RT Mark Tauscher and LT Chad Clifton will likely be on the field together Sunday for the first time in 11 months. Clifton and Tauscher received plenty of the reps at left tackle and right tackle, respectively, with the starting offense for the second straight day in practice Thursday. "(They) have put together two good practices," head coach Mike McCarthy said. "We're going to take the whole week's work (with them). But, we're definitely further ahead than the past two weeks, as far as their availability and the production." Clifton hasn't played in four of the last five games because of a recurring right ankle sprain. He would regain the starting spot that rookie T.J. Lang filled the past two weeks. Tauscher is considered game-ready for the first time since he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee Dec. 7 last season. Since re-signing with the Packers on Oct. 12, nine months after he underwent reconstructive surgery, Tauscher's workload in practice gradually increased, and he's expected to unseat first-year starter Allen Barbre at the spot Sunday. Clifton, 33, and Tauscher, 32, were mainstays in Green Bay's starting lineup since their rookie seasons in 2000. "It's comforting because those guys have been playing at a high level for a long time," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "It's nice seeing their faces in the huddle. ... It's good having those guys back. Those guys bring a lot of character to our team, and when they're healthy, they're very good players. They've shown that in the past." The Packers are hoping that this latest change on the line -- it would be the fourth different starting quintet this season -- can mollify what has been ailing them through seven games. Rodgers has been sacked a league-high 31 times. "It's a whole unit thing," Tauscher said. "Obviously, the pressure and the emphasis is on the offensive line because the number is so high. As a whole group, no doubt about it, we need to play better up front." 1//5/2009

The Packers signed Tauscher on Monday after bringing him in for a workout last week.
10/12/2009