James Starks? What happened to his chance to take over? (1 Viewer)

[BuckeyeChaos]

After his debut I must admit that I thought he had a shot to take over the #1 spot. He hasn't even seen the field as far as I can tell. Anybody have info on whats going on?

 

[DarkManX]

From Yahoo.

Starks is inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Recommendation: Just like last week, Starks is a healthy scratch. The Packers will rely on Brandon Jackson, Dimitri Nance and John Kuhn as their primary ballcarriers.

 

[Phase of the Game]

I think it has something to do with having him inactive because the other backs can help on ST.

 

[Football Jones]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

 

[smackdaddies]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

mmmm, that would be no.

 

[Football Jones]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

mmmm, that would be no.

We'll see, LOL. It wouldn't be wise to assume Starks isn't a HUGE part of their future plans simply because he's been inactive.This kid is a very good prospect, albeit one who had his rookie season wasted for the most part. I believe Starks is definitely more talented than Grant & will take his job eventually.

 

[D'OHtis]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

At the RB position (particularly late round prospects), your first shot is usually your best shot. Fair or not, late round picks usually don't get more than one chance. Teams don't sit around and wait for you to make an impression. Starks had no better opportunity to make an impact than his year. (His competition are fringe RB's -- at best)You point to Starks having a full offseason of work. He had the opportunity of a full offseason of work this past year, but couldn't get/stay healthy.2011 he's facing the same lackluster cast he's yet to surpass, Grant and/or RB FA's/draft picks. Starks has an uphill battle to earn a role, yet alone feature back one.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

At the RB position (particularly late round prospects), your first shot is usually your best shot. Fair or not, late round picks usually don't get more than one chance. Teams don't sit around and wait for you to make an impression. Starks had no better opportunity to make an impact than his year. (His competition are fringe RB's -- at best)You point to Starks having a full offseason of work. He had the opportunity of a full offseason of work this past year, but couldn't get/stay healthy.2011 he's facing the same lackluster cast he's yet to surpass, Grant and/or RB FA's/draft picks. Starks has an uphill battle to earn a role, yet alone feature back one.

I just completely disagree here. They drafted Starks knowing full well he might not be ready or healthy coming into this season. And frankly, I don't believe they had any attention of keeping him on the active roster. The injury to Grant and subpar effort from Jackson forced their hand.Starts certainly does have a chance to impress heading into next season. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[faulkfan]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

mmmm, that would be no.

We'll see, LOL. It wouldn't be wise to assume Starks isn't a HUGE part of their future plans simply because he's been inactive.This kid is a very good prospect, albeit one who had his rookie season wasted for the most part. I believe Starks is definitely more talented than Grant & will take his job eventually.

I really don't know what will happen with Starks, but IF he is their best RB it would seem to me that they would want him out there with their season on the line. I think the guy is talented, but there has been nothing from either the way the team has used him or what he has accomplished when he has played that suggests he is a top tier guy. Perhaps this is because we just haven't seen enough of him yet, but again, if he was a truly spectacular talent I have to believe the Pack would want him in a position to contribute rather than healthy and watching from the sidelines.

 

[Chaka]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

mmmm, that would be no.

We'll see, LOL. It wouldn't be wise to assume Starks isn't a HUGE part of their future plans simply because he's been inactive.This kid is a very good prospect, albeit one who had his rookie season wasted for the most part. I believe Starks is definitely more talented than Grant & will take his job eventually.

I really don't know what will happen with Starks, but IF he is their best RB it would seem to me that they would want him out there with their season on the line. I think the guy is talented, but there has been nothing from either the way the team has used him or what he has accomplished when he has played that suggests he is a top tier guy. Perhaps this is because we just haven't seen enough of him yet, but again, if he was a truly spectacular talent I have to believe the Pack would want him in a position to contribute rather than healthy and watching from the sidelines.

