Barbre preparing to compete at new spot: RT

[RashanGary]

Barbre Preparing To Compete At New Spot: RT


by Mike Spofford, Packers.com
posted 05/21/2009

Last year at this time, one of the storylines along the Packers' offensive line was the pending competition between Allen Barbre and Daryn Colledge for the starting left guard spot.

(more) http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2009/05/21/1/

[RashanGary]

I know McCarthy was raving about Giacomini last year. He said, "Ask Aaron Kampman if he's improved". Giacomini has had offseason surgery though. At the very least, he's not going to be able to make the physical gains that are so instrumental to young lineman taking that next step. Probably he'll be better from a technique and consistency standpoint, but that injury might have set him back a year.

Barbre has been working hard in the offseason program for three years now. He's had no injury set backs. He's had three 2 full years in the same offense and is going on his third. It is a new position he's working at, but with the full offseason to prepare for the change and already knowing the terminology, he should have a legit shot to take the bull by the horns. 3rd year guys groomed have to be better than rookies, don't they?


Best case sinerio

Clifton has one more solid year protecting the blind side, giving the Packers enough time to groom a ready to play replacement

Colledge takes yet another step into the "no worry" club

Spitz locks down the center job, bringing a little more strength to the interior

Sitton becomes our 2nd best run blocking lineman after the new RT

Barbre becomes our most dominate run blocking lineman and he's teamed up with Sitton, making the right side the dominate running side

[HarveyWallbangers]

Best case sinerio

Clifton has one more solid year protecting the blind side, giving the Packers enough time to groom a ready to play replacement

Colledge takes yet another step into the "no worry" club

Spitz locks down the center job, bringing a little more strength to the interior

Sitton becomes our 2nd best run blocking lineman after the new RT

Barbre becomes our most dominate run blocking lineman and he's teamed up with Sitton, making the right side the dominate running side

I agree. That's the best case scenario. Then again, who knows with Breno. If he takes a huge step and starts at RT, who's to say he won't be solid. I'd be pretty happy if the OL shook out like that though. I'm intrigued by T.J. Lang. He might be able to compete as a rookie. Meredith seems more like a developmental prospect.

[RashanGary]

To me, it's key to lock Colledge and Spitz up right now. We don't want to start all over with rookies and first year players next year.

It would be nice to go into next season with Colledge, Spitz, Sitton and whoever wins at RT locked down and ready to roll. It will help the transition at LT that much more. I don't ever want a situation like Sherman created 5 years ago.

[CaptainD]

I know McCarthy was raving about Giacomini last year. He said, "Ask Aaron Kampman if he's improved". Giacomini has had offseason surgery though. At the very least, he's not going to be able to make the physical gains that are so instrumental to young lineman taking that next step. Probably he'll be better from a technique and consistency standpoint, but that injury might have set him back a year.

Barbre has been working hard in the offseason program for three years now. He's had no injury set backs. He's had three 2 full years in the same offense and is going on his third. It is a new position he's working at, but with the full offseason to prepare for the change and already knowing the terminology, he should have a legit shot to take the bull by the horns. 3rd year guys groomed have to be better than rookies, don't they?


Best case sinerio

Clifton has one more solid year protecting the blind side, giving the Packers enough time to groom a ready to play replacement

Colledge takes yet another step into the "no worry" club

Spitz locks down the center job, bringing a little more strength to the interior

Sitton becomes our 2nd best run blocking lineman after the new RT

Barbre becomes our most dominate run blocking lineman and he's teamed up with Sitton, making the right side the dominate running side

One of the guys at another forum was telling us how Breno was getting owned by Jeremy Thompson last pre-season.. I think Barbe has a shot at being the RT. Nice Post !

[Farley Face]

Re: Barbre preparing to compete at new spot: RT

Barbre Preparing To Compete At New Spot: RT


by Mike Spofford, Packers.com
posted 05/21/2009

Last year at this time, one of the storylines along the Packers' offensive line was the pending competition between Allen Barbre and Daryn Colledge for the starting left guard spot.

(more) http://www.packers.com/news/stories/2009/05/21/1/

That the Packers own website has ran this and the vid covering his workouts shows me they (the team) has high hopes for him. I believe the team has some control over the content of packers.com, so if they felt he was on the fringe they wouldn't be showcasing him like this.

How serious was Breno's surgery? I thought it was a fairly minor (not my surgery so easy to say minor) ankle surgery. It may be holding him out of some offseason lifting but is he expected to miss OTA work? Hopefully not, I'd like to see these two battle it out for the RT spot.

