NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Green Bay Packers: LB Desmond Bishop pushing for reunion?

By Keegan Matheson

facebooktwitterreddit

Desmond Bishop sees that the reunion between James Jones and the Green Bay Packers is off to a great start, and he’d like to get in on the magic. Following the announcement that inside linebacker Sam Barrington would be lost for the 2015 season, the former Packer has taken to Twitter to begin his campaign. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network began to fan the flames earlier in the evening.

The hammerhead linebacker most recently signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, but had his return derailed by injury. That’s a familiar story for Packers fans, who experienced first hand the immense physical potential of the oft-injured Bishop.

A sixth round draft pick in 2007, Desmond Bishop existed as a preseason superstar for the early stages of his career before breaking out in a starting role for the 2010 Super Bowl team. He’d record 103 tackles with 3.0 sacks that season, and follow it up in 2011 with 115 tackles to go along with 5.0 sacks. His blitzing talents from the inside linebacker position were unique, but it’s been a long road for him since that year.

More from Green Bay Packers

Oct 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Desmond Bishop (59) is injured during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

From 2012 to 2014, Bishop has managed to appear in just six games for the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals and the 49ers. Talent has never been an issue for the 31-year old, but his health has been inconsistent to the point of derailing his once-promising career. If the Packers can make James Jones work, though, why not Bishop?

Jones, after being cut by the Raiders and Giants, broke out in week one with two touchdowns. At a similar point on his career arc, Jones’ familiarity with the system allowed him to play well above his physical talents, and perhaps Bishop could manage the same. He certainly seems to think so, as he’s been tweeting out videos of his practice tape in Green Bay and retweeting some fans who have said it’s time to bring him back.

In the end, this is an unlikely story that sounds good in theory, but would offer the Packers an extremely low level of certainty. Catching lighting in a bottle with an injury-prone 31-year old may not be Ted Thompson‘s desired course of action, but the one percent chance of this reunion trumps the zero I would have given it yesterday. If Bishop gets his way, the Class of 2010 reunion will continue in Green Bay.

Next: Packers struggles against run begins with tackling

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Green Bay Packers