Any lingering question about who would start at left tackle for the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional round of the 2012 NFL playoffs was answered Monday morning.
Without hesitation, coach Mike McCarthy proclaimed Chad Clifton as the starter at that position over second-year tackle Marshall Newhouse.
“Chad Clifton will be our starter,” McCarthy said. “There is no gray area for that.”
Clifton started on Sunday against the Detroit Lions and played the first three series for the Packers. McCarthy said on Monday that the goal was to play him for 25 or so snaps.
There was plenty of rust visible in those 25 snaps, which is understandable for a 35-year-old tackle coming off a torn hamstring. Clifton hadn’t played in a game since Week 5 when he suffered the injury in Atlanta and just returned to practice full-time this week.
Clifton was beat a handful of times in pass protection against the Lions, including one allowed sack. McCarthy acknowledged that Clifton still has work to do over the next two weeks to be ready for the Packers’ Divisional round playoff game.
Asked why he was choosing Clifton over Newhouse, who started 10 games at left tackle this season, McCarthy said, “Experience, and Clifton is a damn good player.”
——————Zach Kruse is a 23-year-old sports journalist with a passion for the Green Bay Packers. He currently lives in Wisconsin and is working on his journalism degree, while also covering prep sports for The Dunn Co. News.
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My only surprise is how quickly MM announced this. he usually likes to keep these things under his hat…
I didn’t think we’d find out so soon either. But it was clear that his decision was an easy one in his mind. Never hesitated.
It sure was quick Al, I have to think the playoff planning was underway long before they took the field yesterday. He was just looking for reassurance that he was physically able to handle the speed of the game.
It’s nice to know that Newhouse and EDS have developed into adequate replacements in case of injury. This should give the Packers a sense of security going into the playoffs or should I say the next three games.
Go Pack!
Agree with everything you said here, Ron.
Good call by McCarthy.
Maybe on the flip side it would be easier to replace Clifton with Newhouse than the other way around. Clifton is the starter and if he falters psychologically they can always say that he wasn’t healthy enough. If the swap Newhouse for Clifton it’s just saying that Newhouse was straight off not good enough.
I really like the Clifton-Lang-Wells-Sitton-Bulaga o-line. Assuming they’re all healthy I like the combination of veteran presence and pass-blocking. Run blocking might lose a little with Cliffy but overall this is a very good group. Nice to have Newhouse as a backup who’s already gone to war.
It’s funny how the offensive line went from such a concern two weeks ago to a strength across the board. Packers got healthy at the right time.
This will prove to be a win-win-win,double check discount insurance move by MM.
Why would MM, tell anyone the truth.Make everyone look at all the film.
MM is sure of him self with the LT situation, unlike the ROLB