- Entrenched starter in the middle of the Packers’ 3-4 defense, was named a Pro Bowl alternate after starting a career-high 13 games in 2011 and setting new career highs with 142 tackles (109 solo) and five sacks.
- Became a regular starter in 2010 when he opened the final 12 games of the season and finished second on the team with 121 tackles (82 solo), three sacks and an interception.
- Led the linebackers with a career-high 10 passes defensed in 2010, the most by a Green Bay LB since John Anderson registered 15 in 1981.
- Paced the team with a career-high 22 special teams tackles in 2009, and his 49 tackles on special teams from 2007-09 led the team over that span.
- Led the Pacific-10 in tackles in 2006 with 126, the first Cal player to lead the conference in 13 years.
- Physically strong and powerful, having bench-pressed 225 pounds 33 times at the NFL scouting combine.
- Father, Dennis, played football collegiately at Illinois and professionally in the USFL.
Pro Highlights:
- Named a Pro Bowl alternate following his first year as the full-time starter at the “Mack” LB position in 2011. Started a career-high 13 games and posted new career bests with a team-leading 142 tackles (109 solo) and five sacks, despite missing three games with a calf injury.
- Moved into a starting role in 2010 for the final 12 games and all four postseason contests following Nick Barnett’s season-ending wrist injury.
- Took advantage of the increased playing time, recording then-career highs in nearly every statistical category, finishing second on the team in tackles with 121 (82 solo) while adding three sacks and an interception that he returned for his first career TD.
- Also in 2010, led the linebackers and finished fourth on the team with a career-high 10 passes defensed, the most by a Green Bay LB since John Anderson registered 15 in 1981.
- First career start came at weakside LB in Week 14 of 2008 vs. Houston and he posted 12 tackles (eight solo) and two forced fumbles, along with his first career sack.
- Started his career as a core member of the Packers’ special teams in his first three seasons, leading the team with a career-high 22 tackles on special teams in 2009, and his 49 stops from 2007-09 were the most by a Packer over that span.
- Battled injuries earlier in his career, missing four games with a shoulder injury his rookie year in 2007 and two more due to an Achilles issue in 2008.
- Began coming into his own late in his rookie year, making four special teams tackles in one game at St. Louis (Dec. 16, 2007). Had a notable rookie preseason, leading the team with 18 tackles and starting once in the middle for Barnett (coach’s decision).
2011 SEASON: Entered the season as a starter for the first time in his career and did not disappoint, being named an alternate for the Pro Bowl after setting new career highs with 13 starts, a team-high 142 tackles (109 solo) and five sacks…Suffered a calf injury in the first half of the team’s Week 12 Thanksgiving Day contest at Detroit (Nov. 24), and missed the ensuing three games, snapping a streak of 23 consecutive regular-season starts that dated back to Week 5 of 2010…Posted double-digit tackle totals in eight of the 12 games he did finish and led the team in tackles nine times…Also added two forced fumbles and two passes defensed…At Chicago (Sept. 25): Led the team with seven tackles (five solo), helping to key a run defense that allowed just 13 net yards on the day, tied for the fourth-lowest single-game total in franchise history…Vs. Denver (Oct. 2): Led the way with 13 tackles (11 solo), a sack and a key forced fumble. Forced fumble came in the third quarter deep inside Green Bay territory when he missed a jam at the line on Daniel Fells and was trailing the TE down the seam. Gave up a completion but caught up in time to make the tackle and strip the ball from behind; fumble was recovered by S Morgan Burnett. The offense drove 86 yards in five plays for a TD, extending the lead to 42-17. Second sack of the season came on Denver’s next possession...Vs. St. Louis (Oct. 16): Recorded a career-high 20 tackles (15 solo) for a defense that did not allow a TD for the only time all season. Was awarded a defensive game ball after posting the highest tackle total by a Green Bay player since LB A.J. Hawk tallied 20 at Seattle on Nov. 27, 2006. Helped key a red-zone defense that kept the Rams from scoring on three trips inside the 20...At San Diego (Nov. 6): Finished with a team-high 10 tackles (six solo, one for loss), his career-high fourth sack, and a pass defensed. Credited with a pass defensed after running in coverage with TE Antonio Gates down the seam and deflecting a pass that was intercepted by S Charlie Peprah and ultimately returned 40 yards for a TD. Set a new single-season career high with his 9-yard sack of QB Philip Rivers early in the fourth quarter…At Detroit (Nov. 24): Started the game and recorded four tackles (two solo) in the early going, but suffered a calf injury late in the first quarter and did not return…Vs. Chicago (Dec. 25): Returned to the starting lineup after missing the three previous games while rehabilitating the calf injury. Finished as the team’s leading tackler, making 15 stops (nine solo, one for loss)...Vs. N.Y. Giants (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Posted six tackles (four solo, two for loss), two passes defensed and a QB hit. Pair of passes defensed came in coverage against TE Jake Ballard where he twice knocked the ball away as it arrived. QB hit helped force a turnover when he blitzed past LG Kevin Boothe and put a hit on QB Eli Manning, leading to a premature release of the ball and an overthrow that landed in the hands of Burnett, the Giants’ lone turnover of the game.
