O-line discussion

[sheepshead]

I have said this many times, but look at OL free agents and the shelf life of OL's. By the time you get one coming off a 3 or 4 year contract they are looking for 4-5 years of guarantees. No way. These guys (there are exceptions I know) just do not last that long. I am not saying dont look, but its very much a buyer beware situation. I am certain TT looks every year. But until you find that healthy diamond in the rough that has not been beat to crap, I'm with TT in keeping the fresh legs and backs in there and develop these guys.

[wist43]

Don't get me wrong... I am an advocate of building from within. But at some point the OL deserves more attention than just throwing 86 6th round draft choices at it, and hoping that 3 of them turn into Hutchinson, Thomas, and Jones.

I agree... it is difficult to hit on FA OL. Would have to do some research so see who has turned out and who hasn't, but alas - I'm lazy

[The Shadow]

As long as we can avoid DE's whose last names begin with 'O', we should be ok.

[Bretsky]

BRING BACK LARRY BEIGHTOL !!!!

AMEN AMEN AMEN

Why did we let that guy go anyways ? I often wonder.

Seems like the guy might have been strong willed...loud...and with an ego

But solid solid coach

[Partial]

BRING BACK LARRY BEIGHTOL !!!!

AMEN AMEN AMEN

Why did we let that guy go anyways ? I often wonder.

Seems like the guy might have been strong willed...loud...and with an ego

But solid solid coach

I could get behind this.

[Bretsky]

Who let Larry B go ? If my memory is right it was MM who didn't hire him back. It would fit his initial profile of hiring yes sir coaches before fixing the mess last year

[pbmax]

MM and TT have, from the word go, been advocates of OL playing multiple positions; and, while having some flexibility is a good thing, it can't outweigh the continuity and consistency that can only come with players getting reps in one spot, and knowing how the guy next to them is going to react in a given situation.

Bouncing players from position to position has been the norm in Green Bay since MM arrived, and the OL has been crap more often than not - and its struggles have been particularly glaring at the beginning of each season - a testament to the fact that there is no continuity on the line, and that it takes them the better part of a season to get it dialed in.

Except wist, had you been paying attention, the starters didn't move around AT ALL this preseason or camp. It was the same five in the same positions except for Wells and Spitz splitting time with the 1s at Center.

Sitton, Barbre, Colledge and Clifton didn't move. Spitz had some time at guard until after PS Game 2 when he won the battle for Center. Lang played 3 spots for a week, then only 2; Dietrich-Smith played 2 spots, Preston played 2 spots and Moll played LT almost exclusively.

Since you state that it takes less than a season to regain communication and continuity, that can't be the explanation. It does, however, explain the lack of a game ready backup LT.

[pbmax]

Who let Larry B go ? If my memory is right it was MM who didn't hire him back. It would fit his initial profile of hiring yes sir coaches before fixing the mess last year

You don't know that he hired yes sir coaches. He hired Jags to run ZBS with Philbin. That was not Beightol's specialty.

And Beightol retired after a less than stellar one year with the Lions, for which he was fired.

[Bretsky]

Who let Larry B go ? If my memory is right it was MM who didn't hire him back. It would fit his initial profile of hiring yes sir coaches before fixing the mess last year

You don't know that he hired yes sir coaches. He hired Jags to run ZBS with Philbin. That was not Beightol's specialty.

And Beightol retired after a less than stellar one year with the Lions, for which he was fired.

I don't know anything just stating my views
Nottenheimer/Vanilla Bob....just guys he was comfy with

[pbmax]

Who let Larry B go ? If my memory is right it was MM who didn't hire him back. It would fit his initial profile of hiring yes sir coaches before fixing the mess last year

You don't know that he hired yes sir coaches. He hired Jags to run ZBS with Philbin. That was not Beightol's specialty.

And Beightol retired after a less than stellar one year with the Lions, for which he was fired.

I don't know anything just stating my views
Nottenheimer/Vanilla Bob....just guys he was comfy with

I think Packer Update guy had it right. These were the kind of guys willing to commit to the unknown coach. His level of respect has gone up. Needs results now.

[wist43]

MM and TT have, from the word go, been advocates of OL playing multiple positions; and, while having some flexibility is a good thing, it can't outweigh the continuity and consistency that can only come with players getting reps in one spot, and knowing how the guy next to them is going to react in a given situation.

Bouncing players from position to position has been the norm in Green Bay since MM arrived, and the OL has been crap more often than not - and its struggles have been particularly glaring at the beginning of each season - a testament to the fact that there is no continuity on the line, and that it takes them the better part of a season to get it dialed in.

Except wist, had you been paying attention, the starters didn't move around AT ALL this preseason or camp. It was the same five in the same positions except for Wells and Spitz splitting time with the 1s at Center.

Sitton, Barbre, Colledge and Clifton didn't move. Spitz had some time at guard until after PS Game 2 when he won the battle for Center. Lang played 3 spots for a week, then only 2; Dietrich-Smith played 2 spots, Preston played 2 spots and Moll played LT almost exclusively.

Since you state that it takes less than a season to regain communication and continuity, that can't be the explanation. It does, however, explain the lack of a game ready backup LT.

They've played 2 games... less than 2 games as a starting unit - of course that can serve as a partial explanation.

If history serves as an example... without doing any research, my recollection is that the OL didn't start to gel in any of the previous seasons of MM's patchwork approach until about week 8 or so.

Lot of factors contributing to the mess... but a mess it is.

[mmmdk]

MM and TT have, from the word go, been advocates of OL playing multiple positions; and, while having some flexibility is a good thing, it can't outweigh the continuity and consistency that can only come with players getting reps in one spot, and knowing how the guy next to them is going to react in a given situation.

Bouncing players from position to position has been the norm in Green Bay since MM arrived, and the OL has been crap more often than not - and its struggles have been particularly glaring at the beginning of each season - a testament to the fact that there is no continuity on the line, and that it takes them the better part of a season to get it dialed in.

Except wist, had you been paying attention, the starters didn't move around AT ALL this preseason or camp. It was the same five in the same positions except for Wells and Spitz splitting time with the 1s at Center.

Sitton, Barbre, Colledge and Clifton didn't move. Spitz had some time at guard until after PS Game 2 when he won the battle for Center. Lang played 3 spots for a week, then only 2; Dietrich-Smith played 2 spots, Preston played 2 spots and Moll played LT almost exclusively.

Since you state that it takes less than a season to regain communication and continuity, that can't be the explanation. It does, however, explain the lack of a game ready backup LT.

They've played 2 games... less than 2 games as a starting unit - of course that can serve as a partial explanation.

If history serves as an example... without doing any research, my recollection is that the OL didn't start to gel in any of the previous seasons of MM's patchwork approach until about week 8 or so.

Lot of factors contributing to the mess... but a mess it is.

Week 8 2006 win vs Cards: 203 yards rushing, 3 rush TDs, no sacks allowed.
Week 8 2007 win at Broncos: 105 yards rushing, 0 rush TDs, 1 sack allowed.
Week 8 2008: Open date
Week 9 2008 loss at Titans: 102 yards rushing, 0 rush TDs, 4 sacks allowed.
Week 8 2009 ? vs Vikings: ? yards rushing, ? rush TDs, ? sacks allowed.