So based on that, it looks like we are stuck with Bakhtiari. I'm not exactly pleased about that, but maybe they see more in him in practice than he showed in games.
Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker
Your talking like the guy won't use last year as a stepping stone and is somehow stuck where he is talent wise. They say offensive linemen especially usually show big improvement year 2. Personally, I thought he did a good job considering he probably wouldn't have seen more than a minimal amount of snaps last season had Bulaga not gone down.
Like McCarthy said, he should come back into camp a little bigger, stronger, but most importantly much SMARTER now that he has seen everything defenses will come at him with.
As far as Bulaga goes how soon people forget. He was our best offensive lineman or no worse than second to Sitton. The injury he sustained, from what I recall, was one he was considering not having surgery done but ultimately opted to. The guy hasn't forgotten how to play football and would be an immediate upgrade to Barclay who fought hard but is nowhere near as talented as Bulaga.
Lastly, with Barclay and Sherrod in behind these guys I would say that is probably more talent then most teams have backing up starters. I will take Bakhitiari, Sitton, EDS, Lang, and Bulaga all day long especially since that group stays mostly intact with only an upgrade at RT.
I don't know why so many are down on the Oline anyhow. First it was the run blocking but I hadn't heard much about that lately. Next it's pass protection. Well, teams are coming after Rodgers. They have to or he will eat them alive. So yeah, there are pressure and sack stats but I wonder what percentage of the time are teams bringing extra pressure vs. teams without a QB like Arod? I'm sure the Vikings, without looking it up, had fewer sacks but then again teams didn't have to bring it to beat that team with a QB that sucks. A sack total doesn't tell the whole story.
The Oline had to be doing something right out there with Finley, Cobb, and Rodgers out for as long as they were and the offense to finish where it did. In fact thank God they played as well as they did or this last year would have been a complete disaster.
"The train is leaving the station."