Young offensive lineman had his ups and downs last season
Marshall Newhouse started 11 games at left tackle last season, and all things considered, he did an admirable job. While the second-year player from TCU gave up too many pressures and sacks, he generally held his own. And while generally holding his own may not sound all that impressive, for last year’s Packers, it was good enough. By not resembling a human turnstile at arguably the second-most important position on the team, Newhouse allowed the offense to put up record numbers and allowed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to capture the league’s MVP award.
It would be fair to say that the soft-spoken 23-year-old saved the season after Chad Clifton predictably broke down in week 5. It would also be fair to say, based on what’s happened – or hasn’t happened – over the past few months, that GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy aren’t totally comfortable with the idea of Newhouse protecting Rodgers’ blind side for another 16 games. How else can you explain Clifton and his $5.6 million salary still being on the roster?
Yes, I’m aware that the Packers don’t owe Clifton any real money until the start of training camp in late July, but he still counts against the cap – a cap that is already tight and will only get tighter in the coming weeks. And yes, I’m aware that a team can never have too much depth on the offensive line, but the injury-prone 36-year-old isn’t being kept around to be a backup. Even at a reduced salary, that would make little sense for a couple of reasons. One is that Clifton has never once come off the bench in 12 seasons – something that is much easier said than done. The other is that he rarely practices during the week, so playing in games is the only way he can keep his skills intact.
If Thompson and McCarthy truly believed in Newhouse, they would’ve dumped Clifton weeks ago. Not only is he making a lot of money, but the truth is, he wasn’t playing very well prior to suffering a serious hamstring injury last October. The former Tennessee star didn’t look like the same player who seemed to find the fountain of youth late in the 2010 season. His run blocking was even worse than usual and he was getting beat in pass protection by ordinary rushers – something that almost never happened in his previous 154 starts. It looked like Father Time had finally caught up with Clifton, and as we all know, once Father Time catches up to you, there’s simply no getting away.
And yet, Clifton is still a member of the Packers. And as long as he’s healthy following minor back surgery, he’ll probably still be a member of the Packers 18 weeks from now when Aldon Smith and the rest of the 49ers come to town. “There’s definitely a possibility,” said McCarthy. “We haven’t taken him off [the roster], so he’s someone we’ll continue to talk about and get the reports. He’s down in Tennessee now, so we’ll see how he recovers. It’s a medical decision. That’s what it will come down to.” It wouldn’t come down to a medical decision if Thompson and McCarthy had more faith in Newhouse. If they truly believed he was the answer, Clifton would be a memory by now.
To be fair, a lack of faith in Newhouse isn’t the only thing keeping Clifton around. The broken leg suffered by Derek Sherrod is also helping his cause. There’s not a doubt in my mind that last year’s first-round draft choice would’ve been the starting left tackle heading into training camp had he not gotten hurt against the Chiefs in week 15. He was really coming on after a slow start, and unlike Newhouse, he’s the prototype for the position. Blessed with long arms, good balance, quick feet and the ability to get out in space, the former Mississippi State star only needed a full offseason of intense work to win the job. He won’t get that now and therefore he remains a question mark.
I think the reason fluffy is still around is for insurance. Not because of a specific lack of talent of any one guy, but an uncertainty in general as you touched on towards the end of the piece.
A complete offseason program will only help newhouse.
Not really buying into this premise… yet. Clifton is still a Packer because to this point there has been no reason to release him. I’d think the Sherrod injury is also a major factor. Cap space being tight is meaningless until GB starts losing players because if it. Does anyone really think TT’s activity in FA was seriously hampered because of a lack of cap space? I don’t.
Now if Clifton remains a Packer in 2012 without reworking his contract, then I’ll buy into this idea.
Just like the rest of the 2010 draft picks Newsome hasn’t had a full off season program. I think he will be better this year. That being said, I think that Sherrod will be the long term left tackle. The Packers will be in a very good position with two very good tackles and a proven backup. I too think that Clifton is only here as insurance until the season starts.
Michael- I’m also surprised that Cliffy is still around, but I never related it to how Mike and Ted felt about Newhouse. It’s an interesting theory. Whether I agree with what you write or not, I always find your takes on the Packers to be interesting and insightful. Keep up the good work!
Too many question marks right now to make a decision they don’t have too. How will Clifton and Shorrod heal? Will Cambell continue to develope? Will they come across some one in the later rounds that Ted is high on as a good value pick? Will someone get injured in workouts? Lots of time before they have to name 53.
If Riley Reiff falls ala Bulaga hard to say no to that.
Don’t see Reiff falling that far, but I never thought he’d go in the top 12. Bulaga went 23rd and I thought he was a better prospect.
You dumdum.
I’m figuring Sherrod is looking at another red shirt year i.e., he’ll miss OTAs and may be able to go lightly in TC. He may be ready to start toward end of reg season if all goes well.
Clifton looked horrible to me last year.
Newhouse made a remarkable jump from rookie season, even w/o OTA. The guy is super intelligent and should benefit greatly from OTAs and TC this year. That said, he had trouble with the best DEs. The guy has proven that he will make a solid back-up for a long time to come. The jury is still out on what his ceiling will be. Interesting year coming up for him.
Why is CC still a Packer? I’m not sure either but the Pack has to have more than just Newhouse ready to go to start the season with and he could go down in TC. So, maybe CC is just an insurance policy. It would not surprise me to see the Pack draft both a T/G and a G/C this year. That would solidify their depth problem. I know they’ve got a couple of young OL on their developmental squad that they like too.
One other scenario – CC is rejuvenated following back surgery and gives them one more good year. Probability = 10% IMO. Even so, worth eyeballing him during OTAs.
Chad Clifton failed his physical and will be released. This move doesn’t change the sentiment expressed in the story.