https://youtube.com/shorts/P9lRcVFEyXU?si=khEFgjyW4ntLoJ_3
This brings up an interesting discussion about the LB position. I personally always felt there was a possibility Barnes would be traded for a player or 4th before or during the draft. But this guy brings up another possibility I haven’t seen discussed.
So, gentlemen, discuss.
(For those who can’t watch. It’s proposing we move Barnes to Will and we’re drafting a Sam to replace Barnes’s position)
Hmm… interesting. I’m all for more competition at SAM, but Barnes was a college DE/LB, asking him to switch to a spot that is traditionally coverage and run-and-chase seems like an… interesting choice, though it’s possible we could just use it completely differently.
I guess you could make it something like a classic Pittsburg 3-4 with the two pass-rushing OLB, except in our case we’d be using 4 down lineman and only have one “ILB.” So it would be more like a 6-1-4… which seems crazy but… hmmm, it would help us put heat on the QB. And when we went nickel it would be more of a 5-1-5, and if the “OLBs” where more like traditional SAMs (like Barnes) and theoretically better equipped for the LB-y aspects of the position than the Steelers-style OLB… hmmm, there’s some interesting schematic shit to think about there, at least.
If Barnes could cover sure. But this is year 6 he’s entering and he can barely cover the ghost of Bols
Barnes is just not good anywhere he plays and especially in a cover role. He might’ve been decent in a 3-4 as OLB rusher but we don’t play that.
Yeah, the Lions are gonna move a guy who can’t cover to a position, as that’ve used it so far, that is all about coverage.
Great idea, Mike Payton. I also heard that they’re gonna move Goff to RB.
If anyone believes this idea… I have some good farmland in the everglades to sell.
They have a very solid 2deep aside from starting Will.
Sam - Barns, Nowasake
Mike- campbell, Clark
Will - __ - Rodrego
Reports were however Brad was salivating watching the LBs at the combine
I’m not sure what Barnes really excels at. He’s just kind of a guy to me right now. Was honestly kind of surprised when he was resigned.
My thoughts on him. Like yeah he has potential. And his contract isn’t anywhere near as bad as originally reported.
But he is just a guy. Slightly above average past rusher below average of everywhere else.
Overall completely average
Hes a $9.8m hit this year.
Then you have a decision to make.
1- Cut /tradehim for $3.8m hit in 2027
2- Or let him play for $4.4m hit in 2027 And a $7.5m dead cap in 2028
3- renegotiate / extend him.
Trade him for a 2027 pick. Any of them will do.
It would be really interesting but he did start out as an off ball guy for us. Guys remeber that win sealing interception versus the bucs?
but he seemed to really disappoint playing close to the line. Idk how they justify his price tag while playing at his current level.
Yeah I heard we were all over the LBs. I really think we need to upgrade from Barnes though if we want to see success.
I know everyone is obsessed with getting an edge for the past two years. And there was speculation even last year that Barnes was supposedly the 10 sack solution. Did he have a down year?
I wouldn’t feel terrible about Barnes and Campbell as the 2 backers in a nickel if we did get a good DE
Well he’s still off-ball, that’s how we use our SAM, they just have more rush responsibilities on certain downs than a typical LB. But playing him at WILL, again, unless we intend to do things differently as I mentioned, is a biiiiiig ask.
What LBs? Styles will be gone. I think a case could be made for Hill somewhere but after that?
We’ve met with quite a few I believe
true. I heard rumors that we are revamping our defensive system. Hopefully we don’t lead the league in 4-3. But if we do hopefully Barnes steps up or upgrade.
How did you feel about Barnes when he was playing MLB way back when?
Yeah I hear we met with a bunch of backers. I can’t name them though. I haven’t been really keeping up too keenly with this draft cycle.
He was OK, but also young and still transitioning fully to off-ball, so growing pains were expected. I think he might have had a future there, but of course Jack is much better. And Barnes fits what we want out of a SAM, he just wasn’t all that great last year. I’m still willing to give him another year before writing him off though, he WAS starting to play better before he got hurt. Hopefully last year was just him taking longer than expected to fully recover, the way some people need a full year to get back to their best after ACL tears.
Stepping in and starting at LB in the NFL is usually a long process unless your a complete freak like Edgerrin Cooper. Even Jack was not good his first year and he is a high football IQ guy.