"WOODSON PRAISES BURNETT

[Patler]

I think Bigby is figuring that the Packers have drafted his replacement, and have no interest in giving him an extension since they only need him for one year. He may be right. I think he's going to try to get that extension from the Packers, and if he can't, try to force a trade to a team who will.

I think you are correct. Bigby has played four years and has been a starter for three of those years. He was basically a minimum wage player the first three years, before getting 1.5 million last year. He has been injured a lot, and probably realizes that he is not likely to get a huge contract ever. If he can coax the Packers into a better deal with a bit of a signing bonus, it is in his interest to do so. Probably wants to play the "I have been way underpaid for a starter" guilt-trip card to get whatever upfront money he can. He isn't likely to have too many opportunities, just too brittle.

He probably didn't expect Burnett to fit in as well as he apparently has so far, and may be banking on him struggling a little when hitting starts.

[rbaloha1]

I think Bigby is figuring that the Packers have drafted his replacement, and have no interest in giving him an extension since they only need him for one year. He may be right. I think he's going to try to get that extension from the Packers, and if he can't, try to force a trade to a team who will.

Noted. Typical DR tactic.

[KYPack]

Mish (& RB),

You guys got me fired up.

Hand me down that pitcher of Kool-Aid with the big smiley face, I'm gonna chug 'bout half that bitch.

That robber S that Dom likes to play seems custom made for this kid. There a lot to know and a lotta quick reads, but he sounds like the man for the job.

[bobblehead]

The next Darren Sharper. Big upgrade over Bigby in terms of interceptions and breaking up passes.

You think so? In the last 3 years, Bigby has played 36 games, starting 33. Basically, two seasons worth. He has 10 interceptions and 19 passes defensed. In a number of those games he left after only a quarter or two when they tried to get him back from injury two years ago.
On a per game basis, for the games he has played, Bigby's numbers aren't far off of Collins'.

Thanx patler, I was too lazy to look it up, but I knew Bigby's numbers were damn good for his number of starts. Its no secret I think Bigby is underrated by packer fans, but seeing Burnett's numbers and reading this am I the only one who thinks he could potentially be the nickel or dime back depending on how our CB's play out?

Wouldn't it be nice if we could get Bigby to sign a "nice" contract for both sides and he actually get beat out by burnett.

[rbaloha1]

While "admiring" AB's stats lets also include the number of missed tackles.

[pbmax]

I'm on the Pat Lee koolaid train.

I'd suggest some Advil and have someone review your health insurance coverage.

[pbmax]

Woodson also liked that safety we got in FA from the Steelers last year. Woodson's opinion doesn't mean a lot to me.

That kid played OK even if he did get out of position too often. He was tossed aside for a safety who was better at special teams, not by someone who played safety better.

[Joemailman]

While "admiring" AB's stats lets also include the number of missed tackles.

How many?

[Fritz]

I want to start by saying I am glad to get Mish's opinion. I respect what he's saying and I am excited, too, by the prospects. So thanks for filling us in, Mish. Noboby from the papers is going to be able to give us that in-depth view.

So I believe or at least hope Burnett will be all that. But I think safety is a tough spot to pick up right away as a rookie. I've cited Darren Sharper as example 1A of a guy who took a few years to figure it out.

So my preference would be for Bigby to come in and start this year. Let Burnett play special teams and watch and learn.

But will Bigby come in and play for one year or will he try to force a trade or release or something? It appears the Pack sees Burnett as the starter of the future, so Bigby's odds of getting a nice fat long term contract are probably pretty slim.

[get louder at lambeau]

The next Darren Sharper. Big upgrade over Bigby in terms of interceptions and breaking up passes.

You think so? In the last 3 years, Bigby has played 36 games, starting 33. Basically, two seasons worth. He has 10 interceptions and 19 passes defensed. In a number of those games he left after only a quarter or two when they tried to get him back from injury two years ago.
On a per game basis, for the games he has played, Bigby's numbers aren't far off of Collins'.

I got sucked into an argument at one of my sites (packersnews.net) with a perennial Negative Nancy who said that Bigby "seems to lack natural playmaking instincts". I thought he was on crack, so I did some stat checking.

Bigby has averaged .36 turnovers caused per game started (INTs and FFs) in his career so far. That number means nothing without context, so I compared it to the three best Packer safeties in recent history, Nick Collins, LeRoy Butler, and Darren Sharper.

Collins has averaged .27/start, and is a two time Pro Bowler who is considered one of our best defensive playmakers.

Butler is the gold standard among recent Packer safeties, a Packer Hall of Famer, 5 time All-Pro, and 4 time Pro Bowler. He averaged .21/start in the regular season.

Sharper (in his Packer career) was a two time All-Pro, two time Pro Bowler, and was famous for going for the big play, sometimes blowing coverage because of it. He averaged .36/start, tied with Bigby for the most turnovers per game started as a Packer among recent safeties.

Here's the whole conversation, for anyone interested-

http://packersnews.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8736&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[vince]

What a situation... An up-and-coming playmaker, a solid (but injury prone) vet in his prime, and a young pro-bowler - but only 2 spots in the starting lineup.

Thompson is creating problems all over this roster.

[packerbacker1234]

What a situation... An up-and-coming playmaker, a solid (but injury prone) vet in his prime, and a young pro-bowler - but only 2 spots in the starting lineup.

Thompson is creating problems all over this roster.

Well, no one is even questioning Collins starting spot. We paid him to be the guy back there, he has a good track record, and is often considered one of the top FS's in the league. He's in. The question is what to do about Bigby and Burnett.

We know what the secondary is like with Bigby - he's been hurt many times and every time he is out the secondary takes a big decline in play. While Bigby may not be a big play maker, he feels like he is the glue that keeps everyone in place.

MEANWHILE, Burnett looks like a star in the making - we could potentionally be running two stud FS's in the back versus the traditional set up and have it be great combination - but Burnett is the rookie so he most likely is going to have to wait a season before getting a real shot. If he is healthy, I do trust Bigby as being our best option to "win now". He is a solid player, in his prime.

Still, Burnett is exciting. Just imagining him and Collins roaming back there for even 1 season with Woodson still being effective just sounds to me like a nightmare for any passing offense.

[get louder at lambeau]

While Bigby may not be a big play maker, he feels like he is the glue that keeps everyone in place.

Please refer to my post two before yours if you think Bigby is not a big play maker, then explain to me why you think that. If you'd be so kind, that is.

[Smidgeon]

What a situation... An up-and-coming playmaker, a solid (but injury prone) vet in his prime, and a young pro-bowler - but only 2 spots in the starting lineup.

Thompson is creating problems all over this roster.

...yeah. I hate that.

[get louder at lambeau]

Oops. Fucked up.