down. Wells seems to get help with a double team to start nearly every running play which is common for a center but at the same time, Wells isn't going to move anybody off the ball on his own. He's a good positional blocker and can wall off a DT from making the play but its rare that he has much of a presence down the field. Bulaga doesn't seem like much of a mauler at this point but still gets a little push and has the awareness to know when its time to head to the second level. The most I've ever seen Clifton do at the second level is throw a chop block this year.

I can't help but wonder if Colledge is part of the Packers long term plans. Not because he's bad although he may be the weakest link, but because Lang would likely take his job next training camp barring another injury. The real exciting battle on the OL that should start as early as 2011 is the battle between McDonald and Wells. McCarthy and co. have shown in their promotion of Spitz to center that they very much buy into the league trend of bigger centers who can better take on nose tackles from the 3-4 which is also a growing trend. McDonald would make a monster center and since he got here McCarthy has raved about his footwork and style of play. Should McDonald eventually supplant Wells like Spitz once did, we could have an interior line of Lang-McDonald-Sitton which could be a force in the running game.

Agree with every word of this. Thanks for the good detailed post 3irty1.

[vince]

I've been gone for a bit....What is the "Colledge experience"? Sounds intriguing.

Unfortunately it's not like when you are at an after-bar party and a hot little freshman swears she gives the best head in the world and wants to prove it to you.

This Colledge experience is more like when you have a serious case of the munchies and you hit the QuikStop dreamin' about diving into a killer hot beef burrito, but they're out so you have to settle for a shitty cold sub.

[RashanGary]

I ♥ James Starks

[BobDobbs]

I've seen the James Stark's man love flowing fast and fierce and I've been thinking its has more to do with how horrible our run game has been to watch than anything else. But then I read this.

"He's sub-4.4," Bennett said. "Trust me, he is."
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/111734799.html

Maybe it's time to board the love train for the oldest 21 year old since Greg Oden.

[gbgary]

I've seen the James Stark's man love flowing fast and fierce and I've been thinking its has more to do with how horrible our run game has been to watch than anything else. But then I read this.

"He's sub-4.4," Bennett said. "Trust me, he is."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/111734799.html

Maybe it's time to board the love train for the oldest 21 year old since Greg Oden.

good one! lol

[Packers4Glory]

well be prepared for him to suck or get hurt. I picked him up for my playoff run in my money fantasy Lg. I managed 1st place so far even w/ Losing Grant but I need an upside play at my Flex spot. Starks it is.

[bobblehead]

BUMP-

Anyone wish to reassess their evaluation of Mr. Starks? Bottom line remains the same; no one can run if the blocking isn't their.

[Guiness]

Not really BH. I wish, in such a close, low scoring game, we'd run more, and given the ball to Starks. Yes, they are stout up front, but everyone wears down. We had 37 passes, 15 runs (not including the 5 QB runs). Greater than a 2:1 ratio - no wonder their DLine was able to unload on our OL.

During the game, I didn't get the impression that Starks was losing ground on his carries. A look at the play by play shows his carries went for 2, 7, -1, 2, -2 and 0. Not what you want, of course, but not like he always going backwards.

[bobblehead]

Not really BH. I wish, in such a close, low scoring game, we'd run more, and given the ball to Starks. Yes, they are stout up front, but everyone wears down. We had 37 passes, 15 runs (not including the 5 QB runs). Greater than a 2:1 ratio - no wonder their DLine was able to unload on our OL.

During the game, I didn't get the impression that Starks was losing ground on his carries. A look at the play by play shows his carries went for 2, 7, -1, 2, -2 and 0. Not what you want, of course, but not like he always going backwards.

I of course agree with you. I was more being facetious about people thinking its all on the RB, and not the OL. In the San Fran game Starks had holes BJack would have died for this year, and BJack has been effective when the blocking is there. In a one score game you drop back to pass over 40 times and call 15 runs. If no one has an issue with that, well.....