I don't consider Preston as being an 'immediate up-grade' ... but considering that he's 6-5 / 326 ... maybe they're thinking about starting to get away from the ZBS and worrying a little more about protecting AR?

I see the guy as more of a utility player, not a starter.

Have a good one
KW

I always love to see the Packers try to improve their o-line, but this comment on JS Online concerned me:

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Preston, 26, did not begin the season as a starter. He took over for Melvin Fowler after Fowler injured his elbow, and started the last 11 games. He did not play particularly well, struggling against the likes of Cleveland's Shaun Rogers, the New York Jets' Kris Jenkins and New England's Vince Wilfork.

After the season, the Bills decided to retool their offensive line, releasing guard Derrick Dockery, letting Preston and Fowler become free agents and signing Carolina center Geoff Hangartner to a free-agent contract. The Bills allowed 38 sacks last year and finished 25th in the NFL in yards gained.
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Again, I am glad the Packers are adding depth to their o-line, I just hope the guy can play!

I disagree, this was a good signing. Buffalo wanted this guy back as a starter. I think he has the size and athletic ability to go with it. Given the depth and even the starting status of this line, this guy will compete. Bet he's the starting RT in preseason, or perhaps guard, maybe even center.

He's huge and athletic. Ive watched film on him. I bet he starts or really pushes for it. To be honest, I'd like to see the dude start at Center and let College and Spitz be the starting guards.

Call me crazy, but I think Spitz is on the outs, JMO.. He's plays mean, then absolutely f^%ks up on certain plays, he's inconsistent as the day is long. Wells da's are also numbered IMO, he's to small, coming off injury, has a bigger cap number, I think his days in GB are numbered.

This guy was drafted to compete, and compete he will, especially if he's who they think he is.

Ya know ... every time someone signs someone, all the talking heads and pundits start looking for negative things about the player. This with Preston is no different.

I couldn't care LESS what Vander-mouth or Slither-stein have to say.
If you don't care for the HC or GM, then you're going to be biased to some degree against anything they opt-out for as an improvement. ie: FA players / scheme / coaching staff.

I'm positive that they all intently watched the Packers AND all the Buffalo Bills games. <:roll eyes here:>
BTW: Buffalo is my "second tier" team.

OK, here goes ....
Preston did replace Fowler. (And Tauscher 'the too small and unknown Tackle' replaced Big Earl).
Preston was said to struggle some against the likes of Shaun Rogers, Kris Jenkins and Vince Wilfork. Well DUHHHHH .... like he's the ONLY one who struggled against 3 of the top DLs in the NFL? Cut me a freekin break!
How did other "even really good centers" fare against them?

He and Flowler were released in favor of Geoff Hangartner ... who (BTW) has only started 27 of 54 games he's played in and he also allowed 22 sacks last season!
I have no idea why Buffalo would want to retool their OL? NOT!!
They did the Defense re-tooling last year after a horrid 2007 season.

Remember these few tidbits ... Buffalo got RB Marshawn Lynch, who was supposed to be a real game changer. But has actually shown nothing spectacular yet.
They have LT Jason Peters who is said to be one of the top OTs in the league.
They won the first 4 games in a row and then Trent Edwards went down with a fairly severe concussion, after which, they started losing. Coincidence? I think not!

OH! And I REALLY enjoy reading the 'diss' about Buffalo being a team whose offense was only ranked 25th in Total Offense / 22nd in Passing / 14th in Rushing .....

while the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers were: 22nd / 17th / 23rd.

Somehow these stats are only applicable when the press is bashing on someone?

- How about Preston is better than he showed because HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY HELP?

- How about mentioning how Preston actually WON THE JOB AWAY FROM FOWLER AFTER HIS ELBOW WAS OK'd TO PLAY?

- How about mentioning how Buffalo seemed to have a rash of injuries at major positions all season long?

I still see this guy more as being depth / utility that a starter, but he IS young and has the kind of size it looked like they wanted to switch to for the OL when they got Sitton.

Have a good one
KW

I actually wouldn't be surprised at all if the guards were Colledge and Preston and Spitz played center.

I really don't know what they're going to do at tackle yet, but I hear the "experts" saying this draft has great OTs. Maybe the Packers draft an OT in the first round.

Preston will definitely have an opprtunity to prove his critics wrong and win a starting spot this year. I hope Sitton and Preston battle it out for that RG spot.

It's funny ... I read a month or so ago where MM said they were not changing the offense, planning on going with larger bodied players or changing the scheme.

But today I read that they have apparently incorporated more man-2-man run-blocking schemes, are getting larger players and having the ones we have 'bulk-up'. ??? LOL

Yeah ... like we couldn't see THAT coming, right?

P.S. **** I wish you guys at 1265 would stop stealing our ideas. Honestly! NOW ... if only you'd start to listen to us about drafting! **** LMAO

Have a good one
KW