4 “Tough Decisions” Green Bay Packers will Have to Make Along OL
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers OL Decision No. 2: Lucas Patrick or Royce Newman at RG
Since I believe it will be Josh Myers starting at center, that opens the door for Patrick to slide to right guard, just as we saw him do this past Sunday against Detroit.
While there was some tough sledding early on with Newman, we really saw him improve over the course of the season–especially as a pass-blocker and especially over this last month of the season. But on the flip side, there still seems to be a play or two a game where the defense throws a blitz or a stunt at Newman, and he completely misses his assignment–obviously, that’s something that can be very costly in the playoffs.
"“I would say he’s inconsistent,” OL coach Adam Stenavich said via Packers Wire prior to Week 11. “There are improvements, definitely, and he’s done a lot of good things, but there’s definitely been some inconsistencies that we’re going to have to keep working through. He plays hard. He’s working at it. It’s a matter of fixing his errors, fixing his fundamentals, and making him a better-rounded player. Once he fixes those fundamental errors and fundamental concerns, I think he’s going to be a really solid player in this league.”"
Patrick, on the other hand, was Green Bay’s primary right guard in 2020, where he played quite well. He would rank 12th among all guards that season in total pressures allowed as well as finish 31st out of 86 guards by PFF’s run-blocking grade.
Not to mention that earlier this week, when LaFleur was asked about Patrick’s role in the playoffs, he would tell reporters that he would “certainly expect” Patrick to be “one of the five.” Which would mean that if Patrick isn’t at center, he will be the right guard.
Verdict: Lucas Patrick will start at right guard