It's Official: Nick Barnett's Season Is Over

by Brandon on Oct 15, 2010 11:47 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

The Green Bay Packers have signed DE Michael Montgomery and placed LB Nick Barnett on injured reserve. The transactions were announced Friday by Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson.

This hasn't been in any doubt for the past week. Barnett has needed surgery on his wrist since the Lions game, he had the surgery this week, and the recovery time is long enough that it effectively wiped out the rest of the season. The only hope had been that he could somehow play through it and then have surgery in the spring. It's a tough deal for Barnett, who's now missed significant time in two of the past three seasons.

To replace Barnett, they re-signed Montgomery. They loved his effort last season, but it was clear he didn't fit as a 3-4 DE. They don't really need another LB to replace Barnett because they've just promoted LB Robert Francois and just promoted LB Maurice Simpkins from the practice squad. But since DE Ryan Pickett is out with an ankle injury, they could use another player for the defensive line, and Montgomery is familiar with the system.

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Surprise

Not Really, I guess 2008 looks like a healthy year compared to this year though I guess the optimistic view of this injury is Capers is a capable enough coach that a Linebacker could catch on like Zombo has on the outside and the corps could end up alright.

by tkiller314 on Oct 15, 2010 12:44 PM CDT reply actions

I was pretty pleased

with the way Desmond Bishop played last week. The big thing now, is I just want to see Chillar get healthy. I think we have bigger worries than the linebacking corp, namely the depth on the defensive line.

"Tragedy is what happens to me. Comedy is what happens to you." -Mel Brooks

by jobe on Oct 15, 2010 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

True That Jobe

Yr totally right Jobe. With Justin Harrell gone for the year and Neal getting hurt, our D-line is in trouble. Hopelully they put in Sitton or Spitz on the D-line. SOunds crazy, but we just need some bodies to plug holes. I thought early on that they might even trade Spitz since he’s a good guard, but Colledge and Sitton had the spots covered. But with the D-line injury-prone this year, might be best to teach Spitz some gap shooting moves and bullrushes.

I can’t help but voice my disappointment with John Jolly. He was a force inside last year. NOt a sack master, but he definitely plugged the oles and could blow up an opponent’s running play. Too bad for his drug problems. Hopefully he finds his dedication while banned and comes back in 2011 a beast.

Like everyone else is saying, we really need to establish and rely on the running game against Miami. It shouldn’t matter who’s running it back there, Jackson, Kuhn,(I don’t even know who the other running back backup is) we have to get the ball out of Rodgers hands otherwise he’s bound to take a shot or two. Also, time management, open u[p the deep game, etc. Teams totally know we are going to go for the pass first, so why not surprise em with some old-fashioned smashmouth run it up the gut football.

Bring Back Tootie Robbins! ANd Frank Winters! ANd Dorsey Levens!

by stallis on Oct 15, 2010 2:54 PM CDT reply actions

We may see Spitz or another OL guy in on obvious run plays, but I suspect we’ll see a lot of the same 2-man front scheme that we ran in Philly. Maybe 2-5-4 or a lot of nickel, but we’re so depleted at DB.

by GinSlinger on Oct 15, 2010 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

2011 D-line

is looking pretty tough! Hopefully there’s a season and hopefully we’ll keep Jenkins. THIS is why I like TT’s approach of building through the draft. Can you imagine how screwed we’d be if we’d traded all our depth and/or draft picks for some player who may or may not be the missing piece? I get very frustrated with TT but in the long run I usually end up agreeing with him.

by I voted for Kodos on Oct 15, 2010 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Desmond Bishop

This is the chance you’ve clamored for Des. Step up. Keep playing like you did last week. Better yet, take it up another notch or two. Show everyone what you’re capable of.

by Darrell L on Oct 15, 2010 3:30 PM CDT reply actions

Mike Montgomery?

I think it’s a decent pickup for two reasons: 1) He knows the defense. He won’t make any great plays and he doesn’t have much for potential (but really, anyone with potential has been snatched up long ago), but he should at least be sure in his assignments. Which means gap control against the run shouldn’t break down. 2) Didn’t the Vikings pick him up for a while? Maybe he held onto his playbook from Minnesota. Could come in handy. . . .

by I voted for Kodos on Oct 15, 2010 5:04 PM CDT reply actions

I don’t know whether this qualifies as a plus or minus, but Montgomery has been working out with Jolly in Houston since the Vikes cut him.

by GinSlinger on Oct 15, 2010 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

As long as he doesn't invest in JollyCo. Enterprises it's okay

by I voted for Kodos on Oct 15, 2010 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions

It might be good since he said he’s been working on assignments and getting out of his stance. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

by GinSlinger on Oct 15, 2010 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions

huh…I just dont’ know. I guess he knows the system which is appealing but really he’s just not a fit.

by TrevorR on Oct 16, 2010 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I can't be the only Barnett fan on the blog

Really, I can’t be. Doesn’t anyone else remember 2008? How a bad season turned into a nightmare after Barnett went out for the season? Anyone?

OK – here’s the skinny. 2008 with Barnett: 4-4. 2008 without Barnett (counting the game in which he was injured): 2-6. We don’t talk about the guy that’s been our defensive captain for the past 4+ years, but he’s only 16.5 tackles away from being the All-Time Packers Leader. Seriously, guys? You don’t wanna mourn this shit? You wanna talk about Bishop, Harrell…fuckin’ Neal? Suck a dick. Our second-best (and arguably most important) defensive player is done for the year and you wanna talk about Mike fuckin’ Neal? Holy shit.

I know, I know – look to better times ahead. Except that the last time we lost this guy, we played .250 ball. I’m pissed and I’m resigning myself. That y’all are not speaks volumes about your confidence. I can admire it, but at the same time, I can’t see the Pack winning more than 4 more games for the rest of the year without him. This fucking blows.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Oct 16, 2010 12:12 AM CDT reply actions

I think a lot of us already did. I am really bummed not only cause i think he’s our best LB outside of Clay but because it really hurts our depth as well on an already depleted defense!

by TrevorR on Oct 16, 2010 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Barnett was great

but I think people are just trying to put their disappointment behind them with a little optimism.

I was really looking forward to seeing this defense perform with it’s starting lineup in tact. With so many injuries, I have to believe that there’s something in practice vs. playing time that links with this season’s injury epidemic.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Oct 16, 2010 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Barnett is good

but I don’t think the bottom fell out in 2008 simply because Barnett went out. I don’t think people are distraught over the loss of Barnett because we have better depth at that position than so many others. Also, you really think Barnett is our second-best defensive player? I would go 1) Woodson, 2) Matthews, 3) Jenkins, 4/5) Tramon Williams, 5/4) Collins and put Barnett at 6, with Pickett and Raji close on his heels. I realize he’s more consistent than Collins but he also doesn’t make nearly as many big plays as Collins.

by I voted for Kodos on Oct 16, 2010 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Barnett is a good solid Pro.

Not nearly our 2nd best Defensive player. Very much middle of the Pack on D. Nothing against him… He made the D calls in the huddle and was an inspirational player, so that kinda makes him a little more valuable. But he’s not a diffence maker by any means!

You've been Stroh'd!!!

by Strohman on Oct 16, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions