😉

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yes!

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Glad to have Tauscher back. Now we know what our bottom at RT is. Which is pretty good. He played well when back in without a full camp and being less than 1 year from ACL surgery. He has been very dependable, the only thing that keeps him out is ACL injuries.

Worst case is three of last years line at season end, are going to be our backups. Tough choice on what to do with the line though. Still want an LT drafted, just don't feel comfortable with Clifton and his glass ankles being the guy this year.

So which way to go with the rest. Options

New LT, Lang, Spitz, Sitton, Tauscher with Wells backing up C and Colledge backing up LG,RG,RT

New LT, Spitz, Wells, Sitton, Lang with Tauscher and Colledge backups

Either one is pretty solid. Wells really came on strong last year when Spitz went down.

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The only problem with that scenario is that you'll be moving guys around the line again. At this point, it looks to me that Lang is the eventual successor of Tauscher at RT. We've moved him from backup G, to RT, to LT last season. I don't know how much it'll help his progression if we start him at LG, only to have him slide outside when someone gets hurt.

Just like Colledge, really.

I think that Lang will be the one sitting on the bench and coming in every other game for Clifton when he, once again, gets injured.

Clifton - Spitz - Wells - Sitton - Tauscher as starters.
Lang - Colledge - Dietrich-Smith - Colledge - Lang as back-ups.

Or pencil in a rookie at back-up LT if we get one in the 1st round. I don't think that Dietrich-Smith will see the field. If Wells gets hurt, we'll move Spitz to C and Colledge will play G.

Or, of course, they do go with the musical chairs again and move Lang all over the place. I don't hope so, but with our coaching staff, it does sound very plausible.

How is that moving around?

I am talking setting the starters. It is basically deciding where Lang is better suited. Put him at LG or RT and leave him. And do it so he is there all camp.

Then we have backups actually be the primary backups.

Clifton for LT, Colledge for LG,RG,RT, D-Smith C/G, Barbre RT, Taucher RG/RT. Depending on which way the starts go.

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Then it's more of envisioning them at other positions in these circumstances. I think that Lang will be the one taking over for Tauscher eventually and playing LT when Clifton gets injured this season.

I don't see Tauscher sitting on the bench. Especially not with the money he's going to make.

I think that it's as good as certain that Clifton will start at LT.

In that case, you could slide Lang in at G. Like you said, that'd leave you free to put Spitz at C, as well, upgrading the entire line.

I think, though, that Lang will be the one playing LT, as well, when Clifton gets hurt. That means that you'll keep on switching around Wells, Spitz and Lang. I don't see Lang starting at all, at least not at the start of the season. I only see him as our back-up OT right now. Grooming him a bit more to eventually take over at RT. Maybe even as soon as next year.

I know that I wouldn't want Barbre out there at RT if Tauscher gets injured. Or even worse, at LT. Or Colledge, for that matter.

I think we are in March.. we have the draft to go yet and possibly a FA deal or two someplace over the summer for competitions on the 3 internal spots...

I think, depending on how the draft breaks... Lang will be put into one of the two tackle spots to groom.. if we come out of the draft without a left tackle prospect.. Lang will be taking the majority of his snaps at LT...

Depending on how Mark's deal is written.. I think he will be in play for more than a season.. looking at Clifton's deal.. it is apparently that there is a fail safe in there if he declines further.

I think, in hearing the Packers talk about locking up players.. it is very apparent that they haven't mentioned either Spitz or Colledge.. and if I am either, I bust my ass this summer because that doesn't bode well if they want to remain a Packer.. put on notice so to speak.

Ted hasn't finished gathering the ingredients yet... I think we are a ways away from locking in players in roles.. depending on how the draft breaks.. we could have a 1st round new player in the mix inside that would alter all that conjecture.. If Iupati is sitting there at #23.. he is an immediate upgrade at left guard.. John Jerry as well..

I think it is clear with this flurry of moves.. that the Packers want the ability to be very open in this deep draft and upgrade this roster where ever they can.. key will be flexible enough to allow them the ability to freely select the best player at each of their selections.. or move down and stock up to gather more ingredients to strengthen the roster.

I love trying to pencil in the rotation now.. but reality is.. we don't know all the players in the game yet.. but we know we have pieces that can fit if this is what we line up with week one.

BTW... speaking of ingredients to a team... Saturday I really dug into the board and reading as much information and catching film on probably a 100 or so players in the draft... remember a name mid round of this draft.. Brandon Carter, TTU... guy has just enough nasty in him to become a player at this level.. little crazy too.. lol. Might not have all the measurables (past the 6-7 350 pound frame 😉 ) that wows the scouts.. but the dude can flat out play on the offensive line.

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http://draftboardinsider.com/cgi-bin/prospect.cgi?id=822 

this site lists him with these stats
Height: 6'5 3/4" DOB: 09/10/1986
Weight: 329lbs Age: 23

should be interesting where he goes thou ...

Schools got him at 6-7 344...

http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/carter_brandon00.html 

Either way.. watching him on tape... the guy is a mountain of a player that is surprising solid in his setup..

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All the pieces of the jigsaw are coming together.

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