Offensive Offensive Line

[KYPack]

I see now that Sitton only started two games in 2008, my memory was that he was the starter from day 1. So opening day OL for 2008 would've been Clifton/Colledge/Wells/Spitz/Tauscher. That still might be a better line? Colledge was playing pretty well, and I think Spitz was good? I don't really remember how he did.

Go back and look at 2008. You have the starting line right. That year, we started 2-0. We lost 3 in a row and 5 in a row and wound up 6-10. Nick Collins, C Wood, and Al Harris all made the Pro Bowl. Nick tied for the team lead in picks with Wood at 7. Nick also set Packer records with 3 picks for TD's and record return yardage. Nick was truly on his way to Canton when he got hurt on that funky, fluke ass play.

Wil Blackmon returned BOTH KO's and punts. Man, I don't even remember that dude playing, let alone returning all the kicks.

Only a few years ago, but already a blur in my mind.

[Guiness]

Go back and look at 2008. You have the starting line right. That year, we started 2-0. We lost 3 in a row and 5 in a row and wound up 6-10. Nick Collins, C Wood, and Al Harris all made the Pro Bowl. Nick tied for the team lead in picks with Wood at 7. Nick also set Packer records with 3 picks for TD's and record return yardage. Nick was truly on his way to Canton when he got hurt on that funky, fluke ass play.

Wil Blackmon returned BOTH KO's and punts. Man, I don't even remember that dude playing, let alone returning all the kicks.

Only a few years ago, but already a blur in my mind.

Agreed wrt Collins and Canton. 2008 was certainly a big year for individual performances on the D.

3irty1's comment was that it take half a season for MM to get the OL right, so I was looking at starting lineups opening day. I was even wrong on my second guess for 2008's week 1's starters. It was...duuh duuh duuuuuh...Clifton/Colledge/Spitz/Moll/Tauscher!

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200809080gnb.htm

[Patler]

In 2008, Colledge was the guy they were trying to replace. He had been awfully inconsistent in 2007. Spitz was the more reliable player. Sitton came in and looked to be winning the other guard job in TC, spending time with the 1's. Then later in camp Sitton strained a knee and missed the rest of camp and a few weeks of the season. Colledge got his job back, came on and played better that year. Colledge's improved play, Sitton's potential and Spitz steadiness (and better size than Wells) prompted MM to give Spitz the center job and bench Wells to start 2009, after Spitz had played some at center off and on whenever Wells had injuries. Spitz' injury problems took over in 2009, and effectively ended his career as a starter.

[red]

MM is deathly afraid of change. I think Burnett getting hurt and missing time this camp might end up a blessing so we actually start the 2 best safeties.

there very well could be a situation where burnett is our 4th best safety heading into the regular season, but still starts

[Joemailman]

I don't know that he's afraid of change, but he might be a little leery of starting 2 safeties neither of whom has ever started a game in the NFL. So I see Burnett starting, but he could see his playing time diminish as the others gain experience if he doesn't perform well.

[pbmax]

I don't know that he's afraid of change, but he might be a little leery of starting 2 safeties neither of whom has ever started a game in the NFL. So I see Burnett starting, but he could see his playing time diminish as the others gain experience if he doesn't perform well.

And the leery of change charge is, at best, only applicable to his preseason plan. If he has spent a preseason and camp getting ready to do something, he doesn't change the plan in Week 4 because they are 1-3. In season, he is as stubborn as a mule to avoid constantly changing the scheme. Outside of that, he is pretty accepting of changes to the team and plan.

[pbmax]

In 2008, Colledge was the guy they were trying to replace. He had been awfully inconsistent in 2007. Spitz was the more reliable player. Sitton came in and looked to be winning the other guard job in TC, spending time with the 1's. Then later in camp Sitton strained a knee and missed the rest of camp and a few weeks of the season. Colledge got his job back, came on and played better that year. Colledge's improved play, Sitton's potential and Spitz steadiness (and better size than Wells) prompted MM to give Spitz the center job and bench Wells to start 2009, after Spitz had played some at center off and on whenever Wells had injuries. Spitz' injury problems took over in 2009, and effectively ended his career as a starter.

Didn't Spitz ultimately lose his job at center to injury (and incomplete rehab) rather than performance?

[Patler]

Didn't Spitz ultimately lose his job at center to injury (and incomplete rehab) rather than performance?

Yup, that's why I wrote, " Spitz' injury problems took over in 2009, and effectively ended his career as a starter." MM wanted Spitz at center, not Wells. He gave him the job before TC even started. Well's got the job back only because Spitz went out a few games into the season. Wells was never happy in GB thereafter. Reading between the lines of his and his agent's comments the next few years, I never felt there was much chance of him staying in GB when FA hit.

[Harlan Huckleby]

http://www.espnwisconsin.com/common/page.php?feed=2&id=15111&is_corp=1

Some happy talk for Sherrod.

If somebody at guard or right tackle gets hurt, I'd like to see Bhakitari move there. Keep Sherrod exclusively at LT. It's not ideal situation, but I think Bhakitari looks much more adaptable.

[pbmax]

http://www.espnwisconsin.com/common/...5111&is_corp=1
Some happy talk for Sherrod.

If somebody at guard or right tackle gets hurt, I'd like to see Bhakitari move there. Keep Sherrod exclusively at LT. It's not ideal situation, but I think Bhakitari looks much more adaptable.

Good grief he evens sounds like Clifton. A whole story, one quote from the player himself. Two sentences.

[bobblehead]

about this time last year I was giddy over our OL prospects (we all thought Sherrod would be ready by the end of camp). Then Bulaga went down, then Sherrod never got healthy, then I started the me and my friend wist thread.

Flash forward. I really like this line. If it stays healthy we could be so good on offense that even the 2-4 defense will work.

[Just Jeff]

about this time last year I was giddy over our OL prospects (we all thought Sherrod would be ready by the end of camp). Then Bulaga went down, then Sherrod never got healthy, then I started the me and my friend wist thread.

Flash forward. I really like this line. If it stays healthy we could be so good on offense that even the 2-4 defense will work.

I agree for the 1st time since TT dismantled the great white wall I think this line could be good. The big white elephant is center. If that holds the rest will be fine.

[Zool]

even the 2-4 defense will work.

Inconceivable!