I'll start with my conclusion:
– I reviewed all of this snaps vs KC/Saints/Washington.
– If only 1 interior OL is added, I would prefer to upgrade OC and play McGovern at LG.
– Obviously an All Pro upgrade at both positions would be nice, but unlikely this season.
LG Connor Williams struggled with penalties and was replaced for 4 games by Connor McGovern.
– The overall OLine didn't improve during that time and Connor Williams regained the starting role.
I had said prior to the McGovern experiment that CM would not be an upgrade over CW.
– i.e. I was not 'Pro McGovern'.
– Having said that, it was the logical decision to try McGovern due to CW's penalty issues.
McGovern Game Footage
– McGovern was better than I remembered.
– His issues were primarily mental (technique/awareness/angles).
– He has 'good enough' power and athleticism.
– He managed to hold up to Chris Jones in the KC game on most snaps.
– There were a couple of snaps where Jones whipped him, but Chris Jones does that to many OLinemen.
– The bigger issue was the overall OLine.
– If CM or CW had played between prime years Tyron and Frederick, then they would have been OK.
– Instead the OC was Biadasz and LT Tyron was out for 6 games.
– Steele is good at RT but not at LT. Nsekhe is a career backup.
– Summary:
– He looked capable but tentative. Almost like a young QB that has ability but tends to panic.
– I'm somewhat surprised they didn't give him another start.
– They won 2 of the 4 games that McGovern started at LG including the final 2.
OL Coach
– It has come out this off-season that the OL coach favored CW over McGovern.
– It was a McCarthy decision to try McGovern.
– CW didn't have penalty issues until McCarthy and staff were hired.
– The Packers OL under McCarthy were known for a specific method of holding.
– This holding technique was against the rules but subtle enough to avoid excessive penalties.
– I think the OL coach supported Connor Williams because he is the one that taught him to hold.
– There have been articles about the Green Bay holding technique and sports talk discussions about it.
– GB's approach was similar to the Legion of Boom and their approach to penalties.
– Basically the LoB strategy was that eventually the Refs would give up calling penalties.
– The league requires refs to limit penalties to keep game times within limits.
