article on Junius Coston

[Patler]

I agree with Wist. Go back and read the articles about Rivera and Wahle when they became starters. Both were considered the weakest links by far on the O-line. Each took several years to establish themselves and solidify their spots as starters.

We can't expect Coston or whoever starts on the right side to come in like Clifton and Tauscher did at the tackles a few years back. Collidge, maybe will be a little less shaky simply based on the evaluation justifying his high draft pick. But he too will have growing pains. However, that doesn't mean the offense will be totally ineffective.

Wells I expect will be whatever he really is. He's been around, he has started and played a fair number of games at both center and guard. Not that he won't get better; but I don't expect to see a huge change from whatever he is at the start of the season to later in the season, or next year. He will be whatever he is.

The overall play and coordination of the line should improve for much of the season. With 60% new starters and a new approach, coordination will improve for quite some time.

[Bretsky]

A wise man named Patler really liked a OL named Atlas Herion, who got some nice press/hype for being on the practice squad all year and working out in GB etc..................

Now Coston certainly deserves more attention since he was a 5th round pick, but I'd point out like HH that at this point the hype doesn't mean a lot to me.

When looking at our interior OL you either believe we're going to be really good using blind faith evidence or you think we'll struggle due to limited or no experience.

And one of the biggest keys to our season will be which side ends up being correct.

Of course they're going to struggle... I don't think even the most optmistic among us would try to argue that they're going to come out as a well-oiled machine.

You're looking at basically starting 3 rookies in the interior of your line - the talent level of everyone of them an unknown.

That said, I have high hopes for Coston and Colledge... I'm not too high on Wells, although he I think he has a chance. I'd rather see Spitz win the Center job.

Add to that a new blocking scheme, and not much of a threat in the passing game, and there can be no doubt that they're going to struggle.

It's interesting you aren't on board with Wells.

IMO he's the most capable of the three to step right in and perform at an average level, but in reality his upside is probably the most limited of the three you mentioned.

Colledge could be special if what we read about him and TT's comments are correct, and I'm not buying into the Coston hype til I see him perform. Jury out on Spitz as well but the media/reports we read are that he has a OL mentality and the talent is there.

[mraynrand]

A wise man named Patler really liked a OL named Atlas Herion, who got some nice press/hype for being on the practice squad all year and working out in GB etc..................

Q: What happened to Atlas?
A: Atlas Shrugged

[Bretsky]

I agree with Wist. Go back and read the articles about Rivera and Wahle when they became starters. Both were considered the weakest links by far on the O-line. Each took several years to establish themselves and solidify their spots as starters.

We can't expect Coston or whoever starts on the right side to come in like Clifton and Tauscher did at the tackles a few years back. Collidge, maybe will be a little less shaky simply based on the evaluation justifying his high draft pick. But he too will have growing pains. However, that doesn't mean the offense will be totally ineffective.

Wells I expect will be whatever he really is. He's been around, he has started and played a fair number of games at both center and guard. Not that he won't get better; but I don't expect to see a huge change from whatever he is at the start of the season to later in the season, or next year. He will be whatever he is.

The overall play and coordination of the line should improve for much of the season. With 60% new starters and a new approach, coordination will improve for quite some time.

IF this line develps we could be a serious contented in two years IF Brett Favre stays around. Lots of ifs though.

[mraynrand]

IF this line develps we could be a serious contented in two years IF Brett Favre stays around. Lots of ifs though.

Or if they develop a serviceable QB, a great running game and a solid defense, they could be very good without a 38 year old Brett Favre.

[BF4MVP]

So ahh, Shamrockfan, are you Patler? And if so, where's Snoopy?

[Scott Campbell]

It's summer and were undefeated. I like glowing fluff pieces this time of year.

[Scott Campbell]

IF this line develps we could be a serious contented in two years IF Brett Favre stays around. Lots of ifs though.

I think you could say almost the same thing about the D-Line too.

[RashanGary]

If it was still Shermans scheme, I'd be a fan of Whittaker.

As far as how he plays at tackle....I never listed this on my OTA reports, but his feet do not appear to be very quick. He struggles mightily to get out on the edge. It's like he's straining to get his weight moving.

I've seen other NFL tackles look exactly like that but they are usually the ones who are backing up the starter and we abuse them by putting KGB in and edge rushing around him.

I think he looks like crap at tackle. If he lost 20 LBS he'd probably be a little quicker out of his stance and he wouldn't look so helpless gettting back to cover the edge. He is not in great shape and that doesn't help him much. Hopefully he can slim down. If he was lighter I think he might be an effective player.

I agree with shamrock that if he leaves here he'll latch on somewhere else and could be a good starter at RG in most schemes. It won't matter in most schemes if he has that extra weight. There is a point where it gets bad, but whitt looks like an NFL RG right now. He's looks stronger and although he's over weight, he looks alot better than last year IMO. I'm really hoping he can get his weight in check because he's a pretty quick learner and IMO his biggest problem last year was how underdeveloped he was physically. He doesn't have that problem this year but the scheme might run him out of town.

[motife]

Here's another article about Junius Coston starting that appeared today :

http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060610/SPORTS11/106100043/1001

Coston makes leap on depth chart
By Reed Schreck
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
GREEN BAY, Wis. — If any holdover’s situation has changed most dramatically from one season to the next, it might be that of Green Bay Packers offensive guard Junius Coston.

