It’s nice to see Josh Sitton finally getting some much-deserved recognition. After being snubbed by Pro Bowl voters last December, the 24-year-old was selected as 2010 Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association in January. He received another accolade this past week when the well-respected website, Pro Football Focus, called him the No. 1 right guard in the NFL (none of this surprises me since I jumped on the bandwagon a long time ago). The only issue I had with the article was a line near the very end. While talking about Sitton’s future, Nathan Jahnke wrote, “Bryan Bulaga didn’t play that well in his rookie year.” I have a problem with that opinion.
It’s true that Bulaga didn’t play that well for a five-year vet, but I thought he played pretty darn well for a rookie. The former Iowa star started the final 16 games at right tackle, and other than struggling badly against Miami’s Cameron Wake in late October and committing four penalties in the season finale against the Bears, he pretty much held his own on a weekly basis. That included a workmanlike effort in the Super Bowl. While Bulaga didn’t always look pretty trying to fend off LaMarr Woodley, he never allowed himself to be dominated by one of the most dominating linebackers in the league.
The other thing to remember about Bulaga’s first season is how it began. He practiced almost exclusively at left tackle and left guard from the first mini-camp in May until veteran Mark Tauscher suffered a shoulder injury in early October. Bulaga was moved to right tackle on the Wednesday before a road game in Washington, and he went on to perform adequately four days later. Lining up approximately 3/4 of the time against Pro Bowler Brian Orakpo, he didn’t get beat outside all day. That performance shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise to anyone who followed Bulaga’s career at Iowa. He almost always rose to the challenge. He started five games in the Big Ten as an 18-year-old true freshman, and two years later he battled some of the best defensive linemen in the country to a standstill – even though he was dramatically weakened by a thyroid condition.
The only thing left for Bulaga to prove is whether he has the physical ability to be a quality left tackle in the NFL. Critics point to his short arms and average feet as reasons why he’ll never be an élite player at the most important spot on the O-line. Supporters argue that his strength, intelligence and attention to detail will allow him to succeed at any position. I tend to agree with the supporters, but in all honesty, I’m hoping that first-round draft pick Derek Sherrod ultimately replaces Chad Clifton. That’s because Bulaga has a chance to be a perennial All-Pro at right tackle – an honor I don’t foresee him attaining on the left side. Then again, it’s probably never a good idea to doubt this young man. Just ask the majority of the defensive ends who went up against him last season.
PU wrote: