B Jackson wants a bigger role?

by TrevorR on Feb 9, 2011 3:00 PM CST

Not really sure how to take this when a player is given almost an entire season to prove he's worth having a bigger role and then repeatedly shows he's really best regulated to the same role he was in before.

I like Brandon Jackson when he's being used right, as a 3rd down back...but I guess most of our suspicions were proven right this year when he underwhelmed as THE MAN for our running game. I really hope we can bring him back but I also hope we don't expand his role...he is what he is. Anyone disagree?

Brandon Jackson, RB GB News: The Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that RB Brandon Jackson, who helped the Packers win Super Bowl XLV, heads into the offseason as a free agent. Jackson didn’t have any idea how things would eventually work out. He said he wants to come back to Green Bay, but he would like a more extensive role in an offense beyond the third-down back and being a pass-blocker. Jackson became the No. 1 back in 2010 when Ryan Grant was injured in the season-opener, but lost the job to rookie James Starks in the final stretch of the season. "That was always No. 1 when I came in — just getting a fair chance, a fair opportunity to help lead this team," Jackson said. I feel like I’m a great leader. But it’s not really up to me. If the Packers want me. They got me. … If it’s here I’m on board. If it’s somewhere else, hey, I’ve got to go take care of my family."
Here is the article: http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110208/PKR01/110208136/Notebook-RB-Jackson-finishes-contract-with-no-regrets

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Earth to Brandon Jackson: You're not #1 RB material.

And if he can’t feed his family with $550,000, then let me introduce you to families that have to settle for $40-50K.

2010 Super Bowl Champions, the Green Bay Packers!
B.J. Raji is My Hero.

by mike_o on Feb 9, 2011 3:10 PM CST reply actions

Like my family.

If Jackson wants a slightly bigger contract and role he will get it from a sucky team, but he will once again prove why he was a backup in the first place.

Rick Ross is an intriguing NFL prospect because of his combination of speed and size. He projects as a Nose Tackle in the 3-4. His upside is the reason the Panthers will select Ross #1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
-Todd McShay

by BlackPack-fan on Feb 9, 2011 8:53 PM CST up reply actions

He's OK but he was in the correct role this postseason.

He had alot of time to prove he’s worthy of a big role, but didn’t show enough. I don’t get why he has a problem with 3rd down back. Plus he got a SB ring.

by BlackPack-fan on Feb 9, 2011 8:56 PM CST up reply actions

hey brandon

you had a fair chance and you blew it…still would love for you to come back tho

by tmoneyttime1 on Feb 9, 2011 4:04 PM CST reply actions

Kinda hard to feel for him when he already had an opportunity.

This is not a guy who showed flashes at times while being a back up like Turner was in San Diego. Here is a player that got a shot due to injury and did not live up to a bigger role guy. If someone else thinks he is worth it then may he be successful, but I don’t think teams will be throwing money at him.

There is nothing wrong with me cheering for players that are former players for my teams. Unless they become a Viking.

by Giant_in_la_area on Feb 9, 2011 4:15 PM CST via mobile reply actions

I read that this morning

The Packers may be willing to check down to him a few more times but I don’t see him carrying the rock anymore except for maybe a few draws

by the yooper on Feb 9, 2011 4:18 PM CST reply actions

I love you B-Jax

there is no shame in being a really good 3rd down back. In our Passing offense he plays a huge role. Our offense may not have made it without his efforts. We absorbed Grant’s loss, losing B-Jax probably would’ve been too costly for our season. I don’t think he’s really complaining that much, every athlete wants more of a role, it’s called ambition, this comment just happened to make it out. He’ll be back cause our offer will easily match anyone elses.

by ericforeman04 on Feb 9, 2011 4:37 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, that's my thinking as well.

I too wish he had a bigger role. One where he is used more to his strengths. I don’t think he’s saying he wants to be the feature runner. I just think he wants to get a few more touches. Which is a nice gesture in return for protecting our QB and could also add another aspect to our offense. At least that’s how I’m choosing to look at it.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

by Omaha Sun on Feb 9, 2011 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

Brandon Jackson is a cheaper and better

version of Reggie Bush.

Even though he isn’t a good rusher, I feel like he is an exceptionally talented receiver out of the back field. He had a few big catching plays this season, especially the one where he juked Urlacher for a first down in the NFC Championship game. I feel like his ability to catch the ball is a very valuable asset, but that’s just me. Plus, he has a lot of character.

by UncleJustice on Feb 9, 2011 4:57 PM CST reply actions

That's It!

We can expand BJax role by putting him in the return game. That will make him just like Bush.

"Believe me Delmar, woman is the most fiendish instrument of torture ever devised to bedevil the days of man."

by Ben T on Feb 9, 2011 5:16 PM CST up reply actions

Good idea

And maybe use him on some RB pass routes or blocking schemes. That may work if he just wants to produce more. If he wants to be the number 1 runner, forget it.

When life gives ya lemons, shut up and eat your damn lemons.

by P-Townfan on Feb 9, 2011 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

I thought about that before

and with all the troubles we’d have with returners, I think they would have given him the shot if he was any good. If memory serves right he had a chance to do something in preseason and didn’t impress. My guess would be that he had trouble either catching the ball or he couldn’t decisively figure out which hole to hit and finding the hole then cutting back was his problem as a #1 RB so I’m guessing that’s the reason

REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.

by uofmike on Feb 9, 2011 8:38 PM CST up reply actions

I think better comparison would be a younger and better version of Kevin Faulk

Bush is a hell of a lot faster and shiftier than B-Jax.

