Sam Barrington has some strong words ready for whoever wants to listen.
Namely, that the Green Bay Packers defense is his defense.
“I’m not approaching it that it ‘could’ be,” Barrington said. “I’m approaching like it is. When you take out all the pleasing everybody’s emotions, I’m the veteran inside linebacker. It’s my defense. What’s mine right now is mine to lose. So I approach it with a serious mentality.”
That seems like a rather bold statement, considering Barrington has just seven career starts under his belt. However, he is now the de facto leader at what could be viewed as the Packers’ shakiest position. Barrington took on that role not only by becoming a starter last season, but because the Packers axed both A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones earlier this offseason.
That leaves Barrington, Clay Matthews and a couple guys who haven’t taken any regular season snaps at inside linebacker. If there’s a leader in the group, it surely isn’t Matthews. So it’s a good thing Barrington is embracing the job.
The only question is whether the Packers see Barrington as a leader or even think he’s good enough to hold down the middle for them next season.
We know Matthews will be playing inside in 2015, whether he likes it or not. Beyond that, coach Mike McCarthy has made it be known he isn’t happy with the position as a whole, comparing it to how he felt about the safety position prior to drafting Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.
That seems to suggest the Packers will look add an inside linebacker in the draft.
Should they?
Yes, for depth at the very least.
Right now, the backup inside linebackers are Nate Palmer and Carl Bradford. We’ve got a nice big “meh” for both of those guys. On top of that, you know Matthews will be injured at one point or another in 2015.
Even if the Packers don’t draft an inside linebacker to start, they certainly need someone who’s capable of contributing this year.
That said, we would be perfectly comfortable starting the season with Barrington and Matthews as the two guys inside. That tandem is a huge improvement over Hawk and Jones.
Barrington has more ability than many give him credit for. Barrington will do very well. He has the proper attitude for an ILB. It is to bad he missed a large part of his rookie season. We may not have had to see Jones or Lattimore last year.
Still need to draft one ILB in the early rounds.
I’m down with this cat starting, especially if he can figure out how to cover a RB.
I’m down with this cat starting, especially if he can figure out how to cover a RB.
You remember that too huh?
He’ll pull a hamstring in preseason, ride the pine on the bench until he gets demoted from the active roster and finally, cut.
April fools!
At least someone is taking a leadership role on defense besides Mike Daniels
All upside for Barrington. We’ve only seen a glimpse and I love the way he’s taking ownership of the leadership role. Kick some ass Sam!
Neal walked the talk, hopefully Barrington will too.
Whoops, I meant Mike Daniels.