What Does T.J. Lang’s Departure Mean For Packers O-Line

For someone who is a Ted Thompson basher, I wonder how this morning went for them. On one hand, they signed two tight ends to give Aaron Rodgers more offense than maybe since the 2010 season, and the other hand, he lost two interior linemen to free agency including all-pro right guard T.J. Lang to Detroit. Lang made 28.5 million dollars over three years with 19 guaranteed to come home and play for Lions. Packers offensive line looks a mess at this point of the offseason, but the good news is we’re only four days into the new year for Green Bay. There are a few options worth playing around with to see how the protectors of the best quarterback in football will look like.
Spriggs kicks to right guard
I really did not understand how many media types were adamant that second-year player Jason Spriggs couldn’t play guard. They claimed his size being 6’6 and 301 made it unrealistic to consider him for the position. With all due respect, that’s bullshit and a 1950’s mindset. We see guys in all sports play out of their ‘position.’ If Giannis Antetokounmpo played his ‘position’ due to his height, Bucks star point forward would be a center. The game changed to more positionless mindset, and that’s why I feel it’s very realistic to see Spriggs there come August.
Lucas Patrick waits in the wings
Here’s what I think could happen for Packers – They draft an interior lineman in the first three rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft. Green Bay started rookies before like David Bakhtiari whom held his own in his rookie year. They also could look to practice squad phenom Lucas Patrick who drew great reviews from everyone who saw him this year. Patrick and the rookie might go head-to-head in a position battle that will be decided during the NFL preseason. Patrick could be the next Lane Taylor for this team.
Don Barclay is still there.
An old friend of ours here, Don Barclay did re-sign a one-year deal. He’s an available piece for Packers to use this season. Barclay might get the first shot, but he’s a backup at most. I would rather see the team look to Spriggs or Patrick before jumping to Barclay.
Packers have more options than people think at right guard, but they’re not really good ones. There isn’t a plug and play mentality here like they did with Taylor when Sitton got released in one of the more shocking moves of recent memory. Green Bay will fix this hole quickly because they know the importance of a healthy Rodgers, and that starts with the line.
Charlie.