There has been plenty of speculation about the Packers backfield this year, with one primary question. Who will be The Man between James Starks and Ryan Grant?
The early answer is there is no answer. The Packers will rotate their backs.
“We know what they can do,” running backs coach Jerry Fontenot told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. “It’s just a matter of getting them comfortable and making sure they’ve gotten enough reps to do it. The only way I see them doing that is getting them as equal of work as I possibly can.”
The best laid plans when it comes to carry distribution often changes quickly once the rhythm of the game is established. Fontenot said both players will be used in all situations and an effort will be made to split reps equally.
They will be facing a remodeled Saints front seven that is without Will Smith and has major questions at linebacker.
Grant isn’t great as a receiver, and Starks had mixed efforts in pass protection in the preseason. Starks is more explosive at this stage of his career. The Packers will essentially see how the backfield develops and mix and match from there.
“So, what course is better? I don’t know,” Fontenot said. “We’ll find out.”