May 29, 2008

The early word this offseason is that as many as five different players could be shuttled in and out of the guard positions on a fairly regular basis in 2008 — primary 2007 starters Jason Spitz (ORG) and Daryn Colledge (OLG), athletically gifted fourth-year pro Junius Coston, promising second-year pro Allen Barbre and fourth-round rookie Josh Sitton. We hear Barbre — whose rookie action was limited as he adapted full time to the OG position after playing tackle in college — could be destined for the biggest boost in playing time. In early OTAs, Barbre was rotating at left guard with Colledge, who told team insiders that he welcomed the competition, and that he was feeling much stronger this season after spending much of his time since the end of the ’07 season in the weight room. But with all five linemen being extremely versatile, different combinations could be on tap throughout the season. “Barbre’s strength is his toughness and aggressiveness,” a longtime team insider told PFW. “Coston might have the most pure ability; he really runs well when he’s healthy. And don’t overlook this Sitton kid.” Sitton reminds many Packers onlookers of Mark Tauscher when the team’s starting right tackle first came on the scene as a seventh-round pick in 2000. “The more I see of Sitton, the more he looks like a player,” the team insider said.