Sharing: Are Grant & Starks really about the same?

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm stealing some quotes from the other threads to get this tar ball rolling.

I think Grant looks like doo-doo out there, he is not making the right cuts, he has lost a step and never outruns linebackers when he goes latteral, and a knock to his hips sends him spralling on his ass. Starks is making people miss and dragging people for extra yardage.

The only way to settle this question is with the manly act of conducting a poll.

Starks and Grant are going to form a great tandem. Both averaged over 4.5 yards a carry and later in the year both should still be fresh. Starks was the hot hand in the second half, he has a great feel for the zone scheme and picks his lane and is up the field. He is tall but he has great body lean and seems to always fall foward. Grant will make more of an impact as the season grows, but he had a decent game, needs to play faster, he had openings that he needs to take advantage of for larger gains .

Ryan Grant just does not look like as good a runner as Starks.

Starks and Grant look like they could be a good tandem, especially when the o-line gets it done.

Someone posted that Grant and Starks were closer than generally realized in delivering a blow in the running game. Bull feathers. Starks may not be a 60 yd TD back, but he runs like he is 20 lbs heavier. I like the combo though, and hope M3 continues to run and pass with both in the game.

[sheepshead]

If Ryan Grant gets his game back, Ill be happy. I like watching him when he's in top form. Hope it happens. We saw glimmers.

[Harlan Huckleby]

ya know, I saw Grant in an interview last week, and he really is such an intelligent and likeable guy. I feel a little guilty about trashing him, but guess that's what I do.

[Harlan Huckleby]

If Ryan Grant gets his game back, Ill be happy. I like watching him when he's in top form. Hope it happens. We saw glimmers.

He wasn't so bad last night, I am exaggerating. But it was not the peak Ryan Grant.

[pbmax]

I think like a game, Grant will get better with use as the season goes on. Each guy had a run or two that went nowhere, but I did not think Grant was making poor decisions or moving slower.

[Patler]

Grant's carries - 4, 5, 10, 3, 4, 2, 8, 3, 1
Starks, carries - 0, 5, 10, (-2), 17, 4, 2, 3, 9, 3, 2, 4.

There is a consistency to Grant that is comforting (positve yardage on every carry).
There is a big play potential with Starks that is exciting (17 yard burst for a TD).
All-in-all, an awful lot of their runs produce about the same results, even if they look different getting it.

[RashanGary]

Grant is sneaky good. Looks like he gets a yard, but it's 4. Starks breaks tackles, looks better to the eye, probably bigger threat to break one because he doesn't go down.

Grant gets his yards though. He's always moving forward. He keeps AR in manageable down and distances.


Starks has a little better talent IMO. Grant closer than it looks IMO. Grant never fumbles and can handle the load. Starks was a fumbler in college and has had injury issues.

I'm glad we have both. I think Grant finishes his career with more yards than Starks and an equal YPC. Grant is just sneaky effective, reliable and durable.

With our new OL and these two backs, we're going to be finishers on offense.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Right now, Starks is better because I don't think Grant is back to what he was. I think if/when Grant gets back to his old self, they are comparable.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I don't think Grant could have scored that touchdown that Starks made. He would have been brought down by a hit somewhere. Starks keeps the D a little more nervous. I do agree with JH that Grant is sneaky good, he makes a cut and gets 4 when not much is there.

As a fan, Starks is more exciting and athletic, and I want him to clearly separate himself as a stud back. So I'm probably not being objective.

[pbmax]

Grant's carries - 4, 5, 10, 3, 4, 2, 8, 3, 1
Starks, carries - 0, 5, 10, (-2), 17, 4, 2, 3, 9, 3, 2, 4.

There is a consistency to Grant that is comforting (positve yardage on every carry).
There is a big play potential with Starks that is exciting (17 yard burst for a TD).
All-in-all, an awful lot of their runs produce about the same results, even if they look different getting it.

You can always count on Patler to put it into perspective.

Starks is Barry Sanders.

[RashanGary]

Grant is proven to never fumble too. In our offense, with our weapons. . . . 2nd and 6, 3rd and 3. . . . . That keeps the chains moving and gives AR more chances. Starks inconsistency actually leads to more 3 and outs, ie 2nd and 10, 3rd and 8. I like AR's chances of a big play better than Starks. Grant is in the perfect situation for him. Starks might have more talent, but sometimes the total is greater than the sum of the parts. Grant is that. He's less talented, but he gives AR more chances.

[Packers4Glory]

i still think Grant is the one who is more likely to break a big run. I remember a couple when he first came on a few yrs ago. IIRC they happened in 1 back sets w/ the field spread. I'd like to see more runs w/ 4 WR and 1 back. I think there is potential for a lot of yards w/ the defense trying to stop one of our 6 monster receivers....

[Upnorth]

I think they are better as a combo. Give me a Grant in his prime and I answer different, but right now the work well toghether. Also by splitting carries they should both have better legs at the end of the season.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Starks adds dimension as a pass receiver.

Starks missed a blitz pickup yesterday, but it was because he went through with a play fake. Maybe a more experienced back would have known to break out of the play and block.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I think they are better as a combo. Give me a Grant in his prime and I answer different, but right now the work well toghether. Also by splitting carries they should both have better legs at the end of the season.

Well ya, I think almost every NFL team runs two backs. Maybe Peterson gets 90% of carries in MN. I expect Starks will get 2/3 of the carries if he continues to show ability to get 10 yard gains.