Offensive Line Depth Chart Change

[Harlan Huckleby]

Colledge started last year, and the line improved as the season went along. I'll say it again, continuity is the biggest part of a successful line. This is terrific news IMO.

I don't know if I would call it "terrific news." I would spin it as they were unable to find an upgrade at guard. IT might work out OK.

[Gunakor]

Colledge started last year, and the line improved as the season went along. I'll say it again, continuity is the biggest part of a successful line. This is terrific news IMO.

I don't know if I would call it "terrific news." I would spin it as they were unable to find an upgrade at guard. IT might work out OK.

I call it terrific news because I'd rather see the same 5 guys as the starters year after year. There can be no continuity on the line if we keep putting new people on it. For example, the Taucher/Rivera/Flanagan/Whale/Clifton line that was so dominant in 2003 was together for 5 years as a starting unit leading up to that year. They weren't nearly as effective in 2002, and were even less effective in 2001. The longer they stayed together as a group the better they became.

I care less about each lineman's individual performance than I do about the line as a whole. IMO the line as a whole will be better served if we do not keep shuffling in new linemen into the starting unit. The line that finished up last year for us was getting the job done, both in the running game and the passing game. Individual performances aside, that became a very serviceable line as the season went on. Given additional time to work together as a group, that line will become better than serviceable.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Individual performances aside, that became a very serviceable line as the season went on. Given additional time to work together as a group, that line will become better than serviceable.

I don't know. I would say they were just OK.

Communication in the secondary is important too. But I wouldn't be in favor of keeping Collins over Rouse just to keep continuity. I would say if Rouse beat-out Collins, the upgrade would be cause for celebration.

[retailguy]

I care less about each lineman's individual performance than I do about the line as a whole. IMO the line as a whole will be better served if we do not keep shuffling in new linemen into the starting unit. The line that finished up last year for us was getting the job done, both in the running game and the passing game. Individual performances aside, that became a very serviceable line as the season went on. Given additional time to work together as a group, that line will become better than serviceable.

Yeah, I understand that. But, playing through your reasoning a bit, then we could also assume that had we left Adrian Klemm at LG, he'd be pretty good by now, and I'm not convinced that's the case.

I just think the message behind all this shuffling is that the coaches felt that things weren't working as well as they could, and it was unlikely it was going to get any better. Perhaps they thought they'd discover something new by trying something new.

I'm thinking now, that if they're switching back it might mean it's as good as it's going to get with the personnel we've got.

[Gunakor]

But, playing through your reasoning a bit, then we could also assume that had we left Adrian Klemm at LG, he'd be pretty good by now, and I'm not convinced that's the case.

I'm not either... but I am convinced that the line would be better now than it was 3 or 4 years ago. As for the guys we have, those starters have been together for 2 years and have improved significantly as they've gone along. There's no reason to believe that thier effectiveness won't continue to improve. Who knows, we might have another 2003 OL in a couple years if we don't hamper it's development by bringing in new guys. Again, it took 5 years together for that line to do what it did in 2003. And when that line was broken up, none of the guys who were on it had the same success afterwards. That's what I base my feelings twoard this one on.

[KYPack]

Re: Offensive Line Depth Chart Change

Depth chart updated 8/18 has Colledge (LG) and Spitz (RG) as the first team guards.

Oh my God, where is KY? In your face!

You got it Dog.

I am humbled.

But I'm not on my knees until the 1st game of the season.

You haven't "won" our little debate, you're just ahead right now.

With this Oline carousel, DC might not be the starting left guard.

They may give a turn at QB, for all I know.

[SnakeLH2006]

We've all been bitchin' about continuity. Now they move Barbre, arguably the best LG candidate, to LT? as a backup? We don't need depth, we need a starting line.

Help Help!

Don't worry KY.... McCarthy has a plan.... Just trust him. At least that's what I've been told a hundred times. If you say it enough, it'll help.

Lets watch the line against Denver. If it looks as bad as the 49ers, then maybe it'll be alright to show concern. In the teams defense, the pass blocking was OK in the Cincinnati game, run blocking wasn't so hot, but... well... I'll be watching this weekend.

We've ran the ball in the pre-season?

Didn't Rodgers scramble once or twice?

......into the D-Line.

[Tarlam!]

He's brainy, athletic but, so far, football autistic.

I have GOT to remember this line...fits so many of my HS players.

Cool, but I did make that statement with respect. Take it, use it, but, be respectful. I'm honoured.

[KYPack]

Re: Offensive Line Depth Chart Change

Depth chart updated 8/18 has Colledge (LG) and Spitz (RG) as the first team guards.

Oh my God, where is KY? In your face!

Also, our little debate was that you said Colledge would start over Sitton at RG. Colledge is now the starter at LG, a little topic we never argued over.

I also have no problem with Colledge or Barbre getting the LG gig, although I prefer Barbre in that spot.

[Carolina_Packer]

Clifton, Wells and Tausch are established, unless Wells is unable to go. If he's good to go, then we just need to settle the combo at the two guard spots. I'm assuming Spitz will be one of them as the most established recent draftee. I don't know what kind of camp DC is having or where his mindset is. Barbre and Sitton may still be too green, but Barbre could battle, I guess. It's nice to be able to mix/match, but it's also nice to at some point in camp pick a starting 5 (or remaining two guards as is the Pack's case). Harder to do with them having to put Spitz in at center. I think it will be Clifton, Colledge/Barbre, Wells, Spitz and Tauscher. Sitton may rotate in on different sets. Not sure where Tony Moll fits in.

[RashanGary]

Wells is not established as a starter according to McCarthy. Earlier this week McCarthy said Spitz was the best interior lineman last year. He said Spitz was guaranteed one spot and the other guys are battling for the other two.

I think it's either going to be Colledge, Spitz, Sitton or Colledge, Wells, Spitz depending on if they think Sitton is better than Wells or will be better with a little experience.

If Wells does start this year, I think it will be his last year starting (unless injuries happen). I think after next offseason Sitton will grab hold of the RG position, Spitz is better at OC and I think Colledge can be an OK guard and has no chance at playing LT.

[RashanGary]

I don't pay close enough attention to the interior line during the season. I just don't have time to watch 3 or 4 times but Wist did. Wist said Wells got regularly rag dolled. Then the Packers coaches came out early in the off season and said they were asking too much of him against bigger DT's. They gently said what Wist said blutly, "Wells gets rag dolled".


He might do things right, but he's just not good enough. If they think Sitton is good enough to start now and has a lot higher ceiling I could see Wells being the odd man out because he's the best he's going to be and that best is really bad in the run game and really average in the pass game.

[pbmax]

Replacing Wells with Spitz would explain the rush to see if Sitton could outperform Colledge or Barbre. Because you would need another starter and a new backup. But Philbin said after the Bengals game that Wells was the starter "unless he’s not the player we think he is. He’s played good football for us". That would seem to leave only an injury out.

But if McCarthy has guaranteed a spot inside only to Spitz, maybe they are concerned with Wells. However, the article I remember early in camp said they realized against larger DTs, they may have to scheme differently to get Wells some help, not find his replacement due to rag dolling.

And where is wist?

[Bretsky]

Not a good sign when for the most part none of us have any idea how many quality starters we have and who they are.

[RashanGary]

McCarthy quote, "I wouldn't say that. Jason has played all three positions since he's been here. He was our most consistent player last year. It's just really trying to find the right combination. It's competition. That's really all it is."