We saw this one coming. Or at least Shawn did. The Green Bay Packers have officially named J.C. Tretter their starting center.
He replaces two-year starter Corey Linsley, who has spent the entirety of training camp on the physically unable to perform list.
If you feel like you’ve heard this one before, you have, only in reverse.
Two years ago, Tretter was slated to be the starting center. He got injured in the preseason, Linsley got the job and didn’t relinquish it.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy made it official on Monday.
“J.C. Tretter has had an excellent camp,” McCarthy said. “I think I’ve answered that question repeatedly and J.C., in my view, has earned the starting position at center. Availability is a big part of what you look for in your players.
“It’s unfortunate what Corey is going through and continuing to battle to get back out there. But there’s been a lot of time that’s gone by since he’s been out there. I think J.C. has done an excellent job.”
Tretter has indeed done an excellent job.
He brings something completely different than Linsley to the table. Linsley is known for his toughness and for being a bit of a brawler. Tretter brings more athleticism, quickness and intelligence to the position. He is one of the big reasons the Packers’ offensive line has looked so good this preseason.
Tretter is able to do his job on the first level and then get out to the second and take care of a linebacker. That type of ability makes the running game more efficient.
This was the right move for the Packers.
6 Comments
Got no problem with this. This could make offensive line even stronger. Offense just keeps getting scarier.
Tretter is the difference between a 1yd run and a 5yds run through the middle. Will probably see less stuffed runs with him at the center position.
And heck, Linsley may be better at withstanding the bull rush from a nose tackle, but… we have two good guards. And he can even concede some ground and still have the play not break. He just has to take a few seconds to relinquish two steps to the NT and that’s it, the pass is flying. He doesn’t really have to overpower big NTs.
Maybe this is a good move, maybe it was necessitated by Linsley’s injury. The injury we never hear about. Here’s some of Linsley’s views about his injury back in mid JUNE. That’s over 2 months ago.
Linsley steadfastly refused to say — despite repeated prodding — what his injury is…….“I’m good. Whatever the deal is, I’ll be 100 percent for training camp. I’m good right now, but just taking the advice of the doctors and the trainers.”………….“It’s a non-life-threatening injury. It’s not a big deal. I don’t want to say something that would contradict anyone else’s wishes of what he’d want me to say. I’m being held out, I’m good, I’m 100 percent right now. It’s just a matter of being careful.”
“I don’t want to say something that would contradict anyone else’s wishes of what he’d want me to say.” <—-TRANSLATION……Mike doesn't let us talk…WE ARE ROBOTS….. I'll talk, when my DADDY Mike McCarthy says i can talk.
Now, with that exposed, any Packer fan that doesn't question this (like i have), is just a robot fan.
This reduces what we use to perceive as depth on the off. line. Now, if a tackle goes down, we have Spriggs, who showed us he's not quite ready, Barclay, who sucks balls at any position the Packers try him at, and they've tried him everywhere now. That leaves us with the Josh Walkers, and Lane Taylors of the world and the rest of their brethren undrafted nobody's we call offensive line depth.
But…it should be ok, as long a the tackles don't get hurt.
Big news… having depth with guys like Linsley, Spriggs (a starter next season) Barclay & maybe a guy like Kyle Murphy. Murphy has some core strength deficiencies but he is crisp & pro-ready in the run game… things look comfortable at OL for the Pack
You are assuming a lot. First, Linsley can’t even get on the practice field. Barclay? Barclay what? Barclay is an accident waiting to happen, at any position. Murphy is a project they are looking to coach up as possible replacement for Bulaga. But…what has Kyle Murphy done? It wouldn’t be a stretch that the answer is…nothing, at this point. As far as Spriggs, he better be the answer at left tackle, because if he isn’t, then who is, Josh Sitton, Don Barclay, Lane Taylor? You proclaim Spriggs is next years starter, that may or may not be true, but remember this, Marshall Newhouse was also a starting left tackle under Ted Thompson’s watchful eye. It only takes one hit, to put a QB on IR.
Yea, were comfortable, as long as neither of our tackles get injured.