Starks/Grant

[Brandon494]

Our running game is good enough, you have to factor in all the injuries we have had to the O-line and the fact that our RBs only get to run the ball like ten times a game with Rodgers playing like a boss at QB.

[Upnorth]

So does SAine get more action this week with the starters sitting early? I hope so because it would be a thrill to see our run game take it to someone for a change. Plus it might make everyone prepare for runs a little more if we close out the year rushing all over the lions.

[pbmax]

Against KC Grant ran square into Sitton on a 3rd and short play where the ENTIRE left side of the field was unoccupied. It helped cost us the game. He always plays very well against chicago (can't explain it), but he has looked very average this year. I actually LIKE our run blocking most of the time, we just need to call more running plays.

Its called the Edgar Bennett effect.

[pbmax]

The Bears are one of the most veteran, disciplined run defenses in the NFL. A guy like Grant who has almost no hesitation (you could also call it patience when it's working) runs well against the Bears it seems. Starks needs to adjust his game to the defense he's playing. You have to be yourself, but you also have to adjust to the conditions a little too. The Bears are going to be in their gaps. You're probably not going to have a lot of time to get the seam. Just get the ball and go forward, maybe you'll slip off a guy.

Its the opposite of patience if he has no hesitation, isn't it? And like bobble noted, it causes him to choose the wrong hole sometimes. Neither he nor Starks are ideal in this respect. But the shuffled O line doesn't help here as nothing is predictable.

Starks is still more effective and has more reps as 3rd down back. Remember Kuhn's whiffed pass block that almost got Rodgers killed versus KC? The Pack need him around to be at their best. But Grant was enough versus the Bears that when they play actioned, it opened up the field for Rodgers and slowed the pass rush. A couple of nice screens helped as well, though those were early.

[Fritz]

I think of all the question marks about who to rest and who to play, Starks is the guy you surely better rest for the next two-and-a-half weeks.