Start: Bryan Bulaga or Chad Clifton at Left Tackle
by Brandon on Jun 8, 2010 11:01 AM CDT
in Green Bay Packers Analysis
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I've been generally positive of the Green Bay Packers decision to re-sign LT Chad Clifton. While he's never been perfect, he's remained a solid pass protector, and Pro Football Focus gave him a respectable pass block rating of 8.0 for 2009. He not very good in any other catagory, nor has he been over his career, but a left tackle who can still pass block is a good thing. The decision to re-sign him looked good back in March when there didn't appear to be anyone better on the bench or available in free agency.
A month later, LT Bryan Bulaga is selected in the 1st round. It would be interesting to learn what would have happened if GM Ted Thompson had known for sure that Bulaga would have been available at their spot in the draft. Back in March, he was typically projected to go No. 5 overall to the Chiefs. He's been described as "advanced" and "NFL-ready" and "can start from day one." It seems unlikely that he'll be better than Clifton by the start of the regular season, but it certainly is possible.
Clifton's contract was structured with $6.375 million as a roster bonus and all his guaranteed money ($7.5 million in total) is due in 2010. They are going to pay it to him whether he starts or sits.
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At $7.5 million this season, they have to get whatever they can out of Clifton. My hope is that there is enough of a lead in games that Bulaga can get some meaningful work and experience.
what does it matter
who gets paid what? Would you rather get your moneys worth and have Clifton start and win 10 games or by chance, Bulaga is better than Clifton, Clifton doesn’t play a down, and win 11 games?
winning
If Bulaga proves to be the better pass blocker, or just as good, then Bulaga starts! But the franchise is Rodgers, so if Clifton is slightly better in pass pro, but significantly worse in run blocking, I’ll live w/ Clifton starting!!! Packers simply have too much at stake to put the worse pass blocker on the field, even if it means less of a run threat.
I am with you...
Whoever is playing best starts, or that is how it should be. That said we haven’t even seen the kid with pads on yet for pete’s sake!
Another way of saying it
I would simply state that the job is Clifton’s to lose. If Bulaga out plays them, fine. If Clifton gets injured, well then it’s good Bulaga is there. Whatever the reason Bulaga over takes Clifton eventually it doesn’t matter because at this moment Clifton is still the guy who is protecting Rodgers.
by PackApologist on Jun 8, 2010 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
In an uncapped year who cares how much he costs
one of our tackles will go down with a knee injury.
Good bye Big Walt.
by Generzal Zod on Jun 9, 2010 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Clifton
Has to be the starter… He is still too good a pass protector for Rodgers blind side! And Bulaga has a lot to learn… Glad we have him, but for now Clifton is still the guy I want at LT. When Bulaga learns to have a better “punch” and pass blocking sets it will help his pass blocking alot and mean Bulaga should be starting!
Clifton starts; Bulaga learns and is able to become the elite LT of the future to protect the Packer QB of the future: Aaron Rodgers.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jun 8, 2010 11:50 AM CDT reply actions
well until Favre resigns to retire as a Packer and never leaves
This is a recurring nightmare I have.
Good bye Big Walt.
by Generzal Zod on Jun 9, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
WAY too early...
to talk about this. HOw about if we see how he looks in the preseason before we even have this convo. Sure the scouts THINK he’s ready for the pros, but that doesn’t mean he is!
Clifton should be the starter
Let Bulaga learn the speed of the game and pick up some pointers from the veterans. Clifton has too high a salary to keep him on the bench. I’m kind of hoping Clifton is released after this year though. I’d like to see Bulaga starting next year.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
too early to tell..
Right now I thnk Clifton is the guy starting but depending on training camp and preseason I think Bulaga could get in there. I am not going to say Clifton should start no matter what because Bulaga is a rookie; rather I say let the competition begin…
mid-August question
Right now it is Clifton, but if Bulaga can prove he can hold his own in protection, against NFL starters and not preseason, 2nd team competition, then I’d be curious to see if the Packers give Bulaga a few series each week, especially if they’re in the lead and using more of the running game to give Clifton a spell and get Bulaga NFL experience. Hopefully as soon as the Buffalo game.
Clifton should start at LT
my guess is that Bulaga will be getting significant time due to injuries both tackles have a history of knee injuries and when that starts for linemen it doesn’t getting better.
Good bye Big Walt.
What are the odds
of Clifton staying healthy enough to start all 16 games?
-
The glass is more than half-full.
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