Packers Offensive Line Ranks #1

[pbmax]

Yes, I was surprised as well.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/40484/179/2012-offensive-line-rankings

[Upnorth]

Yes, I was surprised as well.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nf...-line-rankings

I have been arguing we have a top 5 Oline for a while, however to say they are number one is a hard thing to do.
I dont think they are a clear cut #1, however they are one of the best at many phases of the game.

I think most of the sucsess should be attributed to Newhouse (said while ducking the incoming barrage...)

[Joemailman]

I have been arguing we have a top 5 Oline for a while, however to say they are number one is a hard thing to do.
I dont think they are a clear cut #1, however they are one of the best at many phases of the game.

I think most of the sucsess should be attributed to Newhouse (said while ducking the incoming barrage...)

Newhouse isn't great, and I hope that Sherrod beats him out at LT. However, he showed promise and should get better. I think inserting Clifton into the lineup against the Giants was a mistake. They should have stuck with Newhouse who by that time had developed pretty good coordination with T.J. Lang.

[Upnorth]

I would love to see Sherrod beat Newhouse, as that would prove Sherrod is elite. I don't believe that Newhouse was the biggest contributor and was stirring the pot, however he was a part of last years sucsess and deserves recongnition for it.

[sharpe1027]

When both Clifton and Sherrod when down, I have fears of a return to Allen Barbre-level of blocking. That debacle proved the old adage that the Offensive line is only as strong as the weakest link. Newhouse was a pleasant surprise.

[RashanGary]

There is a learning curve for smaller school players, especially on the OL where technique is more important than any other position. Some schools teach NFL style blocking. Others do not.

Guys like Newhouse and Sherrod are slower to develop for that reason.

Newhouse's rookie year could be comparable to a senior year for a big 10 lineman. His 2nd year would be similar to Bulaga's rookie year. I honestly think Newhouse has a high ceiling. His trend is up, up, up. . . . .

He's had a full offseason of strength training. He's had a full offseason to work on technique. He has some experience under his belt. Sherrod has an injury. His much needed strength gains are put on hold. His technique mastery is put on hold. He has very little experience.

Call it a hunch, but looking at the important aspects of an ascending player (showing promise in games, health in the off-season, a trend of improvement from day one to present day. . . . .) Last year looks like Newhouses low point and while it wasn't always pretty, it's just the beginning of what he's able to do. It wasn't horrible either. It was pretty alright for a young left tackle. Let's not forget, that's a tough spot to play.

My preliminary player for most improved Packer is Marshall Newhouse, although that could change if a big time talent has miraculous health gains (like, oh, say, Mike, I highly doubt he's going to rebound, Neal) or guys like Burnett who are going to be put in better positions to succeed and are another year removed from serious injury. Free safety is his spot. He's rangy, a ball hawk, smart. . . . Needs to work on tackling, but he has a chance to turn that weakness from last year into a solid spot.

[RashanGary]

Oops, off topic. . .

I'm looking forward to seeing Hayward too. He's the guy who I think is being groomed to be that inside CB in nickle/dime. He's smart, smart, smart. It's tough when you don't have a sideline to set your technique. Inside guys have to play to their help. Their leverage is different on every play, in every offensive package. They're covering good players. They're part of the "unpredictable" equation. He's no Charles Woodson I'm sure, but he's young, has that special awareness for the game, and is physically gifted enough to lock down that slot CB spot. His speed is so/so. Not horrible either. Plenty of great CB's run 4.5 flat.

One year of training for this guy and Woodson can permanently move to SS.

I'm a big believer in guys who break up passes and get interceptions (ie guys who make plays on the ball) are guys who can handle the speed of the game, guys who can anticipate, etc. . . . Davon House was a playmaker at New Mexico State. I'm interested to see him too. He has that prototype outside corner skillset. And Shields. . . . A full offseason. Whitt said he didn't quite get some of the more complicated coverages last year. He can line up and run with any WR, or jump a route when he has freedom, but it sounds like he struggled with some of the zones. If he can get that cleaned up a little, there is some promise there.

