Why Ryan Grant’s absence affects the Packers

Ryan Grant is done for the season, on the Injured Reserve with a severe ankle injury. After watching Brandon Jackson’s performance against the Bills, all I can say, Is that this is a HUGE loss for Green Bay. Jackson couldn’t muster more than 29 yards on 11 carries, which would be normal for his backup role, but as a starter that isn’t acceptable. Ryan Grant is a down hill runner, and tends to get more yards after first contact, and with Brandon Jackson, I don’t see it. Jackson scored a touchdown, but then again it is the Bills defense that has taken major blows.

The Packers tend to use a two-back system, preferably Grant then Jackson, but now, its Jackson then Kuhn (fullback), and surprisingly, John Kuhn has had better outings as of late, punishing defenders in his way. With Grant, you’d have the best of both worlds being a speedy runner that would also bowl over defenders when necessary. Regardless, without Grant, the Packers now have a choice to make: do they continue with Jackson and Kuhn, or do they try to get another running back in a trade? There are many possible options for the Packers, and either could be high risk, high reward.

Going with Jackson and Kuhn:

If the Packers go with Jackson in Kuhn they end up with a power back and finesse back that could play every down. These systems have been proven to work (Julius Jones and Marion Barber) and could produce some points for the Packers. Brandon Jackson could be the every down back, while when in short yardage situations they can rely on Kuhn to storm over defenders and get the needed yardage. The downside to this is that it leaves the Packers vulnerable to injury at the running back position. If B-Jacks were to get hurt, the Packers would have to rely on running back Dimitri Nance to fill the void. Nance was recently signed due to the Grant injury. This is a possibly choice for the Packers although it is a risky decision.

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Trading Options:

The number one talked about trade for the Packers would be for Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch. He is currently in a crowded backfield and his future seems eerie as there are other quality runners in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller there. The Packers targeted Lynch as he came out of college but their bid for him fell short when he was drafted by Buffalo.

Another viable option could be running back Correll Buckhalter from the Denver Broncos. The back field in Denver seems full with the addition of Laurence Maroney and he could be on his way out. He’s a good downhill runner and could fill in well in the Packers offensive scheme.

A possible situation might be for the Packers to trade for running back Willis McGahee, it sounds a bit far fetched but it’s something that could work. The Packers could offer up A.J. Hawk a linebacker that could add to their core of backers, while we get a solid running back to aid Jackson in the backfield. Yes although it is a scenario that probably won’t happen, it could make sense for both teams.

By Byron Reyna
ProFootball-fans.com Green Bay Packers Correspondent