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AJ Hawk (1 Viewer)

Captain Spaulding

Footballguy
Watching Hawk in college, I thought this LB was going to blow up in the NFL. I drafted him in my IDP dyanasty league last year fairly high. So far this season, he hasn't even generated a single point for me. (need 8+ tackles in a game or an INT or a sack or a forced fumble to get points. Every game he's good for about 5 tackles and nothing else which is a goose egg for me. He's a poor man's Urlacher getting only 1/2 the tackles as Brian does each game. Is he going to get any better or should I part ways with him? GB homers...do they not send Hawk on blitzes or into pass coverage? If not his pretty much useless in my fantasy scoring format I play in.

 
He is coming into his own as a real NFL linebacker. He does his job, does not give up the big play, never hear his name for bad news. Sorry if that does not translate into fantasy stats but as a real NFL linebacker he is top.

 
Occaisionally blitzes; not great in coverage.

Had a great rookie season and is playing adequately but most Packer fans were/are probably hoping for a bit more from AJ this season.

 
He's been solid, but not spectacular which you expect from a pick that high. Hawk did alot of his damage in college by blitzing. The Packers have a very solid d-line and have not had to rely on the blitz as much which limits Hawk's opportunities to stand out.

 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.

He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.

 
from what I have seen from the few GB games that are on in our area this year, Barnett is the studly GB linebacker, dude is all over the field!

 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
I knew you would reply to this thread. Hawk is doing what needs to be done. He gets his job done and he follows the ball unlike many other linebackers in the game. Sure, his coverage could be better as could Poppinga. In reference to Hawk though, he does what he is asked to do. What more do you want from the guy?
 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
more top picks don't live up to expectations than do. the guy is good and definitely not as overrated as leinart.
 
What more do you want from the guy?
Make plays...you should be a playmaker if you're drafted as high as Hawk was. If you want a solid linebacker you can get those in the second, third and fourth round.
Despite LHucks' obvious big ten hatred, i think he has a valid point here. You can get serviceable, solid LB's in the middle/rate rounds of the draft. When you are picking a LB at #5, he needs to be a play maker and a tackling machine. As of now, Hawk isn't those things. That doesn't make him a bad player, but I'd still expect more out of such a high pick.
 
Fact: Packers are 6-1 and ranked #11 against the rush.

Doubting a 2nd-year, blue chip lottery player who's on pace for 100+ tackles AFTER posting 121 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 7 PD's his rookie year seems like a paralysis by analysis.

 
Hawk lead the team in tackles as a rookie. He also had four sacks, 2 Ints, a forced fumble and a recovery.

This year Barnett has developed from a good linebacker into an excellent one. He's been making plays all over the field. I think the coaches are scheming more towards Barnett now.

Hawk did have 8 tackles vs Wash, and also has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery this year.

I don't play in IDP nor do I know what your options are, but I don't really see much changing in the second half. Packers are playing good defense right now as is, and if it ain't broke...

 
I think Hawk is underperforming this year, but the Packers defense is playing very well around him and it could just be a sophomore slump that a lot of players go through. Last year, I felt that Hawk played better than Nick Barnett. This year, Barnett is outplaying Hawk.

the speed argument that LHUCKS loves to trot out doesn't really hold up as Hawk is plenty fast enough to be an impact player. it's entirely possible that the Packers defensive coaches aren't using him as aggressively as they could be though.

 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
more top picks don't live up to expectations than do. the guy is good and definitely not as overrated as leinart.
A little early to be making calls on Leinart.
 
the speed argument that LHUCKS loves to trot out doesn't really hold up as Hawk is plenty fast enough to be an impact player. it's entirely possible that the Packers defensive coaches aren't using him as aggressively as they could be though.
It's not so much his speed as it is his quickness. We know he has combine speed.
 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
:rolleyes: Yeah...no LBs from the Big 10 ever make it in the NFL.
 
What more do you want from the guy?
Make plays...you should be a playmaker if you're drafted as high as Hawk was. If you want a solid linebacker you can get those in the second, third and fourth round.
Make plays = ESPN highlights in your mind.Unless the #50 jersey is not in the highlight reel, he is not making plays. Unless he gets an interception every game, he is not making plays. Unless he is not forcing fumbles, he is not making plays. All statistics are not counted. The guy makes the plays he is supposed to, rarely if ever screwing up. Give me 11 guys like that on defense and I will surely have a top 5 defense in the NFL.
 
What more do you want from the guy?
Make plays...you should be a playmaker if you're drafted as high as Hawk was. If you want a solid linebacker you can get those in the second, third and fourth round.
Despite LHucks' obvious big ten hatred, i think he has a valid point here. You can get serviceable, solid LB's in the middle/rate rounds of the draft. When you are picking a LB at #5, he needs to be a play maker and a tackling machine. As of now, Hawk isn't those things. That doesn't make him a bad player, but I'd still expect more out of such a high pick.
Yes and no.Why does he have to be the extreme beat right off the bat.Is it not good enough to just be a very solid LB and not a huge bust like some picks have been already?And yes, you can get servicable players later, but the later you go, the more chance you have a player not working out.So far Hawk has been solid. In their system Barnett is going to get the bigger plays. Its how it works out.
 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
more top picks don't live up to expectations than do. the guy is good and definitely not as overrated as leinart.
A little early to be making calls on Leinart.
But not too early to make calls on Hawk (they got drafted the same year).
 
the speed argument that LHUCKS loves to trot out doesn't really hold up as Hawk is plenty fast enough to be an impact player. it's entirely possible that the Packers defensive coaches aren't using him as aggressively as they could be though.
It's not so much his speed as it is his quickness. We know he has combine speed.
Why not just say that then? Why reference speed at all if that's not what you meant? Sounds like a backpedal to me.
 
the speed argument that LHUCKS loves to trot out doesn't really hold up as Hawk is plenty fast enough to be an impact player. it's entirely possible that the Packers defensive coaches aren't using him as aggressively as they could be though.
It's not so much his speed as it is his quickness. We know he has combine speed.
Why not just say that then? Why reference speed at all if that's not what you meant? Sounds like a backpedal to me.
The problem is Lhucks is a Pac 10 homer of the worst kind and a big 10 hater.He will claim he does not have quickness...but Hawk is plenty quick enough.The speed thing of these conferences is always overblown (ask Auburn, Arkansas, and Tennessee about how fast PSU and Wisconsin were in the past 2 years). Florida did not beat OSU purely because of speed. That notion is ridiculous....and Ginn looked plenty fast as he outran the Gators to the endzone on the opening kickoff.
 
the speed argument that LHUCKS loves to trot out doesn't really hold up as Hawk is plenty fast enough to be an impact player. it's entirely possible that the Packers defensive coaches aren't using him as aggressively as they could be though.
It's not so much his speed as it is his quickness. We know he has combine speed.
Why not just say that then? Why reference speed at all if that's not what you meant? Sounds like a backpedal to me.
I think it's both, but quickness appears to be a bigger problem.
 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
more top picks don't live up to expectations than do. the guy is good and definitely not as overrated as leinart.
A little early to be making calls on Leinart.
But not too early to make calls on Hawk (they got drafted the same year).
correct, the learning curve for LB and QB should not be compared.
 
the speed argument that LHUCKS loves to trot out doesn't really hold up as Hawk is plenty fast enough to be an impact player. it's entirely possible that the Packers defensive coaches aren't using him as aggressively as they could be though.
It's not so much his speed as it is his quickness. We know he has combine speed.
Why not just say that then? Why reference speed at all if that's not what you meant? Sounds like a backpedal to me.
I think it's both, but quickness appears to be a bigger problem.
So it's his speed, it's not really his speed - it's his quickness, and it's his speed and quickness. Got it.
 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
more top picks don't live up to expectations than do. the guy is good and definitely not as overrated as leinart.
A little early to be making calls on Leinart.
But not too early to make calls on Hawk (they got drafted the same year).
correct, the learning curve for LB and QB should not be compared.
And I don't know many pack fans or anyone on that team that is disappointed with Hawk or his lack of speed and quickness that you think he has. (but have no real clue which is obvious)
 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
more top picks don't live up to expectations than do. the guy is good and definitely not as overrated as leinart.
A little early to be making calls on Leinart.
But not too early to make calls on Hawk (they got drafted the same year).
correct, the learning curve for LB and QB should not be compared.
And I don't know many pack fans or anyone on that team that is disappointed with Hawk
Because they're homers...and he's a good "locker room guy." :lmao:
 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
more top picks don't live up to expectations than do. the guy is good and definitely not as overrated as leinart.
A little early to be making calls on Leinart.
But not too early to make calls on Hawk (they got drafted the same year).
correct, the learning curve for LB and QB should not be compared.
And I don't know many pack fans or anyone on that team that is disappointed with Hawk
Because they're homers...and he's a good "locker room guy." :lmao:
Really? I'm a Bears fan and you sound full of it to me. :confused:
 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
more top picks don't live up to expectations than do. the guy is good and definitely not as overrated as leinart.
A little early to be making calls on Leinart.
But not too early to make calls on Hawk (they got drafted the same year).
correct, the learning curve for LB and QB should not be compared.
And I don't know many pack fans or anyone on that team that is disappointed with Hawk
Because they're homers...and he's a good "locker room guy." :lmao:
You claiming anyone else's opinion is affected by being a homer is laughable.Its because he has played well, led the team in tackles last year, is a great guy to have around, loves playing for the packers, works his tail off and does what is asked of him...and despite your opinion has plenty of speed and quickness to play in the NFL.
 
