The Second Coming of Dorsey Levens

[HarveyWallbangers]

I know you guys have been clarifying opinions about Wynn and others, but I've got a question. What do you think a player like Brandon Jackson thinks when a lesser regarded (at least by draft position) running back is now being given the chance ahead of him?

Who cares? I really liked Jackson coming out of college, but he had his chance as the starter. He failed--although the blocking didn't help him out. He's going to have to work hard in practice and show that he deserves another shot.

[Patler]

I know you guys have been clarifying opinions about Wynn and others, but I've got a question. What do you think a player like Brandon Jackson thinks when a lesser regarded (at least by draft position) running back is now being given the chance ahead of him?

Who cares? I really liked Jackson coming out of college, but he had his chance as the starter. He failed--although the blocking didn't help him out. He's going to have to work hard in practice and show that he deserves another shot.

Exactly. And with 3 running backs left he will have his chances again.

[Carolina_Packer]

I know you guys have been clarifying opinions about Wynn and others, but I've got a question. What do you think a player like Brandon Jackson thinks when a lesser regarded (at least by draft position) running back is now being given the chance ahead of him?

Who cares? I really liked Jackson coming out of college, but he had his chance as the starter. He failed--although the blocking didn't help him out. He's going to have to work hard in practice and show that he deserves another shot.

Exactly. And with 3 running backs left he will have his chances again.

I wasn't really getting at that he'd be "offended" or have a bad attitude like he was more deserving since he was a 2nd rounder, but that he might be like, "what the hell happened?" or "whoa, I'd better get my shit together" Really more of a what's he feeling inside in terms of his pride and what is that doing to him inside and how is it motivating him. Is he going to fight for carries and to prove he wasn't a bad pick, or will he resign himself to the fact that Grant is now the number 1?

To me, it doesn't matter where you came from, but what you do when you have the opportunity. There are many notable stories about guys who flew in from under the radar and became household names. Terell Davis comes to mind. What does that do to the more highly touted talent? Do they get motivated or do they fall by the way side?

Drafts are simply best measurements at the time they are taken. Sometimes what you think is cream is not and does not rise to the top, and sometimes a guy comes out of nowhere, works his arse off and comes at the right time. That may be Ryan Grant. We'll see. Let's hope. No sense in being dismissive of any talent, as long as they can be developed and improve their game, and are willing to work hard, and that can be translated to the field.

[mraynrand]

I know you guys have been clarifying opinions about Wynn and others, but I've got a question. What do you think a player like Brandon Jackson thinks when a lesser regarded (at least by draft position) running back is now being given the chance ahead of him?

Who cares? I really liked Jackson coming out of college, but he had his chance as the starter. He failed--although the blocking didn't help him out. He's going to have to work hard in practice and show that he deserves another shot.

Exactly. And with 3 running backs left he will have his chances again.

Wasn't the knock on BJ the fact that he sucked in pass pro? I have some notes from the preseason games that he looked awful picking up the rush. I thought that was the reason he was being platooned with other RBs when he was active. I know the camp notes from the JS said he sucked in pass pro. I think he's pretty good catching the ball, though.

[Patler]

Wasn't the knock on BJ the fact that he sucked in pass pro? I have some notes from the preseason games that he looked awful picking up the rush. I thought that was the reason he was being platooned with other RBs when he was active. I know the camp notes from the JS said he sucked in pass pro. I think he's pretty good catching the ball, though.

I remember it the same way. I also remember seeing him whiff completely on some blocks in the preseason. By the start of the season I seem to recall them referring to him as improved, but still a work-in-progress for pass protection.

[Carolina_Packer]

I had emailed a sports reporter from the NY Daily News to find out some info on Ryan Grant since he had the nice game vs. Denver and then got the start vs. KC. I asked him if he knew what happened with Grant the year he was signed with the Giants; whether he made the team or not. Here is his informative response.

>>Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Between the London trip and the bye week, I've been a little delinquent in reading my e-mail.

I'm not sure how well this trade is going to work out for the Giants, but it's definitely an under-the-radar deal that will pay dividends for the Packers, especially given their situation at RB right now. I believe the deal was for a low-round pick and it might be conditional on how much Grant plays. The Giants loved Grant, to tell you the truth. The problem is they were stacked at RB. Brandon Jacobs is their No. 1 and they believe they had a gem of a No. 2 in Derrick Ward. Plus they traded in the offseason for Reuben Droughns, who provided some veteran insurance so they certainly weren't going to give up on him. Barring a series of injuries, Grant was just never going to get an opportunity in New York. So they gave him away.

