Ever since A.J. Hawk re-signed with the Packers, the feeling in Green Bay was that Nick Barnett would be the odd man out at inside linebacker.

Coach Mike McCarthy left no doubt about that fact in comments to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

We line up tomorrow, its A.J. and [Desmond] Bishop, and thats the way we finished, McCarthy said.

The coach said he saw Hawk as a three-down player and that Barnetts future will depend in part on how he recovers from his wrist surgery. We have to think Barnetts future will rely more on his willingness to take a pay cut, and thats if the Packers truly want to keep him.

It seems more likely that Barnett just doesnt fit in Green Bay any more.

Barnetts salary cap number next year is almost $7 million. Theres no way the Packers would pay that much for a third inside linebacker, and they probably need someone that can play special teams out of that spot. The Packers also have to decide what to do with Brandon Chillar.

"PFT" wrote:

That's kind of misleading because he said that they'd have to see how Nicks wrist is before knowing. Hence the "we line up tomorrow" portion of the quote. The JS online blog has the full conversation.

That being said, I think NB's days are numbered.

"dingus" wrote:

Doesn't seem like the type of guy to take a bench role, and especially not the kind of guy to take a pay cut. His GB days are done. I just hope we can shop him for a late pick and not have to cut him outright.

"Mckennj3" wrote:

McCarthy also confirmed that Brett Swain and Dimitri Nance aren't projected to start in 2010.

"Stevetarded" wrote: