Dec. 1, 2011 |
Green Bay – Brandon Saine did his research. He knew the Green Bay Packers tend to promote from within. That’s a big reason he signed on.
But he’s also a realist. In August, the team was replenished and reloaded at running back. He was undrafted, unproven and buried on the depth chart. That’s when James Starks spoke up.
“He was always telling me to stay ready,” Saine said. “He told me that last year, the way it started off for him, he wasn’t able to play. He said to keep working, keep battling. That’s what I’ve been doing.”
Now, even on an undefeated team, there could be a role for someone who was on the practice squad a month ago.
The core of this team is set. The Packers probably will go as far as MVP front-runner Aaron Rodgers takes them. But there was one common thread on the last two Super Bowl teams here. Both the 1996 and 2010 Green Bay teams boasted late bloomers, out-of-nowhere contributors. Last year, Starks played that role. He revived a running game that seemed destined for hibernation. Who’ll rise from the depths this season?
Maybe Saine. Maybe defensive end Mike Neal. Maybe one of the young inside linebackers.
“They always say it’s going to take everybody,” Saine said, “and I definitely believe that.”
Both of the Packers’ last two Super Bowl winners were star-driven at the game’s most important position, no doubt. But recall the void at left tackle when Ken Ruettgers’ career finally succumbed to injuries. First-rounder John Michels flamed out as the Packers allowed 40 sacks in the regular season. And in swooped 11-year veteran Bruce Wilkerson, who started all three postseason games. Green Bay allowed just two sacks in wins over San Francisco and Carolina to advance to New Orleans. Offensively, with injuries ravaging the wide receivers, late-season pickup Andre Rison provided some pop.
Last season, injuries hit again. A batch of unheralded rookies – Starks, outside linebacker Frank Zombo, cornerback Sam Shields – all provided a boost.
Saine’s role isn’t defined. “That’s the fun part,” offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. But since he was bumped up after rookie Alex Green’s season-ending knee injury, the intrigue’s been building.
“I don’t know if we have a set formula of he’s going to do ‘this, this and this’ in a ball game but certainly he appears to be a guy that’s bright enough that the game’s not too big for him,” Philbin said. “He’s not going to panic. He’s got some poise. Those are all good attributes whether it’s December or September. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Barring injury, the Packers won’t need Saine to carry the ball much. Expect to see James Starks’ workload increase come playoff time. Still, Ryan Grant is struggling. The veteran hasn’t had a 10-yard run in 55 carries. It makes sense to blend Saine into the rotation.
He’s been here before. At Ohio State, Saine was never a No. 1 back who required 15-20 carries a game, he never enjoyed a one-dimensional role. Early in his career, Beanie Wells was the bell-cow back. Later on, it was Terrelle Pryor’s show. So Saine – Ohio’s high school state record-holder in the 100-meter dash (10.38 seconds) – was forced to chip in elsewhere.
“There are some people that want their role and for things to be built around them,” Buckeyes running backs coach Dick Tressel said. “Brandon’s happy to do what the team needs him to do to win football games, whether that’s pass protect because he’s tough, catch it, run with it, whatever, cover kickoffs, whatever it is.
“There’s only one football. So those guys that are willing to use their variety of talents become so valuable for a team.”
Only one football. We’ve heard that phrase here before. In Green Bay, Saine could fit in. The challenge for him on offense was never pass protection in the physical sense, he said. At Ohio State, that was an area of expertise for the 5-11, 220-pounder. The challenge at the pro level was recognition – whom to block. The coaches’ trust in him is growing.
At Detroit last week, with the game still very much in doubt, Saine played 10 snaps. He caught one pass for 9 yards and carried the ball twice for 10 yards.
“It always takes a while for a team to build a situation where you’re going to be an impact player,” Tressel said, “and I think when Brandon’s on the field because of his talent, because of his focus, if a play presents itself, he’ll make it.”
Defensively, the Packers are fresh off their best game of the season. Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford looked confused. Wideout Calvin Johnson was shut down. Garbage time aside, the NFL’s sixth-ranked passing offense was held to eight points.
Where could the Wilkerson-like impact lie? The pass rush. Blitzing aside, it’s been lethargic. In his first two games back from knee surgery, Neal hasn’t done much. He has one quarterback hit on 48 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. But arguably nobody on the line possesses his raw combination of size, quickness and strength. Eventually, he could provide the spark the unit needs.
“Whatever they ask me to do,” Neal said. “Go in, stop the run. Play the pass, get pressure on the quarterback. Whatever they ask me to do, that’s what my role is.”
Deficiencies are minimal on this roster. It’s been that way most of the season. But the season’s a marathon – injuries and ineffectiveness can change plans. Subtle tweaks keyed previous champions. Starks for Brandon Jackson. Wilkerson for Michels.
Thinking “moment to moment” helped Saine make the roster. Now, he’s on call.
“Whatever coaches feel I can do to help the team,” Saine said, “I’m right there.”
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