Green Bay Even when the right tackle position threatened the functionality of the Green Bay Packers' offense earlier this season, right tackle Breno Giacomini never got a call.
Which begs the question: Why is Giacomini, a non-entity since being drafted in the fifth round in 2008, still on the 53-man roster?
"That's a young football player," replied James Campen, the club's offensive line coach. "Breno is still an ascending player, in my opinion.
"I wouldn't give up on him. Give up isn't even in the vocabulary. He definitely will push next year."
Giacomini, 6 feet 7 inches and between 315 and 320 pounds, basically has been on scholarship for two years. Out of a possible 29 games, he has played in one, been active for two but didn't play, and been inactive for 26.
His playing time consists of one play from scrimmage (kneel-down, at Detroit, 2008) and three plays on special teams.
"We don't have a ton of information yet," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "As a rookie he did some nice things. You like what you see on the practice field. But I'm not sure we actually know enough to make a great decision on where he's at."
In their hope of hopes, Giacomini will develop into a brawling, effective right tackle like Jon Runyan (6-7, 330), who started for Tennessee and Philadelphia from 1997-2008.
"He's a big-boned kid who is as solid as this wall," Campen said. "He's very strong and has a motor that just won't quit. He has no learning problem. He's very assignment-sure."
Twelve months ago Campen was singing the same tune about Giacomini's in-season development when he wrecked his ankle in practice a few days before Christmas. When the injury didn't improve, he underwent major surgery Feb. 11.
As a result, Giacomini lost out on what might have been a crucial off-season. Although Giacomini was in pads from the start of training camp, Campen had restrictions using him during the first few weeks.
Giacomini posted a 17-3-2 record in the one-on-one pass-blocking drill, the best mark of any tackle in camp. But the coaches preferred to start Allen Barbre.
When Barbre's shortcomings were exposed, veteran Mark Tauscher was signed to replace him. When Tauscher had to miss a start, rookie T.J. Lang was used, not Giacomini.
Clearly, Lang is the most highly regarded young tackle. But if Giacomini can tighten his game together during the winter and spring, he could bypass Barbre, who came up short two seasons in a row, and emerge as the No. 1 backup at right tackle.
"I'm not going to say (next year) is his last chance," said Campen. "That's not fair to say. But that kid played tight end as a junior (at Louisville) and just one year at tackle. Then he hurts the ankle and is behind the 8-ball.