Don Barclay: 2015 Packers Player Report Card

Don Barclay

  • Age: 26
  • Ht./Wt: 6'4", 305lbs
  • College: West Virginia
  • NFL Experience: 4 years

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Expectations coming into the season:  After starting 14 games in 2013 when Bryan Bulaga suffered an ACL injury, Barclay suffered the same fate early in camp. He hoped to come back after a year of rehab and once again fill the primary backup G/T role for the Packers.

Player’s highlights/low-lights:  Barclays best performance in a poor season was probably his first appearance on the field. Filling in for Bryan Bulaga at his more comfortable RT spot, Barclay managed to shut out Cliff Avril in the sack department, but he got a lot of help from Rodger's mastery of moving in the pocket. Thrown in at left tackle in the Arizona rout, he was a big fish out of water, allowing 4 1/2 sacks and several more pressures. Fortunately, Rodgers managed to survive the onslaught.

Level of Expectations met:  Barclay started five games and saw some spot duty in two others. Unlike 2013, he was not the reliable "hold the fort" backup he was expected to be. Certainly his injury shares some of the blame, but how much we don't know. On the bright side, he was only called for one penalty in his 423 offensive snaps. 

Grade: D

Player’s contributions to team success:  It was a difficult year for the offensive line - all were injured to some level or other, even when they didn't miss a game. When needed, Barclay came in and was below par. He often required help in protection, a major concession from a coach who often stubbornly refuses to do such things. Barclay received very low ratings as a run blocker from Pro Football Focus. Registered 108 special teams snaps.

Grade: D-

Player’s contributions in the playoffs:  Did not play.

Grade: N/A

Intangibles/misc:  According to teammates, coaches, beat writers, etc., Barclay is very well liked and respected in the Packers locker room. Others who have come into contact with him in off-field activities also speak to what a good guy he is. That just makes it more difficult to have to give him a bad grade, but I have to ignore those things and go by what I saw on the field.

Grade: N/A

 

Overall Grade:  D

 

 

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"Jersey Al" Bracco is the Editor-In-Chief, part owner and wearer of many hats for CheeseheadTV.com and PackersTalk.com. He is also a recovering Mason Crosby truther.  Follow Al on twitter at @JerseyalGBP

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Comments (13)

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zoellner25's picture

February 08, 2016 at 12:03 pm

I'll make this quick. F--

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Razer's picture

February 08, 2016 at 12:44 pm

I like the fact that the Green Bay Packer organization gives everybody a chance to develop into the best player they can possible be. It is why we get so many good UDFAs to sign in this backwater. I don't know what the topside potential is for Barclay nor how his injury impacts that potential. The question becomes when do you move on from some of the projects?

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KenEllis's picture

February 08, 2016 at 12:47 pm

Not Don's fault.

Pre-season established that he should never, ever have been expected to be the backup tackle this season.

This one is on the decision-makers who thought an extremely limited player could still play after his ACL injury in 2014.

He should have been cut and it was sad to see him trotted out there (along with Walker) as a supposedly viable player. Is Barclay one of the reasons MM is reportedly "fed up?"

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zoellner25's picture

February 08, 2016 at 03:24 pm

You are right, it's not Don's fault. But he doesn't belong in the NFL, and that's Ted's fault.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

February 08, 2016 at 02:59 pm

I think Barclay can backup at guard, but it's probubly better to bring an younger guy with more upside to do that.

Unless another value Tackle falls into their laps in this years draft, I'd prefer to see Tretter as the backup Tackle.

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RCPackerFan's picture

February 09, 2016 at 07:23 am

I agree with you.

I think Barclay can be a good Guard backup, and possible RT backup in a pinch. But there is no way he should have ever been put at LT.

I agree with you that Tretter should be our backup Tackle.

That being said I hope Thompson drafts a LT prospect in the 4th round area.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

February 08, 2016 at 03:22 pm

My hope is we find a good backup it seems Don is not the man.

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ray nichkee's picture

February 08, 2016 at 03:49 pm

Big fish out of water, I'm laughing my ass off. Thanks Al. Barclay was the man (backup man) when bulaga went down. It seems he lost his lateral movent after his acl tear and could be a back up guard at best. I'm glad he was there but I'm not sure what the future holds.

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Packer_Pete's picture

February 08, 2016 at 04:29 pm

I don't think Don will be on the team next year. It's also not easy to be thrown into the cold water. I think he did the best he could, just isn't good enough anymore.

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Rossonero's picture

February 08, 2016 at 08:26 pm

Unfortunately, Barclay was not the same guy who started a career-high 14 games in 2013 at right tackle, helping Eddie Lacy to rush for over 1,000 yards and earn Offensive Rookie of the Year. He also appeared in all 16 games in 2012, so the ability is, or at least was, there.

The ACL tear caused him to lose some mobility. Given his track record, he's worth a look at Guard, but his days as a tackle are over.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

February 09, 2016 at 05:14 am

I have to agree with the grade. If anything, you were probably kind in your comments, but rightly so.

Barclay is a medical decision. I am assuming that his injury caused his poor play. The issue is whether the medical staff believes that another year removed from the injury will allow Barclay to return to his previous form. Or that Barclay will learn to trust his knee. That will decide whether Barclay can play RT (he was never able to play LT - sticking him out there is an indictment of the FO - or possibly just at OG. Time will tell, but I see no reason to tender Barclay.

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sheppercheeser's picture

February 09, 2016 at 06:59 am

I think Barclay gives GB all he has, but unfortunately, that's not enough. Good guy in the locker room but a liability on the field. With Don on the field, we are one play away from another season injury to AR.

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dobber's picture

February 09, 2016 at 08:06 am

I think that ultimately the question on Barclay is whether his play really has diminished since the injury. I don't think he really looked all that much different out there. He's a brawler and athletically limited. Always has been. When he was playing on the right side, the pressure is in front of ARod, and he can compensate. The majority of Barclay's PT came when ARod had a broken collarbone...how did the O look then?

He belongs inside so he can play in a phone booth, and I think his athletic shortcomings can be minimized, but he's someone you'll always be looking to improve upon.

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