I’ll get my fair share Juan…

The Packers and Mike McCarthy have preached that they want balance to their offense.  They need to protect Rodgers better and one way to do that is to pound the rock and open up passing lanes.  Eddie Lacy was the teams’ second round pick and is a bruising inside runner that will get the tough yards and should end up as the short yardage/goaline RB.

“We’re all going to compete,” Lacy said, “and when the season gets here, whoever’s going to play is going to play.”

The Packers also grabbed one of my favorite prospects in Jonathan Franklin who was a very good all around game and makes a lot of sense for this offense.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see him getting a ton of touches this season. 

“Two different types of backs,” McCarthy said. “Obviously Lacy is a bigger back. Frankly, I thought Franklin handled the ball on the punt and the kickoff, too. I was excited about that, too, so he seems very natural. But once again, they’re young players, they’re drafted players. We look for them to definitely help us and contribute.”

There is also another rookie RB, Angelo Pease who is making some noise. 

“I’m going to do it to him again,” McCarthy said, “I thought Pease of Kansas State had a very good weekend. He had another run today. I think he’s a good young back.”

“He’s here for a reason. So that’s a credit to the player and that’s a credit to our personnel department. You’re also practicing in helmets and shorts and that’s why you have to be practical about what you saw today. It really confirms movement ability, athletic ability. Are they systematic? Do they fit what you’re looking for? So that’s really what this weekend’s for. The real football doesn’t start until training camp and we all realize that.”

I can see Lacy and Franklin splitting duties, although there are supporters in the fantasy ranks that are leaning one way or another.  Hopefully we get a sense of how they plan to split the carries in training camp/preseason.  I sense that Franklin will be more valuable in PPR setups and Lacy in standard, but there is a lot to get figured out between now and fantasy drafts. 

“Everybody wants to be the best,” Franklin said. “But at the end of the day, the best person on this team is the team. It’s all about the team. We’re here to make the Green Bay Packers better.”

Scouting Report: Jonathan Franklin

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