Jackson needs to learn that while every team wants someone like him or Kevin Faulk, no one will be giving him any more than what he’s getting in Green Bay. Especially not after this year.

by Packers3485 on Feb 9, 2011 10:52 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah I am with you. Bush gets a lot of crap but the dude is talented and a HUGE part of what makes that offense over there work. They struggled when he was out of the game. I think people are down on Bush for the same reasons we are down on Hawk…expectations. If Bush was drafted where Jackson was, people would probably love him.

Faulk is probably a much better person to compare him to.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Feb 10, 2011 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

This

Kevin Faulk. Exactly.

…and he’s not going to be a returner. That involves running full-speed into danger. That’s exactly what Jackson doesn’t do. If he could do that, he’d be a good #1 back. He can’t, so he isn’t.

He also had a chance at the #1 right away his rookie season, btw. It’s weird that he’s talking about getting an opportunity. He’s had nothing but opportunities. …and he’s shown what he is. So, …fine.

by Curly Lambeau on Feb 17, 2011 2:13 PM CST up reply actions

I want

the Packers to resign him and even though you can’t make him the #1, you can get him a few more carries than just being a 3rd down back. My idea would be to go back to a variation of the bone formation with BJacks, Starks, and Grant. Can you imagine that 3 headed monster? All 3 have decent enough speed where you can’t let them get to the edge, have a good chance of getting the ball (unlike our kuhn, johnson, and ____ formation) and if you design the right plays, they’d all need to be accounted for in the running and passing game. Throw Finley in as the TE and Jennings at WR, possibly on the same side, you would have probably only one man to beat for the running backs if you send them to the flats.

REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.

by uofmike on Feb 9, 2011 8:35 PM CST reply actions

Something I said in a different post, but probably more appropriate here

At this point I’m thinking keep Starks, Grant, and Jackson. That sounds great….but I also worry about getting old at the RB position. Let’s face facts about this position in our offense….it’s really not important. It is, but it isn’t.

So with that in mind, keeping young is almost as critical as staying talented. Keeping fresh legs and fresh meat for the grinder is something that the Packers should try to do, and holding on to these guys seems to walk down the path towards getting old there. This would mean cutting one of them. Let’s be honest, that’s probably Jackson due to contract and talent. But Jackson’s role is probably more important than Starks or Grants really since he’s the one keeping Rodgers clean and catching swing passes.

As this thought goes round and round in my mind I get dizzy and my head hurts. Then I shrug my shoulders and just figure TT will work it all out.

by PackApologist on Feb 9, 2011 8:59 PM CST reply actions

How fun of a job must it be to be TT…just spending your day thinking about football and getting paid for it!

YOu are right, we have to keep ourselves young at RB. I think the 3DB type of role has a little longer shelf life though cause those guys don’t have as much wear on them as the featured back. I would worrk about Grant getting old well before BJax.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Feb 10, 2011 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

Like others have said, he had a chance as the featured guy and all he did was show what a below average runner he is. He’s a third down back, and a great one at that. He needs to realize that.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Feb 9, 2011 9:33 PM CST reply actions

Yup…exactly. The guy has had two chances to grab that job and hasn’t done it. He’s had his chances, its time to embrace what you are and be thankful you are a pro!

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Feb 10, 2011 10:05 AM CST up reply actions

Brandon Jackson should just be happy he has a ring!

by Sproo44 on Feb 10, 2011 8:41 AM CST reply actions

Maybe he just wants the Packers to get more third downs

To be serious: I don’t need to see Jackson getting more carries but I would like to see more screens and passes to him in the flat.

And I think the Kevin Faulk comparison is very good, but doesn’t Faulk sometimes return kicks as well?

53 Bears, 1 Cup

by I voted for Kodos on Feb 10, 2011 12:56 PM CST reply actions

Have we ever tried Jackson in a return role? I can’t remember him doing it but maybe in his rookie year??

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Feb 10, 2011 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I remember it a couple of times

It wasn’t anything special.

13.

by Wiedmann on Feb 10, 2011 4:18 PM CST up reply actions

B-Jax was on a local radio show here in Nebraska today,

and didn’t mention anything about a bigger role. He did mention it being tough to deal with the inconsistent touches but acknowledged that it was part of his job and dealing with that made him a stronger person and player. He did talk about doing what’s best for his family, but right now has every intention of staying in GB. He actually said he got a little emotional driving past the stadium and seeing the G. Unless someone really overpays him, I don’t see any way he leaves.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

And go Shawn Watson and Barney Cotton! Seriously, leave Lincoln. Now.

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

by Omaha Sun on Feb 11, 2011 12:05 AM CST reply actions

Yeah…I would imagine the only way he goes is if someone throws a LOT of money at him. There isn’t another team he could go to that would give him a better chance of success.

I wonder if a team like New England would look at someone like him to fill the Kevin Faulk role on their team. I guess they have that kid they took from the Jets now though so probably not.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Feb 11, 2011 1:16 PM CST up reply actions