Little Clarity Shed on Center Position from Mike McCarthy

With the NFL Owners Meetings underway this week in Orlando, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy took some time to talk to reporters.

When former Packers center Evan Dietrich Smith signed with Tampa Bay this off season, the Packers were left thin at the position.

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Comments (53)

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Evan's picture

March 25, 2014 at 02:19 pm

Sitton? Really?

Maybe if Tretter, Lang, Barclay, Gerhart and a player-yet-to-be-drafted all fall victim to separate misfortunes and are unable to play, maybe then Sitton would get a shot at center.

But that will never happen. One misfortune, that's possible. Three misfortunes, there's an outside chance. But five misfortunes? I'd like to see that!

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Evan's picture

March 25, 2014 at 09:07 pm

Man, I was hoping at least Hank Scorpio would get it.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 06:52 am

It wouldn't make a lot of sense to move Sitton. But Lang is a possibility IMO. If Barclay can't play C, I think he could be a very good G. Which would allow Lang to move to C.
I do see that as a possibility. I think they are really hoping Tretter will be the guy though.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 26, 2014 at 08:16 am

Agree completely. I think that if Tretter shows any ability to be a starter they throw him in at C and take their lumps initially. I think with the Guards they have, they can compensate for Tretter's learning curve.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

March 25, 2014 at 03:09 pm

They better get Tretter or Barclay ready please do not mess with Lang or Sitton.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

March 25, 2014 at 10:07 pm

You beat me to it.

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Jordan's picture

March 25, 2014 at 10:18 pm

Lang isn't as good as you think he is. I watched a "condensed" version of Packers game last night off of NFL REWIND and Lang got blown off the ball at right guard on a regular basis. He was getting driven in to the backfield like a highschooler.

Maybe Tretter goes to right guard and Lang goes to center.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 06:53 am

Or Barclay goes to RG and Lang to Center.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 26, 2014 at 08:18 am

I think the G's are good too, but the best in the NFL? I think they'd have a hard time keeping up with SF's guards. Just saying, they're good, but not the best.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 26, 2014 at 10:45 am

Fair enough. Not going to argue with you too hard on this one. ;)

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Evan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 09:37 am

Yeah, I don't think it's as far-fetched as you think. There is PFF, as Stroh said. And then Bleacher Report came out with their list of the top guards in the NFL in 2013 - Sitton was #1 and Lang was like #13 (Neither 49er G was in the top 20).

Of course it's all subjective, but I think we can safely say the Packers guards are among the best duos in the league.

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Jordan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 11:29 am

Lang was ranked 15th by PFF. My math says that's middle of the road. I agree with that....... Lang is a middle of the road right guard.

Tretter will probably be the center, but I wouldn't rule out Tretter being the right guard and Lang being the center.

TJ Lang isn't an untouchable ALL-PRO embedded at right guard. We'll have to wait and see what happens with Tretter.

Packers had the 3rd easiest schedule in NFL in 2013, so things should only get more challenging for the O-line in 2014. I'm just glad they have Tretter....he sounds promising.

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Jordan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 01:26 pm

I have no doubt Tretter will do well at center (and will probably be the center). All I'm saying is.........Tretter may very well be better than TJ Lang at guard. I have a good feeling about Tretter. I'm just not willing to write Tretter off as the third or fourth best guard on the Packers. He may very well be the second best guard. Time will tell.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 26, 2014 at 03:18 pm

But why would you move Lang to Center and then put Tretter in as G? That moves two players. If they are your #2 and #3 interior lineman, why not just leave Lang at G?

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Jordan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 04:46 pm

Based on all the shuffling in the last few years at OL, it wouldn't really be anything new. Who knows what the O-line will look like by week 10. Could be some 2014 draft pick starting on the O-line for all we know. As I said, I think tretter will be the center. I'm just not ready to rule out Lang being the center and tretter being the RG. I think TT drafted tretter to replace EDS. I think it was his plan all along. But you never know for sure how things will shake out. It's all speculation.

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HankScorpio's picture

March 26, 2014 at 12:02 pm

"Lang was ranked 15th by PFF. My math says that's middle of the road"

Are they ranking OGs or RGs and LGs? If it's the former, Lang slides into the top 25%. If it's the latter, he is the very definition of "middle of the road" by their ranking system.

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Jordan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 12:58 pm

15th ranking is for all guards. My math factors in the Packers extremely weak schedule. ;)

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Idiot Fan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 05:43 pm

It's hard to go by SOS though. For example, the Lions' record was terrible, but that dline is nasty and very difficult for a guard to deal with.

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Jordan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 08:20 pm

SOS isn't perfect by any means, but it at least gives you some kind of general reference. 3rd easiest regular season schedule can't be ignored.

Ironically, the lions were only a half game out of first place when Lang had his worst game on thanksgiving and lions had a winning record. So the lions were still playing for something in that game.

It does make you wonder what Lang (and the rest of the o-line) would have done had we faced Seattle in Seattle for NFC championship game. We'll never know.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

March 28, 2014 at 01:46 am

Jorden, I'd like to comment on that. There was a reason Seattle played Lights Out on SF. They would not have played that well against GB, I don't think. IMO, SF was the much better team. All the stars line up for Seattle. They caught SF at Home & it was SF's 3rd road game in a row. Any one who bets Pro Football would tell you that's a Killer. Now, if by chance, Seattle would have played like that against us, No we would not have beat them. I firmly believe SF was the Best team in the Playoffs, & yes we got them at Home. If we had beat them, my $$$ would have been on GB in Seattle. I believe we would have beat Carolina easily. We would have had a lot going for us had we made it to Seattle. You can call it the 2 R's. Revenge & Rogers. I don't see that combo losing that game. But as you say, "We'll never know" Maybe this year. LVT

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4thand1's picture

March 25, 2014 at 03:22 pm

I can see Barclay at center. Just keep him awary from the OT position. He's to slow out there. Let him clog up the middle. He has an attitude which I like.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 06:54 am

I think his perfect position would be G.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 26, 2014 at 08:21 am

I think he's a great option as a backup at the G/C position. Has starting experience and the confidence that comes with it. He can also backup the T's if the shit really hits the storm in a game and they lose a couple guys. There is value in that.

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lebowski's picture

March 25, 2014 at 04:24 pm

Nice to hear that throwing darts at the center position is the plan, along with moving around established parts… again. This line has been in flux WAY too long.

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4thand1's picture

March 25, 2014 at 06:46 pm

He does it just to piss you off. He hates trolls.

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4thand1's picture

March 25, 2014 at 08:01 pm

Seriously, are you really this fuckin stupid? You think A head coach is going to tell the whole league what his plans are. YOU really aren't very intelligent are you? Hey Ted, I'm going to lay out our plan for the season even before the draft, whadda ya think, Ted? Maybe I'll even post our game plans on line for everyone to see.

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lebowski's picture

March 25, 2014 at 09:07 pm

Sheesh. I've been coming to this site for a few years now, I may be wrong but these vitriolic comments and responses seem to be the norm instead of the exception these days. Every post devolves into an over-the-top attack on some 'troll'. A S is just stating his opinion, which is what everyone on here does. The fact that he doesn't agree with you makes him fuckin stupid? There's a site you should check out, Total Packers. You'll love it.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 26, 2014 at 08:26 am

I've been here for years and you're right. I've even joined in on the bashing once or twice. But allowing him to get under your skin so much shows weakness. Don't let it happen. Like any other troll, if we ignored him completely, he'd probably either leave or start posting comments that aren't silly.

Plus, it's started to end up calling him names even when he is only stating an opinion. He has some opinions that are worthy of discussion. Just stick to those and ignore the rest. He wants the responses. If we only give him the responses to viable arguements, he'll use those more.

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4thand1's picture

March 25, 2014 at 09:48 pm

Andy, AS is cow42, so if you've been coming here for years you should now his antics. He's not a Packer fan and blasts the team at every turn. He's the consummate troll. Either a viqueen or thebearsstill suck fan.

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Jordan's picture

March 25, 2014 at 10:04 pm

4th and 1, I think what Andy is trying to say to you is......why don't you just ignore any posts that you don't like. Your responses are vulgar and unnecessary on a forum. Cow is not attacking you. He is simply giving his opinion.

Why would someone's opinion or post bother you so much that you feel the need to attack someone with profanity? It's almost as if you are trying to control the forum with some type of controlling behavior.

