The good news: As disappointing as the early-season protection catastrophes and season-ending sack numbers (56, including five in the playoff loss to Arizona) were, there were plenty of bright spots on the line: Wells, who lost out on the starting center job to Spitz, came off the bench and proved he shouldve kept the job to begin with; Sitton emerged in his second NFL season as arguably the lines best player; Lang surprised even the personnel and coaching staffs by being more NFL-ready than the team thought hed be coming out of college; and Tauscher re-signed Oct. 12 and essentially saved the season with his veteran savvy and know-how. So the year wasnt a total loss. That said, for this team to become one of the leagues elite and for Aaron Rodgers to start all 16 games for a third straight season the protection will have to improve.
The bad news: Not only is there mass uncertainty with Clifton and Tauscher headed for unrestricted free agency and Colledge and Spitz ticketed for restricted free agency under the rules governing the uncapped 2010 season, but the depth has to be a concern. As much of a revelation as Lang was, Barbre was awful as the starting right tackle, and there are serious questions as to whether he is an NFL-caliber player at this point. The coaches love his size, his athleticism and his nasty streak, but none of that does him much good if he has brain freezes, blowing assignments and forgetting his technique. Then theres Giacomini, who inexplicably has kept his roster spot for two years without showing so much as a hint of potential. Granted, he did spend part of his college career at Louisville as a tight end, and he does have good size, but right now hes done nothing to excite, much less encourage. When critics question whether general manager Ted Thompson can effectively draft offensive linemen, Giacomini is often the player they have in mind.
The big question: Will Colledge ever become a player?
Of all the issues facing the line and lets be honest, finding the left and right tackles of the future (and possibly present) is a more pressing issue than Colledges play whats most vexing is why Colledge, a second-round pick in 2006, hasnt hit his stride yet. Hes started 63 of a possible 67 games (including playoffs), has size and is athletic, and yet he hasnt been the kind of dominating player he believes hes capable of being. (Hes also shown that hes not the answer at left tackle if Clifton departs.) Although his status as a restricted free agent means the Packers will likely tender him a qualifying offer and bring him back for another year, thats not guaranteed. Had he played better, he might have merited a long-term offer, but the team might decide to take a wait-and-see approach with a one-year deal if that. Meanwhile, Spitzs back injury does not appear career-threatening, and so far, hes outperformed Colledge when healthy. The two players are close friends and could find themselves battling for one starting job in training camp next summer, assuming both are re-signed.
Offseason outlook: A look at the high-profile tackles available in free agency leaves one disappointed, as the best options are all restricted (New Orleans Jamaal Brown, Pittsburghs Willie Colon, San Diegos Marcus McNeill and Baltimores Jared Gaither) and their respective teams are unlikely to let them go. The best unrestricted options? Two of them Clifton and Tauscher are Packers. The others Arizonas Mike Gandy and San Franciscos Tony Pashos do little to excite. If you want veteran free agents, why not just keep your own guys? Clifton could command an Orlando Pace-type deal (three years, $15 million from Chicago last year) despite his injury history, and thats a deal that Packers should make in a heartbeat, given the dearth of other options at their disposal. Tauscher, too, should be brought back, although he may not get more than a one-year offer. In the meantime, tackle is the one slam-dunk position in the draft where the Packers absolutely must find help. The top-rated tackles entering the NFL Scouting Combine are Oklahoma States Russell Okung, Oklahomas Trent Williams, Rutgers Anthony Davis and Iowas Bryan Bulaga, whom ESPNs Mel Kiper projects as the Packers pick at No. 23 in the first round.