Packers' Linebacker Analysis

WHO STAYS AND WHERE
By Packer Pundit Guest Blogger
texaspackerbacker
With the drafting of A.J. Hawk, and to a lesser extent, Abdul Hodge, the Packers will have some decisions to make. One that I would rule out from the git-go would be moving Nick Barnett out of the middle.

I see Brady Poppinga taking over for Taylor on the strong side in a year or two. He was emerging as a starter quality player when he was injured last season. Roy Manning was originally signed as a backup in the middle, and should be adequate at that.

Kurt Campbell was my early choice to come out of nowhere and have a breakout season. That is not likely now with Hawk on the team, but he is the right kind of a linebacker for a Bates-ian defense, which we apparently will still have.
If there is an odd man out, it would probably be Robert Thomas, who didn't show much. However, keeping eight is as likely as keeping seven, so he probably will stick around too.

Published by PackerPundit On Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 6:10 PM.


You continue to seriously underestimate Abdul Hodge.
He will be a factor although Taylor may be the opening day starter. Regardless, we are strong at the linebacker spot. Great depth.