AJ Hawk; Not excelling or just not being showcased?

[RashanGary]

This defense is what it is. The DE's line up wide and the OLBs try to force action to the MLB who should be making most of the tackles in the run game.

Hawks main goal on most run plays is to take on the first blocker and push the play inside to Barnett. Barnett should be free becasue the DT's are asked ot prevent inside blockers from getting past the first line of defense.

Many of Hawks assignments are to simply prevent outside runs. He jsut has to stay put and force the run inside. I saw him do that multiple times in the Sandiego game. He's doing his job and doing it well, it's just not as flashy as the MLB in this scheme.

Hawk's going to get some sack oppertunities and he'll have a few chances to jar a ball loose. I didn't see anything in Hawks game that suggested he was struggling. I saw a player who was doing what he asked and barnett was reaping the rewards. That is the way it's going to be all season so let's not expect Hawk to compete with Barnett for tackle #'s. If we're lucky, he'll terrorize QB's on occasion and force a few fumbles though and hopefully he'll never get sick of being the role player that he's being asked to be on most plays. I really hope the coaches reward his selfless assignments with some blitz oppertunites. I know it would get old as a player to just be asked to eat blocks esspecially when you know your better than the guy who's allowed to run free. That is my 2 cents.

[4and12to12and4]

Well, if your right about his assignments, that makes me feel a lot better about his ability to shed blockers and get to the football. There were many plays that I noticed he would pick a hole or a blocker and just sort of hangout there, while the MLB would be going full steam towards the runner avoiding all contact. By the way, White seemed very good at avoiding contact and sniffing out the runner. I was VERY impressed with his play as I rewatched the second half of the game.

[gbpackfan]

It is a MLB friendly D.

After watching Hawk on TiVo after family night and then again after game 1, I def. saw an improvement. He was shedding blocks nicely. However, EVERY TIME THEY HAVE HIM BLITZ HE GETS NO WHERE! They need to hide his blitzes a little better. Maybe they aren't showing too many wrinkles in the D because it is preseason.

Point being, Hawk looked better. I expect him to take another forward step Saturday night.

[RashanGary]

Here is a basic picture just as an example...

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/makoutz@sbcglobal.net/detail?.dir=/d8b1re2&.dnm=6402re2.jpg&.src=ph

[Joemailman]

It is a MLB friendly D.

After watching Hawk on TiVo after family night and then again after game 1, I def. saw an improvement. He was shedding blocks nicely. However, EVERY TIME THEY HAVE HIM BLITZ HE GETS NO WHERE! They need to hide his blitzes a little better. Maybe they aren't showing too many wrinkles in the D because it is preseason.

Point being, Hawk looked better. I expect him to take another forward step Saturday night.

Years ago, when Tony LaRussa was managing the White Sox, there was a game where the White Sox trailed by 1 run in the bottom of the 9th inning. They got the leadoff man on 1st, with Harold Baines up. Baines hit into a double play, and the White Sox lost the game. After the game, a reporter asked LaRussa why he didn't have Baines bunt in that situation. LaRussa answered, "Because Baines is a lousy bunter." As Baines was a bunter, Barnett is a blitzer. Having Barnett blitz is like playing with 10 guys out there. Let Barnett do what he does well.

[Doe]

Hawk will put up better stats than Barnett. He might not have more tackles, but he should have more game changing type of plays like sacks, forced fumbles and interceptions. Thats why Thompson drafted him so high and why other experts rated him so high. In Barnett's previous four seasons, he hasn't shown much game changing ability. Barnett will always be solid, but unspectacular.

[RashanGary]

Hawk will put up better stats than Barnett. He might not have more tackles, but he should have more game changing type of plays like sacks, forced fumbles and interceptions. Thats why Thompson drafted him so high and why other experts rated him so high. In Barnett's previous four seasons, he hasn't shown much game changing ability. Barnett will always be solid, but unspectacular.

I agree. Hawk will not get tackles, but he'll be put in position to change the game during critical times. He'll get to blitz on 3rd and 9 and he'll have the chance to make big hits in the flat as well as WR's and TE's coming across the middle. As a Packer fan, my hope is that Barnett rings up 190 tackles and Hawk gets 105 with 5 sacks, 2 FF and 2 INT's. If Hawk can make the big plays, the Packers will win games. Simple as that. I just hope the coaches give him those chances. If not, we're going to be a group of frustrated fans as we watch our #5 pick just eat blocks and play basic drop back pass coverage instead of aggressive blitzing.

[RashanGary]

I just listened to Hawks video clip from yesterday. A reporter asked him if he felt pressure to do more becuase he was the #5 and he hasn't stood out as much as some had hoped.

He said and I paraphrase here "I'm in my spot. I'm making mistakes from time to time, but I try not to make the same mistake twice." He then added that when a reporter asked him if he felt pressure on draft day and Hawk said yes, he always feels pressure to do his best, TT came to him and told him just to do what he does and not to press or try to do too much.

It's so refreshing to hear a guy who's not all about the glitz and glamour like Fagnett. Hawk is all about being in his position to help the team make the play.

If Hawk can do a good job eating blcoks, Barnett will have more clean tackles and as a team, everyone wins. Barnett looks like the king to the average fan, but Hawk might have just fended off an OG which pushed the play to #56. There is more to football that what happens at the end of the play. Sometimes the guy who looks like he's being gobbled up is really doing what he's supposed to be and allowing the team to make the play. I think we need to remember that.

[PTPaQ]

If were stopping the run consistantly, I really dont care whos job is what and who gets the glory.

Rest asure...Hawk will do his thing.

[SD GB fan]

i sure hope hawk does make those critical plays and turnovers when needed cos a top 5 pick is awfully high for a space filler/eating up blocks.

[woodbuck27]

Interesting read.

[woodbuck27]

Wed. August 16,2006 - from Chris Havel's - Rants and Rave's

For all the talk about moving Nick Barnett out of the middle linebacker spot, he was another of the few bright spots.

Barnett is a pro. It isn't his fault if it turns out that a certain high draft pick can't cut it at outside linebacker.

The idea is to get the best three linebackers on the field.

Right now, that's Barnett, Brady Poppinga (as soon as he's healthy) and Ben Taylor, with Roy Manning just off the pace.

Suuuurrrre !!

Is this fella into the sauce?

[CaliforniaCheez]

Let me repeat.

Most rookies have bad rookie years. Bubba Franks, Mike Wahle, etc.

The best you can hope for is an below average to average looking rookie like Nick Barnett and Nick Collins.

There are very few Willie Buchannon's who come in and perform well as the Packer's first round pick.

[b bulldog]

I thought almost all in here kept telling me that AJ will have the most impact as a R over the other R's.

[ND72]

people are blowing things up way to much with AJ. against SD he had a very solid game. He's improved every week. Remember, that our defense is designed to filter everything to the MLB. so if he forces a play to Barnett, he's doing his job.

All i keep reading is how bad AJ is doing, how he gave up that huge pass play against Antonio Gates...probably the best TE inthe game right now, and someone that does that weekly to LB's. But why haven't i heard a peep about Greg Jennings dropped 4th down pass? how bout every stop bitching and start learning that he's improving. if you don't understand that, don't write, you just sound like an idiot for not having any knowledge.