One trade Teddy needs to make

(Note: This post takes the place of my usual lighthearted Tuesday post. That will return next week. I know – I didn’t run it last week, either. But come on. I was sick.)

Talking Packers on the phone with Adam last night and the inevitable topic of the trade deadline came up.

Makes sense as the deadline is set for today at 3 p.m. Lambeau Time.

We discussed some possible moves, such as a trade for Jacksonville tackle Tra Thomas.

While not a huge, season-changing upgrade by any stretch, Thomas is a solid veteran who would provide immediate help at a position of dire need.

There are some other big names reportedly available – Carolina’s Julius Peppers and San Diego’s Shawne Merriman, for example – who could provide big-time help to the Packers’ defense. But both have question marks. Peppers only plays when he wants to and Merriman has a pretty severe injury history, most recently with his injured groin (ouch). In addition, both are scheduled for free agency. Doubtful either one ends up in green and gold.

There is, however, one name out there who could be moved and whom Packers General Manager Ted Thompson absolutely has to make a serious run at: St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson.

Think about how much sense this trade would make for the Packers.

Jackson, at just 26 years old, is a true No. 1 running back; he is a tough, physical runner who can punish tacklers; he is a very good receiver, which makes him a dual-threat.

Playing for arguably the worst team in the entire league, Jackson is still averaging almost 112 all-purpose yards per game this season. Included in that total is 83.5 rushing yards per game. That number is ridiculous considering the fact that the Rams are almost always trailing, meaning their running game is less of a factor.

He’s also done a lot of his damage throughout his career playing behind average-to-below average offensive lines. So he wouldn’t be thrown by Green Bay’s mediocre starting five.

There are a couple of factors that might, on the surface, scare you away about Jackson. Don’t let them.

Yes, he is in only the second year of a six-year, $44 million contract. Remember, though, $11.4 of that came via a signing bonus. That doesn’t get charged to the Packers if they were to acquire him. The Rams eat that money.

His salary numbers for the next three seasons (not counting various incentives, which you would hope he gets because that means he’s playing well):

• 2009: $3.78 million (salary for the remaining 11 games)
• 2010: $6.105 million
• 2011: $7.2 million

After 2011, if he has averaged 1,200 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving, he can void the last two years of his deal (thanks Rotoworld!).

Those numbers would be easily absorbable for the Packers, though, as they sit roughly $15 million under the cap. It might mean they have to let a couple of extra guys go, but hey, when you can get a guy like Jackson, those are the sacrifices you need to make.

Then there’s his injury history. To some, Jackson has been tagged as “injury prone.”

The numbers don’t really support that theory, however.

Out of a possible 86 regular season games since his rookie year, Jackson has played in 75. That’s an average of just over two missed games per season. For a true workhorse back, that’s not that much. Not at all, actually.

Then there’s the question of how much it would take to get him. Ultimately, I don’t think it would be that much.

For a team as bad as the Rams, acquiring draft picks has to be the name of the game right now. They need to get picks in order to build some sort of a foundation going forward. They likely won’t be good for at least another year, probably more. By then, Jackson will be 28 and might not have much left.

That being the case, they need to get value for him now. A package of high picks – perhaps, say, a second-rounder this year and a third-rounder next year? – would be awfully hard to turn down.

There are a lot of reasons this trade could – and should – happen. But, mainly, it needs to happen because Ryan Grant simply is not a true No. 1 running back in this league.

I thought Grant would have a bounce back year. Hasn’t happened. Throughout the first five games he’s been tentative, unable to gain yards after first contact and, as usual, hasn’t been a very good receiver.

As a No. 2 back, however, he could provide great value. Imagine the change of pace he could provide from the brusing, tough-as-nails Jackson, especially in the fourth quarter after Jackson has tired the hell out of the opposing defense.

Not bad, huh?

Plus, Grant’s presence would be able to limit the wear-and-tear a workhorse back like Jackson is likely to suffer. Thus, the careers of both players would be extended by quite a bit.

And if you’re reading this laughing and saying, “Well, when’s the last time Teddy made a big-time trade? Oh wait – never!” I have the perfect counterargument.

Last season, Teddy, by all accounts, came very, very close to acquiring Tony Gonzalez from Kansas City before the Chiefs upped the ante at the last second (a true scumbag move if I’ve ever seen one).

He showed, in that attempt, that he’s willing to make a run at premium talent.

He needs to do it again today. Only this time, he needs to finish the job.

-Chris Lempesis