Will Ryan Grant remain the starter?

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

12 years ago

http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2011/07/11/nfl-lockout-green-bay-packers-ryan-grant/

After missing most of last year with an injury, are you still considered the starter?:

“I would think so. I don’t know. From what I’ve heard, that’s the conversation that was told to me. … I was told that by [former running backs coach Edgar Bennett], initially. Jerry [Fontenot, the new position coach] didn’t tell me that anything changed. Jerry told me that as of right now I’m still the leader of the backfield and the expectations won’t change. … I do believe there will be competition, which is fine. I’m all for that.”

I think it goes without saying there will be a competition, since that's what Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson preach. I also think Ryan Grant has the upper hand on starting because of his age and contract, the Packers would be more wise to wear him out this year, while giving James Starks some reps to see if he's worth starting next season.

I think we've discussed this topic a few times, but felt the article contained some interesting quotes from Ryan Grant himself.

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beast
Select Member

12 years ago

After Ahman Green Mike McCarthy tried RB by committee which it seems a lot in the league have turned to. But Mike McCarthy didn't like it, and changed it back to the feature back role with Grant being that guy once he stepped up.

I'm expecting if everyone is healthy for to start out as a feature back in the preseason, and if Starks practices well, plays well and etc (or if Grant doesn't) that Mike McCarthy will slowly give the RB by committee another shot, with the committee being Grant and Stark... i expect Grant to get more carries

Also Green might be able to compete for the 3rd down role, Grant nor Starks are the best blockers and Green showed some skill for it at the college level, as well as pass catching. I don't think Green has the power that Starks has, but they'll probably have Kuhn in the 3rd down plays as well.

Tezzy
Senior Member

12 years ago

I don't know if leader necessarily equates to the starter. But I still think if healthy as can be and he hasn't lost what he already had, I thnk Grant remains the starter. To the point about being the backfield leader, I think he showed a lot of that last season. I saw him actively engaged with the running backs group on the sideline and one of their loudest cheerleaders. If he loses out to fair competition I think he will be gracious in whatever capacity is asked of him.

The contract/lifespan idea I think holds a lot of water as well and I am sure will be part of the equation.

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Rockmolder
Honored Member

12 years ago

Originally Posted by: beast

There's another reason for this, though... At first, Mike McCarthy was pretty much forced into a RB by committee style. I mean, we had Morency, Wynn, Herron (arguably), Jackson and Grant... And at that time, Grant was way down the depth chart, not seeing any playing time.

The reason he got in was because of both injuries and because of that committee build, which, I believe, was purely to actually find someone who could run the ball decently. Just throw them out there, hoping to find someone who can run it decently.

When we found Grant, that obviously stopped.

And the reason it didn't really come back was the lack of talent behind him, I think.

So really, it's a gamble right now. You have to use Starks in some way, you have to get Grant out there carrying the load and you would like to see something out of Green. With the talent we have now, I do see more of a committee-like build. Something like we had under Sherman, maybe, in, let's say, 2003.

Share about 150 carries between Starks (majority) and Green (Like Davenport and Fisher, respectively) and give the rest to Grant (Green). Maybe get Kuhn some carries, but really, apart from being a fan favorite, he wasn't overly productive last year.

Cheesey
Preferred Member

12 years ago

That's true Rock. There was no real talent behind Grant. Now it seems at least, that there is, with Starks and the new guy, Green. Of course Green is a complete unknown at this time.
Grant is the starter right now, but i don't think it would take much to unseat him, and Starks showed that he CAN play well.

Yerko
Senior Member

12 years ago

He is going to be hungry for that starting spot. I think he has some very strong competition in James Starks, which is going to be great to see. It is tough to tell at the moment, but if I had to decide I would think Grant gets his starting position.

Either way, the running game is going to be that much better with Grant coming back and Starks going on his second year.

DakotaT
Select Member

12 years ago

Obviously Starks is our RB of the future, but with that said, it doesn't make any sense not to use Grant while he is under contract for a reasonable amount. So yes, Grant should be the starter. Plus he and Finley will be playing with enormous chips on their shoulders.

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