Could The Packers Keep, Gasp, Three Fullbacks? Again?!?!
In the event the Packers can't trade a fullback, they'll most likely bite the bullet and keep three for a second consecutive year.
The Green Bay Packers, and general manager Ted Thompson specifically, received a lot of grief last year for keeping three fullbacks last year at a position that's becoming antiquated in today's NFL.
A year ago, Korey Hall and John Kuhn were further developed than rookie Quinn Johnson. But after spending a fifth-round draft choice, the Packers were unwilling to part ways the rookie who had decent upside.
Fast forward to 2010, and as much as observers didn't think there was any way the Packers could keep three fullbacks again, they're faced with that same dilemma as the regular season is just over a week away.
As far as offense goes, each fullback has their own strengths that they seem to do better than the other two. Hall is the best receiver, Kuhn is the best runner and Johnson is the best lead blocker.
Unfortunately for Johnson, he would seem to be third in the pecking order because his special teams play isn't up to the same level as Hall and Kuhn.
However, working in Johnson's favor is that he, in my opinion, is still one of the 53 best players on the Packers. That alone will make him tough to cut considering keeping the 53 best players, regardless of position, is a priority of Thompson and Mike McCarthy.
For that reason, I can see the Packers keeping Johnson. But here's where I see a problem. When teams can only keep 45 players active on game days, I can't see them keeping all three fullbacks active.
So if all three players aren't going to play anyway, what's the use in keeping three fullbacks?
Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has done a good job analyzing the Johnson situation and has said on more than one occasion (including last night's Packer Transplants episode) that the second-year fullback is miscast in the Packers' offensive system.
I think that's an accurate assessment, and it's also why I think Johnson could be a trade target as teams are required to get down to 53 players by Saturday.
That is, if the Packers can find a trading partner. Johnson would seem to be at his best as a lead blocker out of the I-formation in a downfield running scheme. How many teams are in need of that type of player, I have no idea. I would guess very few.
So here's how I see things shaking out: If the Packers can pull off a trade for Quinn Johnson, I think they do it. Whether it's a draft choice or a player in return, they'll do whatever is in the best interests of the team.
But in the event there's no takers, I see the Packers keeping Johnson and once again keeping three fullbacks on their 53-man roster. And most likely being the butt of many jokes.
Have you heard the one ... how many fullbacks does it take for the Packers to screw in a light bulb ...?
Comments (33)
September 01, 2010 at 10:57 am
I sure hope they can find a trading partner for Quinn Johnson and Spitz; they are expendable and It would be nice for the Pack to get somthing in return. Go Pack
Go! They may have enough "extra" player they could make not one but two trades, one for depth in the backfield and another for those valuable draft picks.
September 01, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Spitz, an experienced guy who could potentially play all 3 interior o line spots, is expendable? He's not in the top 5 line guys no, but until we see Bulaga play Jason is still the best backup.
September 01, 2010 at 02:07 pm
Your talking with sense,what is wrong with you? LOL
I fear the majority think that a player who can play as a starter(in multiple positions) for a limited time is worth trading over the player who can never play as a starter at all.
Do you hear the keyboards tapping?
September 01, 2010 at 11:05 am
I say we keep 2 RB 3 FBs, because there is no way I would rather have Lumpy on the 53 instead of 3 FBs with Kuhn as third RB.
September 01, 2010 at 11:16 am
I second this. Not that I have anything against Kregg Lumpkin, but that 3rd RB position isn't as critical as the need to have 3 other good football players on the team. If Kuhn is our 3rd HB, we manage to retain key special teams players along with the ones that can help our offense.
September 01, 2010 at 11:13 am
Keeping 3 FBs would mean they're not keeping 5 TEs, though, right?
Who would they rather keep, Johnson or Crabtree?
September 01, 2010 at 01:55 pm
Crabtree
September 01, 2010 at 11:22 am
FB is about the easiest position to fill in the NFL. After cut-downs there will be at least five FB's on the waiver wire with talent enough to play FB in this league. No one is going to trade for Johnson.
September 01, 2010 at 11:43 am
Why would we keep Johnson? Who needs to convert on 3rd and short?
September 01, 2010 at 02:11 pm
Isn't that why we are keeping Jackson,the sure 3rd and short guy and HEIR apparent to Grant because the coaches just LOVE him.
September 01, 2010 at 02:20 pm
You hate Jackson so much that I think you didn't read what PackersRS posted. He said Johnson (as in Quinn), not Jackson.
September 01, 2010 at 02:46 pm
I don't HATE Jackson,I just feel for him to contribute,it has to be on a strong run OL team.We are not that,and the keyboard is burning.
September 01, 2010 at 02:48 pm
And you think John Kuhn is a better RB than B-Jax. That's absurd.
September 01, 2010 at 02:55 pm
I didn't say Kuhn is better,more usable yes.Kuhn will fall down after getting hit,Jackson falls down at the thought of getting hit or just seems to slip alot.
