Packers: Five players to watch vs. Bears in Week 1
By Jesse Fry
1. Bryan Bulaga, RT
I have little doubt the Bears will find a way to get Mack on the field despite little time learning Fangio’s system. Even if it’s a small package of plays, they will figure out a way to get Mack playing.
What better way for the Bears to make the best use of Mack than by attacking a player coming back from a serious injury. Mack was moved all over the field during his time with the Raiders but most of his rush attempts have come from the defense’s left side, the offense’s right. I expect the Bears to line up Mack on the left side of the defense and see if Bryan Bulaga is indeed all the way back.
Even a diminished Bulaga is better than the other options the Packers currently have. In order to limit Mack’s impact on the game, Bulaga will have to play as best as he can. The Packers will look to give Bulaga help with chips and double teams. But McCarthy likes to leave his tackles on an island to allow as many skill players as possible to become available for Rodgers.
Bulaga could be one of the most important people on the field for the Packers come Sunday night.