James Starks, season potentially over (1 Viewer)

[SameSongNDance]

An NFL source tells ESPN Milwaukee James Starks suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury in Sunday's win over the Vikings.

Per the source, the injury is not to Starks' ACL, and will not require surgery. However, with just four regular season games remaining, it could end his campaign. Coach Mike McCarthy made no mention of Starks' injury at Monday's press conference, but did say some players were still being evaluated. Splitting carries with Alex Green, Starks was effective against Minnesota, but is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry on the year. Green Bay could be forced to sign someone off the street to back up Green and John Kuhn if Starks' season is indeed through. Green is now the No. 1 running back on the majority of waiver wires.

 

[wormburner]

Shhhhhhhh . . . . . waivers are processed in a couple hours!!!

 

[Johnny Blood]

Green was pretty horrible when he was the #1, though. Of course in some leagues you'll be happy to get him, but I'm not sure I want to buy.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

They should end whatever beef they have with Ryan Grant and bring him in and put Green on 3rds. Or maybe see if Hightower's healthy yet. He's better than Alex Green.

Pretty obvious the divorce here with Grant didn't end well so odds are slim.

 

[packseasontix]

I am picking him up just so no one can start him, some teams in the playoffs that might play me after my bye could use him as a RB2

 

[packersfan]

Green was pretty horrible when he was the #1, though.

In PPR he was pretty solid as a RB3. He's also been running much better the last few games. No Packers RB is a good bet to score many TDs but Green has RB2 upside in PPR as the starter since he's a good bet to catch 3-5 passes per game. Wish I could say I was surprised about Starks. If it's not one thing it's another with that guy. Just can never trust him.

 

[Sarnoff]

Shhhhhhhh . . . . . waivers are processed in a couple hours!!!

the headline story on my league page is "Starks top waiver pickup of the week!"

 

[HurryUpSundays]

I'm in Thailand and wondering if ESPN is running the story on the tube?

I'd put my ww request in for Starks, now hoping to get Sir Alex.

Thanks.

 

[menobrown]

In PPR he was pretty solid as a RB3. He's also been running much better the last few games. No Packers RB is a good bet to score many TDs but Green has RB2 upside in PPR as the starter since he's a good bet to catch 3-5 passes per game.

The next time he catches 5 passes in a game he just set his new career high. He's never broke the meager 10 point fantasy barrier in any game he's caught less than 4 passes and even than he barely squeaked bye.I've seen nothing in his performance or stat line to suggest RB2 status. He' a RB3 at best and should only be in lineups on RB deficient teams that are struggling to fill the position.

 

[wormburner]

Shhhhhhhh . . . . . waivers are processed in a couple hours!!!

the headline story on my league page is "Starks top waiver pickup of the week!"

This is a late-breaking story. Guppies have already put in their requests and stopped grinding for the day.

 

[packersfan]

In PPR he was pretty solid as a RB3. He's also been running much better the last few games. No Packers RB is a good bet to score many TDs but Green has RB2 upside in PPR as the starter since he's a good bet to catch 3-5 passes per game.

The next time he catches 5 passes in a game he just set his new career high. He's never broke the meager 10 point fantasy barrier in any game he's caught less than 4 passes and even than he barely squeaked bye.I've seen nothing in his performance or stat line to suggest RB2 status. He' a RB3 at best and should only be in lineups on RB deficient teams that are struggling to fill the position.

He caught 4 passes in two of the three games he started. If it makes you feel better I'll amend my statement to 3-4 receptions per game. He topped 10 points in PPR leagues in two of the three games he started. He's had 8 points in PPR the last two weeks despite being in a committee with Starks. Given how he's running much better now than he was when he was the starter I think it's very realistic to view him as having RB2 upside in PPR leagues if he's dominating the touches again (which would seem likely if Starks is out). With so many issues at RB this season if you have a guy who can consistently get you around 10 points per game in PPR leagues that has value, especially if the RB is in a high-powered offense.

 

[menobrown]

In PPR he was pretty solid as a RB3. He's also been running much better the last few games. No Packers RB is a good bet to score many TDs but Green has RB2 upside in PPR as the starter since he's a good bet to catch 3-5 passes per game.

The next time he catches 5 passes in a game he just set his new career high. He's never broke the meager 10 point fantasy barrier in any game he's caught less than 4 passes and even than he barely squeaked bye.I've seen nothing in his performance or stat line to suggest RB2 status. He' a RB3 at best and should only be in lineups on RB deficient teams that are struggling to fill the position.

