Offensive Line Gets Deeper in 5th Rd
By Matt Tevsh
matttevsh@hotmail.com
Posted Apr 24, 2010
[img_r]http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/80/805145.jpg[/img_r]TCU's Marshall Newhouse was a three-time all-conference selection at left tackle but figures to be in the mix at right tackle and either of the guard slots.
Packers add more line depth in Round Five Fifth-round pick Newhouse faces uncertain first week with the Packers with a possible position switch ahead. The Packers are just six days away from opening their rookie camp yet are undecided on where fifth-round pick Marshall Newhouse will play.
Newhouse, taken with a compensatory pick at No. 169 overall Saturday afternoon, has been projected by some to be a guard at the NFL level. But for four years at TCU, he played tackle.
All Packers offensive line coach James Campen could concede in his short session with the media Saturday was that Newhouse will play guard and tackle, and that where he starts this coming week will be discussed among the coaching staff.
What is known for now about Newhouse is that he is believed to have the smarts to play multiple positions and is willing to do whatever it takes.
Ill play anything and everything, said Newhouse.
At TCU, Newhouse was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection for one of the best teams in the country in 2009. The Horned Frogs ranked sixth nationally in allowing just 12 sacks and their high-powered offense was among the top 10 in points scored (38.3), total offense (456.7 yards per game), and rushing offense (239.5).
Newhouse also had the challenge each day in practice of going up against teammate Jerry Hughes, one of the nations best pass rushers and a first-round pick (No. 31 overall) of the Indianapolis Colts. Going up against a speed-rushing DE/OLB like Hughes gave him some indication of what the pro game might be like.
Seeing Jerry practice every day, theres no one who I thought was faster off the ball when I saw him in games, said Newhouse, So just seeing that helped me tremendously in the game.
If Newhouses last name sounds familiar, it should. His cousin, Robert, is a former Dallas Cowboys great at fullback (1972-83), and his father, John, played football at the University of Houston and was a part of three Cotton Bowl teams. Other cousins, Reggie and Rod, also played football, at Baylor and Rice, respectively.
Newhouse admitted that hes not sure why hes being projected as a guard after so much success at tackle in college, but instead is focusing on his versatility. He says his feet are one of his strengths and he showed his flexibility at the East-West Shrine game week, when coaches had him playing multiple positions.
Some people said I dont have the prototypical size, began the 6-4, 320-pounder, but I played tackle for four years. I know I can play all five positions on the line.
With first-round pick Bryan Bulaga, the Packers add Newhouse to a position of need along the offensive line. Re-signed veterans Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher man the starting tackles positions, with Bulaga at left tackle and T.J. Lang slated to take most of his snaps at right tackle. At guard, the Packers have just one certain starter in Josh Sitton at right guard, with Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz and maybe Lang in the mix at left guard. Colledge has yet to sign his restricted free agent tender.