Ellis269
Sep 13 2009, 10:48 PM
With the struggles of Allen Barbre from week one, I think that it's pertinent to ask if there are any legitimate starting OTs out there in free agency.
I think that the team missed an opportunity (especially with the inexperience of Barbre and Giocomini) when both Kevin Shaffer and Tony Pashos were out on the market (and signed to pretty cheap contracts), but as of right now are there any starting quality RT prospects out there languishing in free agency?
Ellis269
Sep 13 2009, 10:52 PM
I'm expecting fans to clamor for Mark Tauscher, but he had clearly lost a step and may not be able to recover from his injury well enough to do much better than Barbre.
Possibly Langston Walker? He was a decent RT for the Bills and was phased out in their OL purge this offseason. He might certainly be worth a tryout. Kick the tires and see how well he looks.
Any others?
Terry
Sep 14 2009, 04:44 AM
I don't really know and I haven't been at practices, but this all strikes me as a bit hasty. I'm under the impression that the coaches like Barbre because he's a strong athlete. Whatever, they must have seen something that made them confident in him starting in that position. He may have huge upsides and games like that one yesterday might be just what is needed to accelerate his learning curve.
That said, I would agree that McCarthy had better plan a bit around that part of the line until he knows absolutely that it's tightened up. We can't afford Rodgers getting banged up so much every game. It's just too risky.
Ellis269
Sep 14 2009, 05:36 AM
I'm not suggesting that we just bench or cut him. I hope that it's just a bad night and he improves with experience. I really like the kid and I think that he'll bounce back. I am saying that after last nights performance, they need to be looking at veteran players with starting experience to possibly shore up that right side. And if they bring in a guy for that reason it should be soon so that he can get acclimated to the playbook and have a chance to learn the offense well enough to succeed on the field if he's needed. We've got enough inside and versatile guys with Wells, Spitz and Lang all capable of holding up at OC and OG, but I think that we might need another OT on the roster just in case. Evan Dietrich-Smith would hopefully make it to the practice squad if they cut him to bring someone else onboard.
Packfan_Euro_Trash
Sep 14 2009, 05:40 AM
It was a shame last night, I had hoped Barbe could be at least an average RT in this league. Nothing about his performance was acceptable. Still he probably deserves another shot(maybe a quarter) before giving way to Breno G.
maxman44
Sep 14 2009, 07:20 AM
QUOTE
Another team for Runyan?
10:15
AM ETJon Runyan | Eagles | Interested: Packers?, Bills?, Eagles?, Chiefs? Top Email Still without a football team for the 2009 season, offensive tackle Jon Runyan visited the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills last week. But there's another team that could certainly use his services, if NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert's analysis is correct.
During an update midway through the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers game last night, Seifert noted that the Packers were in desperate need of a right tackle, noting that Allen Barbre was getting repeatedly jobbed by Adewale Ogunleye. This is hypothetical here, but it would seem that Runyan would make good sense to fill that need, as long as he was healthy.
More on Runyan to come, as teams begin to make offers to vested veterans this week.
Ellis269
Sep 14 2009, 02:46 PM
Damion McIntosh might also be an option. He started every game for the Chiefs last year and has tons of experience.
strat1080
Sep 14 2009, 04:17 PM
I do think that Barbre's flaws last night are correctable. He got beat because his technique was off. Technique is coachable, talent is not. He was not getting beat because he wasn't athletic or quick enough to block Ogunleye. He was simply playing with bad technique and he did improve in the 2nd half. I think it was just opening game jitters for a guy starting his first game at a new position. I think he will get better and better with more experience.
elginpackerfan
Sep 14 2009, 06:50 PM
watching the game again, it seams to me that his feet get "stuck" he cant move them fast enough. I say give him a chance. The thing I didnt understand was how come MM didnt offer more protection to that side? or did i miss so thing
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