JS--NICK BARNETT AND NEGOTIATIONS WITH GB

[LL2]

In light of all the crazy monopoly money being thrown around I think TT would be wise to lock Barnett up with a 5yr/ 30mil type of deal. He's better than most of the FA this year, and if TT let's him hit FA next year there is NO chance of him resigning. At that point he will get a 5 yr /40 mil deal. Lock him up now and make him happy. He's still young and the rest of the team can grow with him.

[RashanGary]

He only wants 6 mil per year at Today's salaries? Shit, lock him up and throw in a front-loaded guarantee that states if he holds out within the first four years of say a six-year deal he has to give it all back.

No shit. There are jouneyman guards making 8 million per year after this FA class. Barnett is better than anyone in this FA class except Clements. If he wants 6 per year, give him 6.25 just to make his day.

[MadtownPacker]

Pay Barnett, he is the real deal and a hella cool DJ too!!

[Tony Oday]

Damn throw this guy a bone. He isnt bitching about his contract jsut wants to be paid what he is worth. I know there are people who like him on this board and people that do not. I would venture to guess though tha everyone is in agreement that he is a solid to good player that can cover. He has side to side speed but some say he lacks the killer instinct for the Middle. That means in this market now he is worth the 6 million a year for 5 years. Lock him up for 5 million a year and guarentee him the cash for 4 years.

[red]

i have no problem giving him a 5 year 25-30 million dollar deal. i think thats fair

but would he sign for that?

thats not really a big deal by todays standards

he's not the best MLB in the nfl, but he's better then average

and after you give him MLB type money he might not have problem moving outside, IF hodge ever shows he can handle the middle full time.

i had a hunch last year the he didn't want to move outside before he got a new deal because SAM's make a lot less money than MLB's

[Partial]

What's kinda funny is that Briggs is hardcore getting the shaft this year. The Bears are offering him LESS than 6 mil per year.

Same with Luke Petitgout, a much, much better TACKLE is getting 14 mil guaranteed over 3 mil compared to Leonard Davis, an unproven GUARD is getting 15 mil guaranteed this year.

Outrageous FA market we live in. Ronnie Wolfe even said the market is insane and certainly hinted its not one he would play in. It's also evident by his two disciples not making a single move yet.

I am fairly certain that Ronnie Wolfe had some decent success in his career.

[Partial]

i have no problem giving him a 5 year 25-30 million dollar deal. i think thats fair

but would he sign for that?

thats not really a big deal by todays standards

he's not the best MLB in the nfl, but he's better then average

and after you give him MLB type money he might not have problem moving outside, IF hodge ever shows he can handle the middle full time.

i had a hunch last year the he didn't want to move outside before he got a new deal because SAM's make a lot less money than MLB's

His agent said he is looking for between 5 and 6 mil per year. Who knows where that stands now though, that the free agency market has swirled to downright insane levels.

[Merlin]

The rumors about Barnett refusing to go the outside simply aren't true. If people would read the whole statement they would know that he didn't want to potentially adversly affect his play while he was trying to negotiate an extension by trying to learn a new position. He has said numerous times that he would play where the Packers asked him to. He "prefers" the middle since that is where he has been for four season under four different defensive coordinators. Barnett didn't lead the team in tackles but he was sorely missed when he wasn't in there. He is probably one of the best if not the best cover LB's in the league. He may get eaten up by the offensive line but so does Urlacher (watch the super bowl again if you think I am kidding). He did NOT over pursue much this year, he gets better and better each year. This next season he will have Hawk with a year under his belt and hopefully either a wiser Popinga or a FA. He won't have to be covering for everyone else like he did the first half of the season back there.

Pay the man, unless you actually think Hodge is even close to being as good as Barnett. If so, cut him loose so he can find a team that doesn't have a GM with a "It's my team" attitude. IMO, Hodge isn't near the player Barnett is. Even in Barnett's rookie year he ran circles around Hodge.

[Tony Oday]

I just say go with what Teddy KGB said, "Pay dat man hiz money!"

[wist43]

Don't worry, I won't rain on your Barnett lovefest...

BUT - it blows my mind that you guys want to give a huge payday to a guy who has had - 1 average year (rookie year), 2 awful years, and 1 slightly above average year (last year).

That's an accurate representation of how he has performed.

Not going to debate or argue this with you guys... you know I can't stand Barnett - and I know you guys love him.

[Scott Campbell]

Not going to debate or argue this with you guys... you know I can't stand Barnett .....

I get the feeling you cringe everytime he makes a good play. I don't think he's that great either. Adequate starter.

[esoxx]

What I don't like is his agent saying we should look past him not making the Pro Bowl. I'm quite certain if he had made a Pro Bowl or two we couldn't just dismiss it so easily.

I'm in favor of getting a deal done but not at the "Quasi-Pro Bowl" level.

[Patler]

Don't worry, I won't rain on your Barnett lovefest...

BUT - it blows my mind that you guys want to give a huge payday to a guy who has had - 1 average year (rookie year), 2 awful years, and 1 slightly above average year (last year).

That's an accurate representation of how he has performed.

No, its not an accurate representation of how he has performed. You are so far off base in your assessment of Barnett that I have to believe you are doing it only for entertainment value. No one could be as wrong as you are about him.

[Partial]

I just say go with what Teddy KGB said, "Pay dat man hiz money!"

Excellent quote from a great movie

[Packers4Ever]

In light of all the crazy monopoly money being thrown around I think TT would be wise to lock Barnett up with a 5yr/ 30mil type of deal. He's better than most of the FA this year, and if TT let's him hit FA next year there is NO chance of him resigning. At that point he will get a 5 yr /40 mil deal. Lock him up now and make him happy. He's still young and the rest of the team can grow with him.

Lock him up now as everyone has said and avoid the worry and frazzle later on. He wants to be here and there's no doubt we need him, I hope this won't be another case of someone "dragging his feet."