Michael Barnard, a free agent, will be given a tryout by the Packers on Monday.

News broke today about the Green Bay Packers inviting kicker Michael Barnard in for a tryout, but we here at lombardiave.com, in particular staff writer  T.J.Marquardt, broke the story about the possibility of a Barnard tryout back in December at the height of Mason Crosby major slump.

Here’s what Marquardt wrote in December:

The Packers might find the answer in a kid who many teams have as their top-rated Free Agent kicker. His name is Michael Barnard. Barnard played his college ball at a private university, Fairleigh-Dickinson. He has been on the short list for numerous NFL teams over the past few years. He isn’t some fly-by-night, wannabe either; in fact, he might have made the Eagles squad this year if Alex Henery hadn’t had such an amazing rookie season in 2011.

According to Marquardt, the Packers had considered or were at least approached by Barnard and/or his representative requesting a tryout. It was unclear at that time whether the Packers were considering the tryout, but Marquardt felt the tryout session was going to happen. As far as we know, it didn’t at that time, but now it seems the Packers have reconsidered and are scheduled to bring the New Jersey-based kicker in for a look-see this coming Monday.

In a story about the tryout published at jsonline and written by one of my favorite Packers reporters, Bob McGinn, he said that the Packers have never brought in competition against Crosby, but now may be the time to do so, considering the Packers veteran kicker’s poor performance last year.

Barnard, 6 feet 1½ inches and 216 pounds, is the unlikeliest of candidates.

From 2006-’08, Barnard kicked at Division III Fairleigh Dickinson, where he made a paltry 59.3% (16 of 27) and missed five of 54 extra points for teams that finished 7-23. His long was 47 yards, and he had three blocked.

Barnard had a tryout with the Eagles two years ago.

But that was five years ago and McGinn documents how he has been working to improve his technique and accuracy – and that he’s been working with people who know a little something about kicking …

Barnard spent his winters in Florida, where he kept kicking almost nonstop. He spent time working with former NFL kickers Mike Hollis and Michael Husted, and also learned from David Akers, who lived near him outside Philadelphia.

McGinn interviewed Hollis, who said that he feels Barnard at least has a shot: ”Hopefully, Michael will get an opportunity, whether it’s Green Bay or wherever, to get into camp and show what he can do. He’s definitely got the size and ability to be an NFL kicker. He’s probably one of the most passionate guys we’ve ever coached,” Hollis said. “Very dedicated. He wants this really bad.”

That’s how Marquardt saw the kicker back in December.

Here is how Marquardt described him:

Barnard’s strong leg and confidence have attracted attention around the NFL … He works hard and has dedicated himself to making the grade in the NFL, working out 6 days a week kicking and conditioning while he waits for his shot in the NFL.

McGinn pulled up an interview conducted with Barnard last summer by FullScaleSports:

“I feel I am most comparable to kickers like Mason Crosby and Sebastian Janikowski. They possess the ability to be deadly accurate and kick field goals over 60 yards regularly and kick off in excess of 75 yards, just as I do.

I do not plan on being an average NFL kicker. I want to be one of the best to ever do it … there isn’t one kicker in the league I feel I could not go up against and come out feeling confident.”

If lombardiave.com’s Marquardt was right in December when exclaiming in his post that “This kid is GOOD,” then it will most likely be borne out on whether the Packers feel the same way after his workout on Monday. If they decide that he’s the guy who could compete against Crosby in camp next summer, we’re sure they will let the world know.

If he is the guy … or even if he isn’t … we can also say that you heard it first right here.

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November 24, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. The Packers won 27-15. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-US PRESSWIRE

Finally, we’re getting close to a football weekend as Packers fans finish up their football drought caused by the dreaded bye.

As the Packers prepare to take on the Detroit Lions, they do so without some of their biggest names scheduled to be on the field. The biggest name added to the list this week was that of Clay Matthews. He will sit out at least this weekend and who knows about the future. We can only hope he heals up quickly.

With that said, the Packers will probably get Jordy Nelson back on the field, which should bring some comfort to Aaron Rodgers. That fact alone should at least allow the Packers to spread the ball around a bit more instead of having to rely too heavily on Randall Cobb as the go-to guy.

This has been a busy week, not only for the Packers who prep for their trip to Detroit, but for the media that covers the team …

Let’s take a short trip around the Web to see what others are saying about the state of the Packers:

So playing without Matthews, their best defensive player, is reason for the Packers to worry, especially as they hit the stretch run of their season with a 6-3 record and five of their final seven games against NFC North Division rivals.

- Pete Dougherty, Green Bay Press Gazette

Tramon Williams works against the Tampa Bay Bucs. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“Guys like Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman — they talk about how physical they are — but Calvin was pushing those guys around the field like it was nothing. And those are some big guys. You definitely have to be careful with how you play a big guy like that.”

Tramon Williams, Packers cornerback

Some of Rodgers other numbers are down…yards per attempt, completion percentage…and those would be reflective of what you see with the naked eye when you watch the game. At times this season it seems like the offense is going uphill. Things certainly aren’t coming as easy for Rodgers & Co. this year as they did in 2011.

- Packerpedia

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the Packers controlling their own destiny. And I think this quote from McCarthy drives the nail home. No one in PackerNation should care two poops about what the rest of the league is doing. All that matters now is the task at hand: beating the Detroit Lions.

- Packerinsanity

Coach Mike McCarthy. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

I love coaching. I love everything about the preparation, gameday and the opportunity to compete. There’s nothing like the NFL and working with these extraordinary athletes. The NFL player is a special human being and what they endure physically, mentally and emotionally to play this game is, in my opinion, unrivaled in sports. That’s something I have great respect for, and I love being a part of it. I love every aspect of coaching.

- Mike McCarthy about whether he still loves to coach

 

 

“I get concerned. He takes some shots now. He’s a tough kid. There’s a lot of times where I’m screaming, ‘Throw it, throw it.’ He can’t hear it, but you just want him to let it go because I want him to play the next play. But that’s ingrained in him. He knows if he’s willing to hold it for one second, he’s willing to take that shot to get the ball off and create the big plays.”

- Jeff Saturday

There will be a day when Brett Favre is honored once again in Green Bay.

This past week, Aaron Rodgers was recognized as the best player in the NFL by his peers who voted him to that spot in NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2012.

That was the biggest news emanating from the NFL.

But there was other news as well, most notably that coming from the interview a former Packers quarterback gave to NFL Network’s Deion Sanders where for the first time He Who Shall Not Be Named gave his most extensive praise for the man who succeeded him behind center in Green Bay.

Favre has had few words for the best player in the NFL – its MVP and its 2010 Super Bowl champion and MVP.

That is until now.

And that’s why many feel Brett Favre is finally softening his views about the franchise where he spent the best 16 years of his life.

In a story today on JSonline, Michael Hunt argues that Favre is indeed ready to extend the olive branch and that it’s about time. In reaction to that story, Profootballtalk.com’s Michael David Smith argues the same thing – that it’s time for Favre to come clean and for all Packers fans to forgive the player Ron Wolf calls the Packers’ all-time best.

Aaron Rodgers is our current hero. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

I can’t disagree with any of the arguments. Yes, there are those out there who still carry a grudge. In my mind, all I can remember are the tons of memories and highlights the guy brought to an entire generation of football and Packers fans. He was football. He was the Green Bay Packers. And because of that, there will be a day in the next two years when Favre will make a triumphant return to have his number retired.

Whether he man-hugs Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy isn’t important. What he needs to do is allow all Packers fans to remember those warm fuzzies they felt so many times – as well as the anger they felt when he threw all those interceptions – including the one he threw as his last pass with the team. We were disappointed, yes, but we can’t let that one memory overtake all those good times.Part of the healing process is learning to understand and deal with the range of emotions.

Yes, the good news this week surrounded our current hero – Aaron Rodgers – as it should. However, percolating in the background was this story that will someday dominate our headlines.

Frankly, I can’t wait for that day. It will serve to bring us all back together, linking two generations of fans and players – as well as an entire franchise – in all that’s good.

To highlight and bring all this together, I’ve included below a comment that was left on the profootballtalk.com website. What this individual says is not only true, but emphasizes several points that make this topic so relevant.

Please read what this reader thinks. If you disagree, fine. But I feel there will be few who do …

boothlustig says:Jun 30, 2012 3:56 PM

Packers coaches, players and fans are pleased to see Greg Jennings back at practice today. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

It was good news coming out of Green Bay today as Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings was back at practice.

After injuring his knee nearly a month ago against the Oakland Raiders, Jennings has received around-the-clock treatment from trainers as he healed and rested.

And while the Packers won a Super Bowl last year without Jermichael Finley, the team was certainly hoping they didn’t have to try to do so without Jennings. If you remember, it was Jennings who stepped to the forefront when Finley went down last year, helping the Packers cruise through the playoffs and then capture their fourth Super Bowl title.

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