Battle At Left Guard?

[Tarlam!]

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.

I don't follow that logic, SC. Are you concerned about injury or him not getting enough practice reps at LT if he's the starting LG?

[mraynrand]

If Waldo were still posting here, he'd point out that typically the best lineman is at LT and the second best lineman often is the guy who will back up the LG should he go down. Typically, that guy will be playing at another spot, because you cannot afford to have your second best lineman just sitting on the bench waiting for an injury to happen. Bulaga may not be the second best lineman yet, but I'm betting they think he is top 5. You want him on the field.

[rbaloha1]

IMO BB is built more like a guard -- thick and powerful. Gruden mentioned on draft day he felt BB was a guard (a minority opinion from so-called draft experts). BB does not pass the eyeball test for the prototypical NFL LT.

MM is not settling for inconsistency (Colledge) and mediocrity (Hawk) especially when the roster with potentially better players.

[Pugger]

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

The diet pepsi machine is a huge upgrade over Colledge.

[Packman_26]

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.

Maybe he can, I hope so. But I would argue that Spitz has not handled it all that well as he isn't starting anywhere. Sure Spitz is a pretty good player and can handle different positions but the bar is going to be higher for Bulaga.
Plus, I come from the school of thought that Left Tackle and the other line spots are completely different. I want the quarterbacks blindside protector to be focused completely on that. Its too hard of a job to have your mind elsewhere.
I think that what makes this situation difficult is that normally your first round Left Tackles start from day 1. The Packers have the luxury of still having Clifton but that shouldn't make them too comfortable as his body is breaking down. In the event that Clifton does go down, I would prefer that Bulaga has done nothing but think about protecting Rodgers from those elite defensive ends.

[Joemailman]

Even with Clifton out this morning, Colledge and Bulaga split reps at LG. Barbre and Newhouse at LT. This situation should make the first preseason game a little more interesting.

I think people are making too much about Bulaga perhaps having to switch between 2 positions. Just because Colledge failed so miserably at it last year doesn't mean Bulaga can't do it.

[Patler]

Maybe he can, I hope so. But I would argue that Spitz has not handled it all that well as he isn't starting anywhere. Sure Spitz is a pretty good player and can handle different positions but the bar is going to be higher for Bulaga.
Plus, I come from the school of thought that Left Tackle and the other line spots are completely different. I want the quarterbacks blindside protector to be focused completely on that. Its too hard of a job to have your mind elsewhere.
I think that what makes this situation difficult is that normally your first round Left Tackles start from day 1. The Packers have the luxury of still having Clifton but that shouldn't make them too comfortable as his body is breaking down. In the event that Clifton does go down, I would prefer that Bulaga has done nothing but think about protecting Rodgers from those elite defensive ends.

Spitz has been a starter his entire career, and in the past that was never been much in doubt as it has been for Colledge seemingly each year. In fact, when Colledge was "benched" Spitz took his spot several times. He's recovering from back surgery right now, I'd give him a little break for that. My bet is that he will be back in the starting lineup soon enough, probably at center.

But whether Spitz starts or not, he has played multiple positions frequently and has been acceptably consistent at all of them. He has not had the ups and downs that Colledge has. Maybe in the future he won't be talented enough to start, but that will be based on basic talent, not the fact he has played multiple positions. He seems to handle that well enough.

So if your QB is left handed, does RT become "completely different" from the other line positions?

Flanagan had no trouble stepping in at LT when Clifton went down, and he had no experience there when he did. Many others around the league use a starter at another position as their backup LT. It's not that different, it just requires a very talented pass protector. Colledge is not the best at pass protection even as a guard, that is why he failed at LT, not because he was distracted.

[retailguy]

Spitz has been a starter his entire career, and in the past that was never been much in doubt as it has been for Colledge seemingly each year. In fact, when Colledge was "benched" Spitz took his spot several times. He's recovering from back surgery right now, I'd give him a little break for that. My bet is that he will be back in the starting lineup soon enough, probably at center.

But whether Spitz starts or not, he has played multiple positions frequently and has been acceptably consistent at all of them. He has not had the ups and downs that Colledge has. Maybe in the future he won't be talented enough to start, but that will be based on basic talent, not the fact he has played multiple positions. He seems to handle that well enough.

So if your QB is left handed, does RT become "completely different" from the other line positions?

Flanagan had no trouble stepping in at LT when Clifton went down, and he had no experience there when he did. Many others around the league use a starter at another position as their backup LT. It's not that different, it just requires a very talented pass protector. Colledge is not the best at pass protection even as a guard, that is why he failed at LT, not because he was distracted.

I was a big fan of Colledge the LT until last season. I had said repeatedly that he was much better at LT than LG. Talk about being proved wrong? Holy hell.

In the past he had played fairly well at LT, and I believed that his pass protection was better there. But, Patler, you're right. Colledge's downfall is pass protection. But, not always. He has adequate moves and good talent, but sometimes, he just seems lost.

