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Frustration continues to mount for LB Bishop

By Rob Reischel
Aug. 2, 2010 6:42 p.m.

Green Bay — Desmond Bishop’s frustration level continues to rise.

Green Bay’s fourth year inside linebacker is off to another terrific start this summer. That’s been the story for Bishop ever since he arrived as a sixth round draft choice from Cal in 2007.

When the regular season has arrived, though, Bishop has become a forgotten man. And Bishop doesn’t know how he can change that.

“I know what I can do, but I’m not sure they do,” Bishop said, referring to his coaches. “I think I’m just caught in a situation where my talents can’t flourish here. It’s frustrating because I love the guys that we have and everything, but I feel like I can be, and I will be one of the top tier linebackers in the NFL if I get the opportunity. It just sucks that I could be that good, but after three years, there’s been no return. I need counseling.”

Bishop sits No. 4 among Green Bay’s inside linebackers behind starters Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk, as well as top reserve Brandon Chillar. During Tuesday’s lone practice, Chillar moved outside at times and Bishop had another solid day.

Twice, Bishop had blanket coverage on tight end Jermichael Finley during a two-minute drill in which the defense stopped the offense. Bishop also intercepted a Matt Flynn pass Sunday, and he laid out rookie tight end Andrew Quarless Saturday.

"I think he is having another good camp,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Bishop on Sunday. “I think he is even really positioning himself to take his game to the next level.”

After Monday’s practice, Bishop was asked if he’s one of the two best inside linebackers in Green Bay. After a 25-second pause, he said: “Wow. That’s a tough question. The honest answer is I think I’m one of the best two inside linebackers in the National Football League.”

Bishop’s contract expires at the end of the 2010 season. He said he hasn’t asked for a trade yet, but would welcome such a move.

“I guess so,” he said. “Unless Chillar goes outside … unless that’s permanent, there is no way I’m going to play. There’s no way really. There’s no way.

“I’m sleeping on it, I guess. I’ve always been sleeping on it. It’s always been an option. But my agent hasn’t told me that someone wants me yet. It’s not a good feeling.”

According to a source, a handful of teams have inquired about Bishop in previous years but were rebuffed by the Packers.

In the past, Green Bay’s coaches have cited a lack of trust as to why Bishop doesn’t play more. Bishop called that an “excuse”, and said one reason he didn’t play more is that he’s a late round draft pick.

Both Hawk and Barnett are former first rounders, while Chillar signed as an unrestricted free agent before the 2008 season.

“Hell yes,” Bishop said, when asked if his draft status played a role in his lack of playing time. “Oh man. Wow. You have no idea. It’s life. It’s politics. It sucks. Oh man it sucks.”

Greg_A_Bedard

Um, yup RT @PackersPlanet: So you think Bishop is that much better than Hawk vs the pass?

Greg_A_Bedard

Look, I'm not waving the banner for Bishop. Long ways to go. But at some point players need to just play ala Rodgers.

Captain Erv wrote:I'd just hate for us to trade him and when he finally gets a chance he turns out to be a stud.

xTitan wrote:He is not going to be a stud, he gives up huge plays that results in scores.....sure he will make a big hit every now and again (see Adrian Peterson) but he just makes way to many mental mistakes, is out of position, and yet another LB who can't cover.....his big value is on special teams. If Bishop had "stud" ability he would be playing, you guys watch to much football to miss all of his mistakes when the games count.

DrugBust wrote:

xTitan wrote:He is not going to be a stud, he gives up huge plays that results in scores.....sure he will make a big hit every now and again (see Adrian Peterson) but he just makes way to many mental mistakes, is out of position, and yet another LB who can't cover.....his big value is on special teams. If Bishop had "stud" ability he would be playing, you guys watch to much football to miss all of his mistakes when the games count.

I watched every game last season. Only once do I remember looking at the TV and thinking, "Oh, Bishop's in the game. Cool."

Maybe I'm totally off and he played a lot of snaps.

eagle13 wrote:Agreed - Hawk has had his shot & he scored a B-/C+
Now its time to give Bishop some REAL live regular season chance to show if he's B+ or better

I tend to see it as Bishop - being a 6th rd draft pick plays some part -
TT might be giving Hawk unfair preference b/c TT picked him #5
and IF so - thats BS.

Ayt wrote:Hawk and Chillar are just better players with fewer flaws. Bishop has no range or awareness in coverage.

Green Bay — Desmond Bishop’s frustration level continues to rise.

Green Bay’s fourth year inside linebacker is off to another terrific start this summer. That’s been the story for Bishop ever since he arrived as a sixth round draft choice from Cal in 2007.

When the regular season has arrived, though, Bishop has become a forgotten man. And Bishop doesn’t know how he can change that.

“I know what I can do, but I’m not sure they do,” Bishop said, referring to his coaches. “I think I’m just caught in a situation where my talents can’t flourish here. It’s frustrating because I love the guys that we have and everything, but I feel like I can be, and I will be one of the top tier linebackers in the NFL if I get the opportunity. It just sucks that I could be that good, but after three years, there’s been no return. I need counseling.”

Bishop sits No. 4 among Green Bay’s inside linebackers behind starters Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk, as well as top reserve Brandon Chillar. During Tuesday’s lone practice, Chillar moved outside at times and Bishop had another solid day.

Twice, Bishop had blanket coverage on tight end Jermichael Finley during a two-minute drill in which the defense stopped the offense. Bishop also intercepted a Matt Flynn pass Sunday, and he laid out rookie tight end Andrew Quarless Saturday.

"I think he is having another good camp,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Bishop on Sunday. “I think he is even really positioning himself to take his game to the next level.”

After Monday’s practice, Bishop was asked if he’s one of the two best inside linebackers in Green Bay. After a 25-second pause, he said: “Wow. That’s a tough question. The honest answer is I think I’m one of the best two inside linebackers in the National Football League.”

Bishop’s contract expires at the end of the 2010 season. He said he hasn’t asked for a trade yet, but would welcome such a move.

“I guess so,” he said. “Unless Chillar goes outside … unless that’s permanent, there is no way I’m going to play. There’s no way really. There’s no way.

“I’m sleeping on it, I guess. I’ve always been sleeping on it. It’s always been an option. But my agent hasn’t told me that someone wants me yet. It’s not a good feeling.”

According to a source, a handful of teams have inquired about Bishop in previous years but were rebuffed by the Packers.

In the past, Green Bay’s coaches have cited a lack of trust as to why Bishop doesn’t play more. Bishop called that an “excuse”, and said one reason he didn’t play more is that he’s a late round draft pick.

Both Hawk and Barnett are former first rounders, while Chillar signed as an unrestricted free agent before the 2008 season.

“Hell yes,” Bishop said, when asked if his draft status played a role in his lack of playing time. “Oh man. Wow. You have no idea. It’s life. It’s politics. It sucks. Oh man it sucks.”

Thumbs Down

Those convinced Desmond Bishop should be an every-down player should have seen Tuesday night’s practice.

Given the opportunity to play with the starters for the entire practice in base and nickel for the first time this summer, Bishop did what he often does in his few real game opportunities.

That is, he gave up too many plays.

A day after he was thrown into a new-look nickel package, he also got the base reps because Nick Barnett was resting his surgical repaired knee.

Bishop might be a powerful hitter and a decent rusher, but he once again struggled in coverage. He gave up a long catch to tight end Jermichael Finley on a seam route for a 21-yard gain in the 7-on-7 two-minute drill. In the same drill, he gave up the winning touchdown to Donald Lee on first-and-goal from the 6-yard line with 16 seconds left. He also was in coverage on Nelson’s deep seam route.

Sure, Bishop made some noise, like when he knocked off Finley’s helmet after the tight end made a short catch in the flat but for every big play he makes, he seems to give up one, too.

Maybe that’s why in his first three seasons, he never received any consistent playing time.