Packers Reportedly Set To Sign RB Dimitri Nance
By Brian Carriveau on Sep 14, 2010 with 86 Comments
According to Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette via Twitter:
Two sources have told me the #Packers plan to sign RB Dimitri Nance, a rookie who has been on the #Falcons practice squad.
Nance would presumably take the spot of running back Ryan Grant who will reportedly be placed on injured reserve.
The rookie running back is a product of Arizona State University who led the Sun Devils in rushing each of the past two seasons.
He finished the preseason with 21 carries for 51 for Atlanta, good for a 2.4-yard average with 2 touchdowns and 1 fumble. He also added 7 catches for 22 yards.
Below is video of Nance in action at Arizona State beginning at about the 40 second mark...
Filed Under: Packers News
So we’re signing the slowest RB of all time, is that correct?
I assume your referring to Nance’s listed 40 time of 4.6 seconds.
Matt Forte ran a 4.59, Dexter McCluster ran a 4.58. I’d bet everyone here would love to have one of those guys right now. How many 40 yard runs do we think he’ll have? I’d much more interested in his 20-yard shuttle.
No. Refering to the play were he looked like an OG running with the ball. 0:44
I’ve never seen an OG change directions like that.
Then you didn’t see Colledge when Bulaga came to training camp.
“he’s sudden and slippery in tight areas…”
I like him already.
We don’t need another rookie/practice squad guy… we have one. Hope this report is false. Not sure how this guy will contribute?
Samkon Gado version 2.0
Samkon Gado V.1 is available.
Hell let’s just stock pile Samkon Gado versions.
Ted Thompson’s answer to everything…. the scrap heap.
and it works a lot more than it fails…ted thompson is a genius…if he thinks something will work, i’m gonna trust him
Not impressed – keep looking!
I love how the video clip shows him with an okay run, then getting hurt. Yep, just what this team needs.
Isnt there a guy on our practice squad, James Johnson, that we could replace Grant with? He’s not a rookie and has little experience but its a rookie who didnt have that great of a preseason…interesting, but last time we grabbed a guy off another’s practice squad that was a RB was the guy Nance will replace…hope he is as good as Grant
[...] folks over at Cheesehead TV have more on the story and some video of [...]
This move fits right into Thompson’s MO. I hope Jackson can really take advantage of his opportunity, this is what he’s been waiting 4 years for.
Next man up! Strap on your helmet Brandon! It’s show time!
And he gets hurt on the play.
Sounds like the Falcons scrammbled to retain him, obviously the Packers had previously scouted him considering how rapid the transaction was.
This is where my head spins and, regardless of the Packers organization being right or wrong on how they scouted this kid, gives you an appreciation for what the scouting department does. 24/7 operation watching film of every franchise pre-season along with some level of contingency planning.
Do these guys sleep?
No i don’t think they do, and that’s why i trust them, cause whether or not they hit or miss with a signing, that’s their job year round and have such a huge “feel” for what guys are out there and fit the organization.
In this day and age, everyone is a freaking manager cause of the internet… fantasy football, mock drafts, trade talk you name it, yet everybody pretty much has a very UNRELATED job to what most of these guys in the scouting department do, just my 2.5 cents.
They know what they are doing… more than the posters on this site! LOL
The Pack RB is needed in Nov/Dec. That is when Grant got most of his yards (my perception). Let the passing game have fun now, then have the running game ready for later.
That said, I said “who??”
Take a look at these FA and we pick up this guy really TT
Samkon Gado
TJ Ducktt
Najeh Davenport
Adrian Peterson
Shun Alexander
Shaun Alexander!
“Shun” Alexander. Yes…yes we did. I hear Jim Taylor is available too. Really?
“Shun” did have 11 carries back in 2008. So he should be well rested.
yea bit of a reach oh well
I don’t want any of those guys.
If it was 2005, then, yes, sign me up.
Wow…all 5 of those guys have been out of football for a long minute, for a good reason. AP2 is the only guy somewhat viable.
The Pack would be smart to go try and get Choice or Lynch…maybe even Fred Jackson. Imagine how nasty Thomas Jones would look in Green and Yellow…but they slept on an RB all off season.
James Starks can PLAY, but never be healthy.
Dimitri Nance has great quickness for a big guy and is a decisive, 1 cut runner…perfect for the Pakcer’s running scheme. Would NOT be surprised to see Nance take early downs, with Jackson continuing the 3rd down role.
On a lighter note, Matt Stafford will win a Super Bowl in Detroit, and Jahvid Best is the absolute TRUTH
Do the Falcons still run the zone blocking scheme like we do? Hopefully…then at least that will be familiar.
Yep, they still use zone concepts. Most teams use some of both; zone and power. It’s just that because they tend to use one more than the other, they get labeled one or the other.
NONE of you guys knew the who the hell Ryan Grant was when TT made his trade for him. Now suddenly you think he’s just picking a guy “off the scrap heap” because you know nothing about him! It’s laughable.
People…pay attention. This team is excellent in large part because the talent evaluation is top notch.
I think I’ll put my trust in TT and our scouting staff.
