Packers "Never Showed Interest" In Daryn Colledge

by texwestern on Jul 28, 2011 7:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers Free Agency

Ladies and gentlemen, it appears that the Green Bay Packers will be losing an offensive lineman to free agency. Daryn Colledge will not be returning as a member of the Pack. Scout.com reports that based on communications with Colledge and his agent, the guard has not been impressed by the Packers' efforts to keep him in Green Bay, and is ready to move on in free agency. When a player comes out and says "I don't think they really ever showed interest," that's a pretty clear sign that he's not happy with the organization's efforts to keep him around.

Ted Thompson did tender the lineman before the lockout on the off chance that he would still be a restricted free agent. However, with unrestricted free agency starting at four years of experience, it's clear that Ted was not willing to offer Colledge the type of contract that he is likely to find on the open market. It also sounds like Colledge is taking it a little bit personally, judging from his comment "Whether that's a business decision or a personal decision, I don't know." I would be shocked if Thompson had any sort of personal issue with Colledge, though.

Rumored destinations for Colledge include Arizona, Washington, St. Louis, and Tampa Bay, any of which could use a durable veteran on the offensive line. Colledge is 29 and still has several years left and his versatility is another asset.

What does this mean for the Packers moving forward? It appears that Ted Thompson and company feel comfortable with a competition between T.J. Lang, Nick McDonald, and possibly rookie Derek Sherrod for the starting left guard spot. I still expect Bryan Bulaga to man the right tackle position, as he showed improvement throughout the 2010 season.

Do you agree with the decision to let Colledge walk? Or should he get paid and be back in the mix as the prospective starter at left guard?

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Comments

Good Ridance.

The one FA I wanted to see GO. I cant stand this guy…take your false starts and holding penalties elsewhere.

by J4ESTER on Jul 28, 2011 7:29 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs

Right thing to do. From a money and performance stand point it was a wise move. Now, we just need old Tauscher to retire and we can begin to rebuild our O line around Sherrod, Bulaga, Wells and Sitton. If Sherrod gets left guard and Clifton isn’t ready for a full season? Who’s up for the left tackle spot then?

oh and I agree with J4ESTER, good riddance!

by Dujo on Jul 28, 2011 7:31 AM CDT reply actions

In that scenario I’d assume Sherrod slides over to LT (if the coaches think he’s ready to do that) and Lang plays LG. Or maybe Lang plays LT.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

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by Omaha Sun on Jul 28, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't see Lang getting a shot at LT

Its either going to be Sherrod or Bulaga. My choice is Sherrod. Better suited to play LT, than Bulaga, IMO.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m assuming Bulaga is locked in at RT. I only mentioned Lang becuase he’s probably the first OL off the bench and he’s played everywhere. If, after Sherrod has been practicing at LG, they don;t feel comfortable moving him back like that, Lang might get a shot. I agree it’s not likely though, because I agree with you that Sherrod stays at LT.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Jul 28, 2011 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't agree w/ it

But I trust Thompson to know when to move on w/o someone. I’m just not sold that any of the OL on the roster are really a better option than Colledge. Lang has shown next to nothing, except that alot of fans like him. Newhouse was considered soft coming out of college. Just don’t see any of them being better than Colledge. This in Thompson’s way of doing things tho, so it doesn’t come as any great surprise…

Sounds like Colledge is going to get paid very good money by someone and he has plenty of team vying for his services.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 7:52 AM CDT reply actions

Really?

He may have been the best LG on the roster last year but the young guys are only going to get better and he plateau’d as an average (SOFT) player himslef. Ted is going to let a few hungry guys fight for the spot and Colledge is going to get over paid, finally wont have to whine about competition and continue to be average. If DC were half as tough as his tatoos he’d be above average. His is going to get paid 3 times more than his performance warrants and for Ted match it he would be the highest paid Packer on the line, as the weakest link on the line thats an impossible price to match. Maybe if he were the best on the line, but he would not have had to compete for his spot the last 4 years, and would have been paid already. Glad he, his tats, and ihis sense of undeserved entitlement is gone.

by Comeonarodge! on Jul 28, 2011 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

How long is gonna take before Lang or Newhouse is as good?

Colledge has 5 yrs experience under his belt. Lang and Newhouse NONE! My guess is it takes 2 years for them to be near colledge. I’ve never said Colledge was better than average. I’m just not sold on anyone else to step in and succeed.

Have a feeling by wk 5 you are gonna be wishing you still had Colledge.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Nor should you be

No one is sold, they have not seen the field yet, but at the price DC is going to get its time to let the young dogs get their shot and see if perhaps they can become more than average.

by Comeonarodge! on Jul 28, 2011 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions

At the price

I don’t disagree. Not like I would be willing to throw money at him just to keep him!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Its ture

We very well could be wishing we had him come week 5. If its one thing he did well it was being available and healthy.

by Comeonarodge! on Jul 28, 2011 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not talking about being healthy

I’m talking performance.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions

He didn’t really ever perform well though.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Jul 28, 2011 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I considered him good.

By no means very good or great, but good. And not poor either. Is there anything between?

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

"Is there anything between"

“Mediocre” and “below satisfactory” come to mind. . . .

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Jul 28, 2011 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Plenty = 2. Also two teams that were NOT very good last year. Its not like a team with a solid /good line was fighting for him…

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Jul 28, 2011 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions

There were a couple others

IIRC one report listed 4 teams. They may have dropped out at some point.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

I’m just not sure how you can say that. We’re essentially in the same boat with Jenkins and the guys behind him, and you probably endorse moving on from him more than anyone else that posts on APC. Despite the fact that both Neal and Wilson have had less playing time than Lang.

How has Lang shown next to nothing? He may not have played a whole lot at LG but he started a good number of games at LT and RT his rookie season, and came in occasionally last season too. Don’t you think the staff has a good idea of what he can probably do? And isn’t it pretty telling that the Packers didn’t even talk to Colledge about re-signing him? They did the same to Jenkins but that’s understandable because he’s 30 and has been hurt. Colledge on the other hand is just coming off his rookie contract and should be in his prime. I think it shows how good Thompson and co. really thought Colledge actually was..

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Jul 28, 2011 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Moving on

From Jenkins has everything to do w/ injuries, age and salary cap. Moving on from Colledge is just salary cap. No injury or age concerns w/ him.

When Lang was forced to start at LT he looked horrible to me. Too slow and not nearly ready to play and he got help on every play from a RB or TE. Lang has never been on the field enough to determine what he is, he has 3 starts at OT… I think he might be good and maybe better than Colledge in a couple years, but I don’t think he is Now. Until Lang shows he can do it in games for a little while like 1/2 the season, I doubt the FO or coaches knows for sure. They probably think he can, but they don’t know. This is the Thompson way tho, so its not like I’m surprised by it.

The fact that they didn’t try to negotiate w/ Colledge is telling. No denying that…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Lang at LG versus LT

It’s much easier to look bad at LT than at LG. Colledge started out as a tackle, failed and then was a mediocre guard. At worst I see Lang doing the same, but at a lower pay rate.

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Jul 28, 2011 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Colledge was drafted to play LG

He played LT at Boise, but we already had Clifton and didn’t need anothe LT. Lang is the same way. Sitton played RT, but was drafted to play OG. Packers do this ALL the time. Draft college OT and move them inside to OG. Same w/ Colledge. He was never looked at as a OT for the Packers.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Here's the way I'm looking at it, Stroh.

But I trust Thompson to know when to move on w/o someone. I’m just not sold that any of the OL on the roster are really a better option than Colledge.

You already know what I think about Colledge, and the situation at LG.

I’ve said, throughout the summer, that I want Colledge to remain our LG, unless/until one of the other candidates for the job shows that he is as good, or better, and deserves a chance to start.

I’ve also said, at least once, that much of what Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Thompson see during practices and the (non-existant THIS year only) off-season workouts is invisible to us fans; we just don’t know what they have seen.

So, it’s possible that what those guys saw, from one or more of those candidates, during practices during the late-season and post-season run was enough to make this move feasible, in their eyes and explains why the Packers “never showed interest” in Colledge.

Perhaps one of those guys is ‘close enough’, in their estimation, and we fans just don’t know it. :)

As you say, I trust Thompson to know, and I’ll reserve judgement.

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."

The Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Jul 28, 2011 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Colledge

Colledge is at that point in his career where he is ready to cash in on a big contract. Ted and Mike, though, have been watching game film the past several years and have decided that Colledge is pretty replaceable with a cheaper guy. Smart move by Ted and Mike. The cash saved will be needed for difference makers like Finley and Sitton, who Suh called the toughest guard he faced last year.

As far as Colledge’s versatility, if a team is looking for a swinging gate at LT, then Colledge might be the man.

Sherrod won’t move to left guard. Clifton is unlikely to practice much once the season is underway and he’ll likely miss a game or two. Sherrod will be practicing at left guard with the starters most of the season. That’ll be a great way to have him ready to take over next year. Someone else will move into left guard.

Nitschke never wore an earring!

by Packer Pete on Jul 28, 2011 7:54 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs

RE: Sherrod and LG

We had the same discussion regarding Bulaga last year. If Sherrod is found capable of playing LG for a year he will be in the running. When you are in full on championship mode, you don’t pigeonhole your possible 5th best OL as a strict backup for one position. The 5 best OL will be on the field, “positions” be damned.

