OL Shuffle

[MickeyDavis]

Bulaga to LT, Sitton/Lang switch.

The season opener is four months away and a lot can happen between now and then, but the Green Bay Packers are starting the off-season with some major changes on their offensive line.

The most noteworthy is that right tackle Bryan Bulaga is moving to the left side to be quarterback Aaron Rodgers' blind-side protector, replacing last year's starter Marshall Newhouse.

In addition, the coaches have flipped guards T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton, moving Lang from left to right and Sitton from right to left. Newhouse, 2012 undrafted free agent Don Barclay and 2011 first-round pick Derek Sherrod will all have a shot to start at right tackle.

Initially, multiple sources detailed the move, and later after an interview request, coach Mike McCarthy confirmed it and agreed to discuss it.

"I sat down with Bryan and Josh on Monday and I told them I wanted to make the move to where they're on the left side," McCarthy said. "Those two are our most accomplished and experienced players. I told them about the responsibilities and my expectations about playing the left side.

"Some of the things we'll want to get into schematically as we move forward. They were excited about it."

The moves were timed with the advancement of the off-season program into Phase II, which is the first opportunity for the players to begin working with position coaches on the field. McCarthy could have eased the players into new roles but this is a commitment to solidify the left side and protect a quarterback who just signed a five-year, $110 million contract extension.

Last year, McCarthy tried to make it work at left tackle without moving Bulaga, but Sherrod suffered a leg fracture from which he still hasn't returned and Newhouse was a big disappointment after showing some promise in '11.

Bulaga, a first-round pick in 2010, played left tackle at Iowa, but he eventually settled in at right tackle, where he was needed when it was clear longtime starter Mark Tauscher was finished. McCarthy could have moved Bulaga to the left side last year, but he decided to roll the dice with Newhouse.

Even with Bulaga, 24, starting 33 regular-season games on the right and none on the left, McCarthy said he wasn't worried about the transition. Newhouse needed to be replaced after allowing a team-high 11 sacks last year and had Bulaga not landed on injured reserve due to a small fracture in his hip socket suffered in Week 9, he might have been moved there at some point.

Scouts questioned whether Bulaga's 33¼-inch arms were too short to play left tackle in the NFL, but he has insisted those measurements mean nothing and with the exception of a bad spell early last year and a few blips at other times, he has done well against some very good pass rushers on the right side.

McCarthy had no hesitation in making the move.

"I wouldn't have done it if I didn't have full confidence in Bryan," McCarthy said. "He's been here everyday (in the off-season) and so I've seen him develop physically in all areas of his game. He's a very mature player."

Sitton, 26, has been with Bulaga on the right side every step of the way and besides being the unit's best player he has been the most durable, too, missing just two games in the last four seasons.

McCarthy found out how critical the position was when Lang had to play with a bad elbow most of the year and was forced to move to right tackle for a few games after Bulaga was lost.

As for moving to the left side, Sitton has played there before and the fact he has been so durable allows McCarthy some piece of mind in protecting Rodgers' blind side. Sitton played through a bad knee in 2011 but was healthy all last year and had probably the best season of his career.

He said he studied Sitton's game and decided he was a good fit on the left.

"I even looked at the way Josh played left guard (at the) Pro Bowl," McCarthy said. "There was a lot of information that went into this decision."

Moving the two men to the left side won't require a long transition period in terms of the way they work together. The two veterans should be able to handle all the stunts, games and blitzes teams have thrown on Rodgers' blind side.

McCarthy agreed that Lang is probably better suited for right guard, at least in the sense of a traditional offense in which a large, powerful man can help the run game. The Packers don't traditionally run to the strong side more than any other, but McCarthy likes Lang in that position.

"T.J. just needs to get healthy," McCarthy said. "It should be an easy transition for him. He's played both the left side and the right side. If you go back, we're a little bit of an extension of where you put your athletic guy on the left and the more powerful guy on the right.

"There's some credence to going that way. But we're more diverse an offense than that. It's just important for both (guards) to understand the responsibility they have."

As for right tackle, McCarthy said he would allow Newhouse and Barclay to compete for the time being and then hope that Sherrod gets cleared after undergoing a second surgery after the season.

He will make a decision on where to play draft picks David Bakhtiari and J.C. Tretter after they arrive for rookie orientation next week.

"We'll do the best thing for the offensive line," McCarthy said. "After we get those young guys in and do a personnel evaluation, we'll decide how we're going to go forward."

The one thing that's indisputable is it won't be with the same lineup as in 2012.

[vegaspacker]

I posted this on JSonline... but I liked it so much, that I had to copy it here!!!

...............................

I just saw the o-line change that will be implemented. Moving Sitton to LG and Bulaga to LOT is very solid. The two best run-blockers have to be acknowledged on that side.

What happens here... pass rushers have to second guess themselves, i.e. pinning one's ears back and going at the blind-side. By running weak-side often, more emphasis has to placed over there for run defense. This opens up the strong side for Finley on passing plays.

Having both Franklin and Lacy as very good pass-pro guys, protection improves on play action. In addition, each are very capable receivers out of the backfield. The offense has extremely upgraded their dimensionality with this new roster.

I foresee the Pack running a bunch of three wide sets with the slot on the strong side. A-rod gets to read the defensive alignment and decide what play is best after determining the shift.

Then switch it up, keep the three wides with slot left... call the best line-up beater and go either way. Essentially, the outside becomes the defense's focus... then exploit the middle of the field with either the bruising Lacy... or the shifty Harris, Green, Franklin, or Lacy... Each can catch, and that threat should cause a hesitation that can be exploited!!!

[BigDee]

I'm ok with the move. Need to protect Rodgers with our best guys.

[ReasonablySober]

I like this move a lot.

[Newz]

Any predictions on how it all ends up? Because it seems like:

LT: Bulaga - Sherrod - Newhouse
LG: Sitton - Bakhtiari
C: EDS - Tretter
RG: Lang - Bakhtiari
RT: Barclay - Sherrod

This assuming that Sherrod is healthy enough to contribute. I think Lang will be an upgrade over Newhouse at LT... but I still don't see him being anything but average at that spot. That's not necessarily a bad thing though.

[Bucksfans1and2]

Not a fan. I think we marginally upgraded the LT spot and seriously downgraded the RT spot. I hope I'm wrong and Bulaga and Sherrod/Newhouse/Bak/Datko prove me wrong but I don't love this move.

[emunney]

Sounds like a continuation of the re-prioritization of the run game evidenced through the draft. Swapping Newhouse-Bulaga for Bulaga-Barclay may be a hit in the passing game, but it's definitely a run game upgrade, right? The Sitton-Lang thing caught me off guard. Is that just because Sitton and Bulaga work together so well?

[Bucksfans1and2]

Any predictions on how it all ends up? Because it seems like:

LT: Bulaga - Sherrod - Newhouse
LG: Sitton - Bakhtiari
C: EDS - Tretter
RG: Lang - Bakhtiari
RT: Barclay - Sherrod

This assuming that Sherrod is healthy enough to contribute. I think Lang will be an upgrade over Newhouse at LT... but I still don't see him being anything but average at that spot. That's not necessarily a bad thing though.

I'd give Sherrod every opportunity to win the RT spot over Barclay just because of his ceiling as a pass blocker.

[Newz]

Any predictions on how it all ends up? Because it seems like:

LT: Bulaga - Sherrod - Newhouse
LG: Sitton - Bakhtiari
C: EDS - Tretter
RG: Lang - Bakhtiari
RT: Barclay - Sherrod

This assuming that Sherrod is healthy enough to contribute. I think Lang will be an upgrade over Newhouse at LT... but I still don't see him being anything but average at that spot. That's not necessarily a bad thing though.

I'd give Sherrod every opportunity to win the RT spot over Barclay just because of his ceiling as a pass blocker.

That's the thing this move seems to indicate to me is that they may have lost a little faith in Sherrod... since his ideal position and skill set really fits the LT position.

[Bucksfans1and2]

Sounds like a continuation of the re-prioritization of the run game evidenced through the draft. Swapping Newhouse-Bulaga for Bulaga-Barclay may be a hit in the passing game, but it's definitely a run game upgrade, right? The Sitton-Lang thing caught me off guard. Is that just because Sitton and Bulaga work together so well?

I imagine comfort plays a part in it. There's also the advantage that the UT plays on the weakside (Offense's Left in the base TE-Right sets) and he's typically less stout against the run than the NT who plays on the strong side.

[crkone]

Barclay was abysmal as a pass blocker last year and pretty average as a run blocker. I do expect him to be much improved this year. TJ was pretty bad as a run blocker as because of his injury. Really it was only EDS and Sitton who could move anyone. I don't know about this. Bulaga was pretty bad to start the year but he did turn it around before his injury. If anything, Mulligan is a beast and can help out. I think he'll be very valuable this year.

As for right tackle, McCarthy said he would allow Newhouse and Barclay to compete for the time being and then hope that Sherrod gets cleared after undergoing a second surgery after the season.

Ugh...

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Our line play has been pretty abysmal the last few years, so we might as well try a new combination. Our only hope for an above average oline this year is Sherrod getting and staying healthy.

[eagle13]

I am elated b/c its the smartest move we can make given the personnel we have. I’ve promoted the bulaga switch since the season ended. This massively improves Rodger’s blind side pass protection. The Sitton move caught me off guard but I like it. It also improves Lang who is more comfortable on the right. This also improves the overall run blocking. The best part is M3 didn’t dilly dally. By doing it now there is plenty of time for everyone to get adjusted and comfortable. BTW Barclay was no worse at pass blocking than Newhouse who was the worst starting LT in the league last year. And Barcaly has a greater chance of improvement going from rookie to 2nd yr than Newhouse does going from his 3rd to 4th yr. So who is the RT? The local press never mentions Datko. Its irritating not knowing his status as he was a good college player before injury. Likely RT – Barclay, Bakhtiara, Datko, Newhouse, Sherrod.

EDITED - with 2nd surgery Sherrod is dropped out of line-up and on the PUP again imo.

IF 8 OL
LT- Bulaga / newhouse
LG- Sitton / tretter
C-- EDS / tretter
RG- Lang / barclay
RT- Bakhtiara / barclay

[Wilford Brimley]

Good move. Agree this isn't good news for Sherrod.

Bhaktiari/Barclay/Newhouse should be a fun battle. Don't think Newhouse should be counted out just yet, he is young and has a lot of reps.

[jakecronus8]

With Bulaga at LT, I'm expecting a lot of 1st and 20's.

[RiotPunch]

Really sucks that Sherrod had another setback. I guess this is what needed to be done, although I do not love it.

[LUKE23]

With Bulaga at LT, I'm expecting a lot of 1st and 20's.

He's certainly light years better than Newhouse in that aspect.

[emunney]

If Sherrod needs to go on the PUP list again, he might be worth more to a glue factory than he is to the Packers.

[RiotPunch]

I have no issues with Bulaga at LT, as he is our best tackle and should be there. The thing I am failing to understand here is the guard swap... that just doesn't make sense to me.

[Ill-yasova]

I don't know that they've lost any faith in him. I think it's more just the fact that he hasn't played football in a year and his only experience with six games as a rookie. I don't think they know what they have in him at all.

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