"BISHOP WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PLAYING TIME"

[Patler]

(a phone rings)
2010: Hello?
2009: You son of a bitch, I want my story back!
2010: Whatever do you mean?
2009: You know. The one about Bishop wanting more playing time!
2010: Oh, uh, heh, well, you know it's summer and all and... you know... there are certain drums to beat, alarms to ring, that sort of thing
2009: I don't give a shit! GIMME MY GODDAMN STORY BACK!
2010: Ummm...
(a phone rings)
2009: I have to get that, but I'm not through with you!
2009: Hello. 2009 here.
2008: You son of a bitch...

I was thinking the same thing about the article that appeared today in the GBPG:
"Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk strives for greater impact"

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100622/PKR01/100622138/1058/Former-first-round-pick-Hawk-strives-for-greater-impact

I think that article is in its third reprint this year!

[KYPack]

Know what I got from all this?

Hawk is due $10million BASE in 2011?????

Base? Before incentives?
Is that some sort of a balloon payment to force the Pack to extend or release? Sounds and awful lot like the Mike Wahle situation. Unless we renegotiate, you have to think he'll be gone. The non-exclusive franchise tag for '09 was $8.3 million.

Yeah. It's 4.6 mill this season, high, but other backers are getting that.

If he's on the roster in March '11, he gets a 10 million base.

That's the part of a rookie deal that nobody ever gets.

Hawk ain't gettin' it either.

He renegotiates or he's getting cut.

[Patler]

Yeah. It's 4.6 mill this season, high, but other backers are getting that.

If he's on the roster in March '11, he gets a 10 million base.

That's the part of a rookie deal that nobody ever gets.

Hawk ain't gettin' it either.

He renegotiates or he's getting cut.

His agent seems to get it. He said they would not entertain discussions for reducing his salary in 2010, but would be willing to discuss 2011. Doesn't seem like an unreasonable position.

[swede]

(a phone rings)
2010: Hello?
2009: You son of a bitch, I want my story back!
2010: Whatever do you mean?
2009: You know. The one about Bishop wanting more playing time!
2010: Oh, uh, heh, well, you know it's summer and all and... you know... there are certain drums to beat, alarms to ring, that sort of thing
2009: I don't give a shit! GIMME MY GODDAMN STORY BACK!
2010: Ummm...
(a phone rings)
2009: I have to get that, but I'm not through with you!
2009: Hello. 2009 here.
2008: You son of a bitch...

I love the feigned conversation as a comic editorial device. Nice.

[MJZiggy]

Wouldn't pretty much every player like to see more playing time?

[mission]

Yeah. It's 4.6 mill this season, high, but other backers are getting that.

If he's on the roster in March '11, he gets a 10 million base.

That's the part of a rookie deal that nobody ever gets.

Hawk ain't gettin' it either.

He renegotiates or he's getting cut.

His agent seems to get it. He said they would not entertain discussions for reducing his salary in 2010, but would be willing to discuss 2011. Doesn't seem like an unreasonable position.

Definitely not unreasonable. I always thought the agent-speak referred to the contract in general and Hawk was almost hoping for an opportunity on the FA market knowing damn well the Pack isn't going to pay him 10+ mil. If he's willing to work it out, possibly get extended, but get a number closer to his actual value, then he's probably worth keeping around.

Funny thing about the GBPG article too... I thought the exact same thing.. "havent I read this a few times?!"

[Joemailman]

A.J. Hawk is due to make 10 million in base salary in 2011. If Bishop sticks it out one more year, he may replace Hawk in the lineup in 2011.

Exactly. Needs to be more consistent which is correctable. Takes bad angles in pass coverage which again is correctable.

DB probably suffers the same fate this season (barring injury). Hawk is too expensive and can find another team to over pay an overrated player.

It's debatable as to whether his shortcomings are correctable. Bishop's shortcomings in the passing game were well documented, and probably the main reason he was available late in the draft despite being a very productive player at Cal.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/559522?tag=pageRow;pageContainer

Has poor backpedal technique, as he is prone to taking false steps and his stiff hips makes him look awkward in attempts to turn and run after the ball … Has limited man coveraqe agility, as he is more often trailing the receiver rather than mirroring his opponent … Shows poor body flexibility when dropping off in coverage, getting a bit out of control in his charge when having to change direction … Doesn't have the burst to get a jump on the ball in flight when playing in the zone.

The best you can probably hope for is to be able to "hide" him in zone coverage. Or send him after the quarterback.

[rbaloha1]

A.J. Hawk is due to make 10 million in base salary in 2011. If Bishop sticks it out one more year, he may replace Hawk in the lineup in 2011.

Exactly. Needs to be more consistent which is correctable. Takes bad angles in pass coverage which again is correctable.

DB probably suffers the same fate this season (barring injury). Hawk is too expensive and can find another team to over pay an overrated player.

It's debatable as to whether his shortcomings are correctable. Bishop's shortcomings in the passing game were well documented, and probably the main reason he was available late in the draft despite being a very productive player at Cal.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/559522?tag=pageRow;pageContainer

Has poor backpedal technique, as he is prone to taking false steps and his stiff hips makes him look awkward in attempts to turn and run after the ball … Has limited man coveraqe agility, as he is more often trailing the receiver rather than mirroring his opponent … Shows poor body flexibility when dropping off in coverage, getting a bit out of control in his charge when having to change direction … Doesn't have the burst to get a jump on the ball in flight when playing in the zone.

The best you can probably hope for is to be able to "hide" him in zone coverage. Or send him after the quarterback.

Bishop's mentioned physical limitations can be improved upon with an NFL strength and training program.

IMO Bishop is slow to recognize pass routes. Maybe too scared to make a mistake. Just wait when Bishop is the starter in 2011.

[Joemailman]

He was drafted in 2007. When's he gonna enroll in that program?

[rbaloha1]

He was drafted in 2007. When's he gonna enroll in that program?

IMO DB's improved from someone's physical limitations opinion. If DB was as bad as that CBS stuff DB would not be on a NFL roster.

[pbmax]

A.J. Hawk is due to make 10 million in base salary in 2011. If Bishop sticks it out one more year, he may replace Hawk in the lineup in 2011.

Exactly. Needs to be more consistent which is correctable. Takes bad angles in pass coverage which again is correctable.

DB probably suffers the same fate this season (barring injury). Hawk is too expensive and can find another team to over pay an overrated player.

It's debatable as to whether his shortcomings are correctable. Bishop's shortcomings in the passing game were well documented, and probably the main reason he was available late in the draft despite being a very productive player at Cal.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/559522?tag=pageRow;pageContainer

Has poor backpedal technique, as he is prone to taking false steps and his stiff hips makes him look awkward in attempts to turn and run after the ball … Has limited man coveraqe agility, as he is more often trailing the receiver rather than mirroring his opponent … Shows poor body flexibility when dropping off in coverage, getting a bit out of control in his charge when having to change direction … Doesn't have the burst to get a jump on the ball in flight when playing in the zone.

The best you can probably hope for is to be able to "hide" him in zone coverage. Or send him after the quarterback.

Bishop's mentioned physical limitations can be improved upon with an NFL strength and training program.

IMO Bishop is slow to recognize pass routes. Maybe too scared to make a mistake. Just wait when Bishop is the starter in 2011.

rb, I have a sneaking suspicion that if the flaws were going to be corrected, they would have been corrected before year 4. I think he is what he is. Same goes for Hawk.

[Fritz]

Come on, PB. It's summertime.

Personally, I am still holding out hope that Robert Ferguson can blossom this year.

[ThunderDan]

Bishop's mentioned physical limitations can be improved upon with an NFL strength and training program.

IMO Bishop is slow to recognize pass routes. Maybe too scared to make a mistake. Just wait when Bishop is the starter in 2011.

If Hawk is gone after 2010 for not renegotiating his contact, I pray that Bishop is not our starter. He can't play the thumper roll that Hawk plays and he can't read plays that Barnett does to clean up behind Hawk and the D-line.

The only thing Bishop excels at is when you turn him loose and he shoots a gap. But even with that time after time he crashes thru the wrong gap and the RB goes right where Bishop was supposed to be.

To be honest when Bishop makes hits he is really bringing the wood. The guy lights people up. The problem is a LB needs to make tackles and not the highlight reel. It's great when a LB makes an outstanding play but the reality is you want him making tackles near the line of scrimmage. Not miss their assignments by going for a kill shot and watching the RB take off for a 40 yard scamper.

[retailguy]

Come on, PB. It's summertime.

Personally, I am still holding out hope that Robert Ferguson can blossom this year.

you watch the UFL?