AJ HAWK

[collapse77]

Francois is listed at 6'2". Hawk is generously listed at 6'1". He doesn't look 6.1 in person. Smith, while smaller, plays more physical than Hawk. The defense had a different look to it with Smith in the game.

[King Friday]

Hawk is generally assignment sure, but he's not very physical nor does he possess great athleticism. He's a good LB, but certainly not great.

I disagree that we should've resigned Barnett over Hawk simply from the vantage point that Barnett was getting older and was never exactly durable when he was younger. Barnett may be a slightly better player, but age and chance of injury mean he probably will be on the field a lot less than Hawk. In our current defense, Hawk doesn't have to be a huge playmaker...just play smart and make sure everyone on defense is on the same page. He's very reliable in that regard, so I'm not going to complain about him. However, he's certainly someone who could be replaced with an upgrade in the next couple years.

[RashanGary]

Jermichael Finley just isn't reliable enough to resign to a huge contract. I'd rather have a DL

[mmmdk]

Hawk looks like a guy who has lost his confidence. Physically - before the injury - I didn't think he looked bad. But he looks like he doesn't know what to do. Thinking too much and playing on his heels.

Spot on!

[MJZiggy]

I'd prefer they play DJ Smith from here on out. Can someone tell me what Hawk does well? Lining people up doesn't mean he's the best man for the job and if that was the reason the defense stepped up last year then why can't he line 'em up this year? The defense can play well with him at ILB if they can pressure the QB consistently, but he's a guy that the opposition aims to exploit and that limits what Capers can do schematically. He's a liability in coverage and he's not effective rushing the passer. So what does he bring to the table?

The defense was different last year. We were getting far better pressure from the line which meant that the secondary didn't have to cover as long because the QBs didn't have as much time to throw before they were run down. I think with Neal in maybe we can get some of that pressure back.

[Bossman641]

Jermichael Finley just isn't reliable enough to resign to a huge contract. I'd rather have a DL

Really? You couldn't fit this into any of your finley topics?

[Brandon494]

I remember when I use to get hammered for suggesting that Bishop should start over Hawk back in the day, glad some fans are finally seeing the light. What a horrible draft to have the 5th overall pick. Could you imagine having a impact player like Eric Berry or Patrick Peterson? Both were taken with the 5th overall pick the past 2 seasons.

[mraynrand]

I remember when I use to get hammered for suggesting that Bishop should start over Hawk back in the day, glad some fans are finally seeing the light. What a horrible draft to have the 5th overall pick. Could you imagine having a impact player like Eric Berry or Patrick Peterson? Both were taken with the 5th overall pick the past 2 seasons.

I had this email sequence with Bob McGinn where I kept asking him the liklihood that the Packers would trade down and get Ngata somewhere in the 8-10 range. I thought for sure they were gonna do it. If only they had switched to the 3-4 in 2006....

[mraynrand]

And many of us thought that they should have Taken VD, especially with how bare the offensive cupboard looked.

[George Cumby]

I thought Hawk looked slow and ineffective today. The play when Stafford scrambled up the middle, Hawk stayed in coverage way too long and then seemed to run at half speed to try to catch up to the play. He looks like he Is on the purple drank he is so damn slow.

That play really jumped out at me as well. He just looks slow physically and mentally. At this point he is who he is.

[RashanGary]

And many of us thought that they should have Taken VD, especially with how bare the offensive cupboard looked.

I was a VD/Ngata guy.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I'm not thrilled with Hawks play, but he isn't supposed to be a play maker in this defense. He's supposed to be the play caller, and the guy who takes on blocks to open up tackles for others. I've kind of liked his attitude this year, kind of ticked off all the time, which I haven't seen a ton of from him. Definitely made the right move in keeping him over Barnett...would just like to see him be more "influential".

Still a Hawk guy myself. The whole LB corps hasn't been that good this season. I really think the lockout and lack of TC really hurt this defense.

[Brandon494]

Still a Hawk guy myself. The whole LB corps hasn't been that good this season. I really think the lockout and lack of TC really hurt this defense.

I disagree, Bishop and Clay have been playing good this year. I don't think any extra OTAs would have helped Hawk when we are this far in the season.

[mmmdk]

I was a VD/Ngata guy.

I was in the VD camp too but Hawk was my guy too. Soon I realised that Ngata was the player that slipped through our fingers.

Still a Hawk guy though.

[smuggler]

He was right to stay in coverage. If he leaves his man, usually the result is worse. the QB usually doesn't get 20 yards on a scramble.