If moving Bulaga improves the LT spot that is what should be done IMO. RT is much easier to fill than LT and LT was by far the biggest problem in pass protection last season. It remains the most important spot on the OL IMO.
I disagree. I view offensive line as the sum of it's parts. It's too easy to move away from your best rusher give you a more favorable matchup.
I appreciate your qualifying your remarks but stunts can't be ignored and what if the defender over the LG lines up on his inside shoulder or rushes that gap?
Relatively simple. The guard covers the B-Gap, tackle the C-Gap. Sending two defenders into the same gap makes them easier to block. Stunts, if anything, play into the hands of a more limited tackle. As long as you have smarts and play it correctly, you actually have more time to react.
But Newhouse did get help sometimes this season. He did get a chip here and a double team now and then. And he still gave up over 40 pressures!
I'd have to see a breakdown of by game to make an intelligent comment on that. For example, was he better or worse when Saturday was replaced? How did Lang's injury impact him? Again, those thing matter because of my view of "sum of the parts."
As far as bodies on the team to play RT, on their depth chart, the Packers had Barclay as the backup then Datko, and then newcomer Kevin Hughes. I thought Barclay progressed pretty well and played well against a very good 9ers D in the playoff game. I have more confidence in Barclay improving at RT than Newhouse at LT because of their relative number of snaps. I don't know enough about Datko or Hughes to comment on them.
By the metric of "good game against the 49ers," Newhouse played very well. Both times. He actually held up admirably in the first game when they (49ers) were at full strength and healthy.
Regarding improvement, Newhouse has improved tremendously, though he is probably getting close to his ceiling. However, I'm not worried about that, because I am of the opinion that the improvement required to make him the long term answer is small. Play more consistent and limit the 'bone head' plays.
But consider this: Going into this draft do you have more confidence that the Packers can find a starting RT or LT? IMO the obvious answer to that question also applies to the current roster.
Complicated question, complicated answer. Part of my view point is that offensive line, while important, doesn't actually translate into wins, and truly outstanding LT's come high in the draft and consume a lot of money. Those resources are better spent on quarterbacks, pass rushers, and other "Having this player results in 1.2 more wins per season" type players.
Another question with (IMO) an obvious answer: Would you feel better if McCarthy and/or Thompson announced that Newhouse was definitely going to be the starter at LT?
Again, complicated. The line, even in it's kind of thrown together, creaky state it finished in, was "good enough." We didn't lose because of the line.
I'm not opposed to experimentation and certainly in favor of competition--only Sitton and Lang have proven they are good enough and don't necessarily require it to be UP. I expect them to play better, if only because EDS (presumably) and Newhouse open as the starters and Bulaga is healthy to retake his spot, giving us the potential for young, ascending players at all positions. And the potentially for continuity. That alone should make the line better.
