Haven't seen this posted anywhere, but according to Profootballtalk, Tauscher worked out for KC today. Let the "Bring Back Tauscher" movement commence!!!

Tauscher works out for KC

EDIT: Personally, I think Breno should be cut tomorrow if Tauscher is anything close to ready.

Agree

But me I would cut that guard ( smith ) instead

I was of the understanding that he wouldn't be ready to come back for another month due to his injury...

Seems like I was always hearing mid October. If he's working out for other teams I can only guess he thinks he's about ready to go.

OK, I'll be the voice of opposition here. Tauscher has not been the same player the past few years- he has not been that good in pass blocking, and his run blocking has been suspect. I know, some are now roaring that "So Barbre is better?!" No, not yet. However, Barbre is getting used to the position, just like Tauscher had to get used to the position. I believe it is time for a change, and although there will be growing pains, Barbre is the future. Tauscher is the past. I wish him the best, but, like Favre, its time to move on.

As much as I love Tausch, I agree with you. There was a stat from football outsiders last year that we were the worst team in the league running behind the right tackle. Tausch has always been a reliable pass blocker and a gritty player, but he had become a liability in the run game. That is the one area Barbre excels at. If Barbre can figure out the pass sets, he will be a real good player. Let's give it a little time.

Sure, why not. That'll leave plenty of reps for the other developmental OT's on the roster. Who are they, again?

Clifton is playing on fumes, Barbre is getting valuable experience, along with his mistakes. There are NO other OT's on the roster, besides Breno. Packer brass stated over the summer that Colledge could be an exceptional LG, but that he needed to stay at one position to learn the nuances.

Clifton, Barbre and Breno are the only OT's... can't cut one unless there are 2 waiting in the wings, as injuries DO happen in the NFL.

I like Mark Tauscher, and greatly appreciate his many contributions over the years to the Green Bay Packers.

Having said that, the past two season '07 and '08 he was a shell of his former self.

He was routinely responsible for "bad" runs - at least 12 that were directly attributible to him alone in '08, his worst since '03. He also fell apart as a pass blocker more than doubling his average of pressures surrendered in '07 and '08 from his career average. He started getting overpowered on bull rushs and lost his quickness and flexibility to recover on speed rushes.

I am not opposed to working him out and considering signing him for the right price if he shows he is recovered and can add some stability to a struggling offensive line - I am just not convinced that he offers that at this point in his career (especially lacking any type of work in nearly a year).

If he were to sign with another team, it would be very weird seeing him in colors other than the Green & Gold.

I don'tknow. At this point I would give him a look.

I respect your opinions Bruce. I really do feel you know more about football than I do. On Barbre though, I don't see what you're seeing. I was looking at the Cincinnati game again, and the only reason Barbre didn't give up a bunch of sacks is that Odom barely beat Barbre's man to Rodgers. He had quite a few whiffs that he simply got away with.

That being said, on reviewing the game, I was wondering if we simply have inadequate protection schemes. For an experienced line, they had a great deal of trouble getting various stunts and blitz packages blocked. Could be communication, but Colledge, Spitz, and Wells have enough experience together to not be making the communication errors.

On Odom's 3rd sack, he wasn't ever blocked by one of the O-line. With the right shift Cincinnnati used, Colledge at tackle ended up on the right defensive tackle, and Donald Lee on Odom. Lee put a quick block on Odom, who then rushed and was not picked up by Grant. Rodgers didn't see Lee breaking across the middle for the short pass, or couldn't get the ball to him and got sacked. Seems to me a chip block on the defensive end requires a pick up by the back, or a quick dump of the ball. The team, not just the line, is not playing as a cohesive unit.

Odom's first sack came off an inside stunt where he lined up at right defensive tackle. Clifton looked like he was beaten by the end, which was picked up by Wynn. Colledge picked up the left defensive tackle on the stunt,but Spitz didn't effectively block Odom who breaks back to the right and runs past Clifton who has recovered and is not on anyone, and sacks Rodgers. Again, failure to effectively deal with a typical 4-3 scheme modification.

Over and above the players, Campen is not getting them ready. The re-signing of Tauscher might give the veteran presence that could help a guy like Barbre with technique issues that the coaching staff so far hasn't been ablle to help with. I realize though that I am grasping at straws, trying to come up with a solution to a bad problem.

If Tauscher is healthy enough to play (and only if) I would much rather have him on the roster than Breno. My priority is shoring up our line for this season, not in protecting someone who is not ready to play. Funny you should mention injuries b/c protection against an injury to Barbre is exactly why I'd rather have Tauscher on the roster than Breno. It's debatable whether Tauscher would be an upgrade over Babre, but I don't think there is much of an argument that Breno is on an equal level. The team would not handle an injury to Barbe any better that it is currently handling the injury to Clifton. We need an alternative at RT who can be plugged into the lineup and not be a complete disaster, and that guy should not be Colledge. The coaching staff is obviously very reluctant to put Breno on the field, and I have a tough time believing he would attract any interest if he were released. As far as developing him for the future, I believe he is still eligible to be signed to the PS (though I could be wrong about that).

