Green and Bold: Buying or Selling Knile Davis

In news that had Packer Nation saying, "Finally!" on Tuesday, the Packers traded the Chiefs a conditional draft pick in exchange for running back Knile Davis, the Chiefs' third-round draft pick in 2013. 

It's insane that the Packers have only had two halfbacks on their roster since releasing Jhurell Pressley on September 14, and they're lucky that it didn't blow up in their faces at any point this season.

Things very nearly became dire in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, when James Starks and Eddie Lacy both appeared on the injury report. Now, with Starks out after knee surgery for at least four weeks and Lacy having re-aggravated his ankle injury, Ted Thompson could not longer ignore the exigency at the running back position. 

After all, the Packers' play selection has already been skewed so far this season; they've attempted 181 passes to 128 rushes, or have been passing the ball nearly 60 percent of the time. In order to get the kinds of looks they want from defenses, they have to at least have the threat of the run. 

Does Knile Davis give them that threat?

The former Arkansas Razorback has just one carry and two receptions in games this season. On his career, he has 233 rushsing attempts for 775 yards for an average of 3.3 yards per carry. 

He does have 11 touchdowns, including a season-high six in 2014, and has also caught 31 receptions for 260 yards and another touchdown. 

The Packers have not seen Lacy score a single touchdown yet this season in 71 attempts or Starks in 24 attempts, so that's one area of the offense in which Davis could provide an immediate upgrade. He will only have two days to learn the Packers' playbook, but chances are whatever truncated set of plays the Packers choose to emphasize with him will include scoring situations. Plus, the terminology may be similar coming from Andy Reid's West Coast-style offense. 

Where things become really interesting is the fact that Lacy is not expected to play Thursday after missing practice Tuesday, as ESPN's Ed Werder reported. Thus, whatever complementary role Davis would have played behind Lacy, especially one utilizing his receiving ability, will be put on hold as the Packers attempt to make him the primary back in their power run scheme. 

Green Bay also has Ty Montgomery and Randall Cobb to use out of the backfield, but given how much the passing offense has struggled this season, the Packers need to get those two players going out for routes for Aaron Rodgers as much as possible, especially in the slot and on slants and screens. 

At 5'10" and 227 pounds, Davis is shorter, lighter, and quicker than the 5'11", 234-pound (that he's listed at, anyway) Lacy. Lacy ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash; Davis ran it in 4.37 seconds. While Lacy's size and running style don't often exhibit the speed he demonstrated at the NFL Combine, Davis' speed shows on film. It's also evident on returns, though the Packers should leave Davis out of that equation. They're already down enough running backs due to injury. 

Davis' speed could breathe new life into the Packers' run game at a time when the offense could benefit from getting back to basics. 

One potential shortfall for Davis could be decreased ball security when his workload increases—not unlike Starks—as Pro Football Focus' Nathan Jahnke points out:

Of course, the Packers also have firsthand experience with what Davis can do given the opportunity to start, as Tom Silverstein recalled:

Davis may not turn into the next James Starks...and that's fine. At this point, the Packers need a healthy halfback to carry the ball 15-20 times without fumbling; averaging more than three yards a carry and finding the end zone would be pluses. 

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Comments (72)

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sheppercheeser's picture

October 19, 2016 at 06:12 am

I find it really difficult to believe that TT would leave the Packers in a position that the only healthy RB we have just arrived yesterday and will most likely play on Thursday. I'm usually on board with the "in Ted we trust" motto, but not this time.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 06:31 am

What is worse is that were down to 1 RB for their last game, forcing Lacy to play and play more then he should have. Now with Lacy likely to miss a quite a bit of time, I really wonder how much more damage was done in the last game. A game in which he shouldn't have even played in.

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Horse's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:06 am

The ridiculous active roster limit reduced the Packers' options given injuries in both the RB and CB groups. TT didn't make MM play Lacy once a win looked out of reach and forced passing downs.

Just curious, which of the rostered players did you want to cut to make room for an extra RB or two? The Packers got dealt a crappy hand and MM picked a strategy. The cost of losing Lacy is on him.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:36 am

I agree. When you look at roster, you can not find guy you would like to cut - maybe, just maybe Evans (S), but with rate of signing Packers players who are cut, he will playing for another team soon after he would be cut. Only other option is to place Banjo or Starks on IR and, follow that step, they will have to find room for Corey Linsley in the next 2 week... Tough decisions soon will be coming...

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:07 am

I would say cut either Evans or Banjo.

Then when Linsley comes back cut Barclay.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:26 am

Well, they need Banjo for ST. So izt is not likely that he will be cut. At least they can try to sign Evans on the PS...

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NMPF's picture

October 19, 2016 at 09:43 am

They NEED Banjo??????

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rdent's picture

October 19, 2016 at 10:02 am

Other than playing CB is Goodson THAT valuable to the team?

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Big_Mel_75's picture

October 19, 2016 at 09:20 am

Starks to IR... Hasn't done anything this year.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 06:30 am

With news last night that Lacy could be out several weeks and is possibly a candidate for IR, we have no choice but to hope we can get everything we can out of Davis.

Hopefully Davis will provide a boost with his speed. Something our RB's really haven't had in quite some time.

Hopefully a fresh start in a new place will be just what Davis needed. The situation sort of reminds me of a former Packers situation. Ahman Green. Like Green, Davis runs in the 4.3's, has had fumbling issues and was buried on the depth chart.
Hopefully Davis can come in and give us a presence at RB.

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Horse's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:11 am

Davis is essentially a 3rd down back. The Packers' offensive strategy is being forced to change. Wasting a couple games trying to make him a 3 down grinder back doesn't seem smart to me.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:22 am

Davis has played most of his career behind Jamaal Charles, and was so-so when Charles missed extended time a couple years ago. He looked like a bell-cow runner at Arkansas and was debatably the best back for a year in the SEC...but injuries have always dogged him. The ball security thing is a concern, but I don't expect him to get more than 15 touches per game. Hell, Lacy barely got that.

I suspect he'll be running hard because he'll see this as a chance to revive his career after getting buried behind younger backs at KC. He's still 25 and has a chance to make something of himself and earn some good coin. Don't get me wrong: I don't expect the Packers to ride him the rest of the year. This is going to be a full-blown committee from this point on with Jackson, Cobb, Montgomery and Rip getting carries unless someone takes the job by the throat.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:28 am

Honestly, they just need some productivity from the ground game to take some pressure off of Rodgers.

Hopefully a change of scenery will really help Davis.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:25 am

The offense has to change now. No question.

This is where McCarthy has to do his best work.

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Bearmeat's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:33 am

And do you REALLY trust McCarthy to do "his best work" right now? The fact is that he hasn't pushed one correct offensive button since the regular season in 2014.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:09 am

McCarthy is capable of doing it. He out coached Belichek in 2014...

Its not whether I trust him to do it, just saying that he HAS to to do.

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Bearmeat's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:13 am

Yep. He has to. If he doesn't, this team isn't making the playoffs, and that very well might (should) cost him his job.

I just don't think he will. I don't think he can control Rodgers.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:23 am

I think he can.

I just don't know if he will..

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jh9's picture

October 19, 2016 at 02:48 pm

Rodgers has not played like his old self in his last seventeen games. If McCarthy had the ability to fix AR's game, he would have done it by now.

Sorry, RC, I believe the professional relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCathy is broken. The only person who can fix Aaron Rodgers on this team now is Aaron Rodgers. The question I have is: Will Aaron Rodgers fix himself?

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Donster's picture

October 19, 2016 at 06:51 am

With this mornings report from Werder at ESPN saying "Eddie Lacy seeking opinion from Dr Robert Anderson in Charlotte, leading expert on foot injuries.", it doesn't sound to good now does it? Was this the original injury, or did this injury occur against Dallas? If it happened against Dallas, this put even more light on TT, by not having more than two RB's on the 53.

And he cannot just sit with the Davis signing now. He has to bring up Johnson from the practice squad, and look for another RB via FA or trade again. If he doesn't he is just increasing the risk of Montgomery and/or Cobb with injury.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:00 am

'Was this the original injury, or did this injury occur against Dallas? '

Exactly what I want to know. But at this point its already happened and nothing we can do about it now.

This to me is on Thompson/McCarthy. They cut Pressley after having him on the roster for 1 week. Perhaps if they gave him a bit of time he could have developed. Then they brought in Spiller, didn't sign him and now are without both their top 2 RB's. The minute they knew Starks was out they could have tried to get Forsett and then he signs with the Lions.

They will have to bring up Jackson for the game tomorrow. They can't go into the game with only Davis who was just acquired yesterday.

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NickPerry's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:11 am

I'd imagine the injury got worse in Dallas, especially considering the effort Lacy was putting forth for his team. Jumping, hurdling cutting, whatever it took to produce on the field. To bad Thompson doesn't perform his GM duties with the same effort and energy.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:29 am

If you watched that game, he had someone fall on his leg again in the third quarter and he didn't play hardly at all after that. I own up to having no idea about how the injuries play on one another, but I'm not going to say that by playing he made his initial injury worse.

If we're going to get after TT for roster management--and I'm on board with thinking they should have activated another back for Dallas--that's fine. But we all want players to display toughness and grit, playing hard despite injuries is something we all value. Too many people complain about players who get nicked and sit, saying they're just collecting a paycheck.

The bottom line is Lacy did what many of us hope players will do: he played, played hard, and played effectively despite an injury that HE decided he COULD play through. I don't expect anyone pressured him to play. I salute him for being a warrior. We can't have it both ways, folks.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:49 am

While I agree with you and honestly was impressed with Lacy's toughness to play, he shouldn't have been playing or played as much as he did.

This is on the GM/Coaches for not having another option to use. You simply can't go into a game with 1 RB who isn't healthy.

Shields was put on IR. They could have done it a week earlier and brought up Jackson.

Regardless the GM has to get the Coach players that he needs.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 09:07 am

"While I agree with you and honestly was impressed with Lacy's toughness to play, he shouldn't have been playing or played as much as he did."

My argument is that it's on the player to say, "Coach, I can't go anymore." Only he can really make that determination. And when someone fell on his leg, again, that was it. Did someone fall on his leg because he was hobbled? I don't know. Did someone falling on his leg exacerbate the existing injury? I don't know...could be something completely different. But from a coach's perspective, if the player is effective and says he can go, why are you NOT going to use him? If the option is an effective Eddie Lacy vs. a PS call-up in Don Jackson, which way are you going to go?

I don't disagree that they should have had another RB on the roster, but at that stage, how much would they have used Jackson anyway?

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 11:05 am

I get that.. really do. The player knows how much they can or can't take.

I'm just saying that he had to be overused due to being the only RB on the roster.
We don't know how much they would have used Jackson, but at least they would have had the option to use him...

That is my biggest point. Thompson didn't do a good enough job of getting McCarthy enough players to use.

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acularw's picture

October 19, 2016 at 12:12 pm

You two could not be more wrong. Players will almost ALWAYS try to play through injuries. This is beat into their heads since Pee Wee. "Play through pain, take one for the team". Also, every player has heard the Wally Pip story a hundred times.

This is mostly TT's fault for not having a healthy 2nd RB on the roster, but McCarthy deserves a good amount of blame for keeping Lacy in as long as he did considering. It is up to coaches and the training staff to keep players from going into games when the injury risk is high.

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Bear's picture

October 19, 2016 at 02:25 pm

As usual dobber you make to much sense to be on this board!

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 19, 2016 at 10:04 pm

Lots of moving parts here in determining responsibility for playing injured guys too early. Players often think they can play. They are young men, and think they are indestructible. The head coach is always responsible for the players he puts on the field. He has the final say, and it must be made in conjunction with the medical staff and the player. Maybe Lacy was not totally forthcoming with the medical staff. Who knows?

On and on about Lacy, when Randall's re-aggravation of his groin injury probably hurts the team long term just as much. In the end, the HC talks to the medical staff, to the player, and then he makes the decision if it is iffy. Note that the HC has an inherent conflict of interest. The player has pressure too: to not hurt himself long term in a contract year versus showing toughness; the player can't force the coach to play him or force the medical staff to clear him, but he can say that he can't play. Only the medical staff, theoretically, has no conflict, and they don't have a crystal ball. What seems obvious is that if Lacy played the odds that someone might fall on his leg or hit him low in an already weakened area are obvious. As for Randall, he made a perfectly routine tackle after a completion, and writhed in pain immediately afterwards. It did not even look like an awkward motion.

Another moving part is TT's role. Regarding the CB situation, he certainly kept enough DBs and CBs on the roster. Regarding the RB situation, he clearly didn't, and this decision was recognized as a gamble back on September 3. If Lacy didn't play, there wasn't even a body trained to play his position available.

Plenty of blame to go around. It is even possible that no one is really at fault. It is possible that both players to MM that they were good to go, and it seems obvious that the medical staff cleared both to play, though we have no way of knowing what caveats the medical staff might attached to their clearance to play.

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NickPerry's picture

October 19, 2016 at 06:51 am

I think someone mentioned it yesterday, maybe Davis will turn into the next Ryan Grant. It's most likely very wishful thinking but you never know. Then again what if Rodgers continues to stink and the unthinkable happens. Teams start to load the box and make Rodgers beat you. Based on some of those passes last Sunday it might not be far off. Davis has very little wear and tear on him and is fast and quick enough to make that one cut and "Run to Daylight". There's been times where if Lacy RAN a 4.44 forty while on the field this year it should have been a TD. Maybe Davis will have that extra speed to make it a TD instead of a 30 yard gain.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:06 am

I'm hoping that Davis will turn out to be like another former Packer that was acquired via trade. Ahman Green.
The situation is similar to Green's. Both ran in the 4.3's coming out of college. Both were 3rd round draft picks. Both run with power. Both were buried on their depth charts.

Maybe the Packers can hit lightning in the bottle twice....

The Packers OL has opened up some holes this year. Hopefully a faster guy can take advantage of them.

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Bohj's picture

October 19, 2016 at 09:36 am

Not to mention, I think this guy had like three returns for touchdowns on special teams. Once he gets into the open field he has the ability to take it to the house. Some of these holes that our reach blocking is creating could open some big plays. That would be exciting.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 10:04 am

exactly...

I'm not saying Davis will be the second coming of Green... Just saying that the situation reminds me a bit of Greens. And hopefully we can get a similar result.

That is the one thing I really do like. Davis has the speed to out run defenders, plus he can break tackles. That is something we haven't had in a long time. Also we do have a pretty good OL opening up holes.

Hopefully the change of scenery will be a good thing for Davis and the Packers.

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Donster's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:01 am

I hope Davis can do what is asked of him and more. The word SPEED sometimes is misleading, but I hope he has not only speed but quickness. Packers haven't had that in the backfield in awhile. Being able to turn the corner wide, or having the speed to catch the ball out of the backfield and make yards after the catch would be something that has been missing. The successful screen pass for instance. Could be a good test for that against the Bears, as they more than likely will be coming after Rodgers a lot.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:39 am

Certainly Davis has accomplished himself as a KR, but that's less about quickness than, say, punt returns. His speed helps him there. But I agree: it's good to see someone with a little more burst back there.

