Spitz Unfazed By Juggle On Offensive Line

The interior offensive lineman bounced around from position to position on the first day of training camp.

GREEN BAY – Jason Spitz began the Packers' first training camp practice as the team's second-string center behind Scott Wells. But by the end of day, he had taken reps at all three interior offensive line positions.

"I kind of had the feeling, I could be almost anywhere coming back," said Spitz. "We've got a lot of good players in that room and I'm just glad I can be in there and glad to get a chance to work again."

If there's one spot along the starting offensive line up for grabs, it was thought to be at left guard where Daryn Colledge predictably began Saturday as the starter.

Whether Spitz will be seriously considered for that job in the starting lineup will be determined at some future point in time as head coach Mike McCarthy gave very little indication of his intentions.

"We’re not right there as far as exactly the reps, what each guy is doing," said McCarthy following practice. "That’s going to be a day-to-day issue. It’s something that we’ll keep close control of. The health of the team right now is my primary concern, particularly reps at any particular position."

The health of Spitz doesn't seem to be problem despite coming off a 2009 season in which he was placed on injured reserve and had surgery on a herniated disc in his back.

Spitz said he is full-go every practice with no restrictions except that his snaps may taper off in the early part of training camp.

The interior offensive lineman was held out of offseason practices during OTAs and minicamp as his back was allowed to heal, even though Spitz said he probably could have taken part.

"I think it was a wise decision by our medical staff with everyone from [Dr. Pat] McKenzie down to the trainers," said Spitz. "It was smart to hold me out. Obviously you want to go, go, go, but sometimes you've got to take a step back, take care of your body. I felt great [today]."

Now that he's returned to the playing field, Spitz has every intention of being among the starting five along the offensive line, but really doesn't know where he'll fit.

"Jason Spitz has played all three positions since he has been here, so I think that would definitely continue," said McCarthy.

In contrast to one of his best friends on the team, Jason Spitz has moved around all three inside offensive line positions throughout his career and rarely, if ever, showed concern for all the shuffling.

Colledge, this offseason, said that he'd like to take every rep at left guard after having been a injury replacement for Chad Clifton at left tackle several times over the course of his career.

Through one training camp practice, Spitz hasn't gotten a chance to play with the first-string offense at left guard but said he'd ante up to stay in the game of poker being played on the offensive line.

"If that's the hand you're dealt, you play it," said Spitz. "That's the way it's been for anyone coming in and trying to get a starting job. Obviously, there's a lot of unknowns with me coming into training camp, and they just want to get a feel for me, moving around to different spots and see where I fit best. "

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Asshalo's picture

August 01, 2010 at 12:01 pm

If College wins the LG battle I don't see any reason to trade Spitz given his value as a back-up. If they fail to resign him they may be able to get a compensation pick anyway.

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