Alright Foster... you want feedback. Here she goes.
First.. if we are talking about depth.. yeah, we are not deep and that is a concern more on the edges than in the interior. I think inside, we could survive a short term injury adequately and maybe even a long term. If Sherrod is close and can be ready post the PUP time, that balances out things greatly.. if he suffers any setbacks, that is when I could see the Packers adding depth, proven depth at the edges. Clifton would have to settle for a reasonable contract to be an answer, somehow I think with the risks (Health Risks) he has to take a reasonable contract might not make sense to him personally.
Now, the starting five, I think this is the best complete unit we have had to date under Ted. Lets break that down.
RT - Bulaga - My opinion a pro bowl quality right tackle in this league.. meaning any given year he would be worthy of selection. Obviously I think he has settled into that spot well and should have that solved for the balance of the decade.
RG - Sitton - Another guy that could turn in a Pro Bowl effort at any time, he has the talent to do so. Balanced blocker, seems like a glue type guy that may just be the leader of the unit.
C- Saturday - Smart player than isn't all that impressive but gets the job done week in and out. Reminds me of Frankie Winters.. not a physical specium but just seems to get it done year in and out. Should give the Packers at least this season to line up the replacement.. EDS might be that replacement long term. My opinion is that he will take over the line calls just fine and will not be a tremendous drop off from Wells.
LG - Lang - I think with another year of seasoning, I think this guy should become the best overall lineman on the team. Thought that when we drafted him, took longer than I thought to arrive, but I think he is on the doorstep.
RT - NewHouse - Ahhh, the
turrible left tackle. In reality, I think the guy played decently last season on the edge, considering that it really was the first year that he was able to focus on the position. He has the physical tools to do so, his slide has improved and his initial punch has been good from day one. He is not Chad Clifton in pass protection (Chad on natural turf that is), but what he gives up in pass protection he gains in run blocking. Chad simply wasn't a good run blocker... so I think Newhouse closes the gap in pass protection this season and gives us more week in and out in the run game. Net gain in my opion.
Although, I think EDS might have had his worst preseason to date for the preseason games, but to be fair, we are not afforded if all issues were his or "green" mates. Based on past performance and growth, he should provide solid depth inside.
Barclay is an unknown, but we had to cover the gap until we either know if Sherrod will be ready this season or not. Again, if Sherrod isn't going to be ready, we will see Ted and Company either get some veteran depth at the edge or add another option in case Barclay can't handle it.
So no, I don't think our line sucks.. actually the starting five might be the best of the Ted era. Depth, there I will say it is an unknown and very well might suck in a worst case scenario.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"