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Name: BigE
Email: BigE@idatasports.com
Date: Sun Aug 11 22:30:21 2002

Headline: Backs Battle for Roster Spots

The Green Bay Packers have a luxury in Ahman Green, an all-pro running back who is just starting to reach his potential, but who is going to back him up? The Packers signed two free agents in hopes of replacing the departed Dorsey Levens, Ki-Jana Carter and Jason Brookins. The Packers also have a stable of other fine young backs capable of giving Green a breather.

These young running backs are going to have to mature quickly because Carter and Brookins have come into camp out of shape. Both players are also learning a new offense in which backs are regular weapons in the passing game, and that doesn't seem to be a good fit for Carter or Brookins. Both players have routinely dropped passes and lined up in the wrong spot during camp. Time will only tell if these two will even make the team.

That's because third year man Rondell Mealey and rookie Tony Fisher are battling like they want the job more than the rest of them. When healthy, the Packers know that Mealey is a hard runner that's capable of getting the tough yards between the tackle's, and just enough speed to get around the corner. But the 6' 0", 224-pound back had only 11 carries last year and still has a lot to prove. Mealey also lacks that breakaway speed, so he's not likely to rip off the big hitter. But if Mealey stay's healthy, I expect him to contribute.

The camp's biggest surprise has to be Tony Fisher. Fisher was a big stud when he got to Notre Dame, but injuries caused him to lose his starting job in his junior year. With all the blue chippers at Notre Dame it is easy to see how a young man could lose confidence while trying to work his way back to his starting spot. Now Fisher has landed as a free agent in Green Bay, and he is looking forward to starting from scratch.

Fisher has shown enough in camp to make a serious run at the number 2 spot. Although it's hard to get excited this early in camp, especially with no tackling, Fisher has made few mental errors, and has shown a knack for catching the ball out of the backfield. Now he needs to do this in the pre-season games to solidify the outstanding camp he's having, and put a lock on the number 2 spot.

Najeh Davenport has been injured most of camp, and Herbert Goodman has failed to show the coaches the kind of progress they expected after his stellar camp last year. Goodman led the NFL Europe in rushing yards, and those yards may have come at a price. Goodman seems a little wore out in camp, and playing most of the off-season has obviously taken its toll.

The Packers will be a strong team when they hit the field this season, and good teams have players who feed off that and step up in a big way. Whether it's Mealey or Fisher, or even if Carter or Brookins decide to enter the competition, the Packer coaches feel they have the talent to spell the dynamic Green. It looks as though Mealey and Fisher are locks to make the team, and that means that Goodman and Carter will be battling for the last spot. Look for Davenport to be put on IR, and Brookins to get cut.

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