"Bryan Bulaga might get a look at left tackle next season"

[Joemailman]

I thought it was the reverse? That he is perfectly suited physically and the correct size for Guard but his technique and feet make him more at home at Tackle. He was not good at Guard in his first camp.

The talk of him coming out of the draft was that he was better suited to Guard than Tackle. However, based on his first training camp, the Packers came to the opposite conclusion. They felt he played better at Tackle than Guard. Of course, these are the same people that thought Allan Barbre was ready to start at RT a few years ago.

[mraynrand]

Good post, JH. Everyone would like to move from the Outhouse to the Penthouse, but you'll be just fine in a middle class house with a ferrari in the garage. I think some people are still looking at Newhouse like he's an FHA bargain special, with all the copper pipes and windows missing. Enough of the silly metaphor - if he's solid, the Packers can draft elsewhere, but if a gem of a tackle falls to them, they probably should take it.

Question: How many right now would trade Newhouse straight up for Gabe Carimi?

[3irty1]

Newhouse has the length and the athleticism you look for in a tackle as well as top football pedigree, but he's very marginal for an NFL starter. Remember the reason he was kicked all around the line was because he seemed to full-on suck at everything but LT where he could at least get you out of a game or two. Good that he's in his best position but bad that he's the worst link of our 5 in the most important position on our 5. What we've got on our hands is the same situation the Bears have with Webb.

I think JH is getting this koolaid from the same pitcher as he did for Alex Green. Sherrod takes Newhouses job in a fair fight. Sherrod can be an all-pro dancing bear like Clifton was.

[Guiness]

Newhouse has the length and the athleticism you look for in a tackle as well as top football pedigree, but he's very marginal for an NFL starter. Remember the reason he was kicked all around the line was because he seemed to full-on suck at everything but LT where he could at least get you out of a game or two. Good that he's in his best position but bad that he's the worst link of our 5 in the most important position on our 5. What we've got on our hands is the same situation the Bears have with Webb.

I think JH is getting this koolaid from the same pitcher as he did for Alex Green. Sherrod takes Newhouses job in a fair fight. Sherrod can be an all-pro dancing bear like Clifton was.

What are you basing this on? Not saying you're right or wrong, but have we seen near enough of him at the NFL level to say what he can or can't do?

I am awful curious what happens with Bulaga. He showed some flashes of being a very good RT, and some breakdowns. Which was the real him? Barcley play very well for a rookie thrown in halfway through a season. Could he unseat Bulaga, and if so, then what?

[Guiness]

In other news, there's a former first round pick who's been out of the NFL for a few years that looks like he could play some tackle. He's lot weight, but could easily put it back on.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/ey...l-quite-chunky

*ROFL*

[Joemailman]

What are you basing this on? Not saying you're right or wrong, but have we seen near enough of him at the NFL level to say what he can or can't do?

I am awful curious what happens with Bulaga. He showed some flashes of being a very good RT, and some breakdowns. Which was the real him? Barcley play very well for a rookie thrown in halfway through a season. Could he unseat Bulaga, and if so, then what?

Bulaga got off to a slow start, and had a bad game against Seattle, but then played pretty well. He was outstanding in 2011. He's the team's best RT, could play LT better than Newhouse if they wanted him to, and was outplaying Colledge at LG in the 2010 preseason before he got hurt. The only issue with him is injuries. He's missed games every year. I really liked the way Barclay played, especially in the run game. If Sherrod can't make it back to health, I'd like to see them move Bulaga to LT. If Sherrod is healthy, I'd leave Bulaga at RT, and let Sherrod and Newhouse battle it out at LT. The loser of the LT battle and Barclay would then by your primary backups.

[Guiness]

Bulaga got off to a slow start, and had a bad game against Seattle, but then played pretty well. He was outstanding in 2011. He's the team's best RT, could play LT better than Newhouse if they wanted him to, and was outplaying Colledge at LG in the 2010 preseason before he got hurt. The only issue with him is injuries. He's missed games every year. I really liked the way Barclay played, especially in the run game. If Sherrod can't make it back to health, I'd like to see them move Bulaga to LT. If Sherrod is healthy, I'd leave Bulaga at RT, and let Sherrod and Newhouse battle it out at LT. The loser of the LT battle and Barclay would then by your primary backups.

I was referring to your comment that Sherrod can be an All-Pro, I don't know that we saw any signs of that.

[RashanGary]

The Packers have a clear and I think intentional evolving offense.