He could be their best runner but still not see the field because they aren't comfortable with his ability in protection. Identifying and picking up blitzes is a very difficult skill for a RB to learn and it requires a lot of practice reps that perhaps the Pack can't afford to spare with their season on the line.Rodgers is their best player so the RBs with the best ability to protect him are going to see the most action, even if they are inferior runners.

 

[Kitrick Taylor]

I mentioned this when Starks had his big week. I think Dmitri Nance could have done the same thing with those carries. Nance is getting playing time right now because he's an asset on special teams. Starks is not.

My guess is next year will be an open competition between Grant, Jackson, Nance, Starks and a draft pick. From what I have read, Grant could probably be playing right now if he wasn't on IR. He will be ready for a full offseason of work. It will be tough to unseat him as the starter for 2011.

 

[ThePittbully]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

mmmm, that would be no.

We'll see, LOL. It wouldn't be wise to assume Starks isn't a HUGE part of their future plans simply because he's been inactive.This kid is a very good prospect, albeit one who had his rookie season wasted for the most part. I believe Starks is definitely more talented than Grant & will take his job eventually.

At this point that's laughable, I've seen both guys play and Starks is not the better back. Period. He runs upright, his cuts are stiff, and he's just not anywhere near the back Grant is. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for him to take over as long as Grant is healthy and on the roster

 

[Mr.Pack]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

At the RB position (particularly late round prospects), your first shot is usually your best shot. Fair or not, late round picks usually don't get more than one chance. Teams don't sit around and wait for you to make an impression. Starks had no better opportunity to make an impact than his year. (His competition are fringe RB's -- at best)You point to Starks having a full offseason of work. He had the opportunity of a full offseason of work this past year, but couldn't get/stay healthy.2011 he's facing the same lackluster cast he's yet to surpass, Grant and/or RB FA's/draft picks. Starks has an uphill battle to earn a role, yet alone feature back one.

I just completely disagree here. They drafted Starks knowing full well he might not be ready or healthy coming into this season. And frankly, I don't believe they had any attention of keeping him on the active roster. The injury to Grant and subpar effort from Jackson forced their hand.Starts certainly does have a chance to impress heading into next season. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Totally agree with you Mityh. The one game Starks played, was an audition for next year basically. They liked what they saw, a lot. If they hadn't, he would have been cut.He will be the featured back next year, if not, he will have every opportunity to fight for it.

 

[smackdaddies]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

At the RB position (particularly late round prospects), your first shot is usually your best shot. Fair or not, late round picks usually don't get more than one chance. Teams don't sit around and wait for you to make an impression. Starks had no better opportunity to make an impact than his year. (His competition are fringe RB's -- at best)You point to Starks having a full offseason of work. He had the opportunity of a full offseason of work this past year, but couldn't get/stay healthy.

2011 he's facing the same lackluster cast he's yet to surpass, Grant and/or RB FA's/draft picks. Starks has an uphill battle to earn a role, yet alone feature back one.

I just completely disagree here. They drafted Starks knowing full well he might not be ready or healthy coming into this season. And frankly, I don't believe they had any attention of keeping him on the active roster. The injury to Grant and subpar effort from Jackson forced their hand.Starts certainly does have a chance to impress heading into next season. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Totally agree with you Mityh. The one game Starks played, was an audition for next year basically. They liked what they saw, a lot. If they hadn't, he would have been cut.He will be the featured back next year,

if not, he will have every opportunity to fight for it.

Not only no, but Hell no. Repeat after me, Ryan Grant is a top 10 RB and does everything the Packers want. Ryan Grant is a .....

as to Starks will have every opportunity to fight for it, well no kidding, so will every other packer on the roster including Nance, BJ, Kuhns and whatever other chucklehead they draft in the x round.

 

[Gopher State]

Grant will be the starter next year for the Packers, and no one else will even be close to taking the job away from him. I see the Packers drafting a RB, and would not be shocked to see Starks off the team in a year or so, he just not that good.

