Get Hodge in the starting line-up

[Deputy Nutz]

Hasn't everyone on this board been saying this for at least a week? It sounds awfully familiar to me.

True, but will MM actually make the change and do it?

Barnett would need time to adjust to the outside, and Hodge needs to be in the middle from the start. The change should be made soon if it is to be done.

Not necessarily. My guess is Barnett is cross-trained in all the positions now after being in the system for a year.

For the last three years barnett hasn't played a down other than at middle linebacker. He might naturally be an OLB, but the fact is he hasn't had any opportunity there in quite some time. If the Packers were to make a move they need to do it no later than next week

[Row 67]

Who cares if Barnett is pissed? Does he want to win, or does he want to be a "me" guy?

If its the right move to make, move him outside, and then, like someone said above, move him inside on obvious passing downs and take Hodge out.

[MJZiggy]

I think someone asked him about moving this week and he said he didn't think he'd have a problem with it, but he hasn't heard a whisper of plans to do it.

[Patler]

I think it was training camp his second season, maybe last year, that they had Barnett practice some on the outside, and I think they even had Diggs practice in the middle, as I recall (which would seem to indicate 2004, since Diggs was hurt most of last year). Sherman used to claim that after their rookie year, they tried to train each player for at least two positions, to provide emergency help if there were a number of injuries in one game. That should mean that Barnett has been getting at least some practice time the last couple years at one of the outside positions.

Heck, if Paris Lenon could be the primary backup at all three positions, Barnett should be able to move outside without a huge problem.

[Patler]

By the way, what is the basis for thinking Barnett would be upset at having to move? He may not want to, just like Tauscher expressed a preference to stay at tackle, but both are well paid professionals who I suspect will do what they are asked by the coaching staff to do.

[Tony Oday]

Barnett wouldnt be pissed on the move. Cmon that guy just wants to win man! I dont see it happening though. I think Barnett would be good over the TE but why not move Hodge out there and keep the record holder for tackles in the middle??

[Partial]

Barnett wouldnt be pissed on the move. Cmon that guy just wants to win man! I dont see it happening though. I think Barnett would be good over the TE but why not move Hodge out there and keep the record holder for tackles in the middle??

It's all about playing to peoples strengths. My guess is Barnett is named the starter, but Hodge runs the first and second down show with Barnett on the field in a different LB position.

[wist43]

I would like to see him in some more action than a family night game before I annoint hi as the second comming of Ray Lewis.

Its a funny thing with linebackers, so long as they act tough or hit hard, the assumption is that they are all-around good players.

Hodge may turn out to be the real deal, but before determining that it will be nice to see what he can do against a real opponent trying their best to take advantage of him, rather than against an offense and players that he already knows very well. Do his strengths outweigh his weaknesses?

Its a little early to dismiss what Taylor can provide too. He is a veteran coming off a 110+ tackle season. No, he doesn't provide turnovers, but he seemingly provides reliability.

Same with Poppinga. He had a lot to learn last year. Let's see how much he has learned.

However, it does look like there is the potential for a very nice group at that position. Hopefully they will tunout to be as good during real games as some think they already are.

I, like most people, would not make the argument that Hodge is an "all around player". He will never be an asset in coverage... but, he is a pure football player, and I think in time he will be at least servicable in coverage as long as they don't ask him to try and turn and run with Tatum Bell, or LaDanian Tomlinson.

Hodge's strength is defending the run, and the moment they drafted him he immediately became Green Bay's best run defender. He diagnoses plays immediately, sniffs out the ball quickly, and delivers impressive shots once he gets there.

[HarveyWallbangers]

This talk is premature until I see a few quality preseason games against guys wearing a different jersey. It wouldn't hurt to teach him new positions though. It's been said that the LBs are more interchangeable in a Bates scheme.

[RashanGary]

Hodge had a play in that game that really showed his weaknesses as a player. He was running laterally to make a play near the sideline. The RB was rounding the corner and got an extra 3 yards because Hodge was too slow in covering ground. Just the feel of the play, I knew Barnett would have stuffed that 2 or 3 yards shorter.

There are a bunch of packages that they could employ. Hodge could play mddle in goaline situations and Barnett could swing out to cover TE's and RB's.

In passing situations, Poppinga can come in for Taylor and overload one side to put pressure on the QB and Barnett/Hawk can play coverage.

There are a bunch of ways to get guys of the field. Next year, Hodge probably moves inside for good. This year he plays a smaller role.

[Creepy]

You canj't pick a single play and state another player would have stuffed it. Who is to say that Barnett would have taken the same abgle or reacted as quickly.

However, I agree with what is said and the story. Unless you know the team is going to run the ball on 1st & 2d down the Hodge needs more training/practice. If teams discover you r MLB can stuff the run but can't cover the backs, TE, or play any coverage againts a WR then they will pass all over him. Thisis Hodges real weakness, pass coverage. He will need all of TC and Pre-season to get it staright. Once he gets his pass cover skills down he can be moved th e middle and Barnett outside.

The idea for the nickel is for Barnett to stay in with Hawk and move the other LB Taylor or if Hodge out. Let Hodge learn and get experience, even Nitschke didn't start in his first year in GB.

[woodbuck27]

Abdul Hodge

Somewhere, somehow, Green Bay Packers rookie Abdul Hodge seems destined to get on the football field this season. The questions are where and how soon.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=480770

GO PACKERS !