Hawk a bust?

[cheesner]

I am not sure why people say he has a limited ceiling. He is one of the most athletic LBs in football.

Aaron Curry, who came out this year, is thought of as an amazing athlete and sure thing in the NFL. Do people even remember that Hawk is more athletic and had better numbers than Curry? Although Hawk is a bit slower in the 40, he is quicker in the agility drills which is more important for a LB. Couple that with a love for the game and top notch dedication and you have a recipe for success.

Give Hawk another year to emerge as a superstar. There is something wrong with his field production and the only thing it can be, is scheme, coaching, or both.

When a Ferrari driven by Kyle Bush comes in last in a road race vrs armatures in Yugos, something is wrong. And I think the problem is he had a bad map.

[Waldo]

Not a bust, definitely a disappointment though. This has to be the year for him to prove he is a playmaker. It was a real let down for him to be basically invincible (except for the 1st game) after moving to the MLB spot last year.

did you mean invisible? or invincible?

Oops, ya invisible

Sliding to the middle was his shot to play the Barnett role and be the one to have everything funneled to him. It didn't work out that way. A weak DL in front of him and various injuries resulted in a very mediocre performance.

If our DL rotation is as strong as it looks like it should be, I expect big years from all the linebackers.

You cannot forget, there was nobody doing the funneling on the backside. But Chillar can cover. So he is good.

Hawk played MLB like a WLB. He has learned to hesitate a half second. Good for WLB, where he needs to be in place to prevent the cutback or cut outside, and can't get sucked into the playside. But he played that way at MLB and it showed.

Bishop and Hodge play MLB like college MLB's. They attack before the back declares. Big flashy plays result, as the overpusuit is great for the TFL's. And getting burned.

Barnett plays MLB like a pro MLB. His reaction is almost exactly when the back declares, thus rarely does he under or over pursue a play.

[CaptainKickass]

Say what you will about AJ's performance to date, he sure has replaced (and made everybody forget) Robert Thomas.

Who?

(just illustrating your point)

When a Ferrari driven by Kyle Bush comes in last in a road race vrs armatures in Yugos, something is wrong. And I think the problem is he had a bad map.

Bwahahahahah! Now that's painting a picture with words!


I agree that Hawk has not been a bust or even a disappointment. I think everyone - including myself - is hoping that one of these younger guys on D becomes the defacto "leader" as a result of their play. Ala - Girlacher.

Is Hawk that guy? Nope. Can he be? I contend that it's really up to him.

.

[Packnut]

Hawk

This season defines Mr Hawk. If any one player has to step up on D, it's A.J.

He should be feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders cause he was paid a ton of cash and bottom line is he has under-prefomed that contract period.

[hoosier]

Its funny how many people have seemingly changed their view on this now years later after the draft because he was the "#5" pick, when a few years ago most were content with a starting ready guy that probably wasn't going to suck, even at #5. Still looking at that god awful draft though, he was one of the better players to come out of the first round.

Agree with most of what you're saying but have to say that there are many shades of grey between "Bust," "Starter" and "HOFer." I think most people had expectations that Hawk would fall somewhere in between the latter two, hopefully closer to the third than the second. I don't recall anyone holding unrealistic expectations of epic greatness for the guy, and I think it's possible to be disappointed in his performace so far without holding him to unrealistic standards. During his first three years he's been little more than an average starter. Not someone you need to replace but someone to build a defense around either.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Re: Hawk a bust?

In a word, no.

He's not been the defensive superstar we hoped for, but he's a good hand on the field. He gets the job done and knows what to do.

Hawk has improved every season and is very comparable, if not better than Greenway and Sims.

I agree with your sentiment, but I wouldn't say he's gotten better every year. He was solid his rookie year. I thought he was good (not great, but good) his second year. He wasn't good last year. I'm blaming it on his injuries. I expect him to be a good player this year.

[Freak Out]

Hawk is no bust.....how can anyone be considered a bust when they've started from day one? He is going to just get better from here on out barring injury.

[sharpe1027]

Since everyone's definition of a bust is different, I will just say this. If Hawk is considered a bust, then most players are busts.

[mraynrand]

I think the 'bust' under consideration here is based on hawk being a #5 pick. Is he a bust at #5?

[sharpe1027]

I think the 'bust' under consideration here is based on hawk being a #5 pick. Is he a bust at #5?

A bust is a "failure".

Curtis Enis was a 5th pick failure. Hawk is not a failure.

[pack4to84]

at 5 the player is expected to start and play near a pro-bowl level. Hawk too me has done that. His first and second season he was near pro-bowl level. His third season was injury plagued. Like Waldo said looking at who the Packers would have draft if not taking Hawk. The Packers made the right decision with the pick.
I can't wait until the preseason starts to see how he develops under Capers. Capers is a teacher type coach so I expect Hawk to improve the longer he is under him.

[CaptainKickass]

at 5 the player is expected to start and play near a pro-bowl level. Hawk too me has done that. His first and second season he was near pro-bowl level. His third season was injury plagued. Like Waldo said looking at who the Packers would have draft if not taking Hawk. The Packers made the right decision with the pick.
I can't wait until the preseason starts to see how he develops under Capers. Capers is a teacher type coach so I expect Hawk to improve the longer he is under him.

And a lit fire under all the LB's asses courtesy of Coach Greene couldn't really hurt anything either.

[mraynrand]

I think the 'bust' under consideration here is based on hawk being a #5 pick. Is he a bust at #5?

A bust is a "failure".

Curtis Enis was a 5th pick failure. Hawk is not a failure.

I was thinking more along the lines of Buckley. Sort of a bust for where he was picked, but still managed to have a reasonable successful NFL career. Enis and Mandarich were total failures.

But that #5 pick position kinda skews things in your head. For example, how would Driver's career be looked at had he been a #5 pick overall?

I actually, think Hawk will have a good career - maybe the LB equivalent of Donald Driver. That wold be pretty good stuff, but at the #5 pick, you're kinda hoping for an LT, for example.

[PlantPage55]

Yes, you are looking for a Hall-of-Famer with the #5 pick. But how many of them turn out like that, in reality?

What we got is way better than what MOST teams get, out of players in the top 10 picks of the draft.

[Fritz]

It would just suck to have a last name like "Enis."

That's all I'm sayin'.