Stark Reality

James Starks riding to the rescue

This week the Packers offense better be back to normal and maybe the benching of Eddie Lacy in favor of James Starks will be the catalyst. If it isn't this might be the beginning of the unraveling of the Packers season with the Vikings as the national doubleheader game coming up followed by the resurgent Bears and finally a rematch against the Lions.

 

As far as Starks is concerned this will be his 7th career start and 2nd this season. He also started the Chargers game even though Lacy wasn't on the injured list.

 

It's funny about Lacy. He went to the airwaves this past week to dispel rumors he was fat or hurt. After he said his ankle wasn't bothering him and he wasn't fat, he said "I honestly don’t know what it is. Definitely, I’m off to a different start. I’m not playing how I was the previous two years. Later on in the season, maybe it’ll pick back up. But as of right now, this is just the move that is going to be. This season [Starks] has definitely been the better player between the both of us. That’s just the move. Who knows how long it’s going to be like this," Lacy said. "Maybe things pick back up for me and it’s right back and we’re never having this discussion again. You don’t know where this could lead to. But as of right now, for the team, this is pretty much the best move."

Then just like magic he shows up on the injury report with a groin injury. This seems like a Bill Belichick fantasy injury report. He is listed as probable, but I bet he sees less than 10 snaps unless Starks gets hurt, which is how this season is going right now. Then we will have an NFL Films moment and Lacy gains 200 yards and is back to normal. It could happen.

 

I saw a post asking if it wasn't time to give wide receiver Jeff Janis a chance. I think I was saying that all season. However, it won't happen. Coach Mike McCarthy hates him. Plain and simple. Maybe Wisconsin's favorite son Jared Abbrederis will get a chance, but I think as far as the wide receivers are concerned it will be Davante Adams that will open up the passing game.

 

The tight ends are a concern to some, but Richard Rodgers is doing fine (you might not be aware that he is the second leading receiver with 28 catches for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns on Packers and the 18th ranked in the NFL tied with Antonio Gates. His 4 TDs are tied for fifth behind the leader Tyler Eifert from Cincinnati with 9).

Fullback John Kuhn had a terrible game. He missed block after block. I think it's time to give the fullback job to Aaron Ripkowski. He is a blocking machine. The new chant will be, "RIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP".

 

The offensive line is still a mess, but not a word out of 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Without holes being opened and pass rushers held out Aaron Rodgers will get scared more often. I think this is where the offensive improvement has to come from. The changes I suggested won't happen either, so James Campen and the guys have to improve on their own.

 

I find it hard to predict a loss to the Lions at Lambeau Field, but I am not happy about the way things are going on both defense and offense. This could be a disaster, but I will say the Packers should win, but only if the offense has found a way to play better.