wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
13 years ago
Clifton will do fine once the season begins.


In the week after the Green Bay Packers pulled Chad Clifton from their Week 4 game last year against Buffalo, coach Mike McCarthy was steadfast in public comments that Clifton’s chronically sore right knee would be fine and the left tackle would be back in the lineup the next week.

In an NFL where injury information is famously unreliable, McCarthy’s surety proved true.

Now with Clifton coming off a bad preseason performance Friday night against Indianapolis in which he gave up two sacks and had a holding penalty in one half of play, McCarthy was similarly adamant that the NFL’s oldest starting left tackle at age 35 is not finally hitting the proverbial wall and will be the Packers’ starter this year.

“I have all the confidence in the world in Chad Clifton,” McCarthy said Sunday after the first practice of the week. “Chad Clifton has played at a Pro Bowl level in my time here, and I expect him to play at that level this year. I don’t know what else to tell you. He had a handful of plays (last week) I’m sure he wished he had back.”

Going back to the early 2000s, the Packers have been working an increasingly difficult balancing act with Clifton’s arthritic knees. They need to ensure he gets adequate rest and rehabilitation to keep his knees feeling good, but they have to practice him enough that his play on game day is sharp.

This year in training camp they’ve gone to their greatest lengths in limiting Clifton’s work in 11-on-11 drills. Even with only one practice a day, there have been days when Clifton has taken no snaps in 11-on-11, and in practices he takes part, it’s usually only for a snap or two, whereas quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the starting offensive line take four or five straight plays.

packernews.com wrote:



more online 

UserPostedImage
millertime
13 years ago
Watching Clifton struggle against Freeney reminded me of when Plaxico tore up Al Harris in the playoffs a couple years ago. Repeated domination seemingly ignored by the coaching staff. I don't care if Clifton has made 100 of pro bowls, he was getting taken to the wood shed in that game. We should have added a TE on that side or extra RB for pass pro.

#1 goal in preseason is no injuries (especially to Rodgers). Hopefully Chad tightens it up in the regular season b/c I odn't think Sherrod is anywhere close to being ready to start.
earthquake
13 years ago
I think they were trying to stress 1 on 1 situations, in a real game he would have gotten some help.
blank
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
13 years ago

I think they were trying to stress 1 on 1 situations, in a real game he would have gotten some help.

Originally Posted by: earthquake 



Clifton of old wouldn't have needed help.
UserPostedImage
Zero2Cool
13 years ago
and I'm expecting to shit a brick of gold. Doesn't mean it's going to happen.
UserPostedImage
Nonstopdrivel
13 years ago
Not that this is a revelation, but after seeing his performance thus far in the preseason, teams are going to be targeting the hell out of Clifton this year.
UserPostedImage
Zero2Cool
13 years ago

Not that this is a revelation, but after seeing his performance thus far in the preseason, teams are going to be targeting the hell out of Clifton this year.

Originally Posted by: Nonstopdrivel 



I don't think teams put that much stock in preseason games because a lot of teams do things that they wouldn't do normally in a game. Example, if it was a game and Chad Clifton getting beat was causing the Packers to lose, they'd start chipping his guy. I don't think that happened.

Regardless of the preseason, I think teams should attack the LT no matter what when you're facing a right handed QB. You want to make the QB scared, rattle his cage and the best way to do that is hit him when he's not expecting it. Thus, you attack the LT position whether you have Anthony Munoz in his prime or a aging declining Chad Clifton.
UserPostedImage
Pack93z
13 years ago
Where has Clifton struggled over the last couple of years..

On turf, against speed rushers that have a wide range of pass rush moves. Freeney has both is spades.. on we played him on "his" preferred surface.

It did not surprise me in the least that Clifton had his issues with Dwight.. not at all.

I guarantee that if this was anything more than a preseason game.. the protection packages would have set more help on that side. On one of the sacks.. Starks missed a chip before leaking out into the flat. Tough task to ask of a second year back.. but I think that was the point.. the staff wanted to see how he did.

There is little doubt in my mind that, if he can stay healthy, we will see a repeat year from Clifton this coming season.

Just as there was little doubt that Clifton may struggle with speed on turf.. speed with additional moves to be more correct.

So fret little.. Chad will be just fine on that blind corner.

BTW.. this is a recurring conversation after turf games with a dynamic pass rusher with speed. We will have it again at some point.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
13 years ago

Where has Clifton struggled over the last couple of years..

On turf, against speed rushers that have a wide range of pass rush moves. Freeney has both is spades.. on we played him on "his" preferred surface.

It did not surprise me in the least that Clifton had his issues with Dwight.. not at all.

I guarantee that if this was anything more than a preseason game.. the protection packages would have set more help on that side. On one of the sacks.. Starks missed a chip before leaking out into the flat. Tough task to ask of a second year back.. but I think that was the point.. the staff wanted to see how he did.

