A.J. Hawk How good? (1 Viewer)

[Tillmanisahero]

I am wondering what you guys think of AJ Hawk and do you think he slips to #5? Mel Kiper has him at #3.

 

[scott72]

I hope he slips to the 5 spot. Either we get him or super mario....

 

[Balco]

Not the best middle backer in the draft.Historically, linebackers are hyped up predraft, but rarely go very early in the 1st round. 10-15 is usually when the top rated ones go. Middle linebackers especially are not taken early.As a PAcker fan, I hope they don't take a linebacker at #5, they need more beef up front, and would love it if they nabbed Haloti Ngata out of Oregon (assuming he declares). He can become the Tim Bowens in Jim Bates system.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

I haven't even seen him in the VICINITY of the ball so far today.

 

[JZilla]

I haven't even seen him in the VICINITY of the ball so far today.

right on cue

 

[RAPTURE]

Weapon of Mass Instruction Posted Today, 05:40 PM I haven't even seen him in the VICINITY of the ball so far today

How about now?Hawk is a stud.....PERIOD!!RAPTURE

 

[Woz]

Looked pretty good sacking Quinn on that last 4th and 2 play. I do think he'll be there at 5 for the Pack, but I think they'll go DE instead. Some really bright guy who picked for the Pack in the mock draft a couple weeks ago picked Kiawanuka, which makes sense to me.

 

[diesel7982]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust? Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I am of the opinion that Hawk is not as good as D. Johnson or Vilma, and both of them went past the top-10. I think Hawk will likely be selected in the same area.Colin

 

[Snotbubbles]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust?

Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

1984-Carl Banks #3

1987-Cornelius Bennett #2

1990-Junior Seau #5

1994-Willie McGinest #4

1996-Kevin Hardy #2

1997-Peter Bouleware #4

2000-Lavar Arrington #2

There may have been like 2 or 3 other LB's taken in the top 5, but for the most part, LB's taken in the top 5 have been pretty good.

 

[BuckeyeMiniMe]

Not the best middle backer in the draft.

Historically, linebackers are hyped up predraft, but rarely go very early in the 1st round. 10-15 is usually when the top rated ones go. Middle linebackers especially are not taken early.

As a PAcker fan, I hope they don't take a linebacker at #5, they need more beef up front, and would love it if they nabbed Haloti Ngata out of Oregon (assuming he declares). He can become the Tim Bowens in Jim Bates system.

He's an OLB; may convert to ILB. Top 5 may depend on whether Vince Young goes pro.

 

[Slider]

Some really bright guy who picked for the Pack in the mock draft a couple weeks ago picked Kiawanuka, which makes sense to me.

Bust

 

[Balco]

I do not want the Pack throwing a $10,000,000 signing bonus on a linebacker at #5. Ngota is the way to go. He is a house. I am just afraid he is going to go before # 5

 

[Colin Dowling]

I do not want the Pack throwing a $10,000,000 signing bonus on a linebacker at #5. Ngota is the way to go. He is a house. I am just afraid he is going to go before # 5

Wright is better.

 

[Weiner Dog]

I hope he slips to the 5 spot. Either we get him or super mario....

I agree somewhat. If Hawk and M Williams are both available with the #5, I think the Pack will go Williams.

 

[Balco]

I do not want the Pack throwing a $10,000,000 signing bonus on a linebacker at #5.  Ngota is the way to go.  He is a house.  I am just afraid he is going to go before # 5 

Wright is better.

Wright would be my # 2 option, but Ngata is my # 1. If he is gone, I would not complain if we got Wright. Grady Jackson is getting old, and we need a big time stuffer in the middle. Ngota is that guy, IMO, but Wright is not far behind. Looking foward to seeing him play vs. a high powered offense like USC. Wright reminds me alot of Daryl Gardner coming out of Baylor, there is no doubt the guy has elite skills, but he has a reputation for not working hard enough and taking plays off. The light went on for Gardner, maybe it will for Wright.People clamoring for Williams and Kiwinuka for the Pack don't have their priorities straight. If you can stuff the run on 1st and 2nd down, then you can bring in the KGB's (KBG is so misused, he has no business playing on run downs) to rush the passer on 3rd. Putting teams in 3rd and long goes a long way. We need to build the D through the middle: DT, MLB, and SS. Thats how you build a championship D. Look at the Pats - Seymour, Bruschi, and Harrison. Ngata would be a great start. Moving Barnett to the weakside and getting a MLB who stays true to his assignments would be the next step. I'd like to see the Pack target a MLB like Anthony Schlegel in round 3 or 4 (or if by some miraculous chance D'Qwell Jackson falls to us in round 2, then we need to take him).

 

[JAK Straw]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust?

Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

uhh...Lawrence Taylor? #2 overall...

