Tom E. Curran • E-mail

Green Bay, Wis. -

On Sunday, the patient was doing better.

While the splitting headache caused by the Mississippi Waffler still remained for the Green Bay Packers, at least they’d gotten some resolution at running back.

Running back Ryan Grant, who held out of training camp awaiting a new deal, got that deal Saturday.

It was none too soon for the patience of head coach Mike McCarthy, either.

“He’s not helping himself,” McCarthy said about an hour before news broke of Grant’s four-year deal potentially worth $30 million. “”He’s very conscientious. It’s time for him to get to camp. He’s still a young player, he doesn’t have a high level of experience. It’s time for him to get here and be a part of what’s going on.”

Grant will likely be on hand for Sunday’s Family Night game at Lambeau though he almost certainly won’t play. So what’s this mean for the Pack?

That their main on-field loose end has now been tied off. Despite the drama with Brett Favre, there’s never been uncertainty in the locker room about how things would proceed in 2008. Aaron Rodgers is the starter regardless of what Favre ends up doing.

The same couldn’t be said at running back. Until Grant signed, Brandon Jackson (second round pick in 2007) was getting the reps with the first team. Behind him was Vernand Morency. But neither Jackson nor Morency – both stout, fireplug types – had the same kind of explosiveness through the hole that Grant showed

A trade with the Giants at the start of last season brought Grant to Green Bay in exchange for a sixth-rounder. He didn’t get a shot until midway through the year but then he exploded by running for 956 yards and eight touchdowns during the regular season then tacking on a 201-yard, three touchdown game against Seattle in the playoffs.

Grant, from Notre Dame, was due to make the minimum in 2008 as an exclusive rights free agent. With his workload and the Packers reliance on him out of whack with his paycheck, Grant opted to hold out.

McCarthy didn’t begrudge him that.

“I have no problem with Ryan in what he’s trying to do,” McCarthy said Saturday before the deal was struck. “I like Ryan. I have a lot of respect for him. In the time he’s been here, he’s gone about his job in a first-class manner. He fits into the culture. I don’t have a problem with him. The negotiation, it’s a business decision. That part of it’s fine. But the Brett Favre situation has been an outstanding lesson for me. You need to keep eye on target. I’m coaching a football team. I need to get these 80 guys ready to win games. I’ve spent my time with Brett and Ryan Grant but I can’t be immersed in that. If I am, I’m taking away from the other 80.”

While there is no hard evidence of how Grant will produce over the course of an entire NFL season, McCarthy indicated it would be wise to manage him.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to (only have one back),” he said. “You need to have a starter. I think you have to have a guy who goes out and you let him be the guy and prepare him. But also it’s a long year and that’s a very demanding position. When you go to that 20, 25, 30 carries (per game), his body’s not right until Thursday or Friday later in the year. Last season Ryan had a clear-cut illustration of it. He came on so strong but was pretty fresh late in the year because he wasn’t beat up. I think that’s important and I don’t think it’s necessary to run him 30 times a game.”

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Pats-Colts is greatest NFL rivalry of 2000s   PFT: Brady recalls when he met Peyton   Slideshow: Peyton vs. Brady through the years   Video: Harrison on how Pats can beat Colts   Video: Dungy on how Colts can beat Patriots PFT: Lewis tells Ochocinco to hold the mustard T.O. misses practice because of hip injury Singletary wants to beat Bears, not reminisce PFT: Bears’ Harris won’t be suspended for punch Davis' comments puts 49ers on defensive NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: