http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/62364792.html

Assuming they wouldn't let him play if he weren't going to be effective, that could be very good news. Improves that position and puts Colledge back where he plays better ball.

Honestly, I would rather have Colledge go against J. Allen after another full week of practice than a 85-90% healthy, aging Clifton. I believe McCarthy would err on that side also, maybe, hopefully.

I disagree. If Clifton is at 80% then let him go. He's played against Allen a number of times now and he's done pretty well against him. That's a mental edge that Colledge doesn't have. Minny's weakness is the secondary, they have yet to be tested against a team that can really pass worth a damn. Keeping Rodgers' blind side protected is the biggest concern.

Plus you're putting Colledge and Spitz back at their best positions. Especially important with the great DTs they have.

Important IMO

I really believe with a division game you have no questionables. Shoot it and tape it.

Especially with a bye week after this game...

Maybe double dose shot and extra tape.

If Clifton can go you have to play him. Lets face it if Clifton can go we have our best 5 back on the line. Also I ont know if I trust Colledege on Allen or Wells against the Williams Wall.

If this was any other game i would say rest him but putting aside all the Favre drama we are talking about a primetime game, on the road, a 3-0 divison leader with a 2-1 team coming in that if they are able to pull out the win would have a huge lead in the divison early in the season.

Clifton is a savy vet. that should help us by not having to leave an extra blocker in or having a back always chipping Allen. It should open up the offensive playbook.

Either way I se alot of pressure from Minn and alot of 3 step drops by Green Bay to counter it.

Oh Dear God, please let Cliffy be available.

Maybe playing on MNF will be the key. That extra day of rest...

This fits Chad (Clifford the Big Red Dog) Clifton's MO.

He fights through injury very well and is more than willing to play with pain - in fact I once heard him say that he doesn't remember what is like to not play with pain - it goes with the position.

Chad takes a lot of crap from fans who do not appreciate what a talented LT he is when it comes to blocking the backside and protecting the QB.

He is not the greatest run blocker and he struggles with trying to anticipate the count at critical times (not acceptable from such a talented veteran), but one cannot help but notice his value the moment he goes down.

MN's All-Pro DE Allen calls him in the top 3 he has ever faced. Getting him back for this game would be as HUGE as the Big Red Dog himself.

Someone brought this up on a sports show. When Clifton is back do you put Colledge at right tackle- he did o.k. there last year despite limited practicing. While not his best position would it be better to have him at RT, with Spitz and Wells at their current positions, rahter than have Barbre there?

Bob McGinn agrees with you wholeheartedly. He wrote an article where he seemed flabbergasted that Colledge didn't get a look at RT after his performance there late last year.

The Packers worked out former Bengal OT Levi Jones on Monday. He could be signed within the next 24 hours.

Everyone is talking about the Wrangler man so the Packers counter by working out a guy named Levi.

Love it.

Did Jones mostly start on the left or right in his days as a starter?

That Clifton is even possible is good news in terms of his comeback.

Allen is really good, though. I know Clifton has constantly played with pain. But I think last year, against Allen in particular, we saw that he didn't necessarily play very effectively. He's willing, but the players are always willing. Is it wise?

Left Tackle

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

Levi Jones was a LT and this is about a month past due. Bust EDS down to the PS and get Levi Jones on the roster ASAP. That would be a good move as he's a former 1st round pick who can legitimately play LT in the NFL. He might also be an option at RT if Barbre continues to struggle. His biggest problem in recent years has been his ability to stay healthy.

Boy I don't know. Chad HISTORICALLY has played well against Allen, but had already given up two sacks against Cinncinati prior to leaving with an injury. Slowed by a bad wheel, I worry he won't keep up with Allen and at best end up with a couple of sacks and a ton of penalties. Colledge has actually done OK at tackle when he has filled in, with the exception of the Cinncinati game where he had to jump in with his own injury and no practice at the position.

Last year, the line held up pretty well against a good Tennessee line with Colledge at tackle. Rodgers got sacked a few times but none from Colledge's assignments as I recall. Plus, we ran OK on them as well. Admittedly, he's no Jared Allen, but Colledge did OK against Chris Long as well.

The real question appears to be which is worse: a slowed Clifton on the left or Barbre on the right. Barbre is looking like he is making slow progress, but may be an "athletic" workout warrior who will never have the technique to be an effective NFL starter. Barring an effective addition to the team, Colledge should be playing tackle in one of the two spots.

First quarter notwithstanding, I thought Barbre did much better against the Rams than Colledge did. All game long Colledge was good at initial contact but looked like he didn't have the feet to counter any sort of speed move. His hands were down a lot. Barbre did OK. I think Colledge against Allen is a recipe for disaster because Allen is a speed guy.

I agree, in fact wrote about exactly this in the offensive line woes thread in GBP News sub-forum. POST HERE

The Packers need Cliffy to play next week. I really don't trust Colledge vs Allen.

No Cliffy against Minny, so Colledge better study-up on Allen and move his feet.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/63407057.html

Evidently, neither does Colledge. I don't think I've ever heard an offensive lineman just roll over and show his belly like this before -



http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/63359562.html

He's worried that Allen will be disappointed in him? Good grief! Game's still 48 hours away, and Allen's already so far inside his head he can't think straight. This isn't a good sign at all.

Psychological ploy.

He's not rolling over and he's not in awe of Allen.

He'll show up Sunday.

Will he get beat on some plays?

I would think so.

Will he be dominated by Allen?

I would doubt he will.

Go Pack!!

QUOTE
"He's been playing defensive end a lot longer than I've been playing left tackle. Obviously, the advantage is his right now.

I plan on stepping up to the challenge and have some success. I think he'd be disappointed if I didn't go out and give him a full effort."


I think he is clearly showing a healthy dose of sarcasm toward everyone's opinion that Allen is going to kill him. He is avoiding bulletin board material as well.

Its no different than the understated nonsense that Brett is putting out... OH..I don't know, I'm old and beat up, my foot is sore, I might not make it 16 games....

I might have been more direct and said something like " Everyone thinks I'm overmatched, but I'm going to prepare well, play hard, and see what happens. I don't intend to just roll over because its Jared Allen." But who knows, the team has put him in a difficult position by essentially making him resposible for two positions due to preseason personnel decisions. It has to be frustrating for him as it is not his fault and he's not getting a lot of support from the fans.

Sounds like Cliftons at 50/50 whether he'll be able to go Monday night. Pete Dougherty of The Press Gazette writes that McCarthy says Chad will test the ankle again on Monday and make a decision.

I'd guess that Clifton will suit up but will not start. MM will keep on the sidelines in case Colledge gets injured or stinks it up. That will have implications for the 45 man active roster, but I think it's a wise move if it happens.

That'd be my guess too. Get him through to the bye week. Big game for Colledge.

I think you could be right but in my opinion if he's healthy enough to be a backup he may as well start. This is a divisional game and the best players need to be out there. Clifton at 80% is better than College at full strenth at OT. Of course if Clifton's injury makes him a liability or if there is a good chance he could make the injury worst than they need to sit him. He'll have a couple of weeks to rest it after Monday night.

YES.

And I think they want Colledge to become the future LT. Just a feeling. Could be why there is no back-up LT on the roster.




You forgot the torn cuff.... it's small but it is there, it could get bigger. Ya never know with these injuries.....