tauscher next to sign

[pbmax]

While I really want Tausch signed, I also really want someone developed behind him. We can't be so vulnerable if he's injured.

We're fine there.

How do you think they're offense will play, big guy?

We're fine there.

You forgot:

[Joemailman]

If the Packers sign an OT early and both Colledge and Spitz return, there will be a pretty competitive situation on the OL:

LT: Clifton/Lang/Rookie
LG: Colledge/Lang/Spitz
C: Wells/Spitz/EDS
RG: Sitton/Spitz
RT: Tauscher/Lang/Giacomini

The big battle will probably be at LG, with the winner joining Clifton, Wells, Sitton and Tauscher in the starting lineup.

[Bretsky]

it's no guarantee TT will sign Tausch but it sounds like AROD really would like it

Aaron Rodgers is pulling for the Packers to re-sign impending free agent RT Mark Tauscher.
"Without a doubt," Rodgers said. "He was a big part of our success." Signed off the street in-season, Tauscher entered the lineup in October. He wound up starting the last eight regular season games, and Green Bay won seven of them. The 32-year-old appears to have something


THE STATS

After giving up 37 sacks in the first eight games of the season, the Packers have allowed just 14 in the final eight games.
A lot of credit goes to RT Mark Tauscher, who joined the team in late October to replace the struggling trio of Allen Barbre, Breno Giacomini and TJ Lang

[Lurker64]

If the Packers sign an OT early and both Colledge and Spitz return, there will be a pretty competitive situation on the OL:

LT: Clifton/Lang/Rookie
LG: Colledge/Lang/Spitz
C: Wells/Spitz/EDS
RG: Sitton/Spitz
RT: Tauscher/Lang/Giacomini

The big battle will probably be at LG, with the winner joining Clifton, Wells, Sitton and Tauscher in the starting lineup.

Whichever rookie we draft as Clifton's successor, may also be in the mix for RT duty (as a backup at least) as it's common NFL practice to groom future left tackles on the right side (c.f. Michael Oher, Andre Smith, and Jason Smith last year). So it's entirely possible/probable that both Giacomini and Barbre may be shown the door if they don't drastically improve over last year.

Clifton, Lang, Sitton, Colledge, Wells, Spitz, Tauscher, and whichever rookie we draft to be the successor to Clifton would occupy 8 roster spots. Last year we started the season (the above, minus Tauscher and the rookie, plus Barbre, Giacomini, and EDS) with 9 offensive linemen on the roster, so I wouldn't expect them to keep more than 10 on the final roster. If we only keep nine and we sign Tauscher, you could very well have Barbre, Giacomini, and Evan Dietrich-Smith battling for the final roster spot for offensive linemen.

[packerbacker1234]

When tauch came in the Line looked completely different. He made a big impact, if anythign other then providing more leadership on that OL.

Mark will be starting this year if signed, but we are fine if he goes down for a game or two thanks to barbe, who proved he is a decent RT if we need him to play.

[Gunakor]

While I really want Tausch signed, I also really want someone developed behind him. We can't be so vulnerable if he's injured.

Isn't Lang in line to start at RT, with or without Tauscher?

If Lang beats out Tauscher, then we have an outstanding team leader who can backup a few positions. But I don't buy that Lang is better.

We need depth at positions. Signing Tauscher would be a huge land for Green Bay.

GET IT DONE

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I don't think Tauscher could back up at multiple positions or has even played multiple positions. If I'm remembering correctly, he's been a RT his whole career, dating all the way back to his career as a Badger. If there were a need for a quality backup at another position, it's more likely they move Lang over to that position and stick Tauscher in at RT. Musical chairs on the OL for another year. Knowing Tauscher is only a RT, do you keep him if he doesn't win the starting gig? I'm not certain I would.

That said, I'm fairly sure that as long as Mark takes care of himself this offseason he'll have little trouble winning that starting spot. I'm almost as sure that Lang would do just fine there if Tauscher weren't signed. I guess I'm rather indifferent here. For the future, it's better to start Lang out this season. For this season, it's better that Tauscher start there. I guess I'm happy either way. I'm just happy it's not Barbre.

[Pugger]

Tauscher's leadership might be worth signing him if nothing else!

[vince]

If Tausch is signed, I think the best scenario is with him starting at RT and Lang battling Colledge at LG, with the loser being the first man off the bench.

I like Lang more than Colledge at LG at this point personally - both short- and long-term, but I also like him better than Colledge at Tackle if/when needed. He's not as agile on the second level perhaps, but he's more stout protecting Rodgers, which is job 1 in this offense. Given the value of stability along the line, Clifton/Tauscher's age and probability of being out of the lineup at some point, and the fact that Lang is also more effective at tackle if/when needed there, I'm not sure if he's not more valuable as a roving backup than as a starting LG.

You can win with Colledge at Guard, but last year was an indication that maybe you can't win - at least against elite teams - with him at Tackle, so having him be the primary backup there is problematic to me. If Clifton goes down again, it's hard to believe that they would want to make two changes to the line again, so perhaps the best route is to have Lang be the backup at 4 spots, even though he's better than Colledge.

I understand the sentiment that Wells played well enough to retain his position at center, although I still like Spitz there more if he's 100%.

All good "problems" to have, at least going into the year.

[RashanGary]

I agree, Vince, I don't doubt that Lang can be a better LG than Colledge, but Colledge is serviceable at LG and nobody behind Tauscher is serviceable at RT other than Lang. Hell, nobody behind Clifton is serviceable at LT. Lang is our best bet in both instances. I'd rather see Lang be the primary backup just because our tackles are so old and Lang will give us our best chance in win in case of an injury.

[packrulz]

When healthy, this is the o-line that would be the strongest, in my opinion:
LT=Clifton
LG=Lang
C=Spitz
RG=Sitton
RT=Taucher

[rbaloha1]

Colledge is a punk. Fortunate TT provided a generous contract for an over confident mediocre player.

Lang is future starter at whatever position the coaching staff deems appropriate. Tauscher should be resigned and retire as a Packer.

[Chubbyhubby]

Re: tauscher next to sign

i just saw posted somewhere else that mark is also very close to signing a new deal

great news

get it done TT

it was on the http://www.packerupdate.net page it is under the news and notes section on the right side of the page...

[Joemailman]

Having a young talented guy like Lang pushing him might be enough to get Colledge to get his head out of his arse and play up to his potential. When healthy, the competition at C, LG and RT should make everyone better.

[pbmax]

Having a young talented guy like Lang pushing him might be enough to get Colledge to get his head out of his arse and play up to his potential. When healthy, the competition at C, LG and RT should make everyone better.

Also being ticked he got nothing but the second round tender (and that he might not have scored that tender if the Packers could have gotten away with an original round tender) might help as well.

As for Mark, the stats cited earlier for Tauscher's effect on the line are an overestimation of his impact. The ninth game of the season, when Tauscher returned was the Cowboy game. It was also the return to form of Clifton from injury and the change in game plan from McCarthy and the shouldering of more reponsibility by Rodgers for play calling. So Tauscher is fine, but he is not -23 sacks fine.

[red]

this is a done deal

its a 2 year deal

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/14/report-tauscher-returns-to-packers/