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.