Wells "limited" in off season

[RashanGary]

Re: Wells "limited" in off season

Preston fits into MM's plans to not have to move players when an injury occurs. He could come in at any of the interior positions, leaving the others where they were. Makes him very valuable on the game day active roster

This is a good point. With Wells having health problems and not being great to begin with, it looks like he could be out. If Preston can backup all three interior positions and play ST's (he was a good STer in Buffalo according to reports), MM could let the other guys focus in on one position.


I wouldn't be surprised to see Clifton/Barbre/Spitz/Sitton/Colledge as the starting line with Preston/Draft? backing up the interior and a draft pick/Giacomini backing up the outside. I like Colledge a lot at LG. I thought he had the best year of any of our lineman. I also liked him a lot at RT. I thought he played as well as Tauscher in the last game. With nobody really being legit at RT and us having more interior prospects, I think Colledge is going to be the guy to replace Tauscher (just seems logical).

Barbre is also said to be a hell of an athlete. With an experienced vet (clifton) to his left and a young but experienced vet (spitz) to his right, maybe they can help him enough in the mental part of the the game for his physical ability to come through. Barbre is also in his third year. Him being raw and talented coming out, maybe now is the time the light comes on. We'll see. Without Wells, and without Tausch, there is going to be some big shake ups. Barbre has to either step up or step out I guess and with the way he came in, it would make sense that now would be the time for us to see some production out of him (if we're ever going to see it).

[bobblehead]

Re: Wells "limited" in off season

I wouldn't be surprised to see Clifton/Barbre/Spitz/Sitton/Colledge as the starting line with Preston/Draft? backing up the interior and a draft pick/Giacomini backing up the outside. I like Colledge a lot at LG. I thought he had the best year of any of our lineman. I also liked him a lot at RT. I thought he played as well as Tauscher in the last game. With nobody really being legit at RT and us having more interior prospects, I think Colledge is going to be the guy to replace Tauscher (just seems logical).

Barbre is also said to be a hell of an athlete. With an experienced vet (clifton) to his left and a young but experienced vet (spitz) to his right, maybe they can help him enough in the mental part of the the game for his physical ability to come through. Barbre is also in his third year. Him being raw and talented coming out, maybe now is the time the light comes on. We'll see. Without Wells, and without Tausch, there is going to be some big shake ups. Barbre has to either step up or step out I guess and with the way he came in, it would make sense that now would be the time for us to see some production out of him (if we're ever going to see it).

I think this is pretty close to my vision, but I see us grabbing Smith or Oher and either one will beat out clifton unless he really rebounds. Strangely I agree that college was our best OL last year, but I think he is destined for RT, therefore, the most up in the air position to me is LG. I think Rookie LT, Barbre/Preston/??, Spitz, Sitton, College is likely.

If however we struggle for a LG, then its likely Spitz starts there, and Wells stays at center and we go with Rookie LT, Spitz, Wells, Sitton, College.

[Patler]

We could see a lot of interesting changes this year. I, like Harvey, remember MM saying Sitton will get a look at RT. I also remember him saying that Barbre will get a look at LT. For Barbre, who is said to be unsure of assignments at LG, this would take him back to where he played in college. It could be a more natural position for him. Then there is Giacomini, who the coaches said improved more during the course of the season than any other player.

There are so many variations possible, and Barbre-Colledge-Spitz-Sitton-Giacomini is another, probably not this year but perhaps somewhere down the road. With Moll, Preston and a draft pick you have a young group with Colledge the oldest at 27.

[Fritz]

Clearly right tackle is the big question mark, given MM's comments in the Sunday JSO - that guys are not going to be moved around (as much), that Colledge is a left guard, not a tackle, and that Spitz will compete at the center position.

It looks like, possibly, if Spitz wins the center job, a line of Clifton/Colledge/Spitz/Sitton/???

Interesting. I am glad they are going to stop moving guys every which place.

[Joemailman]

Re: Wells "limited" in off season

Preston fits into MM's plans to not have to move players when an injury occurs. He could come in at any of the interior positions, leaving the others where they were. Makes him very valuable on the game day active roster

This is a good point. With Wells having health problems and not being great to begin with, it looks like he could be out. If Preston can backup all three interior positions and play ST's (he was a good STer in Buffalo according to reports), MM could let the other guys focus in on one position.


I wouldn't be surprised to see Clifton/Barbre/Spitz/Sitton/Colledge as the starting line with Preston/Draft? backing up the interior and a draft pick/Giacomini backing up the outside. I like Colledge a lot at LG. I thought he had the best year of any of our lineman. I also liked him a lot at RT. I thought he played as well as Tauscher in the last game. With nobody really being legit at RT and us having more interior prospects, I think Colledge is going to be the guy to replace Tauscher (just seems logical).

Barbre is also said to be a hell of an athlete. With an experienced vet (clifton) to his left and a young but experienced vet (spitz) to his right, maybe they can help him enough in the mental part of the the game for his physical ability to come through. Barbre is also in his third year. Him being raw and talented coming out, maybe now is the time the light comes on. We'll see. Without Wells, and without Tausch, there is going to be some big shake ups. Barbre has to either step up or step out I guess and with the way he came in, it would make sense that now would be the time for us to see some production out of him (if we're ever going to see it).

Doesn't sound to me like MM wants to move Colledge from LG.http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/42025997.html

It looks to me like LT/LG/C will be Clifton/Colledge,Spitz. Sitton had the RG job won last year before his injury, so I imagine they would feel comfortable with him there. The key question is whether anyone (Barbre, Giacomini) can nail down the RT spot. If not, they may have to move Sitton there. The fall back position then would be to go with Wells/Spitz at C/RG.

[Lurker64]

Re: Wells "limited" in off season

Doesn't sound to me like MM wants to move Colledge from LG.http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/42025997.html

There is sort of a standing rule of thumb of "don't put too much stock in anything team officials say this time of year." McCarthy might not be planning on moving Colledge now, but plans can easily change. This time of year, teams frequently equivocate, mislead, or are just plain evasive about personnel issues, and this lasts basically up until the draft is over.

So unless we spend the #1 on an OT, or one of Giacomini or Barbre really steps up, I think Colledge is probably the best bet at RT.

[bobblehead]

Re: Wells "limited" in off season

Doesn't sound to me like MM wants to move Colledge from LG.http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/42025997.html

There is sort of a standing rule of thumb of "don't put too much stock in anything team officials say this time of year." McCarthy might not be planning on moving Colledge now, but plans can easily change. This time of year, teams frequently equivocate, mislead, or are just plain evasive about personnel issues, and this lasts basically up until the draft is over.

So unless we spend the #1 on an OT, or one of Giacomini or Barbre really steps up, I think Colledge is probably the best bet at RT.

Right, he also said cliffy was the starting LT, but just last year he had to bench him twice. If we draft andre smith do you think cliffy will be the starting LT?

[Partial]

Without a doubt, Yes, I do.

[Joemailman]

Re: Wells "limited" in off season

Doesn't sound to me like MM wants to move Colledge from LG.http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/42025997.html

There is sort of a standing rule of thumb of "don't put too much stock in anything team officials say this time of year." McCarthy might not be planning on moving Colledge now, but plans can easily change. This time of year, teams frequently equivocate, mislead, or are just plain evasive about personnel issues, and this lasts basically up until the draft is over.

So unless we spend the #1 on an OT, or one of Giacomini or Barbre really steps up, I think Colledge is probably the best bet at RT.

Right, he also said cliffy was the starting LT, but just last year he had to bench him twice. If we draft andre smith do you think cliffy will be the starting LT?

Yeah, unless there is a further decline in his play, I think Clifton gets to play out his contract this year. If they draft Andre Smith, he'll likely start at RT this year.

[RashanGary]

Well, it's official, I have no clue who is going to be playing RG/RT.

Sitton is one. The other?

That's going to be an interesting camp battle. I'm hoping Barbre earns a spot, but I don't have a whole lot of confidence in that. We definitely need to keep drafting players on the line.

[bobblehead]

Without a doubt, Yes, I do.

Not saying you can't be right, but I'm probably about as sure he won't as you are he will (IF we draft andre smith). Only time will tell which of us is correct.

[Patler]

Well, it's official, I have no clue who is going to be playing RG/RT.

Sitton is one. The other?

That's going to be an interesting camp battle. I'm hoping Barbre earns a spot, but I don't have a whole lot of confidence in that. We definitely need to keep drafting players on the line.

About the only things that seem quite likely is that Colledge, Spitz and Sitton will start somewhere. Clifton could be at the end of the line, literally as the starting LT or figuratively as being unable to go another season. Wells, I just don't know about. His health is a concern as much as his performance. If those two are gone, who steps in where is anyone's guess at this point.

[Partial]

Without a doubt, Yes, I do.

Not saying you can't be right, but I'm probably about as sure he won't as you are he will (IF we draft andre smith). Only time will tell which of us is correct.

He was better than people gave him credit for last season. Smith will need a year to learn, and letting him ease into the role by protecting the quarterbacks vision side would only be a positive thing imo. Don't want to throw a rookie into the fray blocking for a skittish qbs blindside. That is a recipe for disaster imo.

I think I'm getting on board with the Smith pick at 9, though. Looks like Jane but plays like Tarzan Big boobies for the big man.

[RashanGary]

About the only things that seem quite likely is that Colledge, Spitz and Sitton will start somewhere. Clifton could be at the end of the line, literally as the starting LT or figuratively as being unable to go another season. Wells, I just don't know about. His health is a concern as much as his performance. If those two are gone, who steps in where is anyone's guess at this point.

4 years ago when Flanagan, Rivera and Wahle were expiring and we had Cliffy/Tausch as the only lineman, it was pretty bad.



Now it looks like we have three (Colledge/Spitz/Sitton). Maybe one of the other prospects pans out, I don't know for sure.

The major difference between 4 years ago and now is that Spitz and Colledge should be getting locked up to long term deals right now and be here for another 6 years. Any answers we find going forward will be in addition to the long term answers we already have.

While the product on the field isn't taking that big step just yet (because Cliffy and Tausch fell off), you can see the solid base (of young, long term players) starting to be formed. They have to lock up the guys who are "graduating" and they have to keep finding more long term players. If those two things happen, the OL could be a real strength of this team going in a year or two. I don't think next year will be that year. We're probably going to draft at least one lineman high (first 3 rounds) and it will be at least a year before we really get production out of any rookie we bring in.

[Patler]

About the only things that seem quite likely is that Colledge, Spitz and Sitton will start somewhere. Clifton could be at the end of the line, literally as the starting LT or figuratively as being unable to go another season. Wells, I just don't know about. His health is a concern as much as his performance. If those two are gone, who steps in where is anyone's guess at this point.

4 years ago when Flanagan, Rivera and Wahle were expiring and we had Cliffy/Tausch as the only lineman, it was pretty bad.



Now it looks like we have three (Colledge/Spitz/Sitton). Maybe one of the other prospects pans out, I don't know for sure.

The major difference between 4 years ago and now is that Spitz and Colledge should be getting locked up to long term deals right now and be here for another 6 years. Any answers we find going forward will be in addition to the long term answers we already have.

While the product on the field isn't taking that big step just yet (because Cliffy and Tausch fell off), you can see the solid base (of young, long term players) starting to be formed. They have to lock up the guys who are "graduating" and they have to keep finding more long term players. If those two things happen, the OL could be a real strength of this team going in a year or two. I don't think next year will be that year. We're probably going to draft at least one lineman high (first 3 rounds) and it will be at least a year before we really get production out of any rookie we bring in.

The big difference between now and four years ago is that there are at least some prospects in house to fill the vacancies. Sherman let a contract situation develop in which his two starting guards were do for significant payouts, Rivera for a new contract and Wahle for a huge roster bonus. He boxed the team in a corner with no salary cap space and no capable backups or even legitimate prospects to fill in with.