Joe Bachie Knows Exactly What He Is and That Might Be Why He Makes the Roster
Joe Bachie has been one of the better stories out of Allen Park during training camp. Not because he’s flashing like a future All-Pro or because he’s beating out Jack Campbell for the starting job. He’s not doing either of those things. He’s doing something arguably harder. He’s being honest with himself about who he is and where he fits, and then he’s going out there and proving he belongs anyway.
That kind of self-awareness is rare in this league. Hell, it’s rare anywhere. Most guys will tell you they’re here to start, to make the Pro Bowl, to be the best. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Belief matters. But Bachie? He’s taking a different route, and it’s working.
After Monday’s practice, he laid it out plain. “I mean, at this point in my career, I’ve been a journeyman. I’ve had a lot of different roles. I’ve started, I’ve been a special teamer. I’ve been on practice squad. I’ve kind of done it all. Obviously, I want to make the 53 and then just do whatever is asked of me. Be the best backup in the world to Jack Campbell, whatever it may be. Be a great special teamer, be a great— whatever it may be. Just help prepare. Just be a true pro.”
No BS. No inflated expectations. Just a guy who knows what he brings and is willing to do it at a high level. That’s refreshing, and frankly, it might be exactly what Brad Holmes and this coaching staff value most when they’re deciding who stays and who goes.
He Keeps Making Plays
Bachie is not passing Jack Campbell on the depth chart. He’s not passing Derrick Barnes or Devin White. If Jimmy Rolder were healthy, he’s probably not passing him either. You’re looking at Bachie as the fifth or sixth linebacker if the Lions even carry that many. But here’s the thing. He keeps showing up.
On Monday, he had a nice pass breakup on a Luke Altmyer throw. It was a botched play to begin with. Michael Niese had a bad snap, Altmyer fumbled it, picked it back up, and tried to throw it. Bachie was right there to bat it away. It wasn’t a highlight reel moment, but it was a heads-up play that showed awareness and effort.
Then he beat his man off the edge and batted down another pass. He’s gotten sacks here and there. He’s made good tackles. He’s been solid on special teams. None of it is flashy, but all of it adds up. And when you’re fighting for the back end of a roster, that’s exactly what you need to do.
The Linebacker Room Is Crowded But Not Locked
When you start projecting the 53-man roster, the linebacker room gets tight fast. Jack Campbell is the starter and one of the best young linebackers in the league. Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez are locks. Devin White is here. Jimmy Rolder might start on PUP, which opens a spot. After that? It gets murky.
Damone Clark has some juice. Trevor Nowaske is interesting but might be more of a Sam linebacker. Erick Hunter has flashed but feels more like a practice squad stash. Troy Reeder is fine. Amen Ogbonbemiga hasn’t shown enough yet to make a real call.
And then there’s Bachie. Just quietly doing his job, making plays, being a pro. If you’re asking me right now, I have a hard time keeping him off this roster. We’ll see what happens when cuts come, but he’s doing everything right.
Checking In On Michigan State
Bachie also talked about Michigan State, where he played college ball. His brother-in-law, Max Bullard, is back over there, and he’s been down with his wife and son. He met Coach Fitzgerald at an alumni golf outing a couple of weeks back and thinks things are heading in the right direction for the Spartans. He believes they just need time and that the coaching staff is the right group to get it done.
As a Spartans fan, Bachie wants them to get back to where they need to be. But he knows it takes time. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Lions fans know all about waiting for things to turn around. The difference is, in Allen Park, it finally did.
So is Joe Bachie the kind of guy who survives final cuts, or are we all just buying into a camp story that ends in a practice squad spot? Drop your take below.
