We may not know what we know or don't know about Abdul Hodge

[Bossman641]

Hodge, a liability? Lousy on ST?

You guys kill me.

Ask yourself this: By whom would I rather be tackled 8 times per game? Whom would be more likely to crack my vertabrae in a direct bodily confrontation in a scrimmage?

If you answer Barnett, you are just ignoring reality IMO. I would have no problem facing even Nick, if that were my choice.

You're asking who would I rather serve as a tackling dummy for. Hodge's problem is not tackling, it's getting into position to make the tackle.

I'm much more interested in who is the better player right now, and it's Barnett by a long shot. I'd rather see Barnett wrap up 8 outta 8 times, then see Hodge make 4 highlight hits and get burned the other 4.

[Carolina_Packer]

[quote="Bossman641"]

I'm much more interested in who is the better player right now, and it's Barnett by a long shot. I'd rather see Barnett wrap up 8 outta 8 times, then see Hodge make 4 highlight hits and get burned the other 4.

I totally agree with that point.

I don't know if Hodge is OLB material. We'll see. He's certainly not going to supplant Barnett now that Nick got his contract, unless Barnett is amenable to moving now that he has his contract, and Hodge shows enough improvement to warrant the move. What that could do is create a rotation where Poppinga could come in on passing downs, Hodge could take a blow on the sidelines and Barnett could move back to MLB.

I think he'll only get better after his first year. I would never doubt his desire, and I think his comfort level will only get better as the season progresses. Now you just hope for good health.

[Tarlam!]

I'm much more interested in who is the better player right now, and it's Barnett by a long shot. I'd rather see Barnett wrap up 8 outta 8 times, then see Hodge make 4 highlight hits and get burned the other 4.

That's where I just know, you have never played ball at a senior level.

Neither have I.

But I captainedmy high school rugby team. That's pretty physical.

Anyway, I gave that up, but, I did play one final game. A few years later. I got killed on the first tackle of the game. Effectively, that pain took away may ability to play.

That was not the pain I knew as a kid. That was man's pain.

If Hodge hits like he looks he can hit, I would EASILY take 4 and 4 for a few games.

I ran into an enforcer, it utterly ended any of my hopes to play professional Rugby. Had I of ran into Barnett, I may have captained Australia. Yes, I was that good.

[the_idle_threat]

What that could do is create a rotation where Poppinga could come in on passing downs, Hodge could take a blow on the sidelines and Barnett could move back to MLB.

Wouldn't this take Hawk off the field? I don't think they'll do that.

[Bossman641]

I'm much more interested in who is the better player right now, and it's Barnett by a long shot. I'd rather see Barnett wrap up 8 outta 8 times, then see Hodge make 4 highlight hits and get burned the other 4.

That's where I just know, you have never played ball at a senior level.

Neither have I.

But I captainedmy high school rugby team. That's pretty physical.

Anyway, I gave that up, but, I did play one final game. A few years later. I got killed on the first tackle of the game. Effectively, that pain took away may ability to play.

That was not the pain I knew as a kid. That was man's pain.

If Hodge hits like he looks he can hit, I would EASILY take 4 and 4 for a few games.

I ran into an enforcer, it utterly ended any of my hopes to play professional Rugby. Had I of ran into Barnett, I may have captained Australia. Yes, I was that good.

No offense Tarlam, because I respect anyone who plays rugby, but this isn't rugby. How often do you see players get knocked out of NFl games? Quarterbacks, occasionally. RB's and WR's, rarely to never. I want Hodge to be a stud just as much as you do, but you act like if he plays he's gonna start crushing everyone and knocking guys out of the game left and right. You say that you would take 4 highlight hits and 4 misses out of 8 attempts. I would hate to see any player not be in position to make the tackle 50% of the time.

I hope Hodge steps up this year. I was thrilled we drafted him last year but he was a huge disappointment to me last year. I'm not giving up on him yet though.

[Tarlam!]

No offense Tarlam, because I respect anyone who plays rugby, but this isn't rugby.()you act like if he plays he's gonna start crushing everyone and knocking guys out of the game left and right. You say that you would take 4 highlight hits and 4 misses out of 8 attempts. I would hate to see any player not be in position to make the tackle 50% of the time.

None taken, and since I never played a down, I do not profess to understand.

I do think he would crush people, because that's in his nature. More so than Barnett. I don't want a "finess" MLB. I want somebody that puts the fear of the Almighty into people.

My point is, everyone has given up on the kid after a rained out game in Seattle. My point is, if this kid has 4 starts to at least learn the game, he'd be btter than Barnett and Poppinga.

Of that I am convinced. For that, I would take into account 4 missed tackles per game.

After he missed 16, that's it. And we own mid field thereafter.

[4and12to12and4]

Where are you guys getting all these ideas that Hodge can't shed blockers, and that he is out of place on tackles, and that he is no good on special teams. Hodge was given ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE to grow and learn our system last year. I must remind you again that Hawk had his share of blockers he couldn't shed, and didn't exactly light it up th first half of the season. He was i guess steady, but nothing special. Yet, we gave him the benefit of the doubt. This situation reminds me of how guys like Mario Williams and Eli Manning don't do shit their first year and get a free pass because of their name, stature, and selection. Where's Hodge's rookie pass, especially considering he wasn't even given time to develop over the year. Let's get the guy out there and see what he can give us after ample time on the field. Then, we can start making judgement calls on him. Until then, he's just like Aaron Rodgers, we're still comparing him to his scouting report and combine.

