NFL, Fantasy, Team News / Analysis, Player News / Analysis, Rumors, Green Bay Packers, Alex Green, James Starks
Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette expects Packers' running back James Starks, who has been buried on the bench this season, to get an increase in touches at the halfback position this week. The Packers were said to have been ready to give Starks more work in last week's contest, but a stomach-flu held him out of game-planning practices that the coaching staff deemed essential.The talk of Starks' increased workload comes on the heels of three straight poor rushing performances by starting halfback Alex Green. Head coach Mike McCarthy has given Green every chance to succeed, but he hasn't been able to capitalize, often becoming impatient and running into traffic rather than waiting for holes to develop.
Green has now rushed for under 3.0 yards per carry in three straight games, and is averaging just 2.4 yards on his past 64 carries. The coaching staff will now see if Starks, who averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season, can get the running came to click. Green will remain the primary back on passing downs, however, as he has proved reliable, catching four passes in each of the past two games.
Green's fantasy value is diminishing, and his owners need to hope Starks can't get anything going this Sunday. If Starks and Green begin splitting carries, neither will have much value outside of deeper leagues.
