Hawk taking heat in Green Bay

[pbmax]

You gotta love a thread where people are debating about exactly when Vernon Davis started crying seven years ago. Once Patler brings his evidence to bear from the Zapruder video, you'll know we've passed the Rubicon of offseason boredom lowpoints. And we're not even out of January yet.

I would rather watch the 2006 draft rebroadcast in its entirety than the Super Bowl, if that tells you where my head is at right now.

[SkinBasket]

If we're going to post something, lets be somewhat intelligent in the posting.

There goes this thread.

[Deputy Nutz]

Rule #3: Don't tell us we are dumb. Write a post and make the argument. (yes, I know there are only two rules)

You are one of the most insightful on this board; post like it Nutz. Don't let those who disagree trip you up.

Ah Fuck, when did we get rules?
I was going to chime in but then realized that Skinbasket posted my sermon that I delivered to him a few short weeks ago. So I stand behind everything Skinbasket posted, since well it was my sermon. Now I ain't calling Skinbasket a thief, just informed.

[SkinBasket]

Ah Fuck, when did we get rules?
I was going to chime in but then realized that Skinbasket posted my sermon that I delivered to him a few short weeks ago. So I stand behind everything Skinbasket posted, since well it was my sermon. Now I ain't calling Skinbasket a thief, just informed.

Your thoughts simply complemented my own. Well, fine - the lineman specific stuff might sound a little familiar, but you have trouble expressing yourself sometimes, so you should just thank me.

[Deputy Nutz]

Thank you.

[KYPack]

I love how some of you can either completely over look reason because it goes against your argument, or you're too stupid to understand it.

Now Nutz, don't get philosophical on us.

Lemme ask you a quick question, are you smart or stupid?

signed, concerned.

[Smidgeon]

Thank you.

[th87]

Remember when Hawk was being phased out for Chillar? The trade rumors? It took an injury to both Chillar/Barnett for Hawk to get his PT back.

And again, the defense looked better with Francois. I think I'd rather gamble on growth at the position than the stagnant mediocrity currently.

[SkinBasket]

Remember when Hawk was being phased out for Chillar? The trade rumors? It took an injury to both Chillar/Barnett for Hawk to get his PT back.

And then he was praised for leading the LBs on a league leading defense. I remember that.

[th87]

This is true.

Just curious though - what do you think changed for him to drastically improve his performance?

[mraynrand]

I just remember him riding the pine in the season opener last year at Philly. If that didn't illustrate his limitations, what would?



edit: answer: his play on the field

[SkinBasket]

This is true.

Just curious though - what do you think changed for him to drastically improve his performance?

The stats have been posted that show it wasn't a drastic improvement in performance, so I'm not sure how one would answer a false premise such as it were.

[th87]

The stats have been posted that show it wasn't a drastic improvement in performance, so I'm not sure how one would answer a false premise such as it were.

So the coaches were wrong to phase him out?

[pbmax]

Hawk was caught in the backwash of a narrative. The defense was playing well and he was seeing less time on the field. To a writer, that means Hawk has been phased out and is not a starting caliber LB anymore. The next step would be to try to determine why.

But then injuries hit and the defense sagged a bit. His role increased and he almost stopped coming off the field when Barnett and Chillar were both hurt. And the defense started to play lights out again. To explain, writers asked players to tell them what Hawk was doing better than Barnett or Chillar - they all answered that he was a calm influence who made good calls.

Writers don't want to rock a boat that is not already rocking. So no one called out the damning with faint praise quality of his teammates comments. It was just assumed that he had elevated his game, it was usually attributed to motivation found after being benched.

Hawk hadn't really changed. But his circumstances did, his competition was injured and his teammates were playing lights out. Perhaps best for him was that Bishop was probably better than Barnett as an ILB.

I also believe that the defense last year was not as good as the absolute difference in the stats might show. I think the defense faced more challenging offenses this year compared to last.

[th87]

I'm obviously not the tactician you are, but my eyes keep showing me that Hawk seems slow, late, unable to disengage blockers, and can't seem to cover the Ballards of the world. Am I wrong that the defense seemed better with Francois in? And that when Hawk returned, the middle of the field was repeatedly exploited by Orton?

Even if Hawk is solid, there is no upside. I'd rather roll the dice with something new.