Starting Running Back

[Patler]

Alex Van Frickin Pelt is such a gifted RB coach that his players are attending QB meetings to learn the offense? Perhaps a sign of another little problem with the development of our running game?

I have heard a couple interviews with Benson where this was brought up. He said one of the reasons he did it was just to listen to Rodgers, what he was focusing on and why he was reacting as he did in each situation. He wanted to be able to think as Rodgers does. He said the sooner he could thinking like Rodgers, the better it would be.

Not any different than a guy watching extra film, really. We laud them for that, without criticizing their position coach.

[mmmdk]

Voted Benson and I actually expect good things from him; remember those run, run then pass three and outs (especially during second halves)?? We might have some 3rd and 5 scenarios to look forward to! Wuhuu!!

Freakin' awesome!

[King Friday]

I think if Green wasn't a high draft pick, he would get the axe. But I am basing that on his limited game showings. Maybe he shows true talent in practice.

Green has a lot of potential as a 3rd down back...I'm not sure he will ever cut it as a feature back in the NFL. Benson isn't a 3rd down kind of back, so Benson/Green is a good tandem.

[King Friday]

People who thought Starks was going to be the starter after Benson was signed really need to have their heads examined. Benson's play on Thursday clearly shows he has more talent in his big toe than Starks does in his entire body. Starks is a guy who was a complete unknown who showed up on a pass first team and did OK for a few playoff games when the defense COMPLETELY IGNORED HIM. Other than that, he's been entirely mediocre...just a guy...on an elite passing offense. If a defense gives even half a care about Starks, he looks like a bag of poop. Any RB worth a damn should LIGHT THE FUCK UP on this offense, where the defense has to cover the entire field.

[Harlan Huckleby]

People who thought Starks was going to be the starter after Benson was signed really need to have their heads examined.

Why did TT enter this season comfortable with Starks as #1? What would an examination of TT's head reveal?

Benson's play on Thursday clearly shows he has more talent in his big toe than Starks does in his entire body.

If Benson is the 2nd coming, why was he available for vet minimum a month into training camp?

It is possible that Benson is a much better player than Starks. I don't know that your Superiority Dance is justified, but you picked the right moment for it.

In an era when players float around the league, it's hard to care whether Grant, Starks or Benson is the man. Each has had their moment in fan limelight. The only certainty is all of them will have a stint with the Lions.

[Brandon494]

Benson is good and all but people need to stop acting like James Starks is Noah Herron. Starks has talent but he just can not stay healthy and thats why they signed Benson. I mean seriously Starks was solid all last season and now after one preseason game the witch hunt is on.

[pbmax]

Benson is good and all but people need to stop acting like James Starks is Noah Herron. Starks has talent but he just can not stay healthy and thats why they signed Benson. I mean seriously Starks was solid all last season and now after one preseason game the witch hunt is on.

That's true but not the entire story. Starks also takes a few games to move from stop and stutter to hit the hole and full pace. He was doing a lot of quick steps toward the end of last year after he had been the best back on the team. By the end of the year, Grant was running better. He was back to that a few times this preseason. So there is a performance piece of this as well.

If he got healthy and stayed that way for the year, I think he would iron out that kink for good.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

People who thought Starks was going to be the starter after Benson was signed really need to have their heads examined. Benson's play on Thursday clearly shows he has more talent in his big toe than Starks does in his entire body. Starks is a guy who was a complete unknown who showed up on a pass first team and did OK for a few playoff games when the defense COMPLETELY IGNORED HIM. Other than that, he's been entirely mediocre...just a guy...on an elite passing offense. If a defense gives even half a care about Starks, he looks like a bag of poop. Any RB worth a damn should LIGHT THE FUCK UP on this offense, where the defense has to cover the entire field.

Get their heads examined? How could you possibility say with full certainty that he would have been a good fit in our system? Or rather if he even had anything left in the tank? How many soon to be 30 year old Rbs play great. Obviously I hope he plays well this year, but it was 6 carries in 1 preseason game.

[RashanGary]

This stat sums up Starks as a football player. . .

Career rushing touchdowns: 1

Starks, you suck.

[Brandon494]

This stat sums up Starks as a football player. . .

Career rushing touchdowns: 1

Starks, you suck.

That is low but when you have Rodgers throwing the ball and Kuhn taking the goal line carries its not as bad as it seems.

[Willard]

I have heard a couple interviews with Benson where this was brought up. He said one of the reasons he did it was just to listen to Rodgers, what he was focusing on and why he was reacting as he did in each situation. He wanted to be able to think as Rodgers does. He said the sooner he could thinking like Rodgers, the better it would be.

Not any different than a guy watching extra film, really. We laud them for that, without criticizing their position coach.

Admittedly my rant on Van Pelt was misplaced in this thread. I applaud any player for putting in extra time to learn their job and gain new perspective. I will find a different thread to question the wisdom of MM's philosophy of cross-training position coaches to the extent he has this season.

[King Friday]

Get their heads examined? How could you possibility say with full certainty that he would have been a good fit in our system? Or rather if he even had anything left in the tank? How many soon to be 30 year old Rbs play great. Obviously I hope he plays well this year, but it was 6 carries in 1 preseason game.

I live in Ohio...I'm subject to Browns and Bengals games on occasion. Benson still has something left in the tank. He's a hard runner...decisive runner. Benson was not signed by anyone because he's only a SHORT TERM option. Few teams are interested in a guy with at most 2 years left. Green Bay was only interested because our RBs were so piss poor and/or ouchie. With a passing offense like ours, ANY back should be successful if they are worth a damn. Not 2000 yards successful, but a good YPC and moving the chains.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Benson is good and all but people need to stop acting like James Starks is Noah Herron. Starks has talent but he just can not stay healthy and thats why they signed Benson. I mean seriously Starks was solid all last season and now after one preseason game the witch hunt is on.

quoted for tooth

[Harlan Huckleby]

Benson was not signed by anyone because he's only a SHORT TERM option. Few teams are interested in a guy with at most 2 years left.

No way, Jose. Two years is an eternity in NFL, especially at running back.

I hate that the NFL has become a mercenary league. I offered a sensible course correction, capping only free agency money, but it was resoundly rejected by the retarded, beer-guzzling troglodytes that are packerrats.com

[Patler]

Admittedly my rant on Van Pelt was misplaced in this thread. I applaud any player for putting in extra time to learn their job and gain new perspective. I will find a different thread to question the wisdom of MM's philosophy of cross-training position coaches to the extent he has this season.

I don't know why you find that unusual or objectionable. It happens all the time.