Young players who could take big jumps

[RashanGary]

Bulaga
Lang
Newhouse
Finley
Cobb
DJ Smith
Davon House
Burnett
J Finley (I know, he's been great, but he has a level in him we might not have seen yet)
Shields
Mike Neal

Then we have the young guys we know very little about

Nick Perry
Worthy
Daniels
DJ Williams
Alex Green
Derek Sherrod
Brandon Saine
MD Jennings
Jerron McMillian
Lawrence Guy
Ray Dominguez

Then there is a whole list of unmentionables. Who knows who could step up from that group of developmental guys.

Driver, Woodson and Pickett are the only declining players. All the others are in their prime. . . .



Looking at it, the Packers may not have peaked yet. We could be looking at an all-time great team here.

[Brandon494]

You put Finley twice

[Freak Out]

He likes Finley.

[smuggler]

Bulaga is already a top-5 RT in the league. There's a case for him as the best.
Lang had a very good, bordering on great season last year. He probably outplayed Sitton. If he doesn't improve and doesn't decline, no one should utter a peep in complaint.
Newhouse had a tough season. I believe he is best suited to be a RT. I am hoping Sherrod will take his job eventually.
Finley needs only be more consistent. His ability has already shown itself, but I could see him "breaking out"
Cobb is capable of an 800 yard, 8TD season among his various other contributions
DJ Smith will probably not see too much action this season, but he looks almost as good as Bishop, and perhaps better in coverage.
Davon House - I have no idea about this guy, but I would love for him to improve and contribute.
Burnett - Already a solid safety, the next step is a pro bowl trip. I don't know if he'll make that step.
Shields need only improve his tackling. His coverage issues will resolve with better play from the defensive line.
Mike Neal - I don't think it's going to happen

[denverYooper]

He likes Finley.

Hell Yes.

[MadtownPacker]

You put Finley twice

Whats up with all The Finley hate?

[Bretsky]

NFL Network noted one of these scouting services had Marshall Newhouse rated as the worst starting LT in the NFL

[MJZiggy]

NFL Network noted one of these scouting services had Marshall Newhouse rated as the worst starting LT in the NFL

Are you suggesting he could jump or that he'll be outperformed and replaced?

[RashanGary]

NFL Network noted one of these scouting services had Marshall Newhouse rated as the worst starting LT in the NFL

Always got to pick on the fat guy. . . .

There's only one place to go then. . . . UP!!


I'm in Newhouse's corner. He sucked, but was consistent in his suckiness. It wasn't like he just lapsed and got ran by or over. . . . A good offseason and some experience under his gut and he could be a top 20 LT

[MJZiggy]

Always got to pick on the fat guy. . . .

There's only one place to go then. . . . UP!!


I'm in Newhouse's corner. He sucked, but was consistent in his suckiness. It wasn't like he just lapsed and got ran by or over. . . . A good offseason and some experience under his gut and he could be a top 20 LT

Or at least top 50...

[Joemailman]

Newhouse is a bit overmatched against top pass rushers. Hopefully Sherrod beats him out. Newhouse would be a damn fine backup at either Tackle or Guard.

[pbmax]

I would be stunned if he was truly the worst. He was never a complete tire fire and plenty of playoff teams have had a smoldering heap at Left Tackle (see Packers, 1996).

But I will be rooting hard for Sherrod anyway.

[Patler]

But I will be rooting hard for Sherrod anyway.

I am hoping Datko's shoulder had been finally fixed. I find him to be a very intriguing prospect at LT.

[Lurker64]

I am hoping Datko's shoulder had been finally fixed. I find him to be a very intriguing prospect at LT.

In terms of pure talent, Datko is possibly the best offensive tackle on the team (in terms of grit and competitiveness, nobody beats Bulaga however.) Did he not miss significant time in college with that shoulder (and development along with time) he would have likely been a first round pick selected higher than Bulaga or Sherrod were. He did not, which is why we got him in the seventh round (I believe most teams gave him the worst draftable medical grade). But if he can get that right, he may well be starting at some point down the line.

[George Cumby]

In terms of pure talent, Datko is possibly the best offensive tackle on the team (in terms of grit and competitiveness, nobody beats Bulaga however.) Did he not miss significant time in college with that shoulder (and development along with time) he would have likely been a first round pick selected higher than Bulaga or Sherrod were. He did not, which is why we got him in the seventh round (I believe most teams gave him the worst draftable medical grade). But if he can get that right, he may well be starting at some point down the line.

Datko had a torn labrum, if I recall. The same injury that robbed James Starks of his senior season. That's an injury with a high recovery success rate. Datko definitely interesting.

I didn't think Newhouse did THAT poorly last year. Some top end guys owned him, iirc, but I seem to remember him acquitting himself well, otherwise.

[sharpe1027]

NFL Network noted one of these scouting services had Marshall Newhouse rated as the worst starting LT in the NFL

Didn't he settled down some after having a rough start? I wonder if they factored that type of thing into their ratings.

[Upnorth]

After facing Pepper x2, Allen x 2 and Hali last year I think he did quite well. I do believe that Newhouse is vastly underrated, however I think you guys have heard me say this before.

[smuggler]

I don't think so. According to ProFootballFocus, he starting improving around midseason, but then relapsed in the last 4 games and especially in the playoff loss to the Giants.

[Joemailman]

I don't think so. According to ProFootballFocus, he starting improving around midseason, but then relapsed in the last 4 games and especially in the playoff loss to the Giants.

He didn't start against the Giants. He eventually replaced Clifton, who was playing poorly. Newhouse did give up 1 sack, but was the better of the 2 LT's that day.

[Patler]

Datko had a torn labrum, if I recall. The same injury that robbed James Starks of his senior season. That's an injury with a high recovery success rate. Datko definitely interesting.

I didn't think Newhouse did THAT poorly last year. Some top end guys owned him, iirc, but I seem to remember him acquitting himself well, otherwise.

The concern with Datko is that he has had the shoulder problem since high school. I believe he had surgery while in high school, and it didn't completely correct the problem. He continued playing with it being less than right all through college, but aggravated it and needed a second surgery his last year in college. He claims it is finally right, better than anytime since high school. Hard to know until he gets back on the field.