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4thand1's picture

March 25, 2014 at 10:33 pm

Not I'm not. He just doesn't have the guts to say what team he really supports. I don't have a problem with opinions, just his lame excuse to claim He's a Packer fan. A troll is a troll is a troll. Everyone is sick of him. He doesn't bother me, I'm bored and its fun calling him out. IMO he's chickenshit. Hope that wasn't to vulgar for you. I'll ignore the prick for a while.

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PackerBacker's picture

March 26, 2014 at 08:30 am

When you use vulgar language and steer a conversation towards anger and not the Packers you are as much, if not more, of a troll than he is. At least his posts have something to do with the Packers. You aren't even doing that.

He might be a pessimistic, antagonistic Packers fan, but that doesn't mean he's not still a Packers fan.

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lebowski's picture

March 26, 2014 at 11:28 am

Ah, I did not know Cow changed his handle. (I've been here as lebowski for a long time and screwed up my new log-in) Even so, I stick to my point that this site has changed from Packer fans exchanging opinions in good fun to a bunch of regular posters attacking anyone who has the gall to question management's / coaches' decisions. I don't like to post negative views on here, but there certainly are some things that we as fans have every right to question. Such as the constant flipping and moving around of our O-line. And I'm not just calling out you, 4thand1, it's just your response this time jumped directly to indignant anger.

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HankScorpio's picture

March 26, 2014 at 01:56 pm

"So not a single OL position is without question marks.

What the hell does MM have against Rodgers?"
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Yeah! How dare MM put any thought in to the decision on how to best protect Rodgers with 5 NFL starters and a promising youngster!

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4thand1's picture

March 26, 2014 at 06:17 pm

LMAO! I'm not angry. Bashing everything about the Packers is not opinion. TT and the Packers have made some mistakes. So McMillan and Jennings sucked. They're gone. I like honest opinions, its the dishonest ones I'll call out. Football is getting soft and it appears the fans are too. Please don't cuss, you might hurt someone's feelings. Maybe some of you should find a ballet blog to post on.

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MarkinMadison's picture

March 25, 2014 at 08:33 pm

If they let EDS walk away like that my bet is that they already think they know who the center will be. We'll see when training camp starts. Personally, I'm betting on Tretter. Barclay becomes a 5 position backup.

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The TKster's picture

March 25, 2014 at 09:22 pm

Coachspeak.

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ben's picture

March 28, 2014 at 01:25 am

Stroh does know a few things about football. It's just too bad his grip on football far exceeds his grip on reality.

The legend grows................

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PackerBacker's picture

March 26, 2014 at 08:32 am

If he's on the squad he has as much a chance as anyone.

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4thand1's picture

March 26, 2014 at 06:21 pm

Of course there is Tom. He was a #1 pick. I remember a lot of draft "experts" were saying it was a good pick by GB. Also because the Packers picking at the bottom of the rounds so often you're damned for being successful. WTG TT.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 26, 2014 at 02:35 am

I think fans are a little too enthusiastic about Bakhtiari at LT. He did a fine job for a rookie 4th round pick. Still, he was a below average starting LT, generally ranked as a LT around 25th in the league. I hope he makes a jump in his 2nd year and becomes a solid starter, and since the primary knock on him reportedly was core strength, an off season in the weight room should really help him. Sherrod was a consensus first round talent, but he never did much, first due to a position change to LG, and since then due to injury. If Sherrod can beat out Bakhtiari, so much the better, or if he can be a quality back-up, that would be helpful too. I am not a Bakhtiari hater or a Sherrod lover, just someone who wants GB to have 2 quality tackles on the field with good depth.

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The TKster's picture

March 26, 2014 at 06:31 am

I would love to read that Bak "lived" in the weight room this offseason and gained 10-15 lbs and just can't wait to build on his rookie season and "get after it" this year.

Also, it would be great to hear that Sherrod is totally recovered and is shaking off the rust and is back to the form that made him a first rounder in the first place.

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lebowski's picture

March 26, 2014 at 11:32 am

and thanks Tom for proving my point once again.

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lebowski's picture

March 26, 2014 at 01:31 pm

That this site has devolved into responses by 'trolls' and those who feel the need to constantly call them out for even the most minor of negative opinions. Apparently every other Packer fan is fucking stupid, a moron, an ass wipe, etc. Used to love coming to Cheesehead TV. Now Aaron and Corey are barely here and the comments sections have been hijacked.

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ben's picture

March 28, 2014 at 02:10 am

Maybe Bahktiari will win the job?

