A.J. Hawk

[HarveyWallbangers]

How would you classify A.J. Hawk?

[oregonpackfan]

Hawk is steadily improving and already is a vital member of the defense.

[BF4MVP]

Solid starter..He's not spectacular, but he's an important player on a good defense..

[Deputy Nutz]

He is a very good all around starter, that is more dynamic than what the scheme calls for, so he plays within the coaches demands.

I don't think he likes playing in the scheme, I think he would do better in a scheme that would free up the weakside linebacker, he can run with any back in the league, but unless teams run to his side, he is always playing the cut back. He has now attacked the line of scrimmage when the ball is run to his side, he no longer waits, he goes with his instincts, and now and in future years AJ Hawk playing on his instincts is going to be an animal. The Packers just have to free him up to make plays all over the field, his ability to make plays should work to their advantage, his ability to take risks and rely on his instincts to cut under blocks would yield higher rewards than disappointments. This under scheme is like putting handcuffs on the guy.

[RashanGary]

Interesting observations, Nutz.

I'm just curious, what is an "under" scheme?

[Freak Out]

Solid starter. It is going to be interesting to see how the coaches use him the next few years.

[Deputy Nutz]

Interesting observations, Nutz.

I'm just curious, what is an "under" scheme?

I get the "over" and "under" scheme confused, but what I can tell you is that the scheme the Packers play is set up to have Barnett basically free lance, if he feels he can knife through an opening to make a play he can, he has more freedom outside of his base responsibilities, where as the weakside linebacker, is now put into position to play the cut back when the play is run to the strong side of the formation. Hawk has to be more cautious instead of cutting under a block or slicing through openings to make plays, he has to adhere 100% to his responsibilities otherwise guys could be running all day. See Steven Jackson's 47 yard TD romp against the Packer where Poppinga failed to play the cut back correctly and over ran the play.

[RashanGary]

I would rather see defenders play cutback lanes than get out of position with risks. Some defenses just let thier stars run wild and some good does happen. The star does get to make more plays, but it's not always the best thing.

As long as we're top 5 or 6 in points scored, I can't complain about how Hawk is used. Who cares if bulldog whines. Up till the last two years, Brady had just above average numbers. Good players do what it takes to win. They don't always have to rack up #'s.

[mmmdk]

Solid starter that should improve.

[BallHawk]

It depends what your definition of solid and very good are.

My take is:

A Solid starter is Poppinga.

A very good starter is Nick Barnett.

Hawk is a notch below Barnett and a few notches above Poppinga.

[MadtownPacker]

Bigby is a solid starter. He gets burned sometimes. AJ does not, he is a very good starter because I dont recall him getting burn much if at all.

[RashanGary]

The Packers are 12-2 and Hawk is one of the better players on one of the NFL's better defenses. It's tough for me to call him anything other than a very good starter.

[Bretsky]

The Packers are 12-2 and Hawk is one of the better players on one of the NFL's better defenses. It's tough for me to call him anything other than a very good starter.

[FritzDontBlitz]

Damn good starter.

[Farley Face]

Interesting observations, Nutz.

I'm just curious, what is an "under" scheme?

Justin Harrell,
I PM'd you awhile back, or thought I had anyway. Did you get it and chose not to reply or did I foul up in my attempt to send it? Just curious...

I PM'd a question about TT's approach that I thought you would enjoy expounding upon.