Packers may have new starting tackles against Bucs

The amount of reps that Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher received as the first team tackles in practice Wednesday, would indicate the pair may start Sunday at Tampa Bay.  Aaron Rodgers gets blasted every week and the team has given up a league leading 31 sacks.  I’m not sure how much more pounding Rodgers can take and I would consider make the move to the veterans as well. Right tackle Allen Barbre has failed in his opportunity to keep the job.  Barbre has been better at run blocking than in pass protection.  He’s a player that has along way to go to be a starting lineman in this league and I hope he’s able to apply what he learned from this experience.  After  Tauscher was signed on October 12th we knew this day was coming.  Many of us hoped it would be in the second Vikings game, but now is as good a time as any.   Fellow draftee Jamon Meredith was released in camp and signed on with the Buffalo Bills.  Meredith started last week at right tackle against the Texans and wasn’t that bad.  Meredith certainly didn’t look worse than Barbre.  It still bothers me that the Packers didn’t just sign Tauscher this off season to a cheap deal.

Daryn Colledge should never, ever see another snap as a left tackle and should remain at left guard.  Rookie T.J. Lang was abused on some plays and held his own on some plays at left tackle.  Lang is a not yet ready for prime time player, but has a future with the team possibly as a guard.  The makeup of this offensive line is odd as their isn’t a suitable backup left tackle  among the group.  Left tackle is the most important position on the line and to not have a suitable backup is a recipe for disaster.  The Packers have been burned by the youth movement on the offensive line.  Clifton and Tauscher are better than the guys they’re replacing, but their injury histories are a concern.   The fact that Clifton was a full participant in practice is a great sign.  Aaron Rodgers may have more time to throw down field  with the veterans in the lineup.

Tags: Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher, Packers