Green Bay Packers: Is James Starks a Star in the Making?

Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesAs one scans the box score of Sunday’s Green Bay Packers game, a bunch of familiar names show up on the stat sheet. Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk are all at the top in their respective categories. Then, you get to the top of nfl jerseys
the rushing yards column and you are met with a name that even some “cheese heads” may be unaware of: James Starks.Now before I continue, I must say that this is somewhat of a “homer” inspired post. Starks and I not only share the same hometown of Niagara Falls, N.Y., but we also attended Niagara Falls High School at the same time. There is where I saw the early blossoming of a potential All-Pro NFL running back.During his high school days it was very apparent that Starks was a special talent. Not only did he excel in football, actually playing quarterback, but he was also a key piece to a2005 state championshipbasketball team that included the likes of Paul Harris and NBA point guardJonny Flynn.Starks would later go on to play at the University at Buffalo where he would set the school’s all-time rushing record. Going into his senior year, Starks’ draft stock couldn’t have been higher as he was projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. That would all come to Dallas Cowboys jersey
a crashing halt when Starks suffered ashoulder injurythat forced him to miss his entire senior season.Starks would elect to have surgery in hopes to still make it to the NFL. April soon approached and several rounds would pass in the 2010 NFL Draft while Starks waited for that life changing phone call. Then, with the193rd overall pickin the draft, the Green Bay Packers selected him in the sixth round.Soon after, Starks went off to Packers training camp with hopes of making the team. Unfortunately, Starks would be placed on the physically unable to perform list because of a hamstring injury. Starks rehabbed the injury and finally got his shot as he was activated for Sunday's game.Starks truly relished the opportunity as he carried the ball 18 times for 73 yards and returned two kickoffs against the San Fransisco 49ers.It appears this may be just the beginning for Starks because the Packers have been looking for someone to carry the workload in the backfield after Ryan Grant went down with a season-ending injury. Starks is football jersey
already getting some publicity as asleeper pickfor fantasy football. It will be exciting to see how Starks will perform down the stretch for Green Bay.