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Post by amoeba15 on Jun 1, 2009 7:13:43 GMT -5
The Green Bay Packers have three more weeks of organized team activities, a three-day minicamp and a full training camp before they play a game that counts. But if the NFL season opened today, the right tackle on offense would be Allen Barbre.That’s right, Allen Barbre. When the Packers gathered for their first few OTA sessions last week, Barbre, an obscure third-year player, lined up with the No. 1s at right tackle. So how much experience does Barbre have as a potential replacement for nine-year starter and current free agent Mark Tauscher? “I’ve never played right tackle in a game,” he said. Not only that, Barbre, a left tackle in college and a backup left guard in his first two seasons in Green Bay, had never played out of a right-handed stance until the Packers began individual workouts two weeks ago. “It was weird at first,” he said. “But I think I’m getting more and more comfortable with it every day.” Because the coaches moved fill-in starter Tony Moll to left tackle and claim they will no longer train linemen for multiple positions, the candidates to start at right tackle are Barbre, second-year man Breno Giacomini and rookie T.J. Lang.All three candidates have assets. Barbre is explosive, athletic and much stronger than he was as a fourth-round draft pick in 2007. The coaches say Giacomini, a fifth-round pick in 2008, benefitted from going against Pro Bowler Aaron Kampman in practice and took a big step up midway through his rookie season. They also say Lang, who was drafted in the fourth round in April, is an impressive-looking rookie and has the height to play tackle.Although the Packers insist they’re comfortable at the position, it doesn’t appear they’ve written off Tauscher totally. The team and Tauscher seem to disagree on whether he will be ready for the opener, but he still hasn’t signed with another team. And reporters couldn’t help but notice at the OTA session Thursday that Tauscher’s name hasn’t been removed from the official roster. At this point, it appears the Packers consider Tauscher a fallback position in the event the young guys flame out at the position. That is a risky approach because sources say Tauscher has at least had contact with other teams.www.madison.com/wsj/home/column/oates/index.php?ntid=453135&ntpid=1 |
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miracle
Practice Squad
Guru - Week #3, #7, #11, #13, #14, #15 - 2009
Posts: 854
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Post by miracle on Jun 1, 2009 8:39:49 GMT -5
Ha! And we've been worried about the defense this whole time. Maybe it's a knee-jerk reaction on my part, but I don't read this as good news. Not at all.
I tried to put an optimistic spin on it as I read it by telling myself that Barbre and Giacomini are supposed to have mean streaks to 'em... and that's a good place to start when finding a tackle.
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Post by packfanforever on Jun 1, 2009 10:17:55 GMT -5
Ha! And we've been worried about the defense this whole time. Maybe it's a knee-jerk reaction on my part, but I don't read this as good news. Not at all. I tried to put an optimistic spin on it as I read it by telling myself that Barbre and Giacomini are supposed to have mean streaks to 'em... and that's a good place to start when finding a tackle. Really, mnsmiracle. I can't see what there is to worry about. If we have to replace Tauscher (and soon, Clifton) I'm sure TT's plan to fill those spots will go as smoothly as he filled the OG positions. |
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Post by amoeba15 on Jun 1, 2009 10:25:37 GMT -5
Ha! And we've been worried about the defense this whole time. Maybe it's a knee-jerk reaction on my part, but I don't read this as good news. Not at all. I tried to put an optimistic spin on it as I read it by telling myself that Barbre and Giacomini are supposed to have mean streaks to 'em... and that's a good place to start when finding a tackle. Really, mnsmiracle. I can't see what there is to worry about. If we have to replace Tauscher (and soon, Clifton) I'm sure TT's plan to fill those spots will go as smoothly as he filled the OG positions. ROFLMAO  |
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Post by badgernation on Jun 1, 2009 11:40:06 GMT -5
There's that Famous Packer Positive Thinking in action again....
