Packers 6th Rounder | James Starks

[ReasonablySober]

RB - Buffalo

[Kerb Hohl]

Can he catch out of the backfield? Size looks like a bit of a bruiser.

I also wish we could pick up a scat back/returner at some point.

[chuckleslove]

Greg_A_Bedard

6-2 1.8, 218 and 4.52 in the 40

[ReasonablySober]

HT: 6-2
WT: 218
40 Time: 4.50
Biography: Former Three-year starter who sat on the sidelines last season after tearing a labral in his shoulder during August camp. All-Conference selection as a junior in 2008 after posting 272/1333/16. Sophomore totals included 1103 rushing yards.

Positives: Strong, smooth ball-carrier best on the inside. Patient, follows blocks everywhere on the field and quickly finds the running lanes. Grinds it out on the inside, does not go down with the fight and falls forward when tackled. Displays the ability cutback in a small area and possesses solid footwork for a bigger running back. Effectively picks up blocking assignments and a solid receiver out of the backfield.

Negatives: Really cannot create yardage and struggles to make something out of nothing. Marginal quickness and speed in his game. Does not possess the skills to turn the corner. Coming off a serious injury.

Analysis: Starks is a well sized power back who plays bigger than his listed size and shows a good head for the position. A shoulder injury from last August will send up red flags yet if healthy Starks possesses the necessary tools to make it as a third ball-carrier.

Projection: 6th

[Newz]

Sounds like he is kind of a one cut, punishing type of runner... Possibly a good guy down in the red zone or something along those lines. Good for short yardage situations?

[crkone]

Starks close to realizing NFL dream

By Jonah Bronstein Niagara Gazette

NIAGARA FALLS — After James Starks participated in the first day of junior varsity football tryouts as an incoming ninth-grader at Niagara Falls High School in 2001, coach Don Bass was compelled to tell Starks’ father that “if he doesn’t get caught up in the streets and he keeps his grades up, he won’t pay a cent for college.”

“He just had ‘it’”, Bass, now Niagara Falls varsity coach, recalled this week. “I don’t know quite how to describe it, but he was far superior to everyone else out there.”

When the Wolverines put the pads on the next week, Bass changed his projection, telling Starks, “if you stay dedicated, you can do this for a living.”

Bass, now the varsity coach at Niagara Falls, was right on both counts.

After breaking all of the major rushing records in three breathtaking seasons at the University at Buffalo, Starks is almost certain to hear his name called while watching the NFL draft over the next two days.

Starks — or “Buck,” as he’s commonly called in Niagara Falls — has a chance to be selected in the second or third round tonight, though most analysts project him to be taken sooner than later in the final four rounds Saturday.

“I don’t care what round I go,” Starks told reporters during a UB event at the New Era store Wednesday. “I’m going to be happy, and I’m going to be productive.”

Starks was one of the top-performing running backs at the NFL scouting combine in February, running the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and showing off pass-catching skills that some analysts have said are the best among running backs in the draft pool.

“He has massive hands and he’s learned to catch with his fingertips and not the palms of his hands,” Bass said.

Starks was regarded as a possible first- or second-round prospect heading into his senior year at UB, but season-ending surgery to repair a labral tear in his shoulder in August may have lowered his draft stock.

“I worked hard to get back,” Starks said. “I know I’m healthy.”

Starks comes from a family of basketball standouts — notably his cousin, Jonny Flynn, one of the top picks in last year’s NBA draft.

“He could’ve went Division I in basketball,” Flynn said recently. “But he was always great at football. I remember there was an AAU trip when he might’ve been a sophomore in high school and he skipped it because he wanted to play football. That’s when we knew that was the sport he was going to play.”

“He’s a great athlete,” Bass said. “But he’s a natural football player.”

When Starks first arrived at UB five years ago, then-coach Jim Hofher moved him from quarterback, his high school position, to defensive back.

A year later, Turner Gill took over the UB program, and quickly realized that Starks was his best playmaker, and needed the ball in his hands.

Starks got an opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job during his first spring with the Bulls, but was moved to tailback prior to the start of his redshirt freshman season. He raced for the game-winning touchdown in his debut game. Over the next three years he amassed 3,140 yards and 34 total touchdowns.

“Obviously, on the field, Buck is a tremendous athlete,” said Sal Constantino, a former Niagara Falls boys basketball assistant and one of Starks’ mentors. “I’ve been fortunate to be around a lot of tremendous athletes over the last few years here, and he is the most humble of them all. He’s a true gentleman.”

http://niagara-gazette.com/sports/x1687 ... -NFL-dream

[wichmae]

yeah a couple other reports have him as a good pass catcher as well.

[Newz]

He's related to Johnny Flynn?

He probably sucks.

[mnstinks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHKvKBmp ... re=related

[midranger]

TT wants to break a record for drafting guys who didn't play their last year due to injury.

[Balls2TheWalls]

Love this pick. All reports have him running faster than his timed 4.5 40. He is good catching out of the backfield. This guy looks like what we wanted in a running back.

[Balls2TheWalls]

CBS Sportsline:

Inside: Tall, lanky runner who looks like a former quarterback - but doesn't run like one. Shifty runner with good vision through traffic. Lowers his pads to power through defenders when he smells the first down or goal line. Usually falls forward for the extra yard. Will stutter-step to avoid initial tackler in the hole. Secure with the ball inside.

Outside: Perfect for offense using zone or stretch plays. Lets blocks develop and picks out holes or cut-back lanes to explode through. Long strider who lacks lateral quickness, but will explode vertically once in the open field. Carries the ball in his right hand and doesn't switch when running left. Adequate at getting the corner within the offense, but doesn't change directions fast enough to reverse a play on his own.

Breaking tackles: Will go through arm tackles and runs with some lean, but has troubles keeping his feet (looks a bit out of control at times). Keeps feet moving after first contact at the second level, but struggles to push the pile in the middle. Must show his shoulder injury has not lessened his effectiveness as a power runner.

Blocking: Not very physical. Liability as a pass protector, although it's not for a lack of effort. Likes to hit defenders but is just not strong enough to anchor or sustain against them. Hesitates to pick up linebackers on plays where the pocket is moving. Doesn't pick up defenders to aid teammates on the second level.

Receiving: Well-practiced receiver who physically looks the part. Used on swing passes, circle routes and in the slot from motion. Snatches the ball with his hands, adjusting to low and high throws. Will hold the ball loosely when trying to make a move in the open field. Some elusiveness after the catch, but is better running north-south than east-west. May be tried as a kickoff returner at the next level.

Intangibles: No major character issues. Soft-spoken young man who is well-liked by coaches, teachers and teammates. Gives more credit to his linemen than himself. Successful rehab of knee and shoulder injuries will gives scouts reason to like his work ethic.

[chuckleslove]

Greg_A_Bedard

One of three runners to place in the top 10 at combine in 40, vertical, broad, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. (Ben Tate, Hardesty)

[Ayt]

Seems like an intriguing pick in the 6th.

[chuckleslove]

RyanGrant25

i remember watching film on james starks with coach edgar bennett a couple weeks back..happy for him..now lets get to work

Apparently Grant was in on helping scout them? I find that interesting.

[jimmybones]

He probably suggested dudes that cant beat him out

[Isocleas2]

I love this pick. Great hands, good 1-cut potential for our system, lets get him in camp.

[agiaco]

haha epic pose

[emunney]

Just watched some clips. Poor man's Marcus Allen?

[Balls2TheWalls]

I just watched a clip of this kid. He looks like an absolute terror in the open field. Hard to tackle at the second level with some wiggle, and his straight line speed is strong.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ3dPkL0pr4[/youtube]