2010: Played in 15 games with a then-career-best 12 starts, opening the final 12 games, and also started all four playoff contests…Finished second on the team with 121 tackles (82 solo) and added three sacks and a career-high 10 passes defensed while also recording his first career INT (returned for TD)…Led the team with 30 tackles (26 solo) in the postseason and two fumble recoveries…Added a sack, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in the playoffs…Vs. Buffalo (Sept. 19): Was inactive for the first time since at Tennessee (Nov. 2, 2008) due to a hamstring injury that he originally sustained during the preseason. Aggravated the injury in the season opener at Philadelphia (Sept. 12)…At Washington (Oct. 10): Started at “Mack” LB in place of an injured Barnett, the second start of his career and first since vs. Houston (Dec. 7, 2008). Responded with 13 tackles (10 solo), a sack, a tackle for loss, three QB hits and a pass defensed. Drilled QB Donovan McNabb for an 8-yard sack on the Redskins’ final drive of the first half…Vs. Miami (Oct. 17): Followed up his strong performance at Washington with a season-best 16 tackles (seven solo), and added a QB hit and a pass defensed…Vs. Minnesota (Oct. 24): Posted 11 tackles (six solo) and the first INT of his career, one he returned 32 yards for a TD. Picked off QB Brett Favre in the third quarter and went untouched into the end zone to give Green Bay a 28-17 lead. Stayed with WR Randy Moss, his coverage assignment, despite a pump fake by Favre. Also put a hit on Moss on the final play of the game to help break up a Favre pass to the back of the end zone, preserving the 28-24 win…At N.Y. Jets (Oct. 31): Led the team with 13 tackles (12 solo) and matched his career high with two passes defensed…Vs. Dallas (Nov. 7): Sacked QB Jon Kitna for a 9-yard loss in the third quarter, forcing a fumble that was recovered by RB Felix Jones…At New England (Dec. 19): Sacked QB Tom Brady for a 10-yard loss early in the second quarter, forcing a fumble that Brady recovered…Vs. Chicago (Jan. 2): Matched his career high with two passes defensed and added eight tackles (four solo)…At Philadelphia (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 9): Set the tone for the game when he came untouched off the right edge to sack QB Michael Vick for a 9-yard loss on the opening play from scrimmage…At Atlanta (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Led the team with nine tackles (seven solo) and added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In the fourth quarter, hit WR Michael Jenkins after a 3-yard catch, jarring the ball loose before recovering at the Atlanta 33 to set up a 32-yard Mason Crosby FG…Vs. Pittsburgh (Super Bowl XLV, Feb. 6): Finished second on the team with nine tackles (eight solo), including three for a loss while adding a critical fumble recovery. Fumble recovery came on the first play of the fourth quarter with the Steelers driving and the Packers protecting a 21-17 lead. Disengaged from a block by RT Flozell Adams to scoop up RB Rashard Mendenhall’s fumble that was forced by LB Clay Matthews. Located the ball behind the line of scrimmage, picking it up in stride to return it 9 yards before being brought down by C Doug Legursky.