You know, MM is a REAL football guy, and I think we will be able to tell if Hodge is going to fit here in GB, and if he thinks he can help this team make big plays on defense, he will be getting more time on the field this year, which I predict he will. This will be a bit of a breakout year for this young man if he stays healthy. IMO.

[Carolina_Packer]

Wouldn't this take Hawk off the field? I don't think they'll do that. [/quote]

Obvious running downs=Barnett OLB, Hodge MLB, Hawk OLB
Obvious passing downs=Poppinga OLB, Barnett MLB, Hawk OLB

Hawk never leaves the game in my rotation, or Poppinga could rotate with him when he needs a blow.

This scenario could occur IF the Packers wanted to utilize Hodge as MLB, since he's not really an OLB; otherwise, he'll have to spell Barnett. I'm saying this scenario would only happen IF Hodge showed so much improvement in year 2 training camp that you had to find a way to get him on the field. Poppinga might be better as a super sub, since he could likely play both OLB positions. Your thoughts?

[Tarlam!]

I like it, C-P. I like it a lot, especially since the rotation plays to the strengths of all 4 'backers.

IIRC, Barnett was a Sam in colledge, wasn't he?

[KYPack]

Wouldn't this take Hawk off the field? I don't think they'll do that.

Obvious running downs=Barnett OLB, Hodge MLB, Hawk OLB
Obvious passing downs=Poppinga OLB, Barnett MLB, Hawk OLB

Hawk never leaves the game in my rotation, or Poppinga could rotate with him when he needs a blow.

This scenario could occur IF the Packers wanted to utilize Hodge as MLB, since he's not really an OLB; otherwise, he'll have to spell Barnett. I'm saying this scenario would only happen IF Hodge showed so much improvement in year 2 training camp that you had to find a way to get him on the field. Poppinga might be better as a super sub, since he could likely play both OLB positions. Your thoughts?[/quote]

You want Poppinga in there covering in passing situations?

Doesn't seem like a solution to me.

Hodge can plug the run, but he's a long way away from covering the pass. Maybe he'll show some improvement this season. And he didn't play worth shit on ST. Some guys don't, but that doesn't mean he couldn't improve covering the pass. Playing spec teams doesn't mean you are a good LB.

Hell, even Torrance Marshall made a play here and there on ST & he couldn't play a lick at his regular position.

[BobDobbs]

In obvious passing downs only two linebackers are on the field especially since you are looking at a three or four receiver set. Hawk stays on every play, Nick is in our nickel package. Neither Poppinga nor Hodge are going to play those positions barring injury.

If Barnett is moved to strongside backer he will be stacking up the Tight End, covering the short zone against slot receviers, blitzing that type of thing. This defense really calls for a MLB with speed.

That is Hodges major issue. The NFL is MUCH faster than college. He's short and slow for an NFL player. In time the hope is he will gain film knowledge and use his instinct to gain that extra step. I'll give him time, but not much hope. At least in this system. I love him as a hitter, but he has a long way to go.

[the_idle_threat]

In obvious passing downs only two linebackers are on the field . . .

Bingo.

How often does the team keep three 'backers on the field in obvious passing situations? Generally this is when they're in nickel or dime defense, in which case one or two 'backers come off the field. At least, that would be my understanding.

[HarveyWallbangers]

In the 50%-60% of plays he's on the field, other teams are allowed to pass. Not only that, but with our nickel situation, we may choose to keep 3 LBs in more than most teams again.

[the_idle_threat]

In the 50%-60% of plays he's on the field, other teams are allowed to pass.

Thanks for clearing that up, Sherlock.

What's your point, anyway? We've been talking about "obvious passing situations" which call for substitutions. So you're talking about the not-obvious passing situations when we're in base defense?

Not only that, but with our nickel situation, we may choose to keep 3 LBs in more than most teams again.

Do you really believe we'll make a habit of keeping in a 3rd LB who has coverage problems---that could be said about Poppinga or Hodge---rather than go to the nickel?

Our 3rd corner probably won't be a world-beater, but he'll most likely be better in coverage than our 3rd-best linebacker.

[HarveyWallbangers]

What's your point, anyway? We've been talking about "obvious passing situations" which call for substitutions. So you're talking about the not-obvious passing situations when we're in base defense?

People make it seem like we can go to the nickel or dime, and just like that, his coverage issues aren't a problem. He's still going to be in their on 50-60% of the plays--and teams will exploit him if he doesn't improve.

Do you really believe we'll make a habit of keeping in a 3rd LB who has coverage problems---that could be said about Poppinga or Hodge---rather than go to the nickel?

Our 3rd corner probably won't be a world-beater, but he'll most likely be better in coverage than our 3rd-best linebacker.

Not on 3rd and 10, but there were a lot of articles last year about how the Packers kept 3 LBs in their package more than usual because they liked their LBs, and had weak backup corners/safeties.