April
Is Ryan Grant About to Leave the Packers?
Could Ryan Grant find a new team before the NFL Draft?
There was a time not too long ago that running back Ryan Grant appeared to be the future at running back for the Green Bay Packers. Thanks to back-to-back 1,200-yard rushing seasons in 2008 and 2009, Grant looked ready to solidify himself as one of the better backs in the league.
Unfortunately, misfortune struck Grant as he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 1 after just eight carries. While the Packers struggled mightily to find a consistent ground game in Grant’s absence during the 2010 season, the emergence of James Starks during the playoffs was the beginning of the end to Grant’s career in Green Bay.
While he played well last season in his final contract year for the Packers, it was practically guaranteed that Grant wouldn’t be coming back for the 2012 season.
Now, thanks to a report from Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press Gazette, it appears as if teams are stepping forward for Grant’s services, and none of those teams appear to be the Green Bay Packers.
What does this exactly mean for Green Bay?
Well, it’s not a secret that the Packers are a pass-first team. However, a good portion of their success on offense comes from the ability to move the ball on the ground. With Starks, Alex Green and Brandon Saine as the only running backs on the roster, Grant could initially be missed if he doesn’t return to Green Bay.
While Starks, Green and Saine are certainly talented, they lack the experience that Grant brings to the field. Don’t be surprised if the Packers’ offense struggles for a game or two without Grant on the roster, should that be the case.
Another aspect that Grant’s possible departure brings up is how the Packers will address the 2012 draft. If a deal is indeed done before April 26th, then Green Bay could very well look to use an early round pick on a running back to become their premier back.
It’s possible that if a prospect like Doug Martin of Boise State or Lamar Miller of Miami drops to the 28th pick of the draft, the Packers could pull the trigger to improve their offense. Of course, that would only happen if there isn’t a pass-rusher worth a first-round pick available to them.
Should Grant leave, I’m sure that the fans in Green Bay will have no hard feelings. That is, of course, unless he goes to the Minnesota Vikings like some other back-stabber.
If that happens, all bets are off.
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seems like Brandodn Saine was better than advertised, fast, physical, blocks, catches the ball, special teams too, much cheaper than Grant too…go with the young guys..
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Going forward, the Packers are not going to spend much money on a running back so Starks, Green and Saine will suffice. I can see them using a fourth round pick to add depth but the writer is on drugs if he thinks a first round pick will go into a running back.
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Do not be surprised if the Packers trade up ahead of New England in round one if they realy like Mc Clellin. With needs at OLB, DE, DT, and FS, I see no rb drafted in the first 4 rounds.
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I expect a lot from Green. He has the skills, just needs the exposure. He can run like a truck, improvise, and has quickness. Add to that good hands, reliable blocking and Hirsch-esque moves and you’ve got a key element in the backfield. With the slugging running of Starks, they could form a great tandem. Let’s fix what really needs fixing — the defense.
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A running back in the 1st round? You’ve got to be kidding me. Right? Unless talks are underway already, the possibility of Grant signing elsewhere before the draft is zero. Any team that is interested will just wait to see what GB does with him.
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What kind of production is GB expecting out of Kuhn this year? Isn’t he due $2.4 million this year too? That seems pretty high–even though I like the guy, I couldn’t imagine his production would be too hard to replace.
How about Bradie Ewing from the Badgers as an UFA or late-round pick?
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Bradie is Kuhn, only a better pass catcher.
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Seems a helluva lot more cost-effective. Also, Bradie is a special teams ace. That extra $2 million could easily go towards extending guys like Rodgers, Lang, Jennings, Matthews and Raji.
This is also why I don’t see how GB can really keep DD and Clifton (Hawk?).
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Nitpicking for the purpose of being a dick, Grant has already left the Packers.
To the question whether he comes back or not, I go back to what I perceive is TT’s MO: better get rid of a player 1 year too early than 1 year too late. It might come back to bite him in the ass, if Starks is injuried again and the other 2 can’t produce. But he seems willing to take that chance.
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When has Doug Martin and Lamar Miller been rated so high in the 1st rd that they can fall to 28th?
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This all sounds very fishy to me; why would any team not be interested in Grant for over a month and then suddenly be interested a week before the draft? At this point in the offseason, all the leverage is with the teams since they have the option of using the draft to fill gaps in their roster. When thinking about it that way, why would any team be interested in a 30 year old running back when you could get a 22 year old in a position with a history of players starting right from the get go at a fraction of the cost? I’m almost positive that Grant wants his agent to get him signed before the draft and now his agent is trying to make some headlines for his client to get him back into the mix.
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Right on Thomas. Demovsky just borrowed some of McGinn’s “fairygod scouts.”
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The reports that other teams are interested actually came from Grant’s AGENT… so, um, you know, it’s totally reliable.
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Unless Trent Richardson falls around 24 spots, there’s no chance the Pack take a RB in the first.
Regarding Grant, I liked him more than the majority of GB fans. I think Grant has a few more good years in him and he is a positive, intelligent locker room presence. I would have been fine if he came back. Until Green can show me he’s over the ACL tear(and as an RB, are you ever over it?), I’ll take a wait-and-see approach.
But still, in GB’s offense(and probably most NFL teams offenses) the RB position is a complimentary side-dish to the main course, which is the passing dynamic. And that ain’t gonna change anytime soon. It would be nice to have a strong running game, but as long as they block well for ARod or other RB’s, catch the ball out of the back-field or hit on those once in awhile critical short yardage running plays, they’re mostly a decoy for the air show.
So plug in Starks, Green, Saine or whomever, I’m not really worried about the running game that much.
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I think that’s going a bit too far. I remember quite vividly how painful GB’s rushing attack was to watch when they were trotting out the two-headed “monster” of Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn for most of the season two years ago.
Of course, they went on to win the SB but still . . .
I’m not advocating spending a high draft pick on a RB, especially given how many voids GB has to fill, but drafting a quality back in the 4th round or so makes a lot of sense to me. There should be good value to be had in the mid rounds at rb, and if not, it’s pretty easy to move on and roll with what they have–assuming Green is healthy and Saine can contribute.
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Will be the 3rd year in a row that GB drafts a RB if this happens. Don’t know if that’s plausible. Not with their type of offense.
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Why not? Starks has shown what he has as a servicable back, Saine has shown some ability but not lots of explosion and Greene is coming off an ACL tear. It is the one skill position on offense that could obviously be upgraded and there is generally good value outside of the first round at the position.
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Yeah, with 12 picks it could happen. But it’s not a need by any means. OLB, DE (possibly 2), CB, S, C, QB, all come in before.
Plus, I believe MM is set on using Starks, Green and Saine. Plus Kuhn. Don’t remember the last time the Packers went with 4 RBs on their roster.
But, with so many picks, you’re right, a late rounder on a guy they think has value, it could happen.
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I understand what you’re saying,but it still makes me nervous that we cannot run the ball consistently. It’s all about balance. An improved run game would slow down pass rush( protect Rogers),keep D off the field, and is conducive to playing in Green Bay conditions. I guess most of us older fans still love the run.
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I work for an organization that provides information to members on various topics. If we send a link to copyrighted web content (such as a page on the IBM web site) are we infringing on that content’s copyright? I’m pretty certain we aren’t if you can point me towards relevant legal precedents, etc. that would be great.. Keep in mind that I’m already pretty certain that we can freely use the URLs. What I really need is legal documentation of that fact, to make our corporate attorney happy. Thanks!.
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Get an attorney.
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