I would like to have at least one indication that Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy for more than one game per season. I hate to tag someone as injury prone, but what else can you do at this point?

As far as Ryan Grant, this happens every year with guys in the NFL. They come out of nowhere and run great. In 2008, the defensive coaches in his division will be extremely aware of his tendencies. Aaron Rodgers is going to have a mountain of pressure on him to replace a legend, which could lead to some very bad games if he lets the pressure get to him. These things make me a little worried about drafting Ryan Grant in the 2nd round. 3rd round? no problem.

That said, there are still too many people who play this game that get paranoid about not getting their running backs extremely early, so this will keep his ADP high.

I dont see one game making a guy. Sure, Rogers did good in shock duty last year.

Lets also not forget the Cowboys defense wasnt that great against good teams.

They gave up 48 to the Patriots (18-1), 27 to the Packers (13-4), and 20 and 35 to the Giants (14-6).

We can argue points all day long and come up with facts to support them, but the bottom line is the general consensus is Mr. Grant IS NOT a first round pick.

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2008 Black Knights Football - 12 wins isn't enough

Agreed. Probably a late second, turn pick. Yoohoo has him ranked just after MB3, so he's got a shot.
Never said I'd take him in the first, but at the end of the second dude is in the back of my mind if he's still there.
Come on Sarge. That's all the heat you can handle?

Let's look at that division. Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota. Grant only played against Detroit twice and torched them nicely. Touched the Bears and Vikes for 100 or more each in the teams second meeting of the season (Grant had 3 carries against Minn in the first matchup). Maybe Minny and the Bears have some changes they'd like to make, but it wasn't like they can't adjust during the game and at the half.

It seems the point of this thread has been lost in defense of Grant.

All Sgt. John is saying is should Ryan Grant be a first round pick?

I think the most appropriate response should come from those who took Frank Gore in the top five in 2007.

Mojo - you and I seem to agree on the point of health for young Mr. Rodgers.

Rough...

I see people saying that Grant isn't even worth a second rdr. I would absolutely take Grant before Jamal Lewis, Ronnie Brown, MJD, and quite honestly most # 2 RB and a few so called #1 who I'm not that impressed with. In a 12 team league I don't think it would be a stretch to take Grant very early 2nd rd. I spent a large portion of my Hired Guns FA money on him and I guess he will just have to do the rest of the talking for me.

I think he's easily a second round selection and will outperform his peers in R. Brown and Lewis. He's not a household name and Rodgers isn't Favre so he'll drop in most casual drafts.

But you simply cannot deny he is one heck of a player. I also think in most ways the Pack are better balanced on O with Rodgers. I take nothing away from Favre whatsoever. He's amazing. A Rodgers-Favre comparison is ridiculous so it's best to look at Rodgers in isolation. Using that lense the running game will be much more emphasized this season with more of a focus on short-intermediate routes for wr's, te's, and rb's....a more pure form of the WCO.

That's why I believe Grant will outperform his peers and play like a first rounder.

2nd round yes. Outperform Lewis and Ronnie Brown?? Thats a major stretch man. Brown was the #1 RB before going down last year and Lewis is one of the most solid year to year backs in a high powered offense. If Im picking mid to late 2nd round and Lewis, Brown, and Grant are all sitting there, i have an easy decision to make.

Ronnie Brown doesnt frighten me at all. I like that improved offensive line and I think Coach Parcells (I dont care who holds the title this is Parcells team) will get Brown up there amongst the ranks of consistent elite backs.

Grant is easily a smoother choice than Brown or Lewis. Brown will take some time to get back to speed after blowing out a knee and has Sticky Ricky to share the rock. ALSO he has a major problem at quarterback. 8 man fronts until one of them can prove they are legit. Lewis was running to get paid which he did. He's no spring chicken in football years with further wear from his running style. He was also in a contract year I believe and was running for the $$$. Now he's paid and I believe will go back to running into the backs of his linemen like he did in B-more.

Grant is scary because of his sparce body of work and people's concern over Favre being gone. I outline why I think these are false assumptions above. So to me the decision is easy.

Oh and to convince MoJo of the greatness of Ryan Grant-you know that he shared a backfield with the one and only Julius Jones at ND.

Okay, so the question is, Grant = Gado or Grant = Green?

I personally feel Green...especially with the fumbles ;D

As for the other arguments.....Yes, Favre makes any run game seem good, as he can pass through most. However, Favre was MADE last year due to the running game working. Why did it work....the Oline and Grant.

The key here is the Oline. Good enough and anyone can run through it. Including Grant. As for Qb, Rodgers won't survive long enough, but Brohm will, and he will care for the game enough to make Grant a start.

Would not touch him in the first, or early second...but late second or third...why not?

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Expert on nothing, opinionated on everything...

Well, with the first legit shot to shamelessly plug myself this year, I actually discussed this in my latest blog: The WESTern perspective:

The first back I want to discuss is a guy that was on no one’s board last season. This guy wasn’t a starter, he wasn’t even a backup, and he didn’t even receive significant playing time until the season was halfway over. Yet, Ryan Grant was still able to compile 956 yards rushing, 8 rushing TD’s, and 30 receptions. Game after game, last season, Grant displayed big play capability every time he touched the ball. Yet last season, Grant had two things going for him that he will not have this year. Firstly, Grant was an unknown, not a guy for defenses to be concerned with, or so they thought. This is no longer true. Everyone has now had a chance to study Grant and it is a guarantee that he will be something that opposing defenses keep a very close eye on. Grant’s success last season also has to be attributed to Brett Favre and the Packers’ aerial attack. With as big a threat as Favre posed, it would be a fool’s move to stack the box against the run. This year, however, one has to wonder if, with Aaron Rodgers under center, the mindset of the Packers hasn’t changed. Will they become a run first team? Will defenses be aware of this possibility? This may work, both for and against, Grant and while it is unlikely that we shall see another plethora of 30 plus yard runs, we also shouldn’t see games where Grant is receiving less than 15 touches again. Certainly it is difficult for me to fathom Grant being worthy of a first round pick, however, I do think as a late second, early third rounder, Grant would be a solid choice.

Check out the rest of my blog here: The WESTern Perspective (Draft Special Part 2) - Sports Outlaw Fantasy Football Forums

No way Brown outperforms Grant. It will take him some time to return to full strength.

Ive got 5000 VBs that say otherwise.

You are on!!!

Hmmmm.....close calls with vBetting. Put yer vmoney where your mouth is???

Here is a list of backs that were taken in the first round last year in different drafts and where they ended up.
SA finished ???
SJax finished 14th
LJ finished 40th
Brown finished 27th (major injury)
Parker 16th
Bush 24th
Maroney 25th
Rudi 47th
Gore 9th

Was Gore really that bad. RB's were brutal last year!

I want in on the brown action. No WAY Brown out performs Grant. Not with coming back from major injury, having RW spelling him for carries AND being on the offense from hell with quite probably a rookie qb. No friggen way.

haha yeah im not even high much at all on grant, and i'll take that action against brown any day of the week and twice on the ones that end in Y!

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Hired Guns: Wheaton Thunder
SO CFFL: Royale with Cheese
CFA: Wheaton Thunder