Pack backs could pick up slack
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Injuries have grounded the Green Bay Packers’ running game.
Tailback Ahman Green, who has battled bruised ribs and a strained Achilles tendon, hasn’t reached the end zone since October. He has scored six times this year after tallying 20 touchdowns last season.
Backup Najeh Davenport rushed for 178 yards against St. Louis on Nov. 29 in his first NFL start, but cracked two ribs in that game and has carried just nine times for 17 yards since.
Both have had to wear a flak jacket in games.
It gets worse.
Third-down back Tony Fisher is busy this week filling in as a slot receiver because of Robert Ferguson’s head injury that hospitalized him for two days and resulted in a $75,000 fine for Jacksonville safety Donovin Darius.
The Packers are down to their third-string center, Scott Wells, although they hope to get Grey Ruegamer back from a sprained ankle this week.
It’s unlikely, however, that they’ll be getting massive tackle Kevin Barry back from a torn thigh anytime soon. Barry replaces tight end Bubba Franks in the team’s effective “U-71” run package and essentially serves as a sixth lineman.
Still, they’re counting on their run game to lead them to victory in their NFC North Division-deciding matinee at Minnesota on Christmas Eve.
The Packers are 2-2 at the Metrodome under coach Mike Sherman, failing to top 100 yards on the ground in their two losses and piling up the rushing yards in their two wins. Green gained 161 yards there three years ago and 137 last season.
“There’s a lot of positives” to running the ball well against the Vikings, offensive coordinator Tom Rossley said.
It keeps the ball out of Daunte Culpepper’s hands. It diminishes the pass rush and reduces sacks and tipped balls.
It opens up the play-action pass and quiets the crowd, which cuts down on the false starts.
It usually leads to victory.
Nobody wants to see Green and Davenport back to their normal selves Friday more than quarterback Brett Favre, just 3-9 at Minnesota in his career.
“When you can run the ball, you limit their ability to just pin their ears back and come at you,” Favre said. “If you fall behind and have to throw every snap, you’re playing right into their hands. So, you have to be able to control the pass rush. The No. 1 way to do that is by running the football.
“I still think that’s the key for us, not only in this game but for us on the road in general, is to be able to run the football.”