Good point …… Knee-jerk reactions from most but …… Why is this guy on a PS & available?
The Falcons didn’t want him to go. Tried to keep him, so there must be something there they see.
Maybe because he is raw and has potential? I thought the whole point of a PS was to keep guys around who maybe a year or 2 removed from being a solid player without counting toward a roster spot. Maybe I am wrong, but thats how I view the PS.
No doubt. Its amazing some of the moves that TT has made and people still bash him every chance they get. He has managed to build a young team that can compete while building, how many other teams can say that? Sure he makes mistakes, hes human, its unfair to expect him to be perfect. However he has proven so far he knows what hes doing, he knows what fits this team.
I have no clue who this guy is, but we will see. So I have faith and I will see how this works out.
But why would the Packers choose to pick up someone that I haven’t heard of over someone that I have heard of who is still available? It just doesn’t make any sense!
No offense, but maybe because they know more than you? Seriously it amazes me how fans, people who watch the sport for fun, think they know more than the people who get paid to think about footbal 24/7. There is a reason they have scouts and other people whose sole jobs is to look for talent everywhere.
Also think about, if they are so well known and good why are they out of a job? Why are there unproven rookies out there who got roster spots over the “proven names?”
Sorry, I thought the sarcasm was obvious…
Eh it loses something in text. Also I think all the negativity from fans and radio people and journalists is getting to me. I think I was better off just watching the games and ignoring all the other stuff.
As soon as I wrote that, I regretted it a little, because I actually am a big fan of Ted. However, I also knew without a doubt that when Harrell and Grant were done, we’d be signing guys off practice squads or the street. I just think, for once, it might be worth a try to talk to a team like Dallas, who is desperate for O line help, about one of their THREE running backs, all of whom are better than ours. Sorry for the rant.
PLEASE tell me he’s a guy who can be effective on screens.
Nance – 5′ 10″ …..218#… From ASU website….
“Tough inside runner who led the Sun Devils in rushing each of his last two seasons…straight-ahead, compact rusher who rarely is tackled for loss and is ideal for short-yardage and goal-line situations…played in 45 games during his ASU career, making 18 starts over his four-year career…totaled 1,934 rushing yards on 482 carries (4.0 avg.) and 19 touchdowns…became a bigger factor in the passing game over the course of his career, as he finished with 63 career receptions for 463 yards (7.3 avg.) and one touchdown. “
Sounds like primarily an up the guy short yardage guy. Sounds like Grant. LOL. Nice to hear he can apparently catch the ball though. Hope he can make someone miss and get upfield on that 4.6 speed.
Wow…sounds like a one cut, zone guy that can catch the ball. Imagine that!
Willie Parker is a FA I think he would be a good backup to Jackson
Fast Willie just is not fast anymore, so he is just Willie these days.
Don’t get me wrong I’m more than willing to give him a shot, I’m just surprised we didn’t promote our existing PS guy.
B-Jacks our man though. I think he’ll surprise a few as he look good against the Eagles.
Whos to say that if given the opportunity GB wouldnt have signed him to our PS? I dunno how it all works but I dont imagine players go to a different team to land on their PS if the team they already were with is giving them a PS slot.
This clips a little better.
http://www.veoh.com/browse/vid.....07hq8fq9cc
The new business plan in the NFL. Find good athletes through superior talent evaluation, coach them up to create value, don’t reach and overpay high price cast off players other teams don’t want, resign your own players because the already know the system, take the “next man up” philosophy and advance from within.
Green Bay, Indy, the Pats…the good teams follow this approach.
Steelers too!
As a former season ticket holder and alum of ASU, I watch a lot of Sun Devil football. And I can tell you that Nance is- ok. Really, it was hard to gauge exactly how good he was with thye Devils because they really have had just about the worst offensive line in FBS over the past few seasons. Just abomidable. That he was able to gain 800 yards last season behind that slag heap of a line says something on his behalf.
Matt Forte ran a 4.59 speed, Dexter McCluster ran a 4.58; I’d bet everyone here would love to have one of those guys right now.
The 40 can be very deceiving. I’d much more interested in his 20-yard shuttle.
Good call Jeremy. 40 times are highly overrated. I was watching Jimmy Leonhard last night thinking that very thing. Some guys are just good football players…period.
[...] purpose. John Kuhn will continue to ram it down the other team's throat on the fullback dive and newly signed Dimitri Nance will no doubt enter into the equation at some point as [...]
Oh, DMITRI Nance…of the Falcons. I thought we signed Larry Nance from the Phoenix Suns. My bad.
Thank God. I though they said Jim Nance of CBS Sports
Seriously, Dimitri Nance?
Agreed. Have faith in TT and MM. But…will we be the last team in the NFL to have a scat back?
Oh and this just in…as of 3:52 cst…Greg Jennings TD catch officially has had it’s process completed. Nice TD, GJ.
LOL nice. As my friend noted what did Calvin Johnson have to do? Do a TD dance, post game handshakes, shower, and postgame interview before its ruled a catch. Dont care what the experts say, he dropped the ball while he was picking himself up, not falling.
No one is asking the guy to start, just to fill in the depth chart.
Idiot Fan says:
September 14, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Sorry, I thought the sarcasm was obvious…
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Yep. Your user name was advertising in bright neon lights, and your sarcasm made me chuckle.
Was that Nance pass-blocking on the TD throw in your clip Aaron? If so, that was very well done. Leveled the rusher.
Ted Thompson has been good this year with Zombo, and McDonald to fill up depth. So I will surely give Dimitri a chance. Teddy knows what he is doing, and the Falcon tried to keep Dimitri from going to Lambeau. But honestly, if the team predicted by most to go to the superbowl and the star rb gets hurt and they come to you offering the #2 RB Job not to mention a potential KR & PR duty. Would you say no and stay on the Falcon PS Squad?
Why is it that he get’s Grant’s spot on the 53 automatically? Wouldn’t James Johnson have a better chance at making the 53 than Nance? Otherwise, why didn’t we try signing Nance to the PS instead of Johnson?
Nance was already in the Falcon’s system. Why would he want to pack up his bags and move to GB for a lousy PS slot if Atlanta was offering the same thing?
Now the Pack is offering a 53-man slot, so obviously Nance is jumping at that opportunity.
I notice a lot of fans seem to think that TT could operate with impunity if he so chose. It takes two to agree to a free agent contract and it also takes two to agree to a trade. Sure, you can overpay in each case if you really want someone. When has that ever worked out for anyone?
Its my understanding that in order to claim a player from another team’s PS you must put them on your 53.
Bank on it that Ted is on the phone every day looking to improve our team and he always has his poker face on. I like this signing better on the basis of potential alone than bringing back a Gado or a slow and old Parker, Alexander or even the mad crapper…Davenport. All of these guys will never improve, Nance has the chance to, and it’s only week 2, there will be more roster movement to come.
Instead of looking at one of the Three running backs in Dallas and helping there O-Line. Ted knows it’s best to let the turnsile continue on Romo and not improve an NFC opponent. I would bet he has inquiried w/ Buffalo about Marshawn Lynch.
TT believes Nance is better than Johnson, that’s why he’s on the 53
Not neccessarily true ….. By putting Nance on the 53, GB has at least access to both Johnson & Nance …… If TT had just promoted J. Johnson, GB would not have even signed Nance ….. There’s only one 53 man roster spot open.
How long will this guy hold a roster spot if Starks ever get’s healthy?
Depends on how good he plays I bet.
Why not DeDe Dorsey? He is available and can return punts also.
I have a buddy who is a big Lions fan that said we should sign this guy, too.
I am sorry to say that but I have got the feeling that James Stark is a typical “Justin Harrell” player… Potential shadowed by a bad health.
Personally, I do not think he will contribute this season…
As to Dimitri Nance, it is an intriguing move. He is described as a 3rd down back, almost a fullback actually. But I think that Kuhn could do this job as well (we already have 3 pretty heavy RB/FB). I thought we needed a speedy back very lighter on his feet more like Parker…
Ya fans keep saying that yet the Packers keep avoiding those backs. Maybe because their run game is predicated on one cut and go they dont want some one dancing in the backfield. Also the more dancing the more likely you are to fumble. When all your asked to do is make 1 cut and run its much easier to keep your mind onto protecting the ball. Dont think its much of a coincidence that Ryan Grant does not fumble much.
I agree. Watching BJax running into blockers and not having a second gear to get past the second line of defense gets old. I hope he proves me wrong, but there is a reason why TT was looking at Jahvid Best in the draft and hopefully will gain a game changer next year. But this guy doesn’t excite me. Lonyae Miller for instance is on Dallas’ PS or trade for Laurence Maroney (too late, but for basically nothing), Tashard Choice, or Steve Slaton to name a few. The fact we are so close to a championship yet we keep holding draft picks to keep getting younger while half of them don’t even pan out Brohm, Lee, Harrell, Hawk, why not trade for at least some players that have shown some flashes is beyond me. Go Pack, Go TT, I am putting my faith in you bro.
Choice from Dallas could be had for cheap after his blunder on Sunday Night Football. 4 sec left in half and fumbles that get return for TD. I don’t know about you I don’t wont some that has a fumbling problem right now.
they should have had a try out for a bunch of backs that got cut. Javarris james had good pre-season for colts he got cut cause they have 5 backs im sure there was others as well what was the rush
I believe it will be good choice for Dimitri Nance
I have faith in Teddy on this one.
Why pluck some washed up guy off the street for a veteran’s salary when you can get a young buck with potential to be coached from scratch instead.
Runningbacks don’t typically age very well.
It doesn’t matter my gut tells me that TT will call up Green from the UFL and give him a job!!! Not that I like it just a guy feeling…
I do remember the Cowboys having a similar problem finding a QB while Bill Parcels was coach. During a press conference after taking questions similar to the frustrations and criticisms in this blog, he blurted out, “What do you think, we can dial 1-800-get a QB’
Its not that simple, there are 31 other teams, named talent that can rush for 1200 yards are not sitting at home.
An unknown with potential IMO is a good move, better than to bring back a guy like Shawn Alexander.