Ahman Green & the Morency factor (1 Viewer)

[Big Score]

Green Bay's planned use for Vernand Morency and how it will effect Ahman Green

By TOM SILVERSTEIN

tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com

Posted: Sept. 13, 2006

Green Bay - Either convinced that he was not going to be the running back they hoped or desperate for a third-down back , the Green Bay Packers traded Samkon Gado to the Houston Texans on Wednesday afternoon.

The Packers are giving up on the athletically gifted Gado because they feel they need someone who can take some of the load off starter Ahman Green. Because neither Gado nor backup Noah Herron is quick enough to excel as a pass catcher, Morency, a third-round pick of the Texans in 2005, should be able to take on some of the load on passing downs.

"He's going to help us on third down," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's OK (as a blocker). He's a shifty, make-you-miss kind of guy. He's good on check downs and things like that."

"We'll have to see how that works out," Thompson said. "He has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, has done some kickoff return - very little in the NFL. We'll see how that goes, but for now we just felt he was a good fit with our present backs."

www.jsonline.comOne of Ahman Green's huge values that I saw coming into this season if he was able to play, was the Pack letting Fisher go & firing Sherman.

The reason I saw those two events as positives for Green, was because Sherman had fallen in love with the specialist back approach and would constantly pull Green for Fisher on passing downs. This really affected Green's involvment as a pass catching RB and of course, diluted his fantasy numbers.

So to me, even if Green Bay was getting blown out, or the line couldn't open any holes for the running game, I was still confident that Ahman Green would get his through the air this year, as he is an excellent pass catching RB.

Now it looks like it'll be the same 'ol same 'ol with Morency and one of Green's major positives this year, just took a big hit.

 

[msommer]

There was another blurb in the Gado/Morency thread that added the proviso 'when he learns the offense'.

Big question is when. 4-6 weeks?

 

[Big Score]

There was another blurb in the Gado/Morency thread that added the proviso 'when he learns the offense'.Big question is when. 4-6 weeks?

Hopefully 15

 

[packersfan]

Makes sense for Morency's role. The Packers have been phasing Green out of the passing game in recent seasons with Fisher taking on more of that responsibility. With Fisher gone, they did need a third-down RB and now (in my opinion) they have one. Worst case for Morency is he's the third-down RB all season long for the Packers. Best case is he's the third-down RB until Green gets hurt and then he becomes the starter.

As far as Green yes it hurts him not to be on the field every down but what it also does is enhance the chances he can stay healthy all season long. Reducing his workload is a smart move in the long run in my opinion. Now whether Green can stay healthy, even with a reduced workload, is the big question. He certainly looked very good in the opener, much better than I expected.

With regard to the trade, I like it from the Packers' perspective. I liked what I saw from Morency last season and I believe he'll add a quality presence to the backfield situation - even if he is only used as the third-down RB.

 

[Wheelhouse]

I didn't mention this in the larger Gado/Morency trade thread, but I think GB will utilize Morency much like they did with Tony Fisher and William Henderson, although he will be a combination of the two. I think Morency will get about 35-40 recs in this offense and maybe 60-70 carries at the least.

So what does that translate to?

35 rec, 187 yards

72 carries, 324 yards

total TD: 3-4

That may be his celing with Ahman Green healthy. If Green cannot play, then obviously Morency's numbers would increase.

Green on the other hand, won't be affected too much. His receptions and receiving yards will be down, but his rushing numbers should still be pretty good. I don't think he'll reach 1000 yards this year, but he'll be pretty close with about 7-8 TD's.

 

[Keepers]

From a fantasy perspective will tradeoff some 3rd down work for goal line carries ... as an Ahman owner thought that Gado may vulture TDs, don't have to worry about that now.

 

[softball]

It doesn't say anywhere that green is "being pulled on third downs"

It says when Morency learns the offense he'll be used on third downs. Too much of an over reaction. Ahman Green can't play every down, and there won't be an RBBC. It's just a guy to give AG a rest. He would get killed taking all the carries, just like any other back in the NFL.

Relax, you probably stole Green and he will be really good this year.

 

[Frank Black]

I think GB needs to see how Morency actually looks on the field before we see what role he will play.

 

[Aaronstory]

While I understand where the original poster is coming from, remember that in Ahman's big year, 2003, he was usualy off the field on third downs.

 

[Big Score]

Makes sense for Morency's role. The Packers have been phasing Green out of the passing game in recent seasons with Fisher taking on more of that responsibility. With Fisher gone, they did need a third-down RB and now (in my opinion) they have one. Worst case for Morency is he's the third-down RB all season long for the Packers. Best case is he's the third-down RB until Green gets hurt and then he becomes the starter.

As far as Green yes it hurts him not to be on the field every down but what it also does is enhance the chances he can stay healthy all season long. Reducing his workload is a smart move in the long run in my opinion. Now whether Green can stay healthy, even with a reduced workload, is the big question. He certainly looked very good in the opener, much better than I expected.

With regard to the trade, I like it from the Packers' perspective. I liked what I saw from Morency last season and I believe he'll add a quality presence to the backfield situation - even if he is only used as the third-down RB.

Personally I'm a big proponent of keeping your best players on the field as much as possible, unless you're the team is involved in a POSITIVE blowout.I have no idea how good Morency is as a pass catching RB & blitz pick up, but I do know how good Green is.

