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

[BobDobbs]

Never mind the trade talk. It looks like our backup center saw it coming and has been working on his own backup plan.

http://www.scottwellsdance.com/

[gbpackfan]

That looks really, really gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that! :P

[pittstang5]

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

Good thought there...something I didn't even think about. The versatility of Spitz...well all the other players, may keep Wells around.

[Fritz]

I would definitely advocate keeping Wells. If a guard gets hurt Spitz can slide over.

How about this? - Clifton, Colledge, Lang, Spitz, Wells, Sitton, Giacomini, Barbre - and Meredith.

I just have too many bad Tony Moll memories.

[pbmax]

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.

It probably means Spitz and Colledge grade out ahead of him and possibly Clifton. So he is one of the best five. But the drop to Sitton is probably small when Wells is graded as a guard. At that position, being nearly even, the edge goes to size.

I hope they both prove worthy of it. It will be nice to get bigger, but Wells was dependable.

From McCarthy's post practice comments, it sounds like Sitton was the first domino to fall. They saw what they wanted in him, so wanted to find a spot for him. Then it was a matter of who starts at center.

[pbmax]

I would definitely advocate keeping Wells. If a guard gets hurt Spitz can slide over.

How about this? - Clifton, Colledge, Lang, Spitz, Wells, Sitton, Giacomini, Barbre - and Meredith.

I just have too many bad Tony Moll memories.

Understandable, but Meredith has yet (with maybe one day's exception) to force the coaches to give him #2 reps ahead of Moll. Moll can also play anywhere but center if need be.

[Bretsky]

This starting lineup makes all the sense in the world.

Short term it's probably about the same quality as with Wells at Center as Barbre will go through some growning pains. Long term this was an easy choice.

But if we want to have a stable, above average OL going forward, we can't have Wells anchoring the middle. Too many DL get a huge push on him and collapse the pocket against the run and pass.

I think there is a possibility TT is looking around for somebody to give him a 4th for Wells but I doubt anybody would bit on that. So we keep Wells as a stable backup........which is really what he should be.

[KYPack]

This starting lineup makes all the sense in the world.

Short term it's probably about the same quality as with Wells at Center as Barbre will go through some growning pains. Long term this was an easy choice.

But if we want to have a stable, above average OL going forward, we can't have Wells anchoring the middle. Too many DL get a huge push on him and collapse the pocket against the run and pass.

I think there is a possibility TT is looking around for somebody to give him a 4th for Wells but I doubt anybody would bit on that. So we keep Wells as a stable backup........which is really what he should be.

Well, this is one of a very few points that I totally used to disagree with ya, B. Scott Wells was a better center than Jason Spitz. Yes, Scott had trouble with the Williams boys, Wilfork, etc. So does Olin Kruetz. Jason Spitz is taller, but Scott is very strong and quicker than Spitz.

Spitz also had trouble in another area. He was a lousy snapper. In the 3 games he started last season at C, he had a bad snap in each game. He really had trouble in the shotgun. He was so worried about bad snaps, he made a poor transition from snapping to blocking. For those reasons, I've always felt Scott was our best solution at center.

Until this year. Spitz has made a quantum leap in his play in the shotgun. Against Buffalo, he looked like a different player. He made perfect, quick and accurate snaps every play in the gun. Moreover, his transistion to his blocking assignment was fast and seamless.

So I give up.

Start Spitz. Keep Wells. With Wells we have back-up at center and if Sitton goes down, Spitzy moves back to RG. We need Scott way more than we need a 4th or 5th choice in the 2010 draft.

[Harlan Huckleby]

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?

Tough shit, he's a below average starter.

No way would I trade him. Think about it, his presence gives the team quality depth from end to end, since they have a couple guys who can change positions. There is a big drop off from Wells to the next best O lineman.

[Harlan Huckleby]

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 wouldn't trade Wells for a #3. If ANY player on the offensive line gets injured, they NEED Wells to start. You know it is going to happen. Why jeopardize the season? The other backups are bums, or in the case of Lang and Giacomini, not ready to play.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Moll can also play anywhere but center if need be.

Depending on what you mean by "play".

[Tarlam!]

We need Scott way more than we need a 4th or 5th choice in the 2010 draft.

Truer words were never spoken.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I would definitely advocate keeping Wells. If a guard gets hurt Spitz can slide over.

How about this? - Clifton, Colledge, Lang, Spitz, Wells, Sitton, Giacomini, Barbre - and Meredith.

I just have too many bad Tony Moll memories.

I'm with you. We have insurance if Clifton gets hurt--move Colledge to LT, Spitz to LG, and Wells to C. I'd like to see a developmental type kept. I think Moll has tapped out his potential.

[rbaloha1]

Outside of Clifton, the line is young, tough and athletic. Its a collection of players that could be together for 3-5 seasons.

Expect better inside runs and cutback lanes due to the ability of the linemen to reach the second level and stay engaged with their target.

[bobblehead]

sorry if i'm rehashing, but wells is the backup for 4 positions effectively.

Backup center.
Backup LG (spitz over, wells center)
Backup RG (same deal)
Backup LT (college over, spitz over, wells center)
Only the backup RT will be giacominni, otherwise wells is in.