I agree. Our OL wasn't great last year. I would much rather be looking for the future RT than simply go back to Tauscher. I think we should stick with Barbre for the time being and hopes he improves. If not then I don't think much is lost. Who knows how Tauscher would come back. It might take several months before his finally in a groove on the OL. Now is the moment to see what we've got in Barbre and Giacomini. If they can't cut the mustard then we need to look towards the draft for OL help. Bringing back Tauscher only delays the inevitable. We need to find out what we've got in these young Tackles. We can't keep relying on aging vets to anchor the line. We need to find a long-term solution.

And then what do we do in the future? Tauscher isn't going to play forever. He hasn't been that great lately. He was the worst run blocking OT in the entire NFL last year. We need to find out if Barbre and Breno are players or not. If they aren't then we need to draft a stud OT or two early in the draft. Bringing back Tauscher just delays the development of the future of our OL for a marginal improvement. There are going to be some growing pains with Barbre but I think we should stick it out and see what happens. If by mid-season he is still struggling its time to go with Breno. If neither cut it then we draft an OT early in the draft and keep either Breno and Barbre as a backup OT. We simply can't cut another OT at this point. Having only 3 OTs and two of them are aging and injury prone is a recipe disaster. That would be very ill advised. It simply isn't an option to cut Breno or Barbre and bring in Tauscher. If Tauscher is brought in a roster spot from some other position would have to go. You've got to have developing prospects at the OT in this league. You can't simply rely on aging vets with no depth behind them.

If Breno goes to the PS, how does that sacrifice our development for the future?

I saw this on the news last night- they should a clip of he workout. He looked the same from the short bit I saw. I think he would still be an asset to the Pack.

i don't think anyone would be able to tell if he put on, say, 30 lbs from the surgery!


i haven't seen anywhere that he actually signed there.

Not sure what you mean but he was running drills on the clip? I do not think anybody said he signed, not did I comment on his weight? He was cutting and running cone drills- take that for whatever is worth.
I am sure you could find a picture of him at the beach if that is what interests you.

I had mentioned last week that I "heard" Tausch could be able to play by the end of the month. That is great news if he is. Too bad that KC beat us to him if that is the case.

yeah dude. it was a joke. about his physique.

that's one of the things i always liked about Mark. other teams and the media would always overlook him because he's tubby or whatever, but all he ever did was play "A" level RT for most of his career.

Tauscher has never looked the part of an in shape lineman. Doesn't matter. He was a darn good RT and up until his injury last season, was his steady self that was dependable and reliable. Didn't give up pressures, sacks, and held his own in the run game. I would venture a guess that if he were healthy and playing now, Barbre is on the bench and we are sitting at 3-0. He doesn't let the Bungles DL run all over him.

That being said, he may not be healthy yet. YET. But, if he could get himself into shape and back onto the field by mid November, why not?? I am not concerned with finding out whether Barbre or Breno are the future. Not in games anyway. Practice is fine, but not in a game. On the job training isn't a good practice in the NFL.

When Cliffy and Tausher were healthy, they were able to handle their guys one on one without any help. That left the three inside guys to handle two defenders. That is huge. That made Wells, Colledge, and Spitz better. Now, Barbre has to get help, so that leaves single match-ups in the middle and it shows we are not good inside.

It is frustrating to see KC working Tauscher out and we sit on our hands and watch our OL struggle.

Yes, Tauscher was a very good RT for us but why are some people getting so excited about him coming here, going there when he is 'damaged goods'.

If he is hurt and is not going to be able to contribute this season, then fine But, if he can be ready to go for the stretch run, why not. I could care less if it will stop Barbre's growth as a tackle. We may need to win some games and if Tauscher is better than Barbre, then play him.

I don't see any reason why GB shouldn't work him out at some point, unless they already know what his contract demands are and won't come close.

He was always an OK run blocker and wasn't very good the past year or so but GB is a pass first team any way. The main thing is how quick his feet are at this point, or how well and how quick he can move backwards and laterally to pass block. His ability to do that may be diminished in which case he wouldn't be of much use.

Agree. I would rather see Tauscher in there than Barbre. I doubt Barbe lasts very long in the NFL.

If damaged goods is the qualifier then Nick Barnett, Clifton, Woodson should go too. Luckily, they got another chance to prove themselves. Heck, if you want to talk about "damaged goods" Harrell is still on the team.

Especially when we have the up and coming Barbre manning the position right now. All of those sacks he has given up thus far are just growing pains, he will get better, but hopefully before he gets AR hurt.

On a serious note... 'some people' are probably excited about him coming here because Tauscher on one good leg is better than the healthy players we currently have at that postion, and he has an understanding of the blocking scheme to boot.