Green Bay’s first round pick Derek Sherrod has been competing to start at guard, with the idea that he’ll be the backup left tackle if things don’t work out.
After a rough training camp and preseason performance Friday night, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel wonders if Sherrod is ready to have any role at all this year.
Green Bay’s offensive line hasn’t looked good in either preseason game, but Sherrod has stuck out. He gave up pressures whether he was at guard or left tackle against Arizona. One mistake nearly cost the team the ball when Packers quarterback Matt Flynn was hit from behind.
It looks like T.J. Lang will win the team’s starting left guard spot. Marshall Newhouse could wind up taking Sherrod’s spot as the team’s backup left tackle, which would make the first round pick inactive on gamedays.
This is hardly a huge problem for the Packers. They drafted Sherrod No. 32 overall with an eye on the future, and many rookies are going to come out of the gates slow following the lockout.
We’d only be concerned if the Packers starters keep giving up sacks and looking sluggish on offense when the games actually count.