Four carries for one yard. Those are Packers running back James Starks final rushing statistics from the Packers 21-13 victory over the Houston Texans last week. Those aren’t the type of numbers that you would expect from your number one running back. Even with the Packers offense leaning heavily on quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Packers pass offense, they still need to show that they are at least capable of running the ball. Unfortunately, with Starks as their lead back, that won’t happen.
James Starks Isn’t the Answer at Running Back for the Green Bay Packers
When starting running back Eddie Lacy went down with an ankle injury this season, Starks himself was coming off a knee injury. But most presumed that when Starks would come back, he would pick up the slack and help out the Packers running game. In seasons past, Starks has been a very capable number two running back when playing behind Lacy. In fact, the duo of Lacy and Starks had been one of the most solid tandems in the NFL. However, those days seem to be gone.
In the eight games that Starks has played this season, he has carried the ball 61 times and gained just 142 yards. Starks, who last season had a 4.1 yards per carry average, has just a 2.3 yards per carry average. Starks has yet to have a touchdown carry this season. What makes those numbers seem even worse is that opposing defenses aren’t respecting the run and are focusing on stopping the Packers passing game.
Starks drop in production shouldn’t be that startling. Starks is 30 years old, an age when most running backs see their production drop. The numbers don’t lie. It appears that Father Time has caught up with Starks. He had played a big part in the Packers success over the past few seasons. It was Starks that helped lead the Packers running game in 2010 in their playoff stretch that led to the Packers Super Bowl victory. But those days are over and it is time for the Packers to find a running back who is capable of leading their ground game.
In November, the Seattle Seahawks released their leading rusher Christine Michael. For the Seahawks, Michael had rushed for 469 yards and six touchdowns. When he became available, the Packers picked him up off waivers. Since joining the Packers, Michael has been pushed to learn the Packers complicated offense. Last week, in his first extended playing time, Michael carried the ball nine times for 19 yards. Although those numbers aren’t earth shattering, Michael did show more than Starks has this season. Michael looked more decisive in his cuts and ran with authority. The Packers have been in dire need of that type of running from their running backs, and there is no doubt that Michael showed more explosiveness than Starks has this season, even in just a small amount of playing time.
Michael isn’t the only back that has shown more explosiveness than Starks. Former wide receiver Ty Montgomery has shown that he is a willing runner, and that he is capable of making plays lined up as a running back. Montgomery was forced into action as a running back when the Packers lost Lacy and Starks this season to injury. He has adapted quickly to his new position. This season, he has carried the ball 35 times for 187 yards at 5.3 yards per carry. Because of his time at wide receiver, Montgomery is a receiving threat out of the backfield.
No matter if it is Michael, Montgomery, or even fullback Aaron Ripkowski, a change is needed in the Packers offensive backfield. With the weather changing, the Packers are going to need to run the ball. Starks has proven he isn’t the answer, it is time to look at one of their other running back options.
