any news on cliffy?

[hoosier]

Cliffy, a true Packer great, and the son of a Southern belle.

[KYPack]

I expect to see Bulaga at LT and he may never move again if Cliffy is really done. The talent differential there is too great, you've got to put your best player there newhouses-most-natural-position be damned. If Sherrod had come on really strong I may have changed my mind but with the immediate need and a stud like Bulaga ready to stand in at the premiere position on the OL it seems like a no-brainer.

Those who are speculating that we might be better off without Clifton don't know what they're talking about. You'll never lose a game because of Chad Clifton.

Three one for leader.

RT is a placeholder, LT is pivotal. Pass pro at left tackle is like diamonds to an OC. Our OC is also our coach. I think Bulaga winds up there, I just don't know if they can do it this season. We must have an effective pass pro LT if we are to go deep in the play-offs (No Jim Mora jokes about the early mention, please).

[Harlan Huckleby]

I expect to see Bulaga at LT and he may never move again if Cliffy is really done. The talent differential there is too great .

Newhouse may be a better LT than Bulaga. And next year, Sherrod might be better than both of them. It is not obvious. Bulaga was up and down as a rookie.

[RashanGary]

Newhouse may be a better LT than Bulaga. And next year, Sherrod might be better than both of them. It is not obvious. Bulaga was up and down as a rookie.

This about covers it. More than likely Newhouse for now. Bulaga at RT. Next year I'd love to see Sherrod nail that spot down, but shit, Newhouse might be a player. . . . .

Is this possible?

Sherrod/Newhouse/Sitton/Lang/Bulaga ? ? ? Sitton is our emergency long snapper.

[RashanGary]

With Clifton gone after this year, more than likely, the Packers are a pretty big fan of having 3 tackles who can play. Drafting a solid guard and resigning Wells would make this OL the best it's been in years. With Bulaga playing, it already is.

[Gunakor]

Is this possible?

Sherrod/Newhouse/Sitton/Lang/Bulaga ? ? ? Sitton is our emergency long snapper.

I like Wells.

Sherrod/Newhouse/Wells/Sitton/Bulaga. I like that better.

[bobblehead]

I expect to see Bulaga at LT and he may never move again if Cliffy is really done. The talent differential there is too great, you've got to put your best player there newhouses-most-natural-position be damned. If Sherrod had come on really strong I may have changed my mind but with the immediate need and a stud like Bulaga ready to stand in at the premiere position on the OL it seems like a no-brainer.

Those who are speculating that we might be better off without Clifton don't know what they're talking about. You'll never lose a game because of Chad Clifton.

Interesting situation. Based on body type and the way they all move I think sherrod is the best LT long term. Bulaga right now. However, bulaga might be RT long term, so do you start moving him around? Only MM knows.

[Patler]

This about covers it. More than likely Newhouse for now. Bulaga at RT. Next year I'd love to see Sherrod nail that spot down, but shit, Newhouse might be a player. . . . .

Is this possible?

Sherrod/Newhouse/Sitton/Lang/Bulaga ? ? ? Sitton is our emergency long snapper.

I like Wells.

Sherrod/Newhouse/Wells/Sitton/Bulaga. I like that better.

Neither Sherrod nor Newhouse has shown an ability to play guard; in fact, so far, they have shown that they can't play guard. On the other hand, Bulaga seemingly had LG nailed down last year in TC before a late camp injury gave it back to Colledge. By the time Bulaga came back, he was needed at RT. Lang did some work in camp as an emergency center this year, and when he was drafted some scouts had him pegged as an NFL center.

If Wells does not return or becomes old in performance such that the five best are Bulaga, Sitton, Lang, Newhouse and Sherrod; an off-season rework of the line could have:

LT - Newhouse/Sherrod
LG - Bulaga
C - Lang
RG - Sitton
RT - Sherrod/Newhouse

... but only if both Newhouse and Sherrod prove themselves to be deserving of being starting tackles on a playoff calibre team. Otherwise, Bulaga will stay at one of the two tackle positions.