i expected him to be flying around making tons of plays this year too. but he has been solid. he's probably not going to have 3-5 INT's and 6 sacks this year.. but he'll have his 100+ tackles this year and be in the league for 12 years.

 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
more top picks don't live up to expectations than do. the guy is good and definitely not as overrated as leinart.
A little early to be making calls on Leinart.
:thumbup: So it is ok to make a judgement that Hawk is overrated but not Leinart? They both are in their 2nd season in the NFL. Learning curve or not Leinart has flunked this year.
 
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I was skeptical of Hawk's living up to his draft slot prior to last year. I didn't think the Bates scheme was a great fit for him as an OLB playmaker, but the Packers seemed to get a lot out of his talent last season.

This season, I think there are three things working against Hawk's on-field and boxscore production.

1. Nick Barnett is healthy. Clearly the hand and ankle injuries last year hindered his explosiveness and range. He's back to the player he was prior to 2006 and possibly better.

2. The play of the DTs is vastly improved, as is the run support play of the SS. Barnett is free to make tackles and Bigby is stealing some plays in pursuit.

3. Hawk is not playing at the same level he was last season. He's not shedding blocks as well, he's over running plays more often and generally not covering nor rushing as well.

He may not be giving up any big plays and he's not dragging down one of the better defenses in the league, but he's not nearly the impact player he was on the verge of becoming last year.

 
Occaisionally blitzes; not great in coverage.Had a great rookie season and is playing adequately but most Packer fans were/are probably hoping for a bit more from AJ this season.
He looked like LT1 in preseason on the blitz. He just shoved the RBs aside like toys. Unfortunately they don't seem to be using him in that role much so far.
 
I don't have any data but in the games I watched most of the running plays seem to be targeted away from Hawk and toward Poppinga.

 
I don't have any data but in the games I watched most of the running plays seem to be targeted away from Hawk and toward Poppinga.
That would be what you'd expect as offenses generally run behind the right side of their offensive lines, which often include an offset FB and/or TE to that side. Poppinga, as the strong side linebacker, should see the majority of the running plays in his direction.However, through Week 7, FootballOutsiders game charting data shows a 37% - 22% disparity in the percentage of running plays run outside the tackle -- TOWARD the right side (conventional weak side) where Hawk lives -- with 41% between the tackles. Even if the majority of the between the tackle rushes were directed over the strong side guard, it seems clear that teams are targeting Hawk this year.
 
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Jene Bramel said:
Billy1x said:
I don't have any data but in the games I watched most of the running plays seem to be targeted away from Hawk and toward Poppinga.
That would be what you'd expect as offenses generally run behind the right side of their offensive lines, which often include an offset FB and/or TE to that side. Poppinga, as the strong side linebacker, should see the majority of the running plays in his direction.However, through Week 7, FootballOutsiders game charting data shows a 37% - 22% disparity in the percentage of running plays run outside the tackle -- TOWARD the right side (conventional weak side) where Hawk lives -- with 41% between the tackles. Even if the majority of the between the tackle rushes were directed over the strong side guard, it seems clear that teams are targeting Hawk this year.
I stand corrected. Excellent data. Is it because he is weaker or are they trying to neutralize him?
 
Jene Bramel said:
Billy1x said:
I don't have any data but in the games I watched most of the running plays seem to be targeted away from Hawk and toward Poppinga.
That would be what you'd expect as offenses generally run behind the right side of their offensive lines, which often include an offset FB and/or TE to that side. Poppinga, as the strong side linebacker, should see the majority of the running plays in his direction.However, through Week 7, FootballOutsiders game charting data shows a 37% - 22% disparity in the percentage of running plays run outside the tackle -- TOWARD the right side (conventional weak side) where Hawk lives -- with 41% between the tackles. Even if the majority of the between the tackle rushes were directed over the strong side guard, it seems clear that teams are targeting Hawk this year.
This seems like a bit of a stretch to me. There's so many factors that go into which way a run play is going to be called. Its such a small sample size right now, that the team the packers have faced may very well have better offensive lineman on one side rather than the other, and do well running to the weak side. It's also possible they may be trying to avoid Aaron Kampmann. Just too many variables to call that shot.
 
well stated Jene. a healthy barnett with good space-eaters infront of him(addition of pickett) in bates ol' scheme has elevated barnett. hawk may not be playing as well but he's certainly not playing poorly.

the bigten bashing is almost ridiculous. hell in the SPOTLIGHT game the of the century this week the best offensive player(Brady) and best defensive player(bob sanders) are both from the bigten. AJ may be letting a few of your fantasy teams down, but not every big ten player has the speed and impact of SEC high draft picks like aundray bruce :thumbup:

 
What more do you want from the guy?
Make plays...you should be a playmaker if you're drafted as high as Hawk was. If you want a solid linebacker you can get those in the second, third and fourth round.
Despite LHucks' obvious big ten hatred, i think he has a valid point here. You can get serviceable, solid LB's in the middle/rate rounds of the draft. When you are picking a LB at #5, he needs to be a play maker and a tackling machine. As of now, Hawk isn't those things. That doesn't make him a bad player, but I'd still expect more out of such a high pick.
So it's Hawk's fault GB unwisely drafted him so high? I think the guy is playing adequate to well and will do so the next ten years. Not sure what fans expected of him... I thought it was obvious he was no Ray Lewis.
 
Jene Bramel said:
Billy1x said:
I don't have any data but in the games I watched most of the running plays seem to be targeted away from Hawk and toward Poppinga.
That would be what you'd expect as offenses generally run behind the right side of their offensive lines, which often include an offset FB and/or TE to that side. Poppinga, as the strong side linebacker, should see the majority of the running plays in his direction.However, through Week 7, FootballOutsiders game charting data shows a 37% - 22% disparity in the percentage of running plays run outside the tackle -- TOWARD the right side (conventional weak side) where Hawk lives -- with 41% between the tackles. Even if the majority of the between the tackle rushes were directed over the strong side guard, it seems clear that teams are targeting Hawk this year.
This seems like a bit of a stretch to me. There's so many factors that go into which way a run play is going to be called. Its such a small sample size right now, that the team the packers have faced may very well have better offensive lineman on one side rather than the other, and do well running to the weak side. It's also possible they may be trying to avoid Aaron Kampmann. Just too many variables to call that shot.
:football:The "seems clear that teams are targeting Hawk" was a poor choice of language and conclusion. The original point was that teams aren't running away from the right side -- for whatever reason -- and I should've left it there. You are correct that there's no way to reliably conclude that teams are targeting the weak side because of Hawk. I probably jumped there based on my observations that Hawk is seeing more than his share of blockers (and struggling to defeat them) than I noticed in 2006.
 
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He's a decent LB. 5th pick? Ehhh, a mini bust.

Robert Gallery is a solid guard. Didn't live up to where he was drafted. Same goes for Hawk. 5th pick you want a probowler. Impact. Big plays. Dominate. Game changer.

Hawk is none of those. I'm sure the Packers are happy to have him, but he's not a star player. And since he's probably the highest or 2nd highest paid player on that defense, that's really what you want out of him.

 
He's a decent LB. 5th pick? Ehhh, a mini bust. Robert Gallery is a solid guard. Didn't live up to where he was drafted. Same goes for Hawk. 5th pick you want a probowler. Impact. Big plays. Dominate. Game changer.Hawk is none of those. I'm sure the Packers are happy to have him, but he's not a star player. And since he's probably the highest or 2nd highest paid player on that defense, that's really what you want out of him.
But again, I ask, is this all on Hawk? I really don't blame him as he plays a position where it is tough to put up the gaudy big play statistics like INTs and sacks. And, again, I don't know why anything would think this guy was going to be Superman after seeing guys like Lavar Arrington, Chad Greenway, etc. tear up the college game and only be average contributors in the NFL at best. Blame the Packers front office for taking him too early if you're going to blame anyone. Seriously, this is like a sure-handed 150 lbs. second baseman being drafted 2nd overall in the MLB and being called a bust for not hitting 30 homers. Makes no sense.
 
I'm not really an IDP guy, but I do know LB's pretty good. The true measure of a LB is tackles. That's what you get paid to do no matter what the scheme. In a 3-4 you should also look at sacks for OLB's but only if that is what they are asked to do by the coach. Some coaches will keep a non-rush OLB in a 3-4 scheme as usually a role player, but not always. An OLB that gets enough tackles in a 3-4 can keep his job regardless of the sacks he gets if he gets enough tackles. They may bring in a role player to rush the passer with you but if you can shut down the run on that side of the field, your career is not in jeopardy. I should post a disclaimer that enough of those tackles need to be behind the line of scrimmage. If you get 120+ tackles, but your avg tackle is 4 yards past the LOS you better be getting a ton of sacks and ints. Defensive coordinators could care less on how many int's their LB's have. They still coach to it and ask for it, but the bottom line is a LB that's doing well elsewhere can have zero for a decade for int's and the DC will still say he's superman if he's doing everything else. The LB better be dropping back in pass coverage well and being in the spot he's supposed to though.

If he's getting tackles and his film grades are good, it doesn't matter what his fantasy points are this year. If you hear stuff from coaches about mistakes and confusion then worry, but as a LB, your job is to react and be in your spot and that doesn't always translate to fantasy points. Give a second year player a break.

 
I've been calling him overrated and the "Great white hype" since he got drafted...have threads to prove it.He was awesome in the Slow10...unfortunately for Hawk, players have SEC speed and Pac10 speed in the NFL.
Threads prove he isn't good?
 
Hawk is none of those. I'm sure the Packers are happy to have him, but he's not a star player. And since he's probably the highest or 2nd highest paid player on that defense, that's really what you want out of him.
Actually, I am pretty sure that KGB, Woodson, Harris, and Kampman are higher paid, and Barnett just got a new contract during the offseason, so he likely makes more as well. I'm not sure on the numbers, but Cullen Jenkins might also be higher paid. I think Hawk is doing just fine for being the 6th or 7th highest paid defensive player. :coffee:
 
If fantasy success was equated to reality success then many more people would feel vindicated.

However, fantasy success is not on any evaluation sheet that real NFL coaches look at. Hopefully people can understand this.

 
Hawk is none of those. I'm sure the Packers are happy to have him, but he's not a star player. And since he's probably the highest or 2nd highest paid player on that defense, that's really what you want out of him.
Actually, I am pretty sure that KGB, Woodson, Harris, and Kampman are higher paid, and Barnett just got a new contract during the offseason, so he likely makes more as well. I'm not sure on the numbers, but Cullen Jenkins might also be higher paid. I think Hawk is doing just fine for being the 6th or 7th highest paid defensive player. :unsure:
$37.5 million and consisted of more than $15 million in guarantees?KGB I know have far less guaranteed money. "Packers sign Harris to five-year, $19M extension""Packers gave Kampman a four-year, $21 million contract with $12 million in guaranteed money""The six-year, $35 million extension that Barnett signed on Tuesday contained between $11 million and $12 million in guaranteed first-year money"Looks like Hawk is the 3rd highest paid player on the defense. His deal looks better then Barnett, with more guaranteed money, but the article was not clear.Woodson is making a ton. From what I read, less guaranteed money then Hawk. So again, Hawk one of the highest paid defenders on the Packers, not 6th/7th/8th. More like 2nd/3rd.
 
He's a decent LB. 5th pick? Ehhh, a mini bust. Robert Gallery is a solid guard. Didn't live up to where he was drafted. Same goes for Hawk. 5th pick you want a probowler. Impact. Big plays. Dominate. Game changer.Hawk is none of those. I'm sure the Packers are happy to have him, but he's not a star player. And since he's probably the highest or 2nd highest paid player on that defense, that's really what you want out of him.
and I think this expectation that a 5th pick has to be that?After a year or two...does it matter where the guy was drafted?As long as the guy is not a huge bust...like Ryan Leaf, Jamal Reynolds, Tony Mandarich (to name a few Packers in there with Leaf)...the guy played very well last year.Is part of a young and talented defense. Is not making huge mistakes (like Al Harris and Bigby did Monday night).Sure, Id like to see him make a few more big plays. But so far, I am pretty happy with the guy.
 
Hawk is none of those. I'm sure the Packers are happy to have him, but he's not a star player. And since he's probably the highest or 2nd highest paid player on that defense, that's really what you want out of him.
Actually, I am pretty sure that KGB, Woodson, Harris, and Kampman are higher paid, and Barnett just got a new contract during the offseason, so he likely makes more as well. I'm not sure on the numbers, but Cullen Jenkins might also be higher paid. I think Hawk is doing just fine for being the 6th or 7th highest paid defensive player. :thumbup:
Woodson as well.
 

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