 

[njherdfan]

Grant will be the starter next year for the Packers, and no one else will even be close to taking the job away from him. I see the Packers drafting a RB, and would not be shocked to see Starks off the team in a year or so, he just not that good.

huh? He's only played in 2 games, and he looked pretty good in one of them. If you want to argue that Grant will be the starter next season then that's totally understandable, but I don't know how you could give Starks any grade other than an incomplete.

 

[ThePittbully]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

At the RB position (particularly late round prospects), your first shot is usually your best shot. Fair or not, late round picks usually don't get more than one chance. Teams don't sit around and wait for you to make an impression. Starks had no better opportunity to make an impact than his year. (His competition are fringe RB's -- at best)You point to Starks having a full offseason of work. He had the opportunity of a full offseason of work this past year, but couldn't get/stay healthy.

2011 he's facing the same lackluster cast he's yet to surpass, Grant and/or RB FA's/draft picks. Starks has an uphill battle to earn a role, yet alone feature back one.

I just completely disagree here. They drafted Starks knowing full well he might not be ready or healthy coming into this season. And frankly, I don't believe they had any attention of keeping him on the active roster. The injury to Grant and subpar effort from Jackson forced their hand.Starts certainly does have a chance to impress heading into next season. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Totally agree with you Mityh. The one game Starks played, was an audition for next year basically. They liked what they saw, a lot. If they hadn't, he would have been cut.He will be the featured back next year,

if not, he will have every opportunity to fight for it.

Not only no, but Hell no. Repeat after me, Ryan Grant is a top 10 RB and does everything the Packers want. Ryan Grant is a .....

as to Starks will have every opportunity to fight for it, well no kidding, so will every other packer on the roster including Nance, BJ, Kuhns and whatever other chucklehead they draft in the x round.

People really do give Grant no respect on this board. He's one of only two backs to rush for 1400 yards back to back coming into this season. NO ONE on Green Bay's roster has even remotely flashed that kind of talent. For the people saying Starks looked so great, did you even watch the game? The guy runs pretty much completely upright. Ive never seen someone stand up so straight while trying to run the rock, on top of that his cuts weren't sharp and he really wasn't all that impressive in any aspect. Add to that he can't pass protect, and you people predicting him as the feature back next year are out of your minds. Good luck with that, Ill be fine with getting Grant in the 4th or 5th

 

[Football Jones]

If Starks gets the mental aspect of the game & becomes a better pro, there's no doubt in my mind he'll be their feature back sooner rather than later (by 2012). He needs to practice better, but I'm sure his head is swirling after not playing for a couple of years.

This kid is really talented. More talented than Grant, IMO. I give Grant all the respect in the world for taking advantage of his opportunity, but I believe Starks is on another level.

It may not be a popular opinion, but I love this kid's chances in Green Bay. Big-time upside in that offense.

 

[JohnnyU]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

What if they draft Ryan Williams?

 

[Chaka]

I didn't realize how many professional NFL scouts and talent evaluators we had on this board.

 

[Football Jones]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

What if they draft Ryan Williams?

We'll see what they do in the draft, but it would surprise me if they took a RB in the first 3 rounds. I believe they're higher on Starks than many people think. We'll see what happens.

 

[JamesTheScot]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

mmmm, that would be no.

We'll see, LOL. It wouldn't be wise to assume Starks isn't a HUGE part of their future plans simply because he's been inactive.This kid is a very good prospect, albeit one who had his rookie season wasted for the most part. I believe Starks is definitely more talented than Grant & will take his job eventually.

I really don't know what will happen with Starks, but IF he is their best RB it would seem to me that they would want him out there with their season on the line. I think the guy is talented, but there has been nothing from either the way the team has used him or what he has accomplished when he has played that suggests he is a top tier guy. Perhaps this is because we just haven't seen enough of him yet, but again, if he was a truly spectacular talent I have to believe the Pack would want him in a position to contribute rather than healthy and watching from the sidelines.

This is an interesting situation to me. What surprises me is that he's a healthy inactive. If he's healthy and he's a better RB than Jackson, why isn't he playing at least a few snaps with the Pack in the playoff hunt?And if Nance needs to be active because of his special teams capabilities, why isn't Starks being used in that capacity too? Too frail? It's not like he's just been pulled from special teams because they're planning on giving him 20+ touches this week.

