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Nick Barnett to strong-side? (1 Viewer)

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Footballguy
link:

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/packers/index.html

Packers Team Report

7/2/2006

By Tom Silverstein

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: The club is keeping a close eye on rookie LB Abdul Hodge because he might wind up being the third-best linebacker on the team. Hodge plays the middle and saw very little action on the strong side in mini-camps which suggests he'll be a backup to Nick Barnett. But if Hodge performs better than Roy Manning and Ben Taylor, the top two candidates for the strong side, Barnett could be moved outside to accommodate the rookie. Hodge lacks leg strength, but he sheds blockers well, is always around the ball and is a decent tackler. With A.J. Hawk slated to start, it is uncertain whether the coaches will want to go with two rookies at the linebacker position. . . .

The wide receiver position remains wide open going into training camp. No one has made a strong pitch to be the starter opposite Donald Driver. The club would really like to see Robert Ferguson or Rod Gardner establish himself as a starter, but that hasn't happened yet. As a result, rookie Greg Jennings has a chance to crack the lineup. But Jennings has to be more consistent catching the ball and show he can get off the line of scrimmage against top cornerback talent.

SCOUTING REPORT: Scott Wells has solidified his position as the starting center, but he still has some hurdles to clear before he can be considered a lock for his position. Undersized and lacking great arm length, Wells is a battler who relies on his wrestling background to gain leverage on opponents. He's a better fit for this offense because he can move laterally and get under a defender's pads. But he can be knocked off-balance at the line and beaten with quickness in pass protection. He'll have to be near perfect in technique to handle the NFC North's outstanding defensive tackles on a down-by-down basis.

COACH UNDER PRESSURE: Considered one of the brightest members of the staff, Joe Philbin is making the transition from tight ends to offensive line. It's a big challenge. There's a good chance that the club will start rookies at both guard positions, which means it will be up to Philbin to get them ready during training camp. Quarterback Brett Favre's health might depend on it. Philbin and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski are installing a zone blocking system, which differs greatly from the power gap scheme the team used the past six seasons. The veterans probably won't have difficulty adjusting, but with an interior offensive line lacking experience, Philbin will have to be on top of everything to make this system work.

TIGHT ENDS ANALYSIS: B. Bubba Franks has been to the Pro Bowl, but keep an eye on Donald Lee. He could be the deep receiving threat the team has lacked.

 
Rotoworld) Green Bay is considering moving Nick Barnett to strong-side linebacker.

Impact: With quality third-round pick Abdul Hodge behind him at MLB, Green Bay would get their three best linebacker on the field by moving Barnett outside. This would crush his IDP value and currently makes Barnett a risky re-draft pick.

Rotoworld) Green Bay is still considering starting LB Abdul Hodge at MLB to open the season, with Nick Barnett moving to the strong-side.

Impact: Such a move would be a huge boon to Hodge's IDP value, while Barnett's would sink badly. Hodge is currently lining up as the backup MLB, but Barnett may move outside if the team isn't impressed by strong-side candidates Ben Taylor and Roy Manning.

 
If I were a Nick Barnett owner and the value of my #1 LB hinges on the ability of either Ben Taylor or Roy Manning on the strongside, I'd be...

:banned:

:cry:

 
Taylor is the perfect 4th LB and will at least make it difficult for the staff to throw 2 rooks on the field to begin the season.

 
If Hodge does start he will be a 2 down LB with Hawk and Barnett there on passing downs. As a Pack homer I want to see Hodge on the field. He may be the steal of the draft in the 3rd round.

In OTA's Jennings was the best WR after Driver. He ran good routes, but explosive coming out of breaks and caught the ball well. Gardner kept saying he had to miss to babysit his child.

He needs to step up during TC.

 
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Find it hard to believe that Barnett will be moved to the strong side. He had a different defensive coordinator for each year he was in the league, yet he has always been in the middle. If he has a weakness, it is taking on blocks.

And no I don’t own Barnett or any other GB LBs.

BTW: If Brady Poppinga recovers before training camp, he could see some time on the strong side.

 
Find it hard to believe that Barnett will be moved to the strong side. He had a different defensive coordinator for each year he was in the league, yet he has always been in the middle. If he has a weakness, it is taking on blocks.