"I agree but dont agree"

by juggernaut400 on Jul 28, 2011 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Comments (past and present) say it all

DC has always been an insecure whiner. he is average albeit durable as anybody in the league but average nonetheless. Because he has been nothing but average Ted and Mike decided to bring in competition for the LG spot during every camp. Colldge was always offended by this and seemed entitled to the starting spot and threatened by the competition. Every preseason interview indicated these feeling of entitlement. He was OK at protecting Arodge and terrible at run blocking. Im glad he is gone so some young hungry guys can fight and earn the job instead of just expecting to have it. just hink no more “False start number 73 offense, or holding number 73 offense”

by Comeonarodge! on Jul 28, 2011 8:09 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

You mean all 4 or so false starts

This is what bothers me… Everyone thinks he’s a walking penalty, but that isn’t true! Early in his career, sure it was, but it hasn’t been for a couple years. Funny thing about Colledge is that every time he was facing a challenge for his starting spot, all he’s done is step up and make it his again! Doesn’t indicate a whiner to me…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions

If he goes to Arizona

At least you can continue to cheer for him. Just sayin’……

Now, I certainly don’t agree that he was a “penalty maniac,” but he was nothing more than an average OG. Considering he will command a bigger payroll, it’s best that we let him walk and move forward with someone else.

2011 Super Bowl Champs!

by Jabooty on Jul 28, 2011 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

I've never said he was better than average.

And he is getting priced out of what I would be interested in paying him, so I agree in that regard too. I’m just not sold on Lang or Newhouse being better for a couple years.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions

You've said repeatedly that he's "good"

I think that qualifies as “better than average”

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Jul 28, 2011 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Good.... Average... All the same to me!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Colledge was below average as a drive blocker and gave up more QB hits than he should. Penalties were not really the problem. There are a lot of guards that are durable, poor run blocking, average pass blocking guys for a fraction of the cost of retaining Colledge.

"I agree but dont agree"

by juggernaut400 on Jul 28, 2011 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Sounds like hes getting a

5 yr 27.5M deal… I might be willing to give him 4M per, but that would be about it. one of the websites rated Colledge as 18th best OG at pass pro. I have never made him out to be anything other than average…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Colledge beating the competition

The last couple years I’ve had the feeling that he’s only beaten the competition because he was a 2nd round pick. Tie goes to the higher draft pick. They get more time, more chances, and more benefit of the doubt to win a starting job. A player’s draft spot and a GM’s pride result in a guaranteed supply of poor starters in the NFL.

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Jul 28, 2011 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I have a feeling you guys are going to be wishing like hell you still had him by wk 5

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Would have been signed

Had he resembled any sort of consistency in his performance over the last 4 years he would have been resigned and would not have had to compete every year to retain his job!!!. he proved healthy but was up and down in his performance.

by Comeonarodge! on Jul 28, 2011 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Probably not because I’m sure Lang can be average to below average as well. Like juggernaut400 said above, he’s a terrible drive blocker and an average pass pro guy.

And too be honest, I think Lang can actually be a really good LG. From what I’ve seen, he appears to be a pretty good drive blocker and a decent pass pro guy. But most of that has been against DE’s which is obviously different than blocking DT’s.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Jul 28, 2011 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

We dont do drive blocking tho

Thats not what the zbs is about… So why even bother w/ that? I think Lang might be a pretty good OG too, but this year he won’t be better than Colledge. 5 years of experience vs 3 games! I always thougth Colledge was good in pass pro, and very average or slightly below in run blocking. Lang is bound to have some poor games w/ no experience playing games at OG! Are you ready to live w/ that for a year or so, while he learns?

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

So what you're saying

is that our coaches would prefer that our o-line don’t push back the defender? I don’t care if it’s zone blocking, there is no coach who wouldn’t prefer their linemen to push the d-line back a few yards in the process of holding their block.

And yes, I’m ready to live with Lang’s learning curve. We lived pretty well with Bulaga’s learning curve this last year, and he was at a position much more prone to attack/exposure in the passing game.

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Jul 28, 2011 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Look at Denver or Houston now.

They don’t push anybody back they get DL moving laterally to open cutback lanes. The zbs is built on exactly that, not pushing anyone out of the way. Denver had and OL that averaged less than 300 lbs. Houstons OL is the smallest in the NFL, they don’t push the DL anywhere

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jul 28, 2011 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'm happy

I would like to move forward with TJ Lang at LG. I think Lang is the better run blocker compared to Newhouse. After Clifton is gone, I’d love to see Newhouse be the primary backup OT. Unfortunately, we only have Preseason to base Newhouse’s performance on. It aint much, but I did like what I saw from Newhouse on this drive. Watching Newhouse play LT on this drive gives me the confidence that he can be a solid backup swing OT for the next several years. I’m not sure if Newhouse would be better than Lang at LG though. Therefore, I’ll stick with this: In Ted Thompson I trust.

2011 Super Bowl Champs!

by Jabooty on Jul 28, 2011 8:19 AM CDT reply actions