In A Tough Spot With RT Mark Tauscher
by Brandon on Mar 24, 2009 11:07 PM CDT
in Looking Ahead to 2009
10 comments
RT Mark Tauscher has done nothing over his career to lose his starting job. Except he blew out his ACL last December. Mike McCarthy stated the obvious problem:
"It's a medical condition. What (was) it, Week 12, Week 13?" McCarthy said of the injury, which occurred against the Houston Texans on Dec. 7. "It's a late injury. You do the math, and you're looking Oct. 1 (at his return). That's what the math tells you."
So if the Packers do resign him with the intent of letting him remain the starter, then they have to let someone else start the first few games of the season. As of this moment, that someone would be OL Tony Moll, who replaced Tauscher down the stretch last season.
Most of the time Moll looks like a Tauscher clone. Steady, unspectacular play. But every once in a while, Moll has a bone headed penalty or blown play. He's a great reserve, but I'm not sold on him as a starter. Going from Tauscher to Moll is a step back.
But we're only talking about a few games. Maybe. Tauscher should come back from his injury just fine, but sometimes there are complications like with QB Tom Brady's ACL recovery. That's a problem If he doesn't come back or comes back at less than 100%.
The Packers could use the top pick, or their 2nd round pick (41st overall) to draft a offensive tackle. The rookie can play if Tauscher can't go, assuming said rookie could even beat out Tony Moll at first. And then the rookie can go the bench when Tauscher returns healthy and he'll have time to develop to replace either LT Chad Clifton or Tauscher in a couple seasons.
Or the rookie, or Tauscher, could compete for the right guard spot. RG Jason Spitz has started a lot at that position over the past three seasons, but he's no lock at the position either.
0 recs |
10 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
and how is Andre Smith not perfect for this? Draft him at 9, let him win the job in training camp, but give Tauscher the well-deserved opportunity to get his old job back from Smith.
Smith gets some experience, but also the humbling of being knocked down a peg by a proven veteran. Sounds good to me.
The over/under for “commenters that will violently disagree with me” is 3.5. I’m taking the over.
"I'm so clean, cats think I sip Ajax."
by Mitchell_M on Mar 25, 2009 12:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The great thing is that the Pack have a plethora of options available at that no. 9 spot. For starters, they can do what TT does best and trade down for value. If they traded back to the mid-teens, chances are that a solid OT like Oher or even Andre Smith would still be available. Even a guy like Aaron Maybin could be a possible pick at #15 or so. If the Packers stay in place at 9, they’re also in prime position to acquire both a need and a great looking prospect. At least one front 7 play-maker (Raji, Orakpo, or Everette Brown) will probably be there, and, if not, chances are one of the top 3 OT’s (the Smiths and Monroe) would fall. Basically, what I am saying is the Packers are more than likely going to draft a stud that will be able to help them immediately and in the long run, probably at OT or in the defensive front. The point is that they shouldn’t try to force anything in the draft, because a good player is going to fall into their lap. So yes, resign Tauscher for cheap, but also be ready to draft a great OT if the opportunity presents itself.
"stay (green and) gold"
by Green and Bold on Mar 25, 2009 7:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mitchell what is the love for Smith?
The Packers have some depth on the Oline. Good or not they have it! They need to draft D to help that 3-4 since we all know it wont happen in FA. With the Oline problem you can get a OT in the later rounds since I believe the guy we are talking about, Tausch, was not drafted until the 7th round!! So no Smith with the #9 pick go D. Let Moll start until Tausch is ready b/c 1. it gives Moll more experience he is still young and 2. then maybe he can take over in ’10 for the one OT that is bringing us down, Clifton.
by bizzle4 on Mar 25, 2009 12:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mitchell what is the love for Smith?
Andre Smith = Gilbert Brown on offense
I firmly believe that. If you can get that kind of power at pick 9, I totally want it.
