OL backups to protect Rogers

[Premontre1969]

Great discussions on OLB. I’m also hoping they can find better Offensive linemen to improve our backup situation. Other than Spriggs it could get grim for Rodgers if we lose any first stringers. There must also be some better prospects that we may find on a practice squad.
What team is already loaded on OL?

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Agreed. The best tackle available...

 

[Dantés]

I’ll probably get a lot of crap for saying this, but I genuinely think that in pass pro, Spriggs is a better backup than most of what’s out there on NFL teams.

 

[Mondio]

I’ll probably get a lot of crap for saying this, but I genuinely think that in pass pro, Spriggs is a better backup than most of what’s out there on NFL teams.

not from me. If anyone took the time to actually watch him on a play by play basis, they'd see. Even last year he was decent. Not David BakhT, but decent. His weakness was I don't think he was strong enough and had to worry so much about position, that he was susceptible to being baited into the outside rush and had to over commit to it and a quick guy could jump back inside. He had to compensate for lack of strength with an over commitment to position. I think he's gotten a bit better, but still has a ways to go. I've never understood how everyone though Murphy was a viable back up and Spriggs just sucked. It's like they never took the time to watch them individually or something. They remember the bad plays by Spriggs, but don't notice that the majority of his were wins.

 

[Dantés]

not from me. If anyone took the time to actually watch him on a play by play basis, they'd see. Even last year he was decent. Not David BakhT, but decent. His weakness was I don't think he was strong enough and had to worry so much about position, that he was susceptible to being baited into the outside rush and had to over commit to it and a quick guy could jump back inside. He had to compensate for lack of strength with an over commitment to position. I think he's gotten a bit better, but still has a ways to go. I've never understood how everyone though Murphy was a viable back up and Spriggs just sucked. It's like they never took the time to watch them individually or something. They remember the bad plays by Spriggs, but don't notice that the majority of his were wins.

The impression that a player makes in his first 1-2 seasons can be very hard to shake. It takes a big and obvious improvement to change the narrative. It’s especially difficult at OL where there aren’t any commonly cited statistics to demonstrate improvement.

Spriggs hasn’t improved nearly enough to change his narrative. But I do think he was ok this camp and preseason. However, I understand why that would be mostly overlooked given the reputation he has already established.

 

[sschind]

not from me. If anyone took the time to actually watch him on a play by play basis, they'd see. Even last year he was decent. Not David BakhT, but decent. His weakness was I don't think he was strong enough and had to worry so much about position, that he was susceptible to being baited into the outside rush and had to over commit to it and a quick guy could jump back inside. He had to compensate for lack of strength with an over commitment to position. I think he's gotten a bit better, but still has a ways to go. I've never understood how everyone though Murphy was a viable back up and Spriggs just sucked. It's like they never took the time to watch them individually or something. They remember the bad plays by Spriggs, but don't notice that the majority of his were wins.

One word. Expectation

Murphy was a 6th round pick and Spriggs was a 2nd rounder who we traded up to get. Could be that people were expecting a lot more from Spriggs so when they didn't see it they just assumed we weren't getting our money's worth (draft pick wise that is) and he sucked. On the other hand Murphy was a 6th round pick so no one expected much from him so when he showed even a bit of promise he was a bargain.

 

[sschind]

The impression that a player makes in his first 1-2 seasons can be very hard to shake. It takes a big and obvious improvement to change the narrative. It’s especially difficult at OL where there aren’t any commonly cited statistics to demonstrate improvement.

Spriggs hasn’t improved nearly enough to change his narrative. But I do think he was ok this camp and preseason. However, I understand why that would be mostly overlooked given the reputation he has already established.

Negative first impressions seem to have a bigger impact than positive ones. Heck negative impressions any time seem to carry more weight. A player starts with 2 slow years then turns it on and becomes a solid player and all some people remember is the slow start. A guy starts out fast for a couple of years then falls flat all some people remember is him falling flat.

They say its a "what have you done for me lately" league but that seems to matter a lot more if what the player has done is negative. A player has three consecutive 1200 yard seasons then only 700 and everyone says "only 700 yards last year, he's done" A player has three 700 yard seasons then 1200 and its "but he never topped 800 in his first three years it's a fluke"

Look how long it took people to get over the idea that all James Jones did was drop passes. I'm sure that's how he is still remembered by some fans.

To a lesser extent but probably only because it was a beyond a lot of people's memory. All Ahman Green did was fumble the ball. All the way to becoming the leading rusher in Packer history.

 

[Dantés]

Look how long it took people to get over the idea that all James Jones did was drop passes. I'm sure that's how he is still remembered by some fans.

