Maybe Some Info on the Futures of James Starks & Brad Jones

[4xBuck]

I have an Uncle who gets some info every now & then on all three of the Wisconsin pro teams. Nothing ever major; but some small things here & there. The recent little info he told me were possible position changes for Starks & Jones in the off season

From what I understand, the thought on Starks is he looks much more like an NFL WR than a RB… With his size & running style, there’s concern he can stay healthy at RB. His receiving & route running skills are suppose to be excellent, so it seems logical.

Jones could be moving inside. There’s a bunch of variables with the Packers LB’s going into 2011. Depending on how things shake out, Jones could more valuable as an inside LB. His speed to cover TE’s is exciting to the Packers.

[Marley2Hendrix]

Interesting stuff and thanks for the heads up!

Re: Starks, hmm, well if he is switched to WR we finally have a guy in the Dexter McCluster role, and my oh my have I always wanted one of those on this squad. That being said, I don't think Starks has the tools that most of those RBs/WRs have, sure route running, but what about freakish agility and speed? We'll see I guess, but count me in as intriqued. Also, Starks vs Swain for 5th wr, it's a no brainer if starks shows that he has hands and could be a capable KR (although we may not need one with the ushering in of the Sammy Shields era). Also, the WR group will need to be reevaluated this offseason, DD may no longer be DD..

Brad Jones at MLB?

Hmm, if anything, reading between the lines this screams "end of the AJ Hawk era." My fear is that the team can't resign Bishop, but c'mon, that's Ted's MO. A four way rotation of Dez Bishop, Barnett, Chillar, and Brad Jones, I like it, but I'm not sure Jones is tough enough for MLB... I'm not even entirely sure if he was tough enough for olb.

[MickeyDavis]

I'm not sold on Jones being a quality player inside or outside. We'll see.

[Wade-A-Holic]

Jones is fine when he's healthy (hell of a lot better than Zombo), but that's the problem.

[mnstinks]

Why did they activate Starks then? Seems like a waste of a roster spot if they are going to move him.

[eagle13]

didn't think this needed its own thread so I'll mention here -

TT could have saved a lot of $ if he had signed Tramon & Bishop this past offseason. Don't understand the wait - especially w/ Tramon who had already proved he had value and probably would have signed for way less than now that he's Pro Bowl material. Ted better get both guys done.

[chuckleslove]

Why did they activate Starks then? Seems like a waste of a roster spot if they are going to move him.

I think the only reason he was activated was so that he could continue to practice with the team, they didn't want to lose an entire season of not practicing. I'd be surprised if he ever was on the 45 man game day roster this season.

[chuckleslove]

didn't think this needed its own thread so I'll mention here -

TT could have saved a lot of $ if he had signed Tramon & Bishop this past offseason. Don't understand the wait - especially w/ Tramon who had already proved he had value and probably would have signed for way less than now that he's Pro Bowl material. Ted better get both guys done.

Its very easy to say that in hindsight but last year Tramon was a nickle who got torched a few times, he was nowhere near the player he is now, going into the season he was going to get a chance to prove he could be a quality starter but I think he has far exceeded anyone's hopes and expectations.

As for Bishop the same thing, he had been wildly inconsistent in playing time in the past and has played far better than expected. He had always been known for big hits and a big play here and there but he has played with a newly found consistency.

I think if either guy had been locked up long term half the fans would have been okay with it(and obviously singing the praises after they played at their current level) and half the fans would have been puzzled and complaining that we signed two largely unproven guys to long term deals.

[notoriousTJ11]

When Starks was drafted I remember hearing the position change idea. Not a terrible idea, he's got good size for a WR, and if his durability as a RB is in question then why not.

As for Brad Jones, whatever, I remember Bedard talked about him being on McCarthys sh-t list for having questionable toughness.

[Balls2TheWalls]

The only thing that would make me sad about this is Starks has the skill set to be a great running back. He just doesn't have the body to take the hits.

[pdxblazers92087]

Starks does kind of look like a WR.... then again so does Adrian Peterson to an extent. I like how he has break away speed and even though he isn't a stalky RB he looks pretty hard to take down.


http://www.packers.com/media-center/vid ... 6c30ffb649

hes in that vid a few times #44.


In this youtube vid now I KNOW he isnt Adrian Peterson and i'd be ecstatic if he came close but he does run A LOT like him

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

[Wade-A-Holic]

I don't think he's moving to receiver and he's not on the 53 just to practice.

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette ... arthy-says

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy insists that rookie running back James Starks was put on the 53-man roster for one reason — to contribute.

There was no guarantee Starks would be activated this season after missing training camp with a hamstring injury and starting the season on the physically unable to perform list.

But instead of placing Starks on season-ending injured reserve, the Packers moved him to the 53-man roster last week.

“His look’s over … he’s competing to play,” McCarthy said Monday. “He needs to get ready to play, and that’s what all 53 players look for, an opportunity to compete during the week. We do it in our Tuesday meetings normally in a normal week, we stack the board, how you get from 53 to 45, this player is competing against that player. Special teams is usually the tiebreaker.

“He needs to compete to get up on the field on Sundays.”

Starks hasn’t appeared in a football game since suiting up for the University of Buffalo in the International Bowl against Connecticut on Jan. 3, 2009. He missed his senior season with a torn labrum, but set school records in rushing yards (3,140), rushing touchdowns (34) and points scored (222) in just three seasons.

“He’s a big, physical, athletic runner,” McCarthy said.

Starks, a sixth-round draft choice, participated in a practice for the first time as an active member of the Packers on Monday and wore the No. 28 jersey to impersonate Vikings running back Adrian Peterson against the No. 1 defense.

“Definitely, think I am (ready),” Starks said. “I’m kind of itching to get out there. I want to feel how everybody in this locker room probably has been feeling — going out there every day.

“I’ve been out for a while. Just getting into things … I started feeling more comfortable and feeling like myself again.”

The Packers are ranked No. 20 in the league with 101.6 rushing yards a game. Brandon Jackson has averaged 93.2 combined rushing and receiving yards during the last five games, and John Kuhn has served as the team’s other halfback since starter Ryan Grant was lost for the season in Week 1.

It might be a stretch to think Starks could make an impact so soon after missing so much time, especially with the scheme’s pass-blocking responsibilities. But McCarthy and the coaching staff saw something encouraging to merit giving him a roster spot.

“Every day is an evaluation for me,” Starks said. “Whenever my name is called upon, I’ll be ready. Each day I try to get better. That’s the main thing, being more efficient in everything you’re doing. I want to play. Of course I want to play. But I can only control what I can right now.”

[LUKE23]

I was watching his highlights again. Dude has burst. Looks faster than the 4.5 40 time he ran at the combine (and I think he has been clocked high 4.3's/low 4.4's as well). Be nice to have an athletic back that can also catch balls out of the backfield.

[Wade-A-Holic]

I was watching his highlights again. Dude has burst. Looks faster than the 4.5 40 time he ran at the combine (and I think he has been clocked high 4.3's/low 4.4's as well). Be nice to have an athletic back that can also catch balls out of the backfield.

Yeah it's going to be nice having a back that can get to the edge, run inside, and has the speed to out-run some people.

[Balls2TheWalls]

Starks has the exact skill set we want at running back. Unfortunately, he has been glass. He needs to put on his hard hat and get to work. He could be fantastic if he can toss the injury-prone label.

[LarryHarris]

I'm not sold on Jones being a quality player inside or outside. We'll see.

Agreed. I don't think Jones is anything special. He makes the plays he is supposed to, but so do the majority of NFL players. He's never made a play that wowed me. All of his sacks have been coverage sacks... He is a good backup.