Starks Re-signed

[Patler]

I am a little surprised at the size of this contract. Almost twice what he got in the last contract. In 2014 he signed for two years $3.25 million. This one, 2 years $6 million.

[esoxx]

I am a little surprised at the size of this contract. Almost twice what he got in the last contract. In 2014 he signed for two years $3.25 million. This one, 2 years $6 million.

And with the late season rash of fumbles and hitting age 3O, a time when a lot of running backs start to slide, the amount is indeed surprising.

[Patler]

The fumbles don't concern me that much....yet. It was one bad stretch of 5 games in a six year career. It doesn't necessarily define who he is as a player right now.

I don't think age is an issues as much as carries for running backs, and Starks hasn't had a lot of wear and tear in that regard.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Whether it's Starks or Lacy in the backfield on a regular basis, we really need to draft a FAST, scatback-type who has good hands and a knack for running routes out of the backfield, especially on third downs and in the Red Zone. Maybe Crockett is that guy. Let's draft a guy to compete with him. There are several prospects in the later rounds (Ervin, Smallwood, etc.)

[gbgary]

I am a little surprised at the size of this contract. Almost twice what he got in the last contract. In 2014 he signed for two years $3.25 million. This one, 2 years $6 million.

it's the market. think about it...almost NOTHING gets cheaper.

[run pMc]

I would imagine the numbers are inflated by incentives. I agree with Maxie and Pugger about drafting another back, preferably one with speed and receiving skills.

[Patler]

it's the market. think about it...almost NOTHING gets cheaper.

Didn't expect he would be cheaper, but I didn't expect it to double in just two years. When I heard he signed, I thought maybe $2M/year.

[esoxx]

Didn't expect he would be cheaper, but I didn't expect it to double in just two years. When I heard he signed, I thought maybe $2M/year.

Running backs are a dime a dozen nowadays. I'll wait to see the guarantees involved but at first glance they overpaid.

Passing league.

[Bossman641]

Didn't expect he would be cheaper, but I didn't expect it to double in just two years. When I heard he signed, I thought maybe $2M/year.

Agreed. I like Starks but it's a strange signing. I'd prefer a committed Lacy+Crocket/mid to low round pick+speed guy

[Fritz]

Agreed. I like Starks but it's a strange signing. I'd prefer a committed Lacy+Crocket/mid to low round pick+speed guy

I don't doubt at all the sincerity of your view, but had Thompson not re-signed Starks, the amount of bitching on this site (Ted doesn't care he just thinks he can pick up a draft pick in the sixth round and plug him in, he's letting Rodgers's SB window close, what is he saving the damn money for?) would have been unbelievable.

I think it's very difficult to be an NFL GM. That's probably the bottom line.

I am good with the signing - one less position to worry about - but I agree with you that a speed/hands RB later on would be really nice.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I don't doubt at all the sincerity of your view, but had Thompson not re-signed Starks, the amount of bitching on this site (Ted doesn't care he just thinks he can pick up a draft pick in the sixth round and plug him in, he's letting Rodgers's SB window close, what is he saving the damn money for?) would have been unbelievable.

I think it's very difficult to be an NFL GM. That's probably the bottom line.

I am good with the signing - one less position to worry about - but I agree with you that a speed/hands RB later on would be really nice.

The "amount of bitching on this site" shouldn't be the measuring stick for anything except the length of dog turds.

[pbmax]

Starks has become, despite all early indications, a pretty good 3rd down back. He somehow has learned to read Rodgers on screens, his hands have improved (not League best but OK), he can block and obviously is an effective runner, if not a speedster who gets the corner.

If you wanted to carry only two RBs, outside of the otherworldly durable Darren Spoles, Starks is a good fit to handle 3rd downs and be the emergency starter. You can then go rookie or developmental guy as 3rd RB or PS and hope to strike gold.

[3irty1]

This makes me feel much better. After last season I don't feel comfortable putting all the eggs in the Lacy basket no matter how good of shape he's in. Starks is a legitimate runner who can split the load. His decisive drag race running style seems to compliment Lacy's tough yards when they alternate drives. I disagree about him being much of a third down back though. I prefer Lacy, he seems much better at picking up blitzers which is about the most important thing asked of a 3rd down back in MM's offense. Overall I like the alternating drives approach where both men are 3 down backs.

[George Cumby]

Ted pays for loyalty and results. It sends a powerful message to all. This isn't lost on the young 'uns on the squad.

Need to draft that shifty, scat back with good hands, though......

[Patler]

Agreed. I like Starks but it's a strange signing. I'd prefer a committed Lacy+Crocket/mid to low round pick+speed guy

I don't think it is strange bringing him back. In fact, I fully expected they would bring him back. I just expected it would be a bit cheaper than $3M/year. More like $2M, which would have been a decent increase over his last two year contract. But, at just two years, it is an easy contract for the team to handle.