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Upcoming Draft can Liberate Packers from Lang's Vacancy, Offensive line Woes

With a gaping absence left in the dust by T.J. Lang's sudden departure, although many saw it coming, the Packers have some questions to answer residing with their offensive line. Just how they'll answer them remains to be seen.

If there's any consolation, it's that the Pro Bowl guard's decision was based solely around giving his family the best environment to grow up, including his son who is entering the first grade. Lang's commitment was to the future, not the team that housed him for the last eight seasons after drafting him in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

The only sustainable guards on the Packers roster that can prove as backups are Lucas Patrick and Don Barclay. Barclay was just re-signed to a $1.3 million dollar deal and Patrick — well, he has a handful of pre-season reps under his belt. The Packers do have tape on Patrick, but whether or not they feel he has earned the jump into the starting lineup is up in the air.

One, however, is out of the equation, and that is moving right tackle Bryan Bulaga inside to play the vacancy left by Lang at right guard.

A first round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, Bulaga has been the Packers right tackle for seven seasons and counting with the lone exception of missing all of 2013 with a torn ACL. Bulaga has become one of the more revered right tackles in the NFL, and unless the urgency becomes dire, it's difficult to see general manager Ted Thompson commandeering a position change for Bulaga.

The Packers do have another tackle waiting in the wing that could suffice at interior guard, and it's their second round selection from the 2016 NFL Draft, Jason Spriggs.

Spriggs was a four-year starter at the left tackle position at Indiana before venturing to Green Bay with plans to serve as a backup to either left tackle David Bakhtiari or Bulaga. Instead, he played in two games for the Packers in 2016.

One of those games was as a guard.

In late November, Spriggs was asked to play right guard in a game against the Washington Redskins that Lang missed and that Barclay ultimately couldn't continue playing in as Lang's back-up. When his shoulder injury soon caused Barclay to remove himself from the game, the practice reps that offensive line coach James Campen made Spriggs take earlier in the week paid off. Spriggs played 26 snaps at the position in a losing effort.

It's unlikely the Packers look into making a move for Spriggs along the interior, but he has shown the capability of understanding the position which former Packers general manager and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Ron Wolf called the easiest position to learn. Thompson has apparently adopted that philosophy, evidenced by his refusal to throw heaps of money at Lang, who hasn't played a full 16-game season since 2014.

There isn't any ruling out of the possibility that the Packers can draft Lang's replacement next month. Luckily for the Packers, they still have the same general manager now as they did in 2008 and 2009 when Sitton and Lang were both drafted in the fourth rounds respectively. Other notable late-round offensive line selections under Thompson include Jason Spitz (third), Tony Moll (fifth), Allen Barbre (fourth), J.C. Tretter (fourth) and Bakhtiari (fourth).

Offensive linemen selected between rounds three and five under Thompson since 2006 have started 73 of a possible 144 games in their rookie years combined.

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (42)

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Tedlyflyfisher's picture

March 12, 2017 at 02:35 pm

Let''s be honest -- Barclay is hopeless. I am amazed that we even re-signed him. He couldn't stop my grandma. We have the best QB in the league; let's not minimize the importance of protecting him! We need a guard that's much better than Barclay. If Spriggs is up to it, great. But that leaves us with no depth. We absolutely need to draft someone at OG!

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porupack's picture

March 12, 2017 at 02:56 pm

helluva grandma you must have.

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OrganLeroy's picture

March 12, 2017 at 04:16 pm

So in a draft where the O line is very weak, you want to draft a rookie guard to replace Lang as a starter? Nonsense!

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akeemthedream's picture

March 12, 2017 at 04:21 pm

It's all good.
Just went on Fanspeak and put together this little number:
1 Lamp OG
2 Conley CB
3 Willis EDGE
4 Biegel OLB
5 McDermott OT
5 Elder CB
6 Jones RB
7 Gibson WR

Nailed it.

Resign Jones.
Tell Eddie "yeah - you'll look slimmer in purple".
Sign Hightower.

C'mon TT.
This ain't rocket science.

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pooch's picture

March 12, 2017 at 04:39 pm

TJ Watt 1st Rd not a guard omg

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OrganLeroy's picture

March 12, 2017 at 06:26 pm

Really? I want what you're smokin'.

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WKUPackFan's picture

March 12, 2017 at 06:58 pm

Your friends at Fanspeak might want to consult some rocket scientists because there is no way Gareon Conley will fall to the end of round 2.

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stockholder's picture

March 13, 2017 at 07:53 am

A voice of reason. Better chance of Watt there. He is getting over hyped. The Lions will beat anybody to the OLB /edge. Especially if Watt is a player thats loved. They need LBs and a CB. And they love WI. Lbs. But they just keep passing on Cbs every draft. So TT will have to over draft Watt. (Very much doubt it)

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Mojo's picture

March 12, 2017 at 02:39 pm

What the Packers have lost more than anything is depth. At the end of last year Spriggs wasn't close to being ready. His body type projects to tackle, but he needs a ton of work on technique and needs to build up strength. Losing Tretter, IMO was worse than losing Lang because of his versatility and general competence at all positions

As for guard they should at least be able to find a suitable stop-gap guy if not a long-term replacement either in FA or the draft. Else see what Murphy or Patrick can do. Maybe they already have good feelings on those two.

