Hawk getting reps at middle linebacker:JSOnline

[crkone]

One of the options the Green Bay Packers have for replacing injured middle linebacker Nick Barnett is A.J. Hawk, and they are giving him an opportunity to show what he can do.

Hawk, who has been starting at weak-side linebacker, was receiving turns at middle linebacker in practice Wednesday, a strong sign they are considering going with him there. Until coach Mike McCarthy addresses reporters at around 1:20 p.m., it won't be entirely clear whether that's the direction he plans to go.

McCarthy may have a plan to test out both Hawk and second-year backup Desmond Bishop at the position this week.

Moving Hawk over makes sense because it would allow Brandon Chillar to get on the field full-time as Hawk's replacement on the weak-side. Thus, the Packers could get Chillar and Brady Poppinga on the field at the same time rather than having to rotate or play them based on match-ups

Chillar was back at practice today after missing Sunday's game against Minnesota with a shoulder injury.

Greg Bedard will update the practice blog in a short while.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/34337474.html

Isn't this what some of us wanted last year???

[BuckFan25226]

Yup, blessing in disguise IMO. Barnett was playing terrible this year anyway, and Chillar is our best coverage LB. I honestly think the Barnett injury will probably benefit us more then hurt us for the rest of the year.

[ReasonablySober]

Good move.

[aaprigs311]

I don't like the move. Hawk is too small to play the middle. I guess it's not like our run defense can get any worse though. He is no where near the 6'1' 248' he's listed at. I was face to face with him a few weeks ago. I'm just a tad under 6'1'' and I was looking down at him. he's probably 5'10'' - 5' 11'' 230 lbs. I understand size isn't everything, but I don't expect this transition to be a successful one.

[xTitan]

I don't like the move. Hawk is too small to play the middle. I guess it's not like our run defense can get any worse though. He is no where near the 6'1' 248' he's listed at. I was face to face with him a few weeks ago. I'm just a tad under 6'1'' and I was looking down at him. he's probably 5'10'' - 5' 11'' 230 lbs. I understand size isn't everything, but I don't expect this transition to be a successful one.

So basically you are saying he is the size of Zach Thomas.

[aaprigs311]

So what? I'm not going to even argue until we've seen him actually play. There are successful middle linebackers who are undersized, but I just think Hawk is set up for failure with our defensive line in shambles. Hawk is a hardworker, I wouldn't put it passed him, but I'm not optimistic. In a perfect world I wouldn't even play Barnett inside. I think he'd be more effective outside as well.

[Fandom]

I like the move. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm not sad to see Barnett lost for the season (although I never wish an injury on any player). I was just fed up with his piss poor play and his over-the-top emotion he played with when he made a simple tackle and sucked for the rest of a game.

If they go with Hawk this week, he'll be playing the position he played in college. Let's see how he does before we start judging. I just don't think Sanders has been putting him in a lot of positions to make plays, with MLB, now he has a chance to show what he can do.

[Ayt]

I wanted Hawk to be a MLB since we drafted him.

I don't like the move. Hawk is too small to play the middle. I guess it's not like our run defense can get any worse though. He is no where near the 6'1' 248' he's listed at. I was face to face with him a few weeks ago. I'm just a tad under 6'1'' and I was looking down at him. he's probably 5'10'' - 5' 11'' 230 lbs. I understand size isn't everything, but I don't expect this transition to be a successful one.

So you are saying he shrunk since we drafted him or that the NFL is horrendous at getting accurate measurements of players at the combine?

[aaprigs311]

I'll leave that for you to decide.

[El Duderino]

I'm curious more than anything else because the defense is built for the MLB to shine and we'll see if Hawk does.

[emunney]

I'll leave that for you to decide.

Maybe your eyes are really close to the top of your head.

[aaprigs311]

Glad to see Hawk proved me wrong. Slow your role emunney.

[Ayt]

I thought Hawk played a great game. He did a really good job of stuffing the middle, and was excellent in coverage. Much better than what Bambi was doing this year.

I think the move will be permanent once he settles in. I remember arguing very strongly that Hawk should be the MLB right after we drafted him, but our coaches resisted doing that for whatever reason.

[ReasonablySober]

I thought Hawk played a great game. He did a really good job of stuffing the middle, and was excellent in coverage. Much better than what Bambi was doing this year.

I think the move will be permanent once he settles in. I remember arguing very strongly that Hawk should be the MLB right after we drafted him, but our coaches resisted doing that for whatever reason.

Not that I disagreed with the thought of playing Hawk in the middle, but conventional wisdom is you play your fast and athletic linebacker at WLB because it's the playmaking position on the defense. Takes on the tight end, plays in space more than the MLB and especially the SLB. Derrick Brooks is the obvious example in the last decade. I think the Packers thought thats what they were drafting. It just hasn't turned out that way. Hawk's a good linebacker, he just isn't a game changer.

[Ayt]

I thought Hawk played a great game. He did a really good job of stuffing the middle, and was excellent in coverage. Much better than what Bambi was doing this year.

I think the move will be permanent once he settles in. I remember arguing very strongly that Hawk should be the MLB right after we drafted him, but our coaches resisted doing that for whatever reason.

Not that I disagreed with the thought of playing Hawk in the middle, but conventional wisdom is you play your fast and athletic linebacker at WLB because it's the playmaking position on the defense. Takes on the tight end, plays in space more than the MLB and especially the SLB. Derrick Brooks is the obvious example in the last decade. I think the Packers thought thats what they were drafting. It just hasn't turned out that way. Hawk's a good linebacker, he just isn't a game changer.

That's just it. I thought he could be a game changer in the middle because of his instincts, athleticism, and size. Outside, I think he's just a good player, especially in our system.

[xTitan]

I thought Hawk played very well but it is becoming evident that Chillar is a VERY good free agent signing. Chillar is fast and very aggressive and IMHO, has easily been the best LB all season long.

[Ayt]

I thought Hawk played very well but it is becoming evident that Chillar is a VERY good free agent signing. Chillar is fast and very aggressive and IMHO, has easily been the best LB all season long.

I had no idea how he'd play, but I was a little worried when some of the talk was that he wasn't very athletic. His athleticism is actually the most impressive thing about him, IMO. He moves very well for a guy his size. I hope we can extend him on a decent deal after next year if he keeps playing this way.

[El Duderino]

Though this is stating the very obvious, Chillar really thrives in coverage, but that can't be underestimated in todays NFL. With all the passing in the league to backs and tight ends, linebackers who struggle in coverage will be exposed and picked on. Chillar is the best Packer in coverage at linebacker than i've seen in awhile. That ability to cover like that can be the difference in getting off the field a time or two a game because when offenses get in those 3rd and 3 through 6, they very often look to short routes to backs and tight ends.