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RB Brandon "Zoom" Saine (official thread)

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Promoted Saine hopes to impress
By Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel
Nov. 24, 2011

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Rick Wood
Rookie running back Brandon Saine breaks a tackle against Detroit. He had two carries for 10 yards and a 9-yard reception. MORE PHOTOS
Rookie back carries twice for 10 yards

Detroit - A star was hardly born in the Green Bay running-back rotation Thursday.

But if you're the Packers, you're probably feeling just a little bit better about your ability to rush the football in the last five games of the regular season.

Until the Packers beat the Detroit Lions, 27-15, on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field, rookie Brandon Saine had not carried the football. The total of his participation through 11 games had been in the kneel-down victory formation.

Against the Lions, Saine got two carries for 10 yards. That doesn't sound like much, but in context of a passing team that ran just 18 times for 53 yards, it could be said that Saine was part of the rotation.

He also caught a 9-yard pass out of the backfield to become one more option in Aaron Rodgers' crowded toolbox.

"The coaches just kept telling me to stay ready," said Saine. "They believe in what I do and I hope I can help this football team down the stretch. It's an honor for me to contribute to such a great team."

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http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/promoted-saine-hopes-to-impress-i636hcl-134477128.html
 
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Starks had a season-low four carries for 19 yards against the Lions. His absence allowed rookie Brandon Saine to touch the ball for the first time in his career ? two rushes for 10 yards and one reception for 9 yards.

?It was pretty cool, that was the first time I touched the ball since preseason,? Saine said. ?It?s a lot different than in practice. Once I got that feeling, I really wanted to get back in there even more. Just kind of hungry for it. It was definitely a special moment because of Thanksgiving day and everything.?

Saine said he family was ?super excited? since no one knew what his exact role would be or if he would touch the ball. McCarthy said two weeks ago that Saine had earned additional playing time, but he didn?t get a carry in the 35-26 win against the Bucs. Saine will mimic last week?s model in preparation for the Giants.

?Just be ready for whatever,? Saine said.
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http://packersnews.greenbaypressgaz...ove-on?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|GPG-Sports|s
 
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More Saine may be on the way
By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel
Dec. 1, 2011

Green Bay -- Not long ago, his coach hinted at it. This past week, he played 10 snaps and touched the ball three times. It's early. They're easing him in. But soon, running back Brandon Saine could find himself a role on the Packers' offense. While it may seem hard to imagine an undrafted rookie who began the season on the practice squad finding a niche on an undefeated defending champion, it wouldn't be surprising here.

James Starks and Ryan Grant technically remain the tandem at running back, but Grant hasn't had a 10-yard run since Week Three. On a team that loves utilizing a rotation at the position, it'd make sense to blend Saine into packages. Some more on this tomorrow but here are some comments from his old running backs coach at Ohio State, Dick Tressel.

On how Saine flew under the radar before the draft: ?He?s fast, big and can catch. He had multiple talents so we moved him around a little bit so he was never featured in one spot. So that keeps you off the radar a little bit. We also had, while he was here, had great tailbacks to share the ball."

On how he projected to the next level: ?I really thought that when given an opportunity, his talents would emerge because he is talented and he is a good person to have around. The Packers won?t want to get rid of him because he is such a team player with multiple talents. I just felt that once he was on a team, the team would start to recognize how important it?d be to have him as a contributing factor for a while.?

On Saine's quiet nature: "He's not a big talker. He just sort of goes about his business. He wants to make sure he understands what the situation is. He's very thoughtful, smart and when presented with a role he understands, he's awesome. He goes for it. He's not interested in doing anything to attract any more attention other than the attention that is earned by participating and doing his role on the team.

On his role at OSU being similar to what Green Bay could need: ?There are some people that want their role and for things to be built around them. Brandon?s happy to do what the team needs him to do to win football games ? whether that?s pass protect because he?s tough, catch it, run with it, whatever, cover kickoffs, whatever it is."
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http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/134875433.html
 
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Unsung players prepared to answer Packers' role call
By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel
Dec. 1, 2011

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Mark Hoffman
Packers rookie running back Brandon Saine?s playing time has increased in recent games.

Green Bay - Brandon Saine did his research. He knew the Green Bay Packers tend to promote from within. That's a big reason he signed on.

But he's also a realist. In August, the team was replenished and reloaded at running back. He was undrafted, unproven and buried on the depth chart. That's when James Starks spoke up.

"He was always telling me to stay ready," Saine said. "He told me that last year, the way it started off for him, he wasn't able to play. He said to keep working, keep battling. That's what I've been doing."

Now, even on an undefeated team, there could be a role for someone who was on the practice squad a month ago.

The core of this team is set. The Packers probably will go as far as MVP front-runner Aaron Rodgers takes them. But there was one common thread on the last two Super Bowl teams here. Both the 1996 and 2010 Green Bay teams boasted late bloomers, out-of-nowhere contributors. Last year, Starks played that role. He revived a running game that seemed destined for hibernation. Who'll rise from the depths this season?

Maybe Saine. Maybe defensive end Mike Neal. Maybe one of the young inside linebackers.

"They always say it's going to take everybody," Saine said, "and I definitely believe that."

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http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/prepared-to-answer-packers-role-call-vf399ic-134882378.html
 
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Brandon Saine getting more PT might make me a closet Packers fan, once again.

That sounds so bandwagon-y. But anything will be considered hopping on the bandwagon considering what I root for currently. :lol:
 
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