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

[Patler]

I'm not pessimistic about Hodge, but on the other hand I have no great expectations for him. Reality is that a lot of third round picks come and go without making a huge impact (Johnson, Washington, Petersen, Holland, Williams, Warren, Brown, Jue, Anderson, etc). Others do make a mark (Brooks, Flannigan, Henderson, Williams, etc.) Hodge has some pluses, but his size and lack of speed with be obstacles in a profession that prizes size and on a team that values speed. Sometimes players overcome those things, sometimes they don't.

He will face some competition this year. Most of the time, backup linebackers are expected to be special teams stalwarts, and several in camp are expected to be good ST players. If he doesn't show that ability, he could end up losing out to a better special teams performer who might not be quite as good from scrimmage. It happens.

For those reasons it won't surprise me if he is released, it also won't surprise me if he stays.

[Partial]

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.

Just ask Patrick Patlerson. A first class college QB who stood at 5'6" with small hands and just couldn't adjust to the larger ball used in the pros!! One of the finest college QBs of our time

[RashanGary]

I was never very high on Hodge but I think it's a little too early to bail unless he's showing signs of being lazy or uninterested.

[4and12to12and4]

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.

I'm way too lazy to research and find the stories of Barnett's whining near the end of preseason, I simply remember that during that time, when all the fan base and reporters were asking to move Barnett to OLB, he was not happy about it, and let it be known through the press. I don't have the story, but I remember, he was in the locker room when he was very addamant about even sharing time with Hodge at MLB. Now, agreed that a lot of that had to do with contract year coming up, and supposedly you don't get near as many tackles at the OLB position fans and reporters were suggesting he move to, so he was looking out for his pocket book, but it just makes sense that he was a bit nervous about a young guy who hits hard and shows big play potential, especially behind the line of scrimmage, coming in and doing his job better than him. That's just a normal human response. Then, when he broke his hand, you say he wanted to play the next week because of "his competitive nature". That may have something to do with it, and I have no evidence other than my gut feeling, but I can't help but think that he didn't want Hodge out there in his spot. Once again, human nature. That's how Brett got his job, and then never relinquished the position. It happens all the time. Look at the Eagles. Their backup QB comes in and lights it up, and half of Philly wants him as their starter. There are countless stories of backups coming in to replace an injured starter, and outplay the starter, causing controversy. That HAD to be going through Nicks mind when he was injured.

I'm not saying that Hodge is better Barnett, I happen to really like Nick, the only thing I don't like about him is how he overruns some plays, but he busts his ass and is fast as hell. As far as Hodge's speed, some here have said he's not fast enough, do you know what his 40 numbers were? Was he slower than Hawk? If so, how much? Speed is important, but more so, instinct, and being in the right place is important. He WAS in the right spot for his interception in the Seattle game. Everyone says how horrible a game he had, yet he runs in a touchdown. Tough critics!!

The book on Hodge as far as negatives were his thin legs and he played a bit stiff. But, he proved in preseason that he COULD shed blockers and lay out RB's, many times in the backfield. If he can't shed a blocker, how was he getting into the backfield so often? Were defenses just ignoring him? I don't know where this is coming from, other than remembering what the "experts" said about him after the draft about the lack of lower body power. He went from being a DOMINANT force on our defense in PS to benchwarming in the reg. season, simply because there was nowhere to put him, and of course his nagging injury. However, I thought the coaching staff did a poor job of getting him in games throughout the season, when healthy, he should've played at least one down per series each game. They chose not to do that, and now we still don't know what we have in him. You watch, he will light it up in this year's preseason, and will earn himself more time on the field this year. That is my prediction. Maybe I'm wrong. It wouldn't be the 1st time!

[ND72]

You are talking about professional athletes, who have more pride within themselves than any single high school team. If you are openingly telling a guy, you're not that good, after he's been starting there for how long, I'm pretty sure there is going to be a "spark" of some kind.

Weather you believe it or not, Barnett has nothing to worry about, cause Hodge is not a threat right now. And the contract Barnett signed says that as well. If the coaching staff thought Hodge would be ready to take Barnett out, you can bet they would have told Teddy not to do the signing.

If you think Barnett was whining...it's doubtful. The fact is you can't threaten a professional athlete, cause they're going to fire back at you very quickly.

[ND72]

If he can't shed a blocker, how was he getting into the backfield so often? Were defenses just ignoring him? I don't know where this is coming from, other than remembering what the "experts" said about him after the draft about the lack of lower body power.

MANY "experts" and other college scouts have said Hodge benefitted from Chad Greenway being on the field. When I said he was only making plays in the preseason, it's true...and the further into the preseason we got, the less you saw it happening. Family night our OL was not getting up to the 2nd level and getting hte LB's the way they were suppose to, so Hodge looked like a god, especially against our 2ND OR 3RD TEAM offenses. In preseason, the better, or higher competition he played against, the less you saw of him. YES...he makes big tackles WHEN he actually makes it to the play. The Seattle game, he was horrible. completely wrong reads. not sheding blockers. and generally just congesting the defense, and Hawk had to routinely run around Hodge in order to get to a play.

We can have these discussions all summer long...but it doesn't matter, Barnett is our starting MLB.

[run pMc]

Barnett is the starting MLB. Based on what I saw last year, Hodge has a long, long way to go to oust Barnett.

I thought they pulled Hodge off ST because he wasn't doing well there, either...or am I mistaken?

One game as a rookie starter (in crappy weather) is not enough to say if the guy is a bust, so I think it's early to give up on him. With all the new LBs, M3 and TT may not be so gracious -- training camp will determine if he stays or goes.
I don't know if he'd be any better in a 3-4. I heard he was a good run defender & had good instincts in the Big10; I'm hoping that translates to the pro game.

[Tarlam!]

MANY "experts" and other college scouts have said Hodge benefitted from Chad Greenway being on the field.

Interesting. Just imagine how Hodge might do if Hawk and Barnett were on the field.

I love Poppinga. He has a heart the size of Green Bay itself; his animal-like intensity is positively contageous. I still regard the trio of Barnett, Hodge and Hawk as our no. one package at LB.

Go ahead, call me stupid.

[Bretsky]

I'd love to see Hodge emerge as the #3 LB; to me right now we have two very good players at LB and just a guy

[Harlan Huckleby]

Poppinga came in as essentially a rookie, back early from a major injury, and made excellent progress throughout the season. It's impossible to know where he'll be this year. Maybe he already peaked, maybe not.

[Tarlam!]

It's impossible to know where he'll be this year. Maybe he already peaked, maybe not.

That's true of the entire squad. Hell, we are not sure if Favre will look like he did in 2005 or 2006 either.

I remember Barnett's rookie season was only "OK", as far as critics go. He had a ton of tackles, but very very few for loss. He's not an Urlacher, nor will he ever be, IMHO.

I saw Poppinga improve. But I didn't have a chance to see Hodge improve over his one start.

[Harlan Huckleby]

That's true of the entire squad. Hell, we are not sure if Favre will look like he did in 2005 or 2006 either.

Nah, we know what we got with Nick Barnett, Chad Clifton, AJ Hawk, Noah Herron......... even Brett Favre is fairly predictable.

Poppinga is much more of a wild card, his steady improvement last season could have much to do with recovery from injury, in which case he have more upside.

[Fritz]

I'm afraid I am one of those folks who is disappointed - because of the special teams play of Hodge. No, he can't be expected to be a star or a starter right away, but a player with a modicum of talent and desire can do well on ST right away - but Hodge did not play well there.

I hope he does well this year.

[BallHawk]

Hodge is more of a liability then a help on defense. I'd rather have Poppinga in there. Am I saying that Poppinga is great? No way. However, he's probably a better fit then Hodge for this team, as of now.

[Tarlam!]

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.