Hawk Backers Inquire Within

[Farley Face]

Hawk has played well, but top 5 pick well? I'd like to hear from all the pre draft Hawk backers who had him earmarked for greatness.

Is he Urlacher or Katzenmoyer, or somewhere between? Is he a guy a rebuilding team builds around?

Please help me feel like he will be a difference maker for us in the long run like we would hope a #5 pick would be. I'm rooting for the guy, but I need to see more difference making ability.

[Partial]

He is playing as well as Urlacher did his first year up to this point. He isn't the focal point of the defense in the sense more often than not he is containing and forcing runs inside so its pretty hard to tell.

He is a very hard hitter, is always in good position, and has shown the intangibles that have made him a top 5 pick to this point imo

[Farley Face]

He is playing as well as Urlacher did his first year up to this point. He isn't the focal point of the defense in the sense more often than not he is containing and forcing runs inside so its pretty hard to tell.

He is a very hard hitter, is always in good position, and has shown the intangibles that have made him a top 5 pick to this point imo

Partial, in your opinion, is he a difference maker long term or a slightly above average LB you can depend on to not blow assignments and make an occasional play? I agree with you on the hard hitter point, but he seems to struggle at the point shedding blocks.

[Partial]

He is playing as well as Urlacher did his first year up to this point. He isn't the focal point of the defense in the sense more often than not he is containing and forcing runs inside so its pretty hard to tell.

He is a very hard hitter, is always in good position, and has shown the intangibles that have made him a top 5 pick to this point imo

Partial, in your opinion, is he a difference maker long term or a slightly above average LB you can depend on to not blow assignments and make an occasional play? I agree with you on the hard hitter point, but he seems to struggle at the point shedding blocks.

I think he is playing as good as a rookie can at this point. Cristl loves to comment on how he can't get off blocks, but what rookie can? They're not developed. Also, he compares him to Merriman and says he is coming up short. BS. Merriman did not come on until about week 10 last year and is playing a very "different" position despite both being outside linebackers. Hawk is much better in coverage already.

I think Hawk is going to be as good of an outside backer as you'll see. With that said, with the system they are currently running he will forever be limited to some extent in his playmaking ability because of that in my opinion.

I think in four years when Hawk is about 10 pounds heavier and much stronger, he'll be as good of a linebacker as their is in the game. He doesn't have the height of Urlacher but he has the quickness and the willingness to lay the wood. I could see him moved inside or the scheme will change to optimize him more in a 3-4 or whatever that may be.

[Lurker64]

As I understand it, the most desirable quality in A.J. Hawk is not that he will come in like a wrecking ball from day one and knock everybody's helmet off. The top quality of Hawk is that he is a football player's football player. He has the desire to make himself better, and the drive to accomplish this goal. Not only that, but he's purported to be sufficiently intense to drive everyone around him to also make themselves better. He's smart, follows directions, and has leadership qualities.

So if in his first year, he's not shedding blocks like a savvy veteran, I fully expect Hawk to work his ass off in the offseason and get darn good at shedding blocks for next season. If he's not a powerful force of leadership on the defense now, well it's because he's a rookie and how many rookies lead teams?

Honestly, before we really make a decision on how great a guy's career is going to be after he's played five games, how many guys drafted before him are making more of an impact on their respective teams? How many first rounders are making more of an impact on their respective teams?

The draft buzz is always "drafting player x is going to make team y an instant contender" when this frankly isn't true. Almost every player has some aspect of their game to work on when they come to the next level. The thing about Hawk is that his past performance strongly points to the fact that he's dedicated to working on his game until he's a force to be reckoned with, and five games into the season, that's good enough for me.

Plus, that sack on Kitna and Hawk's complete nonchalance afterwards was pretty keen.

[Farley Face]

He is playing as well as Urlacher did his first year up to this point. He isn't the focal point of the defense in the sense more often than not he is containing and forcing runs inside so its pretty hard to tell.

He is a very hard hitter, is always in good position, and has shown the intangibles that have made him a top 5 pick to this point imo

Partial, in your opinion, is he a difference maker long term or a slightly above average LB you can depend on to not blow assignments and make an occasional play? I agree with you on the hard hitter point, but he seems to struggle at the point shedding blocks.

I think he is playing as good as a rookie can at this point. Cristl loves to comment on how he can't get off blocks, but what rookie can? They're not developed. Also, he compares him to Merriman and says he is coming up short. BS. Merriman did not come on until about week 10 last year and is playing a very "different" position despite both being outside linebackers. Hawk is much better in coverage already.

I think Hawk is going to be as good of an outside backer as you'll see. With that said, with the system they are currently running he will forever be limited to some extent in his playmaking ability because of that in my opinion.

I think in four years when Hawk is about 10 pounds heavier and much stronger, he'll be as good of a linebacker as their is in the game. He doesn't have the height of Urlacher but he has the quickness and the willingness to lay the wood. I could see him moved inside or the scheme will change to optimize him more in a 3-4 or whatever that may be.

You reference Christl. I agree with some of what he says, disagree with the rest. He does make a point about needing to hit homeruns with high draft picks. Right now Hawk feels like a stand up double to me. He's a guy you can root for and I'm not saying I don't see reasons for optimism, but a half dozen or so posters on this forum had Hawk labeled as the second coming and I haven't seen that.

