Thompson has spent 2 First Round Picks, a 2nd round pick, a 3rd round pick, 5 4th round picks, 5 5th round picks, and a couple late rounders on the OL in his time here. How much more priority should be spent? The 49ers, arguably the best OL in the NFL, have 3 1st round picks in their group, the difference? Health. Beyond that they have a UDFA and I think a 5th round pick starting and no depth beyond that. If Staley or Iupati or Davis get hurt, they're in a bad way. I think that's the norm for the NFL, you can't have 8 first round picks on the OL. When a starter goes down and all there is is a 4th round pick to take his spot, that's not irresponsible on Thompson's part. I'm not sure what the expectation is for back-up LT. Competent LT's command good money, more money than any back-up deserves. And the guys who are available are available for a reason. Sorry, but the lack of "priority" given to the OL mantra doesn't fly with me.
Agree. If Bulaga and Sherrod were healthy, this offensive line would look A LOT different than it does today. Lose a pair of No. 1 picks and you're left starting late picks and undrafted free agents.
Originally Posted by heyward:
Agree. If Bulaga and Sherrod were healthy, this offensive line would look A LOT different than it does today. Lose a pair of No. 1 picks and you're left starting late picks and undrafted free agents.
Yeah, that is really some crap luck. Both #1s with really bad injuries in no time.
Yeah, well, here's to the next draft given the Pack's crap luck at the position.
Obviously terrible luck for TT and the Pack with injuries on the OL but... does the coaching has to have something to do with the OL poor play the last couple of season?
As I can remember two year ago we had Bulaga, Sitton, Lang and Wells and we didnt have what we can call a dominant OL did we?
Newhouse entering his third season as a starter and it looks he doesnt even win the RT spot.
Does Bahktiari/Barclay remind anyone else of Clifton/Tauscher? A LT that people kind of doubted but consistently gets job done and a RT that was completely overlooked who also gets the job done. Neither player particularly looks the part of an elite Tackle, but they do their jobs really well. I'm not anointing either player an elite/all-pro Tackle, but everyone doubted Clifton and Tauscher in 2000 and they did really well for rookies.
it's not all about having a "dominant" offensive line. We don't need one. What we need is an offensive line that isn't incompetent, consistently getting beat, allowing 50 sacks a year. In 2010, they weren't dominant, but they only allowed 25 sacks and could control the LOS when they needed to.
Having a running game that defenses will respect will be the biggest help to the OLine. When DEs and OLBs can't line up super wide because they fear the running game then the sack numbers will go down.
In addition, dlineman won't be able to just "pin their ears back" and rush the QB every down....defenses will again have to respect the play fake.
That's all well and good as long as our OL can take advantage of that "uncertainty" when they try to RTDB. Reports have been mixed so far regarding their run blocking abilities. Opposing Ds are going to continue to play 7 in the box until we starting winning our first downs with the ground game. If they can get "enough" 1st down runs of 5+ yards, AR will be living in the candy store on 2nd and 3rd.
Originally Posted by Grave Digger:
Does Bahktiari/Barclay remind anyone else of Clifton/Tauscher?
No. Bakhtiari may end up similar to Clifton but Barclay isn't close to Tauscher IMO. Tauscher looked frumpy but was deceptively athletic. Barclay isn't as gifted.
Originally Posted by DH13:
Reports have been mixed so far regarding their run blocking abilities.
Indeed. It takes time AND a commitment to the run; both in practice and on Sunday afternoon. Turning Rodgers loose is the easy way out, but if GB truly wants to have a viable running game; they need to commit to it even when the reports are mixed, the results are mixed and on 4th and goal from the 2.
Here's Vic Ketchman from packers.com
" Friday night's game was the first step of a team trying to change. That's the way I see it. That wasn't the hurry-up, pass-pass-pass Packers I covered the previous two seasons. That was the new run-the-ball Packers I watched in the first two weeks of training camp.
The seminal moment in Friday's game came early. It was the fourth-and-goal play from the Cardinals 2-yard line. Mike McCarthy challenged his offense to prove it can punch the ball in with the running game.
He called a running play, which I can't see him having called in the previous two years I've covered the team.
