My Ryan Grant Blog

The Green Bay Packers' offensive tackles, Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, each got called for three penalties in Monday night's loss to the Bears. Packers coach Mike McCarthy says that doesn't mean they need to be replaced.

"I believe in Mark Tauscher," McCarthy said, per the Wisconsin State Journal. "He's played a lot of football. Now, there are some things fundamentally that he did not do to his standard and I believe he'll get that corrected, because Mark's a pro's pro."I don't think it's a lack of anything. It's not a he-doesn't-have-it-anymore (situation)."

It might not be a he-doesn't-have-it-anymore situation, but the 33-year-old Tauscher certainly doesn't look like he's the same player he was a few years ago. McCarthy's comments seem less like a candid assessment of Tauscher's abilities than like an attempt to boost his confidence.

As for Clifton, who has been struggling with a knee injury, McCarthy acknowledges that he's going to be limited in practice and just trying to make it through games.

"I think Chad Clifton is doing the best he can with his health situation," McCarthy said. "I think we have a very good plan in place."

McCarthy might have a very good plan, and the Packers might turn to be OK at offensive tackle. But that wasn't apparent on Monday night.