IN : ESPN RANKS RB's ... GB PLACES ...

[oregonpackfan]

IMO, the RB positiion is the biggest factor in the Packers' level of success this season. Without a good running game, you have to rely on the pass.

We have all seen the negative results when Favre feels the pressure to carry the offense with passing when there is no running game. He starts to force more passes in where he shouldn't and the result is more interceptions.

This reduction in offensive potentcy, in turn, places more pressure on the defense. They stay on the field longer and get worn down.

The overall result? Like a row of dominoes, the final domino is the Packers' success which gets. knocked down. The RB position is the first domino.

Supposedly, Edgar Bennett is very confident in Morcency. I hope he is right and not just spouting the optimistic "Company Line."

[Carolina_Packer]

Well, let's not all get too worked up by some pre-season predictions. We could actually be better than expected. Granted, we didn't get a free agent or a first round RB, but we kind of got our free agent last year with Morency. He could turn out to be a steal for Samkon Gado. I know, I know, durability issues, but from what we've been reading about his work ethic, and some of the talent he has, if he can stay healthy, why not Morency? I agree that a second round pick is pretty high to supplant a starting running back, but it also pushes Morency to secure the job. It never hurts to have two backs who are capable. I'm wondering what a motivated, chip on his shoulder DeShawn Wynn can do. If he can overcome himself and grow up some, wow, that kid could be special.

[Scott Campbell]

Well, let's not all get too worked up by some pre-season predictions.

Too late.......

[Freak Out]

Its not a real shocker that were ranked so low considering what has transpired but I would have to believe that we end up much better than these yahoos tend to think. Morency showed he can play... but can he do it all year? Everyone else is a crapshoot except for Herron to an extent. He has had a few good games.

[BallHawk]

Is this the year Herron packs his bags?

I hope so. He's never going to be anything more then he is now. Sure, it's unlikely that Pope or Wynn are going to become anything, but at least they have potential (however small it may be.)

[Carolina_Packer]

As the offensive line goes, so will go the Packers run game. All the RB's they have are athletically gifted, they just need space, just like a QB needs time to throw. I'm not saying our guys are as gifted as Denver's running backs, but look at what the Broncos have been able to do with an offensive line system. The running backs almost become interchangeable. There's great and then there's good enough. We may have good enough, but we need the O-line to have a big year, a consistent year. Can you recall a situation where we had a good offensive line, but a poor running game because of the backs? One usually feeds off the other.

[Lurker64]

This time last year, Carolina Panthers fans were printing superbowl tickets on the basis of ESPN's predictions.

Just sayin' is all...

[esoxx]

IMO, the RB positiion is the biggest factor in the Packers' level of success this season. Without a good running game, you have to rely on the pass.

Don't worry, if the running game is shut down, they can always rely on moving the chains with their clutch, pass catching TE's.....er, never mind.

[4and12to12and4]

I've read in this thread knocks on Morency because of his size. Ever here of Maurice Drew? 5'7", 209 lbs. and was awesome last year. Size doesn't always matter. He does have 4.4 40 speed, however, I don't know what Morency runs. I did like his ability to run north and south, and he seemed to have a knack for finding holes. We need a running back who can see the cutback and take advantage of it. Without a RB with that vision, our scheme will never come to fruition. I was surprised we didn't go after Dominick Rhodes this off-season. Maybe he's not as good as I thought. I always liked him, and he would've probably signed for under 2 million per year. We could've signed him for one year and just see how he would pan out in our scheme. I mean we do have the cap money.

[esoxx]

Morency isn't thick like Drew. Big difference. To me, the biggest question on Morency is his ability to stay healthy. He's capable if he stays on the field, but that's the million dollar question.

Rhodes got suspended the first four games so I'm glad that's the Raiders problem.

[CaliforniaCheez]

Obviously, the writer of the article has no confidence in Marshawn Lynch and Brandon Jackson by placing their teams at the bottom of the list.

So if the Packers drafted Lynch they would have only been 31st.

If the Packers had spent a fortune to keep Ahman Green they would be 28th.

Even in 05 with a bad line and several players trying out the Packers eventually got Samkon Gado.

With a better line I do not think the Packers will be below 25th in rushing.

Remember this opinion next November. ESPN is not an authority. It is only a Northeast regional network.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Good point, cheez.

[Bretsky]

Ah, screw it. We're bottom five. I can't defend the RBs anymore. We're in the top 30, though.

However, I expect us to be in the 15-22 range, by the end of the year.

KUDOS to BH; I'd take the 15-22 range as well