Packers Disappointed In Hawk
By PackerAaron
Pretty strong stuff from Tom Silverstein in his chat over at JSOnline (sorry, sub required). Here's his answer when asked if the front office is dissapointed in AJ Hawk:
I know for a fact that they're disappointed he hasn't become a difference maker. When you pick a guy that high in the draft, he should be Pro Bowl material. I don't think they've given up on him, but there's definitely a reality check that goes on when after three seasons a top five pick is nothing more than a serviceable player. Hawk will get as much rope as he needs because he is Thompson's pick. Make no mistake about it, this is the guy Thompson wanted and come hell or high water, he was going to be the selection. I think there's hope in the front office that he'll be better-suited for the 3-4, but that may be wishful thinking. He may just be a solid player and nothing more.
I'm on record as saying I think Hawk will surpise people this year. I still think Hawk will show worlds better than what we saw last season, but I share Silverstein's hunch that he is a solid player but not much more than that.
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Comments (12)
May 07, 2009 at 11:42 am
I, too, hope that he will finally be used as an attacking, hard hitting defender. I think under past defensive philosophies he was more in the hold and try to control philosophy. That worked totally against his physical attributes. With the new defensive philosophy, I am hopeful that he will be transformed into the vicious killer we all want him to be.
May 07, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Im sure he will be too. He was hurt for most of last season and season before. I think the new D will help all our players.
On a side note has anyone read packerupdate and the new TT is Satan article...now I dont like TT but the article has to be one of the most retarded poorly written things I have ever read. They claim that Brett Favre can do anything he wants because he is brett favre. The guys that run that site are a joke...their rumors are simply throwing it against the wall and seeing what will stick..... heres the link.
http://www.packerupdate.com/pu/2009/05/editorial-thompson-is-satan.html
Alex Tallitsch
May 07, 2009 at 01:11 pm
As much as I dislike some of their methods, I think that is satirical for the most part, he doesn't deliver it until the end.
And Hawk will be fine.
PackerAaron
May 07, 2009 at 01:15 pm
I'm not the worlds biggest Packer Update fan - but that column was sarcastic. He's making fun of firetedthompsonnow.com (now THERE'S a horrible site) and the idiots who showed up for the 'bringbrettback.net' rallys last year.
May 07, 2009 at 01:48 pm
I agree with all you said about Hawk, Aaron. Hadn't thought about the rage aspect.
But I really believe the change on the strenght coach is what will lift his game. Being more agile and explosive instead of strong will really help him become the special player everyone thought he could be.
May 07, 2009 at 06:06 pm
Has Mario Williams made the probowl yet? The rest of top 10 picks in 2006 have not either. Not a great draft class.
May 07, 2009 at 06:13 pm
Wow good point, didn't realize that... Maybe it's not a bad draft class, but an imature one...
PackerAaron
May 07, 2009 at 06:21 pm
bomdad - You have to admit, however, that Mario Williams has improved every year he's been in the league. The same can not be said of Hawk...
May 08, 2009 at 10:27 am
I think Hawk was pretty good his second year in the league. Not Pro Bowl caliber, but he was definitely looked at as an up-and-comer. Last season, however, was a step back. I don't have any inside info, but I do wonder how healthy he was. Regardless, I think this is a key year for him to demonstrate what he can do in this league; if he wants to become a defensive standout, or be "just a guy."
May 08, 2009 at 01:40 pm
Man, I hope he picks it up. The tools are there. Let's see some passion, AJ!
May 08, 2009 at 07:42 pm
Give him a chance - look who was coaching him his first few seasons. Cornel Sanders in gone.
May 09, 2009 at 07:09 am
Aaron - I have an email out to friend, Bill Huber, to see what he ran into on th einside for AJ during the season last year. I don't think he hurt himself much when AL HARRIS ran into him, but there were other games where he seems sluggish of unable to JUMP when the play called for it. Let ya know....