One of the easy potential solutions to the Green Bay Packers’ woes along the offensive line seemed to be to bring veteran right tackle Mark Tauscher back – if and when he was fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered last season.
Well, that appears to be the case. The Journal Sentinel is reporting that Tauscher and the Packers are working on finalizing a contract as we speak. After working out with the Kansas City Chiefs last week, Tauscher worked out for the Packers yesterday.
“He looks good,” offensive line coach James Campen said. “Until you put the pads on (you don’t know how ready he is). But he had a good workout.”
Even though Tauscher hasn’t played a down of football in 10 months and is past his prime, his leadership would bolster an offensive line that has been a hindrance to the Packers all season.
“No. 1, (he’s) a good football player,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “I definitely think he adds to our offensive line group and more importantly our 53-man roster, just from a pure personnel standpoint. Obviously, Mark’s history here, he’s played a ton of football for us in this scheme from Day One.
Although it will likely take Tauscher some time to get back into playing shape, he could realistically be ready to go by the October 25 game at Cleveland. When he is ready to go, you can say goodbye to Allen Barbre as the Packers starting right tackle.
Although Tauscher’s imminent signing is a step in the right direction, his presence won’t be a cure all for the offensive line. Barbre certainly has been a weak link, but both Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz have played poorly as well, this season.
Signing Tauscher is merely a step in the right direction for the Packers.
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I don’t think expectations have ever been quite this high for Tausch. Has there ever been a portlier knight in shining armor?
They definitely need to bring in some more able help than a guy who blew his knee out last season. Why did they let him go in the first place?? I’m assuming because he wasn’t worth keeping.
I wouldn’t say they let him go — yeah, he worked out for KC, but the Packers almost immediately had him back. It was just unfortunate timing (end of contract) for him to have such a serious injury. Even if he’d been younger and had an end-of-contract blown-out knee, Ted would have been right to wait to bring him back, although he most likely wouldn’t have been able to wait this long.
I like the move; even if he can’t provide immediate help, he’ll get the young dudes to step their game up.