Packers Offensive Line - Under Construction
Written by Mike Davidsen Tuesday, 05 April 2011 10:52
Having just won a Super Bowl, many Packers fans have the idea that the roster is loaded with depth at every position. To a certain extent, those fans are correct. However, quick aging of veterans like Donald Driver and Charles Woodson, as well as impending free agency partings, will contribute to the sudden diluting of a talent-rich franchise. Which spot on the roster is in the greatest danger of undergoing another renovation? Aaron Rodgers won't want to hear the answer.
Last April's addition of Bryan Bulaga in the draft was a great move in establishing a stable offensive line to protect the Packers' most valuable asset in Rodgers. In reality, it was just the first step of what could be an offensive line overhaul, depending on what happens with several veteran linemen in the near future. There is a definite chance that Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz, Mark Tauscher, Chad Clifton and Scott Wells will all be somewhere else in three years or less.
Over the course of the next few months, the Packers will know the futures of both Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz. After suffering a back injury in 2009, Spitz is less likely to be brought back, but it's possible that the Packers lose both guards taken in the 2006 draft. Such a loss would be akin to the blow the organization suffered in 2005 when both Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera found new homes via free agency.
With its guards set to test free agency, the Packers face the looming concern of Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher's retirements. The Packers dodged a bullet last offseason, being able to bring back both Clifton and Tauscher for 2010. Tauscher lost his job to Bulaga during the regular season and, in all likelihood, won't be back with the team in 2011. Clifton is scheduled to play another season in Green Bay, but given his injury history, may already be in the middle of his last offseason.
The Packers aren't free from concern at center, either. Scott Wells played one of his best seasons as a Packer in 2010, but turns 31 next January and can't be counted on to produce at a high level for more than another season or two. With Spitz's likely departure this offseason, the Packers will be left without a backup lineman capable of playing center on a regular basis. All of sudden, the Packers' offensive line depth is as thin as can be.
If Colledge, Spitz and Tauscher all find their ways out of Green Bay this offseason, T.J. Lang will be thrown into the starting left guard role opposite Josh Sitton, leaving close to no depth behind Clifton and Bulaga at tackle. Unless the Packers believe youngsters Marshall Newhouse or Nick McDonald are viable options for future, they'll almost certainly consider taking a highly-touted prospect early in the upcoming draft.
Comments
Some other noteworthy offensive linemen in the first to second around range include guards Mike Pouncey and Danny Watkins, and tackles Derek Sherrod and Nate Solder. Pouncey will probably be taken before the Packers' first round pick but Watkins should go late first round at the earliest, and more likely early second round. Watkins is 27 years-old, a big turnoff in my opinion, but fits the "blue collar" style in Green Bay. At tackle, I like Sherrod much more than Solder for a couple of reasons. Sherrod may be a bit of a project, but has the longest arms of any lineman at the combine and has seen his stock rise all spring. Solder is the opposite case, seeing his draft stock decline from mid first round (and potentially the second tackle off the board) to late first round or early second round. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Packers pass on Solder.
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