September 01, 2010 at 02:33 pm
Uh, no, that's not why.
BIG difference between 3rd down back and short yardage back. The first better describes Jackson.
September 01, 2010 at 02:39 pm
FACT: Brandon Jackson has gained 27 yards on 5 career attempts on 3rd and 0-2. Get your facts straight, Tarynfor12.
September 01, 2010 at 02:52 pm
and Rodgers has such a great and high 3rd down passing numbers because we run so well on 3rd down,but at least 5 times in how many years now?I'm convinced.
September 01, 2010 at 03:07 pm
I apologize for using facts that contradict your dogma.
September 01, 2010 at 03:24 pm
Use stronger facts than a 3rd down success ratio of 1.8 per year.Sorry was that just yards gained on 3rd or were there any 1st downs achieved in those glorius trench grinding yards of 27 total.A career stat for sure.PAY THE MAN MORE MONEY.
September 01, 2010 at 03:29 pm
So it's true: facts *are* like kryptonite to stupid.
If you want to talk crazy, go over to ESPN.com. This board is for people who know things about football.
PackerAaron
September 01, 2010 at 03:31 pm
While I'm with you on this argument sammer, this place is Packer fans. Even ones who don't know things about football. ;)
September 01, 2010 at 03:37 pm
Point taken. After all, what's wrong with a little internet flame war among fans every now and then? Beats working.
September 01, 2010 at 03:13 pm
Yes you did, you advocated for cutting Jackson and keeping Kuhn as the #2 RB.
Kuhn career stats: 18 carries, 46 yds, 2.6 ypc.
Jackson career stats: 157 carries, 626 yds, 4.0 ypc.
But I don't know, your repeated assertion that Jackson "falls down" a lot is pretty persuasive, too.
September 01, 2010 at 03:33 pm
I'll be more Politically Correct and say that he seems to have slippery feet on dry ground.
September 01, 2010 at 03:37 pm
How did I not see YODA agreeing that 5 attempts for 27 yds over what 3 years is a caliber RB.
September 01, 2010 at 11:51 am
For me, it's all about the franchise, Aaron Rodgers. Which alternative offers the best skill-set, bet it blocking or receiving when max pass protection is required. I'm not concerned at all about short down-n'-distance, it's the 3rd and long where Rodgers is at risk. Should coaches feel either Crabtree or Johnson are 'that guy', than so be it.
September 01, 2010 at 11:52 am
....supposed to be, 'be it', not 'bet it'.
September 01, 2010 at 01:35 pm
Just happy that they're keeping Korey. That is all.
September 01, 2010 at 01:54 pm
When you consider keeping 1 FB inactive consistently, keeping three doesn't seem all that bad. They could probably get by just as easily with one on the practice squad. Quinn knows the system and has more talent than a prospective FB tho.
With that said, if you don't think Johnson has trade value now then he probably won't a year from now. Not much to loose by cutting him. Despite being a draft pick he's a sunk cost.
September 01, 2010 at 01:56 pm
I might be getting ahead of myself, but keeping 3 FBs and 4 TEs seems like poor roster management. In isolation not as much. I might be making the argument that one of the two have to give.
September 01, 2010 at 02:36 pm
Let's get crazy!!!
We keep Grant and Kuhn as the RB's and Johnson and Hall as the FB's.
Stop! Don't throw your PC at the wall.There's more.
We keep Finley,Havner,Quarless and Crabtree as our TE's.Havner(do it all) can play as a blocking Fb at times,as can Crabtree,Quarless can set as a tight TE for extra size and an outlet for Arod at times.Finley will be ...Finley.
Grant and Kuhn can get 1-3 yds running behind Havner or Crabtree in a tight Te set.So we package Jackson and D.Lee and throw in Bush and everything should be ...fine.
Now that the offense is ready we can now turn our thoughts to the least of the problems...the secondary.Nah,we're so deep there we should stick to the main problem and trade OL guys.
You may now stand and applaud.Thank you.
September 01, 2010 at 09:22 pm
Putting Starks on the PUP (as opposed to the IR) should have been a clue for everyone .......... Running Finley out of the slot should be another clue ....... GB will go with 4 WRs, 4 TEs, 2 RBs & 3 FBs ..... In essence ....... Finley is your 5th WR ....... Kuhn is your 3rd RB ..... Havner stays as an ILB & STs & whatever else they may need him for.....
The numbers add up & are equivalent to your normal 5 WR, 3 TE, 3 RB & 2 FB ..... Plus, you get to keep all your best players .... Plus Starks may be available down the road a few weeks if need be ...
It would be pure genius on TT's part plus very workable.
September 02, 2010 at 09:44 pm
Kuhn is incredible if you give him the ball. Granted it was a DII school, he ran all over people at shippensburg and set every school record and than some. Johnson is lazy and doesn't practice hard at all.