Colledge playing on shaky ground

By Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Nov. 20, 2009









Green Bay Guard Daryn Colledge of the Green Bay Packers has been put on notice that his starting job would be in jeopardy if he doesn't pick up his play starting Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field.

"He's very well aware of his performance," coach Mike McCarthy said Friday.

Colledge has allowed more sacks, "pressures" and "bad" runs than any other offensive lineman. McCarthy said Colledge, a four-year regular with 55 starts, counting playoffs, "has played better" in the past than now.

Part of the reason for Colledge's shaky performance, according to McCarthy, is the lineup changes around him.

"I think it's all part of the continuity," he said. "Players are so much a part of who's playing next to them. It's all tied together. As a tackle, you don't have half the issues.

"We haven't had two weeks in a row where the same five guys practiced and played together. I'm not making excuses, but I've never seen anything like this."

If the Packers were to bench Colledge, probably their best option would be to replace him with rookie T.J. Lang. He spent most of training camp at left guard but has been mostly a tackle during the regular season.

"Going from tackle to inside is a different world," McCarthy said. "To make that adjustment now would be a huge challenge. T.J. has taken a lot of reps in there this spring and in training camp. It's not like we haven't projected him in there."

Lang, who played respectably as the starting right tackle Sunday against Dallas, was informed Wednesday that Mark Tauscher would start after missing the game with knee problems.

"I don't really know if I consider it losing my spot to him this week because it was his spot to begin with," Lang said. "Obviously, it has been Mark's spot for a long time."

McCarthy will start Tauscher but isn't sure how long he can go. Left tackle Chad Clifton is OK now, but injuries have caused him to miss four starts.

Even though Lang might be one of the team's five best linemen, he's also the only functional left tackle behind Clifton and the best option at right tackle other than Tauscher.

"I really try not to think about that," Lang said. "Everybody wants to play. But if I've got to be the sixth guy, I'm going to be ready to go."

Green Bay Guard Daryn Colledge of the Green Bay Packers has been put on notice that his starting job would be in jeopardy if he doesn't pick up his play starting Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field.

"He's very well aware of his performance," coach Mike McCarthy said Friday.

Colledge has allowed more sacks, "pressures" and "bad" runs than any other offensive lineman. McCarthy said Colledge, a four-year regular with 55 starts, counting playoffs, "has played better" in the past than now.

Part of the reason for Colledge's shaky performance, according to McCarthy, is the lineup changes around him.

"I think it's all part of the continuity," he said. "Players are so much a part of who's playing next to them. It's all tied together. As a tackle, you don't have half the issues.

"We haven't had two weeks in a row where the same five guys practiced and played together. I'm not making excuses, but I've never seen anything like this."

If the Packers were to bench Colledge, probably their best option would be to replace him with rookie T.J. Lang. He spent most of training camp at left guard but has been mostly a tackle during the regular season.

"Going from tackle to inside is a different world," McCarthy said. "To make that adjustment now would be a huge challenge. T.J. has taken a lot of reps in there this spring and in training camp. It's not like we haven't projected him in there."

Lang, who played respectably as the starting right tackle Sunday against Dallas, was informed Wednesday that Mark Tauscher would start after missing the game with knee problems.

"I don't really know if I consider it losing my spot to him this week because it was his spot to begin with," Lang said. "Obviously, it has been Mark's spot for a long time."

McCarthy will start Tauscher but isn't sure how long he can go. Left tackle Chad Clifton is OK now, but injuries have caused him to miss four starts.

Even though Lang might be one of the team's five best linemen, he's also the only functional left tackle behind Clifton and the best option at right tackle other than Tauscher.

"I really try not to think about that," Lang said. "Everybody wants to play. But if I've got to be the sixth guy, I'm going to be ready to go."