Ahman Green and our running back situation
by packallday555 on Oct 19, 2009 7:45 PM CDT
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PrintI was just watching Monday Night Countdown and Adam Schefter reported that the Packers had former Packer running back Ahman Green in for a workout. Of course I know this doesn't mean we're going to sign him but it did make me think a bit about it.
I'm not really sure what to think about it. At this point he is 32, and has been out of football since mid last season. I'm skeptical as too how much he has left in those legs but who knows. But I also think this could be a good fit. He is familiar with the blocking schemes, and definitely has better vision then Grant.
Now while our o-line has been horrendous pass blocking, they have been about average against the run. By no means are they dominating opppsing d-lines but they do open up some holes for us here and there. The only problem is Grant never seems to see these holes.
We have brought a few running backs into workout these past few weeks, and that tells me that MM and TT see a problem with our situation at running back as well. A lot of people, inculding myself, have said we are one big player away from getting to the next level. So the question that arises for me is why don't we trade for a proven running back?
Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, and Steven Jackson are some guys that come to mind and are in situations where a trade could happen. If you look at our team, the only position we really need at this point are some o-lineman. Though I desperately think we need our 1st round pick next year (to use on an T), I think there is a way we could put together a good package for one of these guys. Both teams are lacking at the LB position, so why not give up Hawk, maybe a 2nd and 4th rounder in the 2010 draft, and then a 1st round pick in the 2011 draft?
Imagine what having one of those guys could do for our team. We have been lacking a run game since the beginning of the 08' season, and it has showed. If we could got one of these guys our run game would likely open up, and help out our passing game. And it could really help our protection problems. Right now teams know we are likely going to pass. If we had one of the Jackson's or Lynch in the backfield defenses would have to respect that, and wouldn't be able to just pin their ears back.
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Ahman Green does nothing for us
1. Half of Grant’s running problems are a result of our offensive line
2. Grant was injury prone and fumble prone in his prime. Do you really think anything has changed in 2-3 years?
The three RBs you listed would be nice- if there were gaps for them to run through. I don’t really think Grant is that bad, but any skill he has is lost when there isn’t much for him to run through on most plays.
Grant
I guess I really don’t have much hope left for him. He just doesn’t have the vision or burst to play in our run blocking scheme. I disagree about their not being holes for Grant to run through though. There were so many times that Grant had holes against the Vikes and just didn’t run through them.
Another big thing for our running back situation is being able to catch passes out of the backfield. Grant doesn’t do this very well and even when he does catch passes he can’t do anything with them after. It would be great to have a running back to be able to check down too and him have be able to make something happen after the catch.
Again I recognize that a trade is very unlikely but I don’t think Grant is our running back of the future. He was great in 07’ but has really dropped off from there. Yes, the o-line is bad but Grant really has been average. He rarely makes the first guy miss and he almost never falls forward. He also appears to have very little lower body strength.
by packallday555 on Oct 19, 2009 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree
Grant is not a superstar and will never be one. But even an average RB can do well if they get an O-Line that’s doing its job (see the Broncos, think it’s a coincidence that they had so many rushers that excelled this decade?). I haven’t seen the holes you’re speaking of, but I’m sure there have been ones that I’ve missed.
But definitely agree on the catching passes part. And Grant should not be our RB of the future. Second or third on the depth charts, sure. But after getting some O-Line players next year, I would be very happy if we used a third or fourth draft pick to either get someone from a smaller school, or use a combo of picks to trade for a * Jackson.
sutton
we should of kept sutton he was leading rusher in preseason and he is shifty type of back him and grant splitting carries would of been nice mix they should of never released him!!!
We went 3-1 and fell to a team that is now 0-6 in the preseason
Rodgers was never touched in the preseason if memory serves correct. What part of the preseason has translated into the regular season besides defensive turnovers?
Gado & Green struggled to adapt to the zone blocking scheme
that is why we traded Gado and didn’t resign Green.
Amazing that the Rams have kept so many guys who we should've..
Ruvell Martin, Anthony Smith… I don’t know about Gado, though!
how can you run the ball when you can't block
with our o line as bad as it is, I owuld be suprised if W. Payton could average 2 yards a carry. Grant is fine. give him a o-line like Balt and he would be near the top of the league in rushing
grant was a 1300 yard rusher last year, and hasn't looked bad this year
there is no blocking in front of him, you can argue the vikings game, but everoyne has an off day. Even against the lions we couldn’t get him a single block until big Q came in in the 4th and started blowing people up. Lo and behold grant was able to snap off a few bigger runs.
He’s a decently fast RB, he cuts well, and if there’s a hole to find, he usually finds it. Jackson wouldn’t be as great an improvement as you think. Though I have to admit the upgrade in size and strength would produce better short yardage results.
The time for reckoning has come, and we already have the answer
Fair enough
I know our o-line doesn’t always do a great job for him but when they do actually open up holes for him and he doesn’t find them I get ticked off.
As far as his physical ability goes I’m kind of torn as to what I think. He showed all the ability in 07’ as far as the ability to make quick cuts goes, and decent breakaway speed, but I haven’t seen either of those since then. He had 1, 200 rushing yards last year not 1, 300 and only averaged 3.9 ypc. Which really is just average.
And yes Steven Jackson would be a HUGE upgrade over Grant. Jackson is averaging 83 yards rushing a game for the RAMS, who have a horrible o-line and no passing game. Grant is averaging 69 yards a game for a team who has average run blocking and a good passing game.
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