Grant redeems himself in big way

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- For Packers running back Ryan Grant, it wasn't about how he started Saturday's divisional-round playoff game. It was about how he finished.

What began as a nightmare ended as the greatest rushing day in Green Bay's storied postseason history.

Grant lost fumbles two of the first three times he touched the ball, resulting in 14 Seahawks points barely four minutes into the game.

"We felt like we gave them 14 points, and that's not something you want," Grant said. "It was unfortunate what happened, but everybody backed me up. They said, 'Let it blow over.' Brett (Favre) said, 'Don't worry about it, you have to move forward.' "

After 27 carries, Grant had moved forward for 201 rushing yards, more than Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, Ahman Green or any other Packer. He also scored 3 touchdowns, another Packers postseason record.

Grant's day began as if he would set some kind of record for futility. On the first play from scrimmage he bobbled but then temporarily secured a swing pass from Favre. But LeRoy Hill stuck his helmet on the ball, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Lofa Tatupu at the Packers' 13 and returned to the 1. Shaun Alexander scored on the next snap for a 7-0 lead 20 seconds into the game.

Two plays later Grant fumbled again when he was hit by free safety Brian Russell, and backup safety Jordan Babineaux recovered. This time it took six plays for the Seahawks to reach the end zone, on former Bear Bobby Engram's 11-yard catch just 4:01 into the game.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he never considered benching Grant, although he admitted he has done that in the past to other players. McCarthy and running backs coach Edgar Bennett reminded Grant to lower his pad level so as to better protect the ball, and it was smooth sledding on the snowy field the remainder of the game.

"He handled it and moved on," McCarthy said of the instruction Grant received. "He's a talented young man and very consistent. He works hard. He's very confident. It did not surprise me the way he ran (after the fumbles)."

Grant said he didn't consider the possibility of being yanked after his poor start.

"It wasn't in my mind at all," he said. "I thought, 'That (stinks), but let's move on. I'm just going to keep fighting until they take me out."

Fortunately for the Packers, they never did.