Nick Barnett's contract

[oregonpackfan]

I still think Barnett still is in the learning curve as a pro middle linebacker.
Many Packer fans are still not aware that Barnett NEVER played middle linebacker at Oregon State. He played his first two seasons at safety and the last two seasons at OLB.

In his past 3 seasons as a pro, Barnett has had 3 different defensive coordinators and 3 different defensive schemes. This year he will face a 4th new DC. I feel his development as a pro MLB would have been greatly enhanced if he had just 1 or 2 DC's his first three years.

I agree with Patler that this year will be a determinative year for him. He has more talent around him at the OLB positions and more talent in the DL line. Finally, he just has more experience.

One strength of Barnett's that has not mentioned is his durability. I beleive he has only missed a couple of games in his first three years. That is a positive quality for any starting player.

Oregonpackfan

[Merlin]

what does Barnett have to do? how about make a tackle at the line of scrimmage. How about after 4 years in the league he will learn how to take on a block. If you are a casual fan, or a fan that looks at the box score on Monday morning then Barnett is great, but if you keep your eyes on him for a say, a series of defensive snaps, you begin to wonder about his playmaking ability.

Alot of you like to commend Grady Jackson, well either Grady played selfish and like crap, or Barnett was the tool. It can't be both ways.

Here we go, another person pointing out mistakes and not accomplishments. If you over-analyze (that is twhat you are doing here) all of the bad plays (the few there are) and blow it up into what you have, of course you think the guy sucks. If you actually watch the guy play, you will see he has made steady positive improvement EVERY year. No LB can shed EVERY block or make EVERY tackle at the line of scrimmage. Barnett's over all statistics, not just number of tackles (you do know the track EVERYTHING about a player right?) are comparable to Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears. But because Urlacher misses some tackles, doesn't make all of his tackles at the line of scrimmage and can't fight off every block, he must suck according to your logic. I suppose Ray Lewis does to for that matter because his stats are along the same lines.

Well, there you have it folks, there are NO good LB's in the NFL...