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Just under two years ago, Lane Taylor signed a contract extension after going from an undrafted free agent to a very good starting guard.
Fast forward to today and Taylor is now fighting for his job. Such is life in the National Football League.
In his defense, it’s not like Taylor has been awful. It’s just that rookie Elgton Jenkins has just been excellent. According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins has yet to allow a quarterback pressure in the preseason and has been extremely solid in practice.
Everyone knew the competition was on when Taylor was the only starting offensive lineman to suit for the preseason opener against the Houston Texans and that includes the veteran guard. He didn’t even realize he was in a fight for his job until the day before the game.
Taylor also started last week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens so it’s safe to assume he’s still leading the rookie but Jenkins has made Taylor work and this is when the old cliche “competition makes everyone better” actually works.
Regardless of how this all turns out, the Packers will have a quality backup and it’s been awhile since we could say that about depth on the offensive line.
There’s more on the battle at guard plus see how well of a grip Aaron Rodgers has on football in today’s cheese curds.
Lane Taylor in surprise competition for Packers’ left guard job—PackersNews.com
The drafting of Jenkins in the second round was a clear signal to Taylor that he was going to have to fight for the starting job sooner than later, though no one probably expected it be at the onset of Jenkins’ first camp.
Social Reaction: Packers host final public practice of training camp—Packers.com
The bikes are put away for another year but don’t feel sad: this means the games that actually count are that much closer.
Think you can do Aaron Rodgers’ ball-handling drill?—Packers Wire
I would be a fool to think I can do anything Rodgers can do with a football. There’s no need to embarrass myself.
Baker Mayfield: ‘Blows my mind’ Giants drafted Jones—NFL.com
Could Baker Mayfield versus Daniel Jones evolve into another Manning versus Brady rivalry? Now that I’ve singed your skin with that hot take, Mayfield is just like the rest of us perplexed by the Giants’ drafting of their new quarterback of the future.
Air Mattresses Go Rogue After Wind Turns Outdoor Movie Night To Chaos—Huffington Post
Guess you could say those mattresses were “Gone with the Wind” on movie night.