"Could be a good test for that against the Bears, as they more than likely will be coming after Rodgers a lot."

I think we'll see them rush four, shadow Rodgers with a LB, and drop into coverage more often than not. That's what the Giants and Dallas did, and they were mostly successful. The Packers have always struggled with that, and continue to struggle with it this year. As bad as the Bears' record is, their defense is not too bad. They're weak against the run, which is why Lacy's absence is a problem this week. Davis/Jackson/Montgomery have to be able to threaten the Bears on the ground or this has the potential to be a frustrating night.

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carusotrap's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:06 am

Amazing that even with bringing in a new RB two days before a game, we STILL only have one halfback on the roster. And stop saying "Ty Montgomery." A professional football team should not have to fill holes at RB with a WR. What is this, Pop Warner?

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:09 am

I agree...

Just saying with Ty Montgomery one of the reasons why the Packers drafted him was because he can play RB/WR... He isn't a pure RB though. The way they used him against the Cowboys is how he should be used at RB. In the passing game...

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NickPerry's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:31 am

@caruso81.... I really hope Murphy is paying CLOSE attention to this RB fiasco. You can't defend this, make excuses, nothing. This was just a very, very, poor job by Thompson.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:41 am

Jackson has been with the team on the PS for awhile. My guess is that he was the top back with the #1s last week when Lacy/Starks were limited or out. It's nothing to activate him tomorrow. If anything, I read this as the Packers not wanting to make a cut until they know more about what their injury situation is before the game tomorrow.

Now, if we get to KO tomorrow and it's just Davis? Let TT have it...

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Handsback's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:19 am

Does anyone really think Davis can learn the playbook in less than a week? This year the injuries have hit the Packers unlike past years. They have decimated the CBs and RBs in mass.
This is football so no whining about injuries. What happens now? I think Davis gets some action as a RB over the next 2 weeks. I doubt he gets more than 5-10 carries a game. Rip takes the majority of Lacy's carries and Monty chips in a few as well.
Here is what I think happens after this week’s game....MM will earn his pay by changing the way the Packers play this game. He goes back to the WCO roots with short passes and dump offs. The pass to run ratio goes out the window and Rodgers is unleashed as much as he is able to do. They really have no other option. They have a fairly deep WR group, but no depth for RBs. The other side of the ball will have to play pass defense with the 4th, 5th, and 6th CBs. Sad to say it but for the Packers to win games, they have to outscore everyone.
I may be totally wrong, but w/o any decent RBs I just don't see any other clear way to winning.

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Razer's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:26 am

Well said Handsback and optimistic too - something I couldn't muster. As for Davis learning the playbook, run left, run right, protect Aaron about covers it.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:06 am

I think he can carry the ball 10-15 times tomorrow night...nothing fancy. Ripper carrying the ball 10 times? No thanks. That's doing a weak run defense like Chicago a favor. The Packers need to threaten with the run...they don't necessarily need to dominate with the run (although that would be nice). So long as Davis/Jackson can get 3.5-4 ypc, that will help the offense.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:16 am

Exactly right.

Davis, Jackson could easily carry the ball 15-20 times tomorrow night. They just need someone to take pressure off the Passing game.

If Chicago goes to sell out for the pass, draws and whatnot should give the offense a run game.
Lets not forget to our OL is pretty good. They have been opening up some good holes for our RB's.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:06 am

Davis won't have the playbook closed to mastered. But in all honesty, he doesn't need it to be. He just needs to be told on each play where to go and he should be ok.

I expect them to bring up Jackson who between the 2 RB's they should be able to get 10-15 carries between the 2.

As far as pass protection goes, i would say F*** the extra blocker, and go 5 WR's and spread them out and just attack them. The pass protection has been amazing.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:25 am

"This year the injuries have hit the Packers unlike past years. They have decimated the CBs and RBs in mass."

