Analysis: How Much Might T.J. Lang Play in 2010?

by Brandon on Jun 26, 2010 5:14 PM CDT in Green Bay Packers Analysis

T.J. Lang won the APC vote to start at left guard for the Green Bay Packers, but he's expected to play exclusively on the right side next season:

It may not be fair to say he was jack of all trades, master of none, but it felt that way sometimes. All the moving around had its benefits, getting Lang more playing time as a rookie than he might have expected.

But it had its drawbacks, too, not allowing him to get all that comfortable in any one position while he was still learning an NFL offense for the first time.

If he had to pick one, Lang would probably lean toward right tackle, where he's seen as a potential heir apparent to the veteran Tauscher.

Also, he's expected to start training camp with a brace on his surgically repaired wrist:

"I'm expecting to be out there on the field the first day of training camp. My wrist will probably still be bugging me a little bit. I'll probably have to play with a heavy brace, if not a cast, but as long as I'm out there running around, getting more comfortable with the plays and with the position I'll be at, I'll improve pretty quickly."

Depending on the health of veteran LT Chad Clifton and RT Mark Tauscher, it's possible Lang and rookie LT Bryan Bulaga spend most of the season on the bench, waiting in the wings to eventually replace them in 2011 or 2012.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Best for team

I always said I wanted Lang at RT… It’s what is best for the team. Whether that remains his long term position remains to be seen. Next year it might be LG, if Giacomini has a great training camp, he might prove to be the RT of the future. But for now its Lang. In the end, LG might be landing spot. Could depend on where they feel Newhouse fits the best and what they do w/ Colledge and Spitz next offseason… They have alot of valuable parts that they just need to figure out how they all fit best together.

I like the depth they have on the OL now. Its something that has taken some time to build, but when Thompson took over and the cap situation required the release of Wahle and Rivera going to Dallas as a FA, the cupboard was left barren!!!

by Strohman on Jun 26, 2010 7:47 PM CDT reply actions

I thing the coaching staff feels the same way and I kind of do too

in the sense that we don’t know quite yet where TJ Lang will help the team best. Like you mentioned, if Breno Giacomini proves himself, then it’s really a process of elimination after that because I feel Lang can play either OG or OT effectively as a starter if given a fair chance. By that, i mean if he can get settled into one position. Over time, he will.

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

by Jabooty on Jun 27, 2010 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions

I had wanted to see Lang start this season, no matter what position it is. The more I think about it though, I’d rather see he and Buluga sit until their needed at OT. The OT positions are extremely important for every team, and especially for us because of our pass oriented offense. We saw what it’s like to have an weak link at one of the OT positions last season, and it wasn’t pretty. Because of that, I think we should do everything we can to try and make sure Buluga and Lang are 100% ready to step in when there time comes.

Also, I realize Lang at RT still means we have a whole at LG or C. (depending on what Spitz does) I guess I just look at it, and think it’s easier to find OG/OC’s then it is OT’s. Who knows, maybe Colledge will have a year like he did in 2008 for us at LG. Though I won’t believe it until I see it. And I suppose we don’t really know what we could possibly have in Newhouse yet either.

Regardless, I actually feel pretty good about our OL and it’s future. Assuming the coaches want Lang at RT, and Buluga turns out ok, it looks like TT has managed to find our OT’s of the future.

by packallday555 on Jun 26, 2010 8:35 PM CDT reply actions

If he's not starting at LG

Then backup RT makes the most sense. This news doesn’t bother me.

by Archibaldcrane on Jun 26, 2010 10:29 PM CDT reply actions

I trust the coaching staff in this decision

If the staff believes it is best for the team to keep him off the field for a while because of his wrist, then I support it. Off in terms of not getting on the field barring a Josh Sitton injury. I’m just going to support the staff in this decision, ultimately because Lang is injured right now. I wouldn’t want to rush him onto the field if he really hasn’t had a lot of reps at LG. Last year it was OT. This offseason, he has been injured and had a few reps at RG. Play it safe I guess….

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

by Jabooty on Jun 27, 2010 4:55 PM CDT reply actions

Am I stupid for wanting to see what Breno can do?

He’s supposed to be as strong as an ox, and was just too raw to really be of much good till now. Maybe this can be the training camp that the light will click on and he can make a real contribution.

I don’t know, maybe I’ve been drinking too much green Kool-Aid, but I want to see what he can bring to camp this year. Hell, he might even contribute in the regular season this year.

by PackApologist on Jun 27, 2010 11:16 PM CDT reply actions

Breno

I want to see what he can do too. This is the year he has to step up. Not so much as far as being on the game day roster, cuz that takes positional flexibility he doesn’t have… But, IMO, he has to show during training camp that he can/will be the starting RT of the future. If he shows that in training camp this year he’ll be around. If he doesn’t step up and show then he will likely loose his roster spot altogether! I would love to see him do just that… It would free up Lang for another position and allow other pieces to fall into place.

Breno’s biggest problem is his pad level… We are all sick of hearing McCarthy preach pad level, but its especially true w/ Breno since he’s 6’7… He has to learn to sink his hips to gain greater leverage in both pass pro and run blocking! If he has learned or does learn that his chances of being a starter in a year are very good, IMO!

by Strohman on Jun 28, 2010 1:16 AM CDT up reply actions

I think if he really starts to impress in workouts and training camp he’ll get his chance. I don’t think they are set or locked in on quite a few positions.

by TrevorR on Jun 28, 2010 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions