Packers Daily Links: Running Back Analysis

All corners of the globe are seemingly weighing in on the Packers running back situation with Ryan Grant out and Dimitri Nance in...

A comparison is drawn between Ryan Grant and Dorsey Levens by Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin. "On Sept. 13, 1998 – almost 12 years to the day before Grant suffered what has turned out to be a season-ending right ankle injury – Levens fractured the fibula in his right leg and severely sprained his right ankle in a game against Tampa Bay," writes Wilde. "He had a screw surgically inserted into the ankle, returned to practice on Nov. 26, played sparingly on Nov. 29 and then ran for 105 yards on 15 carries against Chicago on Dec. 13." It's very interesting that the Packers decided against letting Levens heal. Maybe with the CBA there will be some form of baseball's disabled list whereby a player could return without having to place him on Injured Reserve.

Former Steelers running back Willie Parker among possible others was considered as a replacement, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Thompson viewed available veterans such as [Willie] Parker, Justin Fargas, Kolby Smith and J.J. Arrington as poor fits for the Packers' zone running game and liked the physical running style of the powerful Nance," reads the article. "Also available was New England's Laurence Maroney, who was traded to the Denver Broncos Tuesday." Ahman Green wasn't mentioned.

Newly signed Dimitri Nance is given consideration by Bart Winkler of the Bucky Channel. "Nance has a build slightly similar to that of Ryan Grant at 5'11'' and 211 pounds, but don't expect this kid to be a third round fantasy pick anytime soon," writes Winkler. "Still, I'm more than willing to give this kid a shot as he will likely settle into the emergency running back until he gets more assimilated into the system. Brandon Jackson will likely be given a long leash in these next couple of weeks to cement himself as the starter, and I really don't think Nance is anything more than a short-term fix." You'd have to think Nance will be inactive this Sunday, at least until he learns the offense.

Jackson is expected to pick up where Grant left off says former Packer Matt Bowen of the National Football Post. "Jackson will be expected to produce," writes Bowen. "He carried the ball 18 times on Sunday against the Eagles after Grant left the game. Expect it again this week. He is a running back that is solid in pass protection, looks like he can carry the load of a Sunday afternoon and can break tackles. Not as explosive of a player as Grant when he presses the edge of the defense, but a guy that can be a very good football player for this offense." I would just expect Jackson to be less of a bulldozer than Grant was.

Solomon Wilcotts of the NFL Network thinks the Packers offensive line has to step it up in Grant's absence. "What this does now is put more pressure on the offensive line to protect," said Wilcotts. "The problem is, I saw some breakdowns against the Eagles. Aaron Rodgers didn’t play that well, and he was getting hit often. The game showed that the protection problems are still a concern. The offensive line was getting bullied. I don’t know how long Rodgers is going to stay healthy if he continues to stare down the field and not watch the pass rush in order to find open receivers. The loss of Grant and his production in the running game only puts more on the shoulders of Rodgers and on the offensive line in pass protection." This may be true, but I think there is at least some pressure on the line to perform better even if Grant was available.

How the Packers offense will change without Grant is considered by C.D. Angeli of Tundra Vision. "If defenses watch that tape, knowing that Jackson isn't going to pound the ball inside, it give them more flexibility to use their defenders for other purposes:  extra rushers, extra defenders in the secondary, more defenders in the flat to watch for that check-down screen play to Jackson, which you have to think is going to become more of the bread-and-butter," writes Angeli.

Becoming Super Bowl champions may be unrealistic says Howie Magner of Milwaukee Magazine. "Look, I’m as optimistic about Green Bay’s prospects as most, but sometimes you have to take a step back," writes Magner. "The Packers are a very good team, but they’re far from a perfect team. I think they’re a virtual lock to win 12 games this season. I’m just not sure that translates to the ultimate glory." I'd have to agree for the time being, but they may be on the doorstep.

A very insightful interview with wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson was conducted by Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel. In it, Jordy Nelson's catch to set up Mason Crosby's 56-yard field goal is discussed. "That moved us seven yards closer to that field goal," said Robinson. "Jordy did it exactly right. He caught the ball, and basically got down -- we didn’t have any time outs left, we had to spike it. Just great awareness on his part. Then he handed the ball to the official, not rolling it on the ground where the official has to chase it and the clock is running. That saved a few seconds. We were able to get lined up quickly, get the ball spiked with two seconds left and that 7 yards is the difference between a 63 yard field goal and a 56 yard field goal." Isn't it amazing how something as simple as handing the ball to the official can have such a big impact?

B.J. Raji left an impression on "Jersey" Al Bracco after doing a little film review. "I was again amazed by B.J. Raji’s quickness as he caught LeSean McCoy from behind on a screen pass," writes Bracco. "Raji came from being on top of the QB to double back and trip up McCoy as he tried to cut to his right."

An improvement in the penalty department is brought to light by Patrick Castleberg of Packershow.

With little depth in the running back department, I've been made aware of Green Bay native and former Winona State running back Andrew Verboncouer who's currently a free agent. Spread the word. Help out the local kid.

