Lions Have an Offer on the Table for Grant
Free-agent running back Ryan Grant reportedly has a contract offer from the Detroit Lions.
By Zach Kruse
After visiting the New England Patriots less than two weeks ago, free-agent running back Ryan Grant is believed to be mulling an offer from the Detroit Lions.
According to Jason Wilde of ESPN Milwaukee, Grant is considering a contract offer from the Packers NFC North rivals.
Grant, who visited the New England Patriots on April 20 and is thought to have received an offer from them, is now considering an offer from the Packers’ NFC North division rival Detroit Lions, agent Alan Herman said Thursday.
The information comes from agent Alan Herman, so it's possible that Grant's representation is continuing to stir up interest from Green Bay (or other teams) in the 29-year-old running back.
If Herman is to be believed, however, the Packers may have to make a decision soon on whether or not they want Grant back in Green Bay for 2012.
While its unlikely that either the offer fron Detroit or the probable offer from New England contains guaranteed money or a sure-fire roster spot, Grant is likely growing tired of the Packers reluctance to approach him about a potential re-signing.
The Lions could make sense for Grant, given the concussion issues Jahvid Best has suffered through in his short NFL career and the drug arrest of Mikel LeShoure last month. There are carries to be had in the Detroit offense.
However, the Packers shied away from drafting a back in last week's NFL draft, so there's a chance Grant could be wanted back next season in the same complementary role as he saw in 2011. James Starks has his own reliability issues and Alex Green is returning from a torn ACL last season. Undrafted free agents Marc Tyler (USC) and Duane Bennett (Minnesota) will be given a chance to win a roster spot.
While I'm wary of any information coming from an agent, it's likely that we'll know the 2012 fate of Grant sooner rather than later.
UPDATE: Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Grant will make a visit to Detroit Monday to meet with coaches and personnel.
Comments (13)
May 03, 2012 at 06:15 pm
I guess the Packers have concerns about Grant's durability. It's not a position of emphasis and they'll go with what they've got and maybe find undrafted talent they can develop.
May 03, 2012 at 07:58 pm
I think the Packers are absolutely comfortable with Green, Starks, and the other guys we have in the backfield. It's not like we need a workhorse RB anymore, we just need a guy to churn out production anytime he gets the ball so it takes some of the pressure off the WRs and Rodgers.
Grant was a great RB for us for a very short time, but his time is done in Green Bay.
Good luck, except when you face us.
May 03, 2012 at 10:21 pm
If Green is going to be ready come camp, I feel good with the backs and depth we have. I think Starks will shine if the F.O. tells him he's their #1. In this offense, I think Alex and Brandon are perfect backups. Green could be a great third down back, and when fully healthy, could challenge Starks to start imo.
GBP 4 LIFE
May 03, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Will Brandon Saine be available? De we expect him to get a good look this year? Good out of the backfield right?
May 04, 2012 at 09:13 am
This makes sense for the Lions.
But I just can't get over the notion that the Detroit Lions are actually making intelligent personnel decisions.
May 04, 2012 at 12:37 pm
i still dont understand why we didnt draft an RB in even the 7th rd. I mean Tyler might be ok as a FA, but coulda snagged Polk late and didnt?? Who cares if he gets hurt if u get him that cheap?
May 06, 2012 at 05:09 am
Nobody drafted Polk and GB likely could have had him as a FA if they wanted, which would be even cheaper than spending a draft pick. There's a reason no one drafted him, likely due to his (significant) health issues.
May 04, 2012 at 01:09 pm
At present, I feel comfortable with Starks, Green, Saine and Kuhn. However, if the unthinkable occurs, G. Harell would have a considerably better chance of success with a solid run game. Starks hasn't played a full year yet; Green would be the first ACL to come back at 100% the first year; Saine and Kuhn probably aren't cornerstones of a dominant run game. I fear that we'd become this year's version of the 2011 Colts. Grant would be an additional option, though he'd have to be cheap.
I trust Ted to make the necessary moves if we move on from Grant, which I think we will. Good luck in Detroit, except against GB.
May 05, 2012 at 03:17 pm
HAHA...
So it begins..the exodus from Green Bay..and the belief that Ted can get lucky and pull a plum from his ass again...(a dildo, maybe)..but not a plum...
Thus, tis' the beginning of the end of Ted's reign of error...
1 and done, baby...
May 06, 2012 at 01:57 am
"the exodus from Green Bay"??
Grant WANTS to stay in GB.
The Packers haven't OFFERED him a contract.
You're kinda thick.
May 06, 2012 at 05:16 am
"Kinda thick" is being kind, to say the least.
May 06, 2012 at 08:42 am
Obvious troll is obvious.
May 06, 2012 at 11:22 am
Starks is a high effort tough runner but lacks the home run capability (always gets caught from behind) and his injury history is troubling. Green looks like he has the talent to be an every down starter but is coming off major knee surgery. Saine was assignment sure as a rookie and has great hands but looks like a pure straight ahead runner (remember Darrell Thompson). Kuhn is serviceable for a game or two as the featured runner. All of the above have real "flags", no one is the sure thing. I would bring Grant back ASAP. His second half was excellent and he can still go the distance. Anyone that can run for 200 plus yards in a playoff game is worth having on the roster.