Packers position preview: Running backs

Today: Running backs Next up: Head coaches, August 16 Position rating on a scale of 1 to 10: 7 Projected starters: Running back Ryan Grant (fifth season), fullback John Kuhn (fifth season). Backups (asterisks indicate players expected to make the roster): Halfbacks Alex Green (rookie), Dimitri Nance (second season), Brandon Saine (rookie), James Starks (second season). Fullbacks Jon Hoese (rookie), Quinn Johnson (third season). The breakdown: The Packers backfield is as good as its been since Ahman Green and William Henderson were running roughshod over the league a decade ago. Grant, who was one of just four running backs in the NFL to have rushed for 1,200 yards in 2008 and 2009, looks healthy after missing all but the first 20-or-so plays of last season with an ankle injury. Grant says hes 100 percent and is confident in the health of the ankle, which he says has been rolled on and stepped on several times during the first couple weeks of camp. While he received nearly 80 percent of all running back carries in 2008 and 2009, hell likely have to share the load this year because of the talent surrounding him. Without Grant, the Packers didnt even have the threat of a running game until they finally unleashed Starks in the playoffs. His 315 rushing yards ranks third in NFL postseason history by a rookie runner behind Washingtons Timmy Smith (342 yards in 1987) and Baltimores Jamal Lewis (338 yards in 2000). Starks, whose regular season was doomed by hamstring issues, arrived in camp 8 muscular pounds heavier. Safeties such as Anthony Bratton and Charlie Peprah have felt the brunt of his remade body. While Grant is more of a home run threat, Starks is a bit more shifty and has better hands as a receiver. Green, like Grant and Starks, brings a put-together 225 pounds into the backfield. If Starks history suggests anything, its that Green wont get much of a chance when the games on the line. In Green Bay, running back isnt about the yards as much as its about holding onto the football and protecting the quarterback. Starks was kept on the sideline last year until he proved he could do those things, and as long as Grant and Starks are healthy, theres little reason to put the third-round pick into the game. However, Green is the very early front-runner to return kickoffs. Special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum loves Greens speed and ability to run through tackles. At fullback, it will be a situational rotation between Kuhn and Johnson. Re-signed to a three-year contract, Kuhn can block pass protect and be the short-yardage runner. Quinn Johnson is the powerful lead blocker who took a step forward last season but still lacks consistency. Hes not a lock to make the roster, especially with a surplus of tight ends. Best position battle: Without Brandon Jackson, who will be in the backfield in third-down passing situations? Starks, who caught 52 passes in his final season at Buffalo, and Green, who caught 27 passes last year at Hawaii, have the skill and size. However, the most important job of the third-down back is pass protection, and neither have shown they can do that with consistency mentally or physically. Both, for instance, lost their matchups during a one-on-one drill with the outside linebackers on Wednesday night. That makes Kuhn, who handled some of those duties last year, the favorite, even though hes not a dynamic receiving threat. Grant says: I think we have a great backfield. James has done some really good things. He can bring stuff to me because hes done stuff I havent done. (Green) as well. Hes talented. They wouldnt have brought him here if he couldnt run. Hes picking up on the offense. I know theres a lot getting thrown at him just because of the situation and not having that offseason program. Position coach Jerry Fontenot says: I have such a good group of guys to work with. Ive had the benefit of having Edgar Bennett around to lean on him during the offseason, so whenever I needed questions answered, hes the guy that Id go to. For me, its been as seamless a transition as any other position because were still involved in the run game, still involved in the protections. Getting checkdowns and routes, different techniques, Edgars been extremely helpful in that area. For more coverage on the Green Bay Packers, please visit PackerReport.com.