Packers' RB News (1 Viewer)

[packersfan]

From RotoWorld:

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that DeShawn Wynn's role "could" increase, and that he likes "the way the backfield has come into identity.

Wynn may have cemented a role as the third-down and goal-line back after scoring twice and catching two passes for 18 yards Sunday against the Giants. McCarthy almost mentioned Ryan Grant as a candidate for more carries.

 

[ThePassion]

Where does Vernand Morency figure in? I have him and am hoping he eventually gets healthy, I didn't realize the extent of his injury I guess.

I somehow happened to watch the two GB games this year, once b/c they were playing the Eagles and then again this week cause they were on..... didn't think the backfield was doing much at all. Wynn looked like he wanted it more but I don't see him amounting to much. Jackson looks slow.

Seems doomed for a major RBBC all season long.

 

[zadok]

McCarthy almost mentioned Ryan Grant

 

[packersfan]

Where does Vernand Morency figure in?

Recent rumblings say he might not be ready for a few more weeks.

 

[CrossEyed]

McCarthy almost mentioned Ryan Grant

I'm guessing that's a typo and was supposed to be "also".

 

[Big Score]

Where does Vernand Morency figure in?

Recent rumblings say he might not be ready for a few more weeks.

So what are the rumblings saying packersfan? Got anymore details that you can give us?

 

[packersfan]

Where does Vernand Morency figure in?

Recent rumblings say he might not be ready for a few more weeks.

So what are the rumblings saying packersfan? Got anymore details that you can give us?

Just that it might be a few more weeks before he's ready. That's all I'm hearing.

 

[jurrassic]

As a Packer fan, I can tell you that this is a complete crapshoot if you have to play any of these guys. IF Morency can ever play, I have a feeling he will at least be the third down back as he has the most experience in picking up the blitz. Jackson is not a good blocker. I almost get the feeling from reading in between the lines of both local articles and press conferences that the Packers are higher on both Wynn and Grant, but that Jackson has been in camp the whole time, uninjured and just knows more at this point.

Overall, the Packers haven't really proven they can run the ball consistently. Combine that with a potential 4-headed monster at rb, and the fact the Packers led the league in pass attempts last year and the outlook of getting solid production from any of these guys is suspect.

Personally, I feel like Wynn, in his limited time, has shown more than Jackson, but that doesn't mean much.

 

[switz]

Brandon Jackson S-U-C-K-S as some of us told you all in the offseason

 

[packersfan]

Brandon Jackson S-U-C-K-S as some of us told you all in the offseason

Yup. I didn't like the pick and I didn't like what he showed in the preseason and in camp and he's been brutal in the first two games.

 

[Illegal Pants Downfield]

Brandon Jackson S-U-C-K-S as some of us told you all in the offseason

Yup. I didn't like the pick and I didn't like what he showed in the preseason and in camp and he's been brutal in the first two games.

Agreed - Jackson looks AWFUL.This team needs to get Morency healthy - I'd like to see what this offense can do with a hint of a running game.

 

[sho nuff]

Bottom line continues to be the play of the Oline. Not much any RB can do when you are consistently getting hit at or behind the line of scrimmage (and its not just the guards, Clifton and Tauscher have sucked too)

 

[packersfan]

Bottom line continues to be the play of the Oline. Not much any RB can do when you are consistently getting hit at or behind the line of scrimmage (and its not just the guards, Clifton and Tauscher have sucked too)

That's a part of it but one of my many problems with Jackson is he gets nothing on his own. If he gets hit at the line he's going down. Compare that to Ward, for example, who on a couple of runs yesterday kept his legs churning and picked up 3-4 yards even though he was hit at the line. That's the difference between a good RB and someone who is barely average. Even if the gain is only 3 yards, it's better than 1 or none. If there isn't a gaping hole for Jackson it seems like he's incapable of generating positive yardage.

 

[Brutis]

The past 2 weeks the only time I've seen a decent run from the Packers is when its 3rd and long and the defense is obviously playing the pass. It just so happens the RB that gets that hand off in that situation is Wynn.

