I agree, ESPN was wrong, even though I don't know of two Tackles from that draft that are better, I'll agree there must be at least two. However, ESPN didn't say Colledge never was a Tackle. 😛

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Oh, I see what you're saying now. No, I know he was a tackle at Boise State, but he was never going to project to the pros as one. At least, IMO. That's what I was saying. You can't take a guy who is only a guard and play him at tackle. You can, however, normally take a guy at tackle and play him at guard. There are a few exceptions of course. But usually the rule is guards can't play tackle, but tackles can play guard.

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http://www.footballsfuture.com/2006/prospects/daryn_colledge.html 

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lol porky can't catch a break

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I'm really trying not go after anyone's work in order to get my point across here. Just because a player is a tackle in college doesn't mean he projects to be that in the NFL. If someone said he was a tackle, that person was completely wrong. If Ted Thompson thought it, he was wrong too.

Part of being a talent evaluator is taking a player and projecting him to the NFL. There is a reason why Ken Dorsey went in the 7th round I believe and not the first-round. He did not project to the NFL. Look at Graham Harrell. There is also a reason why Brad Smith plays WR and not QB.

In the case of Colledge, you had a college tackle, who projected to be a guard in the NFL. He isn't good enough in space to play left tackle. He doesn't have the feet or the arms to do it. Frankly, I don't think he's powerful enough to handle a bull rush. I don't think he ever was. In his defense, coming out, he didn't play in a pro style offense at Boise State. Their offense is very simplified, so his learning curve was steep and they could hide his weaknesses more.

Now has he played LT for the Packers? Sure, but he's always been primary a guard. It's what they plugged him in as right away. The only reason he lined up at tackle was because the Packers had awful depth behind Chad Clifton.

Perhaps a recent example of someone who will change positions is John Jerry, who played tackle at Mississippi last year. He's playing guard for the Dolphins right now. Why? He's not a LT. He can't play in space. He's a projected guard. If he plays tackle, I think he'll get lit up. At guard, I think he'll be alright. Pretty solid starter actually IMO.

Now, Bulaga, played for perhaps the best coach in college football in Kirk Ferentz. Certainly, when it comes to preparing players to transition from college to pro, Ferentz is one of the best along with Nick Saban. So Bulaga should already know how to play LT in the pros. He's been taught it the last two or three years by one of the best offensive line coaches in football pro or college. He doesn't have the learning curve that Colledge had. Of course, this is my opinion and you could always cite someone else offering their opinion as well.

In fact, there are people out there who believe Bulaga is primary a guard in the NFL and not a LT. They might be right. It wouldn't be the first time someone was right about projecting a college tackle to guard in the pros.

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But Colledge was projected as a Tackle coming from college.

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It's true that Colledge was projected as a tackle in the NFL.

Specifically -- "Ideally suited in a ZBS scheme." plus, "known for his pass blocking abilities"

I'm not going to find the links- everyone has seen those--

"They" were ALL WRONG.

He didn't look like a tackle when he came out, he hasn't looked like one when put in there, and he will never be a left tackle.

Our brain trust has stuck with him far too stubbornly, imo

It's just like all my neighbors putting out their trash on the wrong day on a holiday week. Just because everyone else thinks something, that don't make it right.

Ted did think he was a tackle, too--

But,

Porky has it correct, again, imo Ted was wrong, Porky was right.

-- so there are two of us.

...and T.J. Lang will NEVER be a great left tackle, either (shoutout to Pack93z, lol)

I think the Packers have stuck with him for too long, I think they ARE stuck with him. Who's better? Who should replace him?

Now we can answer that with Bulaga, but then next year, who's our LG? I suppose selecting a LG with our 32nd pick next year is feasible.

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I think T.J. Lang will make a good left guard.

There.

See? I DO like the kid, just not at left tackle.

Here's a question. Suppose Bulaga proves a complete stud (i.e. All Pro type) at LG as some of us think he will be. End of year comes. Should team go after another T or a G in the offseason?

Do you keep Bulaga at guard or hope he can also be AllPro at LT?

Me, I'd keep him at LG and use him as insurance policy/temporary fill in at LT.

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