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

[Buckskin86]

SAT., FEB 21, 2009
Packers: Hawk hopes to soar in new defensive scheme
By JASON WILDE
608-252-6176
[email protected]

INDIANAPOLIS ? A.J. Hawk left the 2006 NFL scouting combine clueless.

He didn't know how smitten the Green Bay Packers were with him, and worse yet, he didn't appreciate just how high the expectations would be of him when the Packers would take him with the No. 5 overall pick two months later.

"I had no idea when I left, honestly, of who was going to take me or what was going on," Hawk said Saturday. "I didn't get any indication from the Packers that they were interested at all. My meeting with them went about like the rest of them did."

So, three years later, somewhere inside Lucas Oil Stadium, the Packers' next high-profile draft pick is toiling to impress them, not knowing that on April 25, when general manager Ted Thompson is on the clock with the ninth overall pick, he'll be headed for Green Bay.

But Hawk can warn that player ? whoever he is ? of this much: Be ready for the high expectations that will come with being a top-10 draft choice.

See, having grown up in an athletic family, Hawk always thought his own expectations were all that mattered. Only now ? after three seasons with the Packers that haven't been as productive as the Packer Nation would like ? does he realize how much public perception means.

"I've told you this before: I always had high expectations of myself, so I figured whatever anybody put on me was fine," Hawk said. "I grew up with that my whole life. I was the youngest of three boys and all of them were great athletes, so I had much higher expectations of myself than anyone else could put on me.

"(But) after three years in the league, I realize now that there's definitely expectations with being drafted that high. It matters, where you're drafted, as far as how people look at your game and what people expect of you. Don't get me wrong ? I was lucky to be drafted that high, and I'm thankful it was by a great team that's a team that doesn't usually draft that high. I'm going to try to play there as long as I can. But it definitely matters."

WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL

 

[TheIronColonel]

He's really got his head screwed on straight. I've always loved that about AJ: he's a very real person. Hopefully he can live up to those sky-high expectations.

 

[Buckskin86]

Hawk expected to thrive in new defense
By Pete Dougherty ? [email protected] ? February 22, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS ? Much of the attention in the Green Bay Packers? switch to a 3-4 defense has been on filling the crucial playmaking positions at outside linebacker, but the team also is looking to give inside linebacker A.J. Hawk a better chance to be a difference maker.

Hawk, the No. 5 pick overall in the 2006 draft, was the Packers? biggest mystery last season. The team was looking for him to graduate from a solid pro to a difference maker, but a torn muscle in his chest during training camp and strained groin early in the season instead led to a drop-off in his play. He didn?t look as physical or fast as he had in 2007.

In new defensive coordinator Dom Capers? 3-4 scheme, Hawk will be paired with Nick Barnett at inside linebacker. In fact, the two will flip-flop positions from the last three years.

Coach Mike McCarthy said the 6-foot-1, 248-pound Hawk will play the more run- and power-oriented Mike linebacker, roughly the middle linebacker role that Barnett had when the Packers ran the 4-3. The 6-2, 236-pound Barnett will play the Will linebacker, where Hawk played most of the last three years.

Hawk will have more responsibilities playing the run and blitzing in the new scheme, and less pure man-to-man coverage, which is the weaker part of his game.

?(Hawk) is a good football player, and I think this scheme will help him,? McCarthy said this week at the NFL scouting combine. ?He?ll be playing downhill a little more, he won?t be playing match coverage as much as he was in the old scheme. This will definitely help him.?

Hawk expected to thrive in new defense | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

 

[Buckskin86]

INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Old job: The Sanders scheme had only one middle linebacker, Nick Barnett as the Mike, and he was designed to be the playmaker. With two defensive tackles up front, Barnett was allowed to run free and make tackles from sideline to sideline.

New job: Barnett and A.J. Hawk, who was the starting weak-side linebacker in the 4-3, essentially switch positions. Hawk will play more of the Mike role with an emphasis of attacking the run and blitzing. Barnett will have more coverage responsibilities.

Biggest adjustment: "The hardest thing for Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk is at some point they have to learn to hit and get away from people," said Brian Noble, the former Packers inside linebacker in both the 3-4 and 4-3 from 1985-'93. "In a 3-4 defense, you have to take linemen on and what these guys have been used to in a 4-3 is that they just fly around and make plays. They never had to really take anybody on. They were protected by all the big tackles they had in front of them. When you get into that 3-4 and those offensive linemen start pushing and combo blocking, the linebackers are going to have to come up and hit somebody and not only stop them in their spot but hold their ground and get off them and make a play. And to me that's going to be the hardest thing. The past couple years, if they got a guy on them they were screwed."

Work begins on Packers' new defense - JSOnline

 

[Buckskin86]

Inside linebacker rankings: Urlacher's still on top
Posted: May 24, 2009

Tackles are the stat of choice for the guys who play in the middle of the field. But more and more, middle linebackers, particularly in the Tampa 2 defenses, are asked to do more in coverage, so their ability to key and diagnose plays quickly becomes critical. These guys are generally the smartest and most instinctive players on the defensive side of the ball.

