Packers Morning Buzz: Troubling lack of OLB depth

Welcome to your game day Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a cup of coffee (or brew some tea, if that’s your thing) and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers.

We’ll start with Pete Dougherty’s column on the Packers’ dangerously thin depth along the offensive line.

From Pete:

Think about what would happen if left tackle David Bakhtiari had to miss some time. Two years ago we saw how that gummed up their offense when he missed three games because of a sprained ankle. It took until the third week (a playoff game at Washington) for the Packers to discover that JC Tretter could at least get them by.

This is a good time to note what a luxury the Packers had in Tretter the last three years. He was a starting-caliber center, and indeed started 10 games without the offense missing a thing. But in a pinch he could play guard or left tackle, too. They had to let him walk in free agency — you can’t pay a backup offensive lineman $5.58 million a year — but that’s the kind of line depth only good drafting gets you.

And that’s exactly why general manager Ted Thompson traded up in the second round to draft Spriggs two years ago. But Spriggs clearly isn’t the guy the Packers should turn to first. They’d have to help him so often with extra blockers, their offense wouldn’t be the same. That’s a hard way to play.

Michael Cohen recaps Saturday’s preseason game on his latest podcast:

I answered reader questions postgame:

Michael also wrote on the Packers bringing in former 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks for a visit:

The Packers want more “explosive” runs from their young running backs. Tom Silverstein has the goods:

Tom also wrote on the emphasis the Packers place on length in the secondary this offseason and its early returns:

Here are 10 things to watch heading into the Packers season:

Elsewhere, Michael went on television to talk some Packers:

Aaron Rodgers comes in at No. 2 in ESPN’s Top 100 NFL Players:

Rob Demovsky writes on the need for help at outside backer:

Packers camp can sometimes feel like a family reunion:

Playing WR for Brett Favre was tough buisness:

Wayne Larrivee projects 5 wide receivers making the final 53 man roster:

Jason Perone looks at the strong play of the young defensive backs: