Desmond Bishop Extended!

[pbmax]

I also think there's a good chance that Bishop, Hawk, and Chillar stay with Barnett going. However, it depends on what Hawk and his agent think he's worth. They hold the cards. If they are looking at a reasonable number, I think the Pack gets rid of Barnett. If they demand too much, I think they let Hawk go and keep Barnett. Kind of the same with Cullen Jenkins. It all depends on what the are asking for.

I hope they find a way to keep Hawk. I think he's steadier than Barnett, and the defense has played better since he became the defensive signal caller.

This. Bishop has spent no time at Hawk's position. Its the other need at LB beyond pass rusher not named Clay Matthews.

Did anyone know that Kevin Matthews, son of Bruce Matthews, cousin of Clay the III is the center for the Titans? I had missed this.

[pbmax]

Given the way the played together, I think Hawk stays and Barnett goes.

Or this. Sorry to not give MS his first props.

[The Shadow]

Given the way the played together, I think Hawk stays and Barnett goes.

I agree. I would most certainly want to keep Hawk over Barnett.
I wonder if Barnett would agree to play OLB - if Capers could convince him he could be very good (in part by having mathews on the opposite side).

[pbmax]

The problem with that pairing is that neither of those guys has demonstrated their ability to be the defensive signal caller, so it would be dangerous to just go with a Bishop/Chillar base. Hawk and Barnett have shown that they can call the signals for Dom's defense, so you pretty much have to keep one of them on the field until somebody else shows you they can do it.

And neither can neutralize a lone Guard or FB like Hawk. He isn't Levon Kirkland in this regard, but he is the sturdiest ILB in taking on a block. Only Matthews neutralizes faster.

By the way. Official apologies from me to Bishop. Though I still have concerns about coverage, they are no longer any greater than my concerns about Hawk or Barnett's coverage. Its possible all the nickel this year has helped to disguise this and that would be the only factor I can think of that would worry me.

He has proven to get more assignment sure with more playing time.

[Fritz]

Someone suggested moving Barnett outside. But isn't Barnett too small to be an outside guy in this system?

[Joemailman]

I don't think Barnett would be strong enough to hold the point on running plays. Probably why Chillar doesn't play there either, although they tried him there in training camp.

[pbmax]

Chillar has had a couple great blitzes, but for a coverage specialist, he seems to make too many mistakes and get beat regularly. Without looking at any stats, he seems to get beat more than Hawk, who's actually been very good in coverage this year. I'll take all four, but if forced to take two, it's Bishop and Hawk.

I think Hawk'll renegotiate and be back. He doesn't want to go anywhere. For the sake of continuity, it's time for Thompson to draft a new guy inside. I'm with those who think Barnett should be moved if Ted hits on a winner inside and is able to renegotiate Hawk's deal.

This year the Packer Defense versus the TE:

DVOA: 13.0%
Rank: 22
Passes/Gm: 6.6
Yds/Gm: 54.0

Last year:
DVOA: -21.7%
Rank: 3
Passes/Gm: 6.9
Yds/Gm: 50.2

DVOA stands for Defense-adjusted Value Over Average. Offensive numbers are positive so negative numbers are good for defense. The TEs are being targeted slightly less but for slightly more yards. DVOA also tracks the outcome of a play (score, first down, halving the distance for the next first down). So by their book, TE coverage has suffered. Chillar might make a difference.

Every other type of receiver has be covered more effectively this year (number 1, 2, otherWR and RB). If I had to guess it would TDs scored by the TE.

[red]

Someone suggested moving Barnett outside. But isn't Barnett too small to be an outside guy in this system?

yeah, that was me

yeah he's a little small, but he's a decent blitzer

[bobblehead]

Congratulations to him for getting paid and for proving me and many others wrong about his every-down dependability.

+1 I've never been happier to be so wrong about a player (in fairness I was basing it on like 5 regular season plays and the coaches word).

[bobblehead]

Isn't Hawk due a $10 Milliion bonus and Barnett only $6 Million......if I was a betting man, I'd go with Hawk being gone.

but, now they have leverage against hawk. No way hawk can really ask for more than Bishop. Same maybe, but not more. So if they somehow landed hawk for the same deal, we would have hawk, chillar, and Bishop locked for 4,3 and 4 years. Barnett has 2 left at 6+million. He would be expendable.

[bobblehead]

Put me down for liking Bishop and Chillar as our two best ILB's.

I agree and disagree. Chillar is studly in coverage, but hawk can stand a guard up and stack a running play. I'm a big chillar fan, but he is simply incapable of that. They made a great platoon. I think next season if Hawk is back you will see him lose time to Chillar in passing downs again. Chillar might get more work at OLB as well for passing downs. too much talent is never a problem, we can get them all involved.

[bobblehead]

Chillar has had a couple great blitzes, but for a coverage specialist, he seems to make too many mistakes and get beat regularly. Without looking at any stats, he seems to get beat more than Hawk, who's actually been very good in coverage this year. I'll take all four, but if forced to take two, it's Bishop and Hawk.

I think Hawk'll renegotiate and be back. He doesn't want to go anywhere. For the sake of continuity, it's time for Thompson to draft a new guy inside. I'm with those who think Barnett should be moved if Ted hits on a winner inside and is able to renegotiate Hawk's deal.

I think most of what you remember about Chillar getting beat in coverage is when he was forced to play safety last season. It was asking too much of him, or any LB. Even then he wasn't horrible, but some good TE's made some great plays against him. As a coverage LB I believe he is elite.

[bobblehead]

This. Bishop has spent no time at Hawk's position. Its the other need at LB beyond pass rusher not named Clay Matthews.

Did anyone know that Kevin Matthews, son of Bruce Matthews, cousin of Clay the III is the center for the Titans? I had missed this.

Yes, and also if i recall, Clays little brother won an award in college this year for stellar LB play. Quite the family.

[ND72]

I'm sorry, but chillar just is not the answer. Coaches all said he played for is cover skills, yet every team threw AT chillar. He is a nice backup, but is not a starter, at least not on a championship caliber football team.

[mission]

Blitzing (at an average level) and pass rushing/holding the edge are two separate things. No offense to anyone personally, but the idea that Barnett could maybe play outside has to stop now. Can't happen, won't happen.