Linebacker Nick Barnett got defensive a few weeks ago when discussing his status with the Packers. The eight-year veteran tweeted this to his over 400,000 followers: “Can I ask a question? I mean no disrespect to anyone… How can you say someone “WON” a starting job when someone was hurt ?” Technically he’s correct, but it’s all semantics.
Since Desmond Bishop didn’t take the position away from Barnett in training camp, he never actually won the job. What he did, however, was play well enough as an injury replacement to earn a $19 million extension and retain his spot alongside A.J. Hawk heading into the 2011 season. If it makes Barnett feel better to insist he didn’t lose his job, more power to him. The former Oregon State star has been a good player for a long time. But at the end of the day, barring injury, he won’t be starting for the Packers when the champs begin defense of their title against the Saints. How it got to that point really doesn’t matter.
While I agree that Bishop deserves to keep the starting job, I’m not one of those people who feels the need to dump on Barnett. In fact, he might be the better football player. He’s just not as good a fit in this particular scheme. Dom Capers’ 3-4 defense wasn’t as good statistically in 2010 as it was the season before, but it performed at a much more consistent level – especially against quality veteran quarterbacks. A big reason for the improvement - despite all the key injuries – was the toughness and physicality brought for 60 minutes every week by hard-nosed players like Bishop, Frank Zombo and Charlie Peprah.
As far as Barnett’s future is concerned, it’s difficult to imagine him returning to the Packers. Both his salary and his ego are too big to keep around as an insurance policy. Plus, Brandon Chillar appears to be fully recovered from his most recent shoulder injury and sixth-round pick D.J. Smith has some intriguing potential. There’s also a decent chance that Brad Jones will switch from the outside to the inside – a move that would make sense since the former Colorado star’s strength has been his ability to hold up against the run.
Originally Posted by: PU