'Unsung heroes' on Packers' offensive line have made Aaron Rodgers' life easier

Cheesehead

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Mar 19, 2019
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Veteran Billy Turner hasn't played center yet during his time in Green Bay but otherwise has seen meaningful snaps at three positions. While listed on the depth chart as the team's starting right tackle, Turner also has started three games at left tackle and one at right guard this season.


Turner's return to right guard last week – the position where he started all 18 games a year ago – was one of the most surprising of the 2020 campaign because most expected reliable rookie Jon Runyan to start at left guard in place of Jenkins versus the Eagles.


However, the coaching staff felt Turner's experience against All-Pro defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was valuable enough to slide Patrick over to left guard and give veteran reserve Rick Wagner his fifth start of the year at right tackle.


The plan worked. Rodgers was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Aaron Jones rushed for 130 yards, including a career-long 77-yard TD, to earn FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors.


"Our offensive line, they do a great job no matter who's in the lineup," Jones said. "They come out amped and their communication is on point. That's how I knew the pressure was coming on that long run. I heard Billy communicating. It starts up front for us and those guys do a great job."


A lot of it comes down to communication. While David Bakhtiari and Linsley are stalwarts at left tackle and center, respectively, the rest of the line has done a good job of relaying information to one another about the nuances of their position.


It's helped keep the line moving despite Bakhtiari (three games), Turner (two games) and Linsley (on injured reserve and out at least three games) all missing time, and presumptive starting right guard Lane Taylor being sidelined for the year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the season opener.


"I've never really seen an O-line move like this," said Patrick, whose 739 offensive snaps this season are third only to Jenkins (796) and Rodgers (779).


"We've got Dave playing left tackle and Corey really playing center and it feels like the rest of us can just be plug-and-play. It adds versatility to our O-line and adds a little extra edge that we feel like no matter what we're doing, we're being put in the best position that we can because we can play different positions."
 
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