Offensive line to play musical chairs?

[TW]

I've wondered about the constant moves McCarthy has made with offensive linemen over the years. Only Clifton remains a fixture in his position at left Tackle. Tauscher had been a fixture at right tackle, but he's not even considered as part of the team, as he recovers from his injury, and doesn't have a contract.

Does moving all these guys around, like people playing musical chairs, improve the offensive line, or does it hurt it?

Personally, I think it's damaging to the line's capability, because you never get comfortable enough with your position, that you learn to work together as a unit, and understand what you can expect from the guys next to you. I think it leaves players "hesitant" in their decision making, and if you read what James Campen, the offensive line coach, and other coaches are saying, it's that hesitation that costs you the fraction of a second you needed to make the execution that makes a play a success.

I think the offensive line remains a problem, until McCarthy gets it through his head that players must play positions constantly, to become part of a well oiled machine. Musical chairs will not get them the success they need.

www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/53187332.html

[conmanpart2]

Hasn't McCarthy said that they are done with the "musical chairs" game with the O-Line?

There will always be a few players that are able to play other positions on the line... But I think he wants to keep his "starters" in one position... Once he finds out things like is Spitz a better option at C than Wells..... ie

[TW]

He says it's done, but I don't believe it. He's just added more players to the game, and there's only four chairs out there.

I wonder where it will actually settle out.

If we don't see the line set by the 3rd game of preseason, the game is still on.

[sharpefan]

I feel the reason he moves people around is because the players they have picked up is not a sound personnel for the job so he is hoping moving players around he find the good fit.

[miracle]

This is concerning, but not alarming yet. I will be alarmed next week at this time if we don't have all five positions set. There is plenty of history on all of these guys -- minus Meredith and Lang -- to determine who works best with who. The coaching staff needs to be decisive and begin to work on cohesion with these guys ASAP.

I can understand wanting to see a few series this week with some different guys in there. But, there needs to be some seperation seen between the 1s and 2s soon, or this will be the weak link on the team AGAIN.

[packfanforever]

This doesn't bode well. Barbre's been getting beat in pass blocking on a regular basis from camp reports. Duke Preston was brought in as a theoretically serviceable back-up and it looks like he'll be lucky to make the roster.

And Spitz doesn't have a lock on the center position that was basically handed to him. OK, I am alarmed. TT's strategy of developing the O line players they drafted has given us inconsistent, sometimes downright shoddy, line play. If we struggle again this year I hope Murphy puts the responsibility where it belongs.

And we're also counting on Cliffie's battered self to hold up another season. If Clifton goes down and AR gets pancaked things could go south really fast.

Boy, I'm a buzz-kill today!

[thegreenmeanie]

Well a lot of our guys are up after this season and the only one I thought we would even consider keeping was Colledge to try him at his natural position of tackle. I don't even know about that.

The musical chairs doesn't work and we have seen why the past couple years. It is fine for pre season but by the last game we need to go in knowing who we want where and plan on keeping them there. You need to build confidence in yourself and the people around you on the line. Switching spots and techniques every other week does nothing to that effect.

[GullrockGeorge]

Yeah, I'm not thrilled with the whole o-line situaiton. The problem is that the guys being brought in are all projects. No studs. I keep wishing TT will use an early pick or two on the o-line - but it just doesn't happen.

[snowpack]

McCarthy and Ted have got to fix this situation. At this point I am hoping Tausch is ahead of rehab. Like the above poster said Barbre doesn't seem to be improving at a fast enough pace. Earlier reports said Lang would be in the mix, but I haven't heard anything about him at RT lately. I haven't been at practices so I haven't seen first hand so maybe someone else can relieve my anxiety.

Watching Peyton get sacked 3 times in 2 series just was horrid. I'm starting to think I under-rated the Minnesota rush. It's just pre-season, but I am hoping for some good info from today's game.

[amoeba15]

Interesting how soooooo much depends upon the performance of the offensive line -- pass protecting young QB A. Rodgers and effectively moving the ball on the ground, especially in the frigid conditions so that Rodgers can have a balanced offense to execute from. Yet, TT continues to deny the Packers high powered offense a few good men who may make all of the difference.

As you are aware, I have been a frequent complainer about the Packers lackluster offensive linemen, but was comforted somewhat with the drafting of Lang and Meredith. However, since Tausch will probably not be available at the start of the season and a team can never have enough experience at the offensive line, the Packers should try to sign one or two very good offensive linemen.

The Packers have lots of potential at the offensive line, BUT its players lack experience and game savvy. Injuries can decimate a young and inexperienced line with little or no depth and recently signed vets will need time to learn Packers football. Soooooo, what's the holdup?

TT & MM might be risking everything IF the current Packers linemen fail to live up to their expectations. IF the packers repeat last years performance, TT & MM may be looking for employment elsewhere. By signing one or two very good offensive linemen for between $3 million and $5 million per year, the Packers should significantly increase their chances of winning more games, as well as the job security of both TT & MM.

[TW]

The blocking was pretty good during the first half against the Browns.

But the Browns looked lethargic to be honest.

[amoeba15]

Overall the Packers offensive line looked very sharp. However, it was against the Browns.

With the exception of STUPID FREAKIN penalties, I give the offensive line an A.