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miracle
Practice Squad
Guru - Week #3, #7, #11, #13, #14, #15 - 2009
Posts: 854
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Post by miracle on Jun 1, 2009 11:55:41 GMT -5
There's that Famous Packer Positive Thinking in action again.... I don't know if that's really the case. Honestly, Ted Thompson has done an outstanding job of stocking the cabinet at the skill positions on offense. There's one area of concern on the scoring-side of the ball -- and it's a major concern -- that being the linemen. ZBS or not, they are inconsistent at best. They've had great games in the last two seasons, but the number of poor games outnumbers the great games. I'm fairly sure the number of mediocre games outweighs to number of fair games as well. I think I'm fairly optimistic (maybe to a fault) when in comes to this team. Heck, I even believe this defense will catapult forward from week 10 on through the rest of the year. I believe we're going to be an 11-win ball club this fall. But, this line will be the difference between the Green Bay Packers being a second-tier team and being the lead dog in the race. Just my opinion. |
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Post by packfanforever on Jun 1, 2009 12:34:58 GMT -5
There's that Famous Packer Positive Thinking in action again.... Actually, I am pretty positive about the Pack. I think the defense could really be good and we have some pretty explosive guys at the skill positions on offense. I see an exciting 8-8/9-7 team because: 1. Like mns said, the O line is wildly inconsistent. 2. We lose Tauscher and the O line gets even worse. 3. DT used to be a position of depth and it isn't any more. 4. Our punting and kick coverage sucked last year. 5. We couldn't stop the run or generate much pass rush last season. If someone thinks we're primed for a deep playoff run that's their right. And I do think whoever wins the punting job this summer should be issued #4. For yucks.  |
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Post by amoeba15 on Jun 1, 2009 13:46:02 GMT -5
Without Clifton and Tauscher, the offensive line is truly offensive. Football games are won in the trenches and TT is a MORON when it comes to helping this offensive line. Sure, the Packers have two promising offensive linemen that were drafted this year, but the entire offensive line needs much, much more to becoming truly effective. Hopefully, these offensive linemen will do a decent job pass blocking, otherwise Rodgers' job will be much more difficult. IF the offensive line is unable to get a good push and provide a decent rushing attack, Rodger will have a more difficult time moving the ball through the air since everybody will be defending the pass and not respecting the run. In a nutshell, the Packers success depends on offensive line production.  |
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Post by packfanforever on Jun 1, 2009 14:10:58 GMT -5
Without Clifton and Tauscher, the offensive line is truly offensive. Football games are won in the trenches and TT is a MORON when it comes to helping this offensive line. Sure, the Packers have two promising offensive linemen that were drafted this year, but the entire offensive line needs much, much more to becoming truly effective. Hopefully, these offensive linemen will do a decent job pass blocking, otherwise Rodgers' job will be much more difficult. IF the offensive line is unable to get a good push and provide a decent rushing attack, Rodger will have a more difficult time moving the ball through the air since everybody will be defending the pass and not respecting the run. In a nutshell, the Packers success depends on offensive line production. I totally agree, nicely stated. |
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Post by croxeye on Jun 1, 2009 18:20:14 GMT -5
Babre isn't actually half bad, I cheered myself when we drafted him, he was a great player from a small university. I don't think he'd be half bad playing RT, however I would like TJ Lang to play there instead.
Again my projected 09 starting line (assuming taush isn't back)
Clifton - DC - Spitz - Sitton - Lang
projected line if cliffy AND tausch aren't there
Meredith - DC - Spitz - Sitton - Lang.
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Post by TW on Jun 2, 2009 7:35:39 GMT -5
I don't think the Packers have any intent on trying to resign Tauscher. The message that's going to be sent through the veteran ranks is that an injury can end your career in Green Bay, without ever being given the chance to reclaim your job. That's not a good message. The message that there's room for allegiance like Tauscher has shown the organization is essential, unless you intend turning every player you have into a mercenary. It also tells me that my theory that they want to get rid of all remnants of the Sherman era is probably fact. www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090531/PKR01/90531035/1058&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL |
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Post by amoeba15 on Jun 2, 2009 8:25:01 GMT -5
I don't think the Packers have any intent on trying to resign Tauscher. The message that's going to be sent through the veteran ranks is that an injury can end your career in Green Bay, without ever being given the chance to reclaim your job. That's not a good message. The message that there's room for allegiance like Tauscher has shown the organization is essential, unless you intend turning every player you have into a mercenary. It also tells me that my theory that they want to get rid of all remnants of the Sherman era is probably fact.www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090531/PKR01/90531035/1058&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSELYou are probably correct. BTW, everybody should have complete confidence in the Packers offensive line.  Barbre (6-foot-4, 305 pounds), a fourth-round pick in 2007, has played 119 offensive snaps and another 97 on special teams in 15 games over two seasons, without a start. Giacomini (6-7, 311), a fifth-round pick out of Louisville, played only one offensive snap last season and was inactive 14 times before injuring the ankle in practice Dec. 20. Lang (6-4, 316) was a three-year starter at Eastern Michigan but is in the process of a major transition from Mid-American Conference football to the NFL. |
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Post by TW on Jun 2, 2009 8:28:25 GMT -5
The Packers organization is acting like they have great offensive linemen in the fold, not worrying about Clifton, and discarding Tauscher.
Most experts are shaking their head, saying the Packers offense is going to take a big hit if they end up with two replacements at tackle, and at center. They could be a pretty weak line.
I'm not buying the hype from the McCarthy group. I think it's a suspect situation. Until they prove they have the tools, I'll remain skeptical. I think they're blowing smoke.
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Post by croxeye on Jun 3, 2009 8:03:19 GMT -5
TW.... TW.... TW......
ALL teams would consider resigning an aging OT who was critically injured last year to be a risk. I'm guessing 90% of the teams in the NFL wouldn't resign him, NOT just the packers.
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Post by amoeba15 on Jun 3, 2009 8:15:32 GMT -5
TW.... TW.... TW...... ALL teams would consider resigning an aging OT who was critically injured last year to be a risk. I'm guessing 90% of the teams in the NFL wouldn't resign him, NOT just the packers. Yet, I still considered Tausher at 10% healthy, to be better able to play the position that the majority of Packer offensive line backups. |
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