Too talented to waste/risk on special teams but not talented enough to start over the marginal Brandon Jackson. It's just curious, particularly at a position like RB where rookies can come in and play immediately.

It strikes me as a situation where the team is somewhat intrigued by his talent, but also pretty confident that he can't really contribute in any meaningful way right now. Which means that he's a healthy developmental prospect as opposed to the injured developmental prospect he was earlier in the season.

If I had deep stash room on my roster, I'd probably hold. But being a healthy inactive RB on a team that struggles to run the ball just doesn't bode well. Rookie RB's get playing time in the NFL all the time. That means he's probably a bit too developmental for my tastes right now.

 

[JamesTheScot]

It was a longshot for Starks to do much if anything this season, but he's their most talented RB, IMO (& that includes Grant). Grant has taken advantage of being the starter in Green Bay as far as FF is concerned, but with a full offseason of work, I look for Starks to earn the feature back role at some point (by 2012).

At the RB position (particularly late round prospects), your first shot is usually your best shot. Fair or not, late round picks usually don't get more than one chance. Teams don't sit around and wait for you to make an impression. Starks had no better opportunity to make an impact than his year. (His competition are fringe RB's -- at best)You point to Starks having a full offseason of work. He had the opportunity of a full offseason of work this past year, but couldn't get/stay healthy.

2011 he's facing the same lackluster cast he's yet to surpass, Grant and/or RB FA's/draft picks. Starks has an uphill battle to earn a role, yet alone feature back one.

I just completely disagree here. They drafted Starks knowing full well he might not be ready or healthy coming into this season. And frankly, I don't believe they had any attention of keeping him on the active roster. The injury to Grant and subpar effort from Jackson forced their hand.Starts certainly does have a chance to impress heading into next season. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Totally agree with you Mityh. The one game Starks played, was an audition for next year basically. They liked what they saw, a lot. If they hadn't, he would have been cut.He will be the featured back next year, if not, he will have every opportunity to fight for it.

I suppose they liked what they saw of Nance or he would have been cut. So then he will be the featured back next year or will have every opportunity to fight for it?I suppose any back who is on a roster right now is there because the team likes what they've seen from him. So does that mean he must be in line to get a shot at the feature back role next year?

Or, it could be that these RB's remain on the roster but inactive because teams know they are one injury away from having to activate another RB and it's usually better to plug in a guy who's had the playbook for a while and has seen a few snaps over a guy who was working at UPS last week.

Starks could end up in a feature back role. But his presence on the roster with inactive status is NOT proof of that. On the other hand, it's pretty solid proof that there isn't anyone better on the street right now.

So what we know for sure is that Brandon Jackson gives the Pack a better shot of winning right now than does James Starks and that the Pack likes Starks better than they do any of the currently available free agents.

 

[fatness]

From Yahoo.

Starks is inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Recommendation: Just like last week, Starks is a healthy scratch. The Packers will rely on Brandon Jackson, Dimitri Nance and John Kuhn as their primary ballcarriers.

I'm having a very hard time understanding the glowing predictions for a 6th round draft pick who's been hurt a lot and is behind Dmitri Nance.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said James Starks needs to do a better job in preparation and practice in order to regain a spot on the game-day roster.

McCarthy said Starks is competing with Dmitri Nance to dress, and Nance is simply doing a better job at this point. Nance is also better on special teams, which obviously helps him. Starks has been inactive the last two weeks. Dec. 27 - 1:08 pm et

link

 

[Mr.Pack]

Starks looked good again today.

Runs rough. Hope they keep giving him the ball

 

[Football Jones]

Starks was put in a tough situation due to being idle for so long, & I'm sure his head is still swimming, but I like him a lot. He's got a ton of potential working in that offense.

Starks is their best bet to get a legit running game going in the playoffs, IMO. It's pretty evident they need to be able to run the ball if they're going to have a chance to go to the Super Bowl. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Very interested to see what the future holds for the GB backfield.

