Young Offensive Line Making Strides...
... but needs growth and development.
There were many factors that played into the Packers dramatic drop from 3 time defending Northern Division Champions to cellar-dwellers in 2005. One of the most dramatic factors was the team's failure to field a pair of suitable guards after waving goodbye to 2 talented long time veterans, Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle.
GM Ted Thompson swung and missed at left guard with UFA Adrian Klemm and Scott Wells, and swung and whiffed again at right guard with rookie 7th Rd. draft pick Will Whitticker, hold over Grey Ruegamer, UFA Matt O'Dwyer (a veteran FA signing that did not even make the roster) and with TT’s other (higher) OL draft pick Junius Coston, who was not only beat out by a 7th Rd draft pick, he could not find his way onto the field despite occupying a roster spot all season. The 2005 offensive line was a disaster zone.
Ted, not being one to like striking out (and frustrated with his lack of success with finding veteran replacements), took his third swing in the 2006 draft (his area of most competence), selecting Daryn Colledge in the 2nd, Jason Spitz in the 3rd and Tony Moll in the 5th – a heavy draft investment for the offensive line.
TT and MM did not just pack these picks away for the future; instead they immediately sent them into the trenches where they would need to earn their stripes in "trial by fire." The results have been mixed so far – Colledge has started 13 games, mostly at left guard; Spitz has started 12 games, mostly at right guard; and Moll has started 10 games, shifting back and forth between guard and tackle.
It has not always been pretty, but you have to love the heart and spirit of Daryn Colledge, Mason Spitz and Tony Moll. They are three battlers who have faced enormous challenges and have not backed down, despite some trying very times.
Even the biggest skeptics among scouts and fans have to a like these kids upside potential. There is a damned good reason that few rookie offensive linemen start in the NFL. Rookie offensive linemen’s bodies often have not matured and they certainly have never faced the ‘meat grinder’ that is the trenches of the NFL. Here every player they face was a STAR at the previous level, and they are bigger, stronger and faster than anything rookie offensive linemen have ever gone against in college. Add to that the speed of the game and the longer season in the NFL, and rookie’s heads are often spinning and their bodies worn down.
Take a look at where these three youngsters & the offensive line are at:
Daryn Colledge, who many compare to a young Mike Wahle, lost his confidence early, but battled back from these yips to reclaim his starting spot by week two of the season. You can see his development week to week, and like Wahle has been a much better pass blocker when inside as opposed to out on an island at LT. Like Wahle or a fine wine, it is easy to see that this kid will improve with age.
Jason Spitz is a classic aggressive brawler. He seems to have ice water running through his veins when it comes to nerves and just keeps getting back up off the turf and battling -- especially as a run blocker. I think it is fair to compare him to Marco Rivera at an early stage in his career, both love to brawl and neither will back down. Jason gets the most out of his limited physical ability and like Kampman wants to eventually cast off that ‘over-achiever’ label that often is tagged to young guys early.
Tony Moll is perhaps the biggest surprise of this group. Tony does not seem to understand that college Tight Ends (until his senior season) are not supposed to be able to immediately move into the trenches in the NFL and hold up. Either the kid just doesn't get it, or he has the heart of a Lion -- I think it is the later, because he keeps showing up and battling through. Moll will be a fun player to watch as he grows into whatever position he finally settles into – because he handled himself remarkably well for an undersized guy who had not really done it before who has been playing the role of nomad since the beginning of training camp. Note: Yes, Tony gained weight to make the shift into the NFL but it was not mature weight and strength that holds up over the course of a 16 game NFL schedule. But another great thing about this kid is he has the frame to build on and the feet to play any position in the line.
While all three of these kids have faced "trial by fire" they have not been "thrown to the wolves" by the coaching staff – especially in pass coverage where their exposure to one-on-one match ups was limited through the use of more seven-man protections. There is no worse confidence deflator for a young offensive lineman than to get exposed and exploited one-on-one in the NFL. Such events often are confidence killers for young offensive linemen and often are factors in deciding whether similarly talented players have short or long careers. Coaches McCarthy, Jagodzinski, Philbin and Campen all deserve props for this wise decision to protect these young guys, even as it caused more than a few fans to scream at the sidelines or their television sets during some of the play calls – because it not only protected our future HOF QB, it was also an investment in each of these three young men’s futures. Besides it is hard to argue with the surprising fact that the Packers rank near the top of the league in fewest percentage of sacks allowed – an incredible feat with up to three rookie starters at any given time.
The best news in this story is that unlike desperation rookie starter Will Whitticker, all three of these rookie players have great upside potential. Barring serious injury (knock on wood) they are likely to get nothing but better -- and no less an authority on the subject than Brett Favre agrees,
"There's still a ways to go, but every week they've gotten better and more confident. I think they have all the potential, all the good characteristics you look for. Now it's just a matter of time."
