Hawk Backers Inquire Within

[Partial]

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.

He is doing everything he is asked to do. I question whether he role will ever be impactful enough in this defensive scheme. My guess is no.

[Partial]

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?

sure is

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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.

atta boy, i'm right with you with A-Rod support. A-rod = Jake Delhomme in 3 years.

[Iron Mike]

Texas Safety - Not starting

Isn't that Michael Huff....who Tank was pimping as the answer to GBs problems and a "can't miss" DROY?????

[Partial]

Texas Safety - Not starting

Isn't that Michael Huff....who Tank was pimping as the answer to GBs problems and a "can't miss" DROY?????

Yes it is. Tank's crazy. I am awful at remembering names when I need to, and am too lazy to actually look them up.

[ahaha]

I was one of those who thought Huff would have been a good choice. The guy has the atheleticism to cover as a corner and the strength and toughness to be an enforcer at safety. After watching guys like Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, and Troy Polamao the past few years, I really wanted a guy like that on our defense. Huff hasn't stood out yet, but it's so early and he's surrounded by substandard talent in Oakland. I still think he's going to be a star.

[Patler]

Hawk has already made some plays that demonstrate how really good he is. For example:

Against Bush - a couple open field takles and plays where he prevented Bush from getting outside allowing the pursuit to get him were plays that not every outside linebacker could make. These weren't lucky plays or "excuse me" tackles. These were plays in which Hawk was in total control of himself and the play, against one of the most elusive players in the league.

I've forgotten which game, but it was first and goal from inside the 5. Hawk bit on a play fake, taking a step toward the line of scrimmage. The TE cut in behind him and should should have been wide open for an easy TD. The QB threw quick and on target. Hawk recovered, dropped back three quick steps and knocked the ball down. Biting on the fake should have ensured an easy TD. Hawks exceptional quickness prevented it.

Hawk hasn't made the interceptions or caused the fumbles the "experts" look for, but for being a rookie starting in his first games as a pro, he is doing fine and should get better and better over the next two years or so.

[Patler]

People want to compare Hawk to Urlacher. Apart from that they play different positions, people wrongly seem to suggest that Urlacher was as good from day one as he is today, and conclude that Hawk doesn't measure up.. That is absolutely wrong. While Urlacher has had a knack for big plays like sacks and interceptions, his first few years he was very easy to take advantage of because he over-pursued and would get tied up with blockers. Many teams, including the Packers, took advantage of this the first few years to run very successfully against him.

But, if you want to compare, here are the stats for their first 5 NFL games, with Urlacher's listed first in each column and Hawk listed second:

First 5 NFL games – Urlacher/Hawk

Game...Tackles....Sacks.....Int.....FF....RF
...1.......2/5.........0/0........0/0....0/0..0/0
...2.......3/7.........0/0........0/0....0/0..0/0
...3......11/8........1/1........0/0....0/0..0/0
...4.......5/3........1/0.5......1/0....0/0..0/1
...5.......5/8........1/0........0/0....0/0..1/0

Total tackles - 26/31
Total sacks - 3/1.5
Interceptions - 1/0
Fumbles forced - 0/0
Fumbles recovered - 1/1

Had Hawk not dropped the one easy interception that was right in his hands, their stats would be earily similar through their first 5 games.

[SD GB fan]

The guy has the atheleticism to cover as a corner and the strength and toughness to be an enforcer at safety. After watching guys like Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, and Troy Polamao the past few years, I really wanted a guy like that on our defense.

you mean nick collins?

[GrnBay007]

Great info Patler! Hawk will be fun to watch in the upcoming years.

[ahaha]

The guy has the atheleticism to cover as a corner and the strength and toughness to be an enforcer at safety. After watching guys like Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, and Troy Polamao the past few years, I really wanted a guy like that on our defense.

you mean nick collins?

Can you imagine having two safeties like that?