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LB A.J. Hawk (2x All-American, Lombardi Trophy, National Champion, Super Bowl Champion)

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Green Bay Packers coaches say they want to put linebacker A.J. Hawk in the position to make more big plays this season.


Packers expect big things from Hawk this season
Dennis Punzel ? 6/18/2008

GREEN BAY -- When the Green Bay Packers made A.J. Hawk the fifth pick in the 2006 NFL draft, the expectation was that he would become an elite player. Not just a solid, productive player, but a spectacular one. A playmaker.

After all, he was the first linebacker taken that high in the draft since the Washington Redskins took LaVar Arrington with the No. 2 overall pick in 2000. And since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, just 26 linebackers had been among the top five picks -- a list that includes such luminaries as Lawrence Taylor (1981), Derrick Thomas (1989) and Junior Seau (1990).

And while Hawk has established himself as a staple in the Green Bay defense over his first two seasons -- starting all 34 games and playing almost every down -- he has yet to become a dominant force.

All in due time.

"I'm not worried about A.J. Hawk," said Winston Moss, Green Bay's assistant head coach and linebacker coach. "He's a great talent. It's extremely important to him. I don't think there's a need to be patient. I don't think there's any reason to even have a concern. When it's all said and done, A.J. is going to be an outstanding player for us."
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"I don't go into a season putting any personal goals up as far as numbers go," Hawk said. "As a defensive guy, if my tackles went down this year I'd be happy because that means our defense is playing better and we're on the field less.

"I just want to be consistent week in and week out. That's the hardest thing to do in this league, is to step in and let your teammates know you're accountable every single day, every play, that you never take a play off. Guys in the league don't last for long because if you can't stay consistent, they're going to find someone to take your job. So I'm trying to stay consistent, make big plays and help us be a dominant defense."

Moss said that the numbers do not reflect the improvement in Hawk's play.

"Last year his production probably dropped off, but his execution and understanding of the defense actually elevated," said Moss, a former NFL linebacker for 11 years. "His consistency was far better. He had a much better year, and a very good year, from the standpoint of learning our schemes, executing our schemes, lining up and doing the things he's supposed to do."
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Top Stories: Packers expect big things from Hawk this season
 
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A.J. excelled when he was let loose in our defense, hopefully the same thing will happen with Green Bay, his speed and instincts should allow him to make a lot of big plays.

Combine A.J. being cut loose and Carp being Tunaless, and some Buckeye alum LB's may have some very nice seasons. :biggrin:
 
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AJ is the MAN

I wanted to show a picture of AJ and my daughter Baylee that was taken back in April at the Sonny Unger Foundation banquet AJ attends every year. Aj and his dad sought us out so we could meet him again. Baylee suffers from mitochondrial disease and AJ helps us with autographed items for our benefit we have every year. Go to Home - UMDF and CaringBridge. Free Websites That Support And Connect Loved Ones During Critical Illness. to find out more. GO PACK and GO BUCKS!!!!

Jody Thompson
 

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Breakout players 11-20: Ten more about to step way up

The term "breakout player" can mean a couple of different things in the NFL. It can mean a surprise player, somebody like Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant last season, or it can mean a player who goes from good to even better.
Each season we see plenty of both, guys who come from nowhere to be major contributors and players who find their way into their first Pro Bowl after a couple of years of growth.

17. A.J. Hawk, LB, Green Bay Packers: The Packers expect big things from Hawk in his third season. He showed improvement last season, but needs to play more instinctively. With two years under his belt, look for that to happen.

Entire article: Breakout players 11-20: Ten more about to step way up - NFL - CBSSports.com Live Scores, Standings and Stats
 
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Hawk needs to be more than solid for Packers

By Pete Dougherty ? Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers ? July 22, 2008


GREEN BAY -- When general manager Ted Thompson chose fifth overall in the 2006 NFL draft, he needed more than a solid starting football player from that premium pick -- he needed a guy who could change games.



