Is Hawk who you thunk he'd be?

[MTPackerfan]

I'd like to think he is doing a good job and that is part of the reason Barnett is having a stellar year.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Slightly disappointing. I think he's played better than some think, but he hasn't made big plays. I thought he would. I thought he'd be a Pro Bowl type player this year. Still, he's played well and has been a solid part of a solid defense.

Big surprise
Donald Lee, Atari Bigby, Johnny Jolly

Mild surprise
Bubba Franks, Nick Barnett, Brett Favre

Mild disappointment
Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, A.J. Hawk, Mark Tauscher, Charles Woodson

Big disappointment
Nick Collins, Brandon Jackson

Everybody else is about what I expected.

[RashanGary]

I wouldn't call Nick Collins a big disappointment. A mild one, yes, but not a big one. He's given up a couple plays, but so have Harris, Woodson and Bigby.

[RashanGary]

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.

Wolf said he was outstanding at taking on blcoks for a LB. Wolf compared him to Jack Hamm in that regard.

[BEARMAN]

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!

Mr. Urlacher will go into the HOF as one of the best LB's ever. His bust will sit next to Nitski (sp) and Butkus.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I wouldn't call Nick Collins a big disappointment. A mild one, yes, but not a big one. He's given up a couple plays, but so have Harris, Woodson and Bigby.

Yeah, he's been hot and cold, but I really expected a big leap this year, and it hasn't happened.

[Tony Oday]

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!

Mr. Urlacher will go into the HOF as one of the best LB's ever. His bust will sit next to Nitski (sp) and Butkus.

Oh my step away from the pipe...

[pack4to84]

What I have seen is teams are running away from him. That is the problem of and OLB, teams can run away from one side forcing A.J to have to play the cut back lanes instead of being aggressive at the line. Which is his strength. If you where a coach who would you run at A.J or Poppinga. Because of Poppinga lack of coverage skills it is also forcing A.J. to have to cover TE more like others have stated. Thats why I think A.J would be better fitted for the MLB spot like what the Bears did with 54 he started out as a OLB then they moved him to the MLB spot for this reason. The problem with this is Barnett is having a back to back good season at the MLB spot. The move can't be made. Forcing the Pack to upgrade the other OLB position to correct the problem I stated above.

[RashanGary]

I agree. As long as we have Poppinga, Hawk will be playing with his back to the line of scrimmage (chasing TE's) and the aggressive, dominate downhill plays that he made at OSU will be put on hold. SLB's just aren't put in position to make big plays. They are in position not to screw up and Hawk has done a great job at that. Problem is, he's a playmaker and we're goiong to have to find a way to put him in positiion to make plays.

Moving Popp to the middle and Barnett to the SLB would put Hawk in better position, but Barnett is also a playmaker. The only real solution is finding a so/so LB who can cover to replace Poppinga.


As far as the team goes, it's just fine the way Hawk is playing. Poppinga is acctually VERY good in the run game. If Hawk is forced to cover, it just makes Hawk look bad. The defense overall plays well. I don't think it's a problem this year, but eventually you want to take advantage of what Hawk brings to the table.

[KYPack]

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!

Mr. Urlacher will go into the HOF as one of the best LB's ever. His bust will sit next to Nitski (sp) and Butkus.

Nitschke

Goofnuts

[The Leaper]

He gets engulfed very easily by the Olineman.

What 4-3 LB doesn't get engulfed by the OL? It isn't like you see any NFL LB blitzing through the line consistently and always beating down the QB. Offensive line play and pass protection simply has gotten much better these days...and ALL LBs usually get stoned on rushes.

Hell, even our pathetic OL can stuff most blitzes effectively. Hawk is actually pretty stout against blocks and is around the ball quite often. He isn't making a ton of plays...but the offenses also aren't going after Hawk to allow him many opportunities in that regard.

[woodbuck27]

The sophomore year thing may be on with this talent.

He will be fine and we can count on it !

AJ HAWK will be a strong role player for our future.

PACKERS FOREVER !!

[rbaloha1]

Slightly overrated out of college

Always felt AJ was slightly overrated coming out of college. Based on AJ's position and draft selection one is expecting Urlacher plays.

AJ strength is once he sees a ball carrier, AJ brings great power and explosion. AJ also shows the ability to split blockers due to athleticism and very good coverage skills.

Where AJ fails, is taking on blockers mano to mano in the run or blitz game.

Overall AJ is playing steady with what appears few assignment areas. More big plays should happen for AJ as he plays more in the scheme. Just do not expect Urlacher performance.

[Zool]

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!

Mr. Urlacher will go into the HOF as one of the best LB's ever. His bust will sit next to Nitski (sp) and Butkus.

Nitschke

Goofnuts

You'd think a Bears fan could spell Nitschke. Its like a Packer fan misspelling Buttkiss.

[The Leaper]

Re: Slightly overrated out of college

Overall AJ is playing steady with what appears few assignment areas. More big plays should happen for AJ as he plays more in the scheme. Just do not expect Urlacher performance.

Hawk won't provide Urlacher performance because he is not a MLB. Our defensive system provides the MLB with the greatest opportunity to make plays, which is why Barnett puts up better "stats" than the other LBs.