 

[TheFanatic]

I think that backfield is a mess. Even if all of these guys were healthy there would be a mess back there.

 

[zamboni]

I think that backfield is a mess. Even if all of these guys were healthy there would be a mess back there.

I agree, but sometimes a player can emerge out of an apparent wasteland. Maybe Wynn won't do anything, but he stands a better chance right now than Jackson or Morency, and there's really no one else.

 

[BroadwayG]

Brandon Jackson S-U-C-K-S as some of us told you all in the offseason

Yup. I didn't like the pick and I didn't like what he showed in the preseason and in camp and he's been brutal in the first two games.

Agreed - Jackson looks AWFUL.This team needs to get Morency healthy - I'd like to see what this offense can do with a hint of a running game.

I'll 4th the motion.

 

[Warhogs]

I can see Wynn absolutely being the short yardage guy at this point.

 

[Gadfly]

The past 2 weeks the only time I've seen a decent run from the Packers is when its 3rd and long and the defense is obviously playing the pass. It just so happens the RB that gets that hand off in that situation is Wynn.

This is good posting. Wynn hasn't looked better than Jackson except on these plays. Otherwise, there has just been no room for either of them to run. That the offense and defense are looking up as a whole is reason for some optimism around Jackson for later in the year.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Sep. 16, 2007 - 4:17 p.m. ET

Rookie RB DeShawn Wynn ran ten times for 50 yards and two touchdowns as the Packers downed the Giants 35-13 in Week 2. He had two catches for 18 yards.

Wynn has always had the talent and the coaching staff is high on him, but the Packers' schedule coming up is brutal. It does appear that he is Green Bay's go-to option in goal-line situations over Brandon Jackson. Consider adding Wynn in deeper leagues, but this could turn out to be his best game all year.

 

[Challenge Everything]

McCarthy says he likes the dual-role running back position. There is no one starter nor is one back going to get the bulk of the carries with this news. RBBC

 

[gman8343]

Brandon Jackson S-U-C-K-S as some of us told you all in the offseason

Yup. I didn't like the pick and I didn't like what he showed in the preseason and in camp and he's been brutal in the first two games.

Agreed - Jackson looks AWFUL.This team needs to get Morency healthy - I'd like to see what this offense can do with a hint of a running game.

I'll 4th the motion.

Someone is saying Here that Morency is rumored to be going on IR.

 

[mdog1967]

The past 2 weeks the only time I've seen a decent run from the Packers is when its 3rd and long and the defense is obviously playing the pass. It just so happens the RB that gets that hand off in that situation is Wynn.

This is good posting. Wynn hasn't looked better than Jackson except on these plays. Otherwise, there has just been no room for either of them to run. That the offense and defense are looking up as a whole is reason for some optimism around Jackson for later in the year.

Unless Jackson suddenly finds away to run with out falling down on a shoe or getting knocked over by Brett's ball towl, it aint going to ever be Jackson. Guy is starting to make J.J Arrington look good. Packs O-Line has been pretty decent, in the NFL they dont open up super market lanes, they make small spaces for the RB to fit thru. Jackson just looks Wrong carrying the ball. Like he is completely uncomfortable with contact and has to decide what DB is going to hurt him the least, running into the back of your own linemen does'nt help any. Maybe the light comes on soon for him?

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Jackson has not looked good. The line is a little to blame, but Jackson doesn't hit the holes and sure doesn't look elusive. Wynn doesn't look good to me.

Don't sleep on Grant. He was impressive in preseason, and certainly can play better than the above two have.

Packer homers, keep us posted on the status of Morency.

 

[Bri]

Grant looked good, albeit briefly. Hard to not see this becoming a mess if he continues to play well.

 

[Duke1948]

Jackson has not looked good. The line is a little to blame, but Jackson doesn't hit the holes and sure doesn't look elusive. Wynn doesn't look good to me.

Don't sleep on Grant. He was impressive in preseason, and certainly can play better than the above two have.

Packer homers, keep us posted on the status of Morency.

Wynn doesn't look good to me.

may i ask just what are you basing this on.....as i look back he only played in 1 preseason game(injuried in others) and had a descent day. opening day had 1 rush and 1 pass rec.

Don't sleep on Grant. He was impressive in preseason, and certainly can play better than the above two have.

again i'm asking what is this based on,must have been the practice field, cause looking at the game stats....he didn't play in any preseason game. in fact the only stats i see for him is he caught a(1) pass this past week for 21 yds.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

again i'm asking what is this based on,must have been the practice field, cause looking at the game stats....he didn't play in any preseason game. in fact the only stats i see for him is he caught a(1) pass this past week for 21 yds.

Grant played for the Giants in their first 2 or 3 preseason games and reportedly looked good.

 

[Bri]

again i'm asking what is this based on,must have been the practice field, cause looking at the game stats....he didn't play in any preseason game. in fact the only stats i see for him is he caught a(1) pass this past week for 21 yds.

Grant played for the Giants in their first 2 or 3 preseason games and reportedly looked good.

Grant stays on his feet when you would figure he's down. That's all I've seen as of yet from him that's noteworthy. However, Pack brass comments have been very positive about him so that's worth noting too. Grant can pick up the blitz and with "the franchise" Favre at QB that's important.I'm not sure if you're looking for info that's not there, Duke. He was hurt and on the PS for the Giants. The game experience for him is extremely minimal so the feedback will be as well. Walker? Some guy at ND even edged him out so he didn't get all that much time in college to evaluate him. Sorry but I think you(like us) are stuck going on the little info (little experience seeing him) we have to go by.

 

[Duke1948]

again i'm asking what is this based on,must have been the practice field, cause looking at the game stats....he didn't play in any preseason game. in fact the only stats i see for him is he caught a(1) pass this past week for 21 yds.

Grant played for the Giants in their first 2 or 3 preseason games and reportedly looked good.

tried to find some stats on him but so far no luck.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Jackson has not looked good. The line is a little to blame, but Jackson doesn't hit the holes and sure doesn't look elusive. Wynn doesn't look good to me.

Don't sleep on Grant. He was impressive in preseason, and certainly can play better than the above two have.

Packer homers, keep us posted on the status of Morency.

Wynn doesn't look good to me.

may i ask just what are you basing this on.....as i look back he only played in 1 preseason game(injuried in others) and had a descent day. opening day had 1 rush and 1 pass rec.

Don't sleep on Grant. He was impressive in preseason, and certainly can play better than the above two have.

again i'm asking what is this based on,must have been the practice field, cause looking at the game stats....he didn't play in any preseason game. in fact the only stats i see for him is he caught a(1) pass this past week for 21 yds.

Wynn looked slow hitting the hole for the most part and doesn't have much elusiveness. Other than his 38 yard run, he did very little in the game. Grant played in preseason. He was impressive in the times I saw him play. He has some elusiveness and a little bit of burst to him. Whether he can translate that to the regular season remains to be seen, but he shows me more than the other Packer RBs do based on what I have seen. He seems to hit the holes pretty well. Thompson traded a 6th for him, so he obviously likes him. I would like to see Grant get some carries in a regular season game. Below are his preseason stats.

Week 1: 5 rushes, 44 yards

Week 2: 7 rushes, 31 yards

Week 3: 2 rushes, 11 yards, 1 reception, 18 yards

Week 4: 4 carries, 4 yards, 1 TD

 

[packersfan]

This is my take. All speculation so take it for what it's worth:

I think Wynn's next in line to start. Jackson has been brutal and I think he gets one, maybe two more games to show if he can do anything. Unfortunately for him, next up are the Chargers and I doubt he gets anything against them. So Wynn's carries go up and he starts in Week 4 or Week 5. Whether he does anything remains to be seen. I hate the "if you take away the xxxx-yard play" line of thinking but the reality is outside of the TD run he looked pretty bad too. On the flip side, showed MUCH more on that TD run than Jackson has on any of his carries so that should be factored into the equation. Grant is the darkhorse. As mentioned above, he showed MUCH more elusiveness than Jackson has yet to show and if Wynn falters Grant could get a shot. Again, whether he does anything remains to be seen. I wouldn't put any faith in Morency being the starter this season. I think he's lost too much time, the rumors about his injury are too negative and I don't think he's starter material anyway.

