Is Hawk who you thunk he'd be?

[woodbuck27]

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.

Good point Packer fan.

PACKERS FOREVER !!

[b bulldog]

Good point but Hawk is no where near the player that Brian is. Hawk is solid but not much more.

[b bulldog]

A knock on him coming out of school is that he will get totally stoned by Olineman. Wolf has never had a good track record in regards to first round picks Nick

[woodbuck27]

Good point but Hawk is no where near the player that Brian is. Hawk is solid but not much more.

I have faith he will get there b bulldog. Too much talent in this Will not to.

He has to just keep his feet moving and pursue the ball.

PACKERS FOREVER ! !

[HarveyWallbangers]

A knock on him coming out of school is that he will get totally stoned by Olineman. Wolf has never had a good track record in regards to first round picks Nick

I think that was the case early last year, but reports from various sources on JSO say he does a good job taking on blocks. No LB wins most of their battles with OL--if they are allowed to get on them. I think he takes on blocks just fine. The big problem is no big plays. One fumble recovery, and that's about it. Hopefully, they come soon.

[b bulldog]

Big surprise
Atari Bigby
Brett Favre
Johnny Jolly
James Jones
Lee and Franks as a combo

Mild Surprise
Nick Barnett
Scott Wells
Ryan Pickett has really played dominant
KGB

Mild disappointment
AJ Hawk
Nick Collins
Cullen Jenkins
Jarret Bush
Ryan/Crosby
Mark Tauscher
Chad Clifton

Bigtime disappointment
Darren Colledge
Brandon Jackson
Deshawn Wynn(I know he is a 7th rounder but I thought he would be better and much more tough)
Spitz/Coston
Conservativeness on D

[b bulldog]

Last week against the Skins he was awful on the blitz. He got stoned every time. I thought the delayed blitz was his strong point as far as blitzing in college and I think he is best doing the same at this level. I don't think he is good enough when it is one on one to win. I see TE's blocking him too often on his blitzes.

[Tarlam!]

We have people comparing AJ to Barnett. We have people disappointed in AJ. We have others calling for Bradys spot.

I disagree with those people passionately!

Barnett has finally shown up. WISTY had him pegged up until this season. Pop has always been a liability against the pass, why are we so shocked? AJ? Well, Ill bet FOR AJ.

[b bulldog]

Well on the positive side, he is a student of the game and he should get better but truthfully, I never see him at an elite level but he doesn't have to be. If he is a player who becomes a good leader and makes 3-4 trips to Hawaii, I'll be fine with that.

[b bulldog]

What has Hawk done to this point, in all honesty, to deserve as much adolation as he recieves? Not a knock on him at all but I was just curious???

[HarveyWallbangers]

He played very well down the stretch last year. He's a good run defender and a sure tackler. His coverage isn't bad. The JSO scout seems to think he's playing quite well. Oftentimes, a guy can be doing his job, but people don't see the big play, so they think he's playing poorly. Did you see Urlacher get blown up by Korey Hall in the Bears game? LBs get blocked. If they didn't, nobody would ever be able to run the ball. As far as his blitzing, I think he could be good. It's hard to find a rhythm when you don't do it a lot. That goes for all of our LBs. The thing about our scheme is it expects the front four to provide pressure. We don't blitz as much as most teams. Sure, we do it occasionally, but not that often. I know earlier in the year, he didn't get there, but provided some pressure. When a LB gets a sack, it's usually because the offense was overloaded and the guy runs free. That hasn't happened for Hawk. Not sure if they aren't disguising it right or what, but it will come. He has the speed to get there.

[HarveyWallbangers]

The guy you trumpet, DeMeco Ryans, had a similar year to Hawk last year. The only difference was that Ryans played MLB and had a few more tackles. This year, their stats are virtually even. Same tackles. Same everything--except Ryans has 1 more sack and Hawk has 1 more fumble recovery. It happens. LBs tend to have things happen in bunches. I expect both guys will be fine. Maybe teams have more film to scheme against those guys. Maybe they are doing their jobs, but neither are making big plays. I'm not worried about Hawk. He's a good player. I just expect more big plays. He has the ability to get them. Hopefully, he gets put in position to make them and then makes them.

[DannoMac21]

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.

What's a squirle?

[Badgepack]

Hawk just needs to be an above average linebacker for the next 10 years or so.

[b bulldog]

Harv, the guy I liked was Mario but I'd compare Hawk to Ryans, Greenway and Sims. I think all four are real close. I did like Carpenter and Sims at the LB position in that draft. Carpenter can't find the field but imo, Sims is the best of this bunch. My point about Hawk at the time was that he isn't much better than the rest and so far, I was arrurate in that assumption but it is still early. I was a tad off on the Super one though.