 

[Balco]

The Official LB'ers drafted in the top 5 (Since 1982):1982:Johnnie Cooks, Colts (#2)Chip Banks, Browns (#3)1983:Billy Ray Smith, Chargers (#5)1984:Carl Banks, Giants (#3)1985uane Bicket, Colts (#5)1986:Anthony Bell, Cardinals (#5)1987:Cornilius Bennet, Colts (#2)Mike Junkin, Browns (#5)1988:None1989:None1990:Junior Seau, Chargers (#5)1991:Mike Croel, Broncos (#4)1992Quentin Coryatt, Colts (#2)1993Marvin Jones, Jets (#4)1994Willie McGinnest, Patriots (#4)1995:None1996:Kevin Hardy, Jaguars (#2)1997eter Boulware, Ravens (#4)1998:None1999:None2000:Lavar Arrington, Reskins (#2)2001:None2002:None2003:None2004:NoneObviously the recent trend is not selecting linebackers in the top 5, especially traditional ones (i.e. not tweeners, like Arrington, Boulware . . . etc).

 

[diesel7982]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust? 

Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

uhh...Lawrence Taylor? #2 overall...

uhhhhThat was before I was even born(82).

I was thinking maybe something a little more relevant.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust?

Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

uhh...Lawrence Taylor? #2 overall...

uhhhhThat was before I was even born(82).

I was thinking maybe something a little more relevant.

Yes, because if it happened prior to 1982, it obviously isn't relevant...

 

[coachjim]

Unless Hawk can play Offensive Tackle I hope they pass on him.

 

[tombonneau]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust? 

Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

uhh...Lawrence Taylor? #2 overall...

uhhhhThat was before I was even born(82).

I was thinking maybe something a little more relevant.

Yes, because if it happened prior to 1982, it obviously isn't relevant...

The orig. poster is correct in that 24 year old draft tendacies don't hold up much relevance in 2006.I think the recent trend of LBs not being drafted high is much more germane to this discussion.

Esp. when the last hyped LB to go Top 5 has been a high profile quasi-bust.

Hawk should easily be there for the Pack at #5.

And as another poster stated, if Vince Young come out it is a virtual certainty he will be there.

FWIW, the gbnreport's Dec 2 mock has Hawk going #7 to NO. (This is with Young coming out).

http://www.gbnreport.com/2006projection.html

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust?Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

1984-Carl Banks #3

1987-Cornelius Bennett #2

1990-Junior Seau #5

1994-Willie McGinest #4

1996-Kevin Hardy #2

1997-Peter Bouleware #4

2000-Lavar Arrington #2

There may have been like 2 or 3 other LB's taken in the top 5, but for the most part, LB's taken in the top 5 have been pretty good.

Arrington hasn't even proven to be the best linebacker in the 2000 Draft Class.

 

[JAK Straw]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust? 

Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

uhh...Lawrence Taylor? #2 overall...

uhhhhThat was before I was even born(82).

I was thinking maybe something a little more relevant.

Yes, because if it happened prior to 1982, it obviously isn't relevant...

The orig. poster is correct in that 24 year old draft tendacies don't hold up much relevance in 2006.I think the recent trend of LBs not being drafted high is much more germane to this discussion.

Esp. when the last hyped LB to go Top 5 has been a high profile quasi-bust.

Hawk should easily be there for the Pack at #5.

And as another poster stated, if Vince Young come out it is a virtual certainty he will be there.

FWIW, the gbnreport's Dec 2 mock has Hawk going #7 to NO. (This is with Young coming out).

http://www.gbnreport.com/2006projection.html

First, the guy asked for any non-bust top 5 LBs, didn't give a time-frame, and ignored one of the best at the position of all time. Second, teams draft an LB that high exactly BECAUSE they are trying to find the next LT (I'm not talking about Tomlinson, in case you are confused). Finally, I guess the "original poster" doesn't think men landing on the moon are relevant to him, since it happened before he was born. For that matter, I hope he never gets the clap, since Penescillin was discovered in the 50s, and clearly isn't relevant either.

 

[Jason Wood]

Hawk is no lock to go top 5 for several reasons:1) He's being given credit for freakish measurables that we don't really know exist yet until he runs his 40 and does all the other parts of the dog and pony show this offseason2) It's an extremely talented OLB draft class with DeMeco Ryans, Chad Greenway, and Bobby Carpenter [if healthy] all having excellent shots at being top-20 caliber players in a typical year.3) The position, as others have noted, is not historically coveted. Corner, DT and DE are three defensive positions that could EASILY have a top 5 pick before LB, even if the players in question had similar grades [i.e., tie goes to the position.] DE Mario Williams, DE Matthius Kiwanuka, DE Tamba Hali and CB Jimmy Williams could well be more coveted defensive prospects by the time the April draft rolls around.

 

[Bri]

I think the top player ever(arguably) is always relevant but regardless.Whomever posted that list, you think Coryatt was a good pick? I'd say he was more bust-like with injuries and all.Also, when was McGinest drafted? I believe he was a college LBer same with Trev Alberts also of the Colts.

