Packers Calendar: Checking Out the Right Side of the Offensive Line
An injury to Evan Dietrich-Smith could have a ripple effect on who plays on the right side of the Packers offensive line.
Because Green Bay Packers center Evan Dietrich-Smith suffered an ankle injury at practice on Wednesday, the Packers are going to have to do some shifting along the offensive line, at least temporarily.
Detrich-Smith's status for this upcoming Sunday's game against the Falcons is still unknown, but for the time being, usual right guard T.J. Lang will have to take over center duties in the usual starter's absence.
Worth watching on Thursday at Packers practice is the ripple effect that will have on the offensive line.
When Dietrich-Smith exited the Lions game with a knee injury, Marshall Newhouse took over at right guard for Lang but performed so poorly that he was later replaced by rookie Lane Taylor.
Don Barclay, the preferred starter at right tackle, has also played some at right guard earlier this season, which could happen again if the Packers feel comfortable in allowing Derek Sherrod to man the right tackle position.
Sherrod saw his first playing time on offense in nearly two years this past week when he played six snaps at Detroit to close out the game.
Before the Packers hit the practice field on Thursday, head coach Mike McCarthy will make his weekly appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (satellite radio) on at 10:15 a.m. CT.
He'll be talking to one of his former players and Packers preseason announcer Rich Gannon along with Bruce Murray on the SiriusXM Blitz.
You can bet McCarthy will address Aaron Rodgers' availability for this upcoming Sunday's game against the Falcons, which is still up in the air at this point.
"You just have follow the protocol of the rehab," McCarthy said on Wednesday. "This is a medical situation. It's like any other player, they have a plan for him to progress. And hopefully he comes in here tomorrow, feels better, and hopefully he'll be able to do more tomorrow."
Rodgers practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday, taking part in individual drills. But for the moment being, Matt Flynn is still be groomed as the starter for this weekend's game.
In the evening hours, Packers wide receiver James Jones will make his weekly appearance on 101.1 FM WIXX in Green Bay for 1 on 1 with the Boys from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. CT.
The show can be streamed live online at WIXX.com and through the station's USTREAM video player.
Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler will also make an appearance in Green Bay on Thursday, doing a book signing at Shopko, according to publisher Triumph Books:
#PackersPride book signing tomorrow at 11 at Shopko on Bay Park in #GreenBay! Meet @leap36 and @robreischel.
— Triumph Books (@TriumphBooks) December 4, 2013
Comments (8)
December 05, 2013 at 09:34 am
I hate ripple effects. Injuries are so stupid I hate them too.
December 05, 2013 at 09:55 am
I actually think that the ideal line scenario for next year would be...
Bakhtiari/Sitton/Lang/Barclay/Sherrod or Bulaga
EDS out this week (maybe) and Newhouse sucking so bad may turn out to be blessings if they result in getting an extended look at Sherrod at T, Lang @ C, and Barclay at G. They each have the skills/measurables to be able to handle those positions (imo).
December 05, 2013 at 10:22 am
WOW. I actually agree with you ClOWney42.
That could actually provide us a good look at what our OL could be next year.
I wouldn't mind seeing Sherrod playing by the end of the year to see if he can be our RT next year.
December 05, 2013 at 11:32 am
I think Lang is too valuable at RG to be C. Not sure whether EDS will be C next year or a draft pick, but I think Sitton and Lang will remain the G tandem. I hope Sherrod can play, he was great in college, then he will be RT, yes. Barclay could back up both RG and RT, and we'd be alright there. Let Bulaga and Bakhtiari battle it out at LT. That'd be the ideal scenario in my book. Personally I'd think it would be Bakhtiari / Sitton / new C or EDS / Lang / Sherrod. Backups Bulaga, Tretter, Barclay, and Lane Taylor (or another draft pick or unsigned rookie if one is better than Taylor).
December 05, 2013 at 11:36 am
"or bulaga" is just kind of a weird sentence for me. He's our best tackle.
December 05, 2013 at 11:52 am
If Sherrod comes even close to the ability he showed playing in college, and Bakhtiari continues to improve, then no, Bulaga may just be the 3rd best tackle on the team. It's pure speculation at this time, but there is a chance this could be one of the best positions on the roster next year in terms of competition in camp. Would be a good problem to have.
December 05, 2013 at 01:11 pm
I just don't think Bulaga is as athletic as Bakhtiari. Bulaga's better now... Bakhtiari has a higher ceiling (imo).
Sherrod?
Who knows.
But he has better tackle physical traits than Bulaga.
IMO - Bulaga and Barclay have the potential to be serviceable tackles but the have the potential to be outstanding guards. Great swing guys.
December 05, 2013 at 02:09 pm
I think the Pack would look to EDS or Tretter as next years center over Lang. Supposedly Lang doesn't have the quickness that the other two have, which they tell me is more important at center than guard.
If Flynn starts, I would suggest finally giving Sherrod the RT duties. As harsh as it might sound, I'd rather Flynn take the brunt of any potential mistakes over ARod. This way we'll have a better idea as to what Sherrod offers, with real bullets flying versus training camp or preseason.
Like Cow mentioned, Sherrod has the measurables to play tackle, more so than anyone else on the roster. Long arms and huge hands. I'll include this link just to remind people about what a good tackle prospect Sherrod was coming out of college. http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011/4/13/2107548/dallas-cowboys-draft-pr...
I don't know who would start, but a mix of Buluga, Bahktiari, Sitton, Lang, Tretter, Barclay, EDS? and Sherrod could be the best the Packers have had since the Cliffy, Tauscher, Wahl, Rivera et al heyday.