Barnett deserves props not shots for Sunday’s performance
September 14, 2007
Written by Bruce Smith - PackerChatters Staff
There have been times when an argument could be made that Barnett making 14 tackles in a game was diminished by how many of them were made down the field – this however was NOWHERE near the case last Sunday in the Packers victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nick flew all over the field and seemed to be in the right place at the right time all game long. Remember Philly had the #2 offense in the NFC last season and are widely seen as having the best offensive line in the NFC as well as playmakers in Westbrook and McNabb as favorites to win the NFC east this season. While that may still be the case, Nick Barnett and his hungry defensive warriors decided the path to such a title would not start in their house at Lambeau field.
Make no mistake about it; Nick Barnett is the leader of the Packers young and aggressive defense. And as the defensive leader he was making the correct calls and lining his boys up in the right spot all day long. His leadership kept his teammates focused and the result was impressive any way you cut it in this defensive gem of a victory.
Nick was plugging the middle, running sideline to sideline, and making impact hits and plays all over the field including the backfield all game long.
Further, Nick was superb in coverage – taking Westbrook out of the game as a pass threat and by his leaping interception of a ball intended for Mr. Westbrook. He timed his leap perfectly and showed better hands then many of the Packers WR showed on this Sunday. Even in the lone TD Philadelphia scored, Nick had blanket coverage and forced McNabb to make a perfect throw and the receiver to make a great catch.
One of his biggest plays Barnett made seems to have gone unnoticed in the game reviews and comments I’ve read, despite it happening at a critical time on third and goal with Philly threatening to take the lead. McNabb and Reid got the match-up they wanted when they threw to Westbrook in the flat, and they certainly expected him to turn the corner and score like easily as he has so often in the past.
However, Nick Barnett had a different idea on this play. Nick beat Brian to the edge and tackled him out of bounds for no gain. This big play held the Eagles to a FG at a critical time that proved to be huge in the final outcome of this hard fought tilt..
However, Nick’s unbelievable play at crunch time late in the 4th quarter only went unnoticed if you were drunk, taking a bathroom break, or had your eyes closed (not being able to watch) at the most crucial juncture of the game.
After the Eagles stripped the ball from Brett Favre and took control near game winning field goal range at the 38 with the score notched at 13 to 13 Nick Barnett took over the game.
On first down Barnett sliced into the backfield and stuffed RB Buckhalter for a 4-yard loss. On second down, Nick teamed with Pickett to stop RB Westbrook for a 2-yard gain, bringing up 3rd and 12. A holding penalty on Philly may have put the final nail in the coffin, but Barnett and the defense had already made their statement stand with the game on the line. Something GB fans had longed for far too long against Philadelphia during their torturous losing streak to the Eagles.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about this outstanding performance is that Barnett was not satisfied. As leader of the defense he praised his teammates, but told them he expected more of himself and them in the weeks to come.
"If we clean a couple of mental mistakes up, I don't think they get more than 200 yards," Barnett said. "But that comes with the first game, growing pains."
So I hope you will join me in giving props to Nick Barnett for a great game, and even bigger Kudos for his inspired leadership. At only 26 years old there is good reason to believe that the best is yet to come for the Packers young MLB and even younger inspired defensive unit that promises to make some noise this season in the NFL.
September 14, 2007
Written by Bruce Smith - PackerChatters Staff
There have been times when an argument could be made that Barnett making 14 tackles in a game was diminished by how many of them were made down the field – this however was NOWHERE near the case last Sunday in the Packers victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nick flew all over the field and seemed to be in the right place at the right time all game long. Remember Philly had the #2 offense in the NFC last season and are widely seen as having the best offensive line in the NFC as well as playmakers in Westbrook and McNabb as favorites to win the NFC east this season. While that may still be the case, Nick Barnett and his hungry defensive warriors decided the path to such a title would not start in their house at Lambeau field.
Make no mistake about it; Nick Barnett is the leader of the Packers young and aggressive defense. And as the defensive leader he was making the correct calls and lining his boys up in the right spot all day long. His leadership kept his teammates focused and the result was impressive any way you cut it in this defensive gem of a victory.
Nick was plugging the middle, running sideline to sideline, and making impact hits and plays all over the field including the backfield all game long.
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Further, Nick was superb in coverage – taking Westbrook out of the game as a pass threat and by his leaping interception of a ball intended for Mr. Westbrook. He timed his leap perfectly and showed better hands then many of the Packers WR showed on this Sunday. Even in the lone TD Philadelphia scored, Nick had blanket coverage and forced McNabb to make a perfect throw and the receiver to make a great catch.
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
One of his biggest plays Barnett made seems to have gone unnoticed in the game reviews and comments I’ve read, despite it happening at a critical time on third and goal with Philly threatening to take the lead. McNabb and Reid got the match-up they wanted when they threw to Westbrook in the flat, and they certainly expected him to turn the corner and score like easily as he has so often in the past.
However, Nick Barnett had a different idea on this play. Nick beat Brian to the edge and tackled him out of bounds for no gain. This big play held the Eagles to a FG at a critical time that proved to be huge in the final outcome of this hard fought tilt..
However, Nick’s unbelievable play at crunch time late in the 4th quarter only went unnoticed if you were drunk, taking a bathroom break, or had your eyes closed (not being able to watch) at the most crucial juncture of the game.
After the Eagles stripped the ball from Brett Favre and took control near game winning field goal range at the 38 with the score notched at 13 to 13 Nick Barnett took over the game.
On first down Barnett sliced into the backfield and stuffed RB Buckhalter for a 4-yard loss. On second down, Nick teamed with Pickett to stop RB Westbrook for a 2-yard gain, bringing up 3rd and 12. A holding penalty on Philly may have put the final nail in the coffin, but Barnett and the defense had already made their statement stand with the game on the line. Something GB fans had longed for far too long against Philadelphia during their torturous losing streak to the Eagles.
Perhaps the most exciting thing about this outstanding performance is that Barnett was not satisfied. As leader of the defense he praised his teammates, but told them he expected more of himself and them in the weeks to come.
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
"If we clean a couple of mental mistakes up, I don't think they get more than 200 yards," Barnett said. "But that comes with the first game, growing pains."
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
So I hope you will join me in giving props to Nick Barnett for a great game, and even bigger Kudos for his inspired leadership. At only 26 years old there is good reason to believe that the best is yet to come for the Packers young MLB and even younger inspired defensive unit that promises to make some noise this season in the NFL.