The Packers and running back Ryan Grant appear to be in heated talks these days as Grant tries to parlay a great ten game stretch into a long-term lucrative contract. Hopefully Grant comes to his senses and signs a reasonable deal because the Packers by no means should pay big bucks to an unproven back. If they were in that business they would have jumped all over Samkon Gado a few years ago. Don’t get me wrong, I love Grant, but I don’t think the Packers need to open their checkbook to an unproven player.
Grant should have just signed the tender offer. If he starts out this season where he left off last season, the NFC Championship not included, the Packers will take care of him before the end of the year like they have been doing the last few years with players like Donald Driver and Nick Barnett. I will be disappointed if the Packers all of a sudden open up the bank for a guy that hasn’t really done jack and his backup, Brandon Jackson, has more potential in his little pinky than Grant will ever have. Granted, no pun intended, Jackson hasn’t done anything either, but being younger and with his strong play at the end of last year and the praise from his head coach this offseason, Jackson is in position to make a run for the starting job.
To be honest, I don’t feel much better about the Packers’ running game going into this season than I did going into last season, and we all know that wasn’t good. I just can’t get Grant and Gado out of my mind. Where is Vince Workman when you need him?
I could be wrong, but there was a reason the Packers didn’t run the ball in the NFC Championship game and that was simple – they couldn’t! Without a back like Edgar Bennett, Dorsey Levens or Ahman Green, that can run in all kinds of weather, including cold, the Packers will always be one step away. That doesn’t bode well for new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. My hope is Jackson takes a huge step and wins the job. I just like the way he kept his head up last year and came on in the end. I think this kid can be great.
I hope it doesn’t get ugly, because Grant is a fan favorite already, but big bucks should not be in order.