UPDATED: Pack Signs O-Linemen Preston

[eagle13]

Giacomoni hasn't gotten a chance yet. Gotta give him some p.t. before you can write him off as a career backup. I think he gets his shot this summer to prove himself. I hope so anyway. Moll is hardly even an adequate back up. TT needs to flush that turd. I think Sitton wins a job at guard. I like him a lot.

I agree on all counts. Gia is worth taking a good long look at during camp but its way premature to bet the farm on him as starter this season.

[eagle13]

I don't know what happened with Moll. He was the most consistent lineman two years ago to being garbage last year. Maybe his head wasn't into it as he was shifted around a bit, but he was shifted in '07 also.

As a rook he did OK at RG. Tho RT seems his best spot. dunno - think competition will pass him by. Its good the pretenders are going - last year sucky Costin, this year Moll.

[aaprigs311]

Packers agree to terms with OL Preston
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
Mar. 26, 2009 7:24 p.m.


The Green Bay Packers have made a big addition to their offensive line, agreeing to terms on a free agent contract with 6-5, 326-pound guard / center Duke Preston, according to agent Craig Domann.

Terms of the deal were unknown.

An unrestricted free agent, Preston started 11 games with the Bills last year, all at center. He has also played some guard and right tackle for the Bills. The Packers consider him a prospect at any of the three interior line positions.

"He's got a nice frame," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week. "He's more of an athlete. We see him as an athletic frame. Once again, he’s young, too. He has a lot of football in front of him."

Though Preston adds a lot of size to the Packers offensive line, McCarthy denied that the Packers were changing their philosophy about what kind of players they want upfront. They drafted 320-pound Josh Sitton last year and were going to start him at guard until he got hurt.

McCarthy said Preston's size is impressive, but it's his athletic ability that stands out. He said that's what the Packers are looking for in their offensive linemen.

"If they are athletic they have the ability to gain more strength and size and be more physical," McCarthy said. "I think the athletic ability upfront gives us the ability to be more physical and be more multiple in our concepts we run."

When he signs his contract, Preston will become the first unrestricted free agent from another team the Packers have added this off-season.

[aaprigs311]

Depth is depth. We must have gotten a good deal or TT wouldn't have signed him. Not a sexy move, but he can't hurt. Maybe we move Colledge to RT and Sitton/Preston play the guards.

[eagle13]

Depth is depth. We must have gotten a good deal or TT wouldn't have signed him. Not a sexy move, but he can't hurt. Maybe move Colledge to RT and Sitton/Preston play the guards.

First he has to play better than he has to be an upgrade to any current starter.

I suggested College to RT a long time ago but then I read TT & M3 said they thot maybe they shouldn't shift guys quite so much. That moving guys around so much probably slowed their development a little. Well College is finally starting to show signs of being a real G, and he himself has said he's more comfortable at G, and then we move him? We may not have a choice if Gia isn't ready. And until Clifton's heir is here, College is our emergency LT. That's why I hope & pray we can snare a decent OT in 2nd or 3rd.

I agree shifting alot impedes but the ability to shift also has some positives w/ injuries but also gives a guy a deeper awareness of what the guy next to you is doing. But these guys have done that. Now its time like TT & M3 think to let these guys settle into one spot - at least the starters.

Spitz has played mostly RG but also played C well; probably his best position . He sucked his few games at LG when College filled in for Clifton. IF Sitton develops at RG - Spitz should stick at C. Then Preston & Wells back interior of College - Spitz - Sitton.

The wild card is Barbre. He played LT in school. If he could get back to that or RT - it would allow college to stick at LG. But Barbre has practiced almost exclusively at LG - still he's not better than College. So why move College? Barbre scored like a 5 on the wonderlic so maybe he can't handle change or learn quickly but also maybe going back to where he played in school would register. The kid is an athlete.

So with no camp to see growth - at this point I'm feelin

LT- Clifton - Barbre (College emergency)
LG- College - Preston (Barbre emergency)
C- Spitz - Wells - Preston
RG- Sitton - Spitz - Preston
RT- Gia - Pick - maybe Barbre or Preston or College if everyone else fails.

IF someone develops at RT and College can stay at LG - I could see Wells getting traded.

Of course injuries can screw everything up.

Also maybe TT surprises and takes a top G in 3rd b/c all OTs are gone and then commits College to OT.

This is a fascinating area of the team.

[El Duderino]

Depth is depth. We must have gotten a good deal or TT wouldn't have signed him. Not a sexy move, but he can't hurt. Maybe move Colledge to RT and Sitton/Preston play the guards.

I suggested College to RT a long time ago but then I read TT & M3 said they thot maybe they shouldn't shift guys quite so much. That moving guys around so much probably slowed their development a little. Well College is finally starting to show signs of being a real G, and he himself has said he's more comfortable at G, and then we move him? We may not have a choice if Gia isn't ready. And until Clifton's heir is here, College is our emergency LT. That's why I hope & pray we can snare a decent OT in 2nd or 3rd.

I agree shifting alot impedes but the ability to shift also has some positives w/ injuries but also gives a guy a deeper awareness of what the guy next to you is doing. But these guys have done that. Now its time like TT & M3 think to let these guys settle into one spot - at least the starters.

Spitz has played mostly RG but also played C well; probably his best position . He sucked his few games at LG when College filled in for Clifton. IF Sitton develops at RG - Spitz should stick at C. Then Preston & Wells back interior of College - Spitz - Sitton.

The wild card is Barbre. He played LT in school. If he could get back to that or RT - it would allow college to stick at LG. But Barbre has practiced almost exclusively at LG - still he's not better than College. So why move College? Barbre scored like a 5 on the wonderlic so maybe he can't handle change or learn quickly but also maybe going back to where he played in school would register. The kid is an athlete.