Bottom line: It's still a major roll of the dice to trust any of these RBs. A starting RB does have value in nearly every league so if you have the roster room and want to take a flyer on Wynn or Grant I think that's a good move just to see what might pan out. Maybe one of them will become the next Samkon Gado, who knows? But the Packers have a very tough schedule and I just don't believe they have much talent at the RB position so when you combine those two elements I'm not sure you'll be able to find one guy in this group who will give you even consistent RB3 production. It's going to be a crapshoot.

Just my two cents.

 

[Big Score]

I would like to see Grant get some carries in a regular season game. Below are his preseason stats. Week 1: 5 rushes, 44 yardsWeek 2: 7 rushes, 31 yardsWeek 3: 2 rushes, 11 yards, 1 reception, 18 yardsWeek 4: 4 carries, 4 yards, 1 TD

Hey Borbely,Do you know what period & situations Grant was getting those carries in?Specifically, when Grant put up those pre-season stats, was he going against the scrubs, or the starters?

 

[zamboni]

Not to bring up tired old news, but one has to imagine what could have been had the Packers ponied up and traded for Mike Turner.

 

[prymetyme25]

I would like to see Grant get some carries in a regular season game. Below are his preseason stats. Week 1: 5 rushes, 44 yardsWeek 2: 7 rushes, 31 yardsWeek 3: 2 rushes, 11 yards, 1 reception, 18 yardsWeek 4: 4 carries, 4 yards, 1 TD

Hey Borbely,Do you know what period & situations Grant was getting those carries in?Specifically, when Grant put up those pre-season stats, was he going against the scrubs, or the starters?

I think you made that Week 1 stat up because he didn't play in the first game.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Most of his work was in the 3rd quarter, so a lot of backups. He showed some burst when he hit the holes. Obviously playing the backups doesn't tell much, but he was still impressive when he played. I did not base my opinion on the stats he had, rather what my eyes told me.

 

[shadyridr]

All I know is sometimes you hit lightning in a bottle with these pickups. I missed out on Ward last week cuz I didnt wanna bid too much and was comfortable at RB. But Im tired of other teams grabbing all these RBs while I sit idolly by so Im going to bid a decent amount on Wynn

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I would like to see Grant get some carries in a regular season game. Below are his preseason stats. Week 1: 5 rushes, 44 yardsWeek 2: 7 rushes, 31 yardsWeek 3: 2 rushes, 11 yards, 1 reception, 18 yardsWeek 4: 4 carries, 4 yards, 1 TD

Hey Borbely,Do you know what period & situations Grant was getting those carries in?Specifically, when Grant put up those pre-season stats, was he going against the scrubs, or the starters?

I think you made that Week 1 stat up because he didn't play in the first game.

Before you go accusing people of things, I suggest you go back and look again.

 

[Da Beers]

From last night's Wisconsin State Journal

McCarthy said halfback Vernand Morency will again practice hard on Wednesday and then be re-examined on Thursday, just as he was last week. ``He has to get through a full day and not have that soreness, because (the doctors) just don't want (him) to go backwards,'' McCarthy said.

 

[prymetyme25]

I would like to see Grant get some carries in a regular season game. Below are his preseason stats. Week 1: 5 rushes, 44 yardsWeek 2: 7 rushes, 31 yardsWeek 3: 2 rushes, 11 yards, 1 reception, 18 yardsWeek 4: 4 carries, 4 yards, 1 TD

Hey Borbely,Do you know what period & situations Grant was getting those carries in?Specifically, when Grant put up those pre-season stats, was he going against the scrubs, or the starters?

I think you made that Week 1 stat up because he didn't play in the first game.

Before you go accusing people of things, I suggest you go back and look again.

