Is Hawk who you thunk he'd be?

[4and12to12and4]

I'm just wondering what the general consensus here is regarding AJ's current level of play. Is he as good as you expected? Is he better? Worse? Did you expect more big plays like causing fumbles, getting interceptions, sacks? Do you think he is a top ten MLB? Where do you rank him? Also, do you think he has reached his potential, or do you think he will continue to improve his level of play from where it is right now? Do you think Nick Barnett is a better backer than him? If you do, do you think AJ will eventually be better than Nick in time? I just wanted to get all you're opinions because we don't talk much about him. Just wondering.

[RashanGary]

Poppinga can't cover TE's, so instead of Hawk being put in a position to make big plays, he's chasing TE's around the field.

He's doing a damn good job at SLB, but the nature of SLB is to do dirty work so others can make plays. He's doing good, it's just not visable because of the nature of his position this year.

[b bulldog]

I agree with Larry McCarren, he is doing a steady job but he needs to elevate his play like the rest of the d. mcCarren said it is foolish to say that the Packers want AJ just to do the dirty stuff and not make any big plays. I think he will never become the player that the masses thought he would but he will never be a bust neither. He needs to play downhill, he is still very young so he has lots of time to improve but he does need to step up his play.

[oregonpackfan]

I agree with Larry McCarren, he is doing a steady job but he needs to elevate his play like the rest of the d. mcCarren said it is foolish to say that the Packers want AJ just to do the dirty stuff and not make any big plays. I think he will never become the player that the masses thought he would but he will never be a bust neither. He needs to play downhill, he is still very young so he has lots of time to improve but he does need to step up his play.

I agree with everything Bulldog says about Hawk.

[Rastak]

Poppinga can't cover TE's, so instead of Hawk being put in a position to make big plays, he's chasing TE's around the field.

He's doing a damn good job at SLB, but the nature of SLB is to do dirty work so others can make plays. He's doing good, it's just not visable because of the nature of his position this year.

So does Hawk swap assignments with Poppinga regularly? Not sure I follow...if the TE lines up on Poppinga's side what happens?

[Fred's Slacks]

I am a bit disappointed that we haven't seen the big plays. I know he's chasing TEs around alot but with his pedigree, I'd think he'd give up a lot less completions and have a couple of picks. Maybe I expect too much, but we haven't seen a top 5 pick in a long time and we hopefully won't see another one for a long time. When we have one, I want him to produce big time and fast.

That said, I think he'll still get there. I have a feeling we'll continue to see improvement. He's just too gifted and works too hard not to. At the very least we can be sure he's not a bust. He'll be a very good player for a long time. We just can't be sure he'll ever be the difference maker we were hoping for (like the rookie in MN).

[Harlan Huckleby]

If the defense as a whole is successful, I figure the linebackers and secondary are doing their job.

Honestly, I don't care that much if Hawk doesn't make big plays. Just as long as he's not getting burned. No news is good news. Consistency is more important than interceptions and sacks.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I think the entire 2006 draft was over-hyped. I bought into it too. That said, Hawk might be the best pick of the top 10 draft choices. He'll probably be an All-Pro someday. Don't think he's a hall of famer.

[BEARMAN]

He hasn't played up to the hype ? He has been out of position, late, looking like he is lost. He has made a few plays, however even a blind squirle finds a nut every now and then.

[Scott Campbell]

He hasn't played up to the hype ? He has been out of position, late, looking like he is lost. He has made a few plays, however even a blind squirle finds a nut every now and then.

I like your blind "squirle" theory, which also explains how the Bears managed not to lose every game they've played so far this year.

[LEWCWA]

Funny coming from a Bear fan! I think Urlacher is vastly overrated. Without the big boys up front he's just a fast white guy. He doesn't shed blocks that well, either!

[Green Bud Packer]

Hawk recovered a fumble vs the skins.

He plays with a mean streak and is around the ball.

I like him.

It's not where you pick em it's who you pick.

[CaliforniaCheez]

The only thing I am disappointed in is that the coaching staff has not blitzed him as much as I expected or would want him to blitz.

With the front 4 and the need to cover TE's and RB's he hasn't. He is faster than Popinga and gets through blocks better than Barnett.

Hawk does a good job and there is no reason to complain. If the team got an upgrade over Poppinga, Hawk would be free to do more.

This is a very small issue. Most teams would like the Packers LB situation.

[b bulldog]

Actually against the Skins he blitzed quite often. He gets engulfed very easily by the Olineman. He needs to not allow the Olineman to get into his body cause once they do, he gets stoned.

[Carolina_Packer]

Actually against the Skins he blitzed quite often. He gets engulfed very easily by the Olineman. He needs to not allow the Olineman to get into his body cause once they do, he gets stoned.

But if he is taking on an O-lineman, isn't that creating a one on one with a D-lineman?