Railbird endorsed video: LeRoy Butler breaks down some Xs & Os at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as the Packers get ready for the Bills game...

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Comments (17)

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CSS's picture

September 15, 2010 at 09:27 am

Paging Dr. Wilde, paging Dr. Jason Wilde...a fracture is typically far easier to tread and heal than a torn ligament in any weight bearing joint.

P.S. - I don't like Wilde's style, on any level.

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PackerAaron's picture

September 15, 2010 at 09:34 am

Seriously? Why not?

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CSS's picture

September 15, 2010 at 09:47 am

I have no issue with the majority of the content, I simply don't like his delivery. I find him condescending, highlighted by referencing/belittling bloggers as the, 'peoples writters', I believe he says?

Again, his format is fine, content is good, it's just personal taste and I don't like his delivery and how he sometimes blovates on topics he knows no more than the average blogger.

Maybe it's just me.

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PackerAaron's picture

September 15, 2010 at 10:09 am

I can appreciate that. I happen to enjoy his delivery, but I get what you're saying. The one time it did piss me off was when he had Brian on his show and he kept calling us "citizen journalists" which is exactly the phrase the Packers use. I don't know why, but it feels so condescending...

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dilligaff's picture

September 15, 2010 at 09:31 am

Dial 1-800-Yard rusher, its simple, not sure what all the criticism and fuss is about.

IMO a combination of Jackson and Kuhn will be good enough. Both can pick up blitzes and can make a run.

I don't think our running game will be even a topic come week 4, only if Jackson has back to back 100 yard games.

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Wamzlee's picture

September 15, 2010 at 10:10 am

I graduated from Winona state last year and currently work in Winona. Definitely wouldn't mind a fellow alum making the Packer roster.

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davyjones's picture

September 15, 2010 at 10:27 am

Dilligaff--agree completely. Kuhn up middle behind Sitton & BJ outside. BJ's abilty out of the backfield to catch may help relieve some pass rush pressure off the ends. If Jackson & Kuhn can get us 80 yds a game (combined with AR's running ability--20 more YPG??) we'll be just fine.
All the teeth gnashing will be forgotten in a couple weeks.

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WoodyG's picture

September 15, 2010 at 11:14 am

Of course you are assuming that the present RB Corp. stays healthy ..... BJ has always had to deal with nagging injuries ..... I'm hoping that's in the past but I have my doubts.

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CSS's picture

September 15, 2010 at 10:35 am

Be interesting to see if Quinn Johnson is activated more frequently. From a personnel/strategy perspective I would expect a more 2-man backfields, especially with weak 3-4 personnel like Buffalo has, when facing the run. Johnson/Kuhn, Johnson/Jackson could be a formative substitute for a single Grant. Seems like there's a great deal you could do with the alignment, Rodgers will simply be without 4 recevier sets.

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dilligaff's picture

September 15, 2010 at 10:52 am

How about a Kuhn - Johnmson combination?

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CSS's picture

September 15, 2010 at 11:12 am

That's what I wrote. Would be an interesting combo to either pound the ball or give options/max pass-pro when airing it out.

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hyperRevue's picture

September 15, 2010 at 12:00 pm

Jordy was very head's up at the end of the half, but Crosby's kick easily would have been good from 63+ yards. Just sayin', it was a great kick.

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CSS's picture

September 15, 2010 at 12:27 pm

Interesting new post at NFP:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Randys-rant-was-almost-a-Packer-twic...

Can't blame Ted when Moss's camp only wanted a single year contract. Interesting....

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Oppy's picture

September 15, 2010 at 06:29 pm

Watching what little I could find of Nance highlights, I will say this:

His ability to quickly and decisively cut and hit the gas as fluidly as he does is going to shake a lot of would-be first tackles, and is EXACTLY what a ZBS RB is supposed to look like in action. I can see why the Falcons scrambled somewhat in an attempt to retain him. His cuts are lightning quick, with little to no broadcasting of his intentions until the move has been made, and then he is right back to the north and south of it.

Dmitri Nance may not be a great, but he looks like he just might be great for the ZBS.

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Geebs22's picture

September 15, 2010 at 07:57 pm

How can the Verboncouer guy get overlooked; not only by the Packers but other teams in the league?! At 5'10", 240 lbs with a 4.6 40, I don't care what people say, that's NFL material.

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ACDC84's picture

September 15, 2010 at 11:26 pm

"An improvement in the penalty department is brought to light by Patrick Castleberg of Packershow."

All serious GB fans should check out packershow.com. They don't post much writing content, but they put out an EXCELLENT hour-or-so podcast a week. And no, this isn't Packers Therapy, where one somewhat knowledgable fan discusses our beloved team with an unknowledgable fan. These guys really know the Xs and Os of football. They have thought-provoking intelligent analysis and bring some unintentional comedy to the show. Not alot of production value or fluff. Just a couple of regular guys that LOVE their team.

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brandon's picture

September 17, 2010 at 10:52 am

I agree about verboncouer. Did you see his stats and game film? He looks like he has what it takes for sure! WHoever gets him is gonna be scratching their heads as to why he went without a look!

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