Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New resources
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Resources
Latest reviews
Search resources
Members
Current visitors
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Nick Barnett
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Steel Wheels" data-source="post: 14324" data-attributes="member: 237"><p>Bates shares his vision </p><p></p><p>Packers' defense gets to work</p><p>By TOM SILVERSTEIN</p><p><a href="mailto:tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com">tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com</a></p><p>Posted: April 2, 2005</p><p></p><p>It took some time for new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jim Bates and his staff to finally connect with the players, but early last week the foundation of Bates' new system was introduced to a nearly full complement of defensive returners.</p><p></p><p>Jim Bates, the Packers' new defensive coordinator, isn't afraid to get involved in drills, as he showed while inspecting NFL draft prospects during a workout in March in Gainesville, Fla. </p><p> </p><p>As part of their off-season program, the Packers held the first four of 14 scheduled "opportunity" sessions, giving the players their first look at the new coordinator's plans for the defense. The sessions consist of 90-minute classroom meetings and 70-minute on-field workouts and feature both offensive and defensive players.</p><p></p><p>For Bates, who was hired in January, it was the first step in introducing a successful system he developed as defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins the past five seasons. His defenses ranked sixth, fifth, third, 10th and eighth during his tenure there and he intends to incorporate a similar style in Green Bay.</p><p></p><p>With players like Nick Barnett, Na'il Diggs, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Ahmad Carroll, Mark Roman and Joey Thomas in attendance, Bates began installation of the base package.</p><p></p><p>"Several guys got off to a good start and the attitude was tremendous," Bates said.</p><p></p><p>"This will give us a feel where we're at, where our young guys are and where we may need help in draft. I know as far as defensive coaches, especially being new, it was good to get these guys together, get them thinking about our scheme, get them knowledgeable, give them this extra time and evaluate where we are."</p><p></p><p>Attendance is not mandatory, although some players' presence is required for them to earn off-season workout bonuses, yet there were enough players around on offense and defense to do full 11-on-11 drills.</p><p></p><p>What Bates doesn't have yet is a full roster of defensive players, because general manager Ted Thompson has not replaced the likes of Darren Sharper, Hannibal Navies, Bhawoh Jue and Michael Hawthorne, all of whom either signed with other clubs or are free agents. It won't be until after the draft April 23 and 24 that Bates has a better idea of what he has, and perhaps not until June or July before he knows for sure.</p><p></p><p>Right now, the only safeties around are Roman, newly signed Todd Franz and "street" free agent Julius Curry. By the time the season rolls around the possibility exists that none of them will be on the roster.</p><p></p><p>"We'll have to add to the safety position," Bates said. "We'll have to address it in the draft and throughout. As far as any safeties who are out there that might be able to upgrade us, we'll be getting them in. Ted and his staff are moving in that direction."</p><p></p><p>One possible addition is Miami free agent Arturo Freeman, who is scheduled to visit the team this week. Freeman has started at both safety positions for the Dolphins, including the last seven games last year at free safety.</p><p></p><p>Notably absent from the Packers' "opportunity" sessions this week was defensive tackle Cletidus Hunt, who since signing his six-year, $25.35 million contract in 2003 has declined to take part in off-season workouts. Because part of his $6 million signing bonus is tied into attendance in those workouts, he has lost $250,000 each of those two years and will lose another $250,000 this year.</p><p></p><p>Bates hasn't lost a lot of sleep over Hunt's absence, despite the fact he's expecting a lot from him this season.</p><p></p><p>"He'll be here for the (post-draft) minicamp," Bates said. "He was here a couple of weeks ago and I had a real good visit with him. He's 29 years old and it will be up to him. We'll do all the motivation, but he has to come of age and say, 'I'm ready to go.'</p><p></p><p>"He has to show us that, and he's going to be treated just like everybody else on this football team. The main thing is to have him for the first minicamp. The tackle position is not near as complicated as the linebacker or defensive backfield."</p><p></p><p>One area that remains in flux is linebacker, where Bates has not decided where he will play Barnett. The majority of work this week for Barnett occurred at middle linebacker, the position he has manned since being drafted in the first round two years ago.</p><p></p><p>But Bates also had him work at the weak-side position because depending on how free agency and the draft goes, the Packers might acquire someone whose best position is in the middle. Like safety, linebacker is a high-priority position because without Navies, the Packers are without one of their starters and not very deep at the position overall.</p><p></p><p>"Right now he's our Mike (middle linebacker)," Bates said of Barnett. "Free agency is almost over with and whatever happens in the draft, Nick is a good enough athlete to play all three positions within our scheme."</p><p></p><p>One of the free agents the Packers are looking at is Kansas City backup Monty Beisel, who fits the mold of the smaller, quicker-type linebacker Bates favors. When it's all said and done, Bates expects to have a group of linebackers who can run and swarm to the ball.</p><p></p><p>The goal in the coming weeks will be to bring younger players like Carroll, Thomas, Chris Johnson, James Lee, Donnell Washington and Kenny Peterson up to speed with the system. Bates would like to hit training camp running and not have to worry about leaving the young players behind.</p><p></p><p>"Those guys can't get enough film study and study as far as the playbook, and the more knowledge they have before they go to training camp the better off they're going to be and the better off we're going to be," Bates said. "There has to be big emphasis on all young players."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Steel Wheels, post: 14324, member: 237"] Bates shares his vision Packers' defense gets to work By TOM SILVERSTEIN [email="tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com"]tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com[/email] Posted: April 2, 2005 It took some time for new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jim Bates and his staff to finally connect with the players, but early last week the foundation of Bates' new system was introduced to a nearly full complement of defensive returners. Jim Bates, the Packers' new defensive coordinator, isn't afraid to get involved in drills, as he showed while inspecting NFL draft prospects during a workout in March in Gainesville, Fla. As part of their off-season program, the Packers held the first four of 14 scheduled "opportunity" sessions, giving the players their first look at the new coordinator's plans for the defense. The sessions consist of 90-minute classroom meetings and 70-minute on-field workouts and feature both offensive and defensive players. For Bates, who was hired in January, it was the first step in introducing a successful system he developed as defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins the past five seasons. His defenses ranked sixth, fifth, third, 10th and eighth during his tenure there and he intends to incorporate a similar style in Green Bay. With players like Nick Barnett, Na'il Diggs, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Ahmad Carroll, Mark Roman and Joey Thomas in attendance, Bates began installation of the base package. "Several guys got off to a good start and the attitude was tremendous," Bates said. "This will give us a feel where we're at, where our young guys are and where we may need help in draft. I know as far as defensive coaches, especially being new, it was good to get these guys together, get them thinking about our scheme, get them knowledgeable, give them this extra time and evaluate where we are." Attendance is not mandatory, although some players' presence is required for them to earn off-season workout bonuses, yet there were enough players around on offense and defense to do full 11-on-11 drills. What Bates doesn't have yet is a full roster of defensive players, because general manager Ted Thompson has not replaced the likes of Darren Sharper, Hannibal Navies, Bhawoh Jue and Michael Hawthorne, all of whom either signed with other clubs or are free agents. It won't be until after the draft April 23 and 24 that Bates has a better idea of what he has, and perhaps not until June or July before he knows for sure. Right now, the only safeties around are Roman, newly signed Todd Franz and "street" free agent Julius Curry. By the time the season rolls around the possibility exists that none of them will be on the roster. "We'll have to add to the safety position," Bates said. "We'll have to address it in the draft and throughout. As far as any safeties who are out there that might be able to upgrade us, we'll be getting them in. Ted and his staff are moving in that direction." One possible addition is Miami free agent Arturo Freeman, who is scheduled to visit the team this week. Freeman has started at both safety positions for the Dolphins, including the last seven games last year at free safety. Notably absent from the Packers' "opportunity" sessions this week was defensive tackle Cletidus Hunt, who since signing his six-year, $25.35 million contract in 2003 has declined to take part in off-season workouts. Because part of his $6 million signing bonus is tied into attendance in those workouts, he has lost $250,000 each of those two years and will lose another $250,000 this year. Bates hasn't lost a lot of sleep over Hunt's absence, despite the fact he's expecting a lot from him this season. "He'll be here for the (post-draft) minicamp," Bates said. "He was here a couple of weeks ago and I had a real good visit with him. He's 29 years old and it will be up to him. We'll do all the motivation, but he has to come of age and say, 'I'm ready to go.' "He has to show us that, and he's going to be treated just like everybody else on this football team. The main thing is to have him for the first minicamp. The tackle position is not near as complicated as the linebacker or defensive backfield." One area that remains in flux is linebacker, where Bates has not decided where he will play Barnett. The majority of work this week for Barnett occurred at middle linebacker, the position he has manned since being drafted in the first round two years ago. But Bates also had him work at the weak-side position because depending on how free agency and the draft goes, the Packers might acquire someone whose best position is in the middle. Like safety, linebacker is a high-priority position because without Navies, the Packers are without one of their starters and not very deep at the position overall. "Right now he's our Mike (middle linebacker)," Bates said of Barnett. "Free agency is almost over with and whatever happens in the draft, Nick is a good enough athlete to play all three positions within our scheme." One of the free agents the Packers are looking at is Kansas City backup Monty Beisel, who fits the mold of the smaller, quicker-type linebacker Bates favors. When it's all said and done, Bates expects to have a group of linebackers who can run and swarm to the ball. The goal in the coming weeks will be to bring younger players like Carroll, Thomas, Chris Johnson, James Lee, Donnell Washington and Kenny Peterson up to speed with the system. Bates would like to hit training camp running and not have to worry about leaving the young players behind. "Those guys can't get enough film study and study as far as the playbook, and the more knowledge they have before they go to training camp the better off they're going to be and the better off we're going to be," Bates said. "There has to be big emphasis on all young players." [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Staff online
PikeBadger
Moderator
Members online
Sanguine camper
PackerDNA
PikeBadger
Latest posts
2024 Draft Prospect Discussions
Latest: Pokerbrat2000
47 minutes ago
Draft Talk
S
Final Annoying Mock/Prediction
Latest: Schultz
47 minutes ago
Draft Talk
Trade Up Targets
Latest: tynimiller
Today at 11:06 AM
Draft Talk
Draft Gambling
Latest: tynimiller
Today at 9:44 AM
Draft Talk
S
Backed Into A Corner?
Latest: Schultz
Today at 9:02 AM
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Nick Barnett
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top