JSO 



They give an overview of each guy on IR and how important they view him to be in the overall scheme of things.

I don't think losing Bulaga is THAT costly. It will be losing the NEXT tackle that will be costly. Unless Sherrod or Datko are ready.

Maybe one of those unsung guys will step up.

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Bulaga is the choice because of the lack of depth. I'm hoping it helps the offense though. Run blocking is more natural and easier than pass blocking. Perhaps if protection is lacking, they will actually run the ball more.

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I'd say Ced but we might get him back in the next few weeks. So i'll go with Brian. What is more important than protecting the best player in the National Football League?

And screens! To cobb, maybe? :>

Both will take the pressure off Rodgers and will help the deeper stuff that we've just not had this year.

Good question, at this point I would say in the following order of importance:

1. Cedric Benson - I believe the Colts game would have likely been a win if he hadn't been injured.
2. Bishop - It seems like he is the only other LB on the roster capable of reliably getting pressure when he blitzes.
3. Bulaga - Has had a rough year, but still is the best we have at an important position. Also, this loss strains the OL depth.
4. Perry - Young player who needed the limited game reps to develop.
5. Smith - Dynamic player who got his chance to show what he could do cut short.
6-7 Saine/Jones - Don't really know/follow either of these guys.

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My List-

1. Bulaga: I think even in struggles this season, he had the talent to stand up and stand out any given Sunday. With him out, the depth takes a hit. Sherrod might be the solution to bring that back in line, but not a given with his injury struggles. This was a concern coming into the season, but thankfully it may be only a short term that we are one injury away from a UDFA rookie protecting the franchise.

2. Smith: A dynamic linebacker that made plays all over the field, I had more faith in him in coverage than just about any other option on the roster. That said, Jones has filled in admirably to date, we shall see if that holds when we go up again elite TE's again.

3. Bishop: Probably could flip flop Bishop and Smith but for vastly different reasons. Bishop was the enforcer on the defense, he gave us a physical dimension up the middle. I bumped him down a spot because of Hawk's aggressive play this season.

4: Benson: No doubt he is missed on the offense, but I think the 3 above are more vital to our overall success. We need to run and we have ran without him.. and it has effected the defenses without him. I look forward to hopefully having him back to draw more defensive attention for the playoffs.

5. Perry: As a rookie he is being outplayed by Walden and probably Moses in snap for snap. I think he has a huge upside, but if we were going to lose him, this probably is the season to take that hit. We have options on the edge, so that is why he falls here.

6: Saine: Special teams effect. Versatle player that provided protection in different areas. My opinion, still probably the back with the most complete game on the roster. Not that he is better than the others.. but does everything in one package.

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Desmond Bishop is the only loss that it's not amicably replaceable. He might not be able to cover Calvin Johnson, but I'm okay with that. The others lost are rotational players, not starters. Benson is solid, but replaced by a rotation. Bulaga is over rated and a rusted turnstile could replace him effectively.

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1. Bishop Big hit when he went down.
2. Bulaga Being "only an injury away from a rookie" is a thin excuse for ranking Brian high. That means IF there is no injury to Lang or Sherrod they won't miss the big whale. I think GB will miss him even if his replacement does well.
3. Smith an exciting player
4. Benson GB still wins with a terrible running game. and since he could come back he gets moved down the list.
5. Perry
6. Saine
7. Jones
the real answer to which injury hurts the most- with as thin as the Packers are on both sides of the ball- the next one.

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My list would be

1) Brian Bulaga ~ when 100% healthy, I think he's the best OL the Packers have. With the adjust of Lang to RT and D-Smith to LG, I find it interesting though... I'm wondering if they could be a better run blocking team. I think D-Smith is more physical than Lang, and I think Lang is GREAT at getting to the second level and blocking a LB or DB, and putting Lang at OT might give him some more chances to do so when they run to the left or pull someone to go right.

2) Nick Perry ~ I know a lot of people think Walden out played Perry (and at OLB he probably did) but I thought it looked like they were rotating them in two different roles. Perry played a lot on the first level (DL depth) between the OT and OG, where Walden mainly played on the second lever (LB depth) outside the OT. I see Walden and Moses now doing some of the things Perry did at the first level, and Perry was much better at holding the point and battling with the OL with no running start. Basically they were keeping Perry out of the coverage stuff (because he was struggling with it). But he was better in the more physical roles... and the rotation was keeping them all fresh. Now with Matthews banged up and Perry on the IR, they might not being staying fresh, which could be a problem.


3) Cedric Benson ~ I very well could argue Benson should be higher... but the reason I put him here is because I projecting forward some... I think his injury is helping Green learn what he needs to do, and helping Starks shake off the rust from being injured himself, and so if Benson comes back healthy, the Packers might have 3 RBs that are ready for the playoffs instead of just 1 or 2.... also Benson is going into a contract year, and having depth behind him with help with making the judgement weather to bring him back or if Green and Starks might be ready to step it up.

4/5) Bishop, D.J. Smith ~ To me they drop this far mainly because guys keep stepping up there and playing VERY well. No doubt Bishop his harder but I'm not seeing the huge loss some claim there is. Last year the Packers starting ILB had 6.5 sacks... so far this year the starting ILB have 4 sacks and the season isn't over. And Jones is the best in coverage IMO, he's not as physical but the DL is stepping up there and doing a much better job this year. Also I have to give it to Smith, he's not that fast but he's Super quick... there were a couple of plays where he's surprised the ball carriers which how fast he was able to stop his momentum change direction and restart in the new direction and make the play.

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It will be interesting to see if at some point they move Lang back to G and insert Sherrod at T.

If they do not do so, it means that EDS is better than Sherrod.

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