Following is an excerpt from an article in Packer Plus which deals in part with the re-signing of Barry. It is an example of why I am reasonably optimistic that things will be better this year:
The re-signings of Kampman, Green, Davenport and Henderson have gotten most of the attention. The re-signing of Barry slipped under the radar a bit and didn't get as much attention.
But if the Packers' plans pan out, it could turn out to be as important as the others.
A backup tackle who was used as an extra tight end in the Packers' "heavy" package the past three seasons, Barry is being moved to guard with the hope that he can become a long-term answer there.
To do that, he'll have to keep his weight under control, something he didn't always do the past two seasons.
"He's one of those guys that's got step up," Jagodzinski said. "It's his turn. All we can do is give him an opportunity. What he does with that opportunity is up to him, but we're going to push him as hard as we can to get him to be a guy.
"He's got to understand that that U-71 package, that is done. He's a better player than four plays a game. But he's got to step up. He's got to produce."
At some points in the previous off-season there were some thoughts that the Packers would look at moving right tackle Mark Tauscher to guard and starting Barry at right tackle. Now such thoughts are gone, as Tauscher remains entrenched at tackle.
The fact that the Packers committed significant money ($600,000 signing bonus and $600,000 roster bonus) to Barry in a two-year deal indicates they're serious about him as a starting guard prospect.
Jagodzinski is confident Barry can do what it takes, including keeping his weight down.
"I've talked to him and Coach (McCarthy) has talked to him and the strength coaches have talked to him, but there's a direct correlation between what you put in mouth and how much you weigh," Jagodzinski said. "That's not rocket science there.
"I like Kevin, but what it comes down to is I want to love the guy on Sunday. He's got to produce. He doesn't have a choice because he's going to get thrown in there. So we'll see what he can do, but he's a powerful man."
The re-signings of Kampman, Green, Davenport and Henderson have gotten most of the attention. The re-signing of Barry slipped under the radar a bit and didn't get as much attention.
But if the Packers' plans pan out, it could turn out to be as important as the others.
A backup tackle who was used as an extra tight end in the Packers' "heavy" package the past three seasons, Barry is being moved to guard with the hope that he can become a long-term answer there.
To do that, he'll have to keep his weight under control, something he didn't always do the past two seasons.
"He's one of those guys that's got step up," Jagodzinski said. "It's his turn. All we can do is give him an opportunity. What he does with that opportunity is up to him, but we're going to push him as hard as we can to get him to be a guy.
"He's got to understand that that U-71 package, that is done. He's a better player than four plays a game. But he's got to step up. He's got to produce."
At some points in the previous off-season there were some thoughts that the Packers would look at moving right tackle Mark Tauscher to guard and starting Barry at right tackle. Now such thoughts are gone, as Tauscher remains entrenched at tackle.
The fact that the Packers committed significant money ($600,000 signing bonus and $600,000 roster bonus) to Barry in a two-year deal indicates they're serious about him as a starting guard prospect.
Jagodzinski is confident Barry can do what it takes, including keeping his weight down.
"I've talked to him and Coach (McCarthy) has talked to him and the strength coaches have talked to him, but there's a direct correlation between what you put in mouth and how much you weigh," Jagodzinski said. "That's not rocket science there.
"I like Kevin, but what it comes down to is I want to love the guy on Sunday. He's got to produce. He doesn't have a choice because he's going to get thrown in there. So we'll see what he can do, but he's a powerful man."