Hawk Backers Inquire Within

[HarveyWallbangers]

Merriman deserves all the hype he gets. He's ridiculously good. While it's true that he didn't really start to go off until about this time last year, he was one of the best players in the NFL by the end of the year. I don't care that he can't cover. The things he can do he can do as well as anyone in the league.

[Farley Face]

Farley, I see you joined in April but just started posting. Although it looks like you've been around awhile, Welcome to PackerRats!!

I'm a JSO convert, looking for what Rats delivers, a more balanced view of the Packer Nation. Thanks for the welocme.

If you can be in front of a TV while watching the game, but Rats Official Game thread will be second to none as well. It'll have about 40-50 pages of posts by the end.

Welcome; you might recognize many many old JS people over here.

B

I sat on the sidelines during the two days of the draft as Packer Rats delivered 100+ pages of analysis. Loved every minute of it!

[Bretsky]

Hawk is doing a hell of a lot better than a lot of rookies taken around him. With all of the hype, even Bush has disappointed a bit (although I'd say he changed the dimension of that office with his all around skills). Mario isn't dominating. Vernon Davis isn't. Ernie Sims has slightly better stats, but the only time I watched Sims was against Green Bay. He had as many tackles as Hawk, but Hawk was better. Most of Sims tackles were 6+ yards downfield--while Hawk's tackles were much closer to the line of scrimmage. Can't really judge the QBs like Cutler, Young, and Leinart yet. Ferguson has struggles at times. Most rookies do. He won't be Shawne Merriman, but Merriman turned out to be a out of this world talent. I certainly think Hawk can be a Pro Bowl caliber player some day.

Merriman was NOT that good to start the year. He turned it on around this time or a little later. Plus, he wasn't great in coverage last year. His strength was his height, size and speed as an edge rusher in the 3-4. He is a great player no doubt, but people overhyped him last year. This year he is living up to the hype, though. We also cannot ignore that OLB in a 3-4 are the featured LB. In our scheme, Barnett is.

One huge thing is Hawk hasn't made any major mistakes yet. That is ridiculously surprising for a rookie defending in space.

edit - I was referencing his rookie year when I said not that good at the start of the year.

Yes, Merriman came on strong at the end.

The rookie that was tearing it up last year was Odell Thurman for the first half of the season. He faded away the last six games; I think Dennis Rodman came to town and they started doing bad things together.

B

[HarveyWallbangers]

Now, all Bretsky has to do is mention Chris Chambers and we'll be all set.

[Bretsky]

Now, all Bretsky has to do is mention Chris Chambers and we'll be all set.

Chambers tore it up from day one while Ferguson was resting up on the inactive list his rookie season

Now we're in action.

[Bretsky]

Farley, I see you joined in April but just started posting. Although it looks like you've been around awhile, Welcome to PackerRats!!

I'm a JSO convert, looking for what Rats delivers, a more balanced view of the Packer Nation. Thanks for the welocme.

If you can be in front of a TV while watching the game, but Rats Official Game thread will be second to none as well. It'll have about 40-50 pages of posts by the end.

Welcome; you might recognize many many old JS people over here.

B

I sat on the sidelines during the two days of the draft as Packer Rats delivered 100+ pages of analysis. Loved every minute of it!

Cool; then you already know we're whack jobs...aka Packer fanatics. You'll fit right in.

B

[VegasPackFan]

Hawk is already doing pretty much everything he has been asked to do. He is not a primadonna (like Barnett) so the team can play him at the very unglamorous position of OLB and he will still give it his all. In this scheme, AJ's main job is to force the plays to the inside so the middle LB can make the play.

I have not seen AJ miss many tackles. He is already a fundamentally sound player. His work ethic is such that you can be very assured that he will improve in every aspect of his game over the course of his early career - you havent seen the best of him yet.

[AtlPackFan]

My question to everyone is who would you have taken in that spot if not Hawk? Vernon Davis who had, in interviews I saw at the time, eluded to the fact that he didn't want to play in a small market? One of the quarterbacks with the Rodgers still untested? Who?

So, Hawk isn't a world beater at this point. Maybe he never will be...none of us - at this point - know. But if your down on Hawk for not fulfilling your #5 pick expectations, who would you have picked?! In my un-expert opinion, there was just no clear cut #5.

I'll take Hawk. From what I have heard he practices hard, he appears to play hard, he appears to have a great attitude and he appears to be a team-first player. I'll take that every day of the week over some of the MFing, cry baby, TO-types that are playing the game today!!!

[pacfan]

I think Hawk was a great pick at #5. The hype and expectations are overblown with media coverage and "sometimes" unfair expectations from the fans.

Hawk has been a good LB since he arrived. No drama, no BS, no ego. He does his job and makes plays. He's a rookie adjusting to a faster game, so everyday won't be a highlight reel. He is establishing himself as a leader of the defense and I hope he gives the Pack 10 great years of service.

[b bulldog]

Hawk comparisons to Urlacher is unfair. Urlacher is an animal and was from his first year. Hawk may be worth the fifth pick but Uralcher is just plain a stud and I don't see AJ ever getting to his level.

[Scott Campbell]

My question to everyone is who would you have taken in that spot if not Hawk? Vernon Davis who had, in interviews I saw at the time, eluded to the fact that he didn't want to play in a small market? One of the quarterbacks with the Rodgers still untested? Who?

Leinart.

[red]

most rookies haven't done much of anything yet, like partial said

hawk plays a different position then urlacher. if hawk played MLB, you would hear his name called all the time like barnett. with the exception of a few plays, he has played pretty damn good for a rookie, and has showed the flashes to show he should turn into a damn good pro.

and like someone on here siad the other day, he's already an upgrade at that position over what we had before him. and isn't that the point?

[gbgary]

hawk's done a fine job so far. think how the cowboys must feel with their first-round pick. carpenter can't even make a special-teams contribution...hell, i don't think he's been on the active roster a single game this year.

[Tarlam!]

Leinart.

I wouldn't have taken Leiny, but, I would have been wrong. That boy has surprised me coming outta the gate. He as finished a rookie as any to play the position.

[mmmdk]

I'm impressed with Hawk, he's all about football and he'll get better and better. Those who like to compare Urlacher to Hawk are wrong; Hawk is in the mold of Zach Thomas but Hawk has more upside as a blitzer. Hawk needs to be better in coverage but it'll all come together.

Draft note 2006: I'm glad Packers picked Hawk over Vernon but Matt Leinert is the real deal - a franchise QB. Leinert has many future probowls in sight (especially if he leaves Cardinals ) and he's the kind of player that makes you wonder...could he make it to the HOF? Maybe but it is early yet he has that class. Packers already have Aaron Rodgers so Hawk still makes sense. But Rodgers had better be in the class of a Drew Brees or Jake Delhomme - those types of QBs can win you Super Bowls too. Well, I believe in Rodgers, look at my avatar. I think he'll have a long and good career in Green Bay. That's what TT is banking on too.