He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft out of North Carolina A&T. The 6-foot-3, 317-pounder saw action in two games as a rookie — against New Orleans on Oct. 9, taking the last three snaps at left tackle; and one play on special teams Oct. 23 against Minnesota.

The rest of the time he was listed as inactive.

Now, he’s manning right guard with the first unit at the team’s organized team activities. Even with the change in coaches from Mike Sherman to Mike McCarthy, the search goes on to replace longtime anchors Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle at the two guard slots.

“It doesn’t matter if I start or not,” Coston said. “If I don’t get my technique right, I get mad at myself.

“I get frustrated at times. Even last year, I put pressure on myself to be perfect every play.”

Coston’s focus is solely on doing things right. Who plays, and how much, will take care of itself.

When Coston feels he does something wrong, he said he tries to correct it “on the next play or next day.”

He literally takes his work home with him.

“I’ll at least look it (the playbook) over even if I feel I know it,” he said.
Draft-day snub

Rookie linebacker Abdul Hodge, chosen in the third round, figured he’d go higher in this year’s NFL draft.

“In a way, it was disappointing,” he said. “I had high production in college. I felt I was one of the better linebackers.

“But everything happens for a reason. I’m in a good situation. I can’t complain about anything.”

OTA?

It stands for organized team activities. They’re going on now and they’re voluntary. But almost all the players are present.

“Until five or six days ago,” Favre said Thursday, “I didn’t know what OTA meant. All I’d heard of was minicamps.

“Any guy doing OTAs would rather be somewhere else. But it’s beneficial for us. I know I needed to be here. When OTAs are over, guys are still going to need training camp. But this gives us a good foundation to start from.”

[Bossman641]

Here's another article about Junius Coston starting that appeared today :

http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060610/SPORTS11/106100043/1001

Coston makes leap on depth chart
By Reed Schreck
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
GREEN BAY, Wis. — If any holdover’s situation has changed most dramatically from one season to the next, it might be that of Green Bay Packers offensive guard Junius Coston.

He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL draft out of North Carolina A&T. The 6-foot-3, 317-pounder saw action in two games as a rookie — against New Orleans on Oct. 9, taking the last three snaps at left tackle; and one play on special teams Oct. 23 against Minnesota.

The rest of the time he was listed as inactive.

Now, he’s manning right guard with the first unit at the team’s organized team activities. Even with the change in coaches from Mike Sherman to Mike McCarthy, the search goes on to replace longtime anchors Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle at the two guard slots.

“It doesn’t matter if I start or not,” Coston said. “If I don’t get my technique right, I get mad at myself.

“I get frustrated at times. Even last year, I put pressure on myself to be perfect every play.”

Coston’s focus is solely on doing things right. Who plays, and how much, will take care of itself.

When Coston feels he does something wrong, he said he tries to correct it “on the next play or next day.”

He literally takes his work home with him.

“I’ll at least look it (the playbook) over even if I feel I know it,” he said.
Draft-day snub

Rookie linebacker Abdul Hodge, chosen in the third round, figured he’d go higher in this year’s NFL draft.

“In a way, it was disappointing,” he said. “I had high production in college. I felt I was one of the better linebackers.

“But everything happens for a reason. I’m in a good situation. I can’t complain about anything.”

OTA?

It stands for organized team activities. They’re going on now and they’re voluntary. But almost all the players are present.

“Until five or six days ago,” Favre said Thursday, “I didn’t know what OTA meant. All I’d heard of was minicamps.

“Any guy doing OTAs would rather be somewhere else. But it’s beneficial for us. I know I needed to be here. When OTAs are over, guys are still going to need training camp. But this gives us a good foundation to start from.”

Wow Motife, you dig deep.
An article from my home town? Impressive

[Harlan Huckleby]

The big problem with Shamler is that he is such a good debator, and so often wrong. These persuasive types can be very dangerous. Hitler in the 1930's comes to mind.

A typical Harlan "comeback". Plays to the emotions, with no facts, substance or basis whatsoever! A bald, unsupported statement intended to incite and not inform; to appeal and not advise.

Hitler? Pretty low of you HH. But, the intelligent posters of those board will not be swayed. You can not fool them!

It appears that I have stepped on toes once again. I am just having a little fun with you, don't be st***y. Shamler, there is no comparison between you and Hitler. He was a much shorter man.

[Patler]

The big problem with Shamler is that he is such a good debator, and so often wrong. These persuasive types can be very dangerous. Hitler in the 1930's comes to mind.

A typical Harlan "comeback". Plays to the emotions, with no facts, substance or basis whatsoever! A bald, unsupported statement intended to incite and not inform; to appeal and not advise.

Hitler? Pretty low of you HH. But, the intelligent posters of those board will not be swayed. You can not fool them!

It appears that I have stepped on toes once again. I am just having a little fun with you, don't be st***y. Shamler, there is no comparison between you and Hitler. He was a much shorter man.

You stepped on no ones toes Harlan. What makes you think you have?
I, too, was just pulling your leash, so to speak.

It never ceases to amaze me how defensive you get when someone responds to your smart alec comments. You immediate jump into the "explain and accuse mode" in which the other person is accused of being offended.

Lighten up man! I'm not offended in the least. After all, your opinion is meaningless to me.

[mraynrand]

This thread has evolved into the script for "Grumpy Old Men III"

[Patler]

Now I'm grumpy....and old.