[Farley Face]

As I understand it, the most desirable quality in A.J. Hawk is not that he will come in like a wrecking ball from day one and knock everybody's helmet off. The top quality of Hawk is that he is a football player's football player. He has the desire to make himself better, and the drive to accomplish this goal. Not only that, but he's purported to be sufficiently intense to drive everyone around him to also make themselves better. He's smart, follows directions, and has leadership qualities.

So if in his first year, he's not shedding blocks like a savvy veteran, I fully expect Hawk to work his ass off in the offseason and get darn good at shedding blocks for next season. If he's not a powerful force of leadership on the defense now, well it's because he's a rookie and how many rookies lead teams?


Good points, thanks. I need to level my expectations with what reality is. He is a hard working guy that has the physical attributes to develop into a building block type player. I certainly put him in a positive light and shouldn't hold him accountable to predraft hype.
Honestly, before we really make a decision on how great a guy's career is going to be after he's played five games, how many guys drafted before him are making more of an impact on their respective teams? How many first rounders are making more of an impact on their respective teams?

The draft buzz is always "drafting player x is going to make team y an instant contender" when this frankly isn't true. Almost every player has some aspect of their game to work on when they come to the next level. The thing about Hawk is that his past performance strongly points to the fact that he's dedicated to working on his game until he's a force to be reckoned with, and five games into the season, that's good enough for me.

Plus, that sack on Kitna and Hawk's complete nonchalance afterwards was pretty keen.

[Farley Face]

As I understand it, the most desirable quality in A.J. Hawk is not that he will come in like a wrecking ball from day one and knock everybody's helmet off. The top quality of Hawk is that he is a football player's football player. He has the desire to make himself better, and the drive to accomplish this goal. Not only that, but he's purported to be sufficiently intense to drive everyone around him to also make themselves better. He's smart, follows directions, and has leadership qualities.

So if in his first year, he's not shedding blocks like a savvy veteran, I fully expect Hawk to work his ass off in the offseason and get darn good at shedding blocks for next season. If he's not a powerful force of leadership on the defense now, well it's because he's a rookie and how many rookies lead teams?


Good points, thanks. I need to level my expectations with what reality is. He is a hard working guy that has the physical attributes to develop into a building block type player. I certainly put him in a positive light and shouldn't hold him accountable to predraft hype.
Honestly, before we really make a decision on how great a guy's career is going to be after he's played five games, how many guys drafted before him are making more of an impact on their respective teams? How many first rounders are making more of an impact on their respective teams?

The draft buzz is always "drafting player x is going to make team y an instant contender" when this frankly isn't true. Almost every player has some aspect of their game to work on when they come to the next level. The thing about Hawk is that his past performance strongly points to the fact that he's dedicated to working on his game until he's a force to be reckoned with, and five games into the season, that's good enough for me.

Plus, that sack on Kitna and Hawk's complete nonchalance afterwards was pretty keen.

Sorry, I embedded my comments into your thread. I'm still learning the navigation of this site. Here is my response to your post:

Good points, thanks. I need to level my expectations with what reality is. He is a hard working guy that has the physical attributes to develop into a building block type player. I certainly put him in a positive light and shouldn't hold him accountable to predraft hype.

[GrnBay007]

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

[Bretsky]

Yes Farley; glad you joined the gang. Welcome. I thought Hawk would start a little faster; with that being said not many rookies have.

B

[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.

[HarveyWallbangers]

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.

[Partial]

He is playing as well as Urlacher did his first year up to this point. He isn't the focal point of the defense in the sense more often than not he is containing and forcing runs inside so its pretty hard to tell.

He is a very hard hitter, is always in good position, and has shown the intangibles that have made him a top 5 pick to this point imo

Partial, in your opinion, is he a difference maker long term or a slightly above average LB you can depend on to not blow assignments and make an occasional play? I agree with you on the hard hitter point, but he seems to struggle at the point shedding blocks.

I think he is playing as good as a rookie can at this point. Cristl loves to comment on how he can't get off blocks, but what rookie can? They're not developed. Also, he compares him to Merriman and says he is coming up short. BS. Merriman did not come on until about week 10 last year and is playing a very "different" position despite both being outside linebackers. Hawk is much better in coverage already.

I think Hawk is going to be as good of an outside backer as you'll see. With that said, with the system they are currently running he will forever be limited to some extent in his playmaking ability because of that in my opinion.

I think in four years when Hawk is about 10 pounds heavier and much stronger, he'll be as good of a linebacker as their is in the game. He doesn't have the height of Urlacher but he has the quickness and the willingness to lay the wood. I could see him moved inside or the scheme will change to optimize him more in a 3-4 or whatever that may be.

You reference Christl. I agree with some of what he says, disagree with the rest. He does make a point about needing to hit homeruns with high draft picks. Right now Hawk feels like a stand up double to me. He's a guy you can root for and I'm not saying I don't see reasons for optimism, but a half dozen or so posters on this forum had Hawk labeled as the second coming and I haven't seen that.

Well, what top 10 picks have done better than him so far?
Mario - In time he may have a bigger impact, but he has been disciplined for a lack of work ethic so far and hasn't been the difference maker a #1 pick should be.
Bush - Yes, he has had a much bigger impact.
Young - Nope
Ferguson - Dunno.
Hawk
Davis - Injured, no impact yet.
Texas Safety - Not starting
OSU safety for buffalo - Unsure
Sims - Hawk had a much bigger impact in that matchup than Sims did
Leinart - Bigger.

[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

[Partial]

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.