Crazy… Like A Fox:
Suddenly it looks like Ted Thompson has some running backs...
By Bruce Smith
Many asked, "Is Ted Thompson crazy going into the '07 season without any talent at running back?" They further questioned his sanity when he and Mike McCarthy stuck with their preseason mantra - "We like our running back corp."
For weeks the hand-wringing over the Packers running game was so extreme that dermatologists needed to work overtime with all the raw hands presenting for treatment. Desperation was leading to calls to sign NFL retreads Cory (I'll wait for the playoffs) Dillion or Ricky (Cheech) Williams to fill the perceived black hole at running back.
After all:
Vernand Morency had never carried the load as a feature back and the questions about his durability seemed prophetic when he went down on the first day of training camp with a serious injury;
Brandon Jackson, was a 21 year old, oft injured, early entry in the draft, who only played three seasons at Nebraska in a tailback rotation;
DeShawn Wynn was seen as an underachieving head case;
And Ryan (who) Grant, a guy who had been hanging out on IR and practice squads with the New York Giants, and who draftniks screamed was a nobody, and that Ted Thompson had gotten his pocket picked when he traded an undisclosed future draft pick for him.
News Update: the competency portion of Thompson's commitment hearing has been canceled, and the Judge is likely to dismiss.
Thrust into the starting lineup 5 weeks ago, Ryan Grant, 6-1 220 lbs, has rattled off three 100 plus yard games. With Kansas City being the only team to hold him down, Ryan followed it with a bounce back monster game against the run stingy Minnesota Vikings. Grant, with 107 carries for 494 yards, a 4.6 yard average and a couple of touchdowns, looks like he has what it takes to be a feature back in the NFL.
Brandon Jackson, 5-10 212 lbs, after a disappointing start has improved to the point that he is stealing 3rd down plays from veteran Vernand Morency. There is every reason to believe that with a year of experience and a full off season of work learning the system and getting stronger that Brandon is going to be significantly better in ’08 and with his good hands may be a great NFL 3rd down back.
As frustrated as fans were with DeShawn Wynn’s bad luck with injuries, the 5-10 232 lb Wynn is cut and flashed something special as a runner when he did play putting up 203 yards on 50 carries for a solid 4.1 average and an impressive 4 TD (one in every 12 carries). With a off-season working with the “Rock” and under the tutelage of Edgar Bennett and he may challenge Grant for significant playing time if he can stay healthy.
Veteran Vernand Morency, 5-10 212 lbs, is suddenly looking like the odd man out. However, his injuries may be taken into consideration when Ted considers what to do with this young man who I believe is slated to be a RFA. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry in ’06, and despite his injury has averaged 4.1 in his limited 17 carries so far in ’07.
None of this is to say that Thompson should get complacent about solidifying the running back positions. It is however, once again proving to many of the GM wannabe’s that Ted just might know what he is taking about when he says, “I like our TE’s… I like our running backs as a group…”
Suddenly it looks like Ted Thompson has some running backs...
By Bruce Smith
Many asked, "Is Ted Thompson crazy going into the '07 season without any talent at running back?" They further questioned his sanity when he and Mike McCarthy stuck with their preseason mantra - "We like our running back corp."
For weeks the hand-wringing over the Packers running game was so extreme that dermatologists needed to work overtime with all the raw hands presenting for treatment. Desperation was leading to calls to sign NFL retreads Cory (I'll wait for the playoffs) Dillion or Ricky (Cheech) Williams to fill the perceived black hole at running back.
After all:
Vernand Morency had never carried the load as a feature back and the questions about his durability seemed prophetic when he went down on the first day of training camp with a serious injury;
Brandon Jackson, was a 21 year old, oft injured, early entry in the draft, who only played three seasons at Nebraska in a tailback rotation;
DeShawn Wynn was seen as an underachieving head case;
And Ryan (who) Grant, a guy who had been hanging out on IR and practice squads with the New York Giants, and who draftniks screamed was a nobody, and that Ted Thompson had gotten his pocket picked when he traded an undisclosed future draft pick for him.
News Update: the competency portion of Thompson's commitment hearing has been canceled, and the Judge is likely to dismiss.
Thrust into the starting lineup 5 weeks ago, Ryan Grant, 6-1 220 lbs, has rattled off three 100 plus yard games. With Kansas City being the only team to hold him down, Ryan followed it with a bounce back monster game against the run stingy Minnesota Vikings. Grant, with 107 carries for 494 yards, a 4.6 yard average and a couple of touchdowns, looks like he has what it takes to be a feature back in the NFL.
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Brandon Jackson, 5-10 212 lbs, after a disappointing start has improved to the point that he is stealing 3rd down plays from veteran Vernand Morency. There is every reason to believe that with a year of experience and a full off season of work learning the system and getting stronger that Brandon is going to be significantly better in ’08 and with his good hands may be a great NFL 3rd down back.
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
As frustrated as fans were with DeShawn Wynn’s bad luck with injuries, the 5-10 232 lb Wynn is cut and flashed something special as a runner when he did play putting up 203 yards on 50 carries for a solid 4.1 average and an impressive 4 TD (one in every 12 carries). With a off-season working with the “Rock” and under the tutelage of Edgar Bennett and he may challenge Grant for significant playing time if he can stay healthy.
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
Veteran Vernand Morency, 5-10 212 lbs, is suddenly looking like the odd man out. However, his injuries may be taken into consideration when Ted considers what to do with this young man who I believe is slated to be a RFA. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry in ’06, and despite his injury has averaged 4.1 in his limited 17 carries so far in ’07.
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
None of this is to say that Thompson should get complacent about solidifying the running back positions. It is however, once again proving to many of the GM wannabe’s that Ted just might know what he is taking about when he says, “I like our TE’s… I like our running backs as a group…”