Well these are the rushing stats for the Giants in the first game against Carolina.D. Ward 5 29 1 19 A. Bradshaw 5 19 0 15 R. Droughns 5 17 0 7 A. Wright 3 16 0 11 B. Jacobs 4 15 0 7 J. Lorenzen 2 12 0 14 S. Moss 1 4 0 4 Doesn't even show him with a carry.But i could be wrong

 

[Worm]

I would like to see Grant get some carries in a regular season game. Below are his preseason stats. Week 1: 5 rushes, 44 yardsWeek 2: 7 rushes, 31 yardsWeek 3: 2 rushes, 11 yards, 1 reception, 18 yardsWeek 4: 4 carries, 4 yards, 1 TD

Hey Borbely,Do you know what period & situations Grant was getting those carries in?Specifically, when Grant put up those pre-season stats, was he going against the scrubs, or the starters?

I think you made that Week 1 stat up because he didn't play in the first game.

Before you go accusing people of things, I suggest you go back and look again.

Well these are the rushing stats for the Giants in the first game against Carolina.D. Ward 5 29 1 19 A. Bradshaw 5 19 0 15 R. Droughns 5 17 0 7 A. Wright 3 16 0 11 B. Jacobs 4 15 0 7 J. Lorenzen 2 12 0 14 S. Moss 1 4 0 4 Doesn't even show him with a carry.But i could be wrong

 

[Anthony Borbely]

You better look closer. He is the first RB listed in the stats.

Link to Giants first preseason game

 

[majarrek]

Packer homer here, has watched both games.

I like Wynn alot because he's what Brett Favre demonstrates on the field, an ability to make plays. 3 come to mind:

1) When they needed a crucial 3rd down against the Eagles in week 1, Brett was about to be sacked and using his usual creative mind, threw an underhand pass to guess who? Wynn - who took the ball while facing Favre, turned around and ran for 10+ yards for the first down, evetually setting up a crucial field goal.

2) In Week 2 - Wynn gets the goal line carry and score. These were going to Brandon Jackson in the preseason, but he has looked more like 3 yards and a cloud of dust lately.

3) Same Week 2 - Wynn scampered 30+ yards on a beautiful counter cut to score another game sealing TD.

The guy's a playmaker and didn't have a chance to compete with Jackson at preseason because he was injured. This guy went to Florida, so he knows how to play in an NFL system. He's 5'10" and 232 lbs, so he fulfills the Jamal Lewis type back, but he's big, powerful and fast enough to score from 20 yards out. Is he a fantasy starter yet? No, unless you're really hungry at RB and favor guys like Marion Barber last year to just get you TD's. But Mike McCarthy has said he eventually wants to go to a feature back and does not like the RBBC (mentioned this during summer camps, maybe just motivation for someone to step up). Again, I just see more potential from him than Jackson at this point. However, Jackson is the starter, so if you have Jackson and you have space, I'd add Wynn. If you have neither and have space, definitely pick up Wynn and try to get Morency as well.

Ryan Grant looks like a change of pace back to me and eventually will be a 3rd down/change of pace back, but I think he only caught one reception this week in the open field.

If I had to say it, I'd expect to see Wynn get more 1st down and 2nd down carries than Jackson, but not by much...for all carries maybe this distrtibution makes sense...

Wynn - 55%

Jackson - 40%

Grant - 5%

I just see Wynn stepping up and being a playmaker and regardless of who he is that's who Brett will look to. Jackson hasn't shown me anything and I can definitely see Wynn becoming the next Donald Driver...But this is from someone who follows GB very closely (although I live in SD)...A good website is jsonline.com to check out for the best and latest GB news...One last thing, if you pick him up, I would be cautious in starting him this week - they play SD at home...

What's killing them now isn't necessary the RB's, it's that the line is still adjusting to the zone block style they incorporated a year ago. Defensive players are firing into the line and guys are missing blocks right now. That's why they went straight to the pass last week in the second half to drill the Giants (they were losing at halftime). They have a lot of young guys on that line right now, give them some time and you may be able to steal a back for a bye-week replacement or late season starter....Hope that helps

 

[prymetyme25]

You better look closer. He is the first RB listed in the stats.

Link to Giants first preseason game

cool. I was looking here http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/gamecenter/l...0070811_CAR@NYG

but i looked at the play by play and you are right.

