Barnett Vs. Driver

[HarveyWallbangers]

What about Hawk?

2 forced fumbles in 80 starts, so a bit better than Barnett. The most important thing though is the Packers defense improved considerably when Hawk and Bishop were in there together. Part of it is likely that Bishop is better than Barnett and part of it is likely that Hawk does a better job than Barnett calling plays and organizing the defense. I trust Thompson and the coaches to know which two of the three guys were most important to keep. I think we should just come to accept that Bishop and Hawk are good ILBs, and leave it at that. I had some reservations about Bishop because he would flash in the preseason but it didn't translate when he got time in the regular season. I thought he might be a tad slow. I was wrong. On the other hand, some continue to imply that Hawk isn't very good. That isn't the case either. Our starting ILBs are solid, young, and durable. They work well together. I'm glad to eat a little crow on Bishop--as I'm sure others are glad to eat a little crow on Hawk. I'm very happy with the Hawk-Bishop combination.

[Brandon494]

I agree they do feed out each other well, to me Barnett and Hawk were the same type of player. Neither were big hitters but were solid in coverage. As far as Hawk being better at calling plays and organizing the defense I'm not so sure on that. Barnett has been to a few Pro Bowls for the Packers and during the 2009 season when he called plays for the defense they were ranked in the top 3 for overall defense. They just happened to play like shit against the Cardinals. :/

[HarveyWallbangers]

The were top 3 in yardage allowed (which is silly to rank a defense only by that), but by most metrics they were better--outside of their rushing yards/play. I think outside factors affected that. Injuries and playing mostly in nickel being the two biggest. It wasn't all because of Hawk's play calling, but I think it played a part. Players and coaches went out of their way to praise Hawk on that. Also, Hawk has been extremely durable. That availability allows for continuity. That's especially important for the guy quarterbacking the defense.

[Freak Out]

As much as I liked Barnetts fire and craziness I won't lose any sleep with him being traded/cut. TT and the gang has this thing going in the right direction.

[pbmax]

The were top 3 in yardage allowed (which is silly to rank a defense only by that), but by most metrics they were better--outside of their rushing yards/play. I think outside factors affected that. Injuries and playing mostly in nickel being the two biggest. It wasn't all because of Hawk's play calling, but I think it played a part. Players and coaches went out of their way to praise Hawk on that. Also, Hawk has been extremely durable. That availability allows for continuity. That's especially important for the guy quarterbacking the defense.

That always felt like faint praise. I would like to know more than simply the fact that its the first thing that comes to someone's mind when you stick a microphone or notebook in front of them.

And I feel that while Bishop is still inferior in space and pass D, Capers found plenty of bodies in the DBs to compensate. With a healthy Chillar, I am far less worried.

[Zool]

Maybe Nick can react late to a contract offer and chase it down from behind.