We would like to welcome yet another writer to the Packers Lounge family. I am happy to introduce you to Tyler Bohms, who would like to reiterate what we said all year.
Throughout the 2008 campaign, the Green Bay Packers could not consistently rush the football.
Whether Ryan Grant’s slow start was a testament to a contractual hold-out, a nagging injury, or just a sophomore setback, this certainly was a step backwards for a player with so much promise the season before.
Obviously for the 6-10 club problems primarily existed on the defensive side of the ball, but the one glaring weakness offensively seemed to be establishing a consistent rushing attack. While Green Bay’s lead back, Grant, had a respectable 1203 yards rushing, it was his blatantly mediocre 3.9 average and 4 touchdowns that deem alarming. Also, in a west coast offense, Grant only managed to haul in 18 receptions during the 2008 season, a discouraging number for a back in this system.
While message board general managers clamor for free agent Darren Sproles or possibly a top draft pick being spent on a running back, it seems the Packers may have a viable option on their own roster. Brandon Jackson could be that guy.
Granted, the Packers could use a change-of-pace running back with speed to complement their plodding runners, but I still think Brandon Jackson deserves the opportunity to be given a shot as the featured back. In limited action last season Jackson ran for a mere 248 yards, but it was at a 5.5 clip. In addition to that, he had 30 receptions out of the backfield. This was generally in third-down situations when the defense knew he was one of the primary options.
Especially if the Packers decide not to bring in another player at running back, why not give Jackson more touches? It seems they haven’t given him enough looks to truly determine what he can do. He appears to be the perfect west coast back; he excels at catching the football and can run between the tackles. What are the negatives to giving him more looks at running back?
Doesn’t it seem like De Shawn Wynn had more big plays than Ryan Grant last season? I’m sure that isn’t the case, but that’s how unimpressive Grant was the last year.
Maybe Brandon Jackson will finally get his chance in 2009, and relish the opportunity.
12 - People Actually Wrote Something Here
Paul Said,
Great first post Tyler, I agree completely, Watching them run Grant in the backs of the Olinemen over and over for 3 yards per carry and then every time Jackson or Wynn would take it for a good 5 or more yards, I just couldn’t understand how the other backs just couldn’t get any yards, Keep up the good work and I look forward to more.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Greg C. Said,I was really annoyed last year by Mike McCarthy’s refusal to give Brandon Jackson more playing time. He doesn’t have world class speed, but he has good quickness and change of direction and seems to have matured a lot. He seems to know where to run now.
I hadn’t realized that Grant only had 18 receptions. I think Ahman Green used to have about 60 receptions per year in this offense. (By the way, did you hear that the Texans cut Ahman yesterday? No, I don’t want him back on the Packers, I just thought it was interesting.)
Thanks for the article. Great job!
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Profizzle Said,Well I have been saying this all year also, great first post btw. MM has been talking up BJ the whole season on how he bulked up and is playing great yet he would never use him. I would see Jackson break a 20 yard run and not get any touches for most of the game after. He would put Grant back in and watched him run into the backs of the OL or just run into a hole thas not there. Jakson would always look for the hole wherever it is and actually work for an extra 5-10 yards, it made a huge difference. The thing about Jackson is that he has one of the strongest lower bodies for a RB in the nfl. He will get hit and push the tackler 5 yards forward turning a 3 yard gain into an 8 yard gain. Its that fight which is why Jackson should be the starting RB, he is better in every way than Grant.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Pack93z Said,I find it entertaining though, even though I agree that Bjack’s totes should be increased, but more so due to Grants injury and lack of burst from 07′.
Before the 07′ season the panic was Packers don’t have a #1 back.. another year of RB by committee was blasted to the ninth.. you have to have a lead back to carry the load was shouted by media and fans alike. Along comes Grant.. picks up the running game on his shoulders and Packerland praises him.. anointed the #1 back, the world is right.. and we seem content. Struggles in ypc, but amasses 1200+ yards, something once upon a time would have been note worthy in Packer lore.
But Bjack has a better ypc stat.. and people notice that, but fail to look deeper into the situations in which he ran and more so the blocking provided on each play. But the ypc stat is glaring..
So now two seasons removed for the need of a #1 and since it is in vogue across the NFL.. we are begging for a running back by committee.. entertaining it is.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Alex Said,Like I said in numerous podcasts, let’s at least see what he has with 15 carries. He does well with 3 why not see what the kid has got.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Greg C. Said,Pack, I think fans just want the coaching staff to make the best use of the guys we have. If we have two good RB’s, use them both. The complaints about the running back by committee were because none of them really stood out. A committee of quality RB’s (possibly Jackson and a healthy Grant) might be just the right thing. Grant could still be the lead back–just even things out more. (Split the carries 20-10 instead of 25-5 or whatever.) So I don’t think people are being inconsistent here.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Andyman Said,I think given the opportunities, BJ and Wynn can take over this running game. And then imagine if Grant actually got his act together. That would be fantastic.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Andyman Said,Oh yeah, and great first article Tyler!
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Franklin Hillside Said,Do not forget about Lumpkin.
Statistics for a 3rd down back can be a little deceiving, I think.
I agree with you Greg C, a big issue for both Grant and Jackson was a failure to mix them up a little.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Tyler Said,Hey thanks for all the support guys! And Pack39z, it’s not so much that I think we need a running back by committee because it’s prevalent on a few of the better teams. I feel like the Pack just needs to utilize all of their strengths, and Jackson has had a nice amount of success with very little opportunity. Only one way to see if the kid can play. It also seems beneficial to reduce the amount of carries for your superstar back so he can last longer. Perhaps Ahman Green wouldn’t have faded so fast if he had less carries over the years.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Asshalo Said,BJ has had like three concussions since he’s been here and one of them was supposed to be pretty serious.
Posted on February 11th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
The Six-Pack l Packers Lounge Said,[...] So, my new man Tyler writes and article completely out of the blue about Brandon Jackson. Then, the next day so does this guy. Hurting for news? Shhh… that’s what we’re [...]
Posted on February 15th, 2009 at 11:25 am