RashanGary
04-23-2011, 09:30 AM
If you can't have Joe Thomas protecting your blind side or even Chad Clifton in his prime, the next best thing is a solid guy who will be predictable. Unpredictable means he'll hold up like a rock 9 times and whiff once. A QB can never feel comfortable with an inconsistent LT. You'd rather have a slightly below average LT who is slightly below average every play than the best LT in the world who just whiffs 1 out of every 10 times.
Can Bulaga handle the left side?
1. Can he secure the edge? - watching him on the RT side effortlessly handle speed, I think he can take the next step.
2. Can he handle power? - RE's are usually smaller and more speed oriented than LE's. He'll only get stronger. Looking at him handle LE's like Justin Tuck late in the season, I think he'll be OK against power if he switches to LT.
3. Can he run block? - Yes
4. Is he steady? - The way he improved very game and rarely made the same mistake twice, I'm going to say yes. It might be his greatest quality and the reason I think he can be trusted on the left side.
I can't guarantee he's going to be the next Joe Thomas, in fact, I'll bet against it, but I do think he has the skill and tools to be solid and predictable on the left side. He never whiffs. He does things the same way every time, so the coaches will know when to help him. Even if your LT isn't a probowler, having him play decent and always be predictable is the next best thing. I think Bulaga does that already and he has a chance to be even better than average.
If we went into next season with Bulaga as our LT, I think we'd end up feeling comfortable that he can keep Rodgers healthy for a long time. That's his #1 job duty.
Can Bulaga handle the left side?
1. Can he secure the edge? - watching him on the RT side effortlessly handle speed, I think he can take the next step.
2. Can he handle power? - RE's are usually smaller and more speed oriented than LE's. He'll only get stronger. Looking at him handle LE's like Justin Tuck late in the season, I think he'll be OK against power if he switches to LT.
3. Can he run block? - Yes
4. Is he steady? - The way he improved very game and rarely made the same mistake twice, I'm going to say yes. It might be his greatest quality and the reason I think he can be trusted on the left side.
I can't guarantee he's going to be the next Joe Thomas, in fact, I'll bet against it, but I do think he has the skill and tools to be solid and predictable on the left side. He never whiffs. He does things the same way every time, so the coaches will know when to help him. Even if your LT isn't a probowler, having him play decent and always be predictable is the next best thing. I think Bulaga does that already and he has a chance to be even better than average.
If we went into next season with Bulaga as our LT, I think we'd end up feeling comfortable that he can keep Rodgers healthy for a long time. That's his #1 job duty.