Nick Barnett
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Alexander Barnett (born May 27, 1981 in Fontana, California
) is an American Football
linebacker
for the Buffalo Bills
of the National Football League
. A graduate of Fontana A.B. Miller High School in Fontana, California
, the Green Bay Packers
drafted him out of Oregon State University
in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft
with the 29th overall selection.
Barnett and his defensive teammates had not had a steady defensive coordinator for more than four years. In 2006 the Packers hired Bob Sanders
as their fourth defensive coordinator in as many years. Despite instability in the coaching staff, Barnett has consistently posted impressive statistics. Barnett had anchored the young linebacking corps since his rookie year in 2003, and had been the starting middle/inside linebacker of the Green Bay Packers since his NFL career started. On April 10, 2007, Barnett signed a six year contract extension worth $34.85 million, after extended negotiations with Packers management.
On July 31, 2011, Barnett signed with the Buffalo Bills.
As a senior, Barnett was a first team All-Pacific 10 Conference selection. He led the conference in tackles with 121 (62 solo).
Barnett registered his single game best against the University of California
in 2001 with 18 tackles (11 solo).
He majored in Business Administration and Communications.
Barnett won NFL Defensive Rookie of the year & was named the GMC Defensive Player of the Week for games played on September 23–24, 2007 for his superb coverage against Brian Westbrook
.
Barnett recorded seven tackles (five solo) that helped limit Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson
to under 3-yards/carry in the Packers' 31 - 24 win over San Diego. He also had a timely fourth-quarter interception at the Green Bay 40 and returned it to the 2-yard line to set up the Packers' second score in a span of 56 seconds and to secure the victory.
Barnett missed much of the 2008 season after suffering a torn knee ligament during November 9's game against the Minnesota Vikings
.
Barnett suffered a season-ending wrist injury in a Week 4 matchup vs. the Detroit Lions. He was put on injured reserve on October 7, 2010. It's the second time in the last three seasons Barnett ended his season on injured reserve. Barnett is second in all-time tackles for the Green Bay Packers.
On July 26, 2011, Barnett was informed by Packers General Manager, Ted Thompson
, that the Packers will try to trade him, but if not, they will release him. He was released on July 28, after Green Bay was unable to find a trade.
on July 31, 2011.
Fontana, California
Fontana is a city of 196,069 residents in San Bernardino County, California. Founded in 1913, it remained essentially rural until World War II, when entrepreneur Henry J. Kaiser built a large steel mill in the area...
) is an American Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. A graduate of Fontana A.B. Miller High School in Fontana, California
Fontana, California
Fontana is a city of 196,069 residents in San Bernardino County, California. Founded in 1913, it remained essentially rural until World War II, when entrepreneur Henry J. Kaiser built a large steel mill in the area...
, the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
drafted him out of Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft
2003 NFL Draft
The 2003 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. The draft is known officially as the "NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting" and has been conducted annually since 1936. The draft was held April 26–27, 2003 at the Theatre at...
with the 29th overall selection.
Barnett and his defensive teammates had not had a steady defensive coordinator for more than four years. In 2006 the Packers hired Bob Sanders
Bob Sanders (American football coach)
Bob Sanders is the outside linebackers coach for the Buffalo Bills. He joined them in 2009 after coaching for four years with the Green Bay Packers, four years with the Miami Dolphins, and after 11 years with the Florida Gators. He was let go by the Green Bay Packers following the 2008...
as their fourth defensive coordinator in as many years. Despite instability in the coaching staff, Barnett has consistently posted impressive statistics. Barnett had anchored the young linebacking corps since his rookie year in 2003, and had been the starting middle/inside linebacker of the Green Bay Packers since his NFL career started. On April 10, 2007, Barnett signed a six year contract extension worth $34.85 million, after extended negotiations with Packers management.
On July 31, 2011, Barnett signed with the Buffalo Bills.
College career
Barnett was a four year letter winner (1999–2002) at Oregon State, starting the last three seasons at strong side linebacker.As a senior, Barnett was a first team All-Pacific 10 Conference selection. He led the conference in tackles with 121 (62 solo).
Barnett registered his single game best against the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
in 2001 with 18 tackles (11 solo).
He majored in Business Administration and Communications.
College statistics
| Year | Team | GP | GS | TK | SO | AS | FR | FC | INT | TFL | PBU | SCK | PRES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Oregon State Beavers | 12 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0-0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0.0-0 | 0 |
| 2000 | Oregon State Beavers | 12 | 5 | 44 | 34 | 10 | 2-9 | 0 | 0-0 | 3-4 | 1 | 0.0-0 | 0 |
| 2001 | Oregon State Beavers | 11 | 11 | 73 | 41 | 32 | 0-0 | 1 | 1-0 | 6-20 | 4 | 2.0-11 | 5 |
| 2002 | Oregon State Beavers | 13 | 13 | 121 | 62 | 59 | 0-0 | 2 | 0-0 | 21-72 | 7 | 6.0-43 | 1 |
| Total | 48 | 29 | 249 | 143 | 106 | 2-9 | 3 | 1-0 | 30-96 | 12 | 8.0-54 | 6 | |
Green Bay Packers
Brian Westbrook
Brian Collins Westbrook is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft after playing college football at Villanova...
.
Barnett recorded seven tackles (five solo) that helped limit Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian.Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L...
to under 3-yards/carry in the Packers' 31 - 24 win over San Diego. He also had a timely fourth-quarter interception at the Green Bay 40 and returned it to the 2-yard line to set up the Packers' second score in a span of 56 seconds and to secure the victory.
Barnett missed much of the 2008 season after suffering a torn knee ligament during November 9's game against the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
.
Barnett suffered a season-ending wrist injury in a Week 4 matchup vs. the Detroit Lions. He was put on injured reserve on October 7, 2010. It's the second time in the last three seasons Barnett ended his season on injured reserve. Barnett is second in all-time tackles for the Green Bay Packers.
On July 26, 2011, Barnett was informed by Packers General Manager, Ted Thompson
Ted Thompson
Ted Thompson is the current general manager of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Thompson was named to the post on January 14, 2005, by Packers president and CEO Bob Harlan. Thompson took over the general manager duties from Mike Sherman, who had been serving as both head coach and general manager...
, that the Packers will try to trade him, but if not, they will release him. He was released on July 28, after Green Bay was unable to find a trade.
Buffalo Bills
Barnett signed a three year, 12 million dollar deal with the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on July 31, 2011.
Professional Statistics
| Year | Team | G | TTkl | Solo | Ast | Sacks | Int | Yds | Avg | Lg | TD | Pass Def | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Green Bay Packers | 15 | 112 | 86 | 26 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 | Green Bay Packers | 16 | 123 | 92 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | Green Bay Packers | 16 | 138 | 91 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2006 | Green Bay Packers | 15 | 105 | 62 | 43 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | Green Bay Packers | 16 | 131 | 102 | 29 | 3.5 | 2 | 40 | 20 | 38 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | Green Bay Packers | 9 | 49 | 41 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | Green Bay Packers | 16 | 105 | 82 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | Green Bay Packers | 4 | 24 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 104 | 787 | 575 | 212 | 15.5 | 9 | 175 | 19.4 | 95 | 1 | 30 | 2 | 7 | |