On The Line

by Brandon on Jul 28, 2007 12:21 AM CDT in News Comment 1 comment

There may be some question marks on the team, but the offensive and defensive line haven't been this good at the same time in many seasons.

The mid-90s teams led by DE Reggie White usually had a solid to outstanding defensive line, but the offensive line often had a question mark at one position, especially at LT where 1st round picks John Michaels and Ross Verba both flamed out. C Frank Winters made the Pro Bowl and RT Earl Dotson played well, but the team never had a great offensive line in the 1990s.

By the time tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher were drafted and teamed with Mike Flanagan, Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle, the offensive line became one of the best in the NFL from 2000 to 2004. However, the defensive line slipped after White's retirement. DE Jamal Reynolds was a top 10 pick, but he blew out his knee and lost his career to microfacture surgery. DT Santana Dotson's career ended shortly thereafter and DT Gilbert Brown merely hung around. DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila posted multiple 10+ sack seasons, but free agent DE Joe Johnson was a major bust and DE Vonnie Holliday never lived up to his potential. DT Grady Jackson had a couple of great seasons, but no other defensive tackle provided much and DT Cleditus Hunt is best forgotten.

Pro Football Prospectus only grades out the offensive line as average in 2006, but that was with three rookies logging many starts and a lot of playing time. Colledge, Spitz, and Moll should all take a step forward next season, with Moll receiving at least a few starts when injuries hit. The offensive line boasts a quality starter at every position and should be at least above average in 2007.

Pro Football Prospectus loves the defensive line. Ned Macey writes "If healthy, the Packers will have one of the top defensive lines in the league." DE Aaron Kampman should be loved by all Packer fans by this point, but the stats guys love him too. Macey writes about Kampman:

"At Football Outsiders, we prefer defensive ends that play both the run and the pass, which is one reason why we love Aaron Kampman. He made more plays in the running game than any other 4-3 end and still finished second in the NFL in sacks, second in quarterback hits, and sixth in hurries.

With DE Cullen Jenkins starting in place of Gbaja-Biamila, the run defense is much better, while Jenkins provides the best inside pass rush the Packers have had since Santana Dotson. DTs Corey Williams, Justin Harrell, and Ryan Pickett should be a very provide a very effective rotation at tackle.

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the lines

Good point on the simultaneous offensive and defensive line renaissance. You're right that the mid-1990s o-line was perhaps the team's weakness (running game was rarely exceptional). I like how Thompson and McCarthy have focused on adding lots of good players on the line to supplement the 'stars' they had when they took over, instead of trying to buy overpaid/over-the-hill/overrated stars for a quick fix.

A few minor quibbles though: while Michaels definitely "flamed out," as you put it, Verba was effective while on the team. A middle-of-the-road starter at LT, which is better than anything the Packers had between Ruttguers (too lazy to looks up how to spell Ken's last name right now) and Clifton. But not good enough to pay the kind of money that he was worth on the open market. And Grady Jackson has never had a "great" season, much less "a couple." Passable, good in spurts, but don't lower our standards and call his work great. He was never as good as he could have been and rarely stepped up from having great individual plays to having great games.

Quick and minimally related question: Kris Jenkins' price might be coming down. Lots of animosity between him and the Panthers. Do you think he's worth a 2008 3rd or 4th round pick from the Packers?

by NiceGuyJoey on Jul 29, 2007 7:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs