Battle At Left Guard?

[Joemailman]

Bulaga will still get plenty of reps at LT because Clifton doesn't practice every day.

McCarthy's complete comments on the move:

http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/Mike-McCarthy-Press-Conference-Transcript---Aug-9/77ddf167-8daa-4d1a-b7ae-8bc58c40c1c0

(Bulaga got some work at left guard. Can you talk about the decision there?)
Bryan Bulaga, we felt to this point that he has earned an opportunity to compete for a starting position. Our intent throughout the spring and going into training camp was to work him exclusively at left tackle. I have been very impressed with his body of work to this point, and we’re going to give him an opportunity to compete with Daryn Colledge and Allen Barbre at the left guard position.

(You initially said Bulaga would only work at left tackle, so what changed?)
As I have stated already, Bryan Bulaga has earned the opportunity to compete for a starting position. Our intent was to keep him at one position, which we did throughout the spring and to this point. I am really impressed with his body of work so far, and he has earned the right to compete for a starting position on our offensive line.

(When did you start to feel that way?)
Probably the middle of last week was when I started thinking about it. I discussed it with the line coaches on Friday and then we had a long conversation about it last night and then we made a decision this morning.

(Is it a testament to Bryan or the other guys’ play?)
It’s the coaching. It’s clearly the coaching. (laughs). It’s a testament to Bryan. Bryan has come in here, I mean, he’s talented, he’s tough, he’s doing things the right way. He’s got a lot of football in front of him. He’s got a lot to learn. We feel from an offensive line depth standpoint, this is the deepest group that we’ve had in our time here, and we’re continuing to try to train the younger players at one position, which is tough, not really realistic, because you start looking at that depth chart and you’re trying to get some clarity to it, and we feel by making this move it may add some clarity to it. Once again, not to be redundant, he has earned this right. He’s been impressive. I like what I’ve seen from the individual drills through the group drills all the way through the team drills, and I saw it again Saturday night. So we’re going to give him a shot.

(Is Bulaga still the primary backup at left tackle?)
Yes.

[RashanGary]

Before MM made his decision, I was of the opinion that a JR LT would have his work cut out for him becoming a dependable backup at the 2nd toughest position on the offense.

I was of the opinion that we didn't have a reliable backup LT and Bulaga should be given every opportunity to get the position down-pat or it could spell trouble.


There were two situations where I would have agreed with Bulaga moving positions. The first would be if we desperately needed him to play or our line would suffer. The second reason is one I thought would be a long shot, but it's the reason I think this decision is being made. The 2nd reason is if Bulaga somehow become solid at the LT position, I would be OK with him battling for another starting gig and then sliding to LT if needed.

From the feel of McCarthy's press conference that is exactly what appears is happening. I think this is an extremely positive sign about what kind of player Bulaga is. I think they feel comfortable enough with him at LT that they think he'll be able to play well even if Clifton goes already and that they want to get him on the field as soon as possible until Clifton goes down.

I did not expect this to happen, but the way I'm reading this, I think it's the most positive possible outcome we could have hoped for. Bulaga is a natural.

[Scott Campbell]

I think he's possibly a huge upgrade over Colledge.

[retailguy]

I think he's possibly a huge upgrade over Colledge.

The diet pepsi machine is a huge upgrade over Colledge.

[mission]

I think he's possibly a huge upgrade over Colledge.

There's really no other explanation if he does end up starting there. If it's close, maybe they go with the vet and let Bulaga get his reps at LT.

I just think he's too good to have on the bench and when coach's jobs (and mortgages) depend on it, no one's stupid enough to have him sitting. Football is football at some point. Maybe it didn't click for Colledge, but, again, his situation has seemed to scare some of you guys. Bulaga was a Top 10 pick by some... get him out there.

Great to hear so far!!

[Patler]

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.

The only one who hasn't handled it is Colledge.

It worked fine for Tauscher early in his career, when Tauscher played a half game every game at RG for Rivera and Dotson came back at RT. Every game, 2 quarters at RT, 2 quarters at RG for quite a long time one season.

Spitz has moved back and forth between RG and center more than Colledge every switched to LT, and Spitz handled it fine.

Lang seemed to handle it OK last year.

[Brandon494]

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.

The only one who hasn't handled it is Colledge.

It worked fine for Tauscher early in his career, when Tauscher played a half game every game at RG for Rivera and Dotson came back at RT. Every game, 2 quarters at RT, 2 quarters at RG for quite a long time one season.

Spitz has moved back and forth between RG and center more than Colledge every switched to LT, and Spitz handled it fine.

Lang seemed to handle it OK last year.

I agree with Patler, good post.

Like someone stated above Bugula played LG in college and moving from tackle to guard is a lot easier then vice versa.

[mission]

As I was saying

[pbmax]

I think he's possibly a huge upgrade over Colledge.

The diet pepsi machine is a huge upgrade over Colledge.

The Diet Pepsi machine can flat out ball.

You have to have at least 3 lineman play two positions for game day. If Bulaga can do it, they do not need to keep a specialty LG except for Colledge, assuming he beats out Barbre.

So the starting five could be Clifton-College-Wells-Sitton-Tauscher backed up game day by Bulaga (LG/LT), Spitz (all three interior) and Lang (RT/RG). Boom. Your game day actives. You other one or two spots can go to best remaining instead of depth first.

I think Bedard is right, Barbre is simply flat done. The only question now might be Giacomini vs. Lang at RT and does EDS make it over Newhouse if there is a spot. I think Newhouse might need to survive the practice squad.

[Tarlam!]

I think he's possibly a huge upgrade over Colledge.

The diet pepsi machine is a huge upgrade over Colledge.

And you're suggesting the diet coke machine is not? Scandalous!!!

[Fritz]

It's difficult to imagine Babre making this team now. Heck, it was difficult after six games last year.

[Ballboy]

I really don't understand why people think him playing every Sunday at LG would hurt his devlopment? Are these the same people that would cry about a rookie starting at LT saying he has no game time in?

If he is that good, we gotta play him, especially if he is better than College. Bulaga would get the good game to game experience, tricks that he can only learn in real games...not half hearted competition in practice!!

[Patler]

It's difficult to imagine Babre making this team now. Heck, it was difficult after six games last year.

Coston, Moll now Barbre - all guys with potential but perhaps not the background. Each was given three seasons to demonstrate reasons for keeping them. Coston and Moll failed. Barbre seems to be teetering on the edge, and unlikely to avoid falling off.

Too bad. Physically, he has a lot going for him, and reportedly always grades out as one of their better run blockers. He has yet to develop a feel for pass protection, it seems. With the dominance of the passing game in the NFL today, his weakness far out weighs his strength.

[Scott Campbell]

If he is that good, we gotta play him, especially if he is better than College.

If he's not appreciably better than Colledge at LG, then I think Colledge should keep the the job and Buluga should stay at backup LT.

[Tarlam!]

I got off the College bandwagon after he was reported to have an over confidence explosion, though he sucked big time last season.

I am all for someone beating him out and disproving his "I only sucked so bad, cause I kept getting shifted" claim.