Starting O-line: Clifton, Colledge, Spitz, Sitton, Barbre

[gbpackfan]

Discuss....

[gbpackfan]

Okay, I'll start. Great topic, whoever posted it!

Wells has got to be destroyed by this decision. He may want out. You don't start for a couple years and then fight your way back from an injury just to be satisified sitting the bench. Trade?

Gaicomalsdjoaisdalskmdmimnini is still probably another year away. But if Barbre f's up, he'll be ready.

[Lurker64]

Well, Wells may be unhappy and may have value in a trade, but our only other backup Cs are Preston (who stinks on ice) and Dietrich-Smith (who is really raw). So I suppose it comes down to how much he's worth versus how unhappy he is vs. how much confidence the coaches have in Dietrich-Smith.

[pittstang5]

Okay, I'll start. Great topic, whoever posted it!

Wells has got to be destroyed by this decision. He may want out. You don't start for a couple years and then fight your way back from an injury just to be satisified sitting the bench. Trade?

Gaicomalsdjoaisdalskmdmimnini is still probably another year away. But if Barbre f's up, he'll be ready.

Yeah, I mentioned in another post that Wells has to know that he's as good as gone. If he could back up a guard position, he might have a chance, but he hasn't played there since Sherman was coach. I don't know if he'd be any better than what they have now at any of the guard spots. It's a numbers game, looks like Scotty's gonna lose out.

Trade? - I'd love to get something for him, but every team has got to think that the Packers aren't going to keep a back-up center - or rather a player that can only play center. They'll wait to pick him up as a free agent.

Plus, are there any teams out there that need a decent starting center?

[Lurker64]

Plus, are there any teams out there that need a decent starting center?

The Vikings...

[The Shadow]

Why not this :
LT: Clifton (backup Meredith - or Colledge)
LG: Colledge (backup Lang)
C: Spitz (backup Wells)
RG: Sitton (backup Spitz - Wells would then play center))
RT: Barbre (backup Giacomini)

That's an O line corp of only 9.

[Fred's Slacks]

I don't think Wells is as good as gone. I think the battle is on now for the backup C position between Wells, Preston and Dietrick-Smith. May the best man win. Ideally I think they'd like their backup to be able to play all the interior positions but I think they are fine without it because they can always move Spitz around and insert the backup into the center spot. I think the final roster will look like this:

RT Barbre Giaco
RG Sitton Spitz
C Spitz Wells/Preston/Dietrick-Smith
LG College Spitz Lang
LT Clifton College Meridith

I know what MM said about not sliding people around as much but when it comes down to it you can only keep 8 or 9 OL. You have to be flexible if you have any developmental prospects and you have to keep your best guys.

[Fred's Slacks]

Nice post Shadow. Beat me to it.

[gbpackfan]

After thinking it over, I firmly believe that Wells will be on the roster come Sept. 6th. Spitz will move over if either G is hurt and Wells will come in and play C. Gia will back up at RT and Colledge will back up at LT. And if Clifton gets hurt, that will again shift the line for Wells to come in.

I agree with the other posters, here is the depth chart (1st and 2nd string)

LT Clifton, Colledge
LG Colledge, Spitz
C Spitz, Wells
RG Sitton, Spitz
RT Barbre, Gia

[Partial]

So, if Wells is a top 3-4 linemen, does that mean that Spitz clearly is a top 3-4 linemen as well, and Sitton too? That speaks volumes about the quality of the line play seen thus far. It has been very impressive thus far in PS.

[Partial]

So, if Wells is a top 3-4 linemen, does that mean that Spitz clearly is a top 3-4 linemen as well, and Sitton too? That speaks volumes about the quality of the line play seen thus far. It has been very impressive thus far in PS.

[Lurker64]

So, if Wells is a top 3-4 linemen, does that mean that Spitz clearly is a top 3-4 linemen as well, and Sitton too? That speaks volumes about the quality of the line play seen thus far. It has been very impressive thus far in PS.

Definitely, in a reverse of the beginning of the Thompson era, the strength of the offensive line is the interior. It will be interesting to see how we replace our left tackle next year, and whether Giacomini or Barbre can be good at RT (though they don't have to do much to be better than Tauscher was last year).

[Partial]

So, if Wells is a top 3-4 linemen, does that mean that Spitz clearly is a top 3-4 linemen as well, and Sitton too? That speaks volumes about the quality of the line play seen thus far. It has been very impressive thus far in PS.

Definitely, in a reverse of the beginning of the Thompson era, the strength of the offensive line is the interior. It will be interesting to see how we replace our left tackle next year, and whether Giacomini or Barbre can be good at RT (though they don't have to do much to be better than Wahle was last year).

I think you're writing off Clifton. Dude looks like an all-pro once again and is evidently as healthy as he has been in years. Guys a fighter and could very well retire a Packer. After all, lifelong Packers should

[Lurker64]

I think you're writing off Clifton. Dude looks like an all-pro once again and is evidently as healthy as he has been in years. Guys a fighter and could very well retire a Packer. After all, lifelong Packers should

Oh, there's nothing wrong with Clifton for this year (though his run blocking will probably not be great), it's just that he's 33, in a contract year, has many surgeries behind him, and he's on the downside of his career.

I could very much see Clifton decide to hang it up after this year, or Thompson deciding that with all the contracts for the younger guys he has to deal with this year (Collins, Kampman, and Colledge notably) that Clifton's contract is less of a priority.

Regardless, he's not going to play too many more years and replacing Clifton is going to be an important (and difficult) job for TT.

[BobDobbs]

Overall, I'm excited to see the new line. It's definitely a burlier, meaner line. We are surely going to see some mistakes due to inexperience, but eventually these guys will get all the blitzes, stunts, and techniques they can stomach thrown at them and their recognition will improve. If we can keep healthy we should have a better line than last year, but our pass protection at the right tackle spot will slip from years past.

As far as Wells, the Packers are a better team with both Spitz and Wells on the roster. The only reason to trade him would be if the offer was too good to pass up. I'd say a third round pick. I don't think anyone is going to offer a three. Wells isn't going to like being a backup, but he's a warrior and intelligent. He understands that injuries are part of the game and he may very well see significant playing time.

The elephant in the thread here is Tony Moll. He's been the number two left tackle in camp, there is a very good chance that he is on the regular season roster. It's a terrible thought, but I think it is the truth. He can back up a whole bunch of spots and he's got experience in the system. Actually that's another reason for keeping Wells. Having him on the team means that there is less of a chance that Moll will play.

If the Packers keep 9 OL instead of ten they clearly keep Wells and Giacomini. Then I think there is one spot for either Preston or Dietrich-Smith. No idea there. And then one for Moll or Meredith. I think they go with Moll and hope that Meredith clears waivers.

Overall, we may have finally recovered from losing Wahle, Flanagan, Rivera in one fell swoop. The rest of the offense is ready to go. If this group can even play at a middlin' professional level we will score ALOT of points this season.