Packers Interview Georgia Interior Lineman at Senior Bowl

Georgia center Ben Jones spoke with the Packers while at the Senior Bowl this week in Mobile, Ala.

The Green Bay Packers interviewed Georgia interior offensive lineman Ben Jones this week while at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

It's difficult to put much stock into one interview. After all, as Ledbetter notes, it was only one of 10 to 15 teams Jones spoke with this week. That's about one-third to one-half of all teams in the entire NFL. By the time the NFL Combine and his college pro day is over, he'll probably have talked to every franchise.

But for those craving Packers information and fascinated by the extent NFL scouting reaches, it's always interesting to follow the ways the Packers conduct their business.

Jones is considered one of the top interior offensive linemen for this year's NFL Draft and a likely second-day–– round two or three––selection.

The Georgia product played almost exclusively center during his career with the Bulldogs, including an SEC East championship this past season, but has been practicing at left and right guard this week in Mobile.

“We don’t have many offensive linemen down here, so we are all rolling everywhere,” Jones told the Journal-Constitution. “You know that if you get into a system, they only travel six or seven guys. The center/guards, you have to be able to play all of them. In college I only played center, but I’m getting the hang of it.”

With Scott Wells scheduled to become a free agent in March, the Packers could have a need for help on the interior of the offensive line.

If Wells does re-sign with the Packers, the need is much less at that position, but depth is still a concern. Evan Dietrich-Smith backed up all the interior positions on the offensive line in 2011 and did an adequate job, but not one that suggested he could be Wells' long-term successor or a performance that was above reproach.

Photo courtesy of Georgia athletic department.

 

 

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Comments (8)

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RockinRodgers's picture

January 26, 2012 at 09:50 am

Packers could use a back up center/guard even if Wells is signed.

They have to re-sign Wells right? Could someone like Ben Jones start from day one?

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Brian Carriveau's picture

January 26, 2012 at 09:55 am

It's impossible to project. For a large majority of most rookies, that's too much to ask. But of course, there's always a few that defy the odds.

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Kevin's picture

January 26, 2012 at 10:16 am

Pretty sure the last few years that they never showed any interest in the guys they end up drafting... Although, TT might know, that everyone knows that so he's throwing us off the trail by showing interest in someone he's really interested in...

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Brian Carriveau's picture

January 26, 2012 at 10:25 am

"Showing interest" is a relative term. I've picked up on several articles like this in the past on players the Packers end up drafting. You don't hear about most of them, because they're not reported unless a reporter asks and the interviewee answers.

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lebowski's picture

January 26, 2012 at 11:46 am

TT knows that we know that he knows what he's thinking.... I think

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Nerd's Laptop's picture

January 26, 2012 at 10:47 pm

I've already predicted they'd take a C. Wells is hitting Ted's age ceiling of 30.
Plus they need OLB and DL, which they'll probably address at the top of the draft. Yeah I know, best player available. But that's how it'll go.

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Mark's picture

January 27, 2012 at 06:14 pm

Add CB and S to that too, regardless if Nick Collins comes back or not probably a OT too for depth

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BJ's picture

January 27, 2012 at 12:32 pm

I personally hope, as a Michigan fan, that our staff takes a look at David Molk(center). One of the grittiest, toughest players I've ever seen.

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