Edgar Bennett seems to be doing a great job with James Jones. The guy seems to take a ton of pride in his blocking, and some of those short dump offs with blockers out in front are working wonders for the off coverages we're seeing as teams attempt to stop AR from going down field. Guys seem to really be taking pride in reading blocks on those semi-run plays, getting yards and blocking as a whole.

Barclay looks like a guy with some natural power. He seems to get movement. I'd be very curious to see Barclay/Lang/Sitton inside. All three of those guys can move the line of scrimmage in the run game a little. Bulaga has a little strength to him too, although less than I think we hoped. It's still better than a guy like Newhouse or Clifton.

Cobb is kind of the oddball in our new look offense, but we're lining up to possibly have a strong run blocking unit. From the perimeter with Jones/Nelson to the OL where Barclay has been a very positive surprise. He gives me an anticipation broner.

I'd love to see us draft a RB in the first 2 rounds (maybe even move up to the top of the 2nd to get a guy like Ball or whoever's out there with instincts and ability (a Matt Forte, all around type, is my ideal *and realistic for where we draft* idea of a RB) We land a guy like that and we continue to grow as a blocking unit, I like our chances of really becoming a consistent offense that makes our defense stronger too. We also need to take pressure off AR's body. He's taking a beating, and I think it showed down the stretch this year. He just didn't look like the same guy the last few games. He's approaching 30. I just don't think it's a good idea to put it all on his shoulders, especially the way he likes to play. The great ones think they're invincible out there, and AR is no different. I think you have to force him out of those situations because a thoroughbred will never take themselves out of the line of fire. I like AR fresh. When the game is on the line. . . when that guy is right, he brings a running dimension that I think can still make a difference if he's healthy at the end. Playoffs are the time I like QB's to run. You risk it all to win the SB. We have to be smart to get him there healthy though.

You know me, always the optimist and a bit of a dreamer, but as usual, I have visions of this offense changing in a positive, tougher sort of way. Barclay is kind of a big piece for me. I just envision that guy with Lang and Sitton making a difference in our run game. We've never had three guys inside who can get movement, not for a long time anyway. Lang would have the best combination of strength and athleticism we've had at center since I've been watching the Packers. I kind of like that thought.

[pbmax]

The talk of him coming out of the draft was that he was better suited to Guard than Tackle. However, based on his first training camp, the Packers came to the opposite conclusion. They felt he played better at Tackle than Guard. Of course, these are the same people that thought Allan Barbre was ready to start at RT a few years ago.

I took that scouting report to mean that scouts thought his best pro position was going to be guard given his physical parameters. But from the start several observers said his feet and movement were left tackle like.

If I am not wrong in that he played tackle in college, it would seem to be a long term project to fit him in a guard given his poor performance there in camp. Either way, I would love to have him as backup, perhaps even one day to be an emergency guard.

[RashanGary]

I took that scouting report to mean that scouts thought his best pro position was going to be guard given his physical parameters. But from the start several observers said his feet and movement were left tackle like.

If I am not wrong in that he played tackle in college, it would seem to be a long term project to fit him in a guard given his poor performance there in camp. Either way, I would love to have him as backup, perhaps even one day to be an emergency guard.

Athletically, he measures out showing a really extreme lack of power/explosiveness, something that would be pretty damning for an OG. It does make sense, the guy struggles mightily getting movement. His only true redeeming quality is his lateral agility and his unsuspecting length for his height. Just looking at his skillset, I think LT is his best position due to the premium placed on lateral agility. Even RT, his run blocking issues would be even further exaggerated and his inability to handle power would probably be exaggerated too, on the side where most lineman tend to be more power players.

He's a serviceable LT and young. Hopefully we can upgrade him. If there's a position you'd like to have a good backup at, LT would be it. He could probably be servicable on the right side too, but his real value, I think, is as a LT (preferably backup, but more realistically starting for at least another year.)

[Joemailman]

I took that scouting report to mean that scouts thought his best pro position was going to be guard given his physical parameters. But from the start several observers said his feet and movement were left tackle like.

If I am not wrong in that he played tackle in college, it would seem to be a long term project to fit him in a guard given his poor performance there in camp. Either way, I would love to have him as backup, perhaps even one day to be an emergency guard.

