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View Full Version : Rookie Brandon Jackson to start at RB



Gunzlingr
09-06-2007, 08:28 AM
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Note to the Green Bay Packers: Please cancel any sort of military aircraft flyover planned for Sunday's pregame ceremonies.
Given the likelihood of starting his first game as a rookie, running back Brandon Jackson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/8317) is having a hard enough time relaxing right now.
"I'm just trying to stay calm now," Jackson said Wednesday. "I'm very excited now. It's my first game as a rookie, my first home game. If I get the start, it's a lot. I try to go out there calm and relaxed. It can get crazy, especially with those jets flying by."
Jackson, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, wasn't even the Cornhuskers' starter at this time last year. Now that the Packers' running back situation has gone from Ahman Green to just plain green, he'll likely be lining up behind Brett Favre for the Packers' season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I'm pretty sure I'm the guy right now," Jackson said. "I guess coach and them will make that decision I guess tomorrow or Friday. Hopefully I'll get the start."
Third-year player Vernand Morency (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/7249) came into camp as the projected starter, then hurt his knee in the first practice. Morency has returned to practice this week, but only on a limited basis.
Green left town in the offseason, accepting a staggering free-agent offer from the Houston Texans. Third-down back Noah Herron is out for the season with a knee injury, and reserve running back P.J. Pope reached an injury settlement with the team after hurting his knee.
Even Jackson hadn't been officially cleared to play as of Wednesday after missing last week's practice and the final preseason game because of a concussion. But Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he expected Jackson to play.
"He is explosive," McCarthy said. "I think he has natural running instincts. As far as how he's adapted to our offense, I think he continues to get better. I feel good about him on first and second down. He's getting better at third down and some of the specialty things that we're doing."
Blocking is a major question for any running back, especially for one as inexperienced as Jackson, who didn't become the featured back at Nebraska until their final nine games last season. He has shown running ability during practices and preseason games, but the Eagles' defense will test his blitz pickups.
"I just want to go out there and play up to the best of my ability and protect No. 4," Jackson said.

More... (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/09/06/packers.ap/index.html)