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So, for those of you that have watched the Packers games thus far this season, you might have noticed that our middle linebacker has been putrid. He doesn't tackle downhill, he over-pursues and gets swallowed into 2nd level linemen, and he has gotten beaten by just about every running back out of the backfield thus far.

So my question is, why is he still playing?

He has obviously settled after getting his big payday. He looks soft. I want Bishop on the field.

He was brutal today...

Is Abdul Hodge still out there?

Hodge> Barnett.

He has been brutal all season. I think he has maybe made 1 good play all season.

At what point do you bench him?

he's not getting benched even if he should. He makes too much money.

rilamann wrote:Is Abdul Hodge still out there?

Hodge> Barnett.

Usually agree with you here rilamann but sorry, if Hodge was really that good he would have more than 2 tackles for one of the worst defensive teams in the NFL this year.

Barnett is not playing well because he is a small fast linebacker who plays to the strenghts of the D-Line. Well this year our D-Line has either Sucked, been Hurt or both. Our teams problems lie within the line of scrimmage. We can't block and we can't get off of a block

Barnett was really good in the first game, but ever since then he hasn't done much. He needs to watch some film.

MetroDrugUnit wrote:Barnett is not playing well because he is a small fast linebacker who plays to the strenghts of the D-Line. Well this year our D-Line has either Sucked, been Hurt or both. Our teams problems lie within the line of scrimmage. We can't block and we can't get off of a block

I don't buy it. Our D-Linemen hold the line. Great linebackers (ones that earn the kind of money that Barnett is earning now) shed and make plays in the hole. To the outside they take good angles and tackle near the line of scrimmage. I can deal with just taking him off the field on pass downs, but I cannot forgive him for consistently misreading plays against the run.

For the record, the NFL's best rushing team would have been held to 3.4 ypc yesterday had it not been for Lendale's massive run. I understand that it makes no difference in the end, but that front seven did an admirable job yesterday afternoon. Barnett was a big reason why.

Barnett did look bad yesterday. Chris Johnson makes a lot of good players look bad though. I'm not even going to mention who he reminds me of because I'll get torched, but if this kid stays healthy he's going to be a hell of a player.

Johnson's tough because of how quickly he gets to the hole. Not to mention the power he has once first contact is made. Sort of like Tomlinson.

Bishop is a much better player than Hodge, I would LOVE to see Bishop get some run at the middle backer spot.

xTitan wrote:Bishop is a much better player than Hodge, I would LOVE to see Bishop get some run at the middle backer spot.

Yea, i think that guy can play. Not only do i think he can be a fine middle linebacker, i think he could be productive on the outside because he has the instincts and decent enough speed.

As for Barnett, he has struggled and i can't remember the last time he made a big play. Then again, AJ Hawk isn't making many plays vs the run either and Poppinga has been fairly invisible. Sure there can be a decline in play by all three guys in the same year, but don't forget the DL. Linebackers typically shine when their defensive tackles and ends play well, thus keeping offensive linemen off them.

xTitan wrote:Bishop is a much better player than Hodge, I would LOVE to see Bishop get some run at the middle backer spot.

Barnett has been soft all season. From what I've seen of Bishop in the past, the guy is a hard hitter and he sets an aggressive tone. Plus, when he makes a play you can say to your friends - 'Bishop takes pawn!' or 'Checkmate!'. Then high fives all around.

There are likely political reasons behind Bishop not playing. Just a hunch.

It's really strange what a Freeman-esque dropoff he's had.

I watch all the games and I guess I don't see much difference in his play from last season where he was at a near Pro Bowl level. I have noticed a lack of big plays, but that's been a staple of the Bob Sanders defense for years.

DrugBust wrote:I watch all the games and I guess I don't see much difference in his play from last season where he was at a near Pro Bowl level. I have noticed a lack of big plays, but that's been a staple of the Bob Sanders defense for years.

Then I guess we are watching different games. I have noticed that his angles are MUCH worse than last year, most of which take him out of a play on runs to the outside. Instead of filling a cutback lane on off tackle runs, he over pursues and often gets washed out of the play. On plays up the middle (plays where he made a significant step forward last year) he doesn't fill the hole at all.

These are all fixable, but I'm seeing a lot more of the old Barnett than last year's Barnett. His tackles are 5 yards up field, he doesn't want to get blocked by linemen, and he looks soft tackling.

I hope someone can get him back to last year's form.

I know I can't post it since it is pay content, but the jsonline Packer Insider analysis absolutely ripped Nick Barnett today. I will post some of it if MD gives me the ok to do so.

131 Tackles last year. On pace for 88 this year. Get Bishop in.