Franklin

[Patler]

I think they always preferred to have 4 safeties. They brought in Banjo when Sean Richardson couldn't pass his physical. I think they'll keep 4 at least for a while in case Burnett's hamstring flares up again.

Typically, they do; but at times they have gone with just 3 when the third safety is not a regular part of their defensive packages. The fourth safety is not likely to be active for games then anyway, so unless he is a development guy, he doesn't serve much purpose. The three have to be healthy, and you need another game day active player who has some experience at safety, like Bush, but he is dinged up, too.

However, looking at this year, they have had only three safeties available anyway, so when Burnett is clearly healthy, the fourth is sort of extra baggage, especially after Hayward returns, because Williams, Shields, House, Hayward, Burnett, Jennings and probably Hyde will be the first guys in. The key might be whether they see Banjo or McMillian as development guys, or just players who are what they will be. One might be enough.

[mraynrand]

I love how injuries make us talk about the fifth running back on the depth chart. Almost as exciting as talking about year four incentives for potential free agents the Packers won't sign in early March.

[packer4life]

Any time a new offensive player flashes "explosiveness", you take notice. He is the first new offensive skill player this year to flash. It's a good feeling.

Ross was the last new name to flash, but it was last year, and let's just say all that early optimism has kinda fizzled IMO

And cut. I'll admit I was high on Ross this year. Ouch, what a fall.

[hoosier]

I love how injuries make us talk about the fifth running back on the depth chart.

Seeing Jeremy Ross lining up in the backfield will do that to a person.

[Pugger]

In retrospect TT's real decision wasn't about cutting Franklin or Green, it was about what position should take the hit so that the Packers could keep five running backs. Because you damn well know that at some point Starks is going to go down, and if Lacy turns out not to be the most durable back in the world then all of a sudden you are down to Kuhn and Franklin, which is never good. So keep Green as insurance against the inevitable injury to Starks. Hell, I would cut Crosby and forgo field goal attempts if I had to.

I'm not worried about Lacy's durability. He played thru bumps and bruises in college and he got a concussion because of that goon Merriweather. I think they kept Lacy out as a precaution and he'll be running over DBs in 2 weeks.

[steve823]

Might've been a good thing that there were some injuries at the RB position. Franklin got to showcase his skills, so hopefully we can get a lacy-franklin combo in the future.

[Patler]

I say trade him while there might be interest!!

[mraynrand]

I say trade him while there might be interest!!

We were just a week off - maybe the Colts see the Bengals game and offer their number one - oh, wait, I forgot about that game-ending fumble...