AJ Hawk

[Patler]

Is he still playing for the Packers?

In all seriousness, what has happened to him? Why are we talking about Desmond Bishop and impact plays he made from Hawk's former position, where Hawk made very few? Many argued that Hawk had been out of position and should be in the middle. Now he has been in the middle for 4 games and has been virtually unseen. He has been in on some tackles, sure, but he has had no impact on the games.

Hawk was described as a very instinctive player. That usually means a guy who senses and disrupts plays, making the big play to stop a first down, force a turnover, etc. I am seeing none of that from Hawk.

I expected more.

[3irty1]

On the radio I heard a post game show where they were hypothesizing that AJ Hawk has bulked up and lost some of his speed making him a different type of player. Kind of makes sense because it does look like he has gotten bigger.

[Patler]

On the radio I heard a post game show where they were hypothesizing that AJ Hawk has bulked up and lost some of his speed making him a different type of player. Kind of makes sense because it does look like he has gotten bigger.

I hadn't heard that. Who was suggesting that, fans or a reporter with information?
I would find that hard to believe. As in-tuned to physical conditioning as Hawk is, I would find it hard to believe that he would let that happen.

[KYPack]

Re: AJ Hawk

Is he still playing for the Packers?

In all seriousness, what has happened to him? Why are we talking about Desmond Bishop and impact plays he made from Hawk's former position, where Hawk made very few? Many argued that Hawk had been out of position and should be in the middle. Now he has been in the middle for 4 games and has been virtually unseen. He has been in on some tackles, sure, but he has had no impact on the games.

Hawk was described as a very instinctive player. That usually means a guy who senses and disrupts plays, making the big play to stop a first down, force a turnover, etc. I am seeing none of that from Hawk.

I expected more.

I was pretty confident that Hawk would have a big year this go round. He seems to be hurt, with assorted groin and leg injuries, but....

The 3rd season is supposed to be the explosion year. The player has been thru 3 camps and has been in an NFL weight room for 24 or more months. He knows the job and should be reacting and not thinking.

Hawk got hurt in camp, but he showed no signs of making any kind of leap before he was injured. Obviously, he gets next year to show that he can make the big leap. But he doesn't seem like a difference maker guy, just a "make plays" guy.

Hawk's having a mediocre year in a bad season. Maybe he can get right and explode when the the team is having a big season next year.

But I really doubt it will happen. I think we got a decent player, but not a star.

[oregonpackfan]

Hawk has also appeared to struggle in pass coverage when placed at the middle linebacker position. Barnett has better pass coverage skills than Hawk, IMO.

[Patler]

Re: AJ Hawk

I was pretty confident that Hawk would have a big year this go round. He seems to be hurt, with assorted groin and leg injuries, but....

The 3rd season is supposed to be the explosion year. The player has been thru 3 camps and has been in an NFL weight room for 24 or more months. He knows the job and should be reacting and not thinking.

Hawk got hurt in camp, but he showed no signs of making any kind of leap before he was injured. Obviously, he gets next year to show that he can make the big leap. But he doesn't seem like a difference maker guy, just a "make plays" guy.

Hawk's having a mediocre year in a bad season. Maybe he can get right and explode when the the team is having a big season next year.

But I really doubt it will happen. I think we got a decent player, but not a star.

I agree 100%. This should have been his year to really show something. Even injured players can show their talent and instincts in given situations, on specific plays, even if they can't do it on a regular basis. Hawk shows none of that. Decent player, but not a game changer, not a pro bowl type player.

Unfortunately, the Packers still need to find a linebacker who can make an impact in critical situations.

[prsnfoto]

Re: AJ Hawk

I was pretty confident that Hawk would have a big year this go round. He seems to be hurt, with assorted groin and leg injuries, but....

The 3rd season is supposed to be the explosion year. The player has been thru 3 camps and has been in an NFL weight room for 24 or more months. He knows the job and should be reacting and not thinking.

Hawk got hurt in camp, but he showed no signs of making any kind of leap before he was injured. Obviously, he gets next year to show that he can make the big leap. But he doesn't seem like a difference maker guy, just a "make plays" guy.

Hawk's having a mediocre year in a bad season. Maybe he can get right and explode when the the team is having a big season next year.

But I really doubt it will happen. I think we got a decent player, but not a star.

I agree 100%. This should have been his year to really show something. Even injured players can show their talent and instincts in given situations, on specific plays, even if they can't do it on a regular basis. Hawk shows none of that. Decent player, but not a game changer, not a pro bowl type player.

Unfortunately, the Packers still need to find a linebacker who can make an impact in critical situations.

Lets try to have faith I was ready to give up on Nick Collins last year to maybe AJ is a late bloomer course Nick was not the 5th pick in the draft either.

[Patler]

Re: AJ Hawk

Lets try to have faith I was ready to give up on Nick Collins last year to maybe AJ is a late bloomer course Nick was not the 5th pick in the draft either.

I'm not giving up on Hawk, but my expectations have lessened.

The comparison to Collins is interesting. Collins was considered to be somewhat of a project; at the draft the coaches said Underwood was a better bet to start early than Collins. Hawk was described as "the most NFL-ready player" in his draft. With all that, Collins has always shown flashes of his potential. Every year we asked why he can't play more often the way he played in game such-and-such. Every year he had games in which he looked really really good, and had individual plays in other games that really made you take notice. I haven't seen many of those flashes, games or plays, from Hawk. An occasional play, but not very many.

[3irty1]

On the radio I heard a post game show where they were hypothesizing that AJ Hawk has bulked up and lost some of his speed making him a different type of player. Kind of makes sense because it does look like he has gotten bigger.

I hadn't heard that. Who was suggesting that, fans or a reporter with information?
I would find that hard to believe. As in-tuned to physical conditioning as Hawk is, I would find it hard to believe that he would let that happen.

It was Bill Michaels on 620.

[MTPackerfan]

Here is round 1 of the 2006 draft. Not sticking up for Hawk but am curious about who you guys think the Packers should have taken in round 1 of that draft. there are several RBs and Cromartie that appear to be working out pretty well in hind sight, plus Cutler, maybe Sims?

1. Houston - Mario Williams, DE North Carolina State
2. New Orleans - Reggie Bush, RB USC
3. Tennessee - Vince Young, QB Texas
4. N.Y. Jets - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT Virginia
5. Green Bay - A.J. Hawk, LB Ohio State
6. San Francisco - Vernon Davis, TE Maryland
7. Oakland - Michael Huff, DB Texas
8. Buffalo - Donte Whitner, S Ohio State
9. Detroit - Ernie Sims, LB Florida State
10. Arizona - Matt Leinart, QB USC
11. Denver (from St. Louis) - Jay Cutler, QB Vanderbilt
12. Baltimore (from Cleveland) - Haloti Ngata, DT Oregon
13. Cleveland (from Baltimore) - Kamerion Wimbley, DE/OLB Florida State
14. Philadelphia - Broderick Bunkley, DT Florida State
15. St. Louis (from Atlanta through Denver) - Tye Hill, Cb Clemson
16. Miami - Jason Allen, DB Tennessee
17. Minnesota - Chad Greenway, LB Iowa
18. Dallas - Bobby Carpenter, LB Ohio State
19. San Diego - Antonio Cromartie, CB Florida State
20. Kansas City - Tamba Hali, DE Penn State
21. New England - Laurence Maroney, RB Minnesota
22. San Francisco (from Washington through Denver) - Manny Lawson, DE/OLB North Carolina State
23. Tampa Bay - Davin Joseph, G Oklahoma
24. Cincinnati - Johnathan Joseph, CB South Carolina
25. Pittsburgh (from N.Y. Giants) - Santonio Holmes, WR Ohio State
26. Buffalo (from Chicago) - John McCargo, DT North Carolina State
27. Carolina - DeAngelo Williams, RB Memphis
28. Jacksonville - Marcedes Lewis, TE UCLA
29. NY Jets (from Denver through Atlanta) - Nick Mangold, C Ohio State
30. Indianapolis - Joseph Addai, RB LSU
31. Seattle - Kelly Jennings, CB Miami (FL)
32. N.Y. Giants (from Pittsburgh) - Mathias Kiwanuka, DE Boston College

[prsnfoto]

Re: AJ Hawk

Lets try to have faith I was ready to give up on Nick Collins last year to maybe AJ is a late bloomer course Nick was not the 5th pick in the draft either.

I'm not giving up on Hawk, but my expectations have lessened.

The comparison to Collins is interesting. Collins was considered to be somewhat of a project; at the draft the coaches said Underwood was a better bet to start early than Collins. Hawk was described as "the most NFL-ready player" in his draft. With all that, Collins has always shown flashes of his potential. Every year we asked why he can't play more often the way he played in game such-and-such. Every year he had games in which he looked really really good, and had individual plays in other games that really made you take notice. I haven't seen many of those flashes, games or plays, from Hawk. An occasional play, but not very many.

What bothers me is he was a beast in college and I think our whole defense is soft no one scares anybody, Bigby a little last year but I have to wonder if MM's belief in no contact and very little pad practices and camps have made this team a bunch of pansies.

[Patler]

Re: AJ Hawk

What bothers me is he was a beast in college and I think our whole defense is soft no one scares anybody, Bigby a little last year but I have to wonder if MM's belief in no contact and very little pad practices and camps have made this team a bunch of pansies.

Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it? Hawk was not a wildman in college, but certainly was a tough, physical linebacker. The only players with physical reputations on the defense now are Harris and Woodson, who can beat up receivers pretty well.

[denverYooper]

Here is round 1 of the 2006 draft. Not sticking up for Hawk but am curious about who you guys think the Packers should have taken in round 1 of that draft. there are several RBs and Cromartie that appear to be working out pretty well in hind sight, plus Cutler, maybe Sims?

This guy's had a good couple of years:

12. Baltimore (from Cleveland) - Haloti Ngata, DT Oregon

[prsnfoto]

For that matter as sad as it is to say Ernie Sims looks better than Hawk also.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Hawk, like Collins, will play great in his fourth year.