Barnett Refuses to Move?

[woodbuck27]

I think everyone knows how I feel about Barnett in the middle. I could make 120 tackles in this system and having 350 pound linemen eat blocks for me. When Barnett becomes a free agent the majority of the teams will watch film of him, and determine that he will be best suited to play on the outside. He is absolutely horrible fit in a 3-4 defense, and in a base 4-3 he just isn't physical enough to take on blocks, and then defeat blocks from fullbacks and tight ends, much less offensive guards and centers.

The one thing that Barnett brings is speed. He uses that to make up for the fact that he has trouble getting through traffic, and getting off blocks. As a middle linebacker he is one of the worst blitzers I have ever seen, absolutely no instincts what so ever. His coverage skills are good, but lets not flatter him, they are not great. He is an arm tackler, a drag down type guy, who will miss tackles or get dragged for several yards by bigger ball carriers.

Just the little I was able to see of Hodge at training camp on Monday, spoke volumes about they way the game comes to him. He has fantastic instincts. Hodge isn't real big but he is able skip around blocks but still maintain his position to make the play. He has an excellent dip and rip move, where he drops his shoulder enough to make himself narrow enough where blockers have a hard time hitting him and driving him off the ball. He might not need Barnett's speed, but if he doesn't make mistakes he won't need Barnett's speed.

Good post and observation Dr. Nutz.

[No Mo Moss]

It's only natural for Barnett to say the things he did IMO. It's not like he's just been a stop-gap player at MLB because he has certainly been better then that. I think if Barnett plays MLB this season he may very well go to the pro-bowl (as long as he continues to improve as he has done each of the previous seasons). If you move him to OLB I don't think that happens. How can a guy not think about those implications in regards to the future contracts, it's only natural. That said I think we take what a player says and make it their truth for life, much like politics. He may have just been steamed at all the questions, possibly defensive. I think regardless of where Barnett ends up it would be wise to get him out of his rookie contract and into a new long term deal. Comments aside I have seem nothing to indicate BArnett is anything other than a team player and %100 GB football material.

[Partial]

How much is Barnett making now? How much should they pay to keep him?

[Joemailman]

I don't see any reason to rush Hodge into the starting lineup. Let him come into the game in short-yardage situations, and as the season goes on, gradually involve him in other game situations. If Hodge can master pass coverage, it will be obvious by the end of the year that he has more potential at MLB than Barnett. At that point, Nick can decide if he wants to battle for the starting SAM position, or be Hodge's backup. This whole issue is a problem to be solved next year, not this year.

[MJZiggy]

I JUST finished watching Coaches pc this morning and he said almost the same thing. He said he knows how Barnett feels and would think of changing his position without talking to him about it first. They are happy with his play in the mike and didn't see any reason to do anything about it right now.

[vince]

McCarthy should sit Nick down immediately and have a serious discussion about the type of attitude that is required to play on this team.

This whiny-ass talk about his free agenct year is ridiculous.

If his attitude keeps up, trade him when you can get something for him.

[FritzDontBlitz]

wasn't barnett an outside linebacker in college?

He was also a safety in college. Apples to oranges. Different schemes. Fast MLBs are a must in this scheme, and it doesn't really matter how big they are. At least, that's what the defensive coaches state.

well, the reason i asked is because barnett has never really looked like a natural in the middle. mlb's should be more stout against the run game than he is. i like barnett as a player too, but i think he would be much more suited to the outside than the middle. hodge has played the middle for years and apparently has the better feel for playing through the traffic.
barnett is a better lb in space than he is in traffic, and his ability to blitz is nonexistent.

i know its still early, but the best combination so far seems to be barnett at strong, hodge in the middle and hawk at the weakside. a combination like that would give you the big hitter/sure tackler you want in the middle and quickness/speed on both edges. barnett wouldn't need to worry about his stats because all three would shine by creating more big plays as a group.

[FritzDontBlitz]

I think everyone knows how I feel about Barnett in the middle. I could make 120 tackles in this system and having 350 pound linemen eat blocks for me. When Barnett becomes a free agent the majority of the teams will watch film of him, and determine that he will be best suited to play on the outside. He is absolutely horrible fit in a 3-4 defense, and in a base 4-3 he just isn't physical enough to take on blocks, and then defeat blocks from fullbacks and tight ends, much less offensive guards and centers.

The one thing that Barnett brings is speed. He uses that to make up for the fact that he has trouble getting through traffic, and getting off blocks. As a middle linebacker he is one of the worst blitzers I have ever seen, absolutely no instincts what so ever. His coverage skills are good, but lets not flatter him, they are not great. He is an arm tackler, a drag down type guy, who will miss tackles or get dragged for several yards by bigger ball carriers.

Just the little I was able to see of Hodge at training camp on Monday, spoke volumes about they way the game comes to him. He has fantastic instincts. Hodge isn't real big but he is able skip around blocks but still maintain his position to make the play. He has an excellent dip and rip move, where he drops his shoulder enough to make himself narrow enough where blockers have a hard time hitting him and driving him off the ball. He might not need Barnett's speed, but if he doesn't make mistakes he won't need Barnett's speed.

Good post and observation Dr. Nutz.

agreed

[woodbuck27]

I had three thoughts after I read Rastak's post regarding the possibility of losing a disenchanted Nick Barnett to Free Agency following 2006:

One. Does Nick Barnettt really want to be a Green Bay Packer? We'll see. He's a Free Agent after the 2007 season. Maybe, it's time to extend him now or certainly consider it based on his play in 2006.

Two. Does this situation with Nick Barnett, remind anyone of the Alfonso Soriano situation in Spring training and before that with the AL Washington Nationals of MLB?

Soriano absolutely wasn't moving from second base to left field - no way would he put up with that. Well he's playing outfield and enjoying a productive season with - 35 HR's, 72 RBI's and a .290 BA.

My third thought was Ernest Hemingways wonderful book -

"For Whom The Bell Tows".

HOLD THE FAITH - PACKERS in 2006 !

[Partial]

wasn't barnett an outside linebacker in college?

He was also a safety in college. Apples to oranges. Different schemes. Fast MLBs are a must in this scheme, and it doesn't really matter how big they are. At least, that's what the defensive coaches state.

well, the reason i asked is because barnett has never really looked like a natural in the middle. mlb's should be more stout against the run game than he is. i like barnett as a player too, but i think he would be much more suited to the outside than the middle. hodge has played the middle for years and apparently has the better feel for playing through the traffic.
barnett is a better lb in space than he is in traffic, and his ability to blitz is nonexistent.

i know its still early, but the best combination so far seems to be barnett at strong, hodge in the middle and hawk at the weakside. a combination like that would give you the big hitter/sure tackler you want in the middle and quickness/speed on both edges. barnett wouldn't need to worry about his stats because all three would shine by creating more big plays as a group.

Put perfectly

[Tony Oday]

FOr all of you who think he sucks or is just ok ask the Viking fans how much they have liked their MLBs in the last couple of years! If your argument is Barnett is only good because he has the fat guys eating up o linemen then why the hell dont the vikings have a STUD MLB that is in the probowl every year because they have a GREAT DT tandem.

I like Hodge but he is an unpolished rookie that made plays in a scrimmage and ALSO got pancaked at least once on a run up the right side. Barnett is a good solid MLB and with Taylor and Hawk they will be a great LB corp with depth.

[BallHawk]

Nick has stated before that he likes it in Green Bay. If he stays... we'll see.

IMO, there is no reason to move Barnett. Since he's got here he's had tackle totals of 109, 121, and 139. He's not a guy that will deliver the bonecrushing tackle to the RB, but he is consistent. Hodge has looked great in camp, but what has he done on the field yet? Barnett has done all he's been asked of and more since he's been here, why should he move. If I was Nick I'd be pissed to. The Preseason will be very revealing in Hodge's play, but I see no reason to move Barnett.

P.S. Woodbuck, I think you mean ALFONSO Soriano.

[FritzDontBlitz]

one thing i REALLY LIKE about all this.

i like the idea of a rookie coming in and shaking up the complacent attitude of a guy like nick barnett, because it sends a message to everyone else on the team that you can be moved or replaced entirely at any time. i'm not saying that either will happen to barnett, i just like the idea of making him worry a lil bit.

[Joemailman]

It could just be that Barnett's problems with the Green Bay police and City Council already have him thinking about leaving Green Bay. If that's the case, it might not be surprising that he is already thinking about how attractive a free-agent he will be. I hope this isn't the case, but you never know how situations like this will affect a guy's attitude.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

How much is Barnett making now? How much should they pay to keep him?

I think he deserves a 6 year 25 mil.