Ted Thompson is notorious for running the Green Bay Packers strictly – a team that doesn’t rely on many big name free agents but instead promotes players from within.
Green Bay could be labeled as the North Korea of the NFC North and ultimately the entire NFL. Maybe not as radical as the real North Korea with Ted trying to make nuclear weapons, but instead offensive and defensive weapons (of mass destruction).
With that being said, the Packers have stumbled into a situation involving an injured star right tackle, an unproven, inconsistent backup right tackle, and a season of hope that is slowly starting to diminish after just one disappointing loss.
Bryan Bulaga, the team’s starting right tackle, was diagnosed with a torn MCL. It’s considered a very minor tear of the MCL, however, and is considered a “sprain” by the team’s medical staff. Unfortunately for the Packers, the “minor” tear is a setback that may keep Bulaga off the field for an extended period of time.
Green Bay may want to add a little bit of depth that may be more secure than Derek Sherrod.
A glimmer of hope has arisen for the Packers as Bulaga may try to practice Wednesday and shows the slightest possibility of playing against New York Sunday. We’ll know more about his game time status as the week progresses.
Packers Right Tackle Derek Sherrod graded out at a -6.9 against the Seahawks last Thursday and gave up two sacks. One of which led to a fumble and Sherrod recovering the ball in the endzone for a safety against the Packers. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports photograph
The Packers currently sit with a little room to breathe on their salary cap, with just over $7.5 million open. In the event that Ted Thompson would want to reach out to the rest of the world for help at right tackle, who would be the Packers’ first choice?
Former Tennessee Titan David Stewart and Arizona Cardinal Levi Brown are both available on the free agents list.
Stewart has played with the Titans since 2005 after being drafted fourth round and started in 104 games. Since joining the Titans, Stewart was one of the most consistent right tackles in the league.
In the past five years, Stewart has graded out with an overall positive score from Pro Football Focus every year except last year. In recent years, he has begun to decline in talent, but may still be a viable option for the Packers.
Levi Brown is a bit of a stretch and has only played four games in the past two seasons. Before missing that time, Brown provided a stable run block for Arizona but struggled in the pass block giving up a total of 55 sacks in 81 games played, something the Packers aren’t interested in.
Pro Football Focus rated Brown negatively for an overall score every year since 2008.
I’ve seen multiple people discuss and debate the signing of right tackle and former Seahawk, Eric Winston. The former Texan, Chief, and Cardinal has started 119 games in his career. Winston is familiar with the blocking scheme that the Packers run as he ran the same scheme while at Houston.
He helped provide a dominant run block in 2010 and 2011 which led to Arian Foster amassing over 2,800 rushing yards as well as 4,000 total yards in that two-year span.
Former Seahawks tackle Eric Winston works against the Broncos. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Winston was regarded as one of the best options at right tackle for teams to look into during the free agency this offseason.
He was cut from Seattle when they condensed down to their 53-man roster back on Aug. 30.
We’d like to imagine somewhere in a distant universe, Ted Thompson is handing one of those players a contract to add depth to a diminishing offensive line.
But even there he’s not.
The Packers will more than likely try to suffer their way through the next few weeks with Derek Sherrod until Bryan Bulaga is healthy enough to return.
Every time Sherrod misses a block, you’re gonna cringe when Aaron Rodgers gets annihilated by their opponent’s defensive ends.