[vince]

Interesting thoughts. I never considered Lang at center, but it's hard for me to see that happening with him having no experience whatsoever other than a few one-on-one-drill reps in camp there. That was probably because they wanted the d-lineman to get the rep at NT. They need more depth with or without Wells, but it does appear they have five reliable young keepers counting Sherrod.

I too don't think it's a foregone conclusion that Newhouse goes to LT. Bulaga is clearly the best tackle of the three right now. They could go either way with that, but I think they go in assuming the worst case that Clifton is done for the year.

[bobblehead]

Try telling Bulaga that, in a contract year, he has to move to guard. I don't think he will be very happy, nor will you chances of extending him be that great unless you pay him like a tackle.

[Patler]

Try telling Bulaga that, in a contract year, he has to move to guard. I don't think he will be very happy, nor will you chances of extending him be that great unless you pay him like a tackle.

Contract year? Bulaga is signed through 2014.

[Upnorth]

If Newhouse is the real deal (a big if but hopefully) then I would say our starting line would be set at guard and tackle. However it was point out that Well's is getting older. I have always felt he was an under appreciated part of our line and tended to play much bigger than he is. I don't see his replacement anywhere on our roster. Is this TT's first round choice this year, or do they get a pass rusher?
A good center man is very important for the oline's continuity.

[Joemailman]

I don't see them moving Bulaga now. They gave him a shot at LG last year because they had Clifton and Tauscher at Tackle and figured he could be an upgrade over Colledge. Now though, he probably their best Tackle, and they're not going to move their best Tackle to Guard. If Newhouse wants to be a starter in the future, he'll either have to beat out Sherrod at Tackle, or learn to play Guard even though he failed there last year.

[KYPack]

Contract year? Bulaga is signed through 2014.

Yeah, he's in the fold. Bulaga to LG? I dunno about that one. Lang's got that job for now. Wells is a wildcard. This season, it seemed like he was finally getting his due. He's always been a great, hustling kid. I remember one year, he had a great game against the Vikes. Then I got on PR and had to read about how Wellsy got "ragdolled" in the game.

This year found Collinsworth gushing about Scott in the opener and he deserved all the praise. Then came last weeks game. Wells deteriorated to worse than his rookie level of play. I guess he freaked out bc Cliffy went out, but man, did he stink the place up on a few plays. I'd say they re-sign him, but maybe Old P has some TT ESP workin' and they do want to get all the young guys on the Oline.

I'd say no way to Bulaga at LG. He's getting tackle money, he'll stay at tackle.

[Patler]

Bulaga at $3M/year isn't really getting tackle money (5 years, $14.75 million).
I proposed the lineup I did in response to those who suggested Newhouse at LG, a position he has shown no ability to play in the past. Neither has Sherrod, so you can't put him there.

I proposed Bulaga at guard only as a package deal if:
- Wells is no longer one of the 5 best O-lineman (probably because he is gone).
- Newhouse and Sherrod prove to be worthy tackles.
- There is an off season to work it out.
- Sitton, Bulaga, Lange, Newhouse and Sherrod are the 5 best linemen at the time.

It considers the following facts:
- Bulaga has proven himself capable at LG, may have started last year but for an injury
- Neither Newhouse nor Sherrod has shown an ability to play guard. Might be tackles only.
- Lange was seen by some scouts to be a center, and the Packers have at least thought of it.
- The Packers don't appear to have an up & coming center. (Genus maybe???)

I am absolutely NOT suggesting that it should happen, but as of right now it would seem that Bulaga at LG would be more likely than either Sherrod or Newhouse at LG if either or both Sherrod and Newhouse show themselves to be capable tackles.

I have long advocated re-signing Wells, to the point of suggesting signing him was a higher priority than re-signing Finley, not because he is better than Finley, but because the Packers need him more than they need Finley.