Offensive line is set - for now
By coreyb
A small argument about the offensive line erupted among Packer die-hards in our live blog this morning near the end of practice. The subject of the argument was the offensive line and it's place in the blame for a 6-10 season last year. (look around 1:09 pm to the end) I want to thank Dan, Misterj, Bob, PackersRS, WoodyG and everyone who joined us for a spirited conversation that generated some good stats and video links to prove points.
Of course the news from yesterday is that Coach McCarthy has set (for the first time in his tenure) his O-line starters this early in camp according to Bob McGinn and the Packer's depth chart. Which leads me to my next question...if the offensive line was so good last year - why are there 3 new starters this year?
As a side note I thoroughly enjoyed watching these screens from the Bears and Lions game. If the Pack can screen like they did at the end of last season - it could be a difference maker play in the arsenal that will make teams pay for thinking about blitzing Aaron Rodgers.
Comments (11)
August 25, 2009 at 07:59 pm
Speaking of "video links", anybody see the end of total access yesterday, Where Mike Martz and a couple others were praising both sides of the packers (O and D) as playing the best through two weeks?
I looked around a bit, but couldn't find that clip @ NFL Network.
Anyhew, I know there's plenty of Packer Backers here that are more computer savy than I. So if anyone comes across it, please put up a link, I'd like to send it to my old man.
Thanks,
Fitz
GBP 4 LIFE
August 25, 2009 at 08:10 pm
Aw, man...THIS had to be the day I devote to shredding cabbage for sauerkraut and chopping veggies for canning salsa...my luck sucks. For what it's worth, my input would have amounted to: a)They gotta replace Tausch anyway. b)The big point---They need more size and attitude from center, which is why Spitz was the natural choice. c) Consequently from b, they had to replace Spitz. Our '08 O line could pass block, but couldn't move bodies to run block.
August 25, 2009 at 08:32 pm
Corey - the answer to your question "if it was so good...etc" is because it was a good line. They're trying to make it a great line. Nothing wrong with that.
August 25, 2009 at 08:39 pm
Yeah, my dang job denies me access to this site... work really is getting in the way of my Packer time.
Nah, actually I'm grateful. If I could go where I wanted on the net @ work... I wouldn't be working for long!
GBP 4 LIFE
cheese5
August 25, 2009 at 08:52 pm
Hey Nagler- no one asked u stay on vacation dammit :)
August 25, 2009 at 09:04 pm
Keep in mind, Sitton won that G spot, er GUARD spot last year, but then lost it due to injury. Then you have Tauscher retiring. Well, not being brought back. So that's two guys who would have to be replaced right there, anyway.
The Packers have some good depth on the line now, for the first time in memory.
August 25, 2009 at 09:42 pm
In response to "If the offensive line was so good last year- why are there three new starters this year?"
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The "Three new starters" you're talking about are Spitz, Sitton, and Barbre. Let the record show that TECHNICALLY speaking, Sitton WAS the starting Right Guard heading into the season last year- but he was injured before the opening game. He is technically reclaiming his starting role.
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Spitz started all sixteen games last season, at either RG or C. He isn't really a "new" starter, but he's a starter at a "new" position, sort of. He played a good number of games at center last year, though..
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Barbre is a "New" starter. But he hasn't been given the starting job because someone performed poorly last season- As we all know, he was given the job because Tauscher blew put his knee and is not being resigned.
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For those reasons, I don't think it's fair to ask "If the line was so good last year, why are there three new starters". The situation is not quite so cut and dry. The only starting position that was "lost" by anyone due to performance was Scott Wells giving up his starts at C to Spitz.. And that was apparently a very difficult decision for Fontenot, Campen, Philbin and McCarthy. I think it came down to Spitz had a slight edge in run blocking and he has great chemistry with Colledge.
cheese5
August 25, 2009 at 09:47 pm
Thank u for that oppy :) all points well taken. Obviously I had to post something about the incident..
PackerAaron
August 25, 2009 at 09:51 pm
It's funny, as much as I was looking forward to this exact line all offseason, Sitton has really disappointed me with his play so far this preseason. Hope there's lots going on in practice to make my worries unfounded...
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Trust me Corey - the wife keeps reminding me that I'm supposed to be away from all this every time I look at my BlackBerry ;)
August 25, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Okay, I admit I'm an idiot...I missed the live blog and read the comments leading up to 1:09, not after that time. Regarding, the "if they were so good...," see my previous comment on this page. Regarding the line in general, it's all about (in)consistency. Can you really rip the hell out of the O line that managed to block for the team's 139 yards and 5 ypc against Minnesota in week 1? Not really, especially considering Grant's bum leg. But we got 74 yards in the game at MN...and Tony Moll started in the more successful effort. I guess I fall in the "apologist" category, because I don't think it's as bad as Corey thinks, especially Colledge. But I honestly don't think they NEED to be top 5 for this team to make a deep run. We just need more consistent run blocking. We need the D to perform better...just ask Pittsburgh about O and D line performance.
August 26, 2009 at 07:48 am
Consistancy is the issue. Albert Haynsworth was quoted after the Titans game agains the Packers saying, "To a man, to a coach, that is the most talented team we've played all year."
That's quite a compliment coming from the best D-lineman on the best defense (argueably) in the NFL during 08'. However, they didn't sustain that level of play. Here's to hoping they remain healthy and hungry.