So with no camp to see growth - at this point I'm feelin

LT- Clifton - Barbre (College emergency)
LG- College - Preston (Barbre emergency)
C- Spitz - Wells - Preston
RG- Sitton - Spitz - Preston
RT- Gia - Pick - maybe Barbre or Preston or College if everyone else fails.

IF someone develops at RT and College can stay at LG - I could see Wells getting traded.

Of course injuries can screw everything up.

Also maybe TT surprises and takes a top G in 3rd b/c all OTs are gone and then commits College to OT.

This is a fascinating area of the team.

I don't care if McCarthy shifts guys around before camp, but once training camp starts, i hope he lets most guys practice at just their main position except for the backups who have to be flexible.

This is just my view and McCarthy very well could disagree, but i'd like to see some changes inside.

If say Colledge stays at guard, i'd hope Sitton beats out Spitz for the other guard spot and then Spitz/Wells fight it out at center. I thought Spitz showed no growth last year at guard.

If though Colledge gets moved to starting RT, i'd assume Sitton will get one guard job and i'd be thrilled if Babre won the other guard job with Spitz/Wells fighting it out at center. Ideally it might be best in that situation for Wells to win the job because then Spitz could be the first backup in at all three interior positions if anyone got hurt. Who though would be the backup LT of Colledge move to RT?

The last wildcard would be if Andre Smith was still there at 9 and Thompson picked him. With all the experience Smith had at Alabama along with the high level he played at for three years, it wouldn't surprise me if he could start as a rookie at RT. If Clifton could start as a rookie at LT and Tauscher as a 7h round pick could start as a rookie at RT even after only starting at Wisconsin for one year, Smith certainly could if he came to camp in shape.

As for Babre, we keep being told that he's not the brightest bulb in the room, it's probably best to just leave him at guard and hope he can finally win a job there.

I do agree that it will be interesting to see how exactly the offensive line will shake out.

[LUKE23]

I like Spitz a lot more at C than at G as well, I think he performed better at C. Sitton, if he's healthy, I think will definitely be in the starting lineup.

I want no part of Smith at 9. If he's there, I'm positive TT will be tempted as hell to nab him, but I don't think we can afford to have this pick bust and we have several defensive needs.

So I think as of now, locked up OL spots:

LT: Clifton
LG: Colledge
C: Spitz or Wells (I think Spitz takes it)
RG: Sitton
RT: between Giacomini, Preston, draft picks

with Barbre being the top backup at both guard spots.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm all but sure that Colledge is a tackle next season, probably on the right depending on how Clifton ages perhaps on the left.

[LUKE23]

Daryn Colledge is likely to wind up at left guard rather than right tackle, McCarthy said, and Jason Spitz is expected to compete with Scott Wells for the starting center job. Overall, McCarthy reiterated he plans to elevate the competition along the offensive line with the hope that it "will take a big step" in 2009.

That is from MM. It sounds like at least as of today, Colledge is the LG.

[ReasonablySober]

Interesting. I guess we'll see. As of right now I only see two tackles on the roster, Moll and Clifton. Colledge has experience playing there and I thought he performed the best of the remaining options. Maybe we're addressing it early in the draft? Even if we don't, I still see Daryn being on the outside in the near future.

Like I said, we'll see.

[Wade-A-Holic]

Yeah that's kind of surprising. Even if you factor in Giacomini, who won't be ready to play for a while, and Barbre, who they could try at tackle, we're still incredibly thin at the position.

[LUKE23]

That's why I won't be shocked (or happy) if we take Andre Smith at #9. Personally, I don't think we can afford to have this pick bust, and would really, really like to see us go D, but I could see TT taking Andre Smith.

[eagle13]

I do not see TT taking A Smith. And I agree. Too risky. Prefer trade down or D.

I slated College at RT for this year right after the end of last season but its TT & M3's words that have me reconsidering. All depends on draft - if OT is taken high or not.

[SteveScheffler]

having a guy named duke on your football team never hurts

[aaprigs311]

having a guy named duke on your football team never hurts

Wouldn't it be something if we drafted Duke Robinson too? Two Dukes, one cup.

[eagle13]

Article that pretty much says what we've been saying here so no need for new thread

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/42025997.html

without injuries -

College could be a OT but is slated for LG.
Spitz should beat out Wells at C.
Note worthy that article says while Sitton probably starts at RG but there's a chance he's at RT. Makes it sound if Gia ain't ready it would be Sitton - not College - that would move from G to T. I expect Josh to be starting at RG.
Barbre & Preston supply interior depth. Maybe Barbre gets a look at LT. I would like that!
RT will be Gia or maybe rookie. Moll may get one more look there b4 he's cut. With Preston & Barbre at G depth Moll won't be tried at G again. Its RT or gone for tony.

Will TT take A Smith if he's there? I don't think he will or should. I do understand if he does though.

LT- Clif / Barbre
LG- DC / Barbre / Preston
C- Spitz / Wells / Preston
RG- Sitton / Preston
RT- Gia / Pick / Moll

[Wade-A-Holic]

If the coaching staff likes Colledge at left guard, I'd like them to allow Barbre to battle for the right tackle spot. He's got great athleticism and might work out better there than he has at guard so far. I love Sitton, but believe he's destined to play inside.

[blueedwards]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/42238672.html

No signing bonus for Preston

By Associated Press

Posted: Mar. 31, 2009

Guard/center Duke Preston was not given a signing bonus as part of the two-year, $2 million contract he signed with the Green Bay Packers, a league source with access to player salary data said Tuesday.

Preston, who played the previous four seasons with the Buffalo Bills, has a base salary of $750,000 this season with a $150,000 roster bonus and $50,000 workout bonus.

Bob McGinn