Colledge clicks in third season

[Patler]

He still isn't a marquee OLineman, but in general, he's consistent and gets his job done. That's a helluva a lot better year than his previous stints where he's been benched for poor performance a few times.

What's the opposite of damning with faint praise? Hallelujah for faint praise?

Its looks far more positive for Colledge and the inside guys now, but like Fritz, I want to be assured that the Minnesota game was an aberration. A long string of strong performances starting Monday will do just fine, thank you.

It is a strange article. Starts out as if it will praise his year-long performance, but then almost states that he has improved so much he might not get benched midseason for another no-name never-did-anything lineman, like he has been the last two years. He hasn't been good all year, he has been better since the Tampa game, six whole games. Campen's comments were sort of lukewarm.

I will admit that he seemingly has improved, but nothing will surprise me about him at this point. I could see others passing him by and the Packers letting him go when his contract expires, and I can see him developing to the point of having a long career in Green Bay. I think he has shown the potential to go either direction.

[rbaloha1]

DC is much more consistent. The cockiness is a positive.

Still think DC is a better left tackle. Interesting if TT decides against signing Clifton.

[Patler]

DC is much more consistent. The cockiness is a positive.

Still think DC is a better left tackle. Interesting if TT decides against signing Clifton.

Clifton has one year left on his contract, and I think he will retire when it is up. In an article last season he talked about how much it would mean to him to finish out his contract, because he always felt 10 years was a significant level to achieve as a pro. He said in his mind 10 years was a full career, not one cut short, and he wanted to feel that he had a full career. The surprising thing to me was a comment from him suggesting that he wasn't sure his body could hold out through 2009. His physical problems even last year must have been more than he let on. I don't think he will be looking for anything beyond the 2009 season.

[KYPack]

I know little or nothing about the Saints' defensive ends. Anybody have a scoop on who they are, and whether Clifton and Tauscher match up okay?

And how about their D-tackles?

This is a solid DLine.

The ends are Bobby McCray on the left and Wil Smith (not the actor) at RDE. McCray is tall and rangy, a speed guy. Smith is shorter, but strong as a bull. Both have 10 sack seasons in their careers and are experienced 5 year men. Smith is also "famous" for being in limbo over the Starcaps diuretic scandal. I was hoping that Smith would be suspended by this game.

The tackles are Kendrick Clancy, is a solid role player and 10 year vet at LDT and nose if they shift to a 3-4. The RDT is Sedrick Ellis, a high #1 pick who is playing well in his rookie year and a future NFL star.

This is a solid bunch, tough to run against. They've only given up 1 game to a hundred yard rusher this season.

We may beat the Saints, but we won't take advantage of this bunch while doing so. They are a much stronger group than the Bears, say.

For all you Chris Francies fans, the Saints signed him to the PS this week.

[boiga]

This is a solid bunch, tough to run against. They've only given up 1 game to a hundred yard rusher this season.

I'm not sure that their level of play this season justifies that statement, KY. With all of the injuries to their defensive backfield this year, the saints have become a fairly poor defense. According to FO, they have only been average against the run this year, and piss poor against the pass. They are 28th in adjusted sack rate, and 27th in defending short yardage situations. However, they are in the upper third in stuffing the RB and defending against long runs.

All in all, NO is setup similarly to Chicago in that they are vulnerable against the pass, but better against the run. However, the Saints are statistically worse in both categories when compared to Chicago. That's doesn't mean that Grant'll get another 140 yrds this game, but we should have a good deal of success on the ground, in short yardage situations, and picking up 3rd downs.

[pbmax]

He still isn't a marquee OLineman, but in general, he's consistent and gets his job done. That's a helluva a lot better year than his previous stints where he's been benched for poor performance a few times.

What's the opposite of damning with faint praise? Hallelujah for faint praise?

Its looks far more positive for Colledge and the inside guys now, but like Fritz, I want to be assured that the Minnesota game was an aberration. A long string of strong performances starting Monday will do just fine, thank you.

It is a strange article. Starts out as if it will praise his year-long performance, but then almost states that he has improved so much he might not get benched midseason for another no-name never-did-anything lineman, like he has been the last two years. He hasn't been good all year, he has been better since the Tampa game, six whole games. Campen's comments were sort of lukewarm.

I will admit that he seemingly has improved, but nothing will surprise me about him at this point. I could see others passing him by and the Packers letting him go when his contract expires, and I can see him developing to the point of having a long career in Green Bay. I think he has shown the potential to go either direction.

Reading WAY between the lines, it might be that the unspoken part of the equation from the coaches perspective (and the reason for the article) is motivation. Colledge won back (although it was default by injury I think) his job twice and improved after being benched in two consecutive years.

If he was ever going to be the weekly starter, the coaches might have reasoned he needs to be fearful of his job from day one of offseason. Hence the Barbre talk. That would fit since we kept hearing about Barbre but never saw him pass Colledge in playing time, except perhaps in practice a couple of times. If I recall, this was driving many of us nuts, especially after Colledge would have a bad stretch.

If you read the article assuming that they have been threatening Colledge with Barbre (and Spitz with Sitton) since February/March, it makes more sense. After all, coaches tell us what they really think by anointing starters and doling out playing time, not giving interviews.

As for his play this year, Campen seems to be saying Colledge has had mistakes, but has responded to them positively with better play without having to go the bench. Lo and behold, you string together a nearly-mistake free couple of games, then you look like you have arrived.

[KYPack]

This is a solid bunch, tough to run against. They've only given up 1 game to a hundred yard rusher this season.

