A Tuesday trip to the question department

Funny how things can change in a week, isn’t it?

At this time last week, there was almost nothing going on with the Green Bay Packers. I mean, I was writing 1,100-word posts on the “Lombardi” movie to pass the time, for God’s sake - and that movie won’t even come out until roughly two years from now!

All of a sudden, though, there’s a ton of Packers-related news to discuss. And a Tuesday trip to the question department is the best way to get to it all, especially since we haven’t done one of these in awhile.

Question: What does the picture at offensive line look like now that Mark Tauscher is back in the fold?

Answer: As of now, the starters are basically set, but it’s up in the air as to who the backups will be. From left to right, the starters will be Chad Clifton, Jason Spitz (yes, I’m predicting he wins the battle with Daryn “Crybaby” Colledge), Scott Wells, Josh Sitton and Tauscher. While some fans/media members have talked of the possibility of an open competition between Tauscher and T.J. Lang, it’s pretty clear – at least as of now – that the job will be handed to Tauscher (especially if the “starter money” thing is true).

The backups that are locks to return are Colledge, Lang and Evan Dietrich-Smith (the team is high on him and he can play multiple spots). That makes eight spots that are definitely filled for next year. The ninth will be either Allen Barbre or Breno Giacomini as I do not expect both to be on the opening day roster. Both were taken as developmental players (Barbre in 2007, Giacomini in 2008). Since it’s now, you know, 2010, the team has to cut the cord on one of these guys. If I had to guess now, I’d say Giacomini sticks based on his rare size alone (6-feet, 7-inches).

The Packers kept nine o-linemen last year and my best guess is that they’ll keep 10 this season, particularly since Clifton and Tauscher are both well over 30, with the 10th spot going to whichever lineman they take high.

Question: What should we make of tight end Spencer Havner’s DUI arrest?

Answer: For those of you who might not know, Havner – according to a story in the Grass Valley Daily Union – was allegedly under the influence when he crashed his motorcycle while driving around a cul-de-sac early Saturday morning in his home state of California. He fractured his scalpula (fancy medical term for shoulder blade), suffered some lacerations on the back of his head and his left arm and has several abrasions. The story says he was not wearing a helmet - ARE YOU SERIOUS?! – and was later arrested at the hospital. Those injuries could slow down his work in the offseason program, but that is unknown as of now.

First, let me just say this: Driving drunk – be it a car, motorcycle, bicycle or even unicycle – is one of the dumbest things a person can do. It shows a complete lack of responsibility and causes countless deaths every year. Don’t. Do. It.

Now, on to Havner…

If this is true, it is STUPID, STUPID, STUPID, Spencer. Are you NUTS? You’re coming off a nice season, your quarterback clearly looks your way at times (especially in the red zone), you have a chance to increase your role in the offense this season and you go an do THIS? Not good enough at all, man. You were riding a “crotch rocket” Kawasaki. Sounds like you need to pull your head out of the same general region.

As for whether or not this puts his roster spot in jeopardy, the answer is it does not. While he is a moron for doing this, this is the NFL. If you can play, which he can, there’s a spot for you, DUI arrest or not. If this all ends up being true, I’m sure he’ll face a sizeable fine and get an incredibly unpleasant talking-to from head coach Mike McCarthy. I doubt he’ll see a suspension, but you never know.

Question: What, if anything, should we make of the Packers scouting a college basketball player?

Answer: Probably not much. If you don’t know, Green Bay is apparently taking a close look at Niagara University’s Tyrone Lewis, a 5-feet, 10-inch, 180-pound guard. He hasn’t played football in college, but was a corner/wide receiver/kick returner in high school and the Pack will be giving him a pre-draft workout. This isn’t the first time they’ve done this, either, as they had some interest in Greg Paulus last offseason. Paulus, a former Duke University basketball player, chose to play QB for Syracuse instead.

Ted Thompson is known for turning over every leaf this time of year, so I’m not surprised the team is looking at Lewis. And the Packers do have a glaring need for a kick returner. But I think – or, maybe, I hope – they will opt for a more proven player in the draft than Lewis. Still, if the Packers chose to bring him in as an undrafted free agent, I guess I wouldn’t mind.

Question: What do you think of the new throwback uniforms?

Answer: As excited as I was about the idea of an alternate jersey for 2010 that would focus on the team’s long history, I became something less than excited once I actually saw them.

While it is cool that the team is deciding to honor the 1929 world championship squad (that’s what your team is called when you win it all, Vikings fans), the blue-and-gold jerseys just aren’t that appealing, especially the giant gold circle on the front that contains the player’s number.

I’m hoping these things will grow on me as time passes. But for now, I am doubting that. Let’s hope these things are only worn once.

(And we’re moving on to the lightening round!)

Question: Did the Vikings drop the ball (copyright Adrian Peterson) by missing out on LT?

Answer: Sadly, not really. LaDainian Tomlinson is pretty much out of gas, anyways, and his massive ego would have been hard to keep in check. As I’ve said before, his presence on that team would not have scared me one bit.   

Question: Do we know any more of the particulars on the Nick Collins/Ryan Pickett/Tauscher contracts?

Answer: No, we don’t. But once we do, we at OBOD will, as usual, break them all down. Hopefully they are made public soon.

Final question: When can we expect a new OBOD mock draft? We’re dying here!

Final answer: Wednesday. Should be interesting, so make sure to look for it.

-Chris Lempesis