[RashanGary]

I get the same impression about Packers.com being on the same page with the Packers football people. If the coaches think a guy is having a good offseason, they'll find a way to get him some pub. I'd say it's pretty safe to say they think Barbre has a big time shot at being a big time player. Tramon Williams got some of that pub last year or the year before I think.


As far as Breno Giacomini, I got the same impression as you. It was a minor surgery that he should recover from in time for all work. Kampman has had some similar scopes where they just cleaned up his knee. He never missed a beat. Breno is a young guy though. He needs those first couple of off seasons to gain the strength. If he can't work out, I think we might not really see his full potential. Barbre on the other hand, he should be in prime physical condition and mentally ready to handle the starting gig on the outside where he can use his athleticism.

[RashanGary]

Barbre's best position might end up being RT. He's very athletic and is said to be one of the best Packer lineman in the one on one pass rushing/pass protection drills. In the pass game, OT's tend to have a lot of one on one battles on the outside. It seems to play to one of his strengths.

He also seems to be a bit of a slow learner (wonderlic extremely low). Tackle would be a spot where he would get less confusing stunts and blitzes. Also, if he ever does have a mental gaffe, at least Rodgers should see it coming as opposed to the left side where Rodgers would get blind sided.

He's a very strong guy, especially for his size. It would be nice to have a guy on the right side who could combine with Sitton to get a strong push.



Now we just have to hope he gets it. It seems like it could work out well, might be one of the big pleasant surprises of the season. It would be great to replace Tausch seamlessly. It would make replacing the LT not seem so burdensome.

[Farley Face]

I get the same impression about Packers.com being on the same page with the Packers football people. If the coaches think a guy is having a good offseason, they'll find a way to get him some pub. I'd say it's pretty safe to say they think Barbre has a big time shot at being a big time player. Tramon Williams got some of that pub last year or the year before I think.


As far as Breno Giacomini, I got the same impression as you. It was a minor surgery that he should recover from in time for all work. Kampman has had some similar scopes where they just cleaned up his knee. He never missed a beat. Breno is a young guy though. He needs those first couple of off seasons to gain the strength. If he can't work out, I think we might not really see his full potential. Barbre on the other hand, he should be in prime physical condition and mentally ready to handle the starting gig on the outside where he can use his athleticism.

My worry about Barbre has been the mental aspects. All reports I've read is he is not all that bright. Will the move to the right side (mostly a lefty with us to this point) and to tackle be more than he can handle? I think I've read the mental aspects are actually easier as a tackle than as a guard. Can anyone confirm?

[RashanGary]

ND, if he's around, knows a lot about the OL.

What say you, ND? Tackle less mentally demanding?

[Farley Face]

ND, if he's around, knows a lot about the OL.

What say you, ND? Tackle less mentally demanding?

Yeah, I was going to call on ND as well but I haven't seen him on here much lately. Hopefully he will chime in, he has much knowledge that I respect on this specific topic.

[Lurker64]

I don't know nearly as much about OL play as ND does, but it's my understanding that in the ZBS Left Guard is probably the most mentally demanding position, while Right Tackle is probably the least mentally demanding position as the assignments are anything but complicated. We basically either want a guy at RT who can maul (and Barbre has that potential) or a guy who can play mistake free football (which could be any of these guys, if they spend the whole offseason focusing on RT).

[Farley Face]

I don't know nearly as much about OL play as ND does, but it's my understanding that in the ZBS Left Guard is probably the most mentally demanding position, while Right Tackle is probably the least mentally demanding position as the assignments are anything but complicated. We basically either want a guy at RT who can maul (and Barbre has that potential) or a guy who can play mistake free football (which could be any of these guys, if they spend the whole offseason focusing on RT).

I rewatched the Tenn game from last year the other day and focused most of my attention on the O-line. If you remember, that is the game Cliffy went out really early, Colledge moved over to LT and Sitton played RG. Sitton was a mauling beast, I swear (editors note: I am no O line expert but I know what a Tenn D linemen looks like on his back). If Barbre and he team up and can road grate like that on a consistent basis we will be in great shape.

Has Barbre shown these same traits at the pro level, maybe in a preseason game I don't have DVR'd or during practices I haven't attended?? Or is it all speculation at this point?

He seems to fit the mold and he has been granted the time to develop.

[Packman_26]

Barbre reminds me of Mike Wahle. If I remember correctly, Wahle got moved around a lot early and finally caught on after a couple of years. I hope he can do the same.

[sharpe1027]

My confidence in Clifton has been shaken after last year. I hope I am wrong, but I have a feeling he won't be our starting tackle for the full year. Not sure where that leaves them as Colledge would be the best replacement there.