Atari Bigby (1 Viewer)

[Chaos Commish]

I just drafted Manuel in a survivor then started reading. Uh, Bigby is closing in on the SS job, from most accounts.

So barring injuries, either Bigby or Manuel will be starting opposite Collins in the regular-season opener Sept. 9 against Philadelphia.

"We've got the right three guys right now," said Kurt Schottenheimer, the Packers' secondary coach, of starting Collins and either Manuel or Bigby at safety. "Those three guys all have a chance to be very, very good players right now. Not to say Rouse is not, but we need to find out about that one position."

Though Manuel was a weak link in the secondary last year after the Packers signed him in free agency, they gave him the vast majority of snaps with the starters for the first three weeks of training camp, until Bigby took the majority in this short week that consisted of only two full practices. The team's coaching staff continues to praise Manuel publicly, especially for his ability to quarterback the secondary, and says he's a better player after recovering this offseason from a severe groin injury that slowed him last year.

"I know (Manuel) has taken a lot of heat and so forth, some justifiable but much of it not," Schottenheimer said. "He is playing very well right now, he is different than he was a year ago simply because he's healthier."

But if Manuel has been better in this camp, the difference isn't big, and he's done nothing to distinguish himself among the safeties. Bigby, on the other hand, showed good range in coverage in offseason practices, and though he missed an open-field tackle that allowed Pittsburgh's Walter Young to score a 41-yard touchdown in the exhibition opener, he wasn't responsible, as it first appeared, for another big play in that game. On a 49-yard completion on which Santonio Holmes got behind the Packers' secondary, Bigby had run-game responsibilities and was supposed to play bracket coverage in front of any deep routes, while cornerback Will Blackmon was supposed to play off Holmes and stay behind him at all times.

Just as importantly, Bigby also had two eye-catching sacks last week in a four-tackle performance against Seattle and has shown better overall athletic ability than Manuel.

Now, after an unpromising start to his NFL career, Bigby stands a good chance of becoming a starter this season.

This one is a bit stronger:

Atari Bigby gets the start at strong safety over Marquand Manuel, and Bigby is a virtual lock to start there when the regular season begins in 2? weeks. Manuel, who started all 16 games last year, is now playing for a roster spot.

So what do we know about Bigby? I know little more than what is in the links. I was visiting the game threads last weekend though and a Packer homer was singing his praises. Bigby did look very fast and he was productive in that outing.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

Most local homers are convinced that Bigby will be the starter on opening weekend. He and James Jones were probably the most talked about Packers after the last preseason game. Evidently during a blitz Bigby hurdled a blocker to get the sack...not something we've seen much of in Packer country of late.

If Bigby plays well this week, the starting job is pretty much clinched. Stay tuned.

 

[stevegamer]

I hear he's got the athleticism & moves of Pitfall Harry. He can jump blockers like he's hurdling crocs.

Seriously, I like what I've seen. I drafted him last year on a lark, due to his name.

 

[pretender]

I'm a homer and he looks really good much better than Manuel.

 

[BLOX]

Just want to point out that both Woodson and Harris have been in the media saying that Bigby is the safety they trust the most on the field.

Can't find the link, but it was in the news last week, before he locked up the job.

 

[bcr8f]

Just want to point out that both Woodson and Harris have been in the media saying that Bigby is the safety they trust the most on the field.

Can't find the link, but it was in the news last week, before he locked up the job.

Actually they said they didn't trust Manuel.Buried in the article about Bigby getting the SS job(his job to lose) is this.

A source close to the situation said cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson had been lobbying the coaches for Bigby to replace Manuel, a player whom they apparently no longer trusted.

QUOTE

Atari Bigby gets the start at strong safety over Marquand Manuel, and Bigby is a virtual lock to start there when the regular season begins in 2? weeks. Manuel, who started all 16 games last year, is now playing for a roster spot.

Week 6 it will probably be Rouse.

 

[Biabreakable]

Why would Rouse become the starter in week 6 if Bigby is outplaying him?

 

[bcr8f]

Why would Rouse become the starter in week 6 if Bigby is outplaying him?

He won't if Bigby is, but will he. Bigby has looked good and bad in games and they still like Rouse.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Why would Rouse become the starter in week 6 if Bigby is outplaying him?

He won't if Bigby is, but will he. Bigby has looked good and bad in games and they still like Rouse.

It's only a matter time until Rouse puts Bigby on the bench.