Bulaga gets a shot at left guard
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 9, 2010
Green Bay - After changing things up on defense last week by moving Brandon Chillar to right outside linebacker and Clay Matthews to the left, the Packers through some intrigue into the offense when first-round pick Bryan Bulaga got his first reps at left guard on Monday.
"We just felt to this point he's earned an opportunity to compete for a starting position," coach Mike McCarthy said. "Our intent throughout the spring and going into training camp was to work him exclusively at left tackle. Have been very impressed with his body of work to this point and we're going to give him an opportunity to compete with Daryn Colledge and Allen Barbre at the left guard position."
McCarthy said he began to think about the move during the middle of last week, talked about it with line coaches James Campen and Jerry Fontenot on Friday and Sunday night.
"Its a testament to Bryan," McCarthy said. "Bryan has come in here, I mean, hes talented, hes tough, hes doing things the right way. Hes got a lot of football in front of him. Hes got a lot to learn. We feel from an offensive line depth standpoint, this is the deepest group that weve had in our time here, and were continuing to try to train the younger players at one position, which is tough, not really realistic, because you start looking at that depth chart and youre trying to get some clarity to it, and we feel by making this move it may add some clarity to it. Once again, not to be redundant, he has earned this right. Hes been impressive. I like what Ive seen from the individual drills through the group drills all the way through the team drills, and I saw it again Saturday night. So were going to give him a shot."
Bulaga, who will likely be back at left tackle on Tuesday morning when Chad Clifton gets the practice off, said he's ready.
"I'm excited about it," Bulaga said. "I don't know who wouldn't be excited about getting in there and having this opportunity so I'm excited about it and try to take advantage of it."
Colledge said he didn't take Bulaga's move as a slight to him.
"I just think they want to get the best five on the field and they're giving him an opportunity to show off he can play both positions," Colledge said. "Obviously he's proved he can play a little bit of left tackle and he can play a little bit of left guard I think it makes him even more valuable to the Packers.
"I thought I played well, thought I had a good week. I had my up and down days but I think for the most part it's been an aggressive climb uphill. Feel positive. Had a good scrimmage, I graded out well and I'm hearing positive things from the coaches."