LaFleur: "Nothing set in stone" along offensive line heading into camp
There should be plenty of competition for spots along the right side of the line this summer.
By PackerAaron
With three new offensive linemen via the draft, a former starter returning from injury in Lane Taylor and recently extended interior depth in Lucas Patrick, there's a lot of talent that will need sorting out along the offensive line this summer.
One question I had for head coach Matt LaFleur was whether Taylor would be given an opportunity to compete for a starting job during this unusual training camp, seeing as he essentially lost his job to injury last year.
Taylor has spent his entire seven-year career with the Packers. He has started 49 games in 78 appearances, including 45 starts between 2016 and 2018. But he played and started just two games in 2019 after being placed on injured reserve with a bicep injury.
It sounds like, from the answer above, that plenty of different guys will be getting looks at both guard and tackle, undoubtedly along the right side of the line. Whether it's Taylor and Billy Turner or possibly one of the rookies, I'd expect the competition at right guard to be one of the bigger battles of camp. Of course, one possible outcome is Turner getting a chance to compete at right tackle with a wide group of guys including free agent acquisition Rick Wagner, holdover journeyman Alex Light and second year player Yosh Nijman.
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Comments (4)
Guam
August 03, 2020 at 08:44 am
Offensive line is not one of the areas that concerns me greatly this year. With four starters returning, a former starter returning, and a presumptive starter signed in free agency as well as Patrick and three draft choices for depth, the Packers should be fine at O-line. I think next year will be much more interesting at O-line depending on what the Packers are able to do in signing their own free agents this winter.
mnbadger
August 03, 2020 at 09:21 am
If we can save 5, 6 or 7 million, cut Billy T. His pass blocking was bad inside at guard. Defensive coordinators will expose him at tackle. Too expensive just for depth. Save the money for next year's pool. Lane Taylor is a very good run blocking guard. GPG
PatrickGB
August 03, 2020 at 09:33 am
I Agree. Yet, I doubt that he gets cut this year. However, I would expect that he is gone next year.
TheVOR
August 03, 2020 at 10:01 am
If I was the GM, he would have already been traded to KC to play guard for them, not sure how that hasn't already happened. Same with Denver, they could use another Veteran Guard. Many teams could use this player. Can't believe he wouldn't be worth a Middling Pick from somebody..