He caught 4 passes in two of the three games he started. If it makes you feel better I'll amend my statement to 3-4 receptions per game. He topped 10 points in PPR leagues in two of the three games he started. He's had 8 points in PPR the last two weeks despite being in a committee with Starks. Given how he's running much better now than he was when he was the starter I think it's very realistic to view him as having RB2 upside in PPR leagues if he's dominating the touches again (which would seem likely if Starks is out). With so many issues at RB this season if you have a guy who can consistently get you around 10 points per game in PPR leagues that has value, especially if the RB is in a high-powered offense.

I'm not going to split hairs with you but I don't consider a 10 point PPR back a RB2. That's at absolute best a RB3 and I'm not even sure with a healthy Kuhn if he's a 10 point back.Saying he caught 4 passes in two out of 3 games he started sounds nice but it's not really when he's only done it twice and one of those games Kuhn was out. This is a team that for the past few years has been in the bottom half or bottom third of the league in passes to RB's and Kuhn is going to eat into what little there is to go around. When you also factor in Khun steals the majority of the goal line looks I just fail to see this RB2 upside you speak about.

 

[packersfan]

I'm not saying Green is a special player or a high-impact fantasy RB. He isn't. But again I'll say that in a season with so many RB issues having a guy who can consistently get around 10 points per game in PPR has value. If you disagree, that's cool. But I'm guessing there are going to be plenty of teams who need a RB like that who are going to go after Green aggressively this week.

 

[Bishman]

This is why I love FBG!

 

[BRONG]

In PPR he was pretty solid as a RB3. He's also been running much better the last few games. No Packers RB is a good bet to score many TDs but Green has RB2 upside in PPR as the starter since he's a good bet to catch 3-5 passes per game.

The next time he catches 5 passes in a game he just set his new career high. He's never broke the meager 10 point fantasy barrier in any game he's caught less than 4 passes and even than he barely squeaked bye.I've seen nothing in his performance or stat line to suggest RB2 status. He' a RB3 at best and should only be in lineups on RB deficient teams that are struggling to fill the position.

He caught 4 passes in two of the three games he started. If it makes you feel better I'll amend my statement to 3-4 receptions per game. He topped 10 points in PPR leagues in two of the three games he started. He's had 8 points in PPR the last two weeks despite being in a committee with Starks. Given how he's running much better now than he was when he was the starter I think it's very realistic to view him as having RB2 upside in PPR leagues if he's dominating the touches again (which would seem likely if Starks is out). With so many issues at RB this season if you have a guy who can consistently get you around 10 points per game in PPR leagues that has value, especially if the RB is in a high-powered offense.

I'm not going to split hairs with you but I don't consider a 10 point PPR back a RB2. That's at absolute best a RB3 and I'm not even sure with a healthy Kuhn if he's a 10 point back.Saying he caught 4 passes in two out of 3 games he started sounds nice but it's not really when he's only done it twice and one of those games Kuhn was out. This is a team that for the past few years has been in the bottom half or bottom third of the league in passes to RB's and Kuhn is going to eat into what little there is to go around. When you also factor in Khun steals the majority of the goal line looks I just fail to see this RB2 upside you speak about.

Don't sweat it, you're correct, he just gets all giddy when he dons his big, green glasses.

 

[menobrown]

I'm not saying Green is a special player or a high-impact fantasy RB. He isn't. But again I'll say that in a season with so many RB issues having a guy who can consistently get around 10 points per game in PPR has value. If you disagree, that's cool. But I'm guessing there are going to be plenty of teams who need a RB like that who are going to go after Green aggressively this week.

No I agree with that. For instanced I once erroneously thought Dexter Mcluster would be a 60+ catch "RB" this year and picked him up in a lot of leagues on that exact premise, that as a 10PPG back he had value as a guy when I need him.

So again, not wanting to split hairs, I do agree Green has value. If I had Green he'd start for me on a team or two where I have serious needs but for instance he's never be my flex, just a guy to fill a RB hold I otherwise can't fill. I think I did indicate earlier he's usable. I think we just don't agree on his upside.

 

[packersfan]

Don't sweat it, you're correct, he just gets all giddy when he dons his big, green glasses.

Yup, that's me all right getting giddy and saying a player has RB2 upside.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Don't sweat it, you're correct, he just gets all giddy when he dons his big, green glasses.

Yup, that's me all right getting giddy and saying a player has RB2 upside.

I would love my playoff opponent to start Green...i measly 6 or so points from his RB 2 ? Hell ya

 

[Bishman]

So is it worth getting Alex Green off the waivers?

