Questions on Mark Tauscher Asked and Answered

by Brandon on Jun 10, 2011 2:00 PM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

For most of the offseason, I had been assuming that Green Bay Packers RT Mark Tauscher would retire once the lockout was lifted. He was out of football for the start of the 2009 season, and he was only re-signed after RT Allen Barbre flopped. It looked like he was only interested in playing so long as the Packers needed him. Now that RT Bryan Bulaga is the starter, it seems like they don't need him anymore.

But I was surprised when he showed up to workout with the other lineman recently. Since then, he's spoken with Lori Nickel from the Journal-Sentinel, and it appears that my confusion is understandable:

Can you play next year?

"You know, I haven’t really figured out what I’m going to do yet," said Tauscher

OK. When will you make that decision?

"Honestly I’m just rehabbing my shoulder and trying to play some golf…When the lockout ends I’m sure I’ll get things figured out, one way or another, and see where we’re at."

I'd be glad to see him return as a backup, but obviously his days as a starter are over. It's possible the team doesn't want him to return as a backup because it could take away an opportunity from a young player.

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It may take away a young player’s opportunity, but he’d be a heck of a locker room presence and a good mentor for Bulaga, wouldn’t he?

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by Omaha Sun on Jun 10, 2011 5:53 PM CDT reply actions

Tausch

Has always been a great lockerroom presence. Basically for the past 7-8 yrs he’s been a really quiet leader in the lockerroom. Kinda a leader by example… Honestly, I don’t think Bulaga really needs a mentor. He’s already a really mature guy that has his head on straight. He just needs good coaching, something he is currently missing out on, unforturnately. I get the impressioin that Bulaga has always done more than enough film study and knows how to watch film.

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by Strohman on Jun 10, 2011 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it will come down to his health and how comfortable the Pack

feels with the backup.

by Wisfan on Jun 10, 2011 8:49 PM CDT reply actions

Tauscher has been a great locker room guy

But he’s gotta take his health into consideration. Shoulder, ACL, ankle and groin injuries have plagued him the last few seasons… I hope for his sake that he considers playing only if he feels he is 100% healthy. If not, then he needs to pass the torch to Bulaga. It’d be a shame for those past injuries to be aggravated and come back and hit him hard in life post-football.

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by P-Townfan on Jun 11, 2011 6:51 AM CDT reply actions

Pass the torch

As far as starting, the torch has passed. No way Tauscher takes over the starting job over Bulaga. Bulaga played very well down the stretch (playoffs) last year and he should be the RT for the foreseeable future, unless he’s moved to LT. Tauscher coming back is dependent on his health and maybe taking a paycut from his 4M salary.

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by Strohman on Jun 11, 2011 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions