Packers To Part Ways With Bishop?

[Smidgeon]

Okay, Rats....

If I started a poll whose question was "Which Packer defender of the last four years does this defense miss or will this defense miss the most?" - whaddya think the results would be?

You know the answer to this. It's the one thing in this damn site we pretty much all agree on.

It's not Cullen Jenkins.

It's not Johnny Jolly.

The hands-down winner of this poll would be....

Yup.

Nick Collins.

Now, let's take a look at this in the context of the "woe is we, the Packers' defense will be too soft now, even worse than before!" mantra that Wist and others are peddling.

So, the player we'd like back, the one who would be the biggest difference-maker on this defense, would be Nick Collins. I'd think that at least 95% of the Rats would say so.

So how about that Nick Collins. Do we miss him because man, he was mean? Did he ever lay the wood, baby! He was like Chuck Cecil and then some!

Uh, no.

That dude was a playmaker. He could cover all kinds of ground, he could get to the ball, and he was a sure tackler.

So let's not gnash our teeth too much. I liked Bishop and wanted him back for camp to see if he could compete. But let's not pretend the guy could cover, or that he was available all the time. He was solid, and yes, he brought some thump. And that was good. No question. But he had his liabilities, too.

It's Nick Collins' athleticism we miss most, not Desmond Bishop's toughness.

Well said.

[wist43]

Okay, Rats....

If I started a poll whose question was "Which Packer defender of the last four years does this defense miss or will this defense miss the most?" - whaddya think the results would be?

You know the answer to this. It's the one thing in this damn site we pretty much all agree on.

It's not Cullen Jenkins.

It's not Johnny Jolly.

The hands-down winner of this poll would be....

Yup.

Nick Collins.

Now, let's take a look at this in the context of the "woe is we, the Packers' defense will be too soft now, even worse than before!" mantra that Wist and others are peddling.

So, the player we'd like back, the one who would be the biggest difference-maker on this defense, would be Nick Collins. I'd think that at least 95% of the Rats would say so.

So how about that Nick Collins. Do we miss him because man, he was mean? Did he ever lay the wood, baby! He was like Chuck Cecil and then some!

Uh, no.

That dude was a playmaker. He could cover all kinds of ground, he could get to the ball, and he was a sure tackler.

So let's not gnash our teeth too much. I liked Bishop and wanted him back for camp to see if he could compete. But let's not pretend the guy could cover, or that he was available all the time. He was solid, and yes, he brought some thump. And that was good. No question. But he had his liabilities, too.

It's Nick Collins' athleticism we miss most, not Desmond Bishop's toughness.

I agree, Nick Collins wasn't the brightest bulb in the bin, but he progressed into a damn good safety - I imagine Capers was trying to find a way to get rid of him

[pittstang5]

I'm hopeful McMillian, this year, can come in and be like Nick Collins. He won't be able to replace him. Let's face it, a player like Nick Collins only comes around once in awhile. I'm just glad he played for the Packers while he could. I have no faith in Burnett and would love it if someone would beat him out this year in TC.

[Fritz]

I agree, Nick Collins wasn't the brightest bulb in the bin, but he progressed into a damn good safety - I imagine Capers was trying to find a way to get rid of him

That's funny, but Collins seems to have been one of those "finesse" players you so despise. He wasn't a big hitter - a sure tackler, but not known as someone a wide receiver would fear. I thought Capers/MM/TT only didn't want tough guys.

[wist43]

That's funny, but Collins seems to have been one of those "finesse" players you so despise. He wasn't a big hitter - a sure tackler, but not known as someone a wide receiver would fear. I thought Capers/MM/TT only didn't want tough guys.

Collins was a very physical Safety... don't know if I'd call him a big hitter, but he certainly brought the lumber, and he was probably the fastest guy on the team. The only knock on Collins was his pea sized brain; but given enough reps, even he was able to get it figured out.

[Fritz]

Collins was a very physical Safety... don't know if I'd call him a big hitter, but he certainly brought the lumber, and he was probably the fastest guy on the team. The only knock on Collins was his pea sized brain; but given enough reps, even he was able to get it figured out.

I'm not sure Collins' reputation was as someone who "brought the lumber." He was a sure tackler, but did not have the qualities you feel are crucial to the defense. Yet he's the guy the team misses most.

[run pMc]

Collins was physical enough, not a Chuck Cecil hitter, but had no problem bringing it. My recollections of him were that he's not the brightest bulb on the tree (ok, so he's a football player) but a good team guy. Had hands of stone his first few years, and was prone to bad angles but could sometimes outrun that. Once the football smarts caught up to the athleticism he was a very good safety.

The defense missed him -- he got people lined up and the communication noticeably suffered when he went out. Maybe McMillian figures it out this year; the defense still misses him.

Butler > Collins > Sharper IMO


Wait, this thread is about Bishop - why are we talking about Collins?
Bishop will not be missed as much as Collins is/was. They have more guys who can play at ILB than they do at S.

[Freak Out]

Collins was a badass....dude could cover some ground in a hurry and put a lick on you. Bishop was never in the Collins class.

[RashanGary]

Collins was a badass....dude could cover some ground in a hurry and put a lick on you. Bishop was never in the Collins class.

I agree. If bishop had 4.5 speed instead of 4.7, i think he plays a similar style, but Collins had the physical talent to go along with the competitiveness and instincts for the game.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Butler > Collins > Sharper IMO

Agreed.

[Bretsky]

It's surprising, but I still have high hopes for this defense. Adding Jones and Jolly gives the DL depth. I'm on the Perry bandwagon. If he stays healthy, I think he could be to Clay what Woodley was to Harrison. Our corners are good. Burnett is solid with the potential to be great. I'm hopeful that McMillian makes "the leap" this year. Hawk is good run defender and Jones was good in the subpackages last year. I think this points to the Packers liking Manning's potential.

I hope you right on Jolly but I'm skeptical how much he can add after taking a couple yrs off

I do LOVE D jones and always have; he has the abilities to give us what Cullen was giving us in his prime with higher upside. I'm waiting and seeing on Perry....I too really like Burnett.

And I completely agree........with us blowing off DJ Smith and Bishop we MUST be high on Manning

[Bretsky]

NOTE FROM NFL NETWORK:

great interview with Bishop: He has interest from the Vikings, Giants, Jags, and San Fran

Bishop also noted when he was released GB made no mention of his health

[RashanGary]

..

[Fritz]

Collins was physical enough, not a Chuck Cecil hitter, but had no problem bringing it. My recollections of him were that he's not the brightest bulb on the tree (ok, so he's a football player) but a good team guy. Had hands of stone his first few years, and was prone to bad angles but could sometimes outrun that. Once the football smarts caught up to the athleticism he was a very good safety.

The defense missed him -- he got people lined up and the communication noticeably suffered when he went out. Maybe McMillian figures it out this year; the defense still misses him.

Butler > Collins > Sharper IMO


Wait, this thread is about Bishop - why are we talking about Collins?
Bishop will not be missed as much as Collins is/was. They have more guys who can play at ILB than they do at S.

I brought up Collins to remind those who thought releasing Bishop would be the undoing of any hope for the defense because Bishop was such a a smashmouth guy - to remind them that talent and athleticism mean more than a "tough guy" who may make you feel good about your own manliness cuz he's a badass - but can't cover a tight end cuz he's too slow.

[woodbuck27]

NOTE FROM NFL NETWORK:

great interview with Bishop: He has interest from the Vikings, Giants, Jags, and San Fran

Bishop also noted when he was released GB made no mention of his health

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000213816/article/desmond-bishop-to-choose-from-chiefs-giants-Vikings

Comment woodbuck27:

Who has the best shot at signing Desmond Bishop? It's really anyone's guess but if CAP space is any indication of such eligibility:

The Vikings lead in eligible salary CAP space, in the race to sign likely the best FA available today in Desmond Bishop.

The Vikings have $7.1 Million$ Salary CAP space available.

The Chiefs are sit at $3.5 million$ and Giants at $3.1 million$ CAP space available. The report says that both the Vikings and Chiefs very much desire to sign Desmond Bishop to a one (1) years contract.