The Packers OL - STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOUTH

[KYPack]

I don't doubt his effort, and he's got some ability. His greatest strength IMO, is his ability to block on the move.

That said, I too watch the OL a lot, and for my money, he got tossed around too much. Generally, these lapses happened in pass protection and against the bull rush. I saw enough of it for it to be a concern for me.

Hopefully, with another years experience and few more cups of sand in the bucket, he'll be able to anchor better this year.

Some of this can be interpretation. I see him fightin, you see him losing. I still disagree with you, but let's agree to disagree.

The play that stood out in my mind was the Baltimore game. 48 - 3 and whooee! On an interception (Brett or ARod, who knows!?) Wellsy ran 34 yards down field to make the tackle. That showed me a lot. it takes heart to want to make a play in a horseshit game like that.

He's a tough kid with a ton of guts. You wouldn't make him your first pick, but you want him on your team. He's no all-pro, but he reminds me of Ken Bowman. A smaller C that is leather tough with a fightin' heart.

[woodbuck27]

I don't doubt his effort, and he's got some ability. His greatest strength IMO, is his ability to block on the move.

That said, I too watch the OL a lot, and for my money, he got tossed around too much. Generally, these lapses happened in pass protection and against the bull rush. I saw enough of it for it to be a concern for me.

Hopefully, with another years experience and few more cups of sand in the bucket, he'll be able to anchor better this year.

wist43:

I probably have read every post you have ever made at JSO and now on OUR Forum and what I respect in any person is his/her consistency and from that derived integrity.

I'm alot like you. Very guarded in my optimism about OUR fortunes this season. If we secure 7 wins, it's a good step forward, yet, when I look at the competition we will face - I sometimes elevate my hopes to think we may do alot better than most believe we will.

There are too many what if's but. . .

What if . . . we see Ahman Green have a good comeback and as a back-up Samkon Gado is for REAL? Najeh finally plays to his BEST potential? Favre goes to William Henderson more in the attack and Bubba gets the ball alot more and is not just a primary blocker on running downs?

What if . . . the OL protects Brett Favre remarkably well, and he doesn't have to bail out as often as last season? To run for his life!

What if . . . Brett Favre changes his style of play more and operates within the given situation and concentrates whole heartedly - on protecting the ball? Eat it - when it's best and takes those short gains, instead of launching it at the line of scrimmage with 'a wish and a prayer? He has to think longer term in that games situation. BE PATIENT.

That's what I'll be watching for. I believe in his GREATNESS.

What if . . . WR's like Ferguson, Gardner and Boerigter step up to meet their need for us. Real weapons for Brett favre to find? What if Greg Jennings gets his shot and challenges for Rookie of the year on offence?

What if. . . OUR "D" takes a REAL step forward from last season and establishes itself as a bonafide DEFENCE to be FEARED?

What if . . . to make that happen Charles Woodson gets to REAL and becomes a Packer Player and Al Harris plays his guts out to prove he deserves more money? Marquand Manuel and Nick Collins step up their games to punish the opposition - hit harder than blazes? Ryan Pickett fills in better than Grady Jackson 'at the nose' and we find a QB rush in Montgomery on running downs? or. . . KGB hard work on conditioning shows up in the season?[/b]

Too many. . . what if's?

I believe. . . it's possible.

GO Packers !! I choose to believe.

[Bretsky]

I don't doubt his effort, and he's got some ability. His greatest strength IMO, is his ability to block on the move.

That said, I too watch the OL a lot, and for my money, he got tossed around too much. Generally, these lapses happened in pass protection and against the bull rush. I saw enough of it for it to be a concern for me.

Hopefully, with another years experience and few more cups of sand in the bucket, he'll be able to anchor better this year.

LONG TERM it would not surprise me at all if Spitz is starting at Center. Short Term I have more confidence in Wells at Center then EITHER Guard

[CaliforniaCheez]

There was a year when we had youth on the outside in rookies Tauscher and Clifton.

This year we have a highly rated guy in Colledge and Whitticker will have learned from his rookie campaign. If Spitz is good enough to beat out Whitticker all the better. Wells continues to improve.

Bringing in a guy with Klemm-like experience is not the answer. I'm willing to bet that Barry will be gone next year without problem. Klemm's contract is done at the end of the year.

There will likely be an OL drafted next year but almost all the new line is already there.

Hey fans some of you forget that young guys improve. Whitticker had a better rookie year than Flanagan, Wahle, and Rivera. Spitz and Colledge will only get better.