As many Packer fans and fantasy owners found out yesterday, Ryan Grant is done for the season with a torn ligament in his ankle. Initially I would’ve said this was a huge blow, but after watching Brandon Jackson in the 2nd half (14 carries/54 yards, 2 catches/12 yards) against Philadelphia, I could only chuckle at what his ceiling is.
I really like Ryan Grant…probably more than I should have. His first season with Green Bay was absolutely astonishing, but since then he’s just been serviceable. (Okay actually, he’s been good – but never amounted to the standards he set his first season.) Maybe my expectations were too high, who knows. But let me be the first to say, the drop off between Grant and Jackson is not a big one.
Yes, Ryan Grant has posted three straight 1,200 yard seasons. Yes, Ryan Grant leads the Packers in rushing yards for a running back in his first 3 seasons in green and gold. Yes, he put up 200+ rushing yards against the Seahawks in the 2007 playoffs. I don’t have any evidence to point at Brandon Jackson to be able to do any of that. Hell, Brandon Jackson got drafted in the 2nd round of 2007 and let the undrafted Grant take his spot. But, with the way the Packers run their offense and the way their zone-blocking scheme allows guys like Jackson to succeed, there’s no reason why he couldn’t eclipse 1,000 yards. He’s been waiting for his time…now that it’s here, I fully expect him to seize the opportunity.
Ryan Grant was the perfect screen pass back, just toss it and let him go to work. Brandon Jackson not only can he do that, but he’s got deceptive power to let Mike McCarthy run the ball up the ass of teams like Minnesota and Chicago.
FANTASY WISE:
Use Brandon Jackson this week just like you would’ve used Grant (if you were fortunate enough to pick him up/handcuff him). Going against the Buffalo defense in Lambeau should give people plenty of confidence that B-Jacks can be the full-time starter. He’s got top-5 RB potential this week.