He was sending a message to his offense: Show me your muscle. What I really loved was Coach McCarthy's challenge flag on the play. He made this an even more dramatic moment by subjecting it to review. The Packers didn't score; back to the run in practice. That's how it has to be done, folks, if you want to run the ball. Do you remember what I said in the spring about the patience required to be committed to the run? Teams that run the ball are stubborn about it. They refuse to be discouraged. The Packers are making a transition on offense. "
GB and MM are learning how to win games with different strategies. Bludgeoning opponents with your passing acumen only gets you so far in the playoffs. Now the Packers have to learn how to win different types of contests, and to have the varied weapons to do so. Big blocking TEs and a bruising RB are new weapons in Titletown
But it will take time to develop a solid run-blocking OL and RBs- and we have to be patient while they do it. That's going to be tough at times, but I think the payoff will be there in January/February
MM spoke pretty highly of DuJuan Harris today. Almost seemed annoyed at the thought of anyone not considering him a starter in his offense. Described him as a "damn good football player".
For all the talk about Lacy/Franklin/Starks, MM hasn't forgotten about this kid.
"DuJuan Harris, the way we finished season, I would classify him as starter on football team. I have that confidence in him. He finished season strong. Look for him to get through this week and we will evaluate. Expect he will be back where he needs to be by next week. Best thing that might have happened to him last year is not getting drafted. He has different level of motivation. It's refreshing how motivated he is. He was passed over from personnel standpoint, but he's a damn good football player."
"....He made this an even more dramatic moment by subjecting it to review. The Packers didn't score;...."
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yes, they did score on the 4th & Goal run.....the review of the play showed Starks crossed the plane with the ball...for whatever reason, the ref made the wrong call on the Coach's Challenge.
Has anyone heard why the ref didn't call it a touchdown?
Hornung is toast.
Coachspeak for "I wnat to motivate Lacy, Franklin, Starks and Green with a cliche". I liked what Harris did down the stretch and it's a nice story but there's a reason he was on the street in December and McCarthy's typical "honesty" in PCs is not a good sign for his future. It would have been better if he'd have said Harris was behind the others from missing time and needed to get in the lineup to show he was deserving of his spot.
I believe the ref claimed it was inconclusive due to the lack of a good view of Starks' knee.
I've read elsewhere here that the ref couldn't conclusively decide whether Starks' knee was on the ground or not when the ball crossed the line.
McCarthy previously stated that Harris was the starter and you don't lose your position because of an injury.
Sherrod still can't pass the physical. Aye yi yi!
Originally Posted by GBFanForLife:
McCarthy previously stated that Harris was the starter and you don't lose your position because of an injury.
Yes you do.
What's the phrase MM puked out about 50 times a few years ago.. "Available and accountable" or something like that.
TT would not have drafted two RB's if he and MM viewed Harris as the lead back.
MM is trying to keep Lacy motivated with that talk. Doesn't want his rookie RB thinking he has it all locked up halfway through TC.
I think TT was somewhat concerned Harris would be James Starks 2.0. Another player who looked pretty good for 1/2 a season then faded somewhat and had durability issues. Both Franklin and Lacy were good value IMO where they were drafted. I believe Lacy was mocked in several drafts as a 1st rounder.
From what MM said today about undrafted players and their motivations vs a high draft pick player, I think he believes Harris isn't going away anytime soon.
Originally Posted by packerboi:
I think TT was somewhat concerned Harris would be James Starks 2.0. Another player who looked pretty good for 1/2 a season then faded somewhat and had durability issues. Both Franklin and Lacy were good value IMO where they were drafted. I believe Lacy was mocked in several drafts as a 1st rounder.
From what MM said today about undrafted players and their motivations vs a high draft pick player, I think he believes Harris isn't going away anytime soon.
I agree. But Harris needs time with the O-line and he's not getting it.
I think TT would draft two RBs if he thought he needed to upgrade both Starks and Green. Starks is always hurt and Green is a big unknown.
It's easy to forget, but DuJuan had a 4.8 yard per carry average against one of the best defenses in the league in that mess of a playoff game against the 49ers. If I remember correctly MM made a point of saying he didn't get him the ball enough in the game.
Patrick Willis was very impressed by Harris and declared after the game how well he thought DuJuan played.
Rookies are never given anything. Bakhtiari is all but locked in for LT right now, but they'll never say it to him. Watch the practices and rookies almost without exception start at the bottom of the depth chart. It kind of ruins the challenge factor if you put the rookies RB ahead of the guys who have been here.