And no I don’t own Barnett or any other GB LBs.

BTW: If Brady Poppinga recovers before training camp, he could see some time on the strong side.
Click to expand...
Poppinga?
 
Sounds like Barnett himself is jumping on the wagon...

link:

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/ind...084&ntpid=1

Packers: Barnett tackles talk of switch

JASON WILDE

608-252-6176

jwilde@madison.com

GREEN BAY - Nick Barnett wanted to get something off his chest Tuesday afternoon.

The Green Bay Packers middle linebacker - for now, anyway - does not want to move to another position. Period.

Not that Barnett has anything against rookie Abdul Hodge, whose play during the first two weeks of training camp has been eye-opening. In fact, Barnett is all for the Abdul-a-palooza that camp has become over the past week, as the youngster has stood out to coaches, teammates, reporters and fans alike during practice and Saturday night's intrasquad scrimmage.

But Barnett, the team's 2003 first-round draft pick and leading tackler each of the past three seasons, doesn't just dislike the idea of moving outside from mike (middle) to the less glamorous sam (strong-side) spot, he hates it.

So when approached by a reporter after practice Tuesday, Barnett didn't even wait until the question was asked.

"I really get offended sometimes when you guys ask me about moving. Why would I move?" said Barnett, who set a franchise record with 194 tackles last season. "I'm the vet in this defense. I've been playing the middle linebacker position for three years. I haven't (played poorly). I've been balling ever since I've been here. Let's be honest.

"There's been some plays here or there where I've made mistakes. I'll give you that. But that happens to all players. After playing three straight years, it starts to irk me, talking about this. It's not going to happen. I ain't playing sam."

Uh, Nick - don't be so sure about that.

Asked after practice whether he thought Barnett was capable of moving outside to sam, coach Mike McCarthy said, "I have no reason to think that he's not (able to play sam). ... I think it's been obvious that there is a comfort level (Hodge) does have so far at the mike linebacker. So that's something we may explore."

See, here's the crux of the problem: Hodge played mike linebacker at Iowa, and was terrific in that role. But because he's not as adept in pass coverage and there are questions about his lower-body strength against the run, there are those - Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz being one of them - who think he can only play in the middle in the NFL.

Meanwhile, the coaches have vowed to play their three best linebackers, and if Hodge is one of them and joins Barnett and fellow rookie A.J. Hawk, the No. 5 overall pick, someone has to play at sam.

Throughout camp, Hawk has worked outside at the will (weak-side) linebacker spot, Barnett at his customary mike spot and free-agent pickup Ben Taylor at sam - though Hodge did take a few snaps there during Tuesday's practice.

And, as Barnett admitted Tuesday, the Packers aren't going to move the high-profile Hawk to the lowest-profile linebacker position.

"They need A.J. at will. When you draft somebody that high, you want to put him at the mike or the will so they'll have productive numbers," Barnett said. "And I understand the reasoning of wanting to move me to the sam, because I can cover and I'm a smart player, but I think Abdul's smart enough to play that position, too.

"I don't think they're giving him enough credit. I think he can play sam. It's not that hard of a position. But what's wrong with Ben (Taylor)? Ben's been excellent at sam. Why are we even talking about this?"

Barnett said neither McCarthy nor defensive coordinator Bob Sanders has broached the subject of moving him to sam, even though the preseason opener is Saturday at San Diego and the regular-season opener is a month away, Sept. 10 against Chicago.

"Right now, we're trying to keep all scenarios open, but we haven't played a preseason game yet," Sanders said. "There's a lot of practice time left."

The other thing that bothers Barnett is that, although he's playing for his fourth coordinator in four years, Sanders at least kept the same scheme as Jim Bates. Moving to a new position would mean whatever year-to-year continuity Barnett had coming into this season would be out the window.

On top of that, Barnett says moving to sam would hurt him at the free-agent bargaining table, since his contract expires after the 2007 season and his numbers would nosedive from the 490 tackles, six sacks, five interceptions and five forced fumbles he's had the past three years.

"Look, I can play it. I can play any linebacker position we've got," Barnett said. "But you start to think about other things as well, as far as your future. My free-agent year is coming up. You move me to sam, (and it's) really an unproductive position, doesn't get a lot of opportunities to make tackles.

"They talk to me about being a leader, and that's what I'm trying to do. You move me to sam, I go to being a quiet player in the back of the huddle, just by nature of the position. I don't see it happening, honestly."

 
Sounds like Hodge is beginning to force the issue. Based on camp reports of Hodge's play and now direct quotes from the HC like this, it's only a matter of time before he takes over in the middle.

Ol' Nicky sounds a little fussy about it though. He's taken a lot of abuse over the past couple years -- some warranted, some not -- and may be about to blow.

 
With the holes in GB's D over the last 2 years, I doubt Barnett has any leverage to veto a move to SAM. If Hodge is one of their top 3 LB's coming out of pre-season, my guess is that Barnett switches. Nick may have put up some great fantasy stats, but he certainly is not a top tier NFL LBer.

 
Packers | Barnett wants more money to switch positions

Published Wed Aug 9 10:35:00 p.m. ET 2006

(KFFL) Bob McGinn, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports Green Bay Packers LB Nick Barnett has two years remaining on his current contract. If the Packers want Barnett to shift from middle linebacker (Mike) to the strongside (Sam) to accommodate the comfort level of rookie LB Abdul Hodge, then Barnett implied that to keep him on board as a happy camper a contract extension should soon follow. Barnett wasu adamant that he doesn't want to play anywhere other than middle linebacker, where he has started all but one game over the last three seasons since being drafted with the 29th pick in the first round. Barnett said he would give some thought to playing weakside linebacker, but that won't happen because rookie LB A.J. Hawk mans that position. By now, Barnett has outperformed what in effect was a five-year, $6 million deal that he signed as a rookie. His base salary this year is $601,000, just $101,000 more than the minimum. And his cap salary of $1.11 million ra! nks 22nd on the team. Barnett's value to the Packers hinges on his health, his performance and his production. His performance has been pretty good, never great, although this has been perhaps his finest training camp. The Packers undoubtedly will be looking to extend Barnett within the next 12 months. A position change could hasten those negotiations. In the first 11 days of camp, all of both Barnett's and Hodge's snaps in the base defense had come in the middle. A scenario in which Hawk would move to the strong side, with Barnett and Hodge occupying the two inside posts, seems unlikely.

 
Back to Hodge, his value is dependent on being a three down vs. a two down backer.

That's one point of this thread, the second being Barnett's reduced value in a switch to the strong side.

Hodge looses if he's a two down backer, which he is. He's not known for his defense against the third down package, he's a run stuffer.

I own Barnett and I'm concerned but not concerned enough to trade him right now, before this information becomes reality :cry: although that's the best time....before and not after.

And, to steal Hodge in the early to mid-third round of a combo rookie draft? Not if he's a two down backer.

Good thread.

 
Magic Desert Toads said:
Back to Hodge, his value is dependent on being a three down vs. a two down backer.

That's one point of this thread, the second being Barnett's reduced value in a switch to the strong side.

Hodge looses if he's a two down backer, which he is. He's not known for his defense against the third down package, he's a run stuffer.

I own Barnett and I'm concerned but not concerned enough to trade him right now, before this information becomes reality :cry: although that's the best time....before and not after.

And, to steal Hodge in the early to mid-third round of a combo rookie draft? Not if he's a two down backer.

Good thread.
Click to expand...
As long as the current GB scheme stays in place, Hodge has value even as a two down backer. Certainly not top 10 material, but could be Jeremiah Trotter-esque if he's the real deal. He's also quick and athletic enough to improve in coverage. If Barnett leaves at some point, it's not out of the question to see Hodge play on some passing downs.
 
Jene Bramel said:
Magic Desert Toads said:
Back to Hodge, his value is dependent on being a three down vs. a two down backer.

That's one point of this thread, the second being Barnett's reduced value in a switch to the strong side.

Hodge looses if he's a two down backer, which he is. He's not known for his defense against the third down package, he's a run stuffer.

I own Barnett and I'm concerned but not concerned enough to trade him right now, before this information becomes reality :cry: although that's the best time....before and not after.

And, to steal Hodge in the early to mid-third round of a combo rookie draft? Not if he's a two down backer.

Good thread.
Click to expand...
As long as the current GB scheme stays in place, Hodge has value even as a two down backer. Certainly not top 10 material, but could be Jeremiah Trotter-esque if he's the real deal. He's also quick and athletic enough to improve in coverage. If Barnett leaves at some point, it's not out of the question to see Hodge play on some passing downs.
Click to expand...
Timely response.If Hodge is still available, I'll consider snapping him up in the early third round....he'd be the # 7 LB off the board (AJ, Sims, Greenway, Howard, Ryans, DQ Jacks).

The reviews on him range from "sloppy tackler" to "a guy that you don't want to pass on and have him be on someone else's team". If he is one of the the three best GBP's backers, he'll be on the field a lot.

 
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nortobc said:
wannabee said:
A scenario in which Hawk would move to the strong side, with Barnett and Hodge occupying the two inside posts, seems unlikely.
Click to expand...
What does this mean? The Packers play a 4-3 not a 3-4.
Click to expand...
You're correct. Although some 4-3 defenses do bring their backers "in" a bit on the outside, the Packers aren't one of them. If anything, their defensive ends and OLB align a little wider.To me, it's a reminder that any "news blurb" should be traced back to the source. Context is really important and places like KFFL and Rotoworld make mistakes in slotting players into positions, defensive schemes, and more pretty often.
 
wannabee said:
Packers | Barnett wants more money to switch positions

Published Wed Aug 9 10:35:00 p.m. ET 2006

(KFFL) Bob McGinn, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports Green Bay Packers LB Nick Barnett has two years remaining on his current contract. If the Packers want Barnett to shift from middle linebacker (Mike) to the strongside (Sam) to accommodate the comfort level of rookie LB Abdul Hodge, then Barnett implied that to keep him on board as a happy camper a contract extension should soon follow. Barnett wasu adamant that he doesn't want to play anywhere other than middle linebacker, where he has started all but one game over the last three seasons since being drafted with the 29th pick in the first round. Barnett said he would give some thought to playing weakside linebacker, but that won't happen because rookie LB A.J. Hawk mans that position. By now, Barnett has outperformed what in effect was a five-year, $6 million deal that he signed as a rookie. His base salary this year is $601,000, just $101,000 more than the minimum. And his cap salary of $1.11 million ra! nks 22nd on the team. Barnett's value to the Packers hinges on his health, his performance and his production. His performance has been pretty good, never great, although this has been perhaps his finest training camp. The Packers undoubtedly will be looking to extend Barnett within the next 12 months. A position change could hasten those negotiations. In the first 11 days of camp, all of both Barnett's and Hodge's snaps in the base defense had come in the middle. A scenario in which Hawk would move to the strong side, with Barnett and Hodge occupying the two inside posts, seems unlikely.
Click to expand...
Barnett doesn't want to move Published Thu Aug 10 10:23:00 a.m. ET 2006

(Rotoworld) Nick Barnett says a move to strong-side linebacker should come with a contract extension.

Impact: With so much cap room, it's surprising the Packers haven't approached Barnett to this point. There is some thought they will move Barnett from his natural MLB position to accomodate Abdul Hodge, but Barnett doesn't appear eager to make the move.

 
Barnett at Sam would be a huge waste of talent IMO. Right now he's the best LB on the team. Why put your best guy in the hardest position to make plays?

 
sholditch said:
Barnett at Sam would be a huge waste of talent IMO. Right now he's the best LB on the team. Why put your best guy in the hardest position to make plays?
Click to expand...
By midseason, Barnett could be proven to be the third best backer on his team. He's a nice middle backer, sure, but he's certainly not a game-changer. His stats are scheme-inflated and also affected by the lack of talent at OLB over the past few seasons. IMO, Hawk and Hodge could probably both succeed at SLB, but Barnett is a bit slower and a bit bulkier and probably fits better than the other two there although his best position is probably the Mike. If it wasn't, this discussion would've been happening two months ago before mini-camp because Hodge is a player.And I'm coming around to a new understanding and appreciation for the SLB. Gasp. I've been frustrated in recent years with the trend of smaller backers pushing the bigger, more well-rounded backers to the strong side recently -- Derrick Johnson, DJ Williams, etc -- but have slowly been coming to terms with it. If you were to do a search for so of my 2005 posts, you'd think I was high on goofballs for making these kinds of statements but you've got to adapt with the times.There's no question that the position makes it very difficult to dent the boxscore with a bunch of crooked numbers. But sometimes the guy who plays with the most leverage and has solid two-way run stuffing/coverage skills is best utilized helping to hold the edge and turn plays back inside. The smaller, backers just can't do it. It sure sucks to see a Cato June or Keith Adams or similar player who can only play one position bump a guy we'd love to see on more highlight reels to the strong side, but it is what it is.
 
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How far can this get? Could it be possible that Barrnett will demand to be traded. I know the Saints a searching for MLB?

 
ATC1 said:
How far can this get? Could it be possible that Barrnett will demand to be traded. I know the Saints a searching for MLB?
Click to expand...
He could, I guess. But there's really no reason for the Packers to move a guy at that friendly of a cap number and they seemed perfectly willing to go with Taylor at SLB two months ago. I think they'd hold out for an awful nice pick.Pretty disturbing that we're starting to see "individual" statistics poke their way into contract discussions for defenders. If you're a good player, you're going to get paid. See Sam Adams, Kemo, Ian Gold, among others.
 
Jene Bramel said:
ATC1 said:
How far can this get? Could it be possible that Barrnett will demand to be traded. I know the Saints a searching for MLB?
Click to expand...
He could, I guess. But there's really no reason for the Packers to move a guy at that friendly of a cap number and they seemed perfectly willing to go with Taylor at SLB two months ago. I think they'd hold out for an awful nice pick.Pretty disturbing that we're starting to see "individual" statistics poke their way into contract discussions for defenders. If you're a good player, you're going to get paid. See Sam Adams, Kemo, Ian Gold, among others.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I would agree with you there. He doesn't have the leverage. He would sit, and if a great offer doesn't come from another team he will not get his new contract. I was just fishing. Saints fan :hey:
 
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ATC1 said:
Did not see the game. Did Barnett get any time at SLB? How long did he play in the middle?
Click to expand...
From the Journal-Sentinel:
Positional shift: After much was made last week about middle linebacker Nick Barnett not welcoming the idea of a shift to the outside, Barnett did take one play in the opening defensive series at strong side linebacker with rookie Abdul Hodge playing the middle.
Click to expand...
 
Jestefarean said:
Interesting quote from Mike McCarthy:

"As we sit here today, we are looking at (Hodge) at the strong side," McCarthy said. "We are very happy with Nick Barnett and what he has done there (in the middle). Any time you switch two people instead of one, obviously that's a concern there."

:cry: Hodge owner :cry:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=484486
Click to expand...
or maybe notI think there doing it to massage Barnetts ego. I really don't think Hodge is cut out to be a SLB and this short experiment will prove it one way or the other. Then the Packers will be justified in moving Barnett to SLB permanently.

 
DarkKnight said:
Jestefarean said:
Interesting quote from Mike McCarthy:

"As we sit here today, we are looking at (Hodge) at the strong side," McCarthy said. "We are very happy with Nick Barnett and what he has done there (in the middle). Any time you switch two people instead of one, obviously that's a concern there."

:cry: Hodge owner :cry:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=484486
Click to expand...
or maybe notI think there doing it to massage Barnetts ego. I really don't think Hodge is cut out to be a SLB and this short experiment will prove it one way or the other. Then the Packers will be justified in moving Barnett to SLB permanently.
Click to expand...
Whatever..... .... (must be a Hodge owner)
 
Mr. Peterson said:
DarkKnight said:
Jestefarean said:
Interesting quote from Mike McCarthy:

"As we sit here today, we are looking at (Hodge) at the strong side," McCarthy said. "We are very happy with Nick Barnett and what he has done there (in the middle). Any time you switch two people instead of one, obviously that's a concern there."

:cry: Hodge owner :cry:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=484486
Click to expand...
or maybe notI think there doing it to massage Barnetts ego. I really don't think Hodge is cut out to be a SLB and this short experiment will prove it one way or the other. Then the Packers will be justified in moving Barnett to SLB permanently.
Click to expand...
Whatever..... .... (must be a Hodge owner)
Click to expand...
nope... Just a devoted Packer fan. The Packers are in a tight spot with Barnett calling them out.. via contract demands.I've considering trading for Hodge now why his stock is low.

 
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