Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson called left tackle Chad Clifton a "great Packer" after releasing him Monday. Thompson is right: Clifton was one of the key members of the organization since he joined it 12 seasons ago.
That doesn't mean Clifton's departure is a major loss for the Packers. (Nor was it a surprise.) Green Bay already has essentially gone through a season without Clifton; it was the best team in the regular season last year without him.
Marshall Newhouse isn't anyone's idea of a Pro Bowl tackle, but he was capable last season. We'd argue he was around league average without a lot of experience, so that should mean he has room to grow. The Packers also drafted Derrek Sherrod in the first round last year. While Sherrod didn't show a ton as a rookie, the Packers are one of the best teams in developing talent.
That's the main reason why Packers fans shouldn't be worried about Clifton's retirement. Thompson will know how to spend the major salary-cap savings that he gets after cutting Clifton. And Mike McCarthy's staff will know how to coach up the players whom Thompson picks.
