Crockett's Roster Spot isn't Going Anywhere

Despite a couple of undraftees making a run for the third running back slot, John Crockett shouldn't have much of a problem fending them off.

As the summer season rolls along, so do we here at Cheesehead TV despite the reoccuring tragedies surfacing across the country and in everyday news. Avoiding the unspeakable acts chosen by a handful of individuals won't make those unspeakable acts deteriorate in numbers. However, for now, we mask our fear and sorrow with anticipation for the looming football season ahead. Nonetheless, our condolences are offered to the families who have lost loved ones to the recent horrors. Briefly, we do what we can to break from reality. 

While training camp quickly nears - in just around two weeks to be specific, the pending position battles heat up. While some positions will have less eyes trained on them like quarterback, fullback and tight end, position groupings such as wide receivers, linebackers and cornerbacks will be putting on a clinic for the watchful media.

The running back corps could also be a prime group to study through August. No, Eddie Lacy and James Starks aren't going anywhere. But what of John Crockett? 

The few flashes Crockett's shown through the preseason (such as the 15-yard scamper shown below) and in a week 13 affair in Detroit were enough to solidify his job as the third-string running back behind the "thunder-and-lightning" duo. 

Crockett, to me at least, bears a striking resemblance to former Packers running back Ryan Grant. Whether it be his aggressive, one-cut style of running or the level of his shoulder pads. Whether or not he can produce the same way Grant did in his prime is still in question.

Crockett's path to the 53-man roster isn't as clear-cut as it seems, especially with a potential suitor by the name of Don Jackson threatening his third-string gig.

Jackson, originally a troubled teen from south Sacramento who took the hard road to the University of Nevada, was signed to the Packers as an undrafted free agent. His stout build pairs well with his quick, explosive manuevering, almost similar to what Crockett has shown with a larger body type.

The story behind Jackson's journey to the NFL is a tumultuous one and can be found here

It's unlikely Jackson makes the roster and may find himself as a practice squad addition, especially with the rare couple of undraftees chosen every year to occupy certain roster vacancies. Jackson may just come up shy with a skill set that has yet to be showcased at the professional level. Barring any changes in training camp, of course.

While Crockett looks to keep his eyes set on the path ahead and never wavering elsewhere, Jackson is nipping at his heels in the newest chapter to his comeback story. Unfortunately for him, the ball is in Crockett's court, and it doesn't seem like he'll be turning it over anytime soon.

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (20)

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Bearmeat's picture

July 12, 2016 at 07:42 am

Crocket "bares" a resemblance to Ryan Grant huh? That's kind of an awkward thing to say in public dude. You may want to get permission from the two individuals you are discussing before you put it on the World Wide Web. ;)

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

July 13, 2016 at 03:09 pm

I... don't know what you're talking about... *nervous sweating*

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

July 12, 2016 at 02:24 pm

Crockett seemed to have some fire that got the team going. We need to see a lot more of him before we can they decide who is getting the 3rd string.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

July 13, 2016 at 03:10 pm

I do agree he came out with a burst vs Detroit. But people tend to forget his four other regular season carries that amounted to negative yardage. While I'm not using that as a benchmark to judge his skill set, I do think he can be pretty damn good. Another year of experience under his belt could be tremendous for him.

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Tundraboy's picture

July 12, 2016 at 02:52 pm

Read the story on Jackson. Wow. Guy has earned a shot, thats for sure. Can't wait for camp.

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EddieLeeIvory's picture

July 12, 2016 at 04:29 pm

Crockett should have gotten more playing time last year instead of Starks.
I like Starks, but Crockett is better and hungrier.

And Starks fumbles were bad last year.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

July 12, 2016 at 04:52 pm

Yes, Crockett should have gotten more PT last season and Starks' fumbles were bad last season, but Crockett is not better than Starks (especially as a pure runner). I'm hesitant to even talk bad about Stark's hands because of the numbers he put up last season.

http://pickingpros.com/nfl/running-back-receiving-leaders.php

After his first 5 seasons, I don't think many here (myself included) thought he could have such an impact in the passing game as he did last season.

