Jones no run-of-the-mill rusher

By Frank Hughes | The News Tribune • Published October 12, 2008

The year that Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones was suspended by Notre Dame for poor academics, he was replaced in the starting lineup by sophomore Ryan Grant.

Grant rushed for more than 1,000 yards that season and looked to have a bright future. But Jones returned the following year, and it took Jones only five games to earn back his starting job, after which he rushed for almost 1,300 yards.

Those two backs once again will be featured on the same field today, when Jones' Seahawks will host Grant's Green Bay Packers in a game in which both teams desperately need a victory.

"Us Notre Dame guys, we are ballers, you got to hand it to us," Jones said, laughing. "That's how we do it."

Grant is best remembered, of course, for the 201 yards rushing and three touchdowns he had in the Seahawks' 42-20 NFL Divisional playoff loss in blizzard-like conditions last January.

It was Grant who fumbled twice on Green Bay's first few possessions, setting up Seattle's 14-0 lead. But it also was Grant who shook off those miscues and pieced together one of the more memorable playoff performances.

"I think the biggest thing was we stuck with him," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "The one positive of having the two turnovers in the Seattle game was they happened so fast in the game. We were able to stay in the game plan and just keep moving forward. I think it speaks a lot about him as an individual to keep pressing on and didn't think about them."

Like the year Jones came back to the Fighting Irish, it has not gone that smoothly for Grant this year. Hampered by a hamstring injury, he has rushed for only 269 yards on 73 carries (a 3.7-yard average) and no touchdowns. Green Bay's rushing offense has averaged less than 96 yards a game, which is 23rd in the NFL.

"Part of our problem is the number of three-and-outs we have had," McCarthy said. "It's also the number of negative plays on offense is just way too high. We are playing with unfavorable down and distances, time and time again. With that is the lack of attempts in terms of running the football."