Davante Adams too. And they're wide receivers. They have the chances to make noticeable plays that can impact the narrative. Offensive linemen rarely get noticed unless they're getting beat.

 

[Mondio]

One word. Expectation

Murphy was a 6th round pick and Spriggs was a 2nd rounder who we traded up to get. Could be that people were expecting a lot more from Spriggs so when they didn't see it they just assumed we weren't getting our money's worth (draft pick wise that is) and he sucked. On the other hand Murphy was a 6th round pick so no one expected much from him so when he showed even a bit of promise he was a bargain.

I'm sure expectation is part of it, but at some point you just have to watch what's on the field

 

[HardRightEdge]

Spriggs:

He was looking better in the back half of last season. Reports say he put on 20 lbs. He was inconsistent in preseason, bad early, better later, which is certainly better than the other way around.

Whether the weight gain affects quickness, whether he can maintain the weight, whether he can shake the inconsistencies, it's all to be determined.

 

[gopkrs]

Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me. Would be nice to be wrong but let's at least agree that the first time he backpedals too fast and the DE stops, points at him, laughs and then runs around him to chase after Rodgers (or pushes him into the backfield)...we let him go.

 

[PackAttack12]

I know we aren't supposed to correct spelling of words, but sweet whistling Geronimo can we at least spell our superstar quarterback's last name correctly?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Great discussions on OLB. I’m also hoping they can find better Offensive linemen to improve our backup situation. It could get grim for Rogers if we lose any first stringers.

I don't think there is an "IF" in this, its more like a "when". Someone will probably correct me, but I don't remember a season where all 5 starters on the OL stayed healthy. Now losing one guy for a game or 2 isn't a super huge deal, but if we start losing 2 or more starters, it could get ugly.

I know someone is going to tell me you can't have "starter grade quality backups" and while I agree with that, I would say this is one of the most disappointing groups of backups I have seen in awhile. Let's hope that when they do have to play, because they will, inserting just one isn't a big drop off.

 

[Mondio]

Disappointing as a unit yes, but then I'm sure you could say that about every single team in the league. Losing 1 or 2 I'm pretty confident we'd be able to absorb that respectably. But if we're expecting to line up with a center and 4 guards like we did in MN last year it will probably be trouble.

 

[BrokenArrow]

One word. Expectation

Murphy was a 6th round pick and Spriggs was a 2nd rounder who we traded up to get. Could be that people were expecting a lot more from Spriggs so when they didn't see it they just assumed we weren't getting our money's worth (draft pick wise that is) and he sucked. On the other hand Murphy was a 6th round pick so no one expected much from him so when he showed even a bit of promise he was a bargain.

I've said this for years. Players have no control over where they are picked in the draft. Once the draft is done that goes out the window and you have to evaluate players as they are. You wouldn't cut a player who performs an important role on your team just because he performs at a 4th round level and you drafted him in the 2nd round.

 

[sschind]

Davante Adams too. And they're wide receivers. They have the chances to make noticeable plays that can impact the narrative. Offensive linemen rarely get noticed unless they're getting beat.

Even more recent and I forgot about him. Maybe it's because I really liked James Jones so I was mad at everyone for thinking he was the drop king. Don't get me wrong I like Adams too but there was something about Jones that always had me pulling for him.

I'm sure expectation is part of it, but at some point you just have to watch what's on the field

That's true but like Dantes said the only time a lineman gets noticed is when they do something wrong and if its a huge mistake then it gets noticed. Keep your guy out of the backfield for 59 minutes and 50 seconds but give up a sack in the last 10 seconds of a close game and that's what people are going to remember. Do that a few times and people are going to start to think you are a turnstile.

On top of that how many fans really know how to watch whats on the field and how many just go off stats. Most watch the ball and not the players, especially not the linemen. I'm guilty of that too for Packer games but when I am watching my nephews play football 90% of the time I couldn't tell you who just got the carry or who made catch or got the tackle or the interception because I am watching them. Even on running plays I'm watching them to see if they are blocking downfield etc. When they are not on the field I watch the play so unless you are making a real effort to watch a specific player most of hte time they will go unnoticed unless they make a big mistake.

 

[Dantés]

I don't think there is an "IF" in this, its more like a "when". Someone will probably correct me, but I don't remember a season where all 5 starters on the OL stayed healthy. Now losing one guy for a game or 2 isn't a super huge deal, but if we start losing 2 or more starters, it could get ugly.

I know someone is going to tell me you can't have "starter grade quality backups" and while I agree with that, I would say this is one of the most disappointing groups of backups I have seen in awhile. Let's hope that when they do have to play, because they will, inserting just one isn't a big drop off.

