With Colledge Likely Moving On, Bulaga Could Move To Left Guard
Odds are, someone else will be playing left guard for the Packers in 2011.
Word from free agent Daryn Colledge’s agent is the [intlink id=”174″ type=”category”]Arizona Cardinals[/intlink] are making a strong push to sign the left guard.
He termed the Cardinals the current favorite to land Colledge, but also said the Green Bay Packers are in the picture.
If, as most people assume, the Packers let Colledge sign elsewhere, the team has a decision to make to fill his spot in the lineup.
It could mean sliding current right tackle [intlink id=”925″ type=”category”]Bryan Bulaga[/intlink] to left guard.
Assuming Colledge leaves, the Packers will have several options to replace him, and maybe the first is to move Bulaga to left guard to prepare him to take over for Clifton next year, or even this season if Clifton breaks down. The thinking among many NFL teams is the transition to left tackle is easier from the same side of the ball, left guard, than after playing in the mirror image at right tackle.
If the Packers replace Colledge with Bulaga, it’s a good sign they consider him Clifton’s replacement at left tackle.
Of course, rookie first-round pick [intlink id=”1613″ type=”category”]Derek Sherrod[/intlink] will have something to say about that, but since he’s missed the entire offseason program, that won’t be for a while.
In the meantime, the Packers will have to decide between keeping Bulaga at right tackle, where he’s performed well, and sliding him to left guard. [intlink id=”583″ type=”category”]T.J. Lang[/intlink] is a good bet to fill the open spot, be it right tackle or left guard.
He’s equipped to play either, having played left tackle in college and both tackle and guard in the pros.
We won’t have a clear idea of how things will play out until training camp opens this weekend, but the offensive line shuffle will be interesting to watch.
That is, unless Colledge’s agent is bluffing and the Packers are able to bring him back at their price.
That’s not something we’d bet on, though.
7 Comments
Recent Posts
The level of concern I personally had for Colledge leaving in free agency was so great that I actually had completely forgotten he was a free-agent haha. I trust TT to be prepared to replace him!
No way is Bulaga moved to LG with,Lang,Newhouse and MacDonald waiting for play.
If Chad goes down,then Bulaga will go LT and Sherrod will need to do what Bulaga did,step into the RT spot for the season and then switch next camp with Bulaga.
I dont want College back at $50k a year, He constantly gets man handled as if he were a girl …We cant run block to score on a 1st and goal from the 2 yard line..it needs to get fixed….BE GONE!!!!
I agree with above. My concern for Colledge leaving is ZERO. Lang or MacDonald should get a chance to play that spot. Leave Bulaga where he is. His short arms make him a better RT than LT. Sherrod has the kind of athleticism to play LT.
I think many people listen to what the coaches have to say,……. The coaches have said they are glad they dont have to continue playing musical chairs in GB…….. There’s NOT going to be all these players moving around…. its capsizes a players potential to grow at another position… Baluga is staying right where he is and tj lang is the front-runner for the position. He may have had the chance last year if a wrist injury didn’t sapp him of his strength last year.
thats it
well put, chris k
Colledge = weakest link on our o-line
Lt- Clifton
Lg- Lang*
C- Wells
Rg- Sitton
Rt- Bulaga
(back-up Lt = Sherrod)