There is little doubt in my mind that, if he can stay healthy, we will see a repeat year from Clifton this coming season.

Just as there was little doubt that Clifton may struggle with speed on turf.. speed with additional moves to be more correct.

So fret little.. Chad will be just fine on that blind corner.

BTW.. this is a recurring conversation after turf games with a dynamic pass rusher with speed. We will have it again at some point.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 



besides keeping an extra blocker in to help out, they roll Aaron Rodgers to the right to keep him away from the bad guy.
UserPostedImage
Tezzy
13 years ago
I was trashing hard on Clifton at beginning of last season thinking he was done and couldn't perform anymore. I ate my crow on that, and was the most delicious crow ever. Until I see him struggling during the regular season I am going to keep my mouth shut on him and how he may or not play. Crow is good in certain situations, but not a habit I want to continue.
On top of every beard grows a man.
"The Bears are shell-shocked... and it's breaking my heart."
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (14-Feb) : Packers are hiring Luke Getsy as senior offensive assistant.
Martha Careful (12-Feb) : I would love to have them both, esp. Crosby, but either might be too expensive.
Zero2Cool (12-Feb) : Keisean Nixon is trying to get Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams lol
Mucky Tundra (11-Feb) : Yeah where did it go?
packerfanoutwest (11-Feb) : or did you resctrict access to that topic?
packerfanoutwest (11-Feb) : why did you remove the Playoff topic?
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Tua’s old DC won a Super Bowl Year 1 with Tua’s former backup
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : *winning MVP
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Funny observation I've heard: Carson Wentz was on the sideline for both Eagles Super Bowl wins w/guys supposed to be his back up winning
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : NFL thought it would get more attention week preceding Super Bowl.
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Yes, the Pro Bowl. It was played Sunday before Super Bowl from 2010-2022
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : pro bowl
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : From 2010 to 2022, it was played on the Sunday before the Super Bowl
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : They moved it to the BYE week before Super Bowl several years ago.
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : it was always after the SB.....
beast (10-Feb) : Though I stop following pro bowl years ago
beast (10-Feb) : I thought the pro game was before the Super Bowl?
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : ok now for the Pro Bowl Game in Hawaii
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : If I was Philly I would try to end it instead of punting it
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : VICTORY! We have (moral) victory!
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Hey they mentioned that we 3-peted
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : seems to me the 49ers should have traded Aiyuk when they had the chance
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : if the Eagles get it down to the 1, do they Tush Push or give it to Barkley?
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : 49ers have a money problem if they want to sign their QB
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Wait for real? Didn't he just get an extension two years ago?
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : 49ers gonna trade Deebo. Interesting
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Replays always never seem to show the holdings
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Great throw by Hurts
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Where Carter falls prey to bad off the field influences (to be clear, not saying he'd clip someone though)
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Had Carter not gone to Philly were they already had a lot of old college friends, he ends up in a similar spot to Aaron Hernandez
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : I think some of his coaches told scouts to stay away
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : the street racing incident+conditioning and motivation problems
beast (10-Feb) : Then Carter was street racing, where the other car crashed and people died... and other teams were scared to pick Carter for some reason
beast (10-Feb) : I think the Saints traded up, giving their next year 1st to the Eagles, and then they sucked and Eagles got the 10th overall pick
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : wtf Barkley?
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Getting Carter and Nolan Smith in the first round in 2023 was pretty darn good
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : for some reason i'm thinking of a draft where the Eagles where in the mid 20s and a top player fell all the way to them
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : I think so. I would need to look it up. Think it may have been Carolina's pick.
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : i'm not sure who i'm thinking of now
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : oh fuck me i messed that up
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Jordan Davis was 13th overall
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Carter was 9th overall
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Eagles had 15th and 10th selections, moved to 13 and 9 to get Davis and Carter back to back
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Eagles traded up for Carter, didn't they?
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Obviously he was a huge risk but getting a top 5 talent on the dline in the mid 20s is fortuitous
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Jalen Carter falling into their lap certainly helps
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : And we could only wish to have this type of D
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : It's not like Philly has had low draft picks, but has managed to get themselves a top notch pass rush. We spend so much draft capital of D
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : another crap halftime show
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : I think it is over, but then I think of Atlanta and want Philly to go in with the same intensity in the second half
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
Eagles
Recent Topics
6h / Around The NFL / beast

8h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

10h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

20h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

15-Feb / Around The NFL / beast

15-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

14-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / TheKanataThrilla

14-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

13-Feb / Random Babble / Mucky Tundra

10-Feb / Featured Content / Zero2Cool

10-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

9-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

9-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / dhazer

7-Feb / Around The NFL / Zero2Cool

4-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.