By Marques Eversoll
Before his team even had a chance to take the field for training camp, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy made it clear that this offensive line has a chance to be the best since he took over the team in 2006.
“This offensive line, in my opinion, in my time here, has the chacne to be the best offensive line that we’ve had,” McCarthy said before the Packers kicked off training camp.
The focus this summer along the offensive line will be at the center position where second-year player J.C. Tretter enters camp as the de facto starter, despite missing his rookie year with a broken leg. Corey Linsley, the first true center Ted Thompson has drafted with the Packers, will provide compeition to Tretter and has been working with the second team after spending the spring with the No. 3 offense.
T.J. Lang has been limited in the team’s first two practices, but Aaron Rodgers is certainly comfortable with his guards, as he called the team’s duo of Lang and Josh Sitton two of the “best in the game” after the team’s first practice Saturday. Rodgers, Lang and Sitton will each have to deal with their third new starting center in as many seasons.
The pads will come on Monday, giving McCarthy his first look at this year’s starting line. Still, McCarthy already knows what will be the key for his offensive line to reach its potential: availability.
“Every offensive line I’ve been around, when they line up and play 16 games together, that’s a damn good offensive line,” McCarthy said after Sunday’s practice.
That hasn’t been the case in recent years, as then-left tackle Bryan Bulaga suffered a knee injury last summer that kept him out for the entire 2013 season. Now, Bulaga goes back to the right side and David Bakhtiari stays on Rodgers’ blindside. If Tretter can fill Dietrich-Smith’s shoes in the middle, then, combined with Lang and Sitton at guard, the Packers could be among the top lines in football.
Last year, the Packers allowed 45 sacks, which ranked 24th in the NFL and was more than double what the Denver Broncos (20) allowed. In the past, the quarterback has been partially responsible for inflated sack numbers, as Rodgers opts to hold onto the ball a little longer rather than forcing the ball into coverage and risking a turnover.
But on paper, it’s easy to see why McCarthy’s so confident in this year’s line. Bakhtiari, Sitton, Tretter, Lang and Bulaga is probably, at the very least, the most athletic line the Packers have had. If the Packers can keep Rodgers upright and Eddie Lacy can bounce back with a strong sophomore season after his 2013 Rookie of the Year campaign, then the Packers’ offense should be among the NFL’s most balanced.
Somewhat lost in the offensive line conversation is Don Barclay who has started 18 games the past two seasons. McCarthy gave Barclay a vote of confidence after Saturday’s practice, calling him “a guy you don’t want to compete against,” citing his willingness to fight for a job and his versatility to play guard or tackle.
Derek Sherrod, who has appeared in only 12 games since the Packers took him with the No. 32 overall pick in 2011, has been on the field for each of the team’s first two practices as well. The team declined his option for next season, so he’ll be a free agent after the 2014 season. If he’s going to have a chance to stick around beyond this season, he’ll need to prove he can stay on the field.
In 2008, the Packers had a “Big Five” at wide receiver with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson and Ruvell Martin. Now in 2014, if all goes to McCarthy’s ideal plan, their “Big Five” may be the big uglies.
You can hear Marques on SportsLine, Monday through Friday 4:00-6:00pm on WDUZ 107.5 FM and 1400 AM “The Fan” and on the Saturday Morning Showcase at 8 am on Saturdays. You can follow him on Twitter @MJEversoll and/or email him at [email protected].
