PACKER UPDATE

O-LINE WILL BE BETTER THIS TIME

If Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher and Jason Spitz are ready to play on Sunday, Green Bay will go into Brett Favre Bowl II with eight capable offensive linemen on its 45-man game day roster. That’s a far cry from how things were for Brett Favre Bowl I. Back on Oct. 4, Clifton was out with an ankle injury and Tauscher was still a former Packer. Plus, T.J. Lang (for some reason) was taking all of his snaps at guard and right tackle Allen Barbre’s head was still spinning from watching Adewale Ogunleye use him as a human turnstile on opening day. “That group had no chance against Minnesota’s fast and physical front four,” said a former scout. “Two Daryn Colledges couldn’t block Jared Allen and left guard is Jason Spitz’s third-best positon. I know it’s only been about four weeks, but I expect the results to be different this time around.”

Things have changed quite a bit in the 25 days that have passed since Allen & Co. sacked Aaron Rodgers eight times in the Metrodome. Lang proved against Cleveland that he’s a huge upgrade over Colledge at left tackle. The prideful rookie won’t allow himself to get embarrassed by Allen should he start in place of Clifton. Colledge is now back at left guard, a position that suits his skill set much better. And Barbre, while still prone to the occasional brain fart, keeps improving. “I like the offensive line’s chances this week - regardless of which five players start,” said the scout. “That group will be better at left tackle, left guard and right tackle. And don’t forget, the game will be played at Lambeau Field, so noise won’t be an issue and the grass should slow down the pass rush.”

T.J.'S FUTURE ISN'T AT LT

With Chad Clifton out again with an ankle injury, T.J. Lang will make his first start on Sunday at Cleveland. The scrappy rookie from Eastern Michigan has looked pretty good in brief relief appearances at left tackle against Minnesota and Detroit. So is tomorrow’s game a glimpse into the post-Clifton era? Probably not. “I doubt that Lang is the heir apparent at left tackle, but he should do a better job than Daryn Colledge,” said a former scout. “Lang is bigger and much more physical than Colledge and he hasn’t been away from the demanding position for almost four years. That gives him a chance to be successful.” 

So why isn’t Lang the left tackle of the future? “I don’t think he has the measurables for the position,” opined the scout. “He lacks great size (6-4 315) and great feet. You might be able to get away without one of those two attributes, but overcoming both would be difficult. In my opinion, Lang is better suited for right tackle. That’s his natural position at this level. In fact, I was very surprised that the coaches didn’t give him a chance to compete with Allen Barbre and Breno Giacomini during training camp.” 

Clifton’s long-term replacement isn’t on the current roster. “[GM] Ted Thompson would’ve drafted Michael Oher at No. 9 had B.J. Raji not been available,” said the scout. “I don’t think that type of option will be available next April. Unless Thompson signs a stud free agent, he'll almost have to select the best available tackle in round one. You can’t count on Clifton in 2010, and while Lang can probably hold his own for a few games, he’s not the player you want protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blind side for the next 10 years.” Maybe so, but adequately protecting the QB for a few games would do just fine for now.

SHHH...HERE'S WHAT WE'RE HEARING

It’s awfully early, but we already hear rumblings that running backs Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn won't be around in 2010. Grant is overpaid, Jackson is unreliable and Wynn is a nonentity..... Mike McCarthy made it clear to Dom Capers that he wanted Green Bay to be a pure 3-4 team in 2009 - even though his new defensive coordinator had impressive results running an under 4-3 scheme in his inaugural seasons with Jacksonville in 2000 and Miami in 2004. Those teams, like the current Packers, had personnel better suited to play with four down linemen..... While Ted Thompson probably won’t pull the trigger on any major trades before next Tuesday's deadline, he’s at least testing the waters. Green Bay is willing to move either Nick Barnett or A.J. Hawk, but there’s little interest in either player. Fellow linebacker Aaron Kampman is far more appealing to other teams, but he doesn’t appear to be on the block..... Expect VP of Player Finance Russ Ball to initiate serious contract negotiations with center Jason Spitz in the next few weeks. The former Louisville star, along with guard Daryn Colledge, are the team’s top targets for in-season extensions..... And finally, former Packer Jamon Meredith had far more fans in the front office than he did on the playing field. Coaches and even some of his linemates had lost faith in the rookie left tackle after watching him drop out of numerous practices during training camp for a variety of reasons. The ex-South Carolina star is currently a backup in Buffalo.

TED DIDN'T TACKLE THIS PROBLEM

When Ted Thompson was hired by the Packers as general manager on Jan. 14, 2005, starting tackles Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton were already pushing 30 years of age. Finding and developing adequate replacements should’ve been a top priority for Thompson. Instead, he spent the next four years largely ignoring the position. Sure, he drafted college tackles Daryn Colledge, Allen Barbre and Breno Giacomini, but Colledge was immediately projected to guard and Barbre and Giacomini were mid-round picks whom the vast majority of experts dismissed as future starters in the NFL. “I don’t know how a smart guy like Thompson can screw up so badly at such an important position,” opined a former scout. “He was fortunate that Clifton and Tauscher held up for so long, but his luck seems to have run out.” OK, now tell quarterback and human pinata Aaron Rodgers something he doesn’t already know.