Just Who Is AJ Hawk's Competition for Buck ILB?

[pbmax]

Is Smith not in competition for Hawk's spot at Buck? Well, I thought I knew how things were stacked up in the middle, but after this article, not so sure.

http://www.foxsportswisconsin.com/06/26/12/Smith-not-competing-with-Hawk-for-time-/landing_packers.html?blockID=752030&feedID=5069

If, as we previously thought, the true difference between Mack and Buck is taking on blockers, then Smith may not be playing Hawk's position.

But if, as the article asserts, its only the question of wearing the headset, I think last year proved Capers thinks Smith can handle it.

[Lurker64]

I think Smith is going after Bishop's job, not Hawk's. I actually wouldn't be surprised of Smith takes Bishop's starting job at some point this season. I don't think Bishop and Smith can actually productively coexist as the ILBs on the field, and Smith might actually be a better player (he certainly looked like that could be the case after Bishop got hurt late last year).

I think Hawk has to worry more about losing snaps to a coverage specialist LB in passing situations, most likely Brad Jones.

[pack4to84]

I think Smith is going after Bishop's job, not Hawk's. I actually wouldn't be surprised of Smith takes Bishop's starting job at some point this season. I don't think Bishop and Smith can actually productively coexist as the ILBs on the field, and Smith might actually be a better player (he certainly looked like that could be the case after Bishop got hurt late last year).

I think Hawk has to worry more about losing snaps to a coverage specialist LB in passing situations, most likely Brad Jones.

If Moss shows with pads on that he can rush the passer. I could see Matthews taking Hawk's spot in the nickel. Perry-Raji-Worthy-Moss on the line. Then having Matthews lined up in the middle picking where he wants to rush. Hard to Double team a player that you don't know where he is coming from. We know that Matthews is a play maker even in coverage.

[pbmax]

If Moss shows with pads on that he can rush the passer. I could see Matthews taking Hawk's spot in the nickel. Perry-Raji-Worthy-Moss on the line. Then having Matthews lined up in the middle picking where he wants to rush. Hard to Double team a player that you don't know where he is coming from. We know that Matthews is a play maker even in coverage.

Dezman, is that the first name of the guy you are thinking of? I think his last name is Moses.

Rookies haven't started a whole lot on the front line for the Packers and he starts way back in the line. Even Matthews and Neal (pre-injury trifecta) had to wait. But he might get some reps if he continues to plow though vets in camp.

[RashanGary]

Dezman, is that the first name of the guy you are thinking of? I think his last name is Moses.

Rookies haven't started a whole lot on the front line for the Packers and he starts way back in the line. Even Matthews and Neal (pre-injury trifecta) had to wait. But he might get some reps if he continues to plow though vets in camp.

Packers are big on best 11. Any LB could take Hawks spot.

Bishop is going nowhere. He's our best ILB by far.

[Lurker64]

If Moss shows with pads on that he can rush the passer. I could see Matthews taking Hawk's spot in the nickel. Perry-Raji-Worthy-Moss on the line. Then having Matthews lined up in the middle picking where he wants to rush. Hard to Double team a player that you don't know where he is coming from. We know that Matthews is a play maker even in coverage.

I think the linebacker quartet that involves Matthews moving away from the edge would actually involve putting So'oto and Perry on the field, and moving Matthews inside. So'oto is easily a better pass rusher than any of our other LBs excepting Matthews and possibly Perry. A full offseason for Vic to work on the subtle things that he was struggling with last year (largely involving coverage and reads) and I'm not sure he doesn't have a shot at winning a starting job.

If Zombo can finally get healthy, he's definitely in the mix ahead of Moses as well.

[RashanGary]

I think the linebacker quartet that involves Matthews moving away from the edge would actually involve putting So'oto and Perry on the field, and moving Matthews inside. So'oto is easily a better pass rusher than any of our other LBs excepting Matthews and possibly Perry. A full offseason for Vic to work on the subtle things that he was struggling with last year (largely involving coverage and reads) and I'm not sure he doesn't have a shot at winning a starting job.

