Ryan Grant, the tailback for the Green Bay Packers, wants a longterm deal with the Pack. Although he attended the club’s minicamp, Grant did not workout. Despite the fact that Grant cannot attempt to negotiate with other teams, the talented runner can try to force the hand of the Packers.
In his first season, Grant amassed 956 yards on the ground, which was a surprise to all. This season, the team offered him $370,000 for 2008. But Grant doesn’t see that as a being adequate. He wants a multiyear contract. Here’s what he did in his rookie season.
While carrying the ball 188 times, Grant averaged 5.1 yards per rush. He also caught 30 passes for 145 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per catch. He carried eight regular season touchdowns and three post-season scores. In the regular season, he put in five 100-plus yard games, including a 156-yard game versus the Oakland Raiders. In the first game of the playoffs, he ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns as the Pack beat the Seahawks 42-20.
Grant is six-foot-one and 218-pounds. He can use his big frame to push through defenses. He came out of Notre Dame as an undrafted player. He was signed by the New York Giants from 2005-2006 but never played a game. He was on the practice squad in 2005. He missed the entire 2006 season due to a freak injury at a nightclub. The Packers contracted Grant in 2007. During that time, he contributed greatly and surprisingly to the success of the Packers. His 201 post-season rushing yards marks a Green Bay record.
If the Packers do not sign Grant, they will still have some guys who may be able to do the job, including Brandon Jackson, Noah Herron and Vernand Morency. At this point, the Grant/Green Bay standoff is a staring contest. Grant should be signed by the first week of training camp.