GREEN BAY, Wis. – Bryan Bulaga hasn't even played one game in the NFL yet and he already has received a promotion of sorts.
The Packers' first-round pick in April's draft was originally slated to back up 11-year veteran Chad Clifton at left offensive tackle.
But Bulaga has had nothing short of a standout training camp thus far, so much so that the Packers decided late last week that rather than take time to groom the former University of Iowa standout to eventually succeed Clifton, they want to see if he can earn a starting role at a new position, left guard.
"We just felt he's earned an opportunity to compete for a starting position," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "Our intent throughout the spring and going into training camp was to work him exclusively at left tackle, but we're very impressed with his body of work to this point and we're going to give him an opportunity to compete with Daryn Colledge and Allen Barbre at the left guard position."
The 6-5, 314-pound rookie from Crystal Lake, Ill., is behind Colledge, in his fifth NFL season, on the Packers' depth chart at left guard, with four-year vet Barbre also in the mix. The Packers think Bulaga can be a double-impact player -- he played both tackle and guard in his first year at Iowa before moving permanently to tackle,
"It's a testament to Brian," McCarthy said. "He's come in here, he's talented, he's tough and he's doing things the right way. He's got a lot of football in front of him, he's got a lot to learn.
"We feel that from an offensive depth standpoint, this is the deepest group that we've had in our time here, and we're continuing to try to train the young players at one position, which is tough and not really realistic because you start looking at that depth chart and you're trying to get some clarity to it.
"We feel by making this move, we may have some clarity," McCarthy continued. "Once again, not to be redundant, he's earned this opportunity, he's been impressive, I like what I've seen from individual drills, group drills and team drills, and we saw more of that (Saturday in scrimmage), so we're going to give him a shot."
Bulaga (left) was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2009 and taken 23rd overall by the Packers.
With the way that Bulaga has quickly picked up the Packer playbook from both a tackle and guard perspective, don't be surprised if he's in Green Bay's starting lineup sooner rather than later this season. And even if he doesn't beat out Colledge for a starting role at the beginning of the regular season, Packers coaches feel much more relieved, knowing Bulaga will be able to rest Clifton and Colledge at various times and still maintain a highly effective presence on the left side of the offensive line.
"There's more of a difference between left guard and left tackle than there is between left tackle and right tackle purely from an assignment standpoint," McCarthy said. "Things happen faster inside, there's more to do as far as from an assignment standpoint, so your recognition and anticipation is just something that's definitely heightened when you're playing tackle. It's a cleaner position, especially with the way we're built and we're designed from an offensive structure standpoint and our run-blocking and pass protection assignments.
"Our stress really starts in the center with the center and guards and works it's way out. We involve our backs and tight ends, too, so we can be aggressive and be multiple in our schemes. Guard is more of a challenge for a younger player, in my opinion."
But Bulaga, who will continue to back up Clifton if needed, feels he's more than up for the challenge.
"Just the way things are working out right now, they're giving me an opportunity to compete for the left guard spot and I'm going to take advantage of it as much as I can," he said. "There is a difference. If you're at left tackle, you're attacking more to the outside, while inside things are happening a little bit quicker. It'll take a little while to adjust, but I got a lot of work out there today so that was good.
"I haven't played (guard) since my freshman year at Iowa, so it's going to take a little while to get used to it. Every practice I'm going to have to work at it."
As good as he's looked in camp and how quickly he's picked up the Packers' offensive schemes, Bulaga admits he's got a long road ahead of himself, one that may have sunshine at the end of it, but also one that will have some bumps along the way, as well.
"I think it's going to be the rough," Bulaga said. "You're always combo blocking a lot when you're at guard. At tackle, you're outside a bit more. But when you're at guard, you're going to be double-teaming and working a little bit more, so the run may be a little bit harder, but the pass is always challenging, especially at this level. That's the big thing, pass protection, so there's going to be an adjustment at both."
While Bulaga's debut at left guard surprised fans and media alike at Monday's practice session, he looked like an old pro at maintaining his composure and balance, and most of all, keeping defenders away from the blind side of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"It felt all right," Bulaga said of the transition from the outside of the five-man front to the middle three-man core. "The first couple reps and during walk-through or jog-through, it was a little bit rough. You're between two guys when at tackle you're on your own. It's a little bit different, but I did all right, I think, so we'll get it straight. There's no problem there."
I like this guy. Colledge has had his problems. I'd like to see Bulaga be the mauler we've missed since Marco Rivera at G. Eventually he'll replace Clifton, but really he did ok once he got healthy in the last 8 games. TT must of saw the same, else he wouldn't have given him the big 3 year deal to resign.
Either way, I'm glad to see Bulaga is going to be pretty good. Great article. Great pick. Go Pack!
