Offensive Line: Packers Sign Spitz; Lions Trade For Sims

by Brandon on Apr 6, 2010 7:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

- Green Bay Packers C/G Jason Spitz reported to the offseason workouts, which began back on March 15, after he signed his one-year restricted free agent tender. Why did he wait until April? Maybe he didn't want to travel to Green Bay in March. It's more likely he was making sure there was nothing available for him in the free agent market. It seemed like a long-shot he'd draw interest anywhere else because the Packers would have received a 2nd round pick if he left. That's too high a price for an interior offensive lineman who only played in 5 games last season. Especially since a 2nd round pick can fetch as much as a 6-time Pro Bowl QB these days. He should be fully recovered from his back injury in 2010. Hopefully he'll push LG Daryn Colledge to the bench.

- The Lions made a trade with the Seahawks, and sent them a 5th round pick for G Rob Sims. The Seahawks weren't going to keep Sims because he wasn't a perfect fit for Alex Gibbs and the Seahawks new zone blocking scheme. From Field Gulls:

Sims overcame a lot to become the quality guard he is. His strength, size and discipline make him an excellent pass blocker. He moves well enough now to be a good run blocker in the right system. Sims is young, cheap, mostly healthy, a match for most blocking schemes, from power to hybridized zone blocking schemes, but he is not fit for a pure zone blocking scheme, and when you hire the creator, purity is a given.

Meanwhile the Lions are happy because he will set their starting lineup, and he only cost a 5th round pick. The pick isn't a lot for the Seahawks, but at least it's something for a player they weren't going to keep.

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Comments

Jason Spitz should be a starter

Whether it’s at LG or hopefully at C. As long as Darryn Colledge isn’t starting, I’m happy.

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

by Jabooty on Apr 6, 2010 9:09 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks Brandon

Just wanted to leave this comment to let you know that I appreciate your efforts here. I check this site multiple times per day to find Packer news and commentary. The articles and comments are always good. Keep up the good work.

by Curly Lambeau on Apr 6, 2010 3:08 PM CDT reply actions

Ditto!

Love what you are doing Brandon, even if I don’t always agree with analysis it’s great to have a good Packer site to come to!

by PackApologist on Apr 7, 2010 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

likewise

by jpulido on Apr 7, 2010 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Why not us

I don’t know much about Sims, but if the write up from the gulls was accurate why wouldn’t the Pack be interested in taking a guy like this for a measly 5th round pick. We certainly have holes to fill and the need for depth at every position. Thoughts?

by GreenandGolder on Apr 6, 2010 8:54 PM CDT reply actions

I think the Seahawks traded him in part because he isn’t a great fit for the zone blocking scheme, which is what we run. But aside from that, we’re actually pretty well set on the interior. Sitton was really good last year, Wells was decent, and Lang looks like he could be a good LG. Then throw Spitz in the mix who was injured last year who was good for us at LG in 2008, and we look pretty good at OG and C. It’s the OT’s where we have some problems, that will hopefully be taken care of in this year’s draft.

by packallday555 on Apr 6, 2010 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Why not us? Because...

…the Packers have way too many inside guys and not enough outside guys. If you figure that there are three inside spots on the line and we have roughly four, maybe five, guys who could fill in an inside spot. So why should the Packers give something up for a position that we don’t need more guys at?

by PackApologist on Apr 7, 2010 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions