Packer LB notes (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

Since our thoughts about the Packer linebacker situation are sprinkled in so many different threads, I figured I'd post this blurb as a new post to consolidate things for the preseason.

Anyway, Abdul Hodge is learning the SLB position...

Rookie linebacker Abdul Hodge spent some of the teaching sessions learning the strong-side linebacker position. However, he practiced in team drills almost exclusively at middle linebacker, other than jumping in Friday for a few plays on the strong side when the Packers were shorthanded at the position.

 

[RAPTURE]

It sounds like the possibility of Barnett moving outside could come sooner rather than later.

 

[Donnybrook]

Since our thoughts about the Packer linebacker situation are sprinkled in so many different threads, I figured I'd post this blurb as a new post to consolidate things for the preseason.

Anyway, Abdul Hodge is learning the SLB position...

Rookie linebacker Abdul Hodge spent some of the teaching sessions learning the strong-side linebacker position. However, he practiced in team drills almost exclusively at middle linebacker, other than jumping in Friday for a few plays on the strong side when the Packers were shorthanded at the position.

Hmmm... according to your source above AJ Hawk was missing on Friday.

 

[WisWolvrns]

Ohio State players can't practice with NFL teams anymore till after their school semester ends in June. That is why AJ wasn't mentioned/present.

 

[cr8f]

Since our thoughts about the Packer linebacker situation are sprinkled in so many different threads, I figured I'd post this blurb as a new post to consolidate things for the preseason.

Anyway, Abdul Hodge is learning the SLB position...

Rookie linebacker Abdul Hodge spent some of the teaching sessions learning the strong-side linebacker position. However, he practiced in team drills almost exclusively at middle linebacker, other than jumping in Friday for a few plays on the strong side when the Packers were shorthanded at the position.

It sounded more he just filled in at strong, but then it is early.

 

[cr8f]

Since our thoughts about the Packer linebacker situation are sprinkled in so many different threads, I figured I'd post this blurb as a new post to consolidate things for the preseason.

Anyway, Abdul Hodge is learning the SLB position...

Rookie linebacker Abdul Hodge spent some of the teaching sessions learning the strong-side linebacker position. However, he practiced in team drills almost exclusively at middle linebacker, other than jumping in Friday for a few plays on the strong side when the Packers were shorthanded at the position.

Hmmm... according to your source above AJ Hawk was missing on Friday.

He's attending classes.

 

[Donnybrook]

Since our thoughts about the Packer linebacker situation are sprinkled in so many different threads, I figured I'd post this blurb as a new post to consolidate things for the preseason.

Anyway, Abdul Hodge is learning the SLB position...

Rookie linebacker Abdul Hodge spent some of the teaching sessions learning the strong-side linebacker position. However, he practiced in team drills almost exclusively at middle linebacker, other than jumping in Friday for a few plays on the strong side when the Packers were shorthanded at the position.

Hmmm... according to your source above AJ Hawk was missing on Friday.

He's attending classes.

I know Hawk is attending classes. I was trying to subtlety suggest that Hawk might end up at strong LB. Frankly, I don't think Barnett is suited to play there and Hodge is practicing in the middle.

 

[Los Gigantes]

Since our thoughts about the Packer linebacker situation are sprinkled in so many different threads, I figured I'd post this blurb as a new post to consolidate things for the preseason.

Anyway, Abdul Hodge is learning the SLB position...

Rookie linebacker Abdul Hodge spent some of the teaching sessions learning the strong-side linebacker position. However, he practiced in team drills almost exclusively at middle linebacker, other than jumping in Friday for a few plays on the strong side when the Packers were shorthanded at the position.

Hmmm... according to your source above AJ Hawk was missing on Friday.

He's attending classes.

I know Hawk is attending classes. I was trying to subtlety suggest that Hawk might end up at strong LB. Frankly, I don't think Barnett is suited to play there and Hodge is practicing in the middle.

why isn't barnett suited to slb? he played there in college...all this barnett at slb doesn't work talk seems to be wishful thinking by his fantasy owners...

 

[Weiner Dog]

I'm not sure if I'd read too much into this since Barnett has been nursing some injuries in camp, but I also don't think it can be ignored either.

Packers | Hodge used in red-zone nickel defense

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 17:59:48 -0700

Cliff Christl, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports Green Bay Packers LB Abdul Hodge was used with LB A.J. Hawk in a red-zone nickel defense Monday, June 19.

 

[Tenacious D]

why isn't barnett suited to slb? he played there in college...

all this barnett at slb doesn't work talk seems to be wishful thinking by his fantasy owners...

Actually, I think it's quite the opposite. Hodge to MLB to get him in the same lineup as Hawk and Barnett is the wishful fantasy thinking. Barnett is one of the best MLBs in the league, why is everyone trying to push him to another position? The same talk came up last year and Jim Bates, who knew where his bread was buttered with a do-it-all MLB in Zach Thomas while at Miami, changed nothing. Now we Bob Sanders, who came up in the NFL under Bates, as the new DC. One, he's likely to keep a similar system and two, you have a new HC, a new DC, and then put a rookie calling the defense? Those additional factors seem to favor Barnett retaining role.Conceptually Barnett isn't suited to SLB b/c of his size, college and NFL are two different games, but the question isn't necessarily can Barnett play SLB, but are you better off with him there?

 

[pretender]

From FBG Blogger Ben Taylor turning heads as SLB

Link to article

 

[RAPTURE]

From FBG Blogger Ben Taylor turning heads as SLB

Link to article

Well - he is not turning my head, epecially as a strong-side LB. RAPTURE

 

[cr8f]

It sounds like the possibility of Barnett moving outside could come sooner rather than later.

I'd like to see Hodge, Barnett and Hawk start.

 

[Weiner Dog]

why isn't barnett suited to slb? he played there in college...

all this barnett at slb doesn't work talk seems to be wishful thinking by his fantasy owners...

Actually, I think it's quite the opposite. Hodge to MLB to get him in the same lineup as Hawk and Barnett is the wishful fantasy thinking. Barnett is one of the best MLBs in the league, why is everyone trying to push him to another position? The same talk came up last year and Jim Bates, who knew where his bread was buttered with a do-it-all MLB in Zach Thomas while at Miami, changed nothing. Now we Bob Sanders, who came up in the NFL under Bates, as the new DC. One, he's likely to keep a similar system and two, you have a new HC, a new DC, and then put a rookie calling the defense? Those additional factors seem to favor Barnett retaining role.Conceptually Barnett isn't suited to SLB b/c of his size, college and NFL are two different games, but the question isn't necessarily can Barnett play SLB, but are you better off with him there?

Man, I've got to respectively disagree.Barnett is one of the best athletes playing MLB...not one of the best MLB's. Comparing Barnett to Zach Thomas is like comparing Skittles to Milk Duds. They're completely different players with completely different skill sets. If Barnett is moved to SLB, it's not b/c he was a terrible at MLB. It's b/c a move to SLB would allow the Packers to field their three best LB's in the three most applicable positions.

Hodge is a run-stuffer...plain and simple. He would be a laughing stock as a SLB. The NFL's 4.6/40 TE's would be tapping Hodge on the head as they ran by him each play. Barnett, on the other hand, could hang with nearly every TE in the League in pass coverage. Sure...Barnett would need to improve on his ability to shed blocks as the SLB. However, he's had the same problem as a MLB and this would not be a new liability to the team.

The Packers will soon realize that Ben Taylor is backup material and Hodge at MLB gives the team their best chance to win. If the Browns essentially allowed Taylor to walk BEFORE drafting D'Qwell Jackson, you know something must be wrong.