The point is that this is Thompson's NINTH year as the GM making decisions about the line.

It isn't just this year that he hasn't had an offensive line with major question marks. IT IS THE NINTH.

By the ninth year he shouldn't be dependent on not losing starters. Very few teams go an entire season without having to replace starter(s) on the OL.

Look. I was happy when I saw Daryn Colledge drafted. But he turned out to be, despite Zero's continued hero worship, nothing better than a servicable starter. A Newhouse-level guard if you will.

Before Bulaga got hurt, all we had was one "really good camp" to go on whether he actually would have worked as a starting LT. Frankly, given his inconsistency at RT, that's a pretty big leap of faith in my opinion.

And the leap of faith re: Sherrod is even better. Sure, he was a #1. So was Tony Mandarich. We have even less grounds for being certain of his success uninjured than we have for Bulaga right now.

Ted has had one home run on the OL since he got here. Sitton.

In nine years. Despite the attention you and others are right to point out he has given the positions in the draft. Nine years, one home run.

How many OLs do I think would have been better than GBs OL did they have Sherrod and Bulaga? Based on TT/MM/JC's track record in their time here -- no less than 20 with a fair bet that it would be 25 or more.

Before 2010 I was increasingly disenchanted with TT. But 2010 convinced me that he should be the GM for a very long time.

But I still think "assessing OL talent" is his Achilles heel. If I were Mark Murphy, I'd be asking him when he's going to shake up the team's scout/personnel people with regard to how they do OL evaluation.

Originally Posted by: Wade 

Reading the negative comments about Campen reminds me, there are two separate topics here kinda rolled into one:

A run first philosophy, or even a balance between passing and running, which I absolutely oppose given the fact that we have such a great QB - I still say, use the pass intensively to set up the run as a change of pace or threat basically to make the passing game more effective.

The other topic, though, is the poor quality O Line - which is a severe detriment to BOTH the running game and passing game. In this, I wholeheartedly agree with the Campen detractors. True, we have had fairly extreme bad luck with injuries, but the larger point is that Campen has been poor at developing O Linemen both in terms of run blocking and pass blocking.

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

Another issue is that the offensive philosophy does nothing to help this OL.

First of all, let's see some screens. No, not swinging it out to the WR when the CB is playing off. I'm talking about getting Franklin in space with some blockers out front. Slow that DL down. Make them think twice about going straight at the passer. This will also cause them to pursue sideline to sideline, wearing them down as the game goes on.

Second of all, let's get some time of possession. Keep that defense on the field. They'll get tired, like our guys did against the Niners.

Thirdly, let's stop having our QB hang onto the ball for 8 seconds waiting for something deep.

So yeah, there are issues. Especially with Campen, imo. But come on man. We know we have a weak spot on our team, why make it more glaring? Why not help those guys out a little? Help the defense out too, by keeping them fresh. Two birds with one stone.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

To a very limited extent, I agree with you, but for the most part, what you are talking about is IMO too much of a departure from what got us the offensive success we have. Screens and maybe draws, yes, but reining in Aaron Rodgers from allegedly taking too much time to get rid of the ball? I don't think so. I WANT him to throw it down the field - avoid this WCO bullsh!t. As for time of possession, I'd rather score quick. The crap of running on first and sometimes even second down last game and at times in the past - obviously aimed at placating the run first/time of possession crowd not only cost the Packers series and maybe the game; It did not even achieve the desired result of longer possessions, as 3 and out takes less time than pass pass pass down the field. Game clock time of possession is not the same as real time your D is resting on the bench.

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

My Bold Prediction for the week.

Eddy Lacy will run for 150yds and 3 td's Sunday!!!

Redskins are not The 49r's, in fact they are pretty beat up already on the defensive side.

BOOK IT!!!!!!

Those of you who have him in FFL better not sit his ass!!!

Originally Posted by: buckeyepackfan 

First off, Mike was asking for "smaller, quicker" linemen those first 5 years. Since then, Ted's batting average has increased considerably.

I mean really. We're starting our 3rd and 4th T's. How many teams could do that without having to make a desperate trade? Not only that, but we have a 5th guy who can swing to either side and be effective. Plus there's also Lang who's proven he can get it done at T if necessary.

sh!t dude, wtf more do you want? Five pro bowlers at the position?

Originally Posted by: nerdmann