2009: Played in all 16 games for the first time in his career and led the team with a career-high 22 tackles on special teams…Also played in team’s playoff game and was voted one of the special teams captains for the postseason…On the field for more than 76 percent of team’s special teams plays, second most on the squad…Recorded 14 tackles (11 solo) in limited time on defense, backing up Hawk at “Buck” LB and seeing periodic action as fifth LB in “Psycho” package…Vs. Chicago (Sept. 13): Tied for team lead with two special teams tackles…Vs. Cincinnati (Sept. 20): Led the team with three stops on special teams…At St. Louis (Sept. 27): Saw first action of season on defense and recorded a season-high four tackles (three solo). Brought down FB Mike Karney for a 2-yard loss on a pass early in the fourth quarter. Added two stops on special teams…Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 1): Filled in for an injured Brandon Chillar (hand) in nickel for the rest of the game after Chillar left late in the first half. Posted three tackles (all solo) and a pass defensed. Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles. Forced a fumble by DE Brian Robison, who was returning a squib kick on third-quarter kickoff; S Nick Collins recovered fumble at the Minnesota 41 to set up a TE Spencer Havner 16-yard TD catch…Vs. Dallas (Nov. 15): Tied for team lead and matched career high with four special teams tackles…At Chicago (Dec. 13): Saw action on defense in team’s five-LB “Psycho” package and recorded two tackles (one solo)…At Arizona (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 10): Registered a tackle on special teams and saw limited action on defense in “Psycho” package.
2008: Played in 15 games with one start and made 27 tackles on defense (18 solo) with one sack, taking on work at weak-side LB in addition to his customary duties backing up the middle...Led team with three forced fumbles...Finished third on the team with 15 special teams tackles...On the field for more than 71 percent of team’s special teams plays, second most on the team…Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 8): On Will Blackmon’s 76-yard punt return for a score, took out a Vikings player on the sideline to allow Blackmon to cut back across the field…Vs. Dallas (Sept. 21): Took some snaps on defense when Barnett left game briefly late in first quarter with elbow injury...At Tampa Bay (Sept. 28): Saw action at WLB when Hawk went out with groin injury, and posted three tackles (two solo)…Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Tied for team lead with two special teams tackles, including one stop of WR Pierre Garçon on a kickoff return at the Indianapolis 14…At Minnesota (Nov. 9): Saw extensive action in second half at MLB after Barnett left on the first series of the second half with a knee injury, and recorded nine tackles. Forced RB Adrian Peterson to fumble on a fourth-and-1 run in the fourth quarter that the Vikings recovered, but gave the Packers possession on downs at the Minnesota 41 to set up a Crosby FG. Added a season-high three special teams tackles and made a key block on Collins’ 59-yard INT return for a TD to allow him to cut across the field…Vs. Houston (Dec. 7): Started first career game, opening up at WLB in place of an injured Chillar (groin), and posted a season-high 12 tackles and a career-best two forced fumbles. Registered his first career sack when he brought down Matt Schaub for a 6-yard loss in the second quarter, broke into the backfield to stop FB Cecil Sapp for a 3-yard loss on a third-and-1 in the first quarter, forced a fumble early in the second quarter by TE Owen Daniels at the Green Bay 1 that CB Tramon Williams recovered at the 3 and forced another fumble by Daniels in the fourth quarter that went out of bounds…At Chicago (Dec. 22): Matched his season high with three special teams tackles and made one stop in limited action on defense.
2007: Served as the backup MLB and made an impact as a special-teams regular after earning a roster spot with a productive preseason that included a team-high 18 tackles…Played in 10 games and was inactive for the other six, mostly due to a shoulder injury…Posted 12 special teams tackles and six on defense (four solo)…At Detroit (Nov. 22): Saw his first career action on defense, playing one snap…At St. Louis (Dec. 16): Registered a career-high four special teams tackles…Vs. Detroit (Dec. 30): Saw his most extensive action of the season on defense, entering the game for Barnett in the second quarter and tallying six tackles (four solo), the first tackles from scrimmage of his career…Vs. N.Y. Giants (NFC Championship, Jan. 20): Made two special teams tackles…2007 Draft: Selected in the sixth round with the 192nd overall pick, the 27th LB chosen. Was the second of three consecutive choices the Packers had in the round. Selected with pick acquired from Pittsburgh along with the Steelers’ fourth-round choice (No. 119) for Green Bay’s fourth-round pick (No. 112). First defensive player drafted by the Packers out of California since DB Jerry Scattini in 1962 (19th round).
COLLEGE: After transferring from junior college, started all 25 games he appeared in at Cal, collecting 215 tackles (125 solo), 21 stops for loss, three sacks, three INTs, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…Led Cal in tackles both his seasons there…Majored in interdisciplinary studies…Was the ninth player from Cal drafted by the Packers and second in three-year period, joining QB Aaron Rodgers (D1-05)…Senior season (2006): Led the Pacific-10 with 126 tackles (63 solo), the most tackles recorded by a Cal player since Jerrott Willard in 1993 and the first player to lead the conference in tackles since then…A third-team All-American choice by Rivals.com, earned honorable mention from The NFL Draft Report and garnered All-Pac-10 first-team accolades…In 13 games, also had three sacks, a team-high 15 stops for loss (fourth in Pac-10), two pass break-ups, three INTs, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…Ranked 14th nationally, averaging 9.69 tackles per game…Had at least seven tackles in 11 of 13 contests, and was in double digits five times…In perhaps his best collegiate performance, posted a career-high 16 tackles (seven solo), with 3½ tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a game-clinching INT vs. Washington (Oct. 21) that he returned 79 yards in overtime to seal 31-24 win…Junior season (2005): Immediately won a starting job at Cal upon his arrival and picked up second-team All-Pac-10 honors…Started all 12 games at MLB and led the team with 89 tackles (62 solo), with six stops for loss, one QB pressure, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections…Tallied 12 tackles, including a career-high 11 solo, vs. USC (Nov. 12)…Junior college: A two-year letterman at City College of San Francisco (2003-04), where he was a teammate of future Cal quarterback Joe Ayoob…Ranked by SuperPrep as the fourth-best community college player in the nation and was voted California’s 2004 Junior College Defensive Player of the Year by the JC Athletic Bureau/California Community College Football Coaches Association…Named the Northern California Conference Defensive Most Valuable Player…First-team JC Grid-Wire All-American, averaging almost 12 tackles per game with 118 stops in 10 regular-season contests in 2004…Was virtually unstoppable in the state’s championship game with 14 tackles (including eight solo stops), one sack and two tackles for loss vs. College of the Canyons…Also played on CCSF’s undefeated (13-0) team that won the national championship in 2003.
PERSONAL: Given name Desmond Lamont Bishop…Nicknamed “Dez”…Born in San Francisco, Calif. …Single…Father, Dennis, played football collegiately at Illinois and professionally in the USFL…High school: Attended Fairfield (Calif.) High School, earning second-team all-state honors from Calhisports.com…Played in the California North-South Shrine All-Star Game as a senior in 2002…Played FB and LB…Also lettered in basketball…Played against fellow Packers defender Bush, as the two were from rival schools…Community involvement: Following Super Bowl XLV, was honored on the floor of the California State Assembly in April 2011…Was also honored on Feb. 15, 2011, when it was declared “Desmond Bishop Day” in San Francisco…Rang the bell for The Salvation Army during the holidays and signed autographs in exchange for donations…Has hosted the Desmond Bishop Football Camp at his high school alma mater…Has participated in the Brett Favre and Donald Driver celebrity softball games, Al Harris’ Stars and Strikes Celebrity Bowling Event, and in the United Way’s NFL Hometown Huddle, making improvements to the facilities at Golden House, a local shelter…Attended dinner and signed autographs at the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley…Also attended a Halloween party for at-risk kids of the local Pals Program and their mentors…Participated in the “Pro vs. GI Joe” event in 2011, playing video games live against active members of the military stationed overseas...Along with several Cal teammates, served food to the homeless…Hobbies/interests: Enjoys reading James Patterson and Lee Child, writing poetry and short stories...Is near completion on a movie script…Also enjoys playing “Halo” and “Madden” and watching movies…Residence: Vacaville, Calif.
- Entrenched starter in the middle of the Packers’ 3-4 defense, was named a Pro Bowl alternate after starting a career-high 13 games in 2011 and setting new career highs with 142 tackles (109 solo) and five sacks.
- Became a regular starter in 2010 when he opened the final 12 games of the season and finished second on the team with 121 tackles (82 solo), three sacks and an interception.
- Led the linebackers with a career-high 10 passes defensed in 2010, the most by a Green Bay LB since John Anderson registered 15 in 1981.
- Paced the team with a career-high 22 special teams tackles in 2009, and his 49 tackles on special teams from 2007-09 led the team over that span.
- Led the Pacific-10 in tackles in 2006 with 126, the first Cal player to lead the conference in 13 years.
- Physically strong and powerful, having bench-pressed 225 pounds 33 times at the NFL scouting combine.
- Father, Dennis, played football collegiately at Illinois and professionally in the USFL.
Pro Highlights:
- Named a Pro Bowl alternate following his first year as the full-time starter at the “Mack” LB position in 2011. Started a career-high 13 games and posted new career bests with a team-leading 142 tackles (109 solo) and five sacks, despite missing three games with a calf injury.
- Moved into a starting role in 2010 for the final 12 games and all four postseason contests following Nick Barnett’s season-ending wrist injury.
- Took advantage of the increased playing time, recording then-career highs in nearly every statistical category, finishing second on the team in tackles with 121 (82 solo) while adding three sacks and an interception that he returned for his first career TD.
- Also in 2010, led the linebackers and finished fourth on the team with a career-high 10 passes defensed, the most by a Green Bay LB since John Anderson registered 15 in 1981.
- First career start came at weakside LB in Week 14 of 2008 vs. Houston and he posted 12 tackles (eight solo) and two forced fumbles, along with his first career sack.
- Started his career as a core member of the Packers’ special teams in his first three seasons, leading the team with a career-high 22 tackles on special teams in 2009, and his 49 stops from 2007-09 were the most by a Packer over that span.
- Battled injuries earlier in his career, missing four games with a shoulder injury his rookie year in 2007 and two more due to an Achilles issue in 2008.
- Began coming into his own late in his rookie year, making four special teams tackles in one game at St. Louis (Dec. 16, 2007). Had a notable rookie preseason, leading the team with 18 tackles and starting once in the middle for Barnett (coach’s decision).
2011 SEASON: Entered the season as a starter for the first time in his career and did not disappoint, being named an alternate for the Pro Bowl after setting new career highs with 13 starts, a team-high 142 tackles (109 solo) and five sacks…Suffered a calf injury in the first half of the team’s Week 12 Thanksgiving Day contest at Detroit (Nov. 24), and missed the ensuing three games, snapping a streak of 23 consecutive regular-season starts that dated back to Week 5 of 2010…Posted double-digit tackle totals in eight of the 12 games he did finish and led the team in tackles nine times…Also added two forced fumbles and two passes defensed…At Chicago (Sept. 25): Led the team with seven tackles (five solo), helping to key a run defense that allowed just 13 net yards on the day, tied for the fourth-lowest single-game total in franchise history…Vs. Denver (Oct. 2): Led the way with 13 tackles (11 solo), a sack and a key forced fumble. Forced fumble came in the third quarter deep inside Green Bay territory when he missed a jam at the line on Daniel Fells and was trailing the TE down the seam. Gave up a completion but caught up in time to make the tackle and strip the ball from behind; fumble was recovered by S Morgan Burnett. The offense drove 86 yards in five plays for a TD, extending the lead to 42-17. Second sack of the season came on Denver’s next possession...Vs. St. Louis (Oct. 16): Recorded a career-high 20 tackles (15 solo) for a defense that did not allow a TD for the only time all season. Was awarded a defensive game ball after posting the highest tackle total by a Green Bay player since LB A.J. Hawk tallied 20 at Seattle on Nov. 27, 2006. Helped key a red-zone defense that kept the Rams from scoring on three trips inside the 20...At San Diego (Nov. 6): Finished with a team-high 10 tackles (six solo, one for loss), his career-high fourth sack, and a pass defensed. Credited with a pass defensed after running in coverage with TE Antonio Gates down the seam and deflecting a pass that was intercepted by S Charlie Peprah and ultimately returned 40 yards for a TD. Set a new single-season career high with his 9-yard sack of QB Philip Rivers early in the fourth quarter…At Detroit (Nov. 24): Started the game and recorded four tackles (two solo) in the early going, but suffered a calf injury late in the first quarter and did not return…Vs. Chicago (Dec. 25): Returned to the starting lineup after missing the three previous games while rehabilitating the calf injury. Finished as the team’s leading tackler, making 15 stops (nine solo, one for loss)...Vs. N.Y. Giants (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Posted six tackles (four solo, two for loss), two passes defensed and a QB hit. Pair of passes defensed came in coverage against TE Jake Ballard where he twice knocked the ball away as it arrived. QB hit helped force a turnover when he blitzed past LG Kevin Boothe and put a hit on QB Eli Manning, leading to a premature release of the ball and an overthrow that landed in the hands of Burnett, the Giants’ lone turnover of the game.
2010: Played in 15 games with a then-career-best 12 starts, opening the final 12 games, and also started all four playoff contests…Finished second on the team with 121 tackles (82 solo) and added three sacks and a career-high 10 passes defensed while also recording his first career INT (returned for TD)…Led the team with 30 tackles (26 solo) in the postseason and two fumble recoveries…Added a sack, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in the playoffs…Vs. Buffalo (Sept. 19): Was inactive for the first time since at Tennessee (Nov. 2, 2008) due to a hamstring injury that he originally sustained during the preseason. Aggravated the injury in the season opener at Philadelphia (Sept. 12)…At Washington (Oct. 10): Started at “Mack” LB in place of an injured Barnett, the second start of his career and first since vs. Houston (Dec. 7, 2008). Responded with 13 tackles (10 solo), a sack, a tackle for loss, three QB hits and a pass defensed. Drilled QB Donovan McNabb for an 8-yard sack on the Redskins’ final drive of the first half…Vs. Miami (Oct. 17): Followed up his strong performance at Washington with a season-best 16 tackles (seven solo), and added a QB hit and a pass defensed…Vs. Minnesota (Oct. 24): Posted 11 tackles (six solo) and the first INT of his career, one he returned 32 yards for a TD. Picked off QB Brett Favre in the third quarter and went untouched into the end zone to give Green Bay a 28-17 lead. Stayed with WR Randy Moss, his coverage assignment, despite a pump fake by Favre. Also put a hit on Moss on the final play of the game to help break up a Favre pass to the back of the end zone, preserving the 28-24 win…At N.Y. Jets (Oct. 31): Led the team with 13 tackles (12 solo) and matched his career high with two passes defensed…Vs. Dallas (Nov. 7): Sacked QB Jon Kitna for a 9-yard loss in the third quarter, forcing a fumble that was recovered by RB Felix Jones…At New England (Dec. 19): Sacked QB Tom Brady for a 10-yard loss early in the second quarter, forcing a fumble that Brady recovered…Vs. Chicago (Jan. 2): Matched his career high with two passes defensed and added eight tackles (four solo)…At Philadelphia (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 9): Set the tone for the game when he came untouched off the right edge to sack QB Michael Vick for a 9-yard loss on the opening play from scrimmage…At Atlanta (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Led the team with nine tackles (seven solo) and added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In the fourth quarter, hit WR Michael Jenkins after a 3-yard catch, jarring the ball loose before recovering at the Atlanta 33 to set up a 32-yard Mason Crosby FG…Vs. Pittsburgh (Super Bowl XLV, Feb. 6): Finished second on the team with nine tackles (eight solo), including three for a loss while adding a critical fumble recovery. Fumble recovery came on the first play of the fourth quarter with the Steelers driving and the Packers protecting a 21-17 lead. Disengaged from a block by RT Flozell Adams to scoop up RB Rashard Mendenhall’s fumble that was forced by LB Clay Matthews. Located the ball behind the line of scrimmage, picking it up in stride to return it 9 yards before being brought down by C Doug Legursky.
2009: Played in all 16 games for the first time in his career and led the team with a career-high 22 tackles on special teams…Also played in team’s playoff game and was voted one of the special teams captains for the postseason…On the field for more than 76 percent of team’s special teams plays, second most on the squad…Recorded 14 tackles (11 solo) in limited time on defense, backing up Hawk at “Buck” LB and seeing periodic action as fifth LB in “Psycho” package…Vs. Chicago (Sept. 13): Tied for team lead with two special teams tackles…Vs. Cincinnati (Sept. 20): Led the team with three stops on special teams…At St. Louis (Sept. 27): Saw first action of season on defense and recorded a season-high four tackles (three solo). Brought down FB Mike Karney for a 2-yard loss on a pass early in the fourth quarter. Added two stops on special teams…Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 1): Filled in for an injured Brandon Chillar (hand) in nickel for the rest of the game after Chillar left late in the first half. Posted three tackles (all solo) and a pass defensed. Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles. Forced a fumble by DE Brian Robison, who was returning a squib kick on third-quarter kickoff; S Nick Collins recovered fumble at the Minnesota 41 to set up a TE Spencer Havner 16-yard TD catch…Vs. Dallas (Nov. 15): Tied for team lead and matched career high with four special teams tackles…At Chicago (Dec. 13): Saw action on defense in team’s five-LB “Psycho” package and recorded two tackles (one solo)…At Arizona (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 10): Registered a tackle on special teams and saw limited action on defense in “Psycho” package.
2008: Played in 15 games with one start and made 27 tackles on defense (18 solo) with one sack, taking on work at weak-side LB in addition to his customary duties backing up the middle...Led team with three forced fumbles...Finished third on the team with 15 special teams tackles...On the field for more than 71 percent of team’s special teams plays, second most on the team…Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 8): On Will Blackmon’s 76-yard punt return for a score, took out a Vikings player on the sideline to allow Blackmon to cut back across the field…Vs. Dallas (Sept. 21): Took some snaps on defense when Barnett left game briefly late in first quarter with elbow injury...At Tampa Bay (Sept. 28): Saw action at WLB when Hawk went out with groin injury, and posted three tackles (two solo)…Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Tied for team lead with two special teams tackles, including one stop of WR Pierre Garçon on a kickoff return at the Indianapolis 14…At Minnesota (Nov. 9): Saw extensive action in second half at MLB after Barnett left on the first series of the second half with a knee injury, and recorded nine tackles. Forced RB Adrian Peterson to fumble on a fourth-and-1 run in the fourth quarter that the Vikings recovered, but gave the Packers possession on downs at the Minnesota 41 to set up a Crosby FG. Added a season-high three special teams tackles and made a key block on Collins’ 59-yard INT return for a TD to allow him to cut across the field…Vs. Houston (Dec. 7): Started first career game, opening up at WLB in place of an injured Chillar (groin), and posted a season-high 12 tackles and a career-best two forced fumbles. Registered his first career sack when he brought down Matt Schaub for a 6-yard loss in the second quarter, broke into the backfield to stop FB Cecil Sapp for a 3-yard loss on a third-and-1 in the first quarter, forced a fumble early in the second quarter by TE Owen Daniels at the Green Bay 1 that CB Tramon Williams recovered at the 3 and forced another fumble by Daniels in the fourth quarter that went out of bounds…At Chicago (Dec. 22): Matched his season high with three special teams tackles and made one stop in limited action on defense.
2007: Served as the backup MLB and made an impact as a special-teams regular after earning a roster spot with a productive preseason that included a team-high 18 tackles…Played in 10 games and was inactive for the other six, mostly due to a shoulder injury…Posted 12 special teams tackles and six on defense (four solo)…At Detroit (Nov. 22): Saw his first career action on defense, playing one snap…At St. Louis (Dec. 16): Registered a career-high four special teams tackles…Vs. Detroit (Dec. 30): Saw his most extensive action of the season on defense, entering the game for Barnett in the second quarter and tallying six tackles (four solo), the first tackles from scrimmage of his career…Vs. N.Y. Giants (NFC Championship, Jan. 20): Made two special teams tackles…2007 Draft: Selected in the sixth round with the 192nd overall pick, the 27th LB chosen. Was the second of three consecutive choices the Packers had in the round. Selected with pick acquired from Pittsburgh along with the Steelers’ fourth-round choice (No. 119) for Green Bay’s fourth-round pick (No. 112). First defensive player drafted by the Packers out of California since DB Jerry Scattini in 1962 (19th round).
COLLEGE: After transferring from junior college, started all 25 games he appeared in at Cal, collecting 215 tackles (125 solo), 21 stops for loss, three sacks, three INTs, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…Led Cal in tackles both his seasons there…Majored in interdisciplinary studies…Was the ninth player from Cal drafted by the Packers and second in three-year period, joining QB Aaron Rodgers (D1-05)…Senior season (2006): Led the Pacific-10 with 126 tackles (63 solo), the most tackles recorded by a Cal player since Jerrott Willard in 1993 and the first player to lead the conference in tackles since then…A third-team All-American choice by Rivals.com, earned honorable mention from The NFL Draft Report and garnered All-Pac-10 first-team accolades…In 13 games, also had three sacks, a team-high 15 stops for loss (fourth in Pac-10), two pass break-ups, three INTs, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…Ranked 14th nationally, averaging 9.69 tackles per game…Had at least seven tackles in 11 of 13 contests, and was in double digits five times…In perhaps his best collegiate performance, posted a career-high 16 tackles (seven solo), with 3½ tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a game-clinching INT vs. Washington (Oct. 21) that he returned 79 yards in overtime to seal 31-24 win…Junior season (2005): Immediately won a starting job at Cal upon his arrival and picked up second-team All-Pac-10 honors…Started all 12 games at MLB and led the team with 89 tackles (62 solo), with six stops for loss, one QB pressure, one forced fumble, and two pass deflections…Tallied 12 tackles, including a career-high 11 solo, vs. USC (Nov. 12)…Junior college: A two-year letterman at City College of San Francisco (2003-04), where he was a teammate of future Cal quarterback Joe Ayoob…Ranked by SuperPrep as the fourth-best community college player in the nation and was voted California’s 2004 Junior College Defensive Player of the Year by the JC Athletic Bureau/California Community College Football Coaches Association…Named the Northern California Conference Defensive Most Valuable Player…First-team JC Grid-Wire All-American, averaging almost 12 tackles per game with 118 stops in 10 regular-season contests in 2004…Was virtually unstoppable in the state’s championship game with 14 tackles (including eight solo stops), one sack and two tackles for loss vs. College of the Canyons…Also played on CCSF’s undefeated (13-0) team that won the national championship in 2003.
PERSONAL: Given name Desmond Lamont Bishop…Nicknamed “Dez”…Born in San Francisco, Calif. …Single…Father, Dennis, played football collegiately at Illinois and professionally in the USFL…High school: Attended Fairfield (Calif.) High School, earning second-team all-state honors from Calhisports.com…Played in the California North-South Shrine All-Star Game as a senior in 2002…Played FB and LB…Also lettered in basketball…Played against fellow Packers defender Bush, as the two were from rival schools…Community involvement: Following Super Bowl XLV, was honored on the floor of the California State Assembly in April 2011…Was also honored on Feb. 15, 2011, when it was declared “Desmond Bishop Day” in San Francisco…Rang the bell for The Salvation Army during the holidays and signed autographs in exchange for donations…Has hosted the Desmond Bishop Football Camp at his high school alma mater…Has participated in the Brett Favre and Donald Driver celebrity softball games, Al Harris’ Stars and Strikes Celebrity Bowling Event, and in the United Way’s NFL Hometown Huddle, making improvements to the facilities at Golden House, a local shelter…Attended dinner and signed autographs at the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley…Also attended a Halloween party for at-risk kids of the local Pals Program and their mentors…Participated in the “Pro vs. GI Joe” event in 2011, playing video games live against active members of the military stationed overseas...Along with several Cal teammates, served food to the homeless…Hobbies/interests: Enjoys reading James Patterson and Lee Child, writing poetry and short stories...Is near completion on a movie script…Also enjoys playing “Halo” and “Madden” and watching movies…Residence: Vacaville, Calif.