The lack of quality OL play is a league wide epidemic.

 

[PikeBadger]

The lack of quality OL play is a league wide epidemic.

I’m not sure about that. You have to allow for credit to go to defensive linemen as well. No player wins every down. It’s unreasonable to expect that. I think offensive yardage statistics are about where one would expect them to be.

 

[Dantés]

I’m not sure about that. You have to allow for credit to go to defensive linemen as well. No player wins every down. It’s unreasonable to expect that. I think offensive yardage statistics are about where one would expect them to be.

Certainly defensive linemen deserve credit, but that’s not to the exclusion of recognizing that quality OL are hard to find.

 

[Wi. Mike now in Florida]

I just hope Rodgers OL can protect him for the full season without getting injured .
If not, that's lots of $$$$$$$ standing out there and hopefully not being abused/unprotected like Russel Wilson in Seattle

 

[sschind]

Certainly defensive linemen deserve credit, but that’s not to the exclusion of recognizing that quality OL are hard to find.

Does it have to do with the idea that even the best O-linemen are generally unrecognized so fewer kids go that direction. Sure the best left tackles can make a name for themselves but other than that being a man on the offensive line doesn't scream glamour. Even the big fatties on the D line gets sacks and plug the run. I use the term big fattie jokingly because compared to years ago even though the guys are generally bigger they are not necessarily fatter and even if they are they are usually in much better shape. If you are a big fattie in high school with some talent which direction are you going to lean. My guess is most would opt for the defensive side of the ball.

I played football from the 5th grade through my senior year in high school and except for my junior and senior years I was the biggest guy on the team. I was starting center and starting nose tackle and I can tell you I liked nose tackle much better and if I had been blessed with more talent than size I would have certainly preferred the defensive side of the ball going forward. I also found defense easier to play. On offense you had to know which way to block, where the play was going how to direct your guy where you wanted him to go. On defense you just did everything you could to get around your guy and crush the guy with the ball.

Those are just my observations and obviously as the level of competition goes up so does the complexity of the game but I still think D line is easier. So now you have a position that is easier to play and gets more recognition. It would be no surprise to me to learn that more kids are opting for defense.

 

[Half Empty]

I know we aren't supposed to correct spelling of words, but sweet whistling Geronimo can we at least spell our superstar quarterback's last name correctly?

I'm intrigued - the post right before this spelled it as "Rodgers", apparently without an edit. What is it supposed to be?

 

[Dantés]

Does it have to do with the idea that even the best O-linemen are generally unrecognized so fewer kids go that direction. Sure the best left tackles can make a name for themselves but other than that being a man on the offensive line doesn't scream glamour. Even the big fatties on the D line gets sacks and plug the run. I use the term big fattie jokingly because compared to years ago even though the guys are generally bigger they are not necessarily fatter and even if they are they are usually in much better shape. If you are a big fattie in high school with some talent which direction are you going to lean. My guess is most would opt for the defensive side of the ball.

I played football from the 5th grade through my senior year in high school and except for my junior and senior years I was the biggest guy on the team. I was starting center and starting nose tackle and I can tell you I liked nose tackle much better and if I had been blessed with more talent than size I would have certainly preferred the defensive side of the ball going forward. I also found defense easier to play. On offense you had to know which way to block, where the play was going how to direct your guy where you wanted him to go. On defense you just did everything you could to get around your guy and crush the guy with the ball.

Those are just my observations and obviously as the level of competition goes up so does the complexity of the game but I still think D line is easier. So now you have a position that is easier to play and gets more recognition. It would be no surprise to me to learn that more kids are opting for defense.

The most common explanation I've heard (and the one that makes the most sense to me) is that the college game no longer produces well-schooled offensive linemen. The nature of college offense doesn't put them in position to practice many of the skills that the pro game requires. So whereas other positions show up to their NFL camps needing to learn the playbook and have their techniques refined by coaches, offensive linemen often show up needing to be overhauled. This is why you see linemen from more pro-style college programs (e.g. Notre Dame, Alabama, Wisconsin) going higher in the draft and finding success at a higher rate.

 

[Poppa San]

I'm intrigued - the post right before this spelled it as "Rodgers", apparently without an edit. What is it supposed to be?

You haven't looked at the thread title?
From the OP:

Rogers

 

[easyk83]

I’ll probably get a lot of crap for saying this, but I genuinely think that in pass pro, Spriggs is a better backup than most of what’s out there on NFL teams.

Spriggs is better than he's given credit for most of the time. The trouble is that he has too many lapses and meltdowns which just aren't forgivable at his natural position.