Why the Green Bay Packers need Bryan Bulaga: Quinton Coples
Green Bay Packers right offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga limped through practice this week while recovering from a sprained MCL in his surgically-repaired knee – leading the Packers to list him as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
But head coach Mike McCarthy said late yesterday that he wasn’t going to “save” any players who he thinks are ready to play.
… there are times when a player needs to be there and I’m afraid we may be at that point this week against the Jets.
While it’s important that every player who is in the lineup needs to play at 100 percent, there are times when a player needs to be there and I’m afraid we may be at that point this week against the Jets.
We all saw how badly beaten Derek Sherrod was on two straight plays last week against the Seattle Seahawks. One of those plays led to a safety by the Seahawks. Though Sherrod showed hustle on the play in recovering the ball in the end zone and saving five points, in the end it didn’t matter.
While the Seattle defense surely had a say in the matter, the Packers offensive decline in the season-opener was tied closely with the loss of Bulaga.
New York Jets defensive end Quinton Coples could be a big headache for the Green Bay Packers. Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports photograph
Though in my deepest regions of logic, I know it’s probably not likely that Bulaga will play Sunday against the Jets – and, yes, that’s probably the right decision – we should be prepared for similar plays against Sherrod this week when the Jets front seven gets after the Packers’ offensive front.
The reason?
The outside linebacker/defensive end/defensive tackle will line up opposite whomever is manning the Packers right tackle position … and he’s a playmaker.
Our friend Craig Hoffman, a writer over at TheJetPress, told us in our Q&A about the Jets that Coples is the player to watch this week – not only because he might be going up against Sherrod or a less-than-healthy Bulaga – but because this guy is playing lights out.
Hoffman told us, “Despite fracturing his ankle and changing positions, Coples led the Jets in quarterback hits (in 2013) with 50.”
Try finding a Packers D-lineman with those stats …
Hoffman also said he has taken 15 pounds off his frame going into 2014 and is benefitting from playing alongside the likes of Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison, and Calvin Pace. Because of that, he ends up with many 1-on-1 situations.
Calling Derek Sherrod – are you paying attention?
Hoffman elaborates: “Coples nearly decapitated Maurice Jones-Drew with a clothesline that caused a forced fumble last week. Coples can win match-ups and do it quickly, which makes him very dangerous.”
Thanks for that news, Craig.
That makes us all the more nervous and more wanting to see Bulaga back in his regular spot.
Where is Don Barclay when you need him?
As Packers fans, we can only hope that if Bulaga can’t go and Sherrod is in the mix that Mike McCarthy is smart enough to give him some help and not leave him on an outside island all alone.
So, as the game progresses tomorrow afternoon, we will be watching that right side very closely and hoping that whomever is there – Bulaga or Sherrod – that they can handle the situation and give Aaron Rodgers the time he needs to make a difference.