Talented young running back should contribute in 2012
Regardless of which players general manager Ted Thompson chooses in the upcoming draft, I doubt any of them will excite me as much as a young player already on the roster. I’m referring to Alex Green, the second-year running back whose rookie season was ended by a torn ACL in week 7. According to Mike McCarthy, rehabilitation is going well. “Alex looks really good,” said the coach. “Seeing him in the weight room every day, he looks like he’s really progressing.” That’s obviously great news for the player, and it’s also great news for the team. A healthy Green should make one of the most dynamic offenses in league history even better.
Green, who is blessed with both size (6’0, 225) and speed (4.44), averaged over 8 yards per carry as a senior. So why was he still available at the end of round three? There were a few reasons. Scouts were wary because Hawaii used a spread offense, which meant there were often gaping holes for Green to run through. Projecting how he’d fare in a more traditional scheme was a problem. So was his penchant for fumbling. He put the ball on the ground 8 times in 271 touches. Throw in the devaluation of the running back in today’s NFL, and it isn’t all that shocking that 95 players were selected before Green’s name came off the board.
Even after spending a week at practice and watching every snap of every game from August through January, it’s still difficult to evaluate Green as a runner. Practice is just practice. Running plays against your own teammates is hardly the same as taking a handoff against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in late December. And the preseason is just the preseason. Running behind offensive linemen and against defensive linemen who’ll soon be pumping gas or flipping burgers is hardly conducive to evaluating a halfback. So what makes me so excited about Green? Take a look:
I realize it was only one play, but that screen pass was a thing of beauty. Watch how easily Green caught the ball, how quickly he turned up field and how much patience he showed. Then watch the moves he put on in the open field. There aren’t many 225-pound backs who can do that. He reminded me of a combination of Dorsey Levens and Ahman Green. That’s why this young man is going to be a huge addition to the offense in ’12 – regardless of whether he ever carries the ball. Ryan Grant and James Starks are reliable out of the backfield, but neither has the ability to make tacklers miss in the open field. And that’s exactly what an offense needs when going up against defenses that are scared to death about getting beat deep by Greg Jennings or Jordy Nelson or down the seam by Jermichael Finley.
Assuming the knee is OK and the fumbling issue is resolved, the only thing that could keep Green from making an impact next season is an inability to pick up the blitz. McCarthy won’t put a back in the game on third down unless he can be counted on to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Green has the physical and the mental skills needed to do the job. He has good base strength and he pays close attention to detail. His biggest problem last summer was mostly technique. While he was usually quick to locate targets in traffic, he didn’t always face up defenders. If he’s healthy enough to participate in a full training camp, I wouldn’t expect this to be an issue once the regular season begins.
I am not worried about the offense. We need help on defense to get back to
the super bowl. Defense wins championships. We need a beter pass rush.Will
Nick collins return at free safety? Charles Wilson is great but has lost a step.
yes defense needs help but im tired of not haveing a running back that can gain more then 2 yards on each touch we need someone to keep us 2 dimensional not just one dimensional when they play us man we have issues look at the kc game….
9 months post injury brings him to opening of training camp. I’m sure they will nurse him in pre-season. He’s definitely exciting in space. He even looked good running behind Quinn Johnson’s big block. He’s probably a 3rd specialist. Someone that needs to be defended from catching something short and doing some damage. Was a shame he got hurt on ST but what can you do. I don’t like the idea of playing starters or skill players on ST but I guess they have to.
I also liked Sane big time. I think he’s a great 3rd down specialist as well. Sane can also run it on 1st and 2nd down. He’s a 3 down back. I’d like to see James Starks catch more in space as well.
Funny to see speculation that Pack is interested in RB Polk in draft. Hard to believe they would let info like that get out.
I’m assuming Grant will not make 53.
Changing subject: Sounds like Collins may come back afterall. He feels great and is dying to play again according to stories out there. Tough call.
Grant is a FA and I kinda hope they don’t resign him because I would love to see them draft a smaller quick twitch type of RB like a Darren Sproles. Adding a guy like Sproles to this team is a must, a guy that can return punts and kicks to free up Cobb to play more of a role on offense or to replace Cobb in case of injury.
Im not as excited about Green as you are though Michael. I just know most players are not a 100% for a full year after an ACL repair so I am lowering my expectations of him some this season. Hope im wrong.
I absolutely agree about Green. He’s SO smooth getting out there and catching the ball, while simultaneously setting up his blockers AND making that first guys miss. SO beautiful to see him work that.
Then he’s also got moves in the open field and the speed to take it to the house. Made me absolutely SICK to see him go down with that knee.
I really like our stable of RBs.
Green hits the hole quicker then all the other Packers backs. Saine is what he is a UDFA with some skills. I am looking forward to seeing what a full off season will do for him.
I don’t get the 3rd down specialist handle at all for Green. Can he do it, sure.
But Green is 6’225# that’s heaviest out of the three, that is NOT your typical 3rd down back.
TT and MM have stated time and again they like BIG backs, They have an advantage late in the season.
Maybe not right away this year with the injury but I fully expect Green to push for the #1 back spot over Starks.
I like that all three of the back can play 3rd down. I like that all three can carry the load as a starter if need be.
I’m betting on Green being that full time back.