Here's a couple scouting reports on him:

NFL.com

Pick Analysis: Newhouse comes from a strong football family but does not show the kind of instincts and mental awareness than you'd expect from someone with that kind of background. As long as the defensive front plays pretty vanilla in terms of stunts and twists, he shows no hesitations or indecision, but he can be late to react and adjust when he sees something for the first time. He shows good initial quickness and speed but struggles when he has to adjust on the move or react to counter moves. He was a quality starter at left tackle for the past three years at TCU but will probably find a better fit inside at guard at the next level.

A closer look at the Packers' picks: Round 5/169 -- Marshall Newhouse, OT/G, 6-4, 319, Texas Christian: The three-year starter at left tackle is better suited to play guard at the pro level. Newhouse is quick on his feet for a big man, but his pass-blocking skills are hit-and-miss. - by The Sports Xchange
Marshall Newhouse/TC

There is some reference to his inability to finish plays.

[pbmax]

Here's a couple scouting reports on him:

snipped

There is some reference to his inability to finish plays.

So its a case where they don't see him as a tackle in the pros and then project him at guard. That's pretty much what I remember. Frankly, he looks better than this scouting report, but its pretty on the nose. JH mentioned (I think) him getting beaten inside occasionally on counter moves and we have seen him make initial, good contact and then lose the guy. He gets into position fine, but doesn't always stay there. I saw marginal improvement from him in this area this year but he has a ways to go.

[Packers4Glory]

I just hope Sherrod comes back 100% because our best line would be him at LT, Bulaga at RT. Then you have Newhouse who I'll admit would be serviceable as fill in starter for a couple games if needed. Barclay showed some promise but has a long way to go. He's not yet anywhere near being able to supplant Bulaga or anyone of the starters on the line. He's still a developmental guy who got forced into action because there was zero depth on the O-line outside of EDS to start the season.

Even if Sherrod doesn't win the job in camp, IF IF IF he's really healthy, I think he'll take over at some point during the season. Talent wise Newhouse doesn't stack up. Mentally I'm not sure but I doubt Newhouse wins that category either. It won't be a matter of if he'll start for Sherrod, just a matter of when. It may take more than just camp and the preseason for him to shake off the rust and be ready to take over.

I would feel a lot better about or line as a whole if Newhouse can be relegated to a backup role, because as a backup he's pretty good and now has some experience to build from. He needs to work at LT and the G spots. Barclay or ??? whoever at RT.

I think the only way Bulaga moves back to the left is if Sherrod is not ready, and Newhouse gets hurt...or Barclay just shows massive improvement on the right side.

[run pMc]

I just hope Sherrod comes back 100% because our best line would be him at LT, Bulaga at RT. Then you have Newhouse who I'll admit would be serviceable as fill in starter for a couple games if needed. Barclay showed some promise but has a long way to go. He's not yet anywhere near being able to supplant Bulaga or anyone of the starters on the line. He's still a developmental guy who got forced into action because there was zero depth on the O-line outside of EDS to start the season.

Even if Sherrod doesn't win the job in camp, IF IF IF he's really healthy, I think he'll take over at some point during the season. Talent wise Newhouse doesn't stack up. Mentally I'm not sure but I doubt Newhouse wins that category either. It won't be a matter of if he'll start for Sherrod, just a matter of when. It may take more than just camp and the preseason for him to shake off the rust and be ready to take over.

I would feel a lot better about or line as a whole if Newhouse can be relegated to a backup role, because as a backup he's pretty good and now has some experience to build from. He needs to work at LT and the G spots. Barclay or ??? whoever at RT.

I think the only way Bulaga moves back to the left is if Sherrod is not ready, and Newhouse gets hurt...or Barclay just shows massive improvement on the right side.

+1

I think the jury's still out on Sherrod, so all those "big if's" apply. Using the dreaded "based on potential..." qualification, Sherrod should win the LT spot over Newhouse. I think Newhouse has a pretty good jump on him due to game experience and being healthy. I don't know if Newhouse would demand a trade if he lost the starter spot, but I suspect not. He'd be a pretty solid backup -- better than most teams for sure.

Datko is a wildcard. My thought is TT is drafting with the idea that Newhouse will eventually be replaced by Sherrod and sign elsewhere with Sherrod being the franchise LT and Datko the backup. The injury histories of Sherrod and Datko worry me though.

I can't help but appreciate how TT will draft as though he's succession planning -- some GM's are far too reactive.

[smuggler]

We don't need any All-Pro linemen. What we need are competent linemen who don't get embarrassed or get our QB killed.