Our secondary has potential to be special. Losing Collins hurt, badly, but there's some talent there, a lot of it young with the chance to grow in leaps and bounds. There's some intrigue to say the least.

[pbmax]

I could see arguing for top five if Sherrod is healthy. Love the Guards now and while Center is a veteran shortgap*, there is a vet backup (EDS) and a UDFA the Packers paid a premium for that was a college Tackle and will be tried at Center. Plus another dice rolled on the Tackle from a Florida school with the shoulder issues. Love having the developmentals around.

* coining a term here. Saturday isn't really a stopgap (I hope) but he isn't in the long term plan either.

[RashanGary]

The Packers offense is very, very experienced right now. Newhouse is the least experienced of teh bunch. With Saturday, AR and the perimeter players who've been here for years together. . . I could see teh Packers morphing a little more into a fast paced offense like teh Patriots. You watch the Patriots play, and teams hardly have a chance to take a breath. The Packers spend a lot of time at the line. Gives guys some time to think on D, and rest.

[Smeefers]

I'm actually kind of surprised at all the Newhouse love. I'd usually defend the guy, but c'mon man. He was barely serviceable. No, he wasn't a complete wreck. That's mostly because we had a TE chipping on just about every play. Maybe you guys forgot. Let me remind you. He allowed 54 QB pressures (5th from worst) and 11.5 sacks. Now, I'm not saying that's the absolute worst, but it wasn't very good. Bulaga gave up 11 sacks his first year and last year he only gave up 2. If Newhouse can make that jump, great! If not, I still think he starts at left tackle until Sherrod is ready to take over. He's serviceable, but just barely and he's nowhere near your long term answer for LT. You want a real pro in there to protect your QB's blind side.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/02/20/2011-pass-blocking-efficiency-offensive-tackles/

[Upnorth]

I'm actually kind of surprised at all the Newhouse love. I'd usually defend the guy, but c'mon man. He was barely serviceable. No, he wasn't a complete wreck. That's mostly because we had a TE chipping on just about every play. Maybe you guys forgot. Let me remind you. He allowed 54 QB pressures (5th from worst) and 11.5 sacks. Now, I'm not saying that's the absolute worst, but it wasn't very good. Bulaga gave up 11 sacks his first year and last year he only gave up 2. If Newhouse can make that jump, great! If not, I still think he starts at left tackle until Sherrod is ready to take over. He's serviceable, but just barely and he's nowhere near your long term answer for LT. You want a real pro in there to protect your QB's blind side.

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog...nsive-tackles/

The TE did not chip on most of the plays, and in fact by mid season our TE's were chipping less and less. Add to that the left side was even more of an area of attack due to Buluga on the other side and to me that adds up to better than what the stats say. Unless the game I was watching was different than the games you watched, I though Newhouse played in the top half of LT's.

[sharpe1027]

I'm actually kind of surprised at all the Newhouse love. [/url]

[Brandon494]

TT doesn't care about the offensive line!

[Bretsky]

Can we just all say it together; I've been on of da few homers...maybe the only one...on this point

James Campen is a SOLID OL Coach !!!

[KYPack]

The TE did not chip on most of the plays, and in fact by mid season our TE's were chipping less and less. Add to that the left side was even more of an area of attack due to Buluga on the other side and to me that adds up to better than what the stats say. Unless the game I was watching was different than the games you watched, I though Newhouse played in the top half of LT's.

Crabtree was the designated Chip man. At first. MM does a good job of self scouting. He used Crabtree as a dummy blocker then would circle him in little routes in the end of the year. I think Quarles was big in the master plan, but i haven't heard much about his recovery. he got a bad knee injury and might not be available, at least early.

I know the KC game has been banned from discussion, but man, Sherrod looked good in his brief time in that one. The guy is smooth in pass pro. Great feet and uses his hands really well. He had a couple great series, then beaks two bones in his legs!