 

[PizzaDeliveryGuy]

Grant will be the starter next year for the Packers, and no one else will even be close to taking the job away from him. I see the Packers drafting a RB, and would not be shocked to see Starks off the team in a year or so, he just not that good.

Leaning on him in a playoff game seems to say otherwise.

 

[dharmapunk]

Grant will be the starter next year for the Packers, and no one else will even be close to taking the job away from him. I see the Packers drafting a RB, and would not be shocked to see Starks off the team in a year or so, he just not that good.

Leaning on him in a playoff game seems to say otherwise.

Judging on what I see tonight, I'd say Starks will compete with Brandon Jackson for the #2 spot next season. He'll probably beat Jackson out too. The guy has speed, size, and moves. And most importantly, he doesn't go down when a defender breathes on him (like Jackson).

 

[Football Jones]

I'm bullish on Starks' future. He's got a lot of talent & is in an ideal situation.

 

[Football Jones]

BTW, I most definitely believe Starks will be Green Bay's feature back at some point (maybe sooner than most people think).

 

[pghrob]

Why did I cut him!!!!?!?!??!?

 

[chook]

Grant will be the starter next year for the Packers, and no one else will even be close to taking the job away from him. I see the Packers drafting a RB, and would not be shocked to see Starks off the team in a year or so, he just not that good.

Leaning on him in a playoff game seems to say otherwise.

Judging on what I see tonight, I'd say Starks will compete with Brandon Jackson for the #2 spot next season. He'll probably beat Jackson out too. The guy has speed, size, and moves. And most importantly, he doesn't go down when a defender breathes on him (like Jackson).

You've missed the boat if you waited until tonight. Kid will be #1 for the Packers.

 

[njherdfan]

Grant will be the starter next year for the Packers, and no one else will even be close to taking the job away from him. I see the Packers drafting a RB, and would not be shocked to see Starks off the team in a year or so, he just not that good.

Leaning on him in a playoff game seems to say otherwise.

Judging on what I see tonight, I'd say Starks will compete with Brandon Jackson for the #2 spot next season. He'll probably beat Jackson out too. The guy has speed, size, and moves. And most importantly, he doesn't go down when a defender breathes on him (like Jackson).

I see Jackson as more of the traditional 3rd down back. Starks strikes me as more of a feature back, so I don't see the two directly competing.

 

[Steed]

Grant will be the starter next year for the Packers, and no one else will even be close to taking the job away from him. I see the Packers drafting a RB, and would not be shocked to see Starks off the team in a year or so, he just not that good.

Leaning on him in a playoff game seems to say otherwise.

Judging on what I see tonight, I'd say Starks will compete with Brandon Jackson for the #2 spot next season. He'll probably beat Jackson out too. The guy has speed, size, and moves. And most importantly, he doesn't go down when a defender breathes on him (like Jackson).

I see Jackson as more of the traditional 3rd down back. Starks strikes me as more of a feature back, so I don't see the two directly competing.

Brandon Jackson is a free agent in 2011, so it might not matter. Hopefully they don't bring him back, they could probably get the same contributions from Kuhn.

 

[ookook]

I hope they DO bring him back. They need depth and Jackson looked better down the stretch. I agree he will be a good 3rd down back option.

 

[Steelfan7]

Grant will be the starter next year for the Packers, and no one else will even be close to taking the job away from him. I see the Packers drafting a RB, and would not be shocked to see Starks off the team in a year or so, he just not that good.

Note to self...disregard any Packers info/opinions from Gopher State in the future.

 

[sho nuff]

Grant will be the starter next year for the Packers, and no one else will even be close to taking the job away from him. I see the Packers drafting a RB, and would not be shocked to see Starks off the team in a year or so, he just not that good.

Note to self...disregard any Packers info/opinions from Gopher State in the future.

Good idea since he is a Vikings fan who has been running this packers schtick after the Vikings season started going south.