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

[4and12to12and4]

This post is actually a reply I gave in a different thread, but I thought it warranted its own thread, due to the popular theory around here that Abdul Hodge had a sub-par year in his rookie campaign. I feel that this tag is unwarranted, and presupposes many things about him that we still don't know, simply because he hasn't even gotten a real shot yet. My reply goes as such:

I come to this site nearly on a daily basis, because I feel that the members here are more knowledgeable than any other site (except maybe Packerchatters, but many there are "footballnerds" and would rather argue about science and neourosurgery than football; sorry if I offended anyone here who regularly contributes to that site , been there, done that).

Anyhoo, I can understand those who get on guys like Fergy who have obviously underperformed while wearing the green and gold, but, for the life of me, I don't understand all this negativity towards Hodge. Most here act like he FAILED last year. The only evidence I have ever read involves the Seattle game (obviously, because it was the only game he really was given a chance). And now, in this thread all seem to agreee that he was horrible on ST. ????????????????????????????????????????????????

I have a completely different take on Mr. Hodge.

Firstly, the only time he was given a fair shot in terms of time on the field to prove himself, was preseason. I know that was just about a year ago now, but, people, please, do you remember the MONSTER that showed up in those games? He was in the backfield half the day, and laying hits on the opposition that were Lott-like. How soon we forget. There was thread after thread after thread after thread of how we could get Barnett, Hawk, and Hodge out there at the same time. I think I even saw some pictures.

Secondly, he then becomes a benchwarmer, because, if you remember, Barnett started sqwuacking, as he heard the rumors of his sudden demise, and felt Hodge's breath down his neck.

Thirdly, he gets no real time to learn the defense by BEING OUT THERE, while Hawk begins the season not exactly getting defensive player of the week or month honors. He was steady, but no one really talked about him much the first 3/4's of the season, because, well, he was making some tackles, quite a few actually, but he wasn't making the "big plays" that we thought we were gonna get out of him. I mean, let's be honest here, we all envision Hawk to be "Urlacher", period. That's why we gave him most of the season to prove himself. He got burnt in coverage over and over and over and over, but that was ok, because, well, he's Hawk, and it takes time to get acclamated to the NFL, he's only a rookie.

Fourthly, (is fourthly a word?), so Barnett breaks his hand, and is so scared that Hodge will come in and be dominant and never relinquish the position, practically begs the front office to let him play with the broken hand, he didn't want to sit for even one game. TT and MM decide to make him sit, and hodge gets his ONE shot. It just so happens to be a day in which the footing on the field is as slippery as a Bill Clinton speech, and he AND THE REST OF THE TEAM INCLUDING HAWK, can't find a way to stop one of the best backs in the league from running, which makes sense, considering the style of running Mr. Alexander is accustomed to, which is quick, unsudden, fluid cuts and straight up runnning, nothing that requires planting your foot down and completely changing direction while all weight is on said foot (like the way LT and Bush and Barry Sanders and backs like that make a living). So, as the entire defense simply got some bad timing with Mother Nature, and Hodge shared that bad timing the one game he was given a chance, we label him as a failure, and everything else most here have since said about him. Oh, BTW, he returned an interception back for a touchdown in that game, in case you may have forgetten.

I think I've made my point. Abdul Hodge is a gifted athlete, who will, I believe if given an opportunity, WILL be a playmaker and one of the hardest hitting LB's in the game. As far as his coverage skills go, come on, shouldn't we give him as much rope there as we have given our god, and saviour, Mr. Hawk??

I'm not even going to bother with defending his ST play. Give me a break. We're judging the guy for not having 50 tackles on ST's or something? I don't even know where this is coming from. If we judged all our players on their name recognition during ST's, Fergy should be the most popular guy on this site, because has always busted his ass on ST's and is one of our best ST players we have. It hasn't changed how everyone here feels about him.

Let's give Hodge a chance to fail, before we label him a failure.

[GoPackGo]

good post.
I agree we need to give him some time before we judge.

[Noodle]

My view is that a lot of the negative views on Hodge are a reaction to the overly positive views of the guy that spread after his impressive preseason showing. Sort of a "for every action there is an equal (or more) and opposite reaction" kind of thing.

But you can't deny that the guy looked uncomfortable in space and that he can be exploited in pass coverage. This is not unexpected, as I think it is very difficult to defend the pass from the LB position. I'm hopeful he will get better -- God knows I did my job better in year 2 thand I did in year 1.

[oregonpackfan]

good post.
I agree we need to give him some time before we judge.

...what he said.

[ND72]

The simple fact is, after the Family Night "SCRIMMAGE" everyone had him pegged as the starting MLB for the team. Abdul does one thing well, make hard tackles. Everything that was written in his draft bio that he can't cover, can't get off blocks, and doesn't read very well, is completely 100% TRUE. He can't cover at all. He cant' get off blocks...which by the way, in the Family Night Scrimmage, our team decided NOT to block the MLB....AND, he doesn't read very well, which hurts him even more to get off blocks.

Yes, I do like Abdul Hodge...but he is JUST a backup right now in the NFL, and now where the level that, for some of you, even where Nick Barnett is.

[Zool]

I dont think Hodge is as good as everyone made him out to be in PS nor is he as bad as everyone thought after the Seattle game. He did get caught in the wash a lot against Seattle, but he's a rookie.

I've far from given up on the guy, but I was hoping after TC that he could step in and start sometime last season and have a lot of success. Give the kid a couple more seasons to see what he can learn.

