THE RUNNING GAME

The running game in Green Bay has been a difficult one to try to dissect over the past 2 seasons. The 2007 season started off with absolutely no rushing attack. Short slants and screen passes essentially filled the void that the lack of a ground game had left. Then Ryan Grant came along, and was the savior of the Packers' run offense. In the ten games he saw significant carries (week 8 on), he was second in rushing yards and touchdowns only to San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson. That says a lot about the success Grant had. But still, the Packers finished 21st in the league in rush offense at just under 100 yards per game (1,597 yards - 956 of which were Grant).

In 2008, very big things were expected of the 25-year-old Notre Dame product. It began with a contract hold-out, however, and then when he was finally on the field, he was slowed by nagging injuries (hamstring and thumb). While his per carry average fell from 5.1 to 3.9, he finished the season ranked 6th in the NFC with 1,203 yards on the ground. The Packers moved up from 21st to 17th in the league (112.8 ypg and 1,805 yards), but we may have to look elsewhere besides Grant for the reason behind this progression.

Brandon Jackson, the Packers 2nd round pick in 2007, was a solid contributor in 2008. The plan for Green Bay from the beginning was for this guy to have a shot at being the number one back, but a few injuries in 2007 paved the way for Ryan Grant to take that spot. Jackson finished the 2008 season averaging 5.5 yards a carry (however only on 45 carries), and showed some very bright moments when given the opportunity. Don't forget, Aaron Rodgers was sacked 34 times this season, 14th most in the league, showing that the green and gold's front five struggled this season, primarily due to injuries.

Looking forward, if both the backs and line can stay healthy in 2009, the Packers should continue to leap-frog up the league rushing leaders. And with the season Aaron Rodgers had in 2008, that can only lead to more success.