I would like to defend Barnett as a “clubhouse” guy, though. The picture thing was a small flap blown up by the Super Bowl hype-machine and I didn’t read anything special into Rodgers’ remarks. Barnett was a durable, productive leader on the D for some of the leaner years of the Favre/Rodgers era. He always expressed pride in being a Packer and wanted to be in GB. Time seems to have caught up to him and I think he will probably not be back but it would be a shame if he was portrayed as a troublemaker or a bad teammate (unless more comes out out course . . I am just going on what I have read so far). Personally I think its a shame he missed the SB run and I will think of him as a very solid player who got old in a hurry.

Chillar is the other important part of this equation. Chillar is scheduled to make around $2 million this year. Hawk has proven he can be an every down ILB so I don’t think you see Chillar taking his place in nickel going forward. Is a healthy Chillar good enough to play every down if Bishop of Hawk miss time? If yes, then that makes Barnett really expensive to keep. If no, then maybe they try to find room for Barnett.

Regardless, this doesn’t have to play out right now. Barnett is under contract and nothing is guaranteed until much later. So much is unknown right now….who they will draft, when will trades resume, roster sizes, cap space, etc…. In the past the Packers have pushed cap space from one year into the next using ‘likely to be earned’ pay escalators that were very unlikely to be earned. My guess is that goes away in the new CBA as the players feel it is a end-round the salary cap. Teams won’t be able to hoard money for an upcoming big FA(s). With Finley and Jennings coming down the pike sooner rather then later that $6 million might be better used now to extend one of them rather then keep a back-up ILB with an attitude problem.

Realistically we can’t each year get by the injuries like we did this year. It’s eventually going to really hurt the team, and a key loss at LB could certainly do that. I think for outside, Zombo and Walden could step in. But for inside, can Chillar do it? (he’s our inside guy right?) We’ll see I guess.

Lets hope there’s a season, cause I’m pumped and ready for another go at the ring.

Decent, lets hope Hawk continues to perform.. and hopefully continue to improve and start making some impact plays.

5 year deal, no word on money.

D∈T

It’s no surprise. And it’s likely Barnett is the guy thats not going to be back. Sucks to have a guy whose been here for years go, but I think it’s our best move. Hawk, Bishop, Matthews and Zombo/Walden. I hope we get some sort of player at least developmental.. but I still think were thin on depth.

Maybe we can bring Barnett back on a restructured deal as well. He’d be good for a backup. Not sure he’d accept that role though.