2019 Season Top Priority: O line

[mraynrand]

Without a question the offensive line is a disaster. The Packers have a solid center in Linsley, a capable LT in Bacteria - when healthy - and absolutely nothing else. Taylor was a promising light last year, but he has regressed. Maybe he can be a long term backup at guard. Bulaga is done. McCray is stop gap at best. Bell is a non factor - he can't even jog 10 yards onto the field without suffering extreme exhaustion. Packers need to draft the best Tackle in the draft and solidify that spot for the rest of Rodgers' run. They need to draft at least one guard, more likely two, and bring in another, and bring in a tackle in FA who can back up both spots.

This is top priority because they have an aging QB, they have running backs who can run, but they can't protect the QB and can't run block worth crap. Solving the O line will protect the franchise and can help solve a lot of ills elsewhere by helping to establish an offense that can possess the ball.

I know people are looking at pass rush/LBs, a defensive back (Safety), TE, and maybe a WR, but they can't afford to get Rodgers killed and have such an inefficient offense because they have no line. Fixing that will help hide other cracks in the roster.

So, I'm not much of a college guy/draftnik. Who do people like as O-line prospects?

[gbgary]

not with the first three picks but yeah. through free agency too. there's a down side though...it'll only encourage Rodgers to hold on to the ball longer.

[texaspackerbacker]

To a great extent, I agree with you, Rand. I'm not as sold on Bakhtiari as a lot of other people, but at least he's not as bad as the others except Linsley, and Linsley was an after thought - the second Center drafted that year.

I hope they go after multiple O Line prospects, but not in the first round or maybe not even the second. Top college O Linemen don't always become NFL stars - probably the reason for so many busts and disappointments among high round O Line picks.

The most important thing IMO is to change the type of O Lineman. I want the Packers to go after big "road grader" types - not undersized Spriggs types.

I also will leave specific names to others. What we need more than anything else is LUCK (or if you prefer, skillful careful choosing) of our draft picks like we haven't had for a helluva long time.

And I WANT Rodgers to hold the ball as long as necessary to get completions down field and continue throwing less interceptions than anybody in history.

[mraynrand]

Of course, selection round isn't as important as performance. But they need some decent linemen - three starters and a backup tackle - at least, this offseason. I say be willing to spend one of the first rounders if you want an elite physical specimen.

I was watching a couple of 2010 selections and was impressed how versatile the offense was because the linemen could run and pass block. Noticed that even in the NFCC game versus Chicago, Clifton went out with a stinger and Lang was not too shabby stepping in for him. But Clifton, Colledge, Wells, Sitton, Bulaga was a really nice line and allowed Stubby to use all sorts of formations from 3 running backs to five wideouts, sometimes in the same set of downs. Defenses were really on their heels. Starks Jackson and Kuhn were no great shakes at RB, but they were able to get chunks of yards due to the passing threat, but mainly due to really good blocking. Packers could stand to draft a Jennings to be sure, but solid line play is essential, and right now the Packers have huge problems on the line.

[gbgary]

not as sold on Bakhtiari as a lot of other people

huh? he's only been a top 3 LT for years. how could you not be "sold" on him?

[MadScientist]

Bact and Lindsey are the anchors of the line for next year, but the odds are that at least one of the current starters will stay. It's tough to 1) throw in 3 new guys and 2) find 3 new guys that are worth starting. Whoever they get should be working with a much better coach (and I can finally change my sig file).

[woodbuck27]

Maybe the Packers should look at what Indy has been doing to ensure protection of Andrew Luck.

It's being reported that that Colts OL is excellent. Then we get them matched up on the road in Jacksonville and the score Jaguars 6 Colts ZERO in Week 13.

I want the OL upgraded 'of course but after that I want a scary Pass Rush and more real talent at WR.

The Packers must say bye bye to Jimmy Graham and get a solid TE.

[Dirty Sanchez]

not with the first three picks but yeah. through free agency too. there's a down side though...it'll only encourage Rodgers to hold on to the ball longer.

That's a big issue that many seem to overlook. This was addressed in a players only meeting during the Superbowl run and as a result, the team went on a tear to win it. But over the years, Aaron seems to have gone back to his old sandlot habits.

The best half of football Aaron played this year was after he got injured against Chicago and was forced to play an up tempo game with quick throws that kept Chicago's defense on it's heels and get Aaron in a groove. Not sure why we didn't do more of that in the following games.

[texaspackerbacker]

huh? he's only been a top 3 LT for years. how could you not be "sold" on him?

Yeah, so says a lot of "experts" ....... but every game I see him missing several blocks and letting the pass rushers come roaring in. And I haven't seen that great run blocking from him either. As I said, he stands out as good - but only in comparison to the low quality around him.

[pbmax]

So put the QBs life at risk to encourage him not to hold on to the ball?

OK.

I think both lines need help. I would not be surprised to see interior pass rush and O Line be the first two picks.

[pbmax]

Yeah, so says a lot of "experts" ....... but every game I see him missing several blocks and letting the pass rushers come roaring in. And I haven't seen that great run blocking from him either. As I said, he stands out as good - but only in comparison to the low quality around him.

The question isn't whether he is that good. He is.

But he's hurt and has been getting injured in each of the last 2 or 3 seasons. That normally spells trouble.

[mraynrand]

The question isn't whether he is that good. He is.

But he's hurt and has been getting injured in each of the last 2 or 3 seasons. That normally spells trouble.

That's why you need a solid backup who can play both sides, if possible.

[mraynrand]

Gonna start dropping video on prospects:

[Rutnstrut]

When I was bitching about the line last year, most of the homers on here were saying how great it is. Now all of a sudden you guys can finally see the light? I do agree that Lindsley and Bacteria are solid.

[wist43]

That's why you need a solid backup who can play both sides, if possible.

Well, that ain't Spriggs.

He was a huge swing and a miss.

So many wasted high picks... Gute needs to self scout the scouting dept and get rid of the scouts that are giving these bad evaluations.