Jason Spriggs - Year 2

Good thoughts everyone. I'm not looking for instant gratification with Spriggs, I'm more looking at it from the standpoint of other guys on the line and what they looked like early. Bahk was a standout and a surprise even in his first camp. He had to get stronger but the feet were there and he kept finding ways to get it done. Bulaga played well enough early on to anchor the right side for a SB champion. I just don't think we've seen that kind of hopeful early returns in Spriggs. That's not to say he can't come on in year 3 like Lang or now Taylor have, but I think it has to be a little bit of a concern.
 
I know it's hard to see the 'instant gratification' thing with Spriggs. He isn't getting game reps like Bak did, but I don't remember feeling this calm about our swing tackle situation in years! Yes, he gave up ONE sack in the Eagles game. I watched the move their #1 DE draft pick (who broke Reggie Whites record at Tennessee) Barnett put on him for the sack. Got him off balance, made a nice move and closed the deal. Sometimes your opponent makes a nice play. Barnett is going to be a very good NFL player. Later in the game he tried the same move and Spriggs shut it down.
It's not like he's a revolving door and he has the athleticism to succeed. I was thrilled when TT made the move to trade up and grab him and I really don't know why people are down on him. One sack in a preseason game?
 
Spriggs this guy looked like a train wreck Saturday night. He clearly won't be cut but think it's safe to say if a injury would happen he is not ready to fill in.
 
He certainly hasn't shown the ability to play left tackle. They might be well off grooming someone else for that spot, and focus on Spriggs playing inside at guard. It's amazing how subtle but substantial, the differences are between the two positions. Even left and right tackle is an issue because of reversed footwork.

Dominant side, and foot/leg, can make a big difference on how well you play a position. It's like a basketball player. He might be able to drive right, but can't change up his dribble to his left hand, to drive left, from the top of the key.
 
GBP4EVER said:
Spriggs this guy looked like a train wreck Saturday night. He clearly won't be cut but think it's safe to say if a injury would happen he is not ready to fill in.
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Yes, he struggled. There are things he does well, but people will jump on the sacks. Read a write up on him that described how his handwork still needs refinement. Something that Bak is excellent at. Fortunately, that is something that can be coached up. He does some things quite well though, his combo blocking is usually assignment sure. Who else do you want to see there? No matter who we put there- if Bak goes down- we're not as good. He is a really athletic OL and I still think he's developing. Plus, he might perform better with a better LG next to him. He's getting most of his reps next to a rookie.
 
Dubz41 said:
Yes, he struggled. There are things he does well, but people will jump on the sacks. Read a write up on him that described how his handwork still needs refinement. Something that Bak is excellent at. Fortunately, that is something that can be coached up. He does some things quite well though, his combo blocking is usually assignment sure. Who else do you want to see there? No matter who we put there- if Bak goes down- we're not as good. He is a really athletic OL and I still think he's developing. Plus, he might perform better with a better LG next to him. He's getting most of his reps next to a rookie.
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It worries me that he is struggling against backup's though. If they had him out there and he's getting his but kicked against starting DE's that's one thing but if he is struggling against backups I question if he's developing fast enough.
 
He had some ugly looks, even on successful plays. On the big throw to Janis he lunged and missed hisnguy, who was running free at Hundley. On the Aaron Jones TD catch there was a late rusher that spriggs picked up and Spriggs shoved him but the guy only got slowed a little and still had a line to the QB. Then there were the two sacks.

A tough game for him no doubt, and his body language got worse as the game went on.
 
Spriggs is big, and he's strong. He uses his hands like a guard, not a tackle. That can be taught. So can most of the footwork. But, it takes time, and based on today's NFL contracts, the Packers have this year and next year to discover what he's capable of playing on the field. From what I've seen, he's only a short distance away from becoming at least a decent guard. Maybe they should consider that is primary position, and continue to work on him at tackle, to see if he's capable of stepping in at that position during a second contract?

If I was to rate the difficult of position in the NFL, I'd start with QB, and go to left tackle second. It's that difficult a position to play well. Lots of guys play there, but very few really shine at it. That's why they're usually the highest paid NFL players on the offensive line.

I don't want to see his confidence eroded any further than it already has.
 
TW said:
I don't want to see his confidence eroded any further than it already has.
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This is huge. You can see it. He's not natural. He's getting beat every way. He overthinks. He loses one against power to the outside. He adjusts next time only to get caught with open shoulders and getting beat by speed on the inside. He's too tentative on the hand battles. Right now he is no where close to being ready at LT. Hopefully the lights come on, he settles down and it becomes second nature.
 
I wonder if having him play guard last year is confusing him. Some guys are built to play one position, not all.
 
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