A.J. Hawk - the anti-Samson?

[Patler]

Samson is said to have lost his mo-jo upon the cutting of his hair. A.J. Hawk seems to have gotten his.

Hawk has made notable plays in each game. He looks faster, much more physical, far more decisive and more emotional than what we have seen in recent years. He looks like the player we saw his first and second years.

[pbmax]

Weight loss? Other than hair, I haven't seen anything else offered as an explanation, unless Bishop being out has changed his assignments somewhat.

[George Cumby]

Weight loss? Other than hair, I haven't seen anything else offered as an explanation, unless Bishop being out has changed his assignments somewhat.

I think so. My understanding is he dropped 10 pounds. He is moving faster and with more agility, like the Hawk that was drafted because he could chase down Vince Young.

[Patler]

I think the weight loss is a lot of it, but there is also an attitude change. The fist pumping Hawk who jumps to his feet and screams after a play is very, very different from the calm, unemotional player we have seen. Lowering his shoulder pads and driving into a ball carrier or blockers is new and different for him.

[ThunderDan]

Hawk credited with 11 tackles last night with 6 solos. 30 tackles thru 3 games.

[mraynrand]

Contract year?

[pbmax]

Contract year?

Almost. Can we call it a Roster Year?

[MadtownPacker]

He was fired up huh? Whatever it is I hope he doubles the dose.

[Rutnstrut]

I think the weight loss is a lot of it, but there is also an attitude change. The fist pumping Hawk who jumps to his feet and screams after a play is very, very different from the calm, unemotional player we have seen. Lowering his shoulder pads and driving into a ball carrier or blockers is new and different for him.

Exactly, not only has he changed his physical game, but his attitude. I like this get in your face attitude he has now.

[mmmdk]

My authentic AJ Hawk jersey has value? Thank gods!

Anyways, I'm an AJ Hawk backer hence the jersey and I'm happy AJ is back on track.

[Brandon494]

Is he playing better then last season? Of course but then again how could he not? He was horrible last season. I think its more to do with the players around him, most of his tackles are assisted. Also saw him run right pass Lynch on a couple of plays in the Seattle game. Yea he looks lighter but hes still the same over-rated, over-payed player that I love to hate.

[Brandon494]

Lowering his shoulder pads and driving into a ball carrier or blockers is new and different for him.

You mean wrapping up the ball carrier and dropping to his knees until help comes? Seriously when have you ever seen Hawk lower his shoulder and punish a ball carrier? That is what this defense is really going to miss this year from losing Bishop.

[ThunderDan]

You mean wrapping up the ball carrier and dropping to his knees until help comes? Seriously when have you ever seen Hawk lower his shoulder and punish a ball carrier? That is what this defense is really going to miss this year from losing Bishop.

Well the only two major changes in our D so far this year are Bishop gone and Peprah for Jennings/McMillan.

We have gone from 411.6 ypg to 261.0 ypg and
22.4 ppg to 18.0 ppg.

So without Bishop we are 150 yards and 4.4 point per game better.

[Patler]

YSeriously when have you ever seen Hawk lower his shoulder and punish a ball carrier?

Latest example, Monday night, coming laterally toward the sideline, he lowered his shoulder, hit the ball carrier, wrapped up and drove through the ball carrier. Stopped him dead in his tracks. But in all honesty he has had at least one good solid hit like that in each game so far. It is what prompted me to start this topic, because it has been very un-Hawk-like.

[Brandon494]

Well the only two major changes in our D so far this year are Bishop gone and Peprah for Jennings/McMillan.

We have gone from 411.6 ypg to 261.0 ypg and
22.4 ppg to 18.0 ppg.

So without Bishop we are 150 yards and 4.4 point per game better.

LMAO we have six different rookies contributing on defense and all six have made an impact so far this season. You can't be serious with that comment that our defense is better without Bishop by comparing 3 games to all of last season.