Former Packers VP Andrew Brandt on Bryan Bulaga

by Brandon on Apr 28, 2010 8:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers Draft

This is really looking ahead to the start of training camp, but I had the opportunity to ask former Green Bay Packers VP Andrew Brandt a couple questions about 1st round draft choice LT Bryan Bulaga. I'm a little concerned about signing him because of the two rookie signings mentioned in this article: DE B.J. Raji held out for two weeks last season, and the last time the Packers selected an offensive lineman in the 1st round, Iowa's LT Ross Verba held out for three weeks.

APC: Bulaga was drafted in an interesting spot. One ahead of Dez Bryant and two before Tim Tebow. You've written that Tebow will receive a quarterback premium so I'd expect he'll receive a bigger contract than Bulaga. I'm worried Bryant might think he's this year's Michael Crabtree and want above his draft slot because he believes he should have been drafted sooner. Do you think there is more likely to be a problem signing Bulaga because of these particular players around him?

Andrew Brandt: I wouldn't think there would be a problem signing Bulaga. The agents representing Tebow and Bryant, Jimmy Sexton and Eugene Parker, are reasonable negotiators, as I have done several deals with each. Bulaga should have a seamless negotiation.

APC: The Packers just re-signed Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher to multi-year contracts, and then the Packers use a 1st round pick on a 21 year old kid who's likely to take over for either of them in a year or two. It's the first time they've used a high draft pick on a tackle since either veteran has been with the team. How do you think they'll react to the addition of Bulaga?

AB: Chad and Mark will be fine. They've been around long enough to know it was only a matter of time before a high draft pick was used at tackle. They'll welcome him in, play some practical jokes on him, and move forward. Nothing to worry about there.

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Mark and Chad both know their careers are close to the end,

why in the world would they possibly have a problem with the Packers planning for the future? Stupid stupid question.

The season of Oz is upon us, be afraid.

by OznCoop on Apr 28, 2010 8:35 AM CDT reply actions

Brent Favre had a real difficult time accepting that too…

by AaronR on Apr 28, 2010 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Apples and Lunar Rocks

by Danwood on Apr 28, 2010 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions

I am not too concerned on either...

The Raji holdout was right in line with everyone else surrounding Crabtree. There are VERY rarely holdouts this far down the draft board. The money isn’t nearly as big. Bryant was never considered a top pick like Crabtree. Some thought he’d be a top 5 pick. Sure Bryant might have thought he could go higher, but I think its a different situation with where we are drafting.

Clifton and Tauscher should be fine with this. If nothing else, this will light a fire under their ass to work even harder!!

by TrevorR on Apr 28, 2010 9:05 AM CDT reply actions

Good point

Really good point about it possibly motivating Clif and Tausch… I think both are pretty self motivated, but it can’t hurt. And I think both are pretty committed to playing 2 more years and retiring together. Would be kinda ftting for them to go out together, since they came in together… I actually think both are going to play pretty well, better than last season!

by Strohman on Apr 28, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

I actually think both are going to play pretty well, better than last season!

Yeah, I’ve always heard that you don’t really get back to full strength until 2 years after a major knee injury. I think Tausch is going to be better but I’m still iffy on Clifton. He seemed so fragile last year.

by packallday555 on Apr 28, 2010 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

Clifton worries me. Not only with him being fragile, but I don’t trust him to maintain his blocks anymore and I am unfortunately expecting at least a couple holding penalties per game on him now. I’m not a fan of Cliffy anymore.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Apr 28, 2010 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

by jpulido on Apr 28, 2010 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm going to keep saying it

Cliffy could be great, but he’s more machine now then man. I don’t expect him to stay healthy with the way his joints are going so quickly.

by PackApologist on Apr 28, 2010 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

joints

Thats why I think Clifton will be better this year than last! Last offseason he had surgeries on both knees and both shoulders… This year he will have a full offseaon of lifing and training for the season, instead of rehabbing!!! Just that makes me think he’ll be better than last season. Same as Tausch coming off the knee reconstruction!!!

by Strohman on Apr 28, 2010 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I think this idea of rookie holdouts is just plain ridiculous.

Only tarnishes the player’s image. Think about Crabtree. He tried pulling that BS only to ultimately find that he wanted to be part of the organization after all. No one is going to go “all in” for a draft pick, sight unseen.

I hope Bulaga has the sense to jump right in. He’d be following in after a GREAT player that can pass a lot on to him and even if the Pack isn’t his team of choise, what he’ll gain from the experience of playing with such an organization will be priceless in the long run.

But…

for the record…

I will be picking Crabtree for my fantasy team next season, if he remains on the 49ers squad. I have a feeling he’ll be seeing a decent share of deep passes.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Apr 29, 2010 1:11 AM CDT reply actions

Last year was just weird

And by weird I mean really freakin odd. It was a perfect storm of one player being a diva, one owner being crazy, and system seriously needing an overhaul. This year we shouldn’t see that since Bulaga slid so far down the line that there won’t be the same high stakes stand off to find a proper price tag for him.

by PackApologist on Apr 29, 2010 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions