Burnett's a rookie this year and he wound up starting. Matthews and Raji played significant time in their rookie years. Neal would be getting a lot of snaps if he weren't injured. Brad Jones was a rookie last year and stepped up. Ryan Grant was a UDFA that we traded for--basically a rookie. Samkon Gado was in essence a rookie. And that's just on the Packers.
I don't know where you get this idea that rookie's can't contribute but it's mind boggling. I understand Starks may be a different story because he hasn't played in over a year but it doesn't mean he has nothing to bring to the offense. I know that some people would rather not get their hopes up but why not? Why draft a guy if you don't expect him to play or contribute?
"djcubez" wrote:
You're misreading what I wrote, dj. I did not say he cannot contribute simply because he is a rookie, but rather than Bigby and Harris (who are vets) Starks is coming into a whole different league. He has to get familiar with not just the plays, but get down the audible calls (including pass-pro) that Rodgers makes. He has to get adjusted to a whole new level of speed and power, because the NFL has the best of the best players. In other words, he is a rookie who has been injured for all of training camp and the first six weeks of the season. He is going to be playing with the big boys.... and it's a challenge when you are facing competition at a higher level than what you are used to given that he has not even practiced once in the NFL yet.
Then there is his injury. Let's put it this way: this man has gone 18 months without even participating in a football practice. Not just games, but actual practice... we're not talking about a week or two, but 18 months. That's a longer absence than players who tear their ACLs go through. Burnett, Gado, Sam Shields, Clay, Brad Jones, etc. have never had to go through that. Starks has to not just get adjusted to a whole higher level of competition, but he has to get back in a rhythm of carrying the ball, keeping his pads low, learning to deal with taking hits, learning to change direction in less than a moment's notice... all these things are going to take time when you have not consistently been doing them for 18 months.
I am not saying Starks will not contribute at all. I'm saying that if anyone thinks he is going to do for us soon what Grant did for us in the 2007 season, they have to adjust expectations. Perhaps Starks can give us a boost in the last month of the season, but he will need time to get up to playing speed.
I would welcome Starks because he has one thing all our RBs lack: relatively good speed at the RB position. We desperately need that. But to think our RB problems are okay simply because Starks is practicing again and eligible to come off the PUP is wrong.
Like warhawk said, if Starks is good it will not take long to show. I really hope he shows something, because this team can use every bit of help it can get, especially on offense.
The NFL: Where Greg Jennings Happens.