Hawk at MLB ... after thoughts

[packers11]

Loved it, he never got run over and he made every sure tackle.

I hope when Nick gets back they move him to the weak side and Hawk in the middle...

Thoughts?

[Brando19]

Hawk needs to be at MLB. The Bears couldn't run up the middle without getting "Hawked".

[Joemailman]

I tend to agree. I think Hawk has natural leadership abilities, and MLB's are often the leader of great defenses. Now that Nick has a big contract extension, he might be more agreeable to a switch than he may have been in the past.

[red]

he didn't just make tackles, he was plugging holes making the rb run into his own guys

i was impressed, he looked like he belonged there. but it was just one game, he has at least 6 more games to show what he's got there

[denverYooper]

he didn't just make tackles, he was plugging holes making the rb run into his own guys

i was impressed, he looked like he belonged there. but it was just one game, he has at least 6 more games to show what he's got there

Yup. He called up some nice adjustments out there today.

[texaspackerbacker]

When the Packers first got Hawk and there was all the discussion of moving Barnett to the outside, I was always against it. However, after seeing Hawk play in the middle--excellent, after seeing Hawk play outside--mediocre, and after seeing Barnett even before he was hurt, play at a lower level than last season, I ready to change my mind.

I hereby agree with the idea of Hawk in the middle and Barnett outside for next season.

And for this season, I hope we see a whole lot more of what we saw today: just two LBs and 5 DBs. If it worked that well against a team like the Bears that has a decent rushing game and likes to use two TEs, then the 5 DB thing ouhgt to work even better against teams with better and more used wideouts.

[Joemailman]

The Packers also played the nickel extensively against Indy. It's worked well twice, but the game plan of the opposing offense may dictate how often you can use it. Will it work against a powerful running team like Carolina?

[Cheesehead Craig]

So far so good with Hawk. I won't anoint him the next MLB until he has a few more games under his belt at the position. New Orleans has a much better offense than the Bears, let's see how he does against them.

[Guiness]

The Packers also played the nickel extensively against Indy. It's worked well twice, but the game plan of the opposing offense may dictate how often you can use it. Will it work against a powerful running team like Carolina?

Bigby and Rouse are what make this option interesting. Bigby likes to lay the lumber, and is pretty solid. Rouse is your classic 'tweener'. Big safety, small LB - can he hold up against the run all game?

[boiga]

I really liked the defensive call on the 4th and 1 play. We used a 4-4 defense of four LBs with Hawk and Bishop in the middle. Together they ganged up on Forte and got us back the ball.

Hawk upped his game today, but the real star is the depth we've built into the line backing core. Chillar has turned into a good pickup and even Bishop is making contributions.

[Deputy Nutz]

Barnett missed one game a two years ago and Hodge filled with a mixed bag. Barnett hasn't missed any games since. It seems to me that it certainly didn't take the Packers' coaches very longs to switch Hawk. In other words I think they have been waiting for an opening to put Hawk in the middle.

Barnett objected strongly when Hodge was drafted. Part of it was that he wanted he big contract, another big part is pride. Barnett has been a slightly above average middle linebacker, but Hawk was a 5th pick in the draft and has yet been dynamic at WLB.

Hawk has 6 more games and hopefully the playoffs to secure the middle for the 2009 season and beyond.

[Partial]

Barnett missed one game a two years ago and Hodge filled with a mixed bag. Barnett hasn't missed any games since. It seems to me that it certainly didn't take the Packers' coaches very longs to switch Hawk. In other words I think they have been waiting for an opening to put Hawk in the middle.

Barnett objected strongly when Hodge was drafted. Part of it was that he wanted he big contract, another big part is pride. Barnett has been a slightly above average middle linebacker, but Hawk was a 5th pick in the draft and has yet been dynamic at WLB.

Hawk has 6 more games and hopefully the playoffs to secure the middle for the 2009 season and beyond.

If they end up switching schemes and go with a 3-4, I could see Barnett being the odd man out. Unfortunate as he seems like a good guy.

[oregonpackfan]

Assigning Barnett at MLB was a gamble that Mike Sherman took as Barnett never played MLB in college.

In his first two years at Oregon State, Barnett was a safety. For his last two years, he played outside linebacker. OSU had a solid MLB in Richard Seigler(who played a couple of seasons in the NFL).

As a couple of posters have noted, it is too early to judge Hawk's effectiveness from just one game. I do think, however, that Barnett could be an effective outside backer, be it strong or weak side.

[Tarlam!]

If they end up switching schemes and go with a 3-4, I could see Barnett being the odd man out. Unfortunate as he seems like a good guy.

They run the Bates scheme. I am surprised by you bringing a 3-4 scheme into the discussion. They haven't drafted or recruited players that can play that scheme, nor do they have a coaching staff that could employ it.

Or do they?

I wonder why you took the discussion in this direction. It seems absurd to me, but, what do I know?

[cheesner]

I always thought Barnett should be outside. Independently, I feel Hawk should be a MLB. I am hoping that this opportunity for Hawk will result in a permanent change in positions.