Days of our Packers

Well, the first preseason game is done and unfortunately, Underwood got hurt. He was by all accounts having a great camp and was set to likely be the #3 safety. Not the worst possible thing that could have happened in the game, but still not all that good. Things seemed to be clicking for him.

Of course given the Packers lost, there's a bunch of whining of "I told you this team stunk" and even some "McCarthy needs to be gone" (which is silly) talk. Look, IT'S THE FIRST PRESEASON GAME! Did a young defense with 5 new starters look poor? At times, yes. Did an OL with 2 rookie guards look like they were running a completely new offensive scheme for the first time against real competition? Hell yes. Just need some fans out there to gain some perspective here.

I need to comment on the Barnett situation as I've seen a bunch on it. Everyone seems to be anointing an unproven 3rd round rookie who yes, is having a good camp, as the MLB for the Packers for the next 10 years. Barnett is a solid MLB, not spectacular mind you, but solid. At this point, there is not a logical reason to move him. Not until Hodge shows a lot at MLB against real competition in preseason, not just against the Packers poor OL in camp.

Barnett has done nothing to lose his job and has every right to be pissed at the suggestion that a rookie could do better. He has been in 3 different defensive schemes in 3 years and has gotten better every year with frankly, poor talent around him for the most part on D. Yes, he has some issues with his game, however he is our 2nd best D player (I'd rank Kampman superior to him) but some fans are writing him off alltogether and are dreaming of the Poppinga, Hodge and Hawk LB corps. This the the most absurd thing I have heard. The guy has busted his ass for this team and the fans (and the police dept) of GB seem to have this belief that since he's not a world beater (which he was never billed as such) that he doesn't belong here. I hope Barnett is a Packer for life and becomes a great player, just to stick it to the blindly vengeful detractors.

Let's hope that Underwood's injury is not that serious and that the OL learns from their mistakes and make the necessary adjustments throughout the preseason. How the OL goes, this team will go, of that, I believe we can all agree on.

UPDATE: Underwood is gone for the season with multiple ligament tears in his knee, bummer.