Green Bay --- Coach Mike McCarthy discusses the second-year jump more than anything each off-season. The Packers, annually, count on players making significant improvements Year 1 to Year 2. They'd rather reinforce a position this way than free agency.
JSOnline Blog wrote:
ILB Sam Barrington
Early signs in OTA practices
point to Jamari Lattimore being used in Dom Capers' defense. A four-year veteran now, the college defensive end has worked at outside linebacker, inside linebacker and plenty of special teams in the pros. Whatever the Packers' defense resembles, expect to see Lattimore.
And don't forget about the seventh-round pick Barrington at inside linebacker. He beat out Terrell Manning for a roster spot last summer after a productive preseason (14 sacks, sack). Barrington never played a snap from scrimmage as a rookie. A hamstring injury ended his season in the eighth game.
Coaches won't forget about last summer, though, much like they didn't forget about Boykin.
“
I really look for him to take a jump in Year 2,” McCarthy said of Barrington in February. “He knows that. That was part of our (exit) conversation. I thought he did some really good things in the preseason. I was excited about him and then he got injured. Sam’s a big guy.
“In planning, I want to be more multiple. So guys like Sam Barrington, young players, are going to be able to compete.”
Could be the reason no ILB was drafted, looks like Ted and Mike think they have their ILBr's of the future already on the team.
The big question, as is with all the LBr's, can they stay healthy and on the field, if not, then The Packers all time leading tackler will have to absorb another year of abuse from the fans.
[wasntme] [wasntme]