[Partial]

I certainly don't think he is an OLB and he is going to have a hard time always because he doesn't have the height(short arms) to get off blocks. I am not at all giving up on him yet, but its clear he is still pretty raw.

[Lurker64]

He didn't do much in his first year at Iowa either, but he grew into a heck of a player in time (by his senior year, he was the biggest playmaker on the defense). Judging a player harshly on what they did or didn't do in their first season is just kind of silly.

He'll get a chance, and he has the tools to make the most of it. The only thing that worries me is the sheer number of minor nagging injuries that he seems to be missing time with. He never had that problem under Ferentz.

[Partial]

He didn't do much in his first year at Iowa either, but he grew into a heck of a player in time (by his senior year, he was the biggest playmaker on the defense). Judging a player harshly on what they did or didn't do in their first season is just kind of silly.

He'll get a chance, and he has the tools to make the most of it. The only thing that worries me is the sheer number of minor nagging injuries that he seems to be missing time with. He never had that problem under Ferentz.

He's going to have a tough time shedding tackles, though. Even with the Big 10's big OLs, they aren't near the size of an NFL line. He is going to need to work on his game big time over the next year or two. I think he'll be alright when all is said and done.

[wist43]

Hodge had a disappointing season, but given that he's a fish out of water in this system, that's not suprising.

I like Hodge for his toughness and tackling ability... and contrary to comments in previous posts, he has very good instincts (at least in the run game), and is as good as any LB on the roster at getting off blocks. That said, he played poorly in his limited opportunities.

Hodge is, was, and will always be an ILB in a 3-4... IMO, it's the only system he can play in. Even though I like him as a player, he never should have been picked by the Packers given the scheme they run.

Wouldn't suprise me one bit if they cut him in training camp.

[Patler]

Hodge had a disappointing season, but given that he's a fish out of water in this system, that's not suprising.

I like Hodge for his toughness and tackling ability... and contrary to comments in previous posts, he has very good instincts (at least in the run game), and is as good as any LB on the roster at getting off blocks. That said, he played poorly in his limited opportunities.

Hodge is, was, and will always be an ILB in a 3-4... IMO, it's the only system he can play in. Even though I like him as a player, he never should have been picked by the Packers given the scheme they run.

Wouldn't suprise me one bit if they cut him in training camp.

I also will not be surprised if Hodge is released before the season. I'm not sure he can survive even as an ILB in a 3-4 defense in the NFL. The player that comes to mind that Hodge might be similar to is Dat Ngyuen, except Hodge is even smaller by about 10 lbs (if rosters are to be believed). Nguyen was vastly undersized and ultimately could not hold up physically. I believe Nguyen was quite a bit faster than Hodge, however, and just as good of a tackler.

Hodge may be just another one of those very good, big-school college athletes whose bodies, athletic abilities and skills just do not transition well to the pro level. It happens in all sports.

[Joemailman]

Seems like we've gone from irrational exuberance regarding Hodge to irrational pessimism. All this talk about Hodge not having all the physical qualities you're looking for in a linebacker were known when he was drafted. That's why he was available in the 3rd round. Instincts, the ability to quickly diagnose plays are incredibly important for a linebacker. Hodge hasn't played enough to be judged on that yet. He was coming off an injury and had only played special teams when he was thrown into the starting lineup against Shawn Alexander and the Seahawks. He was not ready, and it was a mistake by McCarthy to start him. Sometimes rookie head coaches make rookie mistakes too. Let's see what he can do this year before writing him off.

[Tarlam!]

Well, everybody here knows I am firmly on the Hodge Bandwagon. Equally, everybody knows it's just a gut feeling with me.

I am disappointed to learn from Wisty and Patler, "my" Hodge is playing the wrong system or (Lord forbid) playing outside his league.

I just adore the guy, based on what he has sid in his interviews and what was written up about him in college and training camp.

Although Nick Barnett is the better ILB, I wonder what he would have been like had he been the starter from day one... I am certain of one thing: we would have more tackles for loss than we have had from Nick.

[Merlin]

Could you please post the quote where Barnett was "squawking" or where he was quoted as saying he was afraid of losing his position to Hodge and that's the reason he wanted to continue to play with a broken hand?

The quote you are referring to have ZERO to do with Hodge and more to do with your obvious adoration for Hodge. Barnett did not want to be moved to the outside in a contract year. I don't blame him. He did back that up by saying he will play where ever they want him to. As far as his injury goes, that is laughable. He wanted to play because he felt he could. The staff watched him during that week of practice and determined he wasn't ready to go with the club on so they sat him. Was he upset? Sure, but not about Hodge taking his spot, he was upset because he couldn't play.

Barnett is a competitor and although 3T has gone out of his way to replace him with lessor talent in Hodge, Barnett is our best option at MLB and will be for the duration of his contract. Give a little credit where it's due. I like Hodge, but he has played up to or down expectations to depending on your perspective, as to what he was pegged as coming out of college. Saying that Barnett is shaking in his boots over Hodge is a mistake. Saying Barnett is shaking in his boots because of how 3T runs the personell would be more accurate.

[rbaloha1]

Hodge

Agree it is premature to gauge Hodge. Is Hodge another Torrance Marshall (very good college lb with great physical skills but unable to adjust to a more disciplined pro scheme)? Only training camp and preseason will tell.

In addition, Hodge has tremendous competition from Desmond Bishop, Rory White, Juwann Simpson and Tracy White. Both Rory and Juwann may be much better athletically than Hodge.