 

[cracKer]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust?Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

1984-Carl Banks #3

1987-Cornelius Bennett #2

1990-Junior Seau #5

1994-Willie McGinest #4

1996-Kevin Hardy #2

1997-Peter Bouleware #4

2000-Lavar Arrington #2

There may have been like 2 or 3 other LB's taken in the top 5, but for the most part, LB's taken in the top 5 have been pretty good.

Arrington hasn't even proven to be the best linebacker in the 2000 Draft Class.

Danny Clark

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust?Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

1984-Carl Banks #3

1987-Cornelius Bennett #2

1990-Junior Seau #5

1994-Willie McGinest #4

1996-Kevin Hardy #2

1997-Peter Bouleware #4

2000-Lavar Arrington #2

There may have been like 2 or 3 other LB's taken in the top 5, but for the most part, LB's taken in the top 5 have been pretty good.

Arrington hasn't even proven to be the best linebacker in the 2000 Draft Class.

Danny Clark

No. Try Brian Urlacher, Julian Peterson or Keith Bullock on for size. Danny Clark was a nice late round pick though... no question about it.

2000 Linebackers

1 1 2 2 LaVar Arrington Redskins Penn State

2 1 9 9 Brian Urlacher Bears New Mexico

3 1 13 13 John Abraham Jets South Carolina

4 1 16 16 Julian Peterson 49ers Michigan State

5 1 28 28 Rob Morris Colts Brigham Young

6 1 30 30 Keith Bulluck Titans Syracuse

7 2 10 41 Raynoch Thompson Cardinals Tennessee

8 2 19 50 Barrett Green Lions West Virginia

9 3 5 67 Mark Simoneau Falcons Kansas State

10 3 24 86 Jeff Ulbrich 49ers Hawaii

11 3 25 87 Dustin Lyman Bears Wake Forest

12 3 27 89 Corey Moore Bills Virginia Tech

13 3 28 90 Nate Webster Buccaneers Miami (FL)

14 3 30 92 T.J. Slaughter Jaguars Southern Mississippi

15 4 4 98 Na'il Diggs Packers Ohio State

16 4 11 105 Brandon Short Giants Penn State

17 4 12 106 Antonio Wilson Vikings Texas A&M-Commerce

18 4 22 116 Marcus Bell Seahawks Arizona

19 4 25 119 Isiah Kacyvenski Seahawks Harvard

20 4 34 128 Peter Sirmon Titans Oregon

21 5 8 137 Clark Haggans Steelers Colorado State

22 5 20 149 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila Packers San Diego State

23 5 31 160 Frank Chamberlin Titans Boston College

24 6 11 177 Dhani Jones Giants Michigan

25 6 18 184 Shannon Taylor Chargers Virginia

26 7 9 215 Sekou Sanyika Cardinals California

27 7 13 219 Orantes Grant Cowboys Georgia

28 7 15 221 Lester Towns Panthers Washington

29 7 17 223 James Cotton Bears Ohio State

30 7 20 226 Casey Tisdale Patriots New Mexico

31 7 39 245 Danny Clark Jaguars Illinois

32 7 43 249 Eugene McCaslin Packers Florida

33 7 45 251 DaShon Polk Bills Arizona

 

[56]

Not that this is relevant to anything, but can anyone think of a LB that was drafted top 5 that wasnt a bust?

Only 3 I can think of are Andruay Bruce, Lavar Arrington, and Kevin Hardy.

While Arrington and Hardy have both had their moments, I dont think either has come close to living up to the #2 pick in the draft.

uhh...Lawrence Taylor? #2 overall...

uhhhhThat was before I was even born(82).

I was thinking maybe something a little more relevant.

Yes, because if it happened prior to 1982, it obviously isn't relevant...

The orig. poster is correct in that 24 year old draft tendacies don't hold up much relevance in 2006.I think the recent trend of LBs not being drafted high is much more germane to this discussion.

Esp. when the last hyped LB to go Top 5 has been a high profile quasi-bust.

Hawk should easily be there for the Pack at #5.

And as another poster stated, if Vince Young come out it is a virtual certainty he will be there.

FWIW, the gbnreport's Dec 2 mock has Hawk going #7 to NO. (This is with Young coming out).

http://www.gbnreport.com/2006projection.html

First, the guy asked for any non-bust top 5 LBs, didn't give a time-frame, and ignored one of the best at the position of all time. Second, teams draft an LB that high exactly BECAUSE they are trying to find the next LT (I'm not talking about Tomlinson, in case you are confused). Finally, I guess the "original poster" doesn't think men landing on the moon are relevant to him, since it happened before he was born. For that matter, I hope he never gets the clap, since Penescillin was discovered in the 50s, and clearly isn't relevant either.