Maurile Tremblay's Thoughts

Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport both suffered season-ending injuries in the first half of the 2005 season, but both have been brought back for another season under one-year contracts. Neither was healthy enough to fully participate in the Packers’ offseason practice sessions, leaving last year’s leading rusher Samkon Gado to work with the first unit on offense. There will be an open competition for the starting RB job during this year’s preseason, with Green and Gado the favorites. Whoever the nominal starter is, the Packers will most likely use a running-back-by-committee approach at the position.

Heading into last season, Ahman Green had rushed for over 1,100 yards in five straight seasons. From 2002 through 2004, Green led the NFL in both rushing yards (6,848) and in total yards from scrimmage (9,036). But what has he done for us lately? Not much. Last year’s injury-shortened season is at the forefront of fantasy owners’ minds, and he played – ineffectively – in only five games as the Packers got off to an 0-5 start. Nonetheless, the Packers resigned Green this offseason to a one-year, $2 million contract, with $3 million in potential incentives.

In the five games Green started last year, he never rushed for 60 yards, never gained 100 yards from scrimmage, and never found the end zone. His longest run of the season was 13 yards, and his 3.3 yards per carry was a career low by a full yard.

Green was healthy enough to do some light work in the team’s May mini-camp practices, but will not be at full speed until late August after training camp is well underway.

When healthy, Green runs with a speed and power. He runs through arm tackles and is a breakaway threat once he gets into the secondary. He also has good hands and is an effective receiver out of the backfield. Along with Bo Jackson, Green is one of only two running backs in NFL history who has multiple 90-yard touchdown runs.

According to his coaches, Green is a hard worker in practice, always going full speed.

Until last year, Green had been remarkably durable, having missed only three games in his first five seasons with the Packers. Green suffers from asthma, although he has not let that hinder his productivity.

Positives

• Extremely productive runner since coming to Green Bay; four-time Pro Bowler; top-five fantasy RB in three of his first five seasons in Green Bay.
• Excellent short-yardage and goal-line runner.
• Breakaway speed makes him a big-play threat both as a runner and as a receiver.

Negatives

• Coming off a serious injury and will not be cleared for contact until the latter part of training camp.
• Has had a very heavy workload in the five years preceding his injury, and is 29 years old.
• Must contend with a challenge for the starting job with last year’s success story, Samkon Gado.

Final Thoughts

The RB position in Green Bay is currently unsettled. If Ahman Green is fully healthy by the start of the season, he could return to the form he showed in 2000-2004 and resume his role as the featured runner in Green Bay. Alternatively, if Green has any setbacks with his quadriceps or is otherwise unable to run the ball effectively, Samkon Gado could carry the load in 2006 like he did in the second half of 2005. More likely, both Green and Gado will get carries in rotation, but how they will be divided is difficult to predict. Najeh Davenport may also be a factor if he is healthy; there is some speculation that Davenport and Green will battle for a single roster spot with the loser being released. The only way Davenport would make the team over Green, however, is if Green cannot return to his pre-injury form.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

To view the entire Player Spotlight thread (there's a ton of fantastic commentary in there), click here.

Big Score:
The one year contract Green recently signed with Green Bay, was set up to allow for him to be cut with minimal cap repercussions. Until we see how Green returns from this injury, any player evaluation at this time, is simply an exercise in futility.

phillymatrix:
From where Ahman is now to where he was in 2001(1,385 yards, 11 TDs ) is like the difference between night and day. I can't see any reason to draft this guy with players available like a Frank Gore or a Ron Dayne (underrated). Athletes who are younger or have had less serious injuries, and at this stage of their careers more upside. I would rather take a chance on one of the rookie RBs than Green.

Ahman Green Projections

SOURCE	RSH	RSHYD	RSHTD	REC	RECYD	RECTD
Maurile Tremblay	180	756	4	48	395	1
Message Board Consensus	225	935	5	25	150	1