The Packers have at least one more test before them -- a game with one of the best and oldest rivalries in all of football with 'da bears.' It is not an insignificant contest. Besides any hopes for a postseason spot, there is another score to be settled in this contest. In the opener the Chicago Bears rolled into Lambeau and embarrassed the Pack. Getting killed at home is always disturbing, but something far worse and disturbing happened in that rivalry game.. Chicago punched the Packers in the mouth and they failed to respond.- it was perhaps the only time that MM and his young warriors pulled out the white flag and waved it early. There is a SCORE to be settled -- and it is not dependent upon winning or losing. These kids need to go out and show what a 15 games of seasoning has reaped and do a little punching themselves.
After Sunday, or knock on wood the play-offs, the next big step in these young men (they no longer will be rookies) development comes. It is here that the Packers need them to develop the most – the weight room with strength and conditioning coaches Rock Gullickson, Mark Lovat and Brandon Johnson. Offensive linemen often mature greatly between their 1st and 2nd season if they put the work into it. Another great thing about these young men is they are guys who are willing to pay the price of success.
Daryn Colledge carries a well defined 300 lbs on his 6-4 frame and has the room and need to bulk up some. If you watched the Williams brothers throw him around last night on running downs you will understand the work he needs to put in. There is no reason to think he cannot or will not do so.
Jason Spitz at 6-3 320 has plenty of bulk, but needs to gain strength to match his tenacious nature. This should be very achievable, and if he does I expect to be hearing a lot more of the comparisons to Marco.
Tony Moll is kid with a frame to build on and upside that is surprising. At 6-5 he is listed at 300lbs but it looks like (and I hear) he has given some of that back through out the year. He has a frame with plenty of room for growth and if he does he will be a great gem harvested in the 5th round of the draft.
Beyond these three the prospects look promising for the offensive line for 2007 with the major battles looking something like this:
LT Chad Clifton, Tony Moll (able to play 4 positions), Junius Coston (he is only 22 yr old)
LG Daryn Colledge, Tony Palmer, Junius Coston, Tony Moll
C Scott Wells, Junius Coston, Jason Spitz
RG Jason Spitz, Tony Moll, Kevin Barry (rehabbing on IR & only 26 yr old)
RT Mark Tauscher,Tony Moll, Kevin Barry
Tyson Walter 6-4 300 (currently on the roster), Adam Stenavich 6-4 10 (currently on the practice squad and Josh Bourke 6-7 320 (currently on IR) are all young strong and hungry, but will have their work cut out finding a way into the mix in next seasons training camp battles.
... but needs growth and development.
There were many factors that played into the Packers dramatic drop from 3 time defending Northern Division Champions to cellar-dwellers in 2005. One of the most dramatic factors was the team's failure to field a pair of suitable guards after waving goodbye to 2 talented long time veterans, Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle.
GM Ted Thompson swung and missed at left guard with UFA Adrian Klemm and Scott Wells, and swung and whiffed again at right guard with rookie 7th Rd. draft pick Will Whitticker, hold over Grey Ruegamer, UFA Matt O'Dwyer (a veteran FA signing that did not even make the roster) and with TT’s other (higher) OL draft pick Junius Coston, who was not only beat out by a 7th Rd draft pick, he could not find his way onto the field despite occupying a roster spot all season. The 2005 offensive line was a disaster zone.
Ted, not being one to like striking out (and frustrated with his lack of success with finding veteran replacements), took his third swing in the 2006 draft (his area of most competence), selecting Daryn Colledge in the 2nd, Jason Spitz in the 3rd and Tony Moll in the 5th – a heavy draft investment for the offensive line.
TT and MM did not just pack these picks away for the future; instead they immediately sent them into the trenches where they would need to earn their stripes in "trial by fire." The results have been mixed so far – Colledge has started 13 games, mostly at left guard; Spitz has started 12 games, mostly at right guard; and Moll has started 10 games, shifting back and forth between guard and tackle.
It has not always been pretty, but you have to love the heart and spirit of Daryn Colledge, Mason Spitz and Tony Moll. They are three battlers who have faced enormous challenges and have not backed down, despite some trying very times.
Even the biggest skeptics among scouts and fans have to a like these kids upside potential. There is a damned good reason that few rookie offensive linemen start in the NFL. Rookie offensive linemen’s bodies often have not matured and they certainly have never faced the ‘meat grinder’ that is the trenches of the NFL. Here every player they face was a STAR at the previous level, and they are bigger, stronger and faster than anything rookie offensive linemen have ever gone against in college. Add to that the speed of the game and the longer season in the NFL, and rookie’s heads are often spinning and their bodies worn down.
Take a look at where these three youngsters & the offensive line are at:
Daryn Colledge, who many compare to a young Mike Wahle, lost his confidence early, but battled back from these yips to reclaim his starting spot by week two of the season. You can see his development week to week, and like Wahle has been a much better pass blocker when inside as opposed to out on an island at LT. Like Wahle or a fine wine, it is easy to see that this kid will improve with age.
