March 1st, 2012 
Patrick Casey 
Posted in 
What better way to endear myself to Packers Gab readers in my first post than to suggest the Packers spend a high draft pick on an offensive position? Right? Hello?
Well, more specifically, I’m talking about the running back position.
Here’s why:
1. The running game has been treading water longer than the defense has been bad.
- The 2010 Packers had the league’s fifth best defense (second best by points) and while the rushing offense hasn’t necessarily been terrible (Football Outsiders ranked the 2011 Packers rushing offense sixth last year), it has been a while since I’ve had an abundance of confidence in the running game. And I’m sure I’m not the only one that hopes for a passing play when the Packers are facing 3rd and 2.
2. The defense isn’t as bad as it looks.
- I think there’s a lot of talent on the defense (especially in the area of tackling adolescents) and that the unit is only a player or two away from getting back into that top tier. Also, while it were worst in the league measured by total yards, Green Bay’s defense was a little more average when measured by points allowed. Combine a few good draft picks, a healthy Tramon Williams and the possible return of Nick Collins and we’re back on track. Maybe we’ll even see a breakout year for someone like Davon House or someone from the practice squad like M.D. Jennings or Anthony Levine.
3. Our current running squad isn’t going to cut it.
- Ryan Grant: Don’t expect him in a Packers uniform this season.
- James Starks: I’m as big of a Starks fan as anyone, but he hasn’t stayed healthy for an extended period of time and I also think he needs to work on his football IQ.
- Brandon Saine and Alex Green: Same story as Starks, but with less experience.
- John Kuhn: Touchdown vulture and great niche player? Yes, but that’s about it.
Don’t get me wrong: The Packer’s defense needs work and I’m largely ignoring more obvious needs on that side of the ball for the sake of this post, because, well, you already know about them. However, I do think the running back position is an area the Packers will need to focus on in the near future, be it through the draft (LaMichael James, anyone?) or otherwise.
What do you think? Who are the RB draft prospects that stick out to you? Am I nuts?
Leave your thoughts in the comments.
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NO !! The number one reason we blew it last year was that Cullen Jenkins was never replaced. The pass rush against the Giants was atrocious, as it was most of the year.
This year there is an abundance of DTs / 5 techinque DEs …. I’m looking at Fletcher Cox or Jerel Worthy at pick 28. That’s after Poe and Brockers are gone.
The same is true of 3-4 OLBs. Melvin Ingram would be ideal, but he’ll be gone. But look at who’s behind him ….. Zach Brown, Perry, Branch, Irvin, Kendricks. With a talent pool this deep, you’ve GOT to go defense !! And MORE defense. And a cornerback too. Best available OLB or CB in round 2.
Running backs are everywhere . TT knows this. My top pick on offense would be OL … if we can get a Center like Baylor’s Blake or Michigan’s Molk in Round 3 that would be fine !
Isaiah Pead in round 3 or 4 would be nice. Alex Green is a bigger bruiser, Starks likes to wiggle and try to be fancy. Pead’s quickness and pass catching skills would be the perfect compliment to us I think. He’d be our Darren Sproles.
Or Chris Rainey, I like his speed too. I think he ran a 4.35 40YD, that would definitely be a change of pace in our back field. Although I’ve read reports of Brandon Saine having similar speed so maybe with a full season of OTAs he could get better. But we FOR SURE need a DE/DT and OLB/MLB with the first two picks.
Really great ideas…
EJ-OLB is definitely a need. I think if the Packers get a solid pass rusher, that will in turn help seal up some of the issues in the secondary.
Evan-I think you hit the nail on the head with Starks–he’s better when he keeps it simple and keeps his pads down. It would be great to see Saine grow–Rodgers says he might have the best hands on the team, for whatever that’s worth.
The Packers do seem very impressed by 40 times (see Sam Shields, Davon House), so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Packers take one of the quicker guys in the draft…I’m excited to see what TT has up his sleeve this year!