[intlink id=”583″ type=”category”]T.J. Lang[/intlink] has moved ahead of first-round pick [intlink id=”1613″ type=”category”]Derek Sherrod[/intlink] in the competition to replace [intlink id=”94″ type=”category”]Daryn Colledge[/intlink] at left guard for the Green Bay Packers.
Two reports have surfaced in the last 24 hours giving Lang the advantage. The main reason Lang has pulled ahead seems to be his familiarity with the position and the Packers system.
“I really like how T.J.’s come to camp,” McCarthy said. “We have a history with T.J. He’s made a jump from last year. That’s clearly evident.
“Derek’s really just trying to get familiar. He’s going through a little bit of what Bryan (Bulaga) went through last year. He’s not playing as fast as he’d like to. He’s not reacting to things as quickly as he’d like to. It’s a little more thinking than the finishing and urgency you’re looking for.”
Both players played left tackle in college, but Lang has moved around the line since coming to the Packers in 2009. McCarthy has even said Lang’s best position may be at guard and it looks like Lang is proving him right.
If things continue on the current path, Sherrod will be the primary backup at both left guard and left tackle. Eventually, he’ll take over for [intlink id=”225″ type=”category”]Chad Clifton[/intlink] as the starter at left tackle.
Meanwhile, we expect McCarthy to choose a starter at left guard in the next week. As evidenced by past seasons, the coach likes to give the No. 1 offensive line time to gel.
Barring injury, look for that guy to be Lang.