Jason Spitz is a classic aggressive brawler. He seems to have ice water running through his veins when it comes to nerves and just keeps getting back up off the turf and battling -- especially as a run blocker. I think it is fair to compare him to Marco Rivera at an early stage in his career, both love to brawl and neither will back down. Jason gets the most out of his limited physical ability and like Kampman wants to eventually cast off that ‘over-achiever’ label that often is tagged to young guys early.
Tony Moll is perhaps the biggest surprise of this group. Tony does not seem to understand that college Tight Ends (until his senior season) are not supposed to be able to immediately move into the trenches in the NFL and hold up. Either the kid just doesn't get it, or he has the heart of a Lion -- I think it is the later, because he keeps showing up and battling through. Moll will be a fun player to watch as he grows into whatever position he finally settles into – because he handled himself remarkably well for an undersized guy who had not really done it before who has been playing the role of nomad since the beginning of training camp. Note: Yes, Tony gained weight to make the shift into the NFL but it was not mature weight and strength that holds up over the course of a 16 game NFL schedule. But another great thing about this kid is he has the frame to build on and the feet to play any position in the line.
While all three of these kids have faced "trial by fire" they have not been "thrown to the wolves" by the coaching staff – especially in pass coverage where their exposure to one-on-one match ups was limited through the use of more seven-man protections. There is no worse confidence deflator for a young offensive lineman than to get exposed and exploited one-on-one in the NFL. Such events often are confidence killers for young offensive linemen and often are factors in deciding whether similarly talented players have short or long careers. Coaches McCarthy, Jagodzinski, Philbin and Campen all deserve props for this wise decision to protect these young guys, even as it caused more than a few fans to scream at the sidelines or their television sets during some of the play calls – because it not only protected our future HOF QB, it was also an investment in each of these three young men’s futures. Besides it is hard to argue with the surprising fact that the Packers rank near the top of the league in fewest percentage of sacks allowed – an incredible feat with up to three rookie starters at any given time.
The best news in this story is that unlike desperation rookie starter Will Whitticker, all three of these rookie players have great upside potential. Barring serious injury (knock on wood) they are likely to get nothing but better -- and no less an authority on the subject than Brett Favre agrees,
"There's still a ways to go, but every week they've gotten better and more confident. I think they have all the potential, all the good characteristics you look for. Now it's just a matter of time."
The Packers have at least one more test before them -- a game with one of the best and oldest rivalries in all of football with 'da bears.' It is not an insignificant contest. Besides any hopes for a postseason spot, there is another score to be settled in this contest. In the opener the Chicago Bears rolled into Lambeau and embarrassed the Pack. Getting killed at home is always disturbing, but something far worse and disturbing happened in that rivalry game.. Chicago punched the Packers in the mouth and they failed to respond.- it was perhaps the only time that MM and his young warriors pulled out the white flag and waved it early. There is a SCORE to be settled -- and it is not dependent upon winning or losing. These kids need to go out and show what a 15 games of seasoning has reaped and do a little punching themselves.
After Sunday, or knock on wood the play-offs, the next big step in these young men (they no longer will be rookies) development comes. It is here that the Packers need them to develop the most – the weight room with strength and conditioning coaches Rock Gullickson, Mark Lovat and Brandon Johnson. Offensive linemen often mature greatly between their 1st and 2nd season if they put the work into it. Another great thing about these young men is they are guys who are willing to pay the price of success.
Daryn Colledge carries a well defined 300 lbs on his 6-4 frame and has the room and need to bulk up some. If you watched the Williams brothers throw him around last night on running downs you will understand the work he needs to put in. There is no reason to think he cannot or will not do so.
Jason Spitz at 6-3 320 has plenty of bulk, but needs to gain strength to match his tenacious nature. This should be very achievable, and if he does I expect to be hearing a lot more of the comparisons to Marco.
Tony Moll is kid with a frame to build on and upside that is surprising. At 6-5 he is listed at 300lbs but it looks like (and I hear) he has given some of that back through out the year. He has a frame with plenty of room for growth and if he does he will be a great gem harvested in the 5th round of the draft.
Beyond these three the prospects look promising for the offensive line for 2007 with the major battles looking something like this:
LT Chad Clifton, Tony Moll (able to play 4 positions), Junius Coston (he is only 22 yr old)
LG Daryn Colledge, Tony Palmer, Junius Coston, Tony Moll
C Scott Wells, Junius Coston, Jason Spitz
RG Jason Spitz, Tony Moll, Kevin Barry (rehabbing on IR & only 26 yr old)
RT Mark Tauscher,Tony Moll, Kevin Barry
Tyson Walter 6-4 300 (currently on the roster), Adam Stenavich 6-4 10 (currently on the practice squad and Josh Bourke 6-7 320 (currently on IR) are all young strong and hungry, but will have their work cut out finding a way into the mix in next seasons training camp battles.