Let's keep it real, Bahktiari is the Green Bay Packer's starting left tackle.

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The TKster's picture

March 26, 2014 at 06:33 am

Maybe I'm a moron, but I would think it's easier to take an "athletic, agile" lineman with good feet and have him build his power in the weight room than to take a powerful, athletically "limited" lineman and have him work on developing quickness and agility.

Flame away on that one!

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PackerBacker's picture

March 26, 2014 at 08:36 am

I'm sure there are many other ways that you're a moron, but this wasn't the reason. :)

I would agree that I'd take a naturally gifted player with quickness who needs a little bulk over a player who has the strenght but can't move.

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The TKster's picture

March 26, 2014 at 07:50 pm

LOL

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lebowski's picture

March 26, 2014 at 11:33 am

And I was hoping we'd draft him. Shows how much I know.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

March 26, 2014 at 09:05 pm

Ok, maybe I can jump in here? I honestly don't know who's better than who in the OL. I don't know who was a Good Pick & who was a Bad One. I've had a hard time keeping up with the OL, because of all the injuries. I'd like to think, if all of our OL guy's were healthy, we'd have a Pretty Good OL. I admit I don't know these guy's like you guy's do. What I Do know is Bulaga was drafted for LT, & it seems he hasn't played 4 minutes in 2 years? I couldn't tell you who played where, there seems to have been so many injuries & changes of position. JMO I bet Pro Football. I don't bet the GB games but I did have money on GB in the Playoff. It was a Push for me, but I still feel like I came within an eyelash of beating the Best Team in the Playoffs, & had we done it, I believe we would have beat Denver, just as Seattle did. Not too bad, just to get into the playoffs, with a lot of 2ond & 3rd string players & guy's out of position. You guy's can jump on me if you want, but I think we were closer than any of you know.

You can jump on me for this. I've read a lot of negative comments, all negative comments on Newhouse. I know he looked Bad. What the Hell happened to him. I can remember when he 1st took over at LT, & I thought he looked pretty good. Do I need a new Dog??

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4thand1's picture

March 26, 2014 at 09:21 pm

He looked just ok to me and never improved. He's a back up and that's all IMO. I agree the Packers are a hell of a lot closer than some critics believe. To play like they did down the stretch and not quitting tells me something. They didn't use any excuses when they could have.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

March 26, 2014 at 11:27 pm

Tom B., I've said a number of times, that I respect everyone's opinion on this post. I'm 66 yr's old. I've had plenty of fights in my day. For those in WI, I'm not proud of it, but I was sentenced to a year in the Ozaukee County Jail for busting up a Restaurant & it's owner. It was suspended, & I was kicked out of Ozaukee County for a year. MY FIGHTING DAYS ARE OVER. Stroh & I exchanged some heated words 1 time. It was over AJ HAWK. I would have given him away for free to keep James Jones. I think if Stroh were Honest, he'd admit I was more right than wrong. That's beside the point. We settled that issue Respectfully. I try to like everybody. I missed ClowNey. & Arlo. They've both been Right IMO on some of what they say. So have you. I agree with you more than you might think. Maybe if I knew the Players, I'd have reason to argue with
Stroh, ClowNey & Arlo, but I don't. I know AJ HAWK, ain't No Damn Good, but that's my opinion. I thought JJ was well worth keeping. Stroh disagreed with both of those assessments, so did others, but Clowney, &
Arlo didn't. The thing is with Stroh, we had our words back & forth, & then settled it respectfully. We seldom reply to one another, but he did help me out the other day, & I am Thankful for his help. I've been nailed with some harsh reply's, but I was wrong, so I accepted them. I like talking to you. ClowNey even nailed me once, & I like talking to him also, from time to time. If I knew more about the players maybe I'd argue more, but at this stage of the game, I'd like to try & get along with you & everyone else if possible. Believe me if Someone hands me some s#@t, I
can still tell them where to put it. Hope this doesn't change our friendship. I've enjoyed our posts, even if we've disagreed. We did it in a Respectful manner.

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Jordan's picture

March 26, 2014 at 10:43 pm

I sure hope the Packers would have been a 12-4 team last year. They only played two teams with winning records. 2 against 49ers and 1 against Bengals. They lost all 3.

If you guys ever want to re-watch a 2013 game, check out that Bengals game. It's a real eye opener from start to finish.

Packers will be better in 2014.

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