I see a shift of resources moving away from the o-line. Hopefully it's allocated to the defense which needs a large infusion of talent.

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fthisJack's picture

March 13, 2017 at 07:31 am

IIRC, Lucas played well in preseason last year. i think he could develop into a nice player with some more experience.

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fthisJack's picture

March 13, 2017 at 07:32 am

Patrick, i mean...sorry.

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Minniman's picture

March 12, 2017 at 03:02 pm

Are we not factoring in the upgraded blocking capabilities of Bennett - along with the upgraded seam attack capabilities of Bennett and Kendricks into this equation

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Rossonero's picture

March 12, 2017 at 03:03 pm

As much as it sucks to lose a cog in the middle like Lang, I don't think any of us are surprised. Guard just isn't a premium position. Ted let Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle go, and of course cut Josh Sitton too.

However, as the article notes, Ted has a great track record for finding great offensive linemen in the middle rounds (Lang, Sitton, Bakhtiari, Linsley, etc.). I'm confident he'll take a Guard in the 3rd or 4th round.

And I also hope we'll get 4th round compensatory picks for losing Lang and Hyde. Thanks for the memories, TJ.

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jyros's picture

March 12, 2017 at 03:33 pm

Won't be surprised to see training camp experiment to move Bulaga to RG and Spriggs at RT. Then there's Murphy, Patrick and ever developing, love child Barclay that could work there.
And.... a lot of 'guard' types will be available via draft and FA.

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daveh's picture

March 12, 2017 at 04:12 pm

Lang stated the move was for his family to raise them in favorable surrounding, something to that effect. Let me see the crime rate in Green Bay is what 0.001 Detroit is 99.9 percent, but with his millions he can hire body guard. Good luck

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

March 12, 2017 at 04:22 pm

I believe he has family in the area.

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WKUPackFan's picture

March 12, 2017 at 07:10 pm

I doubt that TJ will be hanging out much in Detroit proper,

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

March 12, 2017 at 04:22 pm

This is interesting because we fans (mostly) don't know much about our team's back-up guards. Also, I have been as frustrated as most Packer fans by Barclay's play AT TIMES. However, he has been better at guard than tackle, and he has always been better after he knows he's starting, vs. being thrown into a game due to an injury. I hate losing Lang, but it had to be the decision given the situation.

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pooch's picture

March 12, 2017 at 04:36 pm

10 mil a year to much Come on Teddy fix the D now

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

March 12, 2017 at 04:56 pm

I'd like to see Bulaga at RG and Spriggs at RT, but it isn't crucial. We have plenty of options, and it might be best for Spriggs to back up both Bakhtiari and Bulaga on the outside. Spriggs is no guard--not by a long shot.

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4thand1's picture

March 12, 2017 at 05:30 pm

Woes? What woes? I see a lot of posts above not too worried. We have 4 starters coming back.

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zerotolerance's picture

March 12, 2017 at 06:11 pm

The average turnover in the NFL is 20% per year - exactly where we are now with 4/5 returning OL starters (with Spriggs, Murphy, and Taylor as depth). I'm confident TT will plug and play. Now lets shore up pass rusher and CB. I think we must have about $30M left under the cap?

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Turophile's picture

March 12, 2017 at 10:36 pm

Taylor is a starter now. The depth guy you forgot is Lucas Patrick. Packers appear to like him.

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zerotolerance's picture

March 12, 2017 at 10:59 pm

Turophile - thanks for the correction - I meant Patrick.

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Bert's picture

March 12, 2017 at 05:55 pm

True OG may not be a high value position but we do need a quality starter and quality depth. Counting on guys like Barclay for either starter or even depth can get Rodgers killed. In other words replacing Lang with a Joe Blow is not a good idea. I know Ted isn't thinking that but I get feeling some fans think you can plug in some cheap moron with no consequences. Right now we have some unproven guys who will have to step up. Way up to fill Lang's shoes.

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zerotolerance's picture

March 12, 2017 at 11:02 pm

Because a player is not as regarded as Lang makes him a 'moron'?

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Bert's picture

March 13, 2017 at 09:23 am

Most definitely!

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Rossonero's picture

March 12, 2017 at 08:24 pm

Anyone else see a pattern of Ted with offensive linemen after 8 years?

Marco Rivera: gone after 8th season
Josh Sitton: gone after 8th season
TJ Lang: gone after 8th season

In other words, once these guys hit age 30, Ted devalues them a lot. Guards at least. Not sure how he values the tackles.