Let's not forget the targeted assault on the Packer OL and WR corps last year. 2014 they weren't nearly as beat up and they finished the season as one of the top 2-3 teams, but last year felt like an unprecedented assault on those two positions...this year is starting to make it feel like a trend.

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Razer's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:22 am

Between injuries and roster spots the Packers are in a tight spot. Knile Davis is, at best, a stop-gap measure on a position that this team has undervalued during TT's tenure.

Every draft year numerous good RBs last into the mid rounds which we never pick. Other than Lacy, we are content to pick up projects at the end of the draft or as UDFAs. Based on his NFL production, Knile Davis may as well been one of these late round picks.

Let's face it - we don't really run the ball well. Even with Lacy, it is a vanilla between the tackles approach. Teams give us the our token yardage on the ground but really play our predictable passing game. Unless we have a RB who can make people miss and has real talent, we are a passing team with a broken passer.

Bottom line - Knile Davis doesn't matter.

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Bearmeat's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:24 am

Guys,

Let's admit it here: This season is done. The era of MM/AR might quite possibly be done.

1. Jordy either can't run anymore or isn't fully back.
2. Cobb can't get much separation.
3. Adams sucks.
4. Lacy's Cankle is ded.
5. Shields is out for the year, and our secondary can't stop a nosebleed without him.

Oh, and our All-world QB is "just a little bit off." He's seeing gremlins in his waking nightmares on the field.

But no, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain says Mike McCarthy.

SMH. Blow. It. Up. Fire everyone.

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Razer's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:43 am

Bearmeat - I thought that I had it bad. I think that mistakes have been made and injuries are hobbling this team but there is a decent team under the gloom. We just need some players and coaches to get their heads out of their collective asses. Let's start with MM and AR - maybe the rest will follow.

Keep your head up.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:05 am

I agree (and am going to take the optimistic viewpoint here):

Jordy Nelson has not been Jordy Nelson, but he should get stronger as the year progresses. What I'm more optimistic about is the fact that Adams concussion and the need to prop up the offense through the short passing game will get players on the field who have not played very much...Abby, Monty (who got the RB snaps after Lacy got hurt), Janis (who seemed to get Adams's snaps on Sunday).

This offense is going to HAVE to be different for a couple of weeks...and the next few weeks (Chi, @Atl, Ind, @Ten) will give the offense a continued opportunity to get well. My hope is that it will force more focus out of #12. Atlanta will probably run the Packers off the field, but by the time they get to Indy, they should have Rollins and Randall back. Cook should be back in a couple weeks. Davis has to be credible, but if the Packers need him to be a game-changer, this team wasn't going anywhere anyway.

Does this perspective make me a homer? Perhaps. I'm not saying that they WILL win the next 4, I'm just saying what I'm hoping to see in the next 4...and hopefully they'll get 3 of those 4, be 6-3 going to Washington in week 11, and look like a different football team.

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croatpackfan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:48 am

Do not cry. Take Scotch or two and watch the film carefully....

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Bohj's picture

October 19, 2016 at 09:52 am

Bear,
You seem to have at least one breaking point per year. This year was certainly earlier.
1) Jordy will be a competitor. Look at that sideline catch when he knew he would get hit. He still gets open. He just needs to start catching and hold on.
2) Cobb will be fine. Think Giants game. We didn't even feed him the rock at Dallas.
3) Adams is moot. Montgomery will run away with the #3 WR and this makes a much more formidable three WR set. Monty is a baller.
4) This is a struggle. For now. But if this team gets to the playoffs and we allow a proper ankle heal....No one will want to play us with the way Lacy and the Oline have been performing
5) Rollins and Randall will finally be healthy. And much to my dismay, Shields WILL most likely play again against better judgement.
6) Rodgers played like hell once to start the season and then he said RELAX. And then he won MVP that year. He can still improve. He is a competitor. I don't buy the too arogant to change rhetoric.
I kind of like the scrutiny and doubt this team is facing. It will make them run under the radar all year. And then if they do make the playoffs with the right pieces in place....I wouldn't want to play an Aaron Rodgers lead team with a better defense hitting on a number of cylinders. As aforementioned, I will reserve my judgements for December football. Just hope we hang in there in the meantime.

