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quote:
Evan Dietrich-Smith taking over at center
packers.com

by Mike Spofford on Friday, December 21st, 2012

Evan Dietrich-Smith is taking over at center for Jeff Saturday for Sunday’s game against Tennessee and for the rest of the season, barring another injury up front.

“I told Dietrich I fully support him, and I think he’ll do a good job,” said Saturday, a 14-year veteran who, like Dietrich-Smith, came into the league as an undrafted free agent. “I told him to make the most of it.

“We all get our chance somehow, and whenever you do, you’ve got to take advantage of it. When I got my chance, I made the most of mine. I hope he does the same.”

“We’re at two totally different points in our career,” Saturday said. “His is on the up ramp, mine’s on the way out.

“I’ve put the best I can be out there. If that’s not good enough and somebody is better, they deserve to play. I’ve always felt like that. I respect ‘Diety’ enough to say if that’s his, then he needs to take it and go do a good job with it.”


“To get this opportunity, I just hope I can go out there and make the coaches proud,” said Dietrich-Smith, who repeatedly mentioned the respect he has for Saturday and how much he appreciates the relationship they’ve had this season.
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12/21 Video:
MM Presser
Saturday: Dietrich-Smith will do a great job
Evan Dietrich-Smith is honored, ready to help
quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
I'm laugh at the confidence in EDS here. Pine rider snapping the ball to Rodgers as they are positioning for the playoffs. I look forward to the 3 to 4 plays minimum where it's a complete freeway between Lang and Sitton. Hopefully Saturday was able to coach him up some because you know Campen isn't doing dick.


How often is he going to be asked to go one on one with guys like Fairly while playing center?

I highly doubt we see a drop off in pass pro. As you pointed out in another thread, the main concern here is ball exchange and making the right calls.
quote:
Originally posted by titmfatied:
It's not like it wouldn't happen 3-4 plays with Saturday in there. He just doesn't have it anymore. If anything this gives them a chance to improve.


He's still better on the snap. EDS trying not to get beat without having to snap the ball is bad enough.

I'm aware that it's a flip of the coin but Saturday's experience actually weighs in here. EDS better in run blocking, sucks in pass protection. The division is wrapped up and they are playing the Titans. I'm not calling for pitchforks just relaying my disgust at the backup situation and Campen's incompetence. They are winning in spite of the situation and that is high praise for the rest of the team.

If the oline was average this team would be absolutely rolling into the Superbowl and still may.
Not sure who's available in the draft (Help, GraveDigger) But I think C may be worth a first round pick if we can find someone as good as Pouncey a few years ago. I envied that pick, and the guy makes Pro Bowl as a rookie. Fortunately he was hurt and couldn't play in the Super Bowl, which helped us when Howard Green forced a key INT....
quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
EDS better in run blocking, sucks in pass protection.
To that point.

quote:
Dietrich-Smith to start over Saturday
jerseyal.com

Marques Eversoll

Saturday has struggled particularly in the running game this season–ranking dead last in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. However, in the passing game, Saturday grades out as PFF’s third most-effective center.
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quote:
Originally posted by Brak:
Barrett Jones
from walterfootball.com

quote:
Jones had an excellent debut at center in the 2012 season opener...Jones had a tremendous season at left tackle last year...Jones only moved to left tackle in 2011 after playing guard the previous two years
If ever a guy was made for the way they like to play around with the offensive line...
I actually don't have as big of an issue with this move as some other people do.

The fact of matter is that when you watch the OL performance more often than not Saturday cannot hold blocks for an extended period of time, and he's pretty ineffective at run blocking.

EDS has had his issues for sure, but he's more physical at the point of attack than Saturday and I don't think he can be any worse than Satruday at pass blocking.

The concerns around being the QB of the OL are valid IMO, but Saturday has been a disappointment so they might as well give someone else a try.
quote:
Originally posted by Tschmack:
I don't think he can be any worse than Satruday at pass blocking.
.



Yes he can. The only thing I can think of is the Packers really want to balance out the offense with the run game relying on rollouts, hurry up, three step drops and Rodgers feet to make up the deficiencies in pass protection. There is no James Starks type breakout without some kind of oline opening holes.

This would make the most sense as to why the switch is occurring. Teams still key on the Packers pass game. A truly effective run game starts gashing opponents (particularly teams like the Giants) and Rodgers isn't looking out of his earhole as much.

I think they are looking at **** in one hand and **** in the other deciding which stinks less before they smear it on themselves.
It's a coin flip but the more I think about it a good one (even though Pine Riders of the Storm sucks). You try to solidify the run game to the point of where the Packers could legitimately move the sticks with the run game instead of the "stay honest" approach. Plus, it gives you the option of keeping RBs as blockers and may finally open up the middle of the field for the Packers. Finley may reap the benefits as well.
quote:
Originally posted by Henry:
You try to solidify the run game to the point of where the Packers could legitimately move the sticks with the run game instead of the "stay honest" approach.


And if you analyze the teams that stand in the way of the Packers (i.e. 49ers, Falcons, Patriots,...), pass only approach has a greater possibility of getting you beat in the playoffs like last year. In my mind this was strategy. It would have been poor strategy if they decided they needed to run more and kept Saturday at C. Part of strategy is planning things that your team can execute. That still remains a question mark here. Vikings will be a better test.

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