RealGM

Dana Point, Calif. - Offensive lineman Duke Preston visited the Green Bay Packers last week and the unrestricted free agent is definitely on their radar.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy confirmed a report on ESPN.com that Green Bay was interested in Preston, adding that the 6-foot-5, 326-pound guard/center had a good visit with the club and was an intriguing prospect for his offensive line.

"I had a chance to meet him," McCarthy said at the National Football League owners meetings at the St. Regis Hotel. "I was very impressed with Duke . . . very bright. I like the way he presented himself. I found it to be a very positive visit. As far as where we're at with the negotiation, I don't have anything for you.

"But I liked him. I didn't know much about him until he came in. He can play both positions."

Preston, 26, started 11 games for the Buffalo Bills last season and eight in 2006. Both the Bills and the Oakland Raiders have shown interest in signing him but so far he has not settled on an acceptable offer.

Preston took over for Bills starter Melvin Fowler at center after Fowler injured his elbow and started the last 11 games. Fowler also is an unrestricted free agent but the Bills haven’t tried hard to sign him.

A fourth-round draft choice from the University of Illinois, Preston has appeared in 59 games with 20 starts, all with the Bills. In addition to playing guard and center, he has played some right tackle.

One of the things he would add to the Packers' offensive line is size. Interior linemen Jason Spitz, Scott Wells, Daryn Colledge and Tony Moll all weigh around 300 pounds. Preston would add more of a physical presence.

"You watch him on film, then you meet him, and he's a big guy," McCarthy said. "He's young and I think he's got a lot of good football ahead of him."

In addition to sucking royally, Duke Preston ruined Buffalo's chances of kicking a field goal in the last seconds of the first half of the season finale because he started a fight with some of the Patriots defenders.

Preston has seen more time as a starter in 2008 as a center and offensive guard. He has excellent size, strength and athleticism for an interior offensive lineman. He has natural power to anchor in the middle of the line as well as enough strength to get movement on double teams and power zone-blocking schemes in the running game. Preston is limited in space to connect with targets on the second level, but he's a solid technician who understands angles and combination-blocking schemes. He uses his hands well to gain leverage and does a nice job to lock on and stay connected, once engaged. Preston doesn't have the initial quickness that C Melvin Fowler has, but can be effective as a second-level blocker, when he keeps his pads down. He appears to have a good feel for the game and reacts well to stunts and twists. He was more aggressive in 2008 and is a versatile player who has value giving depth along the offensive line, but he's shown he can also be an effective starter.

eagle13 wrote:well he's gotta be a better G than Tony Moll?

IF we take a OL with one of our 4 1st-3rd rd picks as expected he'd have to beat out Barbre for a spot or maybe we trade Wells or Tausch goes elsewhere. Plus we might only keep 8 OL.

I figured College at RT but it seems coaches want him starting at G and as backup LT. Guess it depends on draft.

LT- Clifton / College / Barbre
LG- College / Barbre
C- Spitz / Wells
RG- Sitton / Spitz
RT- Beno

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Pick & Tauscher?

DrugBust wrote:Tausch won't be back unless he wants to play for little. As of right now it's probably Clifton, Barbre, Wells, Spitz, Colledge.

DrugBust wrote:Chris Canty spoke to two teams. He was loved by everyone here.