Where is Barwin?

[popanot]

Originally Posted by WMH

Barwin costing himself money doesn't concern me, him not showing up does. At some point, we are going to need an outside pass rush. He has been tagged "the guy". Whether he is or not, remains to be seen.

Yes, the D is playing great. But I'd sure like to see some production from either he or Reed.

While I too want all the players to play great, it's probably not going to happen all the time. Antonio Smith hasn't really been seen or noticed all that much either. Nor has Reed, Manning or pretty much anyone not named Watt. However, save for an ill-timed fumble setting up great field position and ridiculously horrible officiating in the 4th Qtr yesterday, the D overall has been lights-out.

The biggest concern I had defensively yesterday was with the lack of pressure up the middle and we also seemed to get away from any sort blitz packages later in the game. How many times did Manning just step up into the pocket and have a clean throwing lane? Thank god his WRs suck at running routes and kept dropping the ball.

[Keith]

Split this out from the Bronco thread... I had a similar thought about Barwin. It isn't just that he isn't getting sacks, but rarely have we seen him even disrupt the pocket or be in many stops (albeit early into the 2012 season). I think three games in is a good time to start wondering what's up though. Reed, Antonio, etc aren't piling up big stats either, but at least they are doing things to get them noticed (by me at least).

Barwin added a little weight this season... can't tell if that's really a factor though. He burst on for the team last year largely due to one big game against the Jaguars. One big game this weekend against the Titans could render this thread dead.

He remains part of a unit that overall is excelling, and he has been lined up against a couple really good left tackles already too. That said, he sure seems to be making himself appear expendable this upcoming offseason.

[barrett]

Barwin is an effort guy and that means sacks are going to come and go. Some days guys will get flushed out of the pocket and run into him, he'll get in on half sacks, he chases guys down attempting to scramble, etc...

He is not and has never been a superior 1-on-1 pass rusher. He didn't get most of his sacks last year by blowing by guys and getting to the QB.

We are have a great team-pass rush and amazing defensive effort on every play, but no superior individual pass rusher.

[Joe Joe]

It is starting to get a little worrisome. Watt is going to get blocked one of these days. Barwin and Reed both have seemed out of it so far. The odd part is with the leads, you would expect the OLBs to do better as they are less worried about the run.

[TheMatrix31]

I don't want to pay him that much money if he's going to disappear like this. Three weeks in and it's almost as if he's not even on this team.

[Roy P]

Has our first round pick been on the field? I thought he'd be in a rotation with Reed & barwin. Just sayin.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Has our first round pick been on the field? I thought he'd be in a rotation with Reed & barwin. Just sayin.

I noticed him in on one play in a passing situation against Miami. He's been playing a lot on special teams.