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Despite Fumbles, Grant Rebounds To Lift Packers

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 13, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Packers running back Ryan Grant was determined not to drop his positive attitude like the football he struggled to secure against Seattle.

Grant had lost two fumbles after touching the ball three times, and before Green Bay could say "cheeseheads," it trailed by two touchdowns.

"I was going to stay positive until the coaches took me out," Grant said. "I'm glad they didn't."

Grant showed why his coaches had so much confidence in him by having one of the most dramatic single-game turnarounds in playoff history.

After a shaky start, the rookie rushed 27 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns to lead Green Bay to a 42-20 NFC divisional playoff victory against Seattle.

Grant set a team record for postseason rushing yards in his comeback performance, and most importantly, Green Bay is one victory away from a Super Bowl appearance.

"I've been playing football for a long time and I understand there are ups and downs and I've got to keep fighting no matter what," Grant said.

The Packers appeared to be ill-prepared for the Seahawks after their first three plays.

Green Bay had possession on its own 18-yard line to open the game. Packers quarterback Brett Favre threw a pass in the flat to Grant, which was slightly behind him. Grant caught it and fell, but when he got up, Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill nailed him and caused the first fumble, which was recovered by linebacker Lofa Tatupu and returned to the Packers' 1-yard line.

On the next play, Seattle running back Shaun Alexander scored, putting the Seahawks ahead, 7-0.

Grant continued his quest to be named Seattle's Most Valuable Player when he carried on Green Bay's third play from scrimmage and fumbled after a hit by Seahawks free safety Brian Russell. Grant's second fumble was recovered by Seattle cornerback Jordan Babineaux on Green Bay's 49-yard line, and six plays later, Bobby Engram caught an 11-yard touchdown pass, giving Seattle a 14-0 advantage.

"The first thought in my mind was, 'This stinks. Let's move on,'" Grant said when asked what he thought after the second fumble.

Grant was outwardly more hopeful than Favre was.

"I have to admit I was not very optimistic," Favre said. "I try not to give those vibes, but the good thing when we were down 14 is that we did not quit. There was still plenty of time left."

Favre was optimistic Grant could rebound, which is why he approached the running back and encouraged him after the second fumble.

"I said, 'Hey, you know what? If there is one person who knows what it feels like to be in his shoes, it is me,'" Favre said. "I told him to forget about it. You're going to have plenty of opportunities. He gave me the, 'Yeah, I know.' The same thing I would have said. I said don't worry about it."

Green Bay's support of Grant explains why he remained positive despite such a negative beginning.

"It's unfortunate what happened, but I really appreciate everybody backing me," Grant said. "They backed me the whole time. From the training staff, to the coaches, to the players, everybody just said, 'Stay with it. You know what you've got to do. Let it go.' We knew we could move the ball and everybody up front did a great job."

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