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HODGE BEGINS WORKING AT STRONG-SIDE LINEBACKER
By CHRIS JENKINS
Associated Press Story Link
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Abdul Hodge has showed that he belongs on the field. Now the Green Bay Packers have to find the right place to put him. The rookie, who was a standout middle linebacker at Iowa, began getting practice time at strong side linebacker earlier this week.
"If that's what it takes for me to get on the field, I'm up for it," Hodge said of the potential position switch.
Moving Hodge to the strong side (or "sam") position could give the Packers a formidable crew of linebackers, with fellow rookie A.J. Hawk on the weak side ("will") and veteran Nick Barnett in the middle ("mike").
Hodge's move would keep Barnett happy, too. Hodge has been impressive in training camp so far, working mainly as the middle linebacker on the No. 2 defense. That led to speculation that coaches might keep Hodge in the middle and ask Barnett to switch to the outside. But Barnett has said several times that he wants to stay in the middle.
"It doesn't matter," Barnett said Thursday.
"Whatever they want me to do, I'll do. But I'm definitely more comfortable playing the mike, and I'm sure it'd be nice for (Hodge) to get on the field as well."
Hodge will have to learn new coverage responsibilities to make the switch - particularly in the passing game, where he will be called on to cover tight ends. Although Hodge's college coach, Kirk Ferentz, has expressed doubts that Hodge can play outside, Barnett said Hodge can pull it off.
"I definitely think so," Barnett said.
"I think he's athletic enough, and he can run with any tight end in the league. So I think he has a good chance."
Hodge said he still considers himself a middle linebacker but is willing to try the switch if it gets him more playing time.
"I think with repetition and just being out there every day, it should come easy to me," Hodge said.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson, meanwhile, figures having two talented players at the same position is a good problem to have. "I wish we had a huge controversy because we had seven or eight who could start for us," Thompson said.
"Maybe we will by the end of this. We'll always do what's best for the team and we'll put our best players out there like we always do. Nick's still the middle linebacker."
By CHRIS JENKINS
Associated Press Story Link
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Abdul Hodge has showed that he belongs on the field. Now the Green Bay Packers have to find the right place to put him. The rookie, who was a standout middle linebacker at Iowa, began getting practice time at strong side linebacker earlier this week.
"If that's what it takes for me to get on the field, I'm up for it," Hodge said of the potential position switch.
Moving Hodge to the strong side (or "sam") position could give the Packers a formidable crew of linebackers, with fellow rookie A.J. Hawk on the weak side ("will") and veteran Nick Barnett in the middle ("mike").
Hodge's move would keep Barnett happy, too. Hodge has been impressive in training camp so far, working mainly as the middle linebacker on the No. 2 defense. That led to speculation that coaches might keep Hodge in the middle and ask Barnett to switch to the outside. But Barnett has said several times that he wants to stay in the middle.
"It doesn't matter," Barnett said Thursday.
"Whatever they want me to do, I'll do. But I'm definitely more comfortable playing the mike, and I'm sure it'd be nice for (Hodge) to get on the field as well."
Hodge will have to learn new coverage responsibilities to make the switch - particularly in the passing game, where he will be called on to cover tight ends. Although Hodge's college coach, Kirk Ferentz, has expressed doubts that Hodge can play outside, Barnett said Hodge can pull it off.
"I definitely think so," Barnett said.
"I think he's athletic enough, and he can run with any tight end in the league. So I think he has a good chance."
Hodge said he still considers himself a middle linebacker but is willing to try the switch if it gets him more playing time.
"I think with repetition and just being out there every day, it should come easy to me," Hodge said.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson, meanwhile, figures having two talented players at the same position is a good problem to have. "I wish we had a huge controversy because we had seven or eight who could start for us," Thompson said.
"Maybe we will by the end of this. We'll always do what's best for the team and we'll put our best players out there like we always do. Nick's still the middle linebacker."
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