Anyway, to answer your questions ... The Giants signed Grant as a rookie free agent a few days after the 2005 draft and he was cut at the end of training camp on the day they cut down to the 53-man roster. The next day he was signed to the practice squad where he spent the entire 2005 season. Then, as you know, he hurt his hand which cost him all of '06.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else.

Ralph Vacchiano
New York Daily News<<

[Rastak]

Very nice of the guy to answer your email so completely.

I like to see that.

[falco]

Very nice of the guy to answer your email so completely.

I like to see that.

cliff christl was awesome at replying to readers e-mails. he reponsed to every one of mine thoroughly.

[HarveyWallbangers]

cliff christl was awesome at replying to readers e-mails. he reponsed to every one of mine thoroughly.

Indeed. Almost every time I emailed Uncle Cliffy, I got a response. He even answered my question in a few chats.

[FritzDontBlitz]

I had emailed a sports reporter from the NY Daily News to find out some info on Ryan Grant since he had the nice game vs. Denver and then got the start vs. KC. I asked him if he knew what happened with Grant the year he was signed with the Giants; whether he made the team or not. Here is his informative response.

>>Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Between the London trip and the bye week, I've been a little delinquent in reading my e-mail.

I'm not sure how well this trade is going to work out for the Giants, but it's definitely an under-the-radar deal that will pay dividends for the Packers, especially given their situation at RB right now. I believe the deal was for a low-round pick and it might be conditional on how much Grant plays. The Giants loved Grant, to tell you the truth. The problem is they were stacked at RB. Brandon Jacobs is their No. 1 and they believe they had a gem of a No. 2 in Derrick Ward. Plus they traded in the offseason for Reuben Droughns, who provided some veteran insurance so they certainly weren't going to give up on him. Barring a series of injuries, Grant was just never going to get an opportunity in New York. So they gave him away.

Anyway, to answer your questions ... The Giants signed Grant as a rookie free agent a few days after the 2005 draft and he was cut at the end of training camp on the day they cut down to the 53-man roster. The next day he was signed to the practice squad where he spent the entire 2005 season. Then, as you know, he hurt his hand which cost him all of '06.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything else.

Ralph Vacchiano
New York Daily News<<

If I'm not mistaken, Grant actually sliced his hand open so bad that it cost him the entire rookie season, although I'm not exactly sure how it happened.

Thanks for the research.

By the way, Grant sustained a concussion in the KC game, any word on how he's coming along with that?

Thanks again.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:44 pm Post subject:

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I'm going out on a limb...of the four mentioned I'm gonna say Grant, even though I've never seen him play.

Morency is a good back, but can't stay healthy.

Jackson is next best, but way, way too green.

Wynn has promise but he's got to prove he has heart and the right attitude.

Grant (according to everything I've heard and read) is smart, fast, big and a hardworking, solid character. Plus, if Edgar sees Dorsey in him, that's good enough for me.

I think this proves I was the first to have a good reason to jump on the Grant bandwagon.

Above is posted for Bretsky's benefit. It's a settled question. Esoxx and I not only were the first on the Grant bandwagon. We built the damn thing.

[BlueBrewer]

Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:44 pm Post subject:

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I'm going out on a limb...of the four mentioned I'm gonna say Grant, even though I've never seen him play.

Morency is a good back, but can't stay healthy.

Jackson is next best, but way, way too green.

Wynn has promise but he's got to prove he has heart and the right attitude.

Grant (according to everything I've heard and read) is smart, fast, big and a hardworking, solid character. Plus, if Edgar sees Dorsey in him, that's good enough for me.

I think this proves I was the first to have a good reason to jump on the Grant bandwagon.

Above is posted for Bretsky's benefit. It's a settled question. Esoxx and I not only were the first on the Grant bandwagon. We built the damn thing.

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:44 am Post subject: Ryan Grant

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I know he only had one significant touch in the game but it was a sweet run after catch. I think he needs to be considered for the 3rd down back if he can block that is. That spin move was sweet.


I was also in at the start. Only 4 days behind you.

[SkinBasket]

I masturbated to thoughts of Grant on the evening of September 9th.

[FritzDontBlitz]

Actually, this was the first thread I could find devoted to Ryan Grant, blue:

http://www.packerrats.com/ratchat/viewtopic.php?t=8367&highlight=grant

Its the one you started. I never participated in the trade thread.

I appreciate you guys digging up mine, though: it was fun reading the posts from people who insisted Grant was just a fluke.