"I'm so clean, cats think I sip Ajax."
by Mitchell_M on Mar 25, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Andre Smith is a suitable fit in Green Bay
Now, i think Smith will do just fine in the NFL. however, consider this: GB runs a zone blocking scheme which is far more complex then the standard smash mouth oriented offense lines are familiar with. due to its complexity, it requires more brain and speed rather then size. Andre Smith is an intriguing selection considering his size, but is he capable of running to the left or right quick enough while performing a run block in the zone scheme? Dallas, New England, and Indianapolis all prefer bigger linemen for their offensive system. Denver, Carolina, and Green Bay all run a zone blocking scheme and need faster athletic offensive linemen to make it happen. therefore, i don’t see Andre Smith being drafted by Green Bay. however, i do feel GB needs to draft an OT in the first round, just not Andre Smith. it also doesn’t help Smith’s stock considering his Wonderlic Score of ‘12.’ you need to be ‘smart’ to pick up the elements of the zone blocking scheme.
by Jabooty on Mar 25, 2009 2:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just want to say that I pretty much 100% agree with all of this.......
It’s nothing against Smith, he’s just not right for what we’re trying to do. I hate to use the Denver/Zone-Block comparison because it’s kind of played out, but the Denver O-Line was routinely one of the smallest group of lineman in the entire NFL and often by a wide margin. The new batch of lineman like Moll, Spitz, and Colledge fit that mold.
This may anger some, so I apologize in advance. It’s just my opinion.
Many of the inconsistencies in the running game and pass blocking last year were a direct result of the two tackles not doing their jobs very well. Clifton & Tauscher are holdovers from a different regime, and they are more the mauler/road-grader type than the smaller, faster zone blocking guys. I love those two guys too, but it was readily apparent last year that Clifton has very little left in the tank and Tausch isn’t that far from the end as well especially now given the knee injury. The O-Line doesn’t function very well when it’s a mish-mash of two different types of lineman, and I think that is what you saw on the field last year. Of course they should draft a Tackle, and they should probably spend 2 of their top 4 picks on the offensive line. I think they are more likely to draft a Tackle in the 2nd round however, and they’ll stick to the “best player available” mantra at #9.
Now that I write that, I sincerely hope that we aren’t doomed to repeat the same situation on defense down the road, since we will have 4-3 guys mixed with what I assume will be a new batch of 3-4 guys going forward. That would suck.
I miss the slide, the balloons, and the giant beer mug. :(
by Adam P on Mar 25, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes I agree with Mitchell
interesting points by you and Jabooty. I never thought about the size with the zone blocking. For our system it would seem if Baylors OT i forget his first name Jason (?) Smith would fit better. I doubt he slips to 9 but if we are set on a OT he would work. He was TE and put on some weight and strength but still has the speed and smallness we need for a OT.
But going back to Jabooty I think he is right with Andre Smiths smarts! The zone blocking is much more then just smashing and clearing lanes. So the brain has to be suitable and I just dont think Andre has that. He has kinda proved he doesnt have the smarts in not just the testing but his peperation for the combine and his own pro-day.
by bizzle4 on Mar 25, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
dammit
that’s the first case i’ve heard that’s actually shaken my belief in Big ’Dre.
Well played, Jabooty. I might come to my senses before the draft.
"I'm so clean, cats think I sip Ajax."
by Mitchell_M on Mar 25, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
also,
Adam P’s case that Tausch and Clifton are different types of lineman than we’re looking for is an interesting one
"I'm so clean, cats think I sip Ajax."
by Mitchell_M on Mar 25, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tauscher should only resign at the right price
At this point, i’d say Tauscher is a liability and Tony Moll is awful!!! if Tauscher signs a contract for the right price, i’m in for it. i don’t expect much out of Tauscher or Clifton though. our OL does need improvement. too many stupid penalties last season putting our offense in a hole. you can’t expect to win games or even score if the OL is consistently giving up yards in penalties. there were a few games where GB gave up 100+ yards in penalties! that is ridiculous and is an obvious sign that changes need to be made whether in personnel or the system. as long as one of the 2 tackles are replaced by someone who can start immediately, i’m happy. outside of the OL, all GB truly needs are linebackers and defensive linemen. a pure NG would be nice, but after BJ Raji, there’s not a lot the draft offers. if Pickett couldn’t get it done in a 4-3, he aint gonna get it done in a 3-4.
by Jabooty on Mar 26, 2009 1:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Acme Packing Company
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
