"James Starks was just getting hot.

The Green Bay Packers second-year running back took a short pass and turned it into a 12-yard gain. He darted off the right edge for 29 yards. In two third-quarter series against the Giants in the NFC divisional playoffs, Starks accounted for 56 total yards.

Then, Starks gave way to Ryan Grant and touched the ball just twice the rest of the game.

This is how it went much of 2011 for Starks in the backfield-by-committee that the Packers employed.

Neither Starks nor Grant could ever get rolling the way they each did in past seasons. And Green Bay's rushing game struggled, ranking 27th overall and 26th in yards per carry.

With the possibility of Grant leaving in free agency, Starks might finally have a chance to be 'The Man.' But can he handle it?

"If that's how it happens, I'll be ready," Starks said. "But whatever happens, happens. I have no problem with what was going on this year, so I'd be fine with whatever."