I'm not sure that their level of play this season justifies that statement, KY. With all of the injuries to their defensive backfield this year, the saints have become a fairly poor defense. According to FO, they have only been average against the run this year, and piss poor against the pass. They are 28th in adjusted sack rate, and 27th in defending short yardage situations. However, they are in the upper third in stuffing the RB and defending against long runs.

All in all, NO is setup similarly to Chicago in that they are vulnerable against the pass, but better against the run. However, the Saints are statistically worse in both categories when compared to Chicago. That's doesn't mean that Grant'll get another 140 yrds this game, but we should have a good deal of success on the ground, in short yardage situations, and picking up 3rd downs.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I mainly was giving my opinion on their down 4. I'm telling you, they are all tough capable guys. The overall defense is leaky against the pass, especially with the injuries to their DB's. I didn't know that short yardage stat, that's a surprise to me. Their backers are basically overachievers, that can give up plays.

This is gonna be a good game. Two 5-5 teams that really need the win. The teams that converts touchdown opportunities outta win.

I see a high scoring shoot-out. Hope we win the sumbitch.

I like FO, that data is interesting, but I don't know what to believe about all their stats.

Some of that shit is over my head.

[prsnfoto]

Interesting. After the Minnesota game, I was starting to wonder if TT's tenure would tank into the toilet (gotta love that alliteration) due to the play of the offensive line. I thought that maybe TT's future might be at stake - he seems to have put together most of the parts in most position groups, but at drafting offensive lineman he seemed to be doing poorly.

One game later, all is well - for the moment. Wow. All I can say is that it'd sure be nice if Colledge, Spitz, Sitton, and/or Barbre worked out...and Harv is right - the tackles haven't necessarily held up.

I tried not to panic and freak out this season. After the Tennessee loss, I even started a thread called "I Am Optimistic." But the Minny loss really got me down; thus I wondered if maybe, after all, TT was not going to be able to get it done.

Oh me of little faith.

I hope I was wrong.

You were not wrong this team is easy to figure out they will dominate teams without a pass rush and lose to teams that have one. Look at our wins and loses that pretty much sums it up they are fortunate Minnesota is slower on grass or they would have sweep us. The good news is when ya know what your biggest hole is the guy in charge otta be able to fix it and pronto.

[bobblehead]

my how opinions change after one game

him and the rest of the line (all 5 guys) sucked hard right up until the last game

Him has never sucked all year. The other 4 have taken turns sucking. Him has had a very good year just as I kept telling people....it took wahle 3 seasons, give the lad time.

[boiga]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I mainly was giving my opinion on their down 4. I'm telling you, they are all tough capable guys. The overall defense is leaky against the pass, especially with the injuries to their DB's. I didn't know that short yardage stat, that's a surprise to me. Their backers are basically overachievers, that can give up plays.

This is gonna be a good game. Two 5-5 teams that really need the win. The teams that converts touchdown opportunities outta win.

I see a high scoring shoot-out. Hope we win the sumbitch.

I like FO, that data is interesting, but I don't know what to believe about all their stats.

Some of that shit is over my head.

I hear ya, KYPack. I like Jolly, Cole, Pickett and Kampman, but we are even worse at short yardage than the Saints. Scheme, time of possession, and the score are as big of factors as personnel in that situation.

In regards to FO, their stats are just tool like any other. It's like how QB rating has little to do with how a QB actually played, but is still religiously believed in by pundits. Stats are useful, but not that important in the big scheme of things.

[Noodle]

Stats are useful, but not that important in the big scheme of things.

That knock on your door is Patler. He's got a big piece of wood in his hands, and he's about to go to town on you. Turn off the lights and just act like there's no one home.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Judging just by what I've seen with my own eyes, Colledge and Tauscher are their best linemen. I haven't noticed much with Spitz. Clifton should retire. Wells had a good game last week, maybe he is getting healthier and better.

Tarek Saleh and Derek Engler both say on their Madison radio show that Colledge has great feet and is going to be a stud at LT. They were linemen in the NFL recently, so they might be right.

[RashanGary]

Judging just by what I've seen with my own eyes, Colledge and Tauscher are their best linemen. I haven't noticed much with Spitz. Clifton should retire. Wells had a good game last week, maybe he is getting healthier and better.

Tarek Saleh and Derek Engler both say on their Madison radio show that Colledge has great feet and is going to be a stud at LT. They were linemen in the NFL recently, so they might be right.

I agree. Tausch had a tough first couple games, but since then he and Colledge have been the top lineman. Spitz next, Wells and Clifton last, although Wells did have a fantastic game against the Bears.

[ThunderDan]

Judging just by what I've seen with my own eyes, Colledge and Tauscher are their best linemen. I haven't noticed much with Spitz. Clifton should retire. Wells had a good game last week, maybe he is getting healthier and better.

Tarek Saleh and Derek Engler both say on their Madison radio show that Colledge has great feet and is going to be a stud at LT. They were linemen in the NFL recently, so they might be right.

Sorry HH-

Tarek Saleh was a FB/LB and special teams player.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Judging just by what I've seen with my own eyes, Colledge and Tauscher are their best linemen. I haven't noticed much with Spitz. Clifton should retire. Wells had a good game last week, maybe he is getting healthier and better.

Tarek Saleh and Derek Engler both say on their Madison radio show that Colledge has great feet and is going to be a stud at LT. They were linemen in the NFL recently, so they might be right.

Sorry HH-

Tarek Saleh was a FB/LB and special teams player.

Tarek Saleh played defensive end in pros, and sometimes put a hand down on the ground if college.

Your apology is accepted.

(I've taken a know-it-all stance about about Saleh for entertainment purposes, but maybe you are right.)