PFT has written previously about A.J. Hawk’s losing battle for playing time, but an injury has opened the door for him to see the field more again.
The Packers need someone to fill in for linebacker Brandon Chillar in Green Bay’s nickel defense after Chillar broke his hand, and picked Hawk. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, it wasn’t an easy decision. The coaching staff strongly considered promoting Desmond Bishop, but chose Hawk because he’s more reliable.
“A.J. is a pro’s pro. He’s always prepared, and he’s ready to go,” coach Mike McCarthy said.
Hawk is described as a more cautious player than Bishop, but one less likely to make a mistake. Hawk will continue to be part of Green Bay’s base 3-4 defense.
The Packers face the Buccanneers Sunday in another game that probably won’t tell us much about the team’s potential. Green Bay has struggled against quality teams (1-3 vs. teams over .500), but has taken care of business in blowout victories over the Rams, Browns, and Lions.
With Hawks “Barry Bonds head”, he probably thinks the coaches really like him, after all he was another blown first rd draft pick by TT/MM and MM just said, “A.J. is a pro’s pro, he’s always prepared and ready to go”……that must be why he lost his starting job and the coaches had to make a tough decision on whether to start him or promoting Desmond Bishop. I doubt whether AJ can read between the lines or figure out what the coaches really think.
Cautious works for offense, not defense.
I like Hawk, but he has underachieved thus far so this is it…c’mon AJ, poop or get off the pot!
Before some moronic Viking fans come and take over this post blabbing about how Hawk is a bust, let me be the first to tell you that he isn’t. Sure he hasn’t performed up to his #5 overall status but he has been a starter for much of his career and has put up decent numbers. Not spectacular, but decent.
If you want to talk about busts at LB, look at Bobby Carpenter.
packers4life……..how in hell can you say AJ Hawk isn’t a candidate for a bust? He was the #5 pick, has started perhaps 1/2 the games, his own coaches were considering playing Bishop. Clay Matthews is a LB…..AJ Hawk is the second coming of …what the hell was his name, Tony Mandarich. All muscle (perhaps some steroids) but nothing between his ears except muscle. The 3-4 defense is all about linebackers and he couldn’t even find a starting position in that defense……..I’m sure glad that you want to be the first (and last) to tell us that Hawk isn’t a bust….just curious, you’re not his brother or father by chance are you??? LOL…
Carpenter is a bust and so is Hawk……Hawk more so becuz he was the 5th pick.
packers4life…….sounds like you’re still licking your wounds from the whoopin the vikes put on your packers twice this year and to do it with BF…..that’s gotta really hurt. I would think it would be more appropriate to call TT/MM morons as there is far more evidence of that than to call your rival’s fans morons. Seems to me that the Vikings have left your Packers in their rearview mirror.
I think ‘everyone’ is getting on AJ a little too much before thoroughly thinking his situation completely through. I think all your expectations exceed the reality of this sound and reliable Packer linebacker.
AJ has been a a committed and talented member of the GB Packers for 3 years. He shows up for work every day. He is not a loud mouth baffoon. He has never had an embarrassing moment off the field. In short, AJ is a Pro.
If you evaluate AJ Hawk based on where he was drafted, you are doing AJ a great DIS-service. Instead we should give AJ a break, concentrate on his excellent, excellent football qualities (on and off the field), give AJ positive encouragement to achieve higher.
‘Everyone’ needs to stop encouraging him to fail and being little whiney pants that get all over his case if he doesn’t tie his show lace correctly.
Not a bust ? If they were considering Bishop ahead of him how is he not a bust ? Based on production he sure isn’t worthy of a first round pick, maybe a 4th or fifth at best.
Packers4Life,
Yeah or Ahmad Carroll or Justin Harrell….what an idiot you are…of course Hawk is a bust…pick #5 and doesn’t start, are you kidding me? Yeah and Gaines Adams isn’t a bust either. That’s what makes you a “fan” (short for “fanatic”) Packers4Life. You’re probably the type of guy that boos at correct calls against your team. You are a low level human being that has no understanding of what it is to be a man. So next time, when you’re looking for excuses for your team, just man up instead.
packers4life says: November 7, 2009 11:07 PM
Before some moronic Viking fans come and take over this post blabbing about how Hawk is a bust, let me be the first to tell you that he isn’t. Sure he hasn’t performed up to his #5 overall status but he has been a starter for much of his career and has put up decent numbers. Not spectacular, but decent.
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C’mon, Packers4life, Lets be honest with ourselves, drafting A.J. this high was the worst thing that TT did that draft! A.J. is just “A GUY” as they say in the League.
We coulda had him in a later round, all the experts said he was just a safe pick, not some one you’d take with the #5 over all pick.
He needs to take a pay cut if he truly wants to stay with this team next year.
“Before some moronic Viking fans come and take over this post blabbing about how Hawk is a bust, let me be the first to tell you that he isn’t. Sure he hasn’t performed up to his #5 overall status but he has been a starter for much of his career and has put up decent numbers. Not spectacular, but decent.”
Sounds like you’re the one doing the babbling, and making a damn good point that he is a bust.
When a linebacker doesn’t make it in a 4-3 defense it’s one thing….when he can’t crack the starting lineup in a 3-4 and he’s the 5th pick in 1st rd…….I don’t what else you call him other than a BUST! Only a Green Bay fan will defend their players, coaches and GM regardless of how bad they are and regardless of what the rest of the country thinks. Packer mentality…..think swiis cheese….except they have holes in their heads.
On a side note, “Moronic Viking fan” is redundant but anytime a team drafts in the top 10 (and even more so in the top 5) and doesn’t get a Pro Bowl player, the GM isn’t doing their job. Hawk at #5 has been average, plain and simple and add that swing and miss to Justin Harrell (a true first round bust), Brohm (2nd round), Pat Lee and A. Rouse (3rd round) and TT’s drafting report card is suspect. Add to that TT’s insistence on building through the draft and then failing to do so is grounds for dismissal.
Packers4Life is a poo throwing monkey.
Also anyone that thinks Hawk, as a #5 pick is not a bust is dumber than a monkey. Vikings fan or not.
Fan_of_fellatio:
Here’s your last chance for that bet. You take Tampa and Tampa’s defense getting 6 or more sacks. I take your money.
Are we on? The clock is ticking. Man up or shut up.
Guess he should’ve taken that bet.