RealGM

I was thinking about the OT position next year, i read McGinn's column about how poor the OT crop for the draft likely will be, and also read Bedard's chat today where someone posted a question about the tackle position.

# Q: mike, las vegas - Greg- Thanks for the chats. One simple question looking ahead. How are we going to replace 2 aging OT's in a draft that is weak at OT??

# A: Greg A. Bedard - If Giacomini isn't starting next season, it's a complete joke and he's been an utter waste of roster space the past two seasons. So he has to be the starter there. Lang might be able to get you through a season, but I expect Clifton to be back in some capacity. There's no way the Packers can draft a LT next year and him be the starter. It just doesn't happen unless the guy is a top-10 pick. I've been saying for months the Packers are screwed at left tackle for the foreseeable future. That's what I didn't get about cutting Jamon Meredith. They should have cut Giacomini and kept Meredith in the same space-sucking role. At least Meredith has a chance to be a left tackle with his athletic ability.


Now i don't agree that Giacomini will be the starting RT, odds seem strongly against it and even if that happened, i don't think Lang has the physical gifts needed to be a LT beyond a spot start situation. Clifton no doubt is looking to be nearing the end of the road, but he does also look to have enough left to where he can at least still be a solid pass protector on Rodgers blind side. Something nobody on the roster i think is capable of. If brought back next year, i'd be reasonably confident that Clifton could provide more of the same decent pass blocking to where we aren't terrified each snap like when he was hurt. Free agency doesn't seem an option for a starting LT because that isn't how Ted operates and on top of that, quality LT's rarely make it to free agency anyways. Tauscher just looks like he can barely move anymore, amazing that he can be adequate.

The thing with Clifton, i wouldn't want any part of giving him a multi-year deal. Ideally, Thompson can draft a LT prospect on the first day that spends a year grooming and Clifton plays his last year with us next season. Clifton i'm sure though would like to get a multi-year deal here or elsewhere, so i would be ok with tagging Clifton instead to be sure he's back, but only for one year even if the price is a bit higher than he's worth. What i wonder about is, if there is no CBA and it's uncapped, are the franchise and transitional tags still in place like they are now or are they wiped out?

They're both in play. Packers wouldn't have to use one or the other. I would tag both Pickett and Clifton, though hopefully Pickett is open to signing a multi-year deal.

Edit: That said, I agree with what Bedard said about not expecting to draft a starter at LT next April. There's probably only one, maybe two guys you could pencil on for a spot on the left. The only way the Packers are getting either is with a deal up and this draft is too deep to give up second and third rounders unless the player is special. There are guys like that in this class.

Ndamukong Suh
Gerald McCoy
Joe Haden
Eric Berry
Dez Bryant
Rolando McClain
Derrick Morgan

These guys should standout in workouts and the tape is going to show them to be awesome prospects. But there isn't a LT in that group. I like Okung, but I watched more of him last season than I did this season. I've heard some mixed opinions.

But there are gonna be guys taken in the 10-50 range with great measurables and upside and the ability to dominate their positions down the line, and there are some OTs in that group. That said, none will probably be BPA when the Packers come on the board.

I understand that OT has to be addressed, but I'll be disappointed if the Packers go that route in the first round.

I'd like to keep Pickett around and I keep expecting for TT to extend him before the end of the season. Collins too. If we go into an uncapped year all of the cap space we have will essentially evaporate.

Good thread.
Thanks DB for the early OT evaluation.

Even if league gets a new CBA and the season is capped - the only decent LT FA prospect is McNeil (Chargers) and he's not without question. Since he's the only viable LT FA prospect IMO - many teams will be interested - no way will TT outbid for him. And in this case I wouldn't either.

But I lay odds its all but certain we're gonna be uncapped.

Since there are so few LT FAs I expect someone to offer Clifton a silly multiple year deal with a fair size of guaranteed $. That puts GB in a predictament.

Tauscher may be able to put in another year at RT but he needs a competent backup that can play good enuf when Tauscher gets dinged and hopefully develop into a starter.

Giacomini & Barbre are crap.

Lang could be RT but he'd be better at LG instead of College. We may not have that luxury.
IF a quality FA or rookie LG could be had then Lang could back and eventually replace Tauscher.

But either way the MAIN need is LT.
Its a bummer to hear DB's assessment that there are zero solid LT prospects in the draft.
So is Clifton worth it?
He’s always a threat to miss games due to injury.
He’s had a ton of penalties this year.
He gave up his share of sacks early on – not being his usual pass wall.
He’s never been an elite run blocker.

With his age, injury history and declining performance it seems silly too give him much of a deal. However what choice do we have? Draft a OT in 2nd or 3rd and pin Rodgers health to an uncertain rookie or some old FA retread?

IF any young vet LT like Joe Thomas can even be pried away who knows? But a LT (Jason Peters?) was traded last offseason and I think there was another? It does happen. But it would be expensive I admit.

I say LT is 2nd or 3rd most important spot on offense – 4th or 5th on entire team.
So I go all in.

This is said to be a deep draft. That means picks are more attractive trade bait. I don’t like giving away picks. But just as trading up for Matthews was right -- IF a trade can solidly fill this vital position for the next 6-7 years then I pay the price.

I’d be willing to offer this year’s 1st & 2nd and next year’s 3rd for a young guy like Thomas. Heck Vikes got Allen for 1st & two 3rds. I’d throw in Hawk or Bishop if it got it done. (must resign Chillar)

Also I definetly want pickett and chillar back. Not sure why TT isn't frontloading deals with this year's money?

Anyone know when the cut off date for deals to use this year's $? March?