GREEN BAY — For all the attention being paid Friday night to rookie left tackle David Bakhtiari — and deservedly so, given that the fourth-round pick was playing in his first game since being tasked with protecting Aaron Rodgers' blindside — it was another Green Bay Packers tackle that caught the eye of coach Mike McCarthy on Saturday.
Don Barclay.
The second-year tackle, who has worked at right tackle, center and right guard in camp but is now focusing on right tackle following Bryan Bulaga's season-ending knee injury, went in second at right tackle behind Marshall Newhouse and may have pushed himself into a dead heat after his performance in the Packers' 17-0 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field.
"I thought Barclay was clearly one of the top performers of the game for us," McCarthy said after breaking down film of the game. "When we went through the grading, we didn't grade out very well as a football team; we graded out poorly as an offense. (But) I thought Don Barclay's performance was clearly one of the better spots in (Friday) night's game."
Barclay played 30 snaps on offense for the Packers, coming in at right tackle for the second offensive series after Newhouse, who's been ahead of him all camp since shifting over from left tackle in the offseason line shakeup, started and played the first series. Newhouse was back at right tackle for the third series, and the two alternated until Newhouse played left tackle and Barclay played right tackle in a series that started with 2 minutes 18 seconds left in the third quarter. Both players called it a night after that.
Given McCarthy's praise, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Barclay line up with the starters when the team resumes practicing on Monday. That practice is closed to the public, but Tuesday's practice is open to fans, weather permitting, at 11:15 a.m.
Earlier in camp, Bakhtiari thrust himself into the right tackle competition while Barclay was playing multiple positions. He was struggling at center when Bulaga's injury happened, and with Bakhtiari getting the call at left tackle, the coaches want Barclay to focus on tackle. That way, whoever doesn't win the battle could serve as the swing tackle behind Bakhtiari and the right-side starter.
Barclay started six games (including playoffs) to close last season after Bulaga suffered a season-ending hip injury.
Asked what Barclay showed him on Friday night, McCarthy replied: "Just his flexibility. He plays the right way. He's assignment sound, did an excellent job finishing, he won the majority of his blocks and his pass sets."
Jason Wilde wrote: