Packers Coaches: Hawk is "Grading out well"

[Ill-yasova]

Team still loves Hawk, other notes
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 31, 2009 4:56 p.m.


Green Bay - Think A.J. Hawk's days as a starting linebacker for the Green Bay Packers are numbered?

Think again.

"He has not been very flashy, but he's been extremely consistent," said assistant head coach/inside linebackers Winston Moss. "He hasn't had a lot of production but he's been doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing. It hasn't been flashy, it hasn't been very, very productive but, you know, there's not a lot of complaints when he's doing everything right. He's making very few mistakes. He's grading out very, very high."

It seems a bit strange that Hawk has graded out so well. According to press box statistics, Hawk has a total of three tackles (one solo) in the Packers' three games (four quarters of playing time combined). That's tied for 21st on the team. Safety Atari Bigby (2) is the only starter to have less tackles than Hawk.

For comparison, Desmond Bishop (16 total tackles, 15 solo) and Danny Lansanah (13-11) lead the team in tackles. They also play inside linebacker and have about seven quarters of playing time.Brandon Chillar, starts inside along Hawk, is tied for fifth with 10 (seven solo).

"Throughout the course of three games with about 70 plays, he's been extremely consistent," Moss said. "We still emphasize the ability that when you have your chance to make a play, you've got to do it."

Moss and the Packers wanted more impact plays out of Hawk this year. So far he hasn't delivered. Moss said that's because Hawk is often sent first into the line to free up the other inside linebacker.

"All the pressure stuff we've been doing, he's the guy that's been doing all the dirty work inside," Moss said. "Like Lansanah with Bishop. It will come. It's something where we're aware but there's no red flags right now. If there were some things that he was missing then I would have some concerns but I don't have any right now."

Moss also said people shouldn't write off Hawk playing every down. Hawk has been out of the nickel package since Nick Barnett returned to the practice field.

"I wouldn't say that so fast right now," Moss said. "Right now, it's been (because the Packers are) working Nick a lot because Nick has had to catch up and A.J. is very, very good from the standpoint of he doesn't need as many reps right now because he's been doing it since we installed this thing right from the start. So A.J. doesn't need as much right now. Nick needs to overload sub and everything because Nick hasn't been around.

"But, we'll see what happens."

Meaning Hawk could still be out of the sub packages when the season starts. But the decision hasn't been made yet.

Ok first it is said that the reason his stats aren't great is because he is "doing the dirty work", then it is pointed out that Lansanah who is in the same postion as Hawk has 13 tackles in the same amount of playing time. I get the feeling Bishop could get a sack or a turnover everytime he steps on the field and still never get a chance to start.

[Ayt]

If you watch every play and watch Hawk specifically, he is doing a good job of taking on either a lineman or the FB on running plays. He's been much more physical and decisive this year compared to previous seasons. He's been in on a ton of tackles, though he isn't getting credited for any assists.

He could definitely be better, but I actually think he's playing well despite no real statistical output.

As far as nickel goes, I hope Barnett is 100% healthy so he can be out there in the middle of the field on passing downs. I also like Chillar a lot in coverage and as a blitzer. They could also utilize Bishop in some nickel packages as a blitzer since he's been a monster in that role. Sadly for Hawk, I think his days of being a 3 down LB are over.

[ReasonablySober]

Hawk's been fine. His problem has always been making the big eye-popping play and that hasn't come, but he hasn't been out of position or been getting blown out of the play either. Bishop is making those big plays but he's been out of position quite a bit, too.

I don't have any real issue with AJ.

[Ill-yasova]

Hawk's been fine. His problem has always been making the big eye-popping play and that hasn't come, but he hasn't been out of position or been getting blown out of the play either. Bishop is making those big plays but he's been out of position quite a bit, too.

I don't have any real issue with AJ.

Lansanah- 11 tackles
Bishop- 18 tackles
Chillar- 10 tackles
Raji (in 37 snaps)- 4 tackles
Brad Jones- 4 tackles
Ruvell Martin- 3 tackles
Kuhn- 3 tackles
Hawk- 3 tackles

Out of postion once in a while with 18 tackles, 2 picks and a sack >>>>>> 3 tackles. no picks, no sacks. But hey, boy is that guy in position.

I can be in position, throw me out there.

[Wise1]

I said it then and I'll say it again now, TT should have never wasted a top 5 pick on a "tackler". AJ Hawk's name is definitely better than his game. He's a physical player, which I like, but he does very little to wow you as a viewer. Steady but definitely unspectacular. Ray Lewis was even drafted outside of the top 5. Hawk was not a Lewis or D. Thomas type talent. He never should have went as high as he did.

I'm nitpicking here. Not much to dislike with the Packers right now. They're going to have a fantastic year. Hopefully the offensive line can overachieve.

[mnstinks]

TT should have never wasted a top 5 pick

Yeah, he could have drafted Vernon Davis like a lot of internet GM's wanted. Even in hindsight that draft position (#5) is tough. We needed a linebacker.

[MickeyDavis]

"He hasn't had a lot of production but he's been doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing.

What does that mean? Is he taking up two blockers so the other LB's can make tackles? No. Has he been great in coverage? No. Blitzing? No. Stuffing runs? No. Three tackles in three games? Yes.

[Ayt]

TT should have never wasted a top 5 pick

Yeah, he could have drafted Vernon Davis like a lot of internet GM's wanted. Even in hindsight that draft position (#5) is tough. We needed a linebacker.

And some wanted Michael Huff. I had an itch for Ngata if we weren't going with Hawk, but I would have picked Hawk there.

He's not a stud, but he's certainly not as bad as some are trying to make him out to be. Him having only 3 tackles gets a big "meh" from me because if you rewatch games and pay attention to what guys are supposed to be doing on each play he's done a good job overall.

[Ill-yasova]

And some wanted Michael Huff. I had an itch for Ngata if we weren't going with Hawk, but I would have picked Hawk there.

He's not a stud, but he's certainly not as bad as some are trying to make him out to be. Him having only 3 tackles gets a big "meh" from me because if you rewatch games and pay attention to what guys are supposed to be doing on each play he's done a good job overall.

Again I point out that Lansanah plays the same positioin with the same responsibilities and has 13 tackles. Hawk gets swallowed up on every play.

[Ayt]

Rewatch the games and focus on Hawk. I really don't care about the stats.

[ReasonablySober]

Rewatch the games and focus on Hawk. I really don't care about the stats.

Yup. Outside of Raji he's been the one Packer I've watched most on defense and he's done well.

[Ill-yasova]

Rewatch the games and focus on Hawk. I really don't care about the stats.

The only player I watched more closely on defense was Raji and I never saw anything impressive from Hawk. I was hoping for a jump forward from him but it seems that the 3-4 has only made him less effective. Again I point out that other guys are playing the same position with the same resposibilities but have had more success this preseason.

[El Duderino]

"He hasn't had a lot of production but he's been doing exactly what he's supposed to be doing.

What does that mean? Is he taking up two blockers so the other LB's can make tackles? No. Has he been great in coverage? No. Blitzing? No. Stuffing runs? No. Three tackles in three games? Yes.

I have a hard time buying that Hawk being the 5th pick in the draft isn't influencing why he's starting. Say Bishop had been the 5th pick in the draft while Hawk was a 6th rounder, is there really any chance Hawk starts over Bishop?

The main reason IMO that Hawk is rarely badly out of position and that he rarely makes plays before a guy is 3-4 yards downfield is that AJ rarely ever quickly reads and reacts. It's amazing how often he can go whole halfs of game and sometimes a whole game without even knowing he's been on the field, good or bad because he hasn't been responsible for giving up a big play and/or because he rarely ever makes a play you notice besides maybe tackling running backs after they gained 3-8 yards.

[El Duderino]

TT should have never wasted a top 5 pick

Yeah, he could have drafted Vernon Davis like a lot of internet GM's wanted. Even in hindsight that draft position (#5) is tough. We needed a linebacker.