13. AJ Hawk, Packers. Hawk moves to a full time gig on the interior. We like his chances with big bodies Cullen Jenkins, Justin Harrell, and rookie BJ Raji in front of him. An intense and competitive player, he loves contact and is a ferocious tackler. He moves quickly to the ball and should put up career numbers in the LB-friendly 3-4.

SportingNews.com - Your expert source for NFL Football stats, scores, standings, blogs and fantasy news from NFL Football columnists

 

[bukIpower]

So a funny thing happened to me last night...

I'm standing there at the baggage claim at 12am at Minneapolis/St. Paul airport. When no other than AJ Hawk walks up next to me looking for his bag. Man how small of a world is it?

He's definately taller than I thought he'd be though. I'm guessing he was up here to see james maybe?

 

[Buckskin86]

Packers' backer wins tight long drive contest
By Steve Yingling, Tribune sports editor

STATELINE ? Green Bay Packers' linebacker A.J. Hawk is a rookie in the American Century Championship, but it didn't take him long to warm up to the annual Korbel Long Drive Competition.

Hawk launched a 322-yard drive to win a tightly contested event in his first try Friday at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. The top-five participants were separated by four yards.

Packers' backer wins tight long drive contest | TahoeDailyTribune.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Forceful Drive Gives NFL Linebacker A.J. Hawk the Title in Tahoe

Green Bay Packers Linebacker A.J. Hawk sprays the crowd with Korbel California Champagne after winning the 2009 Korbel Long Drive Competition with a 322-yard drive. The competition was held on July 17, 2009 as part of the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe, NV. (PRNewsFoto/Korbel Champagne)

LAKE TAHOE, NV UNITED STATES
Hawk Uncorks 322-Yard Drive to Win Korbel Long Drive Golf Contest

LAKE TAHOE, Nev., July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- A.J. Hawk captured the title of "Celebrity Long Drive Champ" by unleashing a booming 322-yard drive to win the 20th Annual Long Drive Competition, sponsored by Korbel Champagne Cellars on July 17, 2009. The competition is a featured event at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship, currently being played at the Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Named NFL All-Rookie in 2006, Green Bay Packers Linebacker A.J. Hawk is an indispensable defensive asset who rarely leaves the field. An All-American at The Ohio State University, Hawk was the 2005 recipient of the Lombardi Award which is given annually to the nation's top lineman. Demonstrating his familiarity with champagne and victory celebrations, Hawk accepted his Long Drive Trophy then popped the cork on a big bottle of Korbel and sprayed the enthusiastic crowd.

Forceful Drive Gives NFL Linebacker A.J. Hawk the Title in Tahoe

 

[Buckskin86]

Hawk is entering something of a make-or-break fourth season in the NFL. He?s not been close to the impact player the Packers projected for the No. 5 pick overall in the 2006 draft and regressed last season while playing through chest and groin injuries. McCarthy has said the injuries were more of a hindrance than Hawk let on last season, and the Packers are looking for him to be a more dynamic and physical player in the new scheme than he was his first three years. If Hawk isn?t much improved, backup Brandon Chillar is coming off a solid offseason and could overtake him.

Kampman gearing up to join linebacker crew | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

 

[Buckskin86]

Thompson Q&A: On 6-10 season, defensive changes, '09 outlook
July 29, 2009

Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson talked about the state of his team and the upcoming season during a Q&A with Press-Gazette sports editor Mike Vandermause Tuesday morning. Here are excerpts from that interview. Read a more complete transcript at PackersNews.com.

Q: Can you assess the play of A.J. Hawk, and whether he has made as big an impact as he should for someone drafted that high?

Thompson: It?s not my job to defend players. I think A.J.?s been a little bit unfairly critiqued. He played every snap, he plays all the time, he practices every day, he prepares himself, he plays multiple different positions, has the ability to play anywhere along the defensive front. I think he plays well. I think sometimes part of that is luck, part of that is being at the right place at the right time. I?m not concerned about his quote-unquote lack of big play ability. I think he?s a very good player and we?re glad we have him.

Q: Were injuries an issue last season with Hawk?

Thompson: He was playing and playing nicked up quite a bit. Sometimes that?s the roll of the dice. That?s the year you get. You get a year where you?re banged up a lot of the time, nothing really works great for you. He hung in there. He?s a good teammate.

Thompson Q&A: On 6-10 season, defensive changes, '09 outlook | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

 

[Buckskin86]

Hawk took $1K cab ride for voluntary OTA
By Rob Demovsky ? [email protected] ? August 1, 2009

Ever wonder what a taxicab fare would be from Minneapolis to Green Bay?

Just ask A.J. Hawk.

On the eve of an organized team activity ? a voluntary event ? in June, Hawk found himself stranded in the Minneapolis airport, his flight canceled and all the rental car counters closed for the night. Surely, the Packers linebacker would just call coach Mike McCarthy, explain the situation and miss the next day?s workout. After all, it was optional.

Not Hawk. At 12:30 a.m., he and his wife went to the taxi stand.

?I didn?t think they?d go that far,? Hawk said. ?But I asked them, ?What?s the farthest they?ll go?? They said, ?As far as you want.? And I said, ?How about Green Bay?? He realized I played (for the Packers), and said OK.?

