Battle At Left Guard?

[Joemailman]

MM said today that Bulaga is being given a chance to battle for the starting spot. He took some reps there with the 1st team today. Definitely something to watch Saturday night.

Probably bad news for Barbre. Wouldn't be surprised to see him cut very soon.

[red]

what's that say about colledge?

[Guiness]

Battling for starter at LG?

Don't know if I like that...I know some guys will slide over from LG to LT, but I'd rather see him spend his career at the tackle spot.

[red]

Battling for starter at LG?

Don't know if I like that...I know some guys will slide over from LG to LT, but I'd rather see him spend his career at the tackle spot.

i'm torn on that too. i'd love to see him just stuck at backup LT and stay there until its time for him to start

on the other hand, if he gets the starting job at LG, he'll get a ton a real game experience until clifton retires

and if he can improve what seems to be the weak spot on our line then great

[Brandon494]

Don't like that at all, keep him at LT as insurance in case Clifton goes down. I have no problem with keeping Colledge at LG.

Also saw they moved Barbe from LG to LT which I absolutely hate

[Lurker64]

Also saw they moved Barbe from LG to LT which I absolutely hate

I think this is "Allen Barbre's last chance". He was a bust at RT, he can't cut it at LG, so give him a chance to demonstrate that he can play the position he played in college, otherwise he's gone.

[Brandon494]

Greg_A_Bedard: Even if Bulaga starts, if Clifton goes down, Bulaga moves to LT, Colledge to LG. Barbre only gets reps when Clifton rests

That makes more sense.

[mission]

Also saw they moved Barbe from LG to LT which I absolutely hate

I think this is "Allen Barbre's last chance". He was a bust at RT, he can't cut it at LG, so give him a chance to demonstrate that he can play the position he played in college, otherwise he's gone.

ya, plus that's 3rd string LT. barbre was 2nd team lt with bulaga at LG but if clifton went down, it's not barbre getting the nod.

i like it -- he seems like the kind of guy that can just go in there and maul someone in front of him. i don't think it will hurt his progress as it did with some guys with way more questionable talent. seems like the kid can flat out play, let's get him on the field and not judge this based on colledge...

[Lurker64]

I think a large part of giving Bulaga reps at LG are because he's been so impressive so far in camp, they're looking for a way to get him on the field. If they're convinced that already he's good enough at LT that they're comfortable with him if Clifton is out, why not give him a shot? If nothing else, maybe it will light that fire under Colledge that apparently needs to be set regularly.

Plus, unlike some of our conversion projects, Bulaga played both LG and LT in college. So neither will require teaching him a completely new position. He'll need to adjust to the NFL game, but fundamentals are fundamentals at any level.

[Joemailman]

Also saw they moved Barbe from LG to LT which I absolutely hate

I think this is "Allen Barbre's last chance". He was a bust at RT, he can't cut it at LG, so give him a chance to demonstrate that he can play the position he played in college, otherwise he's gone.

I think it means Barbre is likely out the door. If he couldn't pass block at RT, not much chance he can handle the premier pass rushers he'll see at LT. My guess is they want Colledge to have some real competition, and Barbre wasn't providing it.

[Patler]

Pretty simple. If Bulaga is one of the five best linemen (in combination), put him on the field. If he is better than Colledge, Spitz and Barbre at LG, put him on the field.

For all the complaints about Clifton's injuries, until last year he didn't miss any games for injuries since the Sapp incident. In the six years since then, he had missed just two games, one because of the flu and another when he had an adverse reaction to a medication. None because of injuries. He could end up playing all 16 again this year.

Clifton also could decide to play again next year. If Bulaga is as good as they say, I don't want him sitting the bench for two seasons waiting for Clifton to retire.

Clifton-Bulaga-Wells/Spitz-Sitton-Tauscher/Lang

Works for me.

[Scott Campbell]

Bulaga can move over to LT if Cliffy gets hurt just as easily from the LG position as he can from the bench. If he's better than Colledge, let him play.

[Packman_26]

Bulaga can move over to LT if Cliffy gets hurt just as easily from the LG position as he can from the bench. If he's better than Colledge, let him play.

But I think the question is if working at left guard will hurt his development at left tackle. Maybe he can switch and be great at both, but I will say that the Packers have not had much luck in recent years when lineman move around.

[Brandon494]

Clifton-Bulaga-Wells/Spitz-Sitton-Tauscher/Lang

Works for me.

+1

Would rather have Spitz start though but Wells will prob get the nod

[retailguy]

But I think the question is if working at left guard will hurt his development at left tackle. Maybe he can switch and be great at both, but I will say that the Packers have not had much luck in recent years when lineman move around.

This mirrors my thoughts. Good post.