After the debacle last season, I don't want him in any capacity. I want someone else, even if, at first, Colledge is better than they are. The experiment ought to be over.

Spitz has always enjoyed this "tough guy" personna with the media. I don't see it. I think that Wells is a better center, and I thought that Spitz stunk at RG. I'd support putting him at LG, only because I despise Colledge, but really, if he doesn't have a future at RT, why not put Lang there? McCarthy has said repeatedly that he thinks LG is a good fit for Lang.

Reports on Giancomi have surprised me, and if they are to be believed, we have the future RT there. Lang could be moved on that basis.

On the one hand, I could easily vote to get rid of both Colledge and Spitz. On the other hand, for a team with super bowl aspirations, that's a gutsy move, considering the OL has stunk for three years running. Actually five years running if you count the Klemm and O'dwyer fiasco.

I'm so frustrated with the production of the OL, I don't even know what to type anymore.

[Patler]

I was a big fan of Colledge the LT until last season. I had said repeatedly that he was much better at LT than LG. Talk about being proved wrong? Holy hell.

In the past he had played fairly well at LT, and I believed that his pass protection was better there. But, Patler, you're right. Colledge's downfall is pass protection. But, not always. He has adequate moves and good talent, but sometimes, he just seems lost.

After the debacle last season, I don't want him in any capacity. I want someone else, even if, at first, Colledge is better than they are. The experiment ought to be over.

Spitz has always enjoyed this "tough guy" personna with the media. I don't see it. I think that Wells is a better center, and I thought that Spitz stunk at RG. I'd support putting him at LG, only because I despise Colledge, but really, if he doesn't have a future at RT, why not put Lang there? McCarthy has said repeatedly that he thinks LG is a good fit for Lang.

Reports on Giancomi have surprised me, and if they are to be believed, we have the future RT there. Lang could be moved on that basis.

On the one hand, I could easily vote to get rid of both Colledge and Spitz. On the other hand, for a team with super bowl aspirations, that's a gutsy move, considering the OL has stunk for three years running. Actually five years running if you count the Klemm and O'dwyer fiasco.

I'm so frustrated with the production of the OL, I don't even know what to type anymore.

I was never in the Colledge at LT camp. When many argued it was his best position, I just remembered the all too frequent times when he seemed to be out quicked by pass ruhers on the inside, confused by stunts, or manhandled by sheer power. It seemed to happen at least once a game. What has always bothered me most is that when he gets beat, he often seems to miss completely, with little or no last ditch effort to slow or redirect his man. Your tackles can't do that, they have to block with the pinky finger of their left hand if that is all they can get on their man. If they don't, the QB can get killed. I've seen Clifton and Tauscher make that last lunge, barely touching a guy, but making him a half step slower, or a half step wider to give the QB a fraction of a second to throw, avoid the sack or at least protect himself and the ball from less than a full throttle hit.

At least Spitz is consistent. Colledge's performance swings are mind boggling for a professional athlete.

I kind of think TT and/or MM have rethought their needs in linemen. They looked for "athletes" they could develop into NFL caliber linemen and got the likes of Coston, Moll, Barbre and Colledge. During that time, they took a less athletic guy who just plays the game, Spitz, and he was probably the best pick of the 5. Since then they have gone with less impressive athletes who just play the game, and got Sitton, Lang and Bulaga. I like all three of those picks, so far.

So while TT may have swung and missed his first few years with O-linemen, he seems to be on a better roll right now. It gives me hope.

[cheesner]

This is what I think this tells us:


!. Barber is gone
2. Bulaga is good enough now at LT that the coaches feel comfortable getting practice at another position.



Bulaga can still get reps at LT - Clifton can't take all of them. I feel that learning the LG position will be beneficial to BB whether he plays there in games or not. Knowing blocking assignments of the LG will improve your play as a LT. The coaches may be doing this to light a fire under College. I like College, he had a few breakdowns, but he also had some tremendous plays also that sprung Grant for big gains.

[CaliforniaCheez]

On the 45 player game day roster allows for 2 or 3 substitutes on the O-line. If there are needs elsewhere there may be only 2 active replacements.

Bulaga has to be able to play multiple positions if he expects to be on the game day roster. He has to get some experience at LG. Additionally the experience at LG will also help him understand what his teammates duties are when he is a LT.

He will be a better player in the long run because of this experience. It also gives him an extra challenge to keep him from becoming complacent.

It also works on the psychology of Clifton respecting him as the veteran starter and the psychology of Colledge giving him another competitor.

It is all for the good.

[sharpe1027]

IMHO, this just means that their excuse that the o-line struggles were due to being shifted around too much was a load of crap that they fed to the public. Pad level anyone?

Mmmm, tasty!

[mission]

On the 45 player game day roster allows for 2 or 3 substitutes on the O-line. If there are needs elsewhere there may be only 2 active replacements.

Bulaga has to be able to play multiple positions if he expects to be on the game day roster. He has to get some experience at LG. Additionally the experience at LG will also help him understand what his teammates duties are when he is a LT.

He will be a better player in the long run because of this experience. It also gives him an extra challenge to keep him from becoming complacent.

It also works on the psychology of Clifton respecting him as the veteran starter and the psychology of Colledge giving him another competitor.

It is all for the good.

Great post, great points!

[Packman_26]

On the 45 player game day roster allows for 2 or 3 substitutes on the O-line. If there are needs elsewhere there may be only 2 active replacements.

Bulaga has to be able to play multiple positions if he expects to be on the game day roster. He has to get some experience at LG. Additionally the experience at LG will also help him understand what his teammates duties are when he is a LT.

He will be a better player in the long run because of this experience. It also gives him an extra challenge to keep him from becoming complacent.

It also works on the psychology of Clifton respecting him as the veteran starter and the psychology of Colledge giving him another competitor.

It is all for the good.

I agree that getting him some reps at left guard in case he needs to play there in a pinch is a good idea. But isn't that different than starting him at left guard?

If Bulaga wins the job at LG, I would think he would take at least 75% of his reps at LG. I don't think Clifton can be counted on for 16+ games this year and in those cases where he isn't playing, wouldn't it be better if Bulaga was practicing primarily at LT?

Also, I don't buy this "he already has LT down" nonsense. Veterans have trouble switching positions without practice reps, let alone a rookie. I don't care how NFL ready he is considered to be.

[pbmax]

I was a big fan of Colledge the LT until last season. I had said repeatedly that he was much better at LT than LG. Talk about being proved wrong? Holy hell.

In the past he had played fairly well at LT, and I believed that his pass protection was better there. But, Patler, you're right. Colledge's downfall is pass protection. But, not always. He has adequate moves and good talent, but sometimes, he just seems lost.

After the debacle last season, I don't want him in any capacity. I want someone else, even if, at first, Colledge is better than they are. The experiment ought to be over.

Spitz has always enjoyed this "tough guy" personna with the media. I don't see it. I think that Wells is a better center, and I thought that Spitz stunk at RG. I'd support putting him at LG, only because I despise Colledge, but really, if he doesn't have a future at RT, why not put Lang there? McCarthy has said repeatedly that he thinks LG is a good fit for Lang.

Reports on Giancomi have surprised me, and if they are to be believed, we have the future RT there. Lang could be moved on that basis.

On the one hand, I could easily vote to get rid of both Colledge and Spitz. On the other hand, for a team with super bowl aspirations, that's a gutsy move, considering the OL has stunk for three years running. Actually five years running if you count the Klemm and O'dwyer fiasco.

I'm so frustrated with the production of the OL, I don't even know what to type anymore.

I was never in the Colledge at LT camp. When many argued it was his best position, I just remembered the all too frequent times when he seemed to be out quicked by pass ruhers on the inside, confused by stunts, or manhandled by sheer power. It seemed to happen at least once a game. What has always bothered me most is that when he gets beat, he often seems to miss completely, with little or no last ditch effort to slow or redirect his man. Your tackles can't do that, they have to block with the pinky finger of their left hand if that is all they can get on their man. If they don't, the QB can get killed. I've seen Clifton and Tauscher make that last lunge, barely touching a guy, but making him a half step slower, or a half step wider to give the QB a fraction of a second to throw, avoid the sack or at least protect himself and the ball from less than a full throttle hit.

At least Spitz is consistent. Colledge's performance swings are mind boggling for a professional athlete.

I kind of think TT and/or MM have rethought their needs in linemen. They looked for "athletes" they could develop into NFL caliber linemen and got the likes of Coston, Moll, Barbre and Colledge. During that time, they took a less athletic guy who just plays the game, Spitz, and he was probably the best pick of the 5. Since then they have gone with less impressive athletes who just play the game, and got Sitton, Lang and Bulaga. I like all three of those picks, so far.

So while TT may have swung and missed his first few years with O-linemen, he seems to be on a better roll right now. It gives me hope.

Its rare you see a Guard miss as completely as he has. Though if a Guard does miss, the route to the QB is more straight forward and shorter for a DT than a DE. There is less time to recover than at tackle.

Colledge had a whiff against the Cardinals, I think, where he was staying home for a stunt that never came and his man went right by him on his outside (left).

Given that the rusher faked the stunt for just a half second and then penetrated, Colledge clearly had to pick him up even if he was going to have to turn him over to Clifton after another second to go back and get the End on the stunt. But he did not engage.

By the time he realized no stunt was coming, his guy was past him and he couldn't recover. Sometimes the misses are so total, its hard to pinpoint the error. But on that fake stunt, he was late to commit to a block. Bad decision on the assignment.