T.J. Lang | Eastern Michigan, OG : 2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Draft Scout Snapshot: 2008: All-Mid American Conference first-team and Super Sleeper Team selection by The NFL Draft Report, adding second-team All-MAC honors from the league's coaches...Earned the Harold E. Sponberg Award, given annually to the top down lineman scholar-athlete...Lined up at left offensive tackle, coming up with 86 knockdowns, 11 touchdown-resulting blocks and nine downfield blocks, grading 83.08% for blocking consistency...Penalized three times and handled a reception for a four-yard loss (turned the ball over on a fumble) while also making a solo tackle...Allowed 4.5 quarterback sacks and three pressures on 499 pass plays...Helped the team rank 20th in the nation and third in the MAC in passing (269.33 yards per game) and 25th in the major college ranks in total offense (417.5 yards per game)...Career: As an offensive lineman, Lang started 26 games at left tackle and 10 on the right side, producing 243 knockdowns and 28 touchdown-resulting blocks...Over his final two seasons, he recorded 21 touchdown-resulting blocks, 169 knockdowns and 17 downfield blocks, grading 81.67% for blocking consistency...Allowed seven quarterback sacks and nine pressures on 860 pass plays...For his career, he collected 16 tackles (eight solos) with an assisted stop for a 3-yard loss and blocked a pair of kicks.

Post-Draft Outlook: COULD SURPRISE: OT T.J. Lang of Eastern Michigan is a player to watch as the Packers approach a transition at the position. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher have been the starting bookends at left and right tackle, respectively, since they were rookies in 2000. While Clifton will be back for another season but has chronic knee problems, Tauscher apparently won't be re-signed as a free agent after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery in January. That leaves a huge void, which could be filled by the promising Lang, a fourth-round choice. He made his mark the last two years of college at left tackle, but Lang also has starting experience at right tackle. Wherever he lined up, Lang shut down explosive Northern Illinois defensive end Larry English (No. 16 overall pick of the San Diego Chargers) in their Mid-American Conference matchups. The Packers like the 6-foot-4, 316-pound Lang's athleticism and feistiness. A closer look at the Packers' picks: Round 4/109 -- T.J. Lang, OT, 6-4, 316, Eastern Michigan...With uncertainty at both bookend spots -- right tackle Mark Tauscher is unsigned as he recovers from major knee surgery in January, and left tackle Chad Clifton has endured knee problems the last few years and is entering the last year of his contract -- Lang was drafted as an insurance policy. He started 36 straight games, 10 at right tackle and the last 26 at left tackle, in a zone-blocking scheme that jibes with the Packers'. The converted defensive tackle, regarded for his physicality and drive blocking, also has center-guard material. - by The Sports Xchange