Looking at the Offensive LIne
by Brandon on Aug 4, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
in Green Bay Packers Analysis
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PrintA rare photo of QB Aaron Rodgers throwing a pass without a defender in his face.
After the first four practices, the biggest story on the field is that the offensive line has been beaten earlier and often. I've read lots of notes about o-lineman missing the blitz or getting bowled over. Only one minor injury so far; LG Daryn Colledge suffered a thigh bruise. Starting C Scott Wells and former Pro Bowl LT Chad Clifton are back from offseason surgeries, but Clifton might not be the player he was in 2007.
A lot of lineman have been rotating in and out, which has maybe caused some of the problems. Unlike the constant rotation on the defensive line, the offensive line usually stays with the same five starters throughout the game because that consistency seems to help.
Mike McCarthy doesn't criticize much during his press conferences, so this is about as harsh a comment has he'll make:
Q: (How important is it to have a set group on the offensive line and how close are you to that?)
A: We're not close to it, number one, to setting the offensive line but you would like to make that decision obviously sooner rather than later. We'll work that at least for the next week and a half, two weeks until we start trying to make a decision.
Right now, I'd have to say they should go with last season's starting lineup of LT Clifton, LG Colledge, C Wells, and RG Jason Spitz. The projected RT Allen Barbre has apparently struggled this week, and I'd like to see them consider 2nd year OL Josh Sitton at right tackle, who's only played at right guard so far.
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This is by far my biggest concern of the upcoming year.
One could argue the defense and the transition to the 3-4, but I think the defense will figure it out in time, and they can’t be any worse then they were last year.
That being said, the biggest worry has to be the offensive line. I blame the offensive line for Ryan Grant’s decline last year more then anything else. The zone blocking scheme has not been productive, and Rodgers didn’t have much of a chance late in some of the games last year when the O-Line was crumbling around him.
In my opinion, this has to be a Packers fan biggest concern for the upcoming year. What do you guys think?
by Old World Flavor on Aug 4, 2009 1:06 PM CDT reply actions
I agree. I think the o-line is going to be the biggest problem this year after the kicking game.
by uglyfatpimplynerd on Aug 4, 2009 1:24 PM CDT reply actions
Absolutely my biggest concern
My top 1, 2 and 3 concerns for this seasons are “Offensive line, Offensive line, Offensive line”…everything else is distant…maybe 4th is actually the punting game…we are really going to be ceding a ton of yards this years with our punting game…
If our Offensive line doesn’t gel, we will get manhandled by the Vikings front 7, the Bears front 7 and heck even the improved Lions front 7 might gives us problems…
Oh and another concern is injuries, but that’s just a toss of the die, just luck.
Our line is just gets pushed around too easily…and we have an aging tackle and relying on too many guys that are just too raw…
Maybe I’m being overly judgmental at such an early stage….
exactly
the D doesnt concern me as much since most of them are very talent veterans that know their position inside and out.
The oline scares me to death. They are either inexperienced or very aged (to put it nicely). The run game suffered a ton from the Oline last year and if they dont get it going it will be Rodgers that will be struggling too. I am a big fan of the good ole Wisconsin boy Tauscher so I hope TT will realize he could be very helpful when he gets healthy and can be helpful helping out the young guns right now
Although I think many critiques of TT are unfair...
If the O-line does not come together and fast, with TT ignoring linemen in the prime rounds in favor of taking “bargain finds” in the 4th and 5th rounds (or lower), he deserves any and all criticism he gets if those bargains now fail to pan out. (Spitz in the 3d and Colledge in the 2d are the only exceptions.)
Oh, here is a link to look first-hand, if anyone wishes… How the Pack is Built
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