October 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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No one with the Green Bay Packers has said a word to running back Ryan Grant about him needing to pick up his game a notch this season. But one could see how the addition of veteran Ahman Green and the return to health of Brandon Jackson might send a message that it's time for him to have, oh, say, a 27-carry, 148-yard, one-touchdown performance a week before the Packers play one of the most important games of the season. If that message was being sent, Grant said after his outstanding day against the lowly Cleveland Browns on Sunday, he hadn't received it. He maintained this was something building up in his system that happened to cut loose at the right time. "I don't know if it was ..."
September 7
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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On most days this off-season, Ryan Grant would emerge through the familiar Packers tunnel onto Lambeau Field, turn left and take off, starting at the aisle between Sections 131 and 133. He sprinted every step - not skipping two at a time - running up and then down each and every aisle. Past the seats where the bikini girls brave the elements, past where the adoring await with open arms for the Lambeau Leap, past the press box and rows of critics, around to the scoreboard that so badly needs him and by the famous retired numbers of Hutson, Starr, Nitschke and White. Forty-five minutes later, he was done, heart pumping and head cleared of everything except the upcoming 2009 season. In hushed ..."
December 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Running back Ryan Grant's drop-off in production will be examined closely when the Green Bay Packers conclude their season. Grant was a true home-run hitter last season, but this season his runs of 20 or more yards can be counted on one hand. Despite having 105 more carries than he did last year, Grant has just four runs of 20 or more yards, including one of 40 or more. Compare that to last year, when he had 11 runs of 20 or more yards, two fewer than San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson, who had 127 more carries. Grant, who had two runs of 40 or more yards - both for touchdowns - averaged more 20-yard runs per carry than any other back in the NFL. Through 15 games this year, Grant has 1,097 ..."
November 23
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Someone is always digging and clawing at Ryan Grant's forearms. Someone is always looking for the weak spot in the foundation. Even during the Minnesota game after the whistle blew the play dead, one of the Vikings hollered, "I almost had that, Grant." "No you didn't!" Grant shot back. Green Bay's starting running back hasn't fumbled since the Indianapolis game Oct. 19 and hasn't lost a fumble since Week 4 at Tampa Bay. So even though his carries are way up, he has also been protecting the ball. "You just can't let it happen," said Grant. New Orleans, the Packers' opponent Monday, isn't known for forcing it out on running backs. It has seven forced fumbles and recovered five. But fumbles ..."
October 13
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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When he woke up Sunday morning, Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant thought he was in for a normal afternoon. These days, that means about 40 snaps from scrimmage and 15 to 18 carries. But when Grant got to the stadium, he found out that backup running back Brandon Jackson was dealing with flu-like symptoms and would not be able to play. That left him and second-year pro DeShawn Wynn, who had been promoted from the practice squad on Saturday, to handle the running back duties. Even playing most of the snaps wouldn't have been bad, but when coach Mike McCarthy called 33 running plays for Grant, it became an endurance test. Nearing full health after a long bout with a hamstring injury, ..."