While Brown may be a solid fit for the zone blocking scheme and the Pack has the salary cap room to pursue him, there is a better solution ahead: Draft Marshawn Lynch out of California.

A longtime fixture in the Green Bay Packers backfield is no longer there, as halfback Ahman Green signed with the Houston Texans.

Green left Green Bay just 50 yards shy of Jim Taylors all-time franchise rushing record after seven seasons with the Packers.

Now, it is up to Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy to replace Green with a suitable back that can keep the offense moving ahead.

The current backs on the roster include Vernand Morency, Noah Herron and Arliss Beach. Although Morency and Herron both had 100-yard games last season, none is considered a viable starting option. They are both solid change-of-pace backs, but nothing that the team can hang its hat on.

The free agency pool shows little depth. Thompson reportedly had interest in Travis Henry of the Tennessee Titans, but he quickly signed with Denver. Also, he has contacted the agent of Chris Brown, also of the Titans.

While Brown may be a solid fit for the zone blocking scheme and the Pack has the salary cap room to pursue him, there is a better solution ahead: Draft Marshawn Lynch out of California.

Lynch is a solid back who has tremendous vision and makes solid cuts, which is critical for this running scheme. He also will be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, which has long been a staple of the West Coach offense.

Rookie running backs easily make the transition from college, perhaps easier than any other position in the game. He would be working behind an offensive line that will return all five starters and a group that has gained its first year of experience in the zone blocking scheme. Plus, his youth would give the team some long-term stability at the position.

The Packers select at pick number 16, so it is an unknown if Lynch will be available. However, just one team ahead of Green Bay, the Cleveland Browns, has a big-time running back need. Figuring the Browns take top running back Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma, that would leave Lynch sitting at 16. However, the Browns recently signed Jamal Lewis of Baltimore, so they may have already filled their need.

If not trading down wouldnt hurt or they possibly can stay at 16 and take tight end Greg Olsen of Miami to fit the giant need at tight end.

But it is widely believed in draft circles that Thompson is eying Lynch. If hes there at 16, the Packers need to take him. Drafting Lynch would give the Packers an immediate boost offensively and give the franchise some long-term stability at the position.

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