It's like building a fighter. You manage his adversity on the way up the ladder and give him challenges that let him learn. Don't give him anything he's not ready for in his stage of development.
It also makes sense from the standpoint that if the rookies are outperformed by Harris they weren't knocked down the depth chart. The older, more experienced player is right where he should be until you take it from him.
It doesn't mean that MM think DuJuan is more talented than Lacy or Franklin just that they have to perform better than him for the remainder of the preseason.
There are all kinds of reasons for MM to endorse DH (hey, that's me!).
Boost his confidence
Send a messege that you don't lose your job to injury
Reward him for how he performed last year
Motivate the other backs
Improve his trade value
Etc.
Why do we even discuss what MM says? We all know what he says in the media has a 50/50 chance of being true/honest/sincere. And for his own reasons which are probably for the better.
Nothing against Harris, but if Lacy isn't the better player, then 31 teams were right for not drafting him before the Packers.
With regards to Derek Sherrod, Michael Rodney at Packer Update makes some good points
It makes sense to NOT activate Sherrod now, but rather keep him on PUP until week 7. It buys him time to heal and GB gains a roster spot until late October.
that's probably what will end up happening.
The only problem with the Packer Update story is that they should of put a disclaimer in it stating they have no facts, only guess work.
Sherrod condition may range from a player who has greatly increase his strength and improve his technique in individual work outs, to a player who is no longer physically capable of playing on the professional level.
It is very unusually that we do not know were Sherrod is since the Packers organization is so transparent and full of blabber mouths that tell the press everything that is going on with the team.
Putting Sherrod on IR and starting over next year is what makes the most sense. Roster spots are too valuable to give one to a guy who remains a huge question mark.
If he'll be cleared in 6 weeks to resume full contact why wouldn't you want to start him on the PUP? IR means he can't practice the whole season. PUP at least gives you 21 days where he can practice to get a good look at where he's at before making the decision. It's also worth nothing the PUP rules are different this year:
Before the change, players on PUP lists had until the ninth regular-season weekend instead of the 11th to resume practicing. The change means teams can now push back by two weeks the opening of the 21-day practice period. A player on the PUP list entering the regular season could make his regular-season debut as early as Week 7 or as late as Week 15 under the new rules. - ESPN
Much better, imo, to have him get some work in this season so he can knock the rust off this year instead of next August. He needs any work they can get him this year.
We're not exactly deep on the offensive line, either. They may need Sherrod in a bad way by week 15.
If they can work the system without committing a roster spot to him I'm fine with that. He wasn't a serviceable NFL player prior to the injury and he needs to do a lot more than just knock the rust off. A full training camp is in the best interests of both parties and expecting a contribution from him this year isn't realistic, IMO.
Start the season with him on the PUP. GB will have 3 weeks to make a decision to activate him or IR him for the season after week 6. GB is obviously using the system to their advantage by not activating him now only to find out he's not ready for prime time in week 1. The fact Sherrod has not been vocal at all that he feels like he's ready to go is telling but that might also be a team imposed gag order that the PUP is in everyone's best interest if he's got any shot of playing in 2013.
Anyone else starting to think Tretter is going to go on the short term IR? Since they haven't put him on IR already then they must think there's some chance of a return.
Originally Posted by ChilliJon:
Start the season with him on the PUP. GB will have 3 weeks to make a decision to activate him or IR him for the season after week 6. GB is obviously using the system to their advantage by not activating him now only to find out he's not ready for prime time in week 1. The fact Sherrod has not been vocal at all that he feels like he's ready to go is telling but that might also be a team imposed gag order that the PUP is in everyone's best interest if he's got any shot of playing in 2013.
The problem is the fact that he hasn't practiced with the team. After a year and 3/4, I would like to see him working with the team. If Sherrod still can't pass the physical after all this time, I am worried that he may never come back.
It will be interesting to see what the Packers do with him.
Would be a mistake to activate him now. Once they do he's no longer eligible to return to the PUP. He's either on the roster (unlikely), cut (unwise), or IR'd for the year (mistake if he's as close as it sounds like he is) Keep him stashed on the PUP, see where he's at after week 6, then make a determination for the second half of 2013.
Lane Taylor graded out very well last week per PFF. Lang mentioned he wanted to practice yesterday but MM shut him down. Have to figure when Lang returns Barclay is getting a long look at starting RT.
There's really no need to force the issue with Sherrod....yet.