He's not a stud, but he's certainly not as bad as some are trying to make him out to be.

I can only speak for myself and i've never said AJ is terrible, he's just been so far the same player under Capers that he was under Sanders. Decent, that's it. The really good linebackers in football just have better instincts than Hawk has and he's kinda stiff which has also contributed to his inability to make more plays.

[Ayt]

El Dude, he's taking on blockers with a lot more physicality this year than he did in years past. That's one major difference I've seen out of him. Specifically last year, if an OL got his hands on him the OL was basically able to do whatever he wanted with him. Now Hawk is attacking them and doing a job with his hands so he can hit and still maintain a little separation so he can peel off if he needs or he can keep driving into the blocker if that is what is needed.

His technique still needs some work, but its like night and day compared to last year. Specifically the last two games.

I'd like to see Bishop play the SILB position this Thursday since he hasn't played it at all so far in the preseason. Maybe in this last game we'll get to see it so we can see if he's any better at what that position needs than Hawk.

[Mags FTW]

Hows his pad level?

[El Duderino]

El Dude, he's taking on blockers with a lot more physicality this year than he did in years past. That's one major difference I've seen out of him. Specifically last year, if an OL got his hands on him the OL was basically able to do whatever he wanted with him. Now Hawk is attacking them and doing a job with his hands so he can hit and still maintain a little separation so he can peel off if he needs or he can keep driving into the blocker if that is what is needed.

His technique still needs some work, but its like night and day compared to last year. Specifically the last two games.

I'd like to see Bishop play the SILB position this Thursday since he hasn't played it at all so far in the preseason. Maybe in this last game we'll get to see it so we can see if he's any better at what that position needs than Hawk.

Yea, but when i've watched him, i still see a lot of the same read read read and the react from him. Most good linebackers are able to read/diagnose very quickly and then attack. It's one thing Bishop does well, even though at times he's wrong and gets himself out of position. When i've paid close attention to Hawk though over his years here, the vast majority of times as the ball is snapped he stands there for a second bouncing on his feet trying to diagnose what's happening and by the time he does, either a lineman/fullback is already on him or he's caught in the wash of bodies and thus isn't able to make a play unless it's 3+ yards downfield. This is why he almost never makes a play in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage. To do that a LB needs to almost immediately diagnose what's happening at the snap of the ball and then explode to the proper place. It only takes a split second of indecision for a linebacker to be to late in being able to explode through a seam that's only briefly open.

Then on the blitz, i think Hawk not only isn't an overly instinctive blitzer, he's kinda stiff. Guys like Chiller and Bishop IMO have looser hips and better body lean when say a back or tight end gets in their way during a blitz. This allows those two to in a split second to avoid being straight up on these blockers sometimes as they charge in full speed and still either get to the QB or at least disrupt that QB while way to often unless Hawk has a completely open blitzing lane to the quarterback, he gets stuffed on the blitz if anyone is there at all to pick him up. AJ isn't as able to twist/contort his body while running at full speed to avoid being faced straight up by someone trying to pick up the blitz.

I don't hate Hawk, but there are reasons on to himself that are why he can go such long stretches where you can barely even notice he's on the field besides making tackles 3 plus yards downfield or jumping on piles after the tackle has already started to be made. He in my opinion just lacks the great instincts most really good linebackers have who are more able to quickly diagnose what's happening as the ball is snapped and then attack. As for his stiffness, i wonder if maybe the guy bulked up to much in the weight room?

[Mags FTW]

Players make plays and plays win games, plain and simple. If a guy is just "solid", "consistent", or "reliable" you should be looking for his replacment.

[jakecronus8]

Everything about this story tells me the Packers just don't want to admit their top 5 pick is being outperformed by a 6th rounder and an UDFA.

[Newz]

Everything about this story tells me the Packers just don't want to admit their top 5 pick is being outperformed by a 6th rounder and an UDFA.