If Zombo can finally get healthy, he's definitely in the mix ahead of Moses as well.

It will be interesting to see some of the packages. If So'oto really does develop into a decent pass rusher on the outside, you could easily see some hybrid 4-2 on passing downs with So'oto and Perry lining up wide as DE types.

Raji and whoever wins between Daniels, Worthy, Neal, Hargrove (or any surprise guy)

I've heard McCarthy and Thompson both talk about Jones as a good pass rusher. They seem to like him in that role. He can also cover. Matthews is a stud pass rusher, and he can cover too. We could easily get 6 guys on the field who can legitimately beat a single block with two of them fully capable of beating a double.

It will be interesting to see what kind of packages they put together. There is a lot more LB talent this year and talent with some experience than in the past. A lot more DL talent too.

With our ST's tilting the field (Cobb, Masthay, Crosby and company) and our offense lighting teams up. . . . We could see some clever pass rush out of these guys. Again, guys like Jones, Matthews, Hawk, Bishop, Zombo, Smith. . . . They all have some experience under their belt. They can all handle a little more flexible roles than in the past without screwing up. . . . . There's a chance we can just roll teams up this year. Teams will have to pass, and we went all out to get pass stopping talent.

Perry might have to be a bit of a pass rush specialist in these complex schemes, but who knows, he might be a hell of a pass rush specialist. If he is, with all of the other guys we have who can handle the other areas, it's certainly not a problem.

We'll see how it goes. I'm excited!

[Iron Mike]

If Zombo can finally get healthy, he's definitely in the mix ahead of Moses as well.

Don't stop, get it, get it--until you're cheddar, header. Watch me as I gravitate, watch the way I navigate.

Ha ha Ha ha haaaa....

[packers11]

A.J. Hawk looks ready for this season

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAcVbT79VB8&feature=player_embedded

Biggest hit i've seen in years. Can't wait until the season starts!

[KYPack]

I like the new "butch" haircut.

Have to give Hawk a hall pass for last season.

That right side of the D was a disaster area.

3 stooges at RDE and 3 more at ROLB?

He didn't have much help.

That said, he got sloppy in his shed technique and had some big screw-ups in cover.

If he doesn't get back on track, they will have to eventually make a change.

[Lurker64]

If he doesn't get back on track, they will have to eventually make a change.

I agree, but I very much think that Hawk's long term replacement in this defense is not on this roster. If we're going to give up on Hawk, we're going to need to draft a guy who's a natural Buck.

[Fritz]

I agree, but I very much think that Hawk's long term replacement in this defense is not on this roster. If we're going to give up on Hawk, we're going to need to draft a guy who's a natural Buck.

And here he is:

[Lurker64]

Fritz, that's anything but natural.

I think, honestly, on this team the backup Buck LB is Bishop (if Hawk were to go down for an extended period of time) with Smith taking Bishop's spot.

[pbmax]

And here he is:

[IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjgt2XuzYOQ/T97kT8nmD0I/AAAAAAAAAbU/U4oMF4Jp3uo/s1600/IMG_0374.JPG[/Img

I don't think Alex Rodriguez wants to play football.

If either Ted Thompson or Mike McCarthy suggested Brad Jones can rush the passer, then each needs to be checked for a concussion. He can do everything an OLB needs to do BUT that.

[Lurker64]

If either Ted Thompson or Mike McCarthy suggested Brad Jones can rush the passer, then each needs to be checked for a concussion. He can do everything an OLB needs to do BUT that.

He might be better at rushing the passer from the inside (since he's an ILB now). It's a little different to beat an OT who's expecting to block you versus charging through a hole in pass pro on a delayed blitz

That may be the reason behind the move to ILB. Since Jones can cover, run, and tackle... but can't rush from the outside. So he has a shot at being a perfectly cromulent ILB.