O-line discussion

[Patler]

We have good comments from lots of people in lots of different threads. An old guy like me losses track of who said what, where. So I am hoping we can concentrate discussion of the O-line in one thread. Random thoughts to get it going:

1 - In the off-season I questioned (as did others) whether Campen was ready for the job when he got it. Coaching experience in the O-line is very, very limited. To quote one of my favorite writers, (me ):

I have questioned Campen's ascension before. His coaching resume includes 9 years as a high school football coach (4 as DC, 5 as HC), two seasons in the infamous "quality control" position with the Packers, one season as a full assistant line coach, and then he became the offensive line coach the next season.

Campen went from coaching high school to the NFL, and after three seasons was put in charge of the O-line, to teaching a scheme he has very little experience with. His assistant, Fontenot has a long NFL career, but no coaching experience. He was a summer intern in 2006 and hung around as an unpaid assistant during the season. The next year he was promoted to the full time assistant line coach position.

The Packers have playing experience in their O-line coaching staff, but not a lot of relevant coaching experience. That inexperience, coupled with the influx of rookie lineman every year, very well could have slowed development of the O-line as a whole and the players individually.

2. - Have the Packers, with Campen leading the way, screwed up some decent O-line talent:

I read an article the last day or two that I wanted to post a link for, but now I can't find it. Does anyone else remember the following:

The article quoted one of the infamous "anonymous NFL scouts", who essentially said the feeling around the league is that TT has done a very good job in drafting O-line talent with Colledge, Spitz, Barbre and Sitton; but the coaching staff so far has totally botched their development, primarily from trying to cross-train them so much. I got the impression that MM's proclamation of letting guys settle into a position may have been mandated from higher up.

3. - For three years in a row, this O-line has started out very, very poorly. I believe they have talent, as shown by their performances later in the year; but it takes them half the season to get going.

4. - Time for a new O-line staff?

5. - Some insist Colledge is an LT masquerading as a LG. I've never been real comfortable banking on him at LT, long term. Looks like we might get the chance to find out, with Colledge preparing and playing there for a while.

6. - Can Jamon Meredith develop into an NFL left tackle, and how quickly? I really do not see anyone else on the roster for the spot. Even Meredith isn't "on the roster" in the classic sense, being on P.S.

[red]

i thought we cut meredith?

did we sign him to the PS?

[denverYooper]

i thought we cut meredith?

did we sign him to the PS?

yes.

[mraynrand]

Campen was brought aboard for his skill in speaking to Brett Favre.

[Pugger]

How serious is Cliffy's injury? Will he be out for any length of time? Do we need to look for more bodies there?

[Freak Out]

I find it hard to believe that there is not a better O-line coach available....considering how poorly this line has performed something has to change.

[Fritz]

What's the word on Clifton's injury?

As for the rest, this is a good week to get things turned around. It starts with run-blocking - if defensive linemen are teeing off, run at them so the offensive lineman can be the aggressor a little.

[Freak Out]

What's the word on Clifton's injury?

As for the rest, this is a good week to get things turned around. It starts with run-blocking - if defensive linemen are teeing off, run at them so the offensive lineman can be the aggressor a little.

We need to go back to the old "run the ball to set up the pass" mentality before Rodgers gets himself seriously injured.

[FritzDontBlitz]

As far as the multiple position thing goes, I think it'll help them further down the line in their careers by making them versatile enough to step in at any position. Right now they need to either let them focus on one spot or bring in some veterans to start while the younger guys take more time to develop. OJT at o-line can get your franchise QB killed.

[retailguy]

Look, I've been on the oline bandwagon for the past 3 years now. I've sat dumbfounded as people kept insisting that they were better than they are. I didn't see it then, and I don't see it now.

I stated last week that I thought they were "adequate" and in spite of the criticism I've received for that statement, I stand behind it. Patler, I completely agree they are a talented bunch. They should play better than they do.

Each of them (except Barbre, and he's too new yet) have had a couple of spectacular games. Each of them (including Barbre) have had their share of clunkers too. I'm of the opinion that there is no consistency. None. One week, plays lights out, next week, plays for crap. Meanwhile that pattern is reversed with another lineman.

I'd never spent time laying the blame at the feet of the coaching staff, and maybe that's appropriate. I don't know. I'm not at practice, I dont' follow coaches comments either. But, they damn sure don't look ready to play consistently good football. They have never seemed to be a cohesive group. Always like a box of mismatched parts. All good parts, but they don't seem to fit together well.

The movement of positions, the shuffling of starters, the switch in offensive philsophy, can all be blamed, but at the end of the day, as our fearless leader says, good football players just play football.

I'm still waiting for that to happen. Later tonight, I'll go find some of my comments, both new and old, and post them for your review, and criticism if any are inclined.

Also, I'm one of the guys that has touted Colledge as a better tackle than a guard. One of the things that I really liked when he came out of college was his footwork. I thought he had the feet of an LT, though he was a bit small. I was very disappointed in how he played in relief yesterday. If that's the best he's got, we're in deep trouble, but I think, given some practice reps there this week, we'll see a dramatic improvment. If we don't, then, well I don't know what to say.

[retailguy]

What's the word on Clifton's injury?

As for the rest, this is a good week to get things turned around. It starts with run-blocking - if defensive linemen are teeing off, run at them so the offensive lineman can be the aggressor a little.

I read somewhere this morning that the tests were negative and he's got a sprained ankle. Not sure if it's the dreaded high ankle sprain or not.

[mmmdk]

What's the word on Clifton's injury?

As for the rest, this is a good week to get things turned around. It starts with run-blocking - if defensive linemen are teeing off, run at them so the offensive lineman can be the aggressor a little.

I read somewhere this morning that the tests were negative and he's got a sprained ankle. Not sure if it's the dreaded high ankle sprain or not.

I'm hoping for the medium rare ankle sprain...

[Scott Campbell]

BRING BACK LARRY BEIGHTOL !!!!

[MadScientist]

BRING BACK LARRY BEIGHTOL !!!!

Wouldn't mind that. The o-line was decent under him.

Here's another thought, how about bringing Jags back to coach the o-line. He couldn't cut it as a coordinator, but he should be able to do something with the line. Can't be any worse that Campen.

[Old School]

I don't know how much Colledge's sprained foot hurt his play yesterday. To his credit he didn't use it as an excuse, but owned up to a poor performance.

Bottom line though, if this doesn't get corrected, Aaron is going to get killed, and we'll spend Monday's critiquing Flynn - until they carry him off.