In two years, his choice, A.J. Hawk, has become a solid starting linebacker. But a Green Bay Packers defense that ranked 11th in the NFL in yards allowed and sixth in points allowed last season needs more from Hawk to become a top defense, and part of that responsibility lies with coordinator Bob Sanders and his defensive coaching staff.
Hawk still has the ability that made him a top-five pick in 2006. But even though his 284 tackles combined over his first two seasons is second on the team behind Nick Barnett, Hawk hasn't been a dominant force or made many game-changing plays (one sack, one interception, one fumble recovery and one fumble forced last season).
"As a staff, we can probably do a better job of putting him in position to make some more impactful plays," said Winston Moss, the Packers' assistant head coach and linebackers coach.
Cont...
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Ranking the top 25 NFL linebackers
Posted: July 21, 2008
War Room scouts

23. A.J. Hawk, Green Bay Packers. Hawk flies around the field. He plays with great intensity and has a mean competitive streak. Although he had a "down" second year in '07, he still recorded 105 tackles and showed his trademark quickness and explosiveness throughout the season. He is a great athlete and a football player through and through. He can do just about anything on the field.
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SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NFL Football stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from NFL Football columnists
 
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Packers notes: Hawk sidelined by chest injury
By JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
[email protected]

GREEN BAY ? It was a strange sight Wednesday night: A.J. Hawk on the sideline, not practicing.
The Green Bay Packers' third-year lineback suffered what coach Mike McCarthy termed "a chest injury" in Monday night's preseason-opening loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Hawk not only sat out Wednesday night's practice ? believed to be the first time he's missed a practice since entering the league ? but McCarthy ruled Hawk out for Saturday night's game at San Francisco as well.
"He will not be available this week," McCarthy said. Asked if Hawk could play if it were a regular-season game, McCarthy replied, "I don't know. I would say not."

McCarthy said the injury occurred when Hawk broke up a third-down pass to tight end Ben Utecht on the Bengals' third series. Hawk didn't leave the game because of the injury.
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No Timetable for Hawk's Return
Story Created: Aug 19, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Linebacker A.J. Hawk missed Saturday's game with a chest sprain and didn't practice yesterday. Coach Mike generally refers to injured players as "day-to-day," but he describes Hawk's injury as "week-to-week."

Hawk says he doesn't know how long he'll be out. He says all he can do is listen to the team, and so far he hasn't been given any timelines. He says all he's worried about now is getting healed up.

Since becoming the team's first-round draft pick in 2006, Hawk has started all 32 Packers games -- 34 including the playoffs. He says it's a strange feeling to be sitting out because of an injury.

But he says the one positive thing about sitting out now is that it's the pre-season, not the regular season.
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No Timetable for Hawk's Return | Newsradio 620 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Talk, Sports, Weather | Sports
 
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Hawk just 'going about my business'
By Chick Ludwig

Staff Writer

Thursday, August 21, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. ? After home games at Lambeau Field, A.J. Hawk stands in front of his dressing stall in the spacious locker room, holding court as wave after wave of media approach.

His long, wet, scraggly hair is splayed on his shoulders. The bridge of his nose is about to bleed and scab, courtesy of the pounding he'll take as the Packers' defensive leader.

You can't help but notice his locker, barren except for a few essentials. Long sleeve Under Armour "dri-fit" shirt, basketball shorts, ball cap and flip-flops.

"Hey, A.J., will you sign this for me?" said quarterback Aaron Rodgers, holding up a game program with Hawk splashed on the cover.

The third-year veteran linebacker, who wears uniform No. 50, just laughs.

Hawk ? who spurned the NFL's invitation to Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Draft Day 2006 so he could relax with family and friends back home in Ohio ? hasn't changed a lick.

Despite the riches of a six-year, $37.5 million contract he signed after becoming the No. 5 overall draft pick two years ago, Hawk still operates with the same humility and confidence that marked his prep and college careers at Centerville High School and Ohio State.

"I've always just gone about my business," Hawk said. "I just want people to realize that I'm going to come out every night, play hard and try to be consistent."
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Hawk just 'going about my business'
 
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