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Corey Linsley's timing could not be better.
Two years ago, Linsley - then a rookie - stepped in for an injured JC Tretter before the final game of the 2014 preseason. Linsley took hold of the job, locked it down, and owned it for two years until his own injury knocked him out this summer. Tretter stepped in and the line has played great in Linsley's stead.
Now that Tretter is out for a bit with a knee injury, Linsley is ready to return from the PUP list and step in as the starter once again.
That's not the only change going on with the offensive line lately, however. While the injuries to the Packers' wide receivers and running backs have shuffled the deck on those positions, it has also affected the line through the changes to the offensive scheme. The Packers carried the ball on designed running plays just 13 times last Sunday against Atlanta and 19 times the week prior against the Bears. That means a ton of pass blocking, which can put a strain on the line.
We examine those topics in today's Cheese Curds.
Packers battle through adversity with creativity | Packers.com
Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson discuss the development of the Packers' young playmakers and the evolution of the offense; Rodgers in particular joked about being "deceptively fast."
Linemen not stressing over spread attack | Packersnews.com
Although the offensive line is tasked with near-constant pass protection (thanks to using an empty backfield on 35 snaps already this season), the blocking scheme remains the same. Just don't call the Packers a "spread offense" or Mike McCarthy will come hunting for you.
The NFL’s hot new trend? Backside pulling guards! - SBNation.com
Speaking of offensive lines, make sure to check out this piece from Geoff Schwartz, who breaks down how pulling guards - frequently a staple of power running schemes - are now being put to use in zone schemes as well.
Which Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton will Green Bay Packers see? - ESPN
Hilton has traded good games with no-shows, and after a one-catch performance last week, he would in theory be due for a big game. However, he is banged up and is no guarantee to play at all on Sunday.
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS | Clutch Encounters: Week 8
FO breaks down the fourth quarter of Packers-Falcons, looking at the coaching decisions and strategies that led to a 33-32 victory for Atlanta.
Ranking All 32 NFL Running Back Units | PFF
The Packers don't rank last in the NFL somehow! They're 30th, but the Giants and Vikings(!) are beneath them. This doesn't account for the play of the offensive lines, but it does take stock of the players' receiving abilities, which might explain why Ty Montgomery and company aren't in 32nd place.
Finally, we find one Packers lineman who was a bit unhappy about how late Game 7 of the World Series went last night:
Thursday practice is long. Need sleep tonight. Finish this damn game.
— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) November 3, 2016
If nothing else, let's hope that means that Lang is planning to practice today, since he was a "Did Not Participate" on Wednesday with his hip issue.