AJ Hawk

[Lurker64]

Greenway and Hawk played the same position their first 3 years in the league, wlb in the 4-3. Hawk was better their rookie year because Greenway blew out his knee on special teams, after that I would have probably said Greenway was a more dynamic player. Hawk is probably a more consistent player then Greenway, but Greenway makes more plays. I guess I went a little far in saying that Greenway is way better than Hawk. At their respected draft positions Greenway provided more value.

But in terms of comparing the players, I really don't care what position Hawk played four years ago in a completely different defense. Guys do better at different positions in different schemes. Neither Malcom Jenkins nor Antrell Rolle are bad players because they couldn't play CB, since both those guys are pretty good safeties. As I said before, Ray Lewis would be awful in the Bears defense. In terms of Hawk and Greenway now, which is what's actually relevant, they're not really comparable. There are other 3-4 ILBs who I would rather have than Hawk, but there aren't a ton of them, and most of them play the Jack/Mike position instead of the Buck.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Greenway and Hawk played the same position their first 3 years in the league, wlb in the 4-3. Hawk was better their rookie year because Greenway blew out his knee on special teams, after that I would have probably said Greenway was a more dynamic player. Hawk is probably a more consistent player then Greenway, but Greenway makes more plays. I guess I went a little far in saying that Greenway is way better than Hawk. At their respected draft positions Greenway provided more value.

I think that's fair. Greenway is pretty good. Some people make him out to be an All-Pro. He's not yet. The thing about Greenway is that I think he can still get better. I think Hawk is what he is.

[ThunderDan]

But in terms of comparing the players, I really don't care what position Hawk played four years ago in a completely different defense. Guys do better at different positions in different schemes. Neither Malcom Jenkins nor Antrell Rolle are bad players because they couldn't play CB, since both those guys are pretty good safeties. As I said before, Ray Lewis would be awful in the Bears defense. In terms of Hawk and Greenway now, which is what's actually relevant, they're not really comparable. There are other 3-4 ILBs who I would rather have than Hawk, but there aren't a ton of them, and most of them play the Jack/Mike position instead of the Buck.

Look at Brian Urlacher of the Bears while Ted Washington was on the team and post-Washington. It sure makes the MLB (or any LB) job easier when you have a DL that takes up 2 blockers. Urlacher was all-world when Washington was in front of him. His numbers have dropped off since. Urlacher had a 151 tackles in 2002, he has only come close to that number once in 10 other years in the NFL.

I completely agree with your post.

[ND72]

Hawk hasnt reached the level that I know I had thought of him coming out, but he does a lot of things very well that don't show up on stat sheets. When capers calls his mike twist, hawk is always the lead guy taking out at least 1 if not 2 blocks which allows Bishop to come around for the blitz. He is usually the one taking on lead blocks, again opening the tackle chance to the next guy. He is a bit stiff, but I've thought that the end of last year and so far this year he looks more comfy and loose, allowing himself the confidence to go make plays instead of always trying to be assignment sure, which I think stunted his growth his first couple of seasons...which is also scheme. In the 3-4, MLB usually has more ability to flow because of the big boys up front.

[KYPack]

ND should probably have the last word on AJ, but I did have a thought, too. Hawk is average at best on blitzes. He's in the right spot, but he rarely gets home. Those fire X's that Capers likes to run, AJ just doesn't get there. But, he has compensated. They have Hawk clear, like ND said, and Bishop is given the slot to make the sack. That's an adjustment, Hawk knows he has a weakness and has made the move to fix it. We are solid, but not spectacular at the ILB spots. AJ didn't pan out to be a difference maker, but he's a good, solid hand in that defense.

[Brandon494]

ND should probably have the last word on AJ, but I did have a thought, too. Hawk is average at best on blitzes. He's in the right spot, but he rarely gets home. Those fire X's that Capers likes to run, AJ just doesn't get there. But, he has compensated. They have Hawk clear, like ND said, and Bishop is given the slot to make the sack. That's an adjustment, Hawk knows he has a weakness and has made the move to fix it. We are solid, but not spectacular at the ILB spots. AJ didn't pan out to be a difference maker, but he's a good, solid hand in that defense.

THIS!