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.