Packers’ Offensive Line – Take Six

Open the floodgates!

It’s no newsflash that the Green Bay Packers haven’t been able to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers this season, even though you’ll be reading some form of the same story in all of Wisconsin’s local papers this week. Possibly the worst part about the Packers infuriating offensive line, or lack there of, is that they will likely go into their matchup with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday with their sixth starting combination of the season.

After tackle Mark Tauscher went down with a knee injury in the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Packers pass protection fell apart. After giving up zero sacks in the fist half with Tauscher in the lineup, the Packers surrendered six in the second half, increasing their league-leading total to 37.

On Monday, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said there is only a slight chance Tauscher will be able to play against Dallas. No one other than the Packers’ opponents is happy with Allen Barbre’s play at right tackle this season, and it appears the coaching staff may be considering starting left tackle T.J. Lang in his place.

If that happens, it will be the sixth different incarnation of the Packers offensive line this season, which doesn’t bode well for continuity, much less a unit that functions well together.

“It’s unfortunate that we strive for continuity of building a starting five with the offensive line, we haven’t been able to accomplish that,” McCarthy said. “Injuries are part of the game, once again. So it will take the full week’s work to sort that out.”

Injuries ARE part of the game, especially when your tackles are 33 years old, as is the case with Clifton and Tauscher, both of whom have spent more time in the training room than on the field this season. Poor play is also part of the game when you try to play Allen Barbre anywhere on the offensive line, apparently.

As is becoming readily apparent, the Packers inability or lack of willingness to address these positions during the offseason are quickly leading to the deterioration of this season.

A little perspective:

The record for sacks given up in one season is 76 by the Houston Texans in 2002. That team finished 4-12. The Packers are on pace to give up 74 sacks.

Take a look at the closest teams to the Packers in sacks given up this season, going into Sunday’s action. Kansas City, Oakland, Detroit – they have the same number of wins as the Packers, combined.

Still, McCarthy says the Packers protection problems are correctable. Heard that before, haven’t you?

“We don’t need wholesale change. We may need to adjust some things and that will be our focus. But as far as going outside the building, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I have all the answers, but I’m very confident in the issues that we’ve had in pass protection, that they are correctable,” McCarthy said.

Hmmmm… I have an idea. How about you fucking correct them, then, you fuckstick instead of giving us the same goddam line each week?!

I’ve got 20-1 odds that says these corrections don’t happen this week. Anyone want in on that action?

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