Bulaga: FA in 2020....but will he be gone after his 8th season? If history is any indication, odds are pretty good he won't be kept, but of course it'll depend on his health, performance and the salary cap. I hope he can last well into his 30s.

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Matt Gonzales's picture

March 12, 2017 at 09:26 pm

It's tough losing a cog like this, but we will survive. Plan on seeing a lot of outside runs behind a TE until the new OL has a chance to gel. Or Rogers will just have to stay disciplined and work through his progressions vs. play sandlot football.

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NickPerry's picture

March 12, 2017 at 09:26 pm

Sorry but I can't get onboard with Barclay and starter in the same sentence. Anyone who thinks the Packers can just insert Barclay for Lang hasn't paid any attention to Barclays play.

If Murphy got stronger he might be the best option currently on the roster. The replacement very well might not be on the roster.

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Ryan Graham's picture

March 12, 2017 at 09:40 pm

My gut is telling me it's gonna be between Patrick Murphy or the tampered Barclay. He was once solid, but since he blew out his knee it seems he hasn't quite gotten back up to playing quality, much less starting. We know very little about Murphy and Patrick as outsiders looking in, but I'm sure that Ted and the coaching staff know more about their development and I'm confident Ted has something up his sleeve regarding the starting 5. I don't see any quality free agents left, and I have a hard time believing that a rookie is gonna come in and start. It's a long way to July, someone may get cut before June 1st and maybe Ted will jump on that.

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EdsLaces's picture

March 12, 2017 at 09:47 pm

We have 2 4th rounders use them both on OL if need be. Just give me 2 defensive picks and a RB before that and all will be well...

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Lphill's picture

March 12, 2017 at 09:48 pm

Ron Wolf says in his book that guard is the easiest position to replace and you should never overpay for one. I guess TT read his book.

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NitschkeFan's picture

March 12, 2017 at 10:48 pm

According to spotrac.com
"T.J. Lang signed a 3 year, $28,500,000 contract with the Detroit Lions, including $19,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $9,500,000."

On this board it is unanimous that TJ Lang was liked and we all felt he was a very good player. But age, injuries and that contract just do not go together.

His play over the past few years will not be easy to replace and at this point it is all speculation as to how the Packers are going to even try to plug that hole. But use Murphy or Patrick or a draft pick plus an extra $9.5 million (or about $23-25 mill total cap space left) now available for an OLB/CB/RB/renew Adams, Burnett etc etc should help us all to see the big picture.

Hope to see that money spent wisely.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 12, 2017 at 11:06 pm

One thing Thompson has been very good at is drafting OL in the 4-5th round area. Don't be surprised if the guy that ends up replacing Lang is found in the draft. As far as current players on the roster I agree with what most have said. That either Patrick or Murphy could be the guys.

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Couch Cleats's picture

March 13, 2017 at 07:29 am

I love TJ Lang but the money that he was due (and received) is much more needed at more impactful positions on the roster we have right now.

That said, if Murphy , Patrick or a rookie can't unseat Barclay by week 3 or 4 I think we might be in trouble on that line. I just don't have confidence in Barclay to be anything more than a back up for a game or two here and there.

I thought Tretter would be a better replacement for Lang and I also loved having two capable centers on the team. Now that Tretter is gone, TT is going to have to draft another center. My worry is that Corey gets hurt before a late round rookie center can get up to speed. Playing center for AR with all the audibles cannot be easy.

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erkaftan's picture

March 13, 2017 at 09:23 am

My thinking is that they will move Bulaga inside to guard and put Spriggs in at tackle. Thoughts?

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

March 13, 2017 at 04:54 pm

I hope not!! It's been hard enough keeping him healthy at RT. Moving Bulaga to a new position would be Suicide in my opinion. I would trade him 1st, & I don't want to Trade him.
LVT

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erkaftan's picture

March 14, 2017 at 03:18 pm

Then why trade up and draft Spriggs?

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Finwiz's picture

March 14, 2017 at 03:30 pm

Bulaga has always struck me as more of a guard than a tackle. He just looks like more of a brawler, and last season he looked like he lost some agility to handle a speedy rush end. Perhaps the Packer saw that too, and are thinking of moving him inside for this reason. Spriggs looks more like a right tackle to me when I look at his body. I don't see him as a guard and he struggled there when he played.

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dobber's picture

March 14, 2017 at 03:37 pm

Spriggs is built like a TE, but will fill out (hopefully) to be a prototypical LT. I really don't think there will be much distinction between the two body types (LT and RT) going forward, though.

I would disagree on Bulaga. He's always struggled against speed rushers, but last season was his best year, IMO. I was of the opinion that what you describe would be the Packers plan of attack, but have been convinced that moving Bulaga to create unknowns at two positions (RG and RT) doesn't make a lot of sense.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

March 14, 2017 at 03:49 pm

I could be wrong, but I don't think Bulaga ever played Guard. I believe he was a LT drafted from Iowa. I think #1.
LVT

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