Offensive Line

[Phil03]

I'm currently working on a new fantasy football website and looking to write an offensive line analysis for every NFL team. I'm looking for information on the Packers offensive line such as:
-Projected 2008 starters
-Little blurb on each starter and the top backups (better at pass or run blocking, strong, agile, good or bad 2007 season)
-Best guys on the line
-Weak links on the line (if any)
-Why could the line be better in 2008?
-Why could the line be worse in 2008?

I'm basically looking for any information and would really appreciate if you could help me out.

Thanks very much,
Phil

[HarveyWallbangers]

Re: Offensive Line

I'm currently working on a new fantasy football website and looking to write an offensive line analysis for every NFL team. I'm looking for information on the Packers offensive line such as:

Some might say: why the hell should we do your work for you, but I like the 'nads you are showing. I like that you aren't afraid to admit that you can't possible know the OL personnel for every team in the league. I've said before that if you want to learn about a team's personnel, it's often best to ask some of the team's fans.

Projected 2008 starters

LT Chad Clifton
LG Daryn Colledge
C Scott Wells
RG Jason Spitz
RT Mark Tauscher

There will be competition at the LG and RG spots. Spitz is more likely to remain a starter than Colledge. Without knowing who the Packers draft, Allen Barbre and Junius Coston will be the primary competition to Colledge and Spitz.

Little blurb on each starter and the top backups (better at pass or run blocking, strong, agile, good or bad 2007 season)

LT Chad Clifton

Clifton remains one of the best pass blocking LTs in the NFL. He made his first Pro Bowl last season. He didn't have his best season, but he's been worthy of a Pro Bowl nod a couple of times in his career. His run blocking is spotty, but not bad. He remains a big, athletic kid, but he's not an ideal fit for the zone blocking scheme run by the Packers.

LG Daryn Colledge

While not horrendous, Colledge has been the weak link on the OL the past two years. He's athletic, but hasn't had the strength to hold up against DTs in the NFL. He was a LT in college, and his best games have come when he's replaced Clifton at LT. He's solid in pass blocking, but below average as a run blocker. He still has potential as the eventual replacement for Clifton at LT, and with another year to build up his strength there's still a chance that he turns into a solid OG (ala former Packer Mike Wahle).

C Scott Wells

The Packers like Wells more than opposing scouts. I'd classify him as solid, but not elite. He's small, but he's strong for his size. Still, his lack of bulk has hampered him against big, run stuffing DTs like Pat Williams of the Vikings. He does an excellent job recognizing defenses and adjusting the OL accordingly.

RG Jason Spitz

Spitz showed solid improvement last year--although he's still only an average starter. He's a battler who lacks elite athleticism. Right now, Spitz is a better player than Colledge--although Colledge may still have better upside. My guess is that he'll be a guy that starts a lot of games in the NFL, but teams will be always looking to upgrade the position.

RT Mark Tauscher

Tauscher is a former 7th round pick who scouts still don't give any respect to. However, he's been one of the better RTs in the NFL for the past 8 years. He's another battler who has surprising athletic ability for his body type. He's a good pass blocker, but he's only average as a run blocker. Like Clifton, he's a poor fit for the zone blocking scheme run by the Packers.

OG Junius Coston

Coston is probably the most athletic player on the OL, but he's been slow to develop. It took him three years to make the OL rotation. Then, after starting a couple of games he got injured. Some of it is understandable coming from a small college, but I wonder how much it means to him. Because of his athletic ability, he'll compete with Colledge and Spitz for a starting job.

OG Allen Barbre

Similar to Coston, Barbre has the size/athletic ability to succeed, but he also came from a small college. The coaches seem to think his future is bright, and they fully expect that he'll compete for a starting job this year. However, he hasn't played enough to formulate an informed opinion.

OT/OG Tony Moll

Moll is another small college player who was a former TE in college. He's played quite a bit in his first two years, and he's done surprisingly well. The coaches seem to have settled on him as a utility OL--capable of backing up at RG and RT. He's athletic, but lacks ideal strength. I see him being a capable career backup.

Those eight are probably relatively safe to make the team in 2008. Mauler Tony Palmer, athletic Orrin Thompson, and career journeyman Tyson Walter have a chance at making the squad--depending on who the Packers bring in via the draft.

Best guys on the line

Clifton, Tauscher, and Wells are all solid starters.

Weak links on the line (if any)

Spitz is close to average. Colledge is below average.

Why could the line be better in 2008?

If Clifton and Tauscher stay productive (likely for a couple more seasons), there's a lot of youth and athletic ability on the interior OL that could continue to improve. Most of them need to continue building their strength. The OL seemed to improve on their weakness (run blocking) as the year went on--as evidenced by Ryan Grant's breakout (especially his 200 yard game in the playoffs against Seattle).

Why could the line be worse in 2008?

If the young guys don't improve much, the OL could be worse because Clifton and Tauscher have both reached their 30s and could start showing a dropoff in their play. Also, Brett Favre's understanding of defenses and quick release has always made his OL look better in pass blocking that it actually is. With a young guy, Aaron Rodgers, who is more likely to hold the ball too long, the OL might not look so good.

Overall, I'd say the the OL is a good pass blocking OL. They were below average in run blocking for the first half of the year, but they looked a lot better once Ryan Grant took over.

[Tarlam!]

Wow, Harv, top notch. I hope Phil gives you the Kudos on his site.

[Phil03]

Re: Offensive Line

I'm currently working on a new fantasy football website and looking to write an offensive line analysis for every NFL team. I'm looking for information on the Packers offensive line such as:

Some might say: why the hell should we do your work for you, but I like the 'nads you are showing. I like that you aren't afraid to admit that you can't possible know the OL personnel for every team in the league. I've said before that if you want to learn about a team's personnel, it's often best to ask some of the team's fans.

Projected 2008 starters

LT Chad Clifton
LG Daryn Colledge
C Scott Wells
RG Jason Spitz
RT Mark Tauscher

There will be competition at the LG and RG spots. Spitz is more likely to remain a starter than Colledge. Without knowing who the Packers draft, Allen Barbre and Junius Coston will be the primary competition to Colledge and Spitz.

Little blurb on each starter and the top backups (better at pass or run blocking, strong, agile, good or bad 2007 season)

LT Chad Clifton

Clifton remains one of the best pass blocking LTs in the NFL. He made his first Pro Bowl last season. He didn't have his best season, but he's been worthy of a Pro Bowl nod a couple of times in his career. His run blocking is spotty, but not bad. He remains a big, athletic kid, but he's not an ideal fit for the zone blocking scheme run by the Packers.

LG Daryn Colledge

While not horrendous, Colledge has been the weak link on the OL the past two years. He's athletic, but hasn't had the strength to hold up against DTs in the NFL. He was a LT in college, and his best games have come when he's replaced Clifton at LT. He's solid in pass blocking, but below average as a run blocker. He still has potential as the eventual replacement for Clifton at LT, and with another year to build up his strength there's still a chance that he turns into a solid OG (ala former Packer Mike Wahle).

C Scott Wells

The Packers like Wells more than opposing scouts. I'd classify him as solid, but not elite. He's small, but he's strong for his size. Still, his lack of bulk has hampered him against big, run stuffing DTs like Pat Williams of the Vikings. He does an excellent job recognizing defenses and adjusting the OL accordingly.

RG Jason Spitz

Spitz showed solid improvement last year--although he's still only an average starter. He's a battler who lacks elite athleticism. Right now, Spitz is a better player than Colledge--although Colledge may still have better upside. My guess is that he'll be a guy that starts a lot of games in the NFL, but teams will be always looking to upgrade the position.

RT Mark Tauscher

Tauscher is a former 7th round pick who scouts still don't give any respect to. However, he's been one of the better RTs in the NFL for the past 8 years. He's another battler who has surprising athletic ability for his body type. He's a good pass blocker, but he's only average as a run blocker. Like Clifton, he's a poor fit for the zone blocking scheme run by the Packers.

OG Junius Coston

Coston is probably the most athletic player on the OL, but he's been slow to develop. It took him three years to make the OL rotation. Then, after starting a couple of games he got injured. Some of it is understandable coming from a small college, but I wonder how much it means to him. Because of his athletic ability, he'll compete with Colledge and Spitz for a starting job.

OG Allen Barbre

Similar to Coston, Barbre has the size/athletic ability to succeed, but he also came from a small college. The coaches seem to think his future is bright, and they fully expect that he'll compete for a starting job this year. However, he hasn't played enough to formulate an informed opinion.

OT/OG Tony Moll

Moll is another small college player who was a former TE in college. He's played quite a bit in his first two years, and he's done surprisingly well. The coaches seem to have settled on him as a utility OL--capable of backing up at RG and RT. He's athletic, but lacks ideal strength. I see him being a capable career backup.

Those eight are probably relatively safe to make the team in 2008. Mauler Tony Palmer, athletic Orrin Thompson, and career journeyman Tyson Walter have a chance at making the squad--depending on who the Packers bring in via the draft.

Best guys on the line

Clifton, Tauscher, and Wells are all solid starters.

Weak links on the line (if any)

Spitz is close to average. Colledge is below average.

Why could the line be better in 2008?

If Clifton and Tauscher stay productive (likely for a couple more seasons), there's a lot of youth and athletic ability on the interior OL that could continue to improve. Most of them need to continue building their strength. The OL seemed to improve on their weakness (run blocking) as the year went on--as evidenced by Ryan Grant's breakout (especially his 200 yard game in the playoffs against Seattle).

Why could the line be worse in 2008?

If the young guys don't improve much, the OL could be worse because Clifton and Tauscher have both reached their 30s and could start showing a dropoff in their play. Also, Brett Favre's understanding of defenses and quick release has always made his OL look better in pass blocking that it actually is. With a young guy, Aaron Rodgers, who is more likely to hold the ball too long, the OL might not look so good.

Overall, I'd say the the OL is a good pass blocking OL. They were below average in run blocking for the first half of the year, but they looked a lot better once Ryan Grant took over.

Thanks very much.
I was planning to put a link to the message board at the bottom of the article to say where I got the information from. If you want I can include your name as well, just PM me your full name and I'll include it when I write the article.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Nah, I just told you what 100 other folks on this board could have told you.

[hawaii50]

nailed it on the head harvey. good stuff.

[Packnut]

OL

Outstanding evaluation of our o-line.

[red]

christ harv, since when could you formulate thoughts into posts like that?

i think it would also be important to include the fact that costons wife/GF is a total hoe bag/stuck up bitch

[Scott Campbell]

christ harv, since when could you formulate thoughts into posts like that?

i think it would also be important to include the fact that costons wife/GF is a total hoe bag/stuck up bitch

Ahhhh, the classic Nutz story. That's a good one. Also a great read for fantasy football players.

[sheepshead]

That is good stuff, especially since I have trouble really following offensive linemen watching football on TV. The group was first in the NFL in pass protection last year and I expect some very good rushing numbers this year also.

[Scott Campbell]

That is good stuff, especially since I have trouble really following offensive linemen watching football on TV. The group was first in the NFL in pass protection last year and I expect some very good rushing numbers this year also.

Grant managed to find some tiny holes last year - one of the reasons I'm so high on him. I think he made the line look more adequate in run blocking game than they really were.

My biggest problem with Colledge is the blown assignments. It seemed to me that too often last year his man would go untouched.

[red]

That is good stuff, especially since I have trouble really following offensive linemen watching football on TV. The group was first in the NFL in pass protection last year and I expect some very good rushing numbers this year also.

Grant managed to find some tiny holes last year - one of the reasons I'm so high on him. I think he made the line look more adequate in run blocking game than they really were.

very true. that was almost all grant last year. you see see it when the backups would come in. they couldn't come close to doing what grant was doing. if the line was doing their job the right way, then any RB should have been able to go in a have good games

[sheepshead]

Another guy I'm hopeful about (and there aren't many of us) is Wynn. I thought he hit the holes quickly and had pretty good instincts.

[HarveyWallbangers]

christ harv, since when could you formulate thoughts into posts like that?

Funny, but I thought I've shown this ability in the past.

[HarveyWallbangers]

My biggest problem with Colledge is the blown assignments. It seemed to me that too often last year his man would go untouched.

Good point, and really it's been a problem for everyone on our OL. It's especially true for Colledge. I wonder if we'd be better off with a scheme that is less complicated.