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Steven Bondeli's picture

October 19, 2016 at 07:37 am

Well I guess there are 31 other teams to be followed. Pick one if you must.

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Patrick Helms's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:10 am

The Chiefs reported Davis was out due to a concussion on their Oct 16 injury report.

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:17 am

Considering he practiced with GB yesterday he must good enough.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:35 am

KC did not list him on his injury report and he was a full participant in practice for the Chefs all last week, although he did sustain a "mild concussion" earlier in the season.

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Patrick Helms's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:35 am

We'll see, hopefully they don't use him like they did Lacy. On another note, Keenan Lewis is available, might as well take a chance on him too, this guy is awesome when he's healthy. Could probably sign him for a one year deal fairly cheap right now if he's ready to play.

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Finwiz's picture

October 19, 2016 at 09:05 am

At this point I can't sell Davis, but I'm sure not buying either. I have a funny feeling we may have seen the last of Eddie Lacy in GB, unless he takes a very reduced contract for next season. The Packers just can't invest a big money contract in him given his propensity for injuries, largely due to his weight he can't keep under control. This is really a revolting situation with all these injuries, nothing ever changes with the Packers. When is somebody up there going to wakeup and figure out a different way of training or conditioning to maybe correct this perennial problem?

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 09:35 am

"When is somebody up there going to wakeup and figure out a different way of training or conditioning to maybe correct this perennial problem?"

We need to draw a distinction between soft tissue injuries (Randall and Rollins) which are frequently a result of poor conditioning or flexibility, and contact/game injuries (Shields, Starks, Lacy). The soft tissue stuff, I agree, has been a problem in GB for years, but many teams have problems with it, too. I don't fault the training staff for contact/game injuries (sprains, ACLs, concussions) unless they're a result of a fatigued player putting himself in a spot to get hurt...then you need to look at conditioning.

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Finwiz's picture

October 19, 2016 at 11:55 am

I don't draw a distinction between the two types of injuries, because my belief is, other than concussive injuries, all of them can be mitigated to some degree by intensive, focused and disciplined conditioning. And this is coming from a guy that's been living with a torn ACL for 25 years, by building up the other supporting muscles in the leg to compensate. The same applies to any athlete - how hard and seriously are they willing to work to stay in game shape? The amount of injuries that team has year in, year out are staggering. I put a great deal of this on the McCarthy philosophy of no contact practices and no preseason play for vets. And yes, I understand the league limitations on padded practices and such, but that aside, something has to change to compensate for that.

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ATLPack's picture

October 20, 2016 at 07:17 am

Maybe the soft tissue injuries(groin and hamstrings) are a result of the turf at Lambeau? Is there a single play during the game that somebody is not slipping? My $.02.

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Since'61's picture

October 19, 2016 at 09:30 am

Unless the Packers can get their passing game going again, they can have Jim Brown and Gale Sayers in the backfield and it won't matter. This team is built around AR executing the offense. If I were MM I would simplify the offense. First stop playing for penalties. Don't worry about catching the defense with 12 men on the field, let the refs do their job. Maybe once or twice per game go for the hard count. Second, slow down and huddle up. Use the no huddle only for 1 or 2 series per game. 3. Get some crossing routes into the passing game and get RBs into the passing game ala Monty against Dallas. 4. Rodgers is struggling, make the game simple for him again until or unless he becomes Rodgers again. 5. We need to get back to the offense that we can execute rather than the offense we think we have. 6. TT find some players (CBs) over the mini-bye. 7. Also, during the mini-bye send Rodgers for a complete physical to make sure that he is not covering up an injury and check him for an undiagnosed concussion and check his vision. Rule out any physical problems completely. If we find out that he is physically OK hold him accountable for his play and let him know that he is on a short leash. Also, MM have the nuts to put Lacy on a playing weight limit. If he doesn't get there while he is out injured he doesn't play when he gets back. Build some structure back into this team which seems to be lacking. Also we need some on field leadership. There is plenty of time to pull this together if we still have the will to get it done. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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Finwiz's picture

October 19, 2016 at 12:00 pm

Pretty damn nice post Since '61, too bad the vast majority of the suggestions will never actually happen.

A local talk show sports guy in Milw area made a great comment yesterday...he said if Rodgers has an issue with distrusting or disagreeing with MM's game plan and play calling, they should toss it at Rodgers to come up with his own game plan for a game, have him call ALL the plays, and then you can either hold him accountable for the disaster, or build his confidence for the success. Makes perfect sense, but you know damn well MM will never let go of his autocratic control to allow this to be considered.

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Since'61's picture

October 19, 2016 at 12:56 pm

Fin - sadly, I agree with you that most of my post will never happen especially since most of it should have been done already. What you, me and most other posters here have been suggesting is nothing drastic, just basic management of a situation that has been on going since last season. I have also been calling for Rodgers to call his own plays for a while now and as you suggest, hold him accountable. I think that he is playing for penalties even after the hard count or too many men on the field. In other words, I am beginning to think that he is holding the ball to get defensive holding before he throws it and when he does throw it he is hoping for a defensive PI call. I won't have time to re-watch all this season's games until next week but that's what I will be looking for. Rodgers should be physically checked as I posted and if OK then he needs to be coached out of whatever his problem is and the offense simplified until he can execute at a high level again. We are drastically over paying for the play we are currently getting from him. Thanks, Since '61

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Point-Packer's picture

October 19, 2016 at 10:18 am

In Ted we trust. My ass.

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dobber's picture

October 19, 2016 at 10:43 am

COW, have you been drinking?

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RCPackerFan's picture

October 19, 2016 at 10:51 am

Cow bringing some perspective....

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Bearmeat's picture

October 19, 2016 at 01:28 pm

I think I turned into Cow yesterday. I'm through with TT/MM/AR. I just don't believe they'll turn it around.

And Cow is now suddenly optimistic? Is this the twilight zone? Have pigs started to fly?

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GVPacker's picture

October 19, 2016 at 08:25 pm

Cow I'am impressed!

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ATLPack's picture

October 20, 2016 at 07:27 am

I tend to agree with this however I'm not sure if we can hold serve while waiting for players to get healthy. Can our DB's hold up sans Shields, Rollins and Randall? We will have more injuries, can we overcome them?

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Bohj's picture

October 20, 2016 at 08:49 am

Lol. What!??

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stockholder's picture

October 19, 2016 at 04:20 pm

I'm buying. 7th pick gone? I would have given them Adams. I'll make a bet this guy contributes in a big way. 100 yards total offense vs. the Bears.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

October 19, 2016 at 10:34 pm

Eddie Lacy never, at any time, ran a 4.44 second forty yard dash (except perhaps in his own and his coaches' dreams). Out of 70 comments, only Nick Perry noted this obvious untruth. I assumed it was just a typo, but the author then suggest that he ran that at the combine and perhaps has lost speed since then. She says that Lacy demonstrated speed at the combine. He just didn't (he did not run at the combine: his time comes from a pro day - and no one expected him to run it particularly fast). Here is the quote and a link showing that Lacy ran a much slower 4.64 second dash:

"At 5'10" and 227 pounds, Davis is shorter, lighter, and quicker than the 5'11", 234-pound (that he's listed at, anyway) Lacy. Lacy ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash; Davis ran it in 4.37 seconds. While Lacy's size and running style don't often exhibit the speed he demonstrated at the NFL Combine, Davis' speed shows on film."

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=89659&draftyear=...

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