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phillythedane's picture

July 14, 2016 at 07:10 am

Starks' consistent fumbling became alarming. No matter, cold carries fresh off the bench or tremendously vicious hits, it's the NFL. Ball security is job no. 1.

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Handsback's picture

July 12, 2016 at 05:00 pm

Don't sleep on Burks...he has speed and can catch!

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Icebowler's picture

July 12, 2016 at 08:08 pm

I love Starks because he came out of nowhere to help win us a Super Bowl in 2010. But that was six years ago. RB now, for the most part, a young man's position. I wouldn't be surprised if either Starks or Crockett (but probably not both), were beat out by a UDFA this year. It's going to be a wide-open completion. It may come down to who can pick up the blitz better. We gotta protect Aaron at all costs.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 12, 2016 at 08:52 pm

Wow, there is a lot of love for Crockett in Packerland. While I like Crockett pretty well, he should not be compared to Starks or Ryan Grant. Crockett wasn't even GB's first choice among 3 UDFAs last season (though I thought those 3 - Raijon Neal, Crockett and Harris - were of extremely high caliber for UDFAs). 16 snaps on offense and 16 snaps on STs, 2 games played, 9 carries for 21 yards (2.3 yds/carry), no receptions, isn't enough for me to anoint him as our 3rd RB. Crockett is a very good athlete with more burst than one might think.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

July 13, 2016 at 03:13 pm

It wasn't much of an overall comparison, truthfully. More so physical than anything else. Both have similar, aggressive running styles.

I addressed those poor numbers in above comments as well. They're weak, but film speaks a lot louder than box scores do. With given opportunities and a year of experience under his belt, he just might be able to provide enough security behind Lacy & Starks. No one's asking him to be a game breaker, but just to offer some stability at the bottom of the running backs depth chart.

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al bundy's picture

July 12, 2016 at 09:42 pm

I just hope they get a chance. My issue last yeat was we had some steller defensive play in pre season and those people ended up bench sitting to others higher on thepecking ladder. Seems high draft picks play regardless of performance on this team.

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Icebowler's picture

July 12, 2016 at 10:49 pm

Care to add some specifics to support your' premise.

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ZacharyJacobson's picture

July 13, 2016 at 03:17 pm

I wouldn't go as far as saying high draft picks play regardless of performance. Of course they'll get a shot on the field and Thompson doesn't exactly like giving up on draft picks - we all know that, but players who he feels can deliver the most production get their shot. Regardless of whether or not they're a veteran, a rookie or someone as inconsistent as Nick Perry.

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lucky953's picture

July 12, 2016 at 11:59 pm

Crockett has a big advantage with a year under his belt, assuming he's been studying. As MM has said many times, reliability at RB is the key factor in PT. Hard to see a udfa unseating him, unless there's a distinct talent gap.

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Since'61's picture

July 13, 2016 at 04:38 pm

Have yet to see enough of Crockett to annoint him to the 53. I can see Jackson and newly acquired Brandon Ross with legit shots to make the team as well. The third running back spot could be a critical decision if Lacy cannot get back to his pre-2015 form. Our 3rd stringer could see more snaps than usual if Lacy is still MIA. The tape included in the article is from a preseason game against a second string defense at best. Also the blocking on the play is excellent and even BJ Raji could have walked in on that play. Depending on the decisions with the WRs and OLs maybe the Packers keep an extra RB this season. Thanks, Since '61

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phillythedane's picture

July 14, 2016 at 07:02 am

I'm late to the table, Zachary Jacobson, but I like your opening. Thanks.

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Handsback's picture

July 14, 2016 at 07:43 am

One last point....whoever gets this 3rd RB slot will HAVE to be a good ST guy. If any of the newcomers this year can return punts or kickoffs, they will have a leg up on Crockett.

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khanghi's picture

July 14, 2016 at 12:24 pm

Nice! I did wonder how that worked.

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