Over two weeks Vince Biegel Color Rush Jersey , Acme Packing Company will break down the Green Bay Packers’ 2018 roster position-by-position, providing our grades for each spot and looking ahead to free agency. Today, we continue with the running backs.Even in victory, the Green Bay Packers’ offense was far from a well-oiled machine in 2018. And as Aaron Rodgers struggled through injury and inconsistency, as noted in yesterday’s season grades at the quarterback position, the Packers seemed resistant to adjustments.One of those major hurdles was how to best employ Green Bay’s young stable of running backs, notably Aaron Jones. While the Packers’ ratio of passing to running plays was almost 3:2 in 2017, that rate climbed to nearly 2:1 in 2018. And while some of that difference can be attributed to playing from behind in many games, the reality is Green Bay just did not fully commit to the rushing game for most of the season.Though some may argue that a balanced offense in today’s NFL is no longer necessary, the Packers’ running game was one of the team’s strongest dynamics during the 2018 campaign. Here is a look back at some of the individuals that continued to progress.StartersAaron Jones 12 games active, 8 starts133 attempts-728 yards (5.5 average), 8 touchdowns, 26 receptions-206 yards (7.9 average), 1 touchdownFor a second consecutive season, Jones averaged 5.5 yards per carry, even with 52 additional rushing attempts. Still, that did not seem to be enough for the Mike McCarthy-led offense and the use of Jones was a debated topic by fans and media throughout the first three-quarters of the season.The second-year back from UTEP only eclipsed the 100-yard mark one time, a 145-yard outburst against Miami in Week 9, but he rushed for over 70 yards on four other occasions. While doubling his rushing scores total from his rookie season, Jones became much more of a threat in the passing game. With just nine catches for 22 yards in his first season, Jones significantly improved on those numbers in 2018 and improved his pass blocking as well.After McCarthy was fired, Jones was only able to play one full game before suffering a knee injury against Chicago in Week 14 that ended his season. His 17 carries that lone week versus Atlanta tied for a season high. With the hiring of Matt LaFleur, who has been instrumental in the breakout of backs like Todd Gurley and Derrick Henry in the past, there is plenty of optimism that the Packers will provide Jones with more touches and receive a big boost as soon as next season.Jamaal Williams16 games active; 8 starts121 attempts-464 yards (3.8 average), 3 touchdowns, 27 receptions-210 yards (7.8 average)The emergence of Jones as a dynamic back in 2018 resulted in fewer carries for Williams. But as he did when Jones missed time in 2017, Williams stepped up when called upon and appeared in every game.Williams’ highlight of the season was his 95-yard rushing and 61-yard receiving game against the New York Jets in Week 15, becoming an instrumental piece in Green Bay’s overtime victory. Without Aaron Ripkowski, Williams saw many snaps as the third-down back and remained the Packers’ most reliable pass blocker.As a rookie, Williams seemed to grow as the season went along and he did that once again during his sophomore campaign in terms of his patience and decisiveness in his cuts. He will never be the home run threat that Jones is, but Williams can always be counted on to grind out the tough yards while aiding the passing game as a blocker and receiver. Like Jones, Williams should benefit from a LaFleur offense in 2019.BackupsTy Montgomery7 games active, 0 starts26 attempts-105 yards (4.0 average), 1 touchdown, 15 receptions-170 yards (11.3 average)It is safe to say that the 2018 season did not go as expected for Montgomery. After minimal usage in the running game and a disastrous kickoff return fumble in Los Angeles https://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Antonio-Morrison-Jersey , Montgomery was shipped to Baltimore before the trade deadline.Expected to fill a role as a third-down back with his receiving skills, Montgomery did collect 15 receptions while in Green Bay. He took a back seat to Jones and Williams in the running attack, however, and frustrations seemingly mounted as a result. Although he saw the field on special teams with 10 returns, Green Bay decided to part ways before rumors further upset team chemistry.With an expiring contract, it seemed unlikely the Packers would bring back Montgomery for 2019 regardless of the issues that arose in 2018. With Green Bay’s duo of backs ahead of him on the depth chart, it is hard to say the team really missed Montgomery in the aftermath of the trade.Danny Vitale5 games active, 0 starts1 reception-2 yardsVitale was signed to the Packers’ active roster on December 1 and earned playing time down the stretch. Another third-year player, Vitale made more of an appearance on Green Bay’s special teams units with 80 total snaps. Offensively, Vitale recorded 17 snaps with just one catch.As the only true fullback on the Green Bay roster and a contract that extends through the 2019 season, Vitale may fight for a roster spot in training camp. However, occasional issues with missed tackles on special teams and missed blocks on offense in 2018 may work against him.Tra Carson4 games active, 0 startsAdded to the active roster on October 31, Carson played in four games with the Packers. He never got an offensive snap, but he did have 45 snaps on special teams and totaled a pair of tackles. Carson’s contract extends through 2019 and he may have an opportunity in training camp next season.Kapri Bibbs2 games active, 0 starts1 attempt-2 yards, 3 receptions-13 yardsGreen Bay claimed Bibbs off waivers from the Washington Redskins on December 17 and the third-year player was active for the final two games of the season. However, Bibbs earned more snaps on special teams (23) than offense (17).On a two-year contract, Bibbs will remain in Green Bay this offseason, but he figures to have competition in camp for the third-string spot in the Packer backfield. He seems to be more of an end-of-the-year depth player than future contributor at this point.Darius Jackson2 games active, 0 startsJackson earned special teams snaps in the first two games of the season for Green Bay, but was waived on October 6 without playing a down on offense.Lavon Coleman1 game active, 0 startsSigned on December 22, Coleman was active for a single game against New York in Week 15 and logged eight special teams snaps. Coleman was a non-factor in 2018 and, as a free agent, most likely will not be back in Green Bay.Overall Grade: B+The Packers employed a number of reserve backs in 2018, but it was the Jones-Williams show throughout the season with 1,192 yards rushing combined (up from 1,004 in 2017). The running backs group was one of the team’s strongest positions and this grade might have been even higher had the Packers not gotten away from the rushing attack in the second half of so many games. Jones’ lack of touches was particularly astounding when taking into account his production per carry and reception. Green Bay could have taken much more pressure off of Rodgers and his ailing knee by rushing more frequently and taking advantage of more check-down passes to the backs. Under LaFleur, the running backs will be an intriguing unit to watch. While Green Bay could add a third back in the offseason that complements new offensive packages, the Packers are in good hands for the foreseeable future with their current one-two punch. Patrick Mahomes has dazzled NFL audiences with no-look passes, left-handed throws and stellar performances in just his first full season as a starter.The dynamic Mahomes has the Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) leading the AFC and he's already earning top honors.Mahomes barely squeaked past Drew Brees as the NFL's top quarterback in 2018 in voting released Friday by a panel of 10 football writers for The Associated Press. Mahomes received six first-place votes, three seconds and one third. Brees got the other four first-place votes."When Mahomes got off to a ridiculously good start, many wondered if he could keep up that pace. The answer has been a resounding yes, and the Chiefs' gunslinger has shown no sign of slowing Quinten Rollins Jersey ," said New York-based Dennis Waszak Jr.Mahomes has 45 touchdown passes and a chance to become just the third player to reach 50. Peyton Manning set the single-season record with 55 TDs in 2013. Tom Brady had 50 in 2007."The poster boy for wild creativity in the wide-open offensive environment that pervades the NFL, Mahomes has that star quality teams crave," said New York-based Barry Wilner, who put Mahomes third behind Brees and Philip Rivers. "He also has the talent they desperately need to succeed."At 39, Brees is having a sensational season. He already broke Manning's record for career yards passing and surpassed Brett Favre's mark for most completions. He's on pace to break his own record for highest completion percentage in a season, and he has the New Orleans Saints (12-2) on the verge of securing the NFC's No. 1 seed."He's taken his game to another level this year, posting some of the best marks of a brilliant career," San Francisco-based Josh Dubow said.Rivers finished third in voting. The 38-year-old is having perhaps his finest season and has the Los Angeles Chargers (11-3) back in the playoffs with a chance to surpass the Chiefs for the top spot."One of his generation's most underappreciated players has finally begun to get the praise deserved for the Bolts' 11-wins-and-counting surge," said Minnesota-based Dave Campbell.Andrew Luck came in fourth after missing the entire 2017 season and returning to help the Indianapolis Colts get back into the playoff chase."He's back and so are the Colts. Wonder if Josh McDaniels has any regrets about reneging on that gig now," said Denver-based Arnie Stapleton.Brady finished fifth in the poll after placing first in September."Not the best season by his near-impossible standards, but the G.O.A.T. still has the Patriots a win away from yet another AFC East title," said New York-based Simmi Buttar.Russell Wilson was sixth, followed by Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff, Deshaun Watson and Ben Roethlisberger. Wilson has helped the Seattle Seahawks (8-6) move toward a playoff berth in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season."Wilson has gone from a quarterback who rode a great defense to a Super Bowl title early in his career to one leading his team to a likely playoff berth this year," Dubow said. "Few have the ability to extend plays like Wilson, who regularly turns what look like busted plays into big ones."Rodgers has thrown only two interceptions, but he dropped in the rankings because the Green Bay Packers are 5-8-1 and cost coach Mike McCarthy his job. Rodgers hasn't had a losing record since his first season as starter in 2008."Having only two interceptions this season would be more impressive if the Packers were having more success," Tennessee-based Teresa Walker said. "Instead, there's not been much difference since firing Mike McCarthy."Only 13 quarterbacks received votes. Matt Ryan was named on six ballots, Baker Mayfield was on three and Carson Wentz, who finished third in NFL MVP voting last season, made one list.The rankings:100View Gallery Gallery:View from the sidelines: NFL cheerleaders 2018Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports | Raj Mehta1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs2. Drew Brees, Saints3. Philip Rivers, Chargers4. Andrew Luck, Colts5. Tom Brady, Patriots6. Russell Wilson, Seahawks7. Aaron Rodgers, Packers8. Jared Goff, Rams9. Deshaun Watson, Texans10. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
