Barnett Stepping Up His Game after Re-upping His Contract

[HarveyWallbangers]

All that being said, he was a player that ran around contact in the past and his only escape from blockers was dodging them and then having to make tackles way to far way from the line of scrimmage.

He isn't the type of LB that is built to take on blocks. There aren't that many of those LBs left. Hawk isn't one of those guys either. Teams think that's the biggest relative weakness of Brian Urlacher. Run right at him because he isn't great on taking on blocks.

[The Leaper]

I can't think of many LBs who can easily shed blocks from OL players. Urlacher was practically invisible at times a few years ago before the Chicago defense came of age. I've seen Ray Lewis get demolished numerous times when he isn't protected by his DL.

The fact of the matter is that all LBs in the NFL today need to be protected by their DL...that is why the DL is so important. Barnett is a talented player who clearly shows a comfort level in the system and is starting to let his natural abilities take over.

[wist43]

Barnett played ok... even took proper angles most of the time - hell has, in fact, frozen over.

As Leaper and others have correctly pointed out, he's benefitting from the improved DL play. Also, in watching tape of the game, Hawk was doing a lot of the dirty work, i.e. taking on the pulling G, maintaining outside leverage, etc, while Barnett was free to run to the ball.

To his credit, Barnett didn't screw anything up... I'll never like him, but as long as he keeps his mouth shut, and doesn't start up with the samarai crap, I'll ignore his presence on the field, and hopefully remain blissfully unaware that he's on my beloved team.

[Partial]

Barnett played ok... even took proper angles most of the time - hell has, in fact, frozen over.

As Leaper and others have correctly pointed out, he's benefitting from the improved DL play. Also, in watching tape of the game, Hawk was doing a lot of the dirty work, i.e. taking on the pulling G, maintaining outside leverage, etc, while Barnett was free to run to the ball.

To his credit, Barnett didn't screw anything up... I'll never like him, but as long as he keeps his mouth shut, and doesn't start up with the samarai crap, I'll ignore his presence on the field, and hopefully remain blissfully unaware that he's on my beloved team.

you crack me up wist! That was the most positive post on a pretty good player that you've ever made! I think Wist is becoming a believer!! Soon he'll be admitting that Barnett is slightly above average!!

[MJZiggy]

Soon he'll be admitting that Barnett is slightly above average!!

Don't get carried away...

[Merlin]

This is a very interesting and complimentary article about the value of Barnett to the team.

Let's contrast those accolades with the scapegoating we have heard from BarnettBasshers, Inc. the past few years:

"Barnett is constantly out of position."

"He takes poor angles to the ball carrrier."

"Barnett cannot fight off blockers."

"He constantly overruns the play."

"Whatever tackles Barnett makes are at least 5 yards downfield."

"Most of Barnett's tackles are assists where he just piles onto the tackle that is already being made."

Charter members of BarnettBashers, Inc. are encouraged to add any quotes to the above which I have missed.

Did anyone catch Urlacher's performance last weekend? Looks like you could substitute his name in for any one of these fallacies. My favorite one:

"Hodge is a much better MLB then Barnett will ever be..."

[4and12to12and4]

This is hilarious. If you go back to a thread that was started about the "unsung hero" of the game Sunday I sang the praises of Nick and he was my choice. He was every bit as dominating as any MLB I've ever seen. He may not have murdered someone or have tons of tatoos, but he IS a badass out there, and is probably faster than Urlacher. He is finally getting to show his skillset because they haven't changed defensive coordinators like they did every other year up until now. He's a beast, underrated, and is BETTER than Hawk. Period. I get shit for comparing them, but we all know that everyone here wants Hawk to be the man, and he just isn't as good as Barnett. Not saying he can't eventually be, (although with his lack of speed, I doubt it), but he right now isn't even close. Barnett is the staple in this defense. So, all you haters need to recognize his talent, and quit whining about the couple of tackles he misses every once in a while due to his speed.

[RashanGary]

My DVR recorded, but for some reason I can't play it back. I can't watch the game like I want to. Wist said Hawk was taking on Blockers and pushing things to Barnett. If Wist says it happened, I believe it happened becaue he's had a very accurate view on a lot of things football related.

Barnett was/is set up to make plays in this system. For all of hte room Barnett was given, he didn't make one WOW play (other than the INT). He's just not going to hurt you or scare you. Hawk will.

Hawk is the better player IMO and it's because he is more imposing and physical but equally fast and athletic.

[b bulldog]

I agree with the assertion that 56 is better than Hawk at this time in their careers. Nick plays super fast and totally baited McNabb into throwing that pic. Whatever opinion you have on this, it is a great thing that we have two strong lb's who are worthy of having this discussion. I know that I dissed AJ before last seasons draft and some last season but some in here have him as one of the leagues best already and his play definitely hasn' t shown that. Barnett is an experienced vet, he should be better at this time, Hawk will keep getting better while Barnett is now in his prime. Good thing we have both on our D.