In my opinion, there is more downside than upside, to putting the lesser talent on the field in the interests of playing it safe with the greater talent.

That's similar to the theory of "Playing not to lose" instead of "Playing to win".

 

[Big Score]

While I understand where the original poster is coming from, remember that in Ahman's big year, 2003, he was usualy off the field on third downs.

No, that's incorrect. Fisher & Davenport would come in and give him the occasional blow, but Green was pretty much the everydown back.

 

[packersfan]

Makes sense for Morency's role. The Packers have been phasing Green out of the passing game in recent seasons with Fisher taking on more of that responsibility. With Fisher gone, they did need a third-down RB and now (in my opinion) they have one. Worst case for Morency is he's the third-down RB all season long for the Packers. Best case is he's the third-down RB until Green gets hurt and then he becomes the starter.

As far as Green yes it hurts him not to be on the field every down but what it also does is enhance the chances he can stay healthy all season long. Reducing his workload is a smart move in the long run in my opinion. Now whether Green can stay healthy, even with a reduced workload, is the big question. He certainly looked very good in the opener, much better than I expected.

With regard to the trade, I like it from the Packers' perspective. I liked what I saw from Morency last season and I believe he'll add a quality presence to the backfield situation - even if he is only used as the third-down RB.

Personally I'm a big proponent of keeping your best players on the field as much as possible, unless you're the team is involved in a POSITIVE blowout.I have no idea how good Morency is as a pass catching RB & blitz pick up, but I do know how good Green is.

In my opinion, there is more downside than upside, to putting the lesser talent on the field in the interests of playing it safe with the greater talent.

That's similar to the theory of "Playing not to lose" instead of "Playing to win".

I'd agree with that for the most part. However, Green is not a young, spry RB by any means. He's also coming off a major injury that had his career in jeopardy. He also has an asthma condition which has always led to him needing breaks. And lastly, at the RB position I believe you do need to have the ability to spell your top guy (even if it's just briefly) because it's a long season and if you can spare him from at least some of the punishment he will endure I believe that's the smart move to make. Like I said, though, the Packers have been phasing Green out of the passing game in recent seasons so this isn't a surprise to me to see they would like to do that again with Morency. And based on what I've seen from Morency, I believe he can be a positive addition to the team's backfield.

 

[Aaronstory]

While I understand where the original poster is coming from, remember that in Ahman's big year, 2003, he was usualy off the field on third downs.

No, that's incorrect. Fisher & Davenport would come in and give him the occasional blow, but Green was pretty much the everydown back.

No, that's incorrect. Let me find the numbers and get back to you. But as a massive fan and a Green owner that rode him to the vchampionship, I have a pretty strong recollection of this... (or I did until you came along... )

 

[Darth Cheney]

It doesn't say anywhere that green is "being pulled on third downs"

It says when Morency learns the offense he'll be used on third downs. Too much of an over reaction. Ahman Green can't play every down, and there won't be an RBBC. It's just a guy to give AG a rest. He would get killed taking all the carries, just like any other back in the NFL.

Relax, you probably stole Green and he will be really good this year.

If he remains healthy, Green will have been a great pick.

 

[Fla\/\/ed]

Morency will not affect Green's numbers that much. Just look at how Tony Fisher was used and how that impacted Green's numbers. As a Green owner I would think it is a good thing that Green can be spelled on occasion to help keep him healthy and productive. Green is still a great value for those that drafted him.

 

[Fla\/\/ed]

While I understand where the original poster is coming from, remember that in Ahman's big year, 2003, he was usualy off the field on third downs.

No, that's incorrect. Fisher & Davenport would come in and give him the occasional blow, but Green was pretty much the everydown back.

No, that's incorrect. Let me find the numbers and get back to you. But as a massive fan and a Green owner that rode him to the vchampionship, I have a pretty strong recollection of this... (or I did until you came along... )

In 2003, Davenport and Fisher had a combined 117 carries with 27 receptions. Green had 355 carries that season with 50 receptions. In 2004 Davenport and Fisher had a combined 137 carries with 42 receptions. However, Green had 259 carries that season with 40 receptions. However, you have to remember that in 2003 the Packers ran 1181 plays compared to 1039 in 2004. Green rushed the ball 25% of the time in 2004 for all plays and 30% of the time in 2003.

 

[Big Score]

While I understand where the original poster is coming from, remember that in Ahman's big year, 2003, he was usualy off the field on third downs.

No, that's incorrect. Fisher & Davenport would come in and give him the occasional blow, but Green was pretty much the everydown back.

No, that's incorrect. Let me find the numbers and get back to you. But as a massive fan and a Green owner that rode him to the vchampionship, I have a pretty strong recollection of this... (or I did until you came along... )

I too rode Green to my leagues championship that year. That's why I know he was pretty much the everydown back that year. The game where he busted Denver in the chops, clinched it for me.

 

[NatronIsMean]

As an Ahman owner, I'm pumped after week 1 and the news of the K-Rob pickup (may not help, but can't hurt). Now with Morency, I agree with those here that say it will not hurt Green enough to notice. I need him to be useful EVERY week, even if that means averaging 2 points less per game. He'll get ALL the short yardage plays and the most important plays overall.

The biggest worry for me is getting the GB offense in gear. Since they don't play Chicago again til week 17, I think I'll be pleasantly surprised.