The Case For A Change of Pace
By PackerAaron
Jason Wilde is currently running through a different position group every day over at ESPNMilwaukee.com and today he's focused on the running back position. He has a great take overall, but I wanted to point out something toward the end of his breakdown:
...adding a young, dynamic back wouldn’t be the worst thing for Thompson to do this offseason, although there are more pressing needs. At the very least, it would be interesting to add a Leon Washington-type change-of-pace back or an athlete who could bring the Wildcat wrinkle to the offense.
This echos something Greg Bedard was on about last offseason - the need for a breakaway threat on the offensive side of the ball. Yes Jennings and Finley are superior players at their positions. But neither of them are the lightning-in-a-bottle type that causes fits for defensive coordinators. As explosive as the Packers' offense can be, that type of player would make McCarthy's offense even more difficult to defend.
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Comments (17)
February 16, 2010 at 11:50 am
I agree if an elite player falls to you in the draft, but in terms of building this team as a whole the needs are on the O-line and defense. Our offense right now can put points on the board to win games. If you look at the viking/Steeler/Cardinal games a dynamic running back is not the first thing you think of for the reasons we lost. Yet when you look at the finacial side of our running back situation, Grant's contract will become a problem the following year, so selecting a RB this year would not be out of the question in anticpation of a contract dispute with Grant. It is unfortune that Wynn or Lumpkin have not developed into solid back ups. IMO I would like to see TT go after Chester Taylor of the vikings, he would be a good compliment and veteran influence for Grant.
February 16, 2010 at 11:54 am
you guys want to trade jenkins.
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might as well trade grant too. he's gonna get old sometime. maybe get a 3rd round pick.
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in fact, every time one of our players gets good we could just trade him for a 3rd round pick. this way our future will always be bright!
PackerAaron
February 16, 2010 at 12:07 pm
cow42 - where did I say "Thompson MUST trade Jenkins"?
February 16, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Excellent point Aaron, you only pull the trigger when the situation makes sense, it is not a must do thing.
February 16, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Rodgers was third in pass plays over 25 yards (31), to Brees and Eli (t-36).
Grant was 16th in rushes of 10+ yards, and I would bet the majority of his TDs were from outside the 10. Jennings won the first Bears game with an explosive play, and again was nearly the hero in the wild-Cards game. This is more of an indictment against Bjack, or a hint to get that kid from Clemson.
February 16, 2010 at 01:21 pm
Dilligaff said "IMO I would like to see TT go after Chester Taylor of the vikings, he would be a good compliment and veteran influence for Grant."
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I would like to see this happen, too.
February 16, 2010 at 01:37 pm
where did i say that you said they must?
PackerAaron
February 16, 2010 at 01:56 pm
I thought you said you were alright Spider?
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You commented: "You guys want to trade Jenkins" - which is not what I, or anyone else that I can see, wrote at all. We said it is smart business to find out if there's a market. It's silly to deal in absolutes when building your team. There is nothing wrong with keeping all options open.
February 16, 2010 at 01:41 pm
I would like to see us take a look at Dexter McCluster out of Ole Miss in Rnd 2, or a late round guy like Trendon Holliday from LSU or Jacoby Ford from Clemson.
February 16, 2010 at 05:32 pm
i seen the video of cj spiller on railbird central the other day and it looked very impressive would anyone mind if TT took him in the first round instead of a left tackle?
February 16, 2010 at 05:44 pm
It would be nice to have but keep in mind the Colts were like 32nd in the league in rushing I don't think the Saints were much better.
February 16, 2010 at 07:06 pm
Saints were 6th in the league rushing, the Colts were last. It would be interesting to ask Manning if he would rather have the entire game on his shoulders vs. a balanced attack with play-action passing that actually diverts a pass rush.
February 16, 2010 at 07:18 pm
Obviously we first need a LT. However, it would be SOO refreshing to see a speed guy out of the backfield.
I like Bjack, and he occasionally catches the ball on screens without first batting it up in the air, but he's basically a Grant clone, except that he can cut much quicker and harder than Grant. But he's not a speed guy.
I'd just like to see a guy who can take it to the house. Seems like we've got four versions of the same guy in Grant, Jackson, Wynn and Lumpy. Five if you add in Green.
Green had great speed in his day.
February 16, 2010 at 09:40 pm
The packers would be even more explosive
if they could come up with an exciting player such as a Percy harvin.
February 16, 2010 at 11:24 pm
not to change the subject, but did you guys see this?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81666dbf&template=with-vide...
February 16, 2010 at 11:38 pm
I'm all for getting a change of pace back but i certainly won't want this to be addressed in the first round. Going into an uncapped year who knows how much we would have to pay that 1st round RB. Like Aaron mentioned in another post, we're currently paying too much for BJ raji to simply stay on the benh so why should we repeat the same pattern with the RB position? We all know that Grant will continue to be the 1st string back and will get most of the touches til the day his contract is up. Rather, I do believe though that TT is actually working his way towards finding that speedster. A packers scout has already spoke highly of Trindon Hollida. And wouldn't be surprised to see him as our 6th or 7th round pick.
February 19, 2010 at 09:35 pm
I think impact players come from two origins: natural talent (e.g. Barry Sanders) or high quality teammates. How often do we see a player who contributes on a great team switch to a lower quality team and achieve mediocre results? Take the Mike Shanahan Broncos's running back revolving door with Clinton Portis, et. al.
I vote for investing in the offensive line. If that is comprised of above average players at each position, then we won't need an impact player at running back. Further, I think it is easier to upgrade the offensive line than to find an impact running back. Easy? no, but easier, yes.