 

[sho nuff]

Packs O-Line has been pretty decent, in the NFL they dont open up super market lanes, they make small spaces for the RB to fit thru.

Decent? Have you watched any of the games?Do decent Olines allow DEs to come around the outside and hit the RB in the backfield several times?Its one thing to have a small hole...its another to be consistenly hit at or behind the line of scrimmage.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Wynn made a couple of nice plays, including the 38 yard TD, but for the most part, he did not look all that impressive to me. He had 5 carries for zero yards or less. That is half of his carries.

 

[gianmarco]

Sep 17 Pete Dougherty, of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, reports Green Bay Packers RB DeShawn Wynn will get more carries at halfback Week 3. He could displace RB Brandon Jackson as the team's primary halfback.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Packs O-Line has been pretty decent, in the NFL they dont open up super market lanes, they make small spaces for the RB to fit thru.

Decent? Have you watched any of the games?Do decent Olines allow DEs to come around the outside and hit the RB in the backfield several times?Its one thing to have a small hole...its another to be consistenly hit at or behind the line of scrimmage.

The line was not great by any stretch, but it was adequate. The RBs did not hit the holes that were there. Even though the line was not much better than average, I put more of the lack of a running game on the RBs for too much dancing and not enough hitting the holes.

 

[sho nuff]

Packs O-Line has been pretty decent, in the NFL they dont open up super market lanes, they make small spaces for the RB to fit thru.

Decent? Have you watched any of the games?Do decent Olines allow DEs to come around the outside and hit the RB in the backfield several times?Its one thing to have a small hole...its another to be consistenly hit at or behind the line of scrimmage.

The line was not great by any stretch, but it was adequate. The RBs did not hit the holes that were there. Even though the line was not much better than average, I put more of the lack of a running game on the RBs for too much dancing and not enough hitting the holes.

Again...the line has been awful. Week one Favre was running for his life. Week 2, at least twice Strahan and Umenyiora came around the ends and hit RBs in the backfield. Something the coaches said should never happen in the zone scheme.I do agree the RBs have had their issues too. But the line looks bad, and the shocking part of it is Clifton and Tauscher have been as bad as the younger guys.

 

[packersfan]

Packs O-Line has been pretty decent, in the NFL they dont open up super market lanes, they make small spaces for the RB to fit thru.

Decent? Have you watched any of the games?Do decent Olines allow DEs to come around the outside and hit the RB in the backfield several times?Its one thing to have a small hole...its another to be consistenly hit at or behind the line of scrimmage.

The line was not great by any stretch, but it was adequate. The RBs did not hit the holes that were there. Even though the line was not much better than average, I put more of the lack of a running game on the RBs for too much dancing and not enough hitting the holes.

Agreed. Talented RBs can make pedestrian or worse offensive lines look better than they are. The Packers' lack of talent at RB is a major issue. The line hasn't been great and there have been problems but the primary problem in my opinion is the lack of talent at RB.

 

[Cheesedawg]

Packer homer here. I picked up Wynn last week and nearly played him, but unfortunately lacked the nads to make the call and changed to KFaulk at RB3. I picked up Wynn because he is the better pass protector between him and Jackson, so he should be able to hold the 3rd down job, and because he is bigger than any of their RB's so he has a good chance to hold the goal line job. With the Packers' poor OL play and rough schedule, about the only way a GB back can score decent points is to catch passes (my league gives a half-pt/recept) and punch in an occasional goal line TD. Wynn surprised me with two longer TD's, so maybe he has upside beyond the 3rd down/goalline gigs, but I don't think anybody has much upside in GB unless/until the OL plays a lot better.

I think it will be hard for any GB back to push into a RB2 job in most fantasy leagues, but for bye weeks or leagues which play 3 RB's, Wynn is your best bet now. If your league's Morency owner gets antsy and cuts him, I would pick him up also. It is a long season and there is no info out there about some sort of structural or longterm problem for Morency...JSOnline referred to it as a hamstring problem today. If you own Jackson you are in trouble. He is the least-talented RB I can remember seeing in the NFL. I haven't seen him make a single impressive run. Thompson really missed with this pick.