The whole notion of "musical chairs" on the offensive line has never set well with me. It always seemed like an excuse by the coaches to cover up the fact that we just didn't have very many talented players on the o-line and the fans bought into it. Maybe the reason Colledge is so inconsistent isn't because he's switched positions a lot but because he just isn't very good. In fact, Colledge seems to be the only player who suffers from being moved around. Spitz plays consistently despite the fact that he's constantly shuffled around. Lang played LG, LT and RT last year and I didn't hear anyone complaining.
If Bulaga is as talented and smart as he's supposed to be then playing him at LG isn't going to hurt his development. If he's as talented and smart as he's supposed to be then he needs be starting somewhere on the line.
"Blank402" wrote:
Good post. Don't agree with the love for Spitz, but the rest is spot on. +1.
If Colledge had been playing the way we should want a LG to play, Bulaga wouldn't have "earned" the switch.
Count me among the few who like the move. I said back in April when this "we're working Bulaga exclusively at LT" that it only made sense
if Colledge or Spitz decisively took OG job. If your only reason for keeping one of your best 5 OL on the bench is because you expect one of the other 5 to go down to injury sometime in the future, your plans (and your roster) are skewed.
McCarthy may indeed be working Bulaga at RG because "he's been impressive." But he's also doing it because he's been at least as impressive, if not more impressive, than the alternatives at OG.
Conditional: If Bulaga has to switch to LT because of a Clifton injury, and has split his reps between guard and tackle, that
might mean a weakness on the line.
Certain: When Colledge proves his usual inconsistent/sometimes-servicable-and-sometimes-not self, that
will mean a weakness on the line.
IMO the only reason not to switch some, or even all, of Bulaga's reps to guard is if you think he has a shot at beating out Clifton for the starting spot early in the season.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)