 

[avina1]

Thanks for the notice OP. Is Alex Green worth getting over Ben Tate now?

 

[ß .]

OH LAWDY, he plays Tennessee in the Championship week!

 

[Return of the Sheep]

Don't sweat it, you're correct, he just gets all giddy when he dons his big, green glasses.

Yup, that's me all right getting giddy and saying a player has RB2 upside.

I would love my playoff opponent to start Green...i measly 6 or so points from his RB 2 ? Hell ya

So the shark move if he is on your team is to drop him and let your opponent think he is getting a steal. Then sit back and watch your opponent start him against you and screw himself over!

 

[SameSongNDance]

You guys do realize he's going to put up 20 points this week vs. DET after you guys laughed him off. This is the NFL, things change. I'm more interested in the fact that he's averaged 4.2 YPC on 33 carries since Starks came into the picture. Starks wasn't exactly doing much himself, averaging around 3.6 YPC on 65 carries since week 9. Regardless, it's playoff time and there's a guy on your WW who may end up touching the ball 20+ times a game. He needs to be rostered.

 

[doubletrouble]

Dujuan Harris anyone???

 

[otb_lifer]

As of this post, Starks is cover boy on CBS league sites ... "Starks Contrast: a guy like James Starks can help playoff teams in a pinch" is their lead story.

... but, yeah ... really

 

[BobbyLayne]

You guys do realize he's going to put up 20 points this week vs. DET after you guys laughed him off. This is the NFL, things change. I'm more interested in the fact that he's averaged 4.2 YPC on 33 carries since Starks came into the picture. Starks wasn't exactly doing much himself, averaging around 3.6 YPC on 65 carries since week 9. Regardless, it's playoff time and there's a guy on your WW who may end up touching the ball 20+ times a game. He needs to be rostered.

I like you SSND. Good poster, one of the better ones in TSP. But I have hard time getting excited about this guy. We know what he can do, and it ain't much. I've watched him play, and it's not impressive.Agree with you he's going to get opps. Should be rostered. The owner rostering him should not be you.As a starter earlier this year:23 touches, 73 yards24 touches, 64 yards26 touches, 82 yardsHis next TD will be his NFL first in two seasons.You like the Detroit matchup? I do as well since I own Rodgers, and I wish Jordy were healthy. But the Pack knows how to beat the Lions, and it ain't by running at Farley and Suh.Here is a complete list of RBs who put up more than 18.5 FF points (1 pt PPR) in 2012:Adrian PetersonArian FosterThe Lions are 22nd in most FF points allowed to RBs. Do they have a great defense? Of course not. Are they beatable? Easily. Is Alex Green going to be the key to victory. Highly unlikely.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

If your other RBs are MJD, McGahee, Mendenhall and Felix getting 10 points from any back sounds pretty good right now. This will help lots of teams.

 

[Sabertooth]

If your other RBs are MJD, McGahee, Mendenhall and Felix getting 10 points from any back sounds pretty good right now. This will help lots of teams.

Or Sjax, Jonathan Stewart and Shonn Greene.

 

[sho nuff]

Not sure I see it with Green...I think he was best suited how they were using him with Starks...and without that compliment...its just not working.

Maybe its changed with some experience out of him...and with Kuhn back they give him some more touches...put Cobb back there and still keep Green's carries close to where they were with Starks.

I don't know...

Just sucks as a Packers fan that they finally looked competent running the ball with that as a committee and now its broken again.

 

[Phenix]

If your other RBs are MJD, McGahee, Mendenhall and Felix getting 10 points from any back sounds pretty good right now. This will help lots of teams.

I cut Mathews for Green this morning. I have a mess at RB2, he cant be any different then Dwyer and Ballard, my other options at RB.Like stated above, he will get about 20 touches especially playing Detroit at home this week, its a week to week thing now that its the playoffs and he has as much upside this week as anyone.Opportunity wins championships, and he will get a lot of that this week.18/82/1 and 3/22/0 is my guess. Thats a good stat line to me from a Playoff week 1 ww pickup.

 

[Phenix]

You guys do realize he's going to put up 20 points this week vs. DET after you guys laughed him off. This is the NFL, things change. I'm more interested in the fact that he's averaged 4.2 YPC on 33 carries since Starks came into the picture. Starks wasn't exactly doing much himself, averaging around 3.6 YPC on 65 carries since week 9. Regardless, it's playoff time and there's a guy on your WW who may end up touching the ball 20+ times a game. He needs to be rostered.

I like you SSND. Good poster, one of the better ones in TSP. But I have hard time getting excited about this guy. We know what he can do, and it ain't much. I've watched him play, and it's not impressive.Agree with you he's going to get opps. Should be rostered. The owner rostering him should not be you.

As a starter earlier this year:

23 touches, 73 yards

24 touches, 64 yards

26 touches, 82 yards

His next TD will be his NFL first in two seasons.

You like the Detroit matchup? I do as well since I own Rodgers, and I wish Jordy were healthy. But the Pack knows how to beat the Lions, and it ain't by running at Farley and Suh.

Here is a complete list of RBs who put up more than 18.5 FF points (1 pt PPR) in 2012:

Adrian Peterson

Arian Foster

The Lions are 22nd in most FF points allowed to RBs. Do they have a great defense? Of course not. Are they beatable? Easily. Is Alex Green going to be the key to victory. Highly unlikely.

The bolded is all that matters! Anyone of those can go the distance, see Bryce Brown.

 

[packersfan]

If your other RBs are MJD, McGahee, Mendenhall and Felix getting 10 points from any back sounds pretty good right now. This will help lots of teams.

Precisely. That's the point I was making last night. Green isn't likely going to be the next Bryce Brown but if you're struggling to get some consistent production at RB Green can help (again, primarily in PPR leagues).

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

18/82/1 and 3/22/0

I just took a stab at this and came up with 17/66/0, 2/16/0.

 

[towney]

Wow another RB for the Packers down. I sure hope Thompson addresses this continuing problem with the Packer running game in the off season. I wonder how potent the offense would be with a quality running game.

 

[Sabertooth]

Wow another RB for the Packers down. I sure hope Thompson addresses this continuing problem with the Packer running game in the off season. I wonder how potent the offense would be with a quality running game.

I'd love to see Reggie Bush brought in to compliment the bangers they have.

 

[Samuel L Bronkowitz]

They should end whatever beef they have with Ryan Grant and bring him in and put Green on 3rds. Or maybe see if Hightower's healthy yet. He's better than Alex Green.

Pretty obvious the divorce here with Grant didn't end well so odds are slim.

My linkThe #Packers and @RyanGrant25 have agreed to terms and the running back will sign with his old team this morning, per Grant.

 

[munygon2]

So Grant will just come in and be the starting RB after not having played all season?

 

[Phlash]

If your other RBs are MJD, McGahee, Mendenhall and Felix getting 10 points from any back sounds pretty good right now. This will help lots of teams.

Or Sjax, Jonathan Stewart and Shonn Greene.

Steven Jackson has been very solid 4 out of the past 5 weeks.

 

[menobrown]

I cut Mathews for Green this morning.

Bad move. As average as Mathews as been this year his fantasy PPG average is still higher than Greens fantasy career high.

 

[sho nuff]

So Grant will just come in and be the starting RB after not having played all season?

Start? Doubtful.Get about 7-10 carries...sure.

 

[Phenix]

So Grant will just come in and be the starting RB after not having played all season?

Start? Doubtful.Get about 7-10 carries...sure.

Nah, I bet he is not even active on Sunday and if he is as a backup with 2 or 3 touches.He is just insurance they have other youngsters with more burst on the roster, Grant is dead weight.Green will get his chance with a little more experience under his belt and a team that wants to run more.Green still a worthy start if you are in a pinch this Sunday.

 

[Phenix]

I cut Mathews for Green this morning.

Bad move. As average as Mathews as been this year his fantasy PPG average is still higher than Greens fantasy career high.

Mathews has not had more then 5 points in the league I speak of since Wk 5 against NO, the upside for Green in a redraft for this week and the remaining season easily surpases Mathews, no question in my mind about it.Mathews is on a bad offense that pulls him on every third down and in the redzone, what value is that?

 

[Sabertooth]

If your other RBs are MJD, McGahee, Mendenhall and Felix getting 10 points from any back sounds pretty good right now. This will help lots of teams.

Or Sjax, Jonathan Stewart and Shonn Greene.

Steven Jackson has been very solid 4 out of the past 5 weeks.

:confetti: I fully expect him to be hurt this week while I have a bye.

 

[menobrown]

I cut Mathews for Green this morning.

Bad move. As average as Mathews as been this year his fantasy PPG average is still higher than Greens fantasy career high.

Mathews has not had more then 5 points in the league I speak of since Wk 5 against NO, the upside for Green in a redraft for this week and the remaining season easily surpases Mathews, no question in my mind about it.Mathews is on a bad offense that pulls him on every third down and in the redzone, what value is that?

I have no idea what kind of scoring system you use that Mathews has not put up 5 points since week 5 but I would guess Green is under the same system and since he runs for less yards and YPA than Mathews, at best catches similar amount of passes and has yet to reach the end zone this year I can't see how he's better.If you are looking for red zone production out of a RB than you could not do much worse than Green Bay and Kuhn figures to take a majority of that anyway.

 

[packersfan]

If you are looking for red zone production out of a RB than you could not do much worse than Green Bay and Rodgers figures to take a majority of that anyway.

Fixed.

 

[sho nuff]

So Grant will just come in and be the starting RB after not having played all season?

Start? Doubtful.Get about 7-10 carries...sure.

Nah, I bet he is not even active on Sunday and if he is as a backup with 2 or 3 touches.He is just insurance they have other youngsters with more burst on the roster, Grant is dead weight.Green will get his chance with a little more experience under his belt and a team that wants to run more.Green still a worthy start if you are in a pinch this Sunday.

Grant averaged 4 yards a carry last season. I don't think they need him to do too much...but I think they know that Green can not handle the load.I agree this week he will not necessarily come right in. Depends what kind of shape he is in and what he knows of the current offense.I don't expect him to be fantasy relevant (I don't expect any of the backs in GB to be fantasy relevant with this signing).

 

[packersfan]

I don't know if it's a coincidence or not but Green has looked far better in his last three games while splitting carries with Starks than he did when he was getting 20+ rushing attempts. I think the line has done a much better job of run blocking but Green is being more assertive and decisive as well. Perhaps having fewer carries is helping or maybe he's just starting to take advantage of his ability. If the Packers believe it's the former we could see a smattering of Grant in Weeks 15-17 (I'd be surprised if he played much, if at all, this week). I think ideally the Packers would like to see Green keep running the way he has been lately and use Grant for a handful or so carries a game to keep him fresh. It's not uncommon for a player to walk right off the street and do well (see Kevin Smith last season in Detroit) but given the noticeable decline in Grant's game last season I'd be surprised if he was able to make a big impact or assume the lead role in the Green Bay rushing attack barring injury.

 

[habsfan]

So Grant will just come in and be the starting RB after not having played all season?

Start? Doubtful.Get about 7-10 carries...sure.

Nah, I bet he is not even active on Sunday and if he is as a backup with 2 or 3 touches.He is just insurance they have other youngsters with more burst on the roster, Grant is dead weight.Green will get his chance with a little more experience under his belt and a team that wants to run more.Green still a worthy start if you are in a pinch this Sunday.

Grant averaged 4 yards a carry last season. I don't think they need him to do too much...but I think they know that Green can not handle the load.I agree this week he will not necessarily come right in. Depends what kind of shape he is in and what he knows of the current offense.I don't expect him to be fantasy relevant (I don't expect any of the backs in GB to be fantasy relevant with this signing).

I'm thinking Grant does just enough to scrub some speed off the "Green train" and make him an even more iffy start in fantasy play-offs...

 

[sho nuff]

I don't know if it's a coincidence or not but Green has looked far better in his last three games while splitting carries with Starks than he did when he was getting 20+ rushing attempts. I think the line has done a much better job of run blocking but Green is being more assertive and decisive as well. Perhaps having fewer carries is helping or maybe he's just starting to take advantage of his ability. If the Packers believe it's the former we could see a smattering of Grant in Weeks 15-17 (I'd be surprised if he played much, if at all, this week). I think ideally the Packers would like to see Green keep running the way he has been lately and use Grant for a handful or so carries a game to keep him fresh. It's not uncommon for a player to walk right off the street and do well (see Kevin Smith last season in Detroit) but given the noticeable decline in Grant's game last season I'd be surprised if he was able to make a big impact or assume the lead role in the Green Bay rushing attack barring injury.

This is where I am at on this...I think they don't feel Green is a 20 carry guy.They need to spell him some and it was working well as a 1-2 punch with Starks.IMO...that is why Grant is brought in.Whether he gets in or not this week...no idea. Again going to depend on how Grant is when they work him out...or if they feel they can get by with Kuhn and Cobb back there to spell Green.

 

[solorca]

Thanks for the Grant update, as I missed that on twitter.

Alex Green had a nice 15 minute run on my fantasy roster, but with this signing I have no interest in the Green Bay backfield. I dropped him to pick up Shane Vereen as an upside play, just in case.