The fare? A cool $1,000.

?We got home at 6 a.m., and I had to run in and get the checkbook,? Hawk said. ?I cut it close because I had to be (at Lambeau Field) at 6:30 (a.m.), and it worked out.?

When asked why Hawk didn?t just skip the OTA, he said, ?Every day is big for us with our installation of the new defense, so I didn?t want to miss anything. I was tired, but after practice was over, I felt fine.?

The NFL Players Association reimbursed Hawk for his cab fare because he had spent that weekend at an NFLPA-sponsored event in New York.

?But I would have done it anyway,? Hawk said. ?It would have been a write-off at least, wouldn?t it??

Hawk took $1K cab ride for voluntary OTA | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

 

[Buckskin86]

Chillar keeps heat on Hawk
By Pete Dougherty ? [email protected] ? August 6, 2009

Linebackers Brandon Chillar, left, and A.J. Hawk call plays during Thursday morning's training camp practice at Ray Nitschke Field. H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette

Sooner or later, the Green Bay Packers will have to decide whether Brandon Chillar should be a starter this year.

Chillar finished 2008 as their best linebacker with Nick Barnett on injured reserve and A.J. Hawk weakened by season-long injuries.

Now, in the first week of training camp 2009, Barnett isn?t quite back from knee reconstruction surgery, but Hawk is full strength and playing better than in ?08. Yet again, Chillar arguably has been the better inside linebacker in the conversion to Dom Capers? 3-4 defensive scheme.

Chillar?s play at the least means the Packers can ease Barnett into a prominent role early in the regular season, and ultimately, Capers might do as predecessor Bob Sanders did much of last year ? have Hawk and Chillar split time at one of the inside positions, with Hawk playing on early downs and Chillar on passing downs.

The Packers have done nothing early in camp to suggest Hawk won?t be a starter. But if Chillar maintains his performance level, Capers and his defensive coaches will have a real debate whether to keep Chillar on the field if and when Barnett?s back to playing full time.

?Nothing has changed so far,? said Winston Moss, the Packers? inside linebackers coach. ?But we?re still in a practice phase. Evaluation has not commenced yet.?

This season is pivotal for Hawk, whom the Packers forecast for much bigger things when they selected him at No. 5 overall in the 2006 draft. In three seasons, Hawk has been tough and durable enough to start all 48 games, but he hasn?t made enough game-changing plays ? he?s had 7? sacks and been involved in eight turnovers (three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two fumbles forced). By comparison, Minnesota?s Chad Greenway, the No. 17 pick in the same draft, has played 16 fewer games ? he missed his rookie year because of a knee injury ? yet has 5? sacks and been involved in 11 turnovers (two interceptions, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries).

Hawk is in the fourth year of his six-year rookie contract and is scheduled to make $3.25 million this season and $4.12 million next year. There?s no doubting his dedication ? he?s a workout fanatic, and this summer he paid $1,000 for a taxicab ride from Minneapolis to attend a voluntary practice when his late-night connecting flight to Green Bay was canceled and no rental cars were available. But if he?s a part-time player this year, it?s hard to see the Packers bringing him back at more than $4 million in 2010. Chillar is finishing the second year of his two-year deal that averages $2.6 million a season.

?I?ve felt pretty good about A.J. since getting here,? Capers said. ?I?ve heard he had injuries last year. Every phase of everything we?ve done, meetings, OTAs (organized team activities), on-the-field work, he?s been here for all of it, which is a real plus. Right now he?s the signal caller out there and you need a guy that has these things down and communicates them with some decisiveness. He?s doing a good job with that.?

Chillar keeps heat on Hawk | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

 

[Buckskin86]

Playing to their strength
Inside linebackers may be shuffled depending on situation in game
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Aug. 7, 2009

Coaches hope inside linebacker A.J. Hawk will be a little more reckless this year, returning to the form that made him more of an impact player during his rookie year of 2006.

Green Bay ? At the two inside linebacker spots, the Green Bay Packers seem to have some nice pieces of art but no masterpieces.

They each have strengths. And flaws.

At the "Buck" (middle linebacker), A.J. Hawk is technically sound, but the 2006 fifth overall pick has yet to show any type of big-play ability. Desmond Bishop is the opposite: He has lived in the offensive backfield during training camp but can get out of position on occasion.

At the "Mack" on the weakside, a healthy Nick Barnett has a track record for being the best run-and-tackle linebacker on the team. But he can struggle against the pass. Brandon Chillar excels against the pass and at blitzing. He's trying to be stronger against the run.

So defensive coordinator Dom Capers seems to have a full range of tools at inside linebacker. Just not all in one player.

So what will he do?

Likely play each of them at some point.

"Man, we've got so many things (in the playbook) right now that we can have you out there blitzing," said assistant head coach/inside linebackers coach Winston Moss.

"I think that he definitely has a plan and can visualize exactly where he sees everybody in this defense, so when that time comes to put guys in position to do what they do best, I'm sure the consideration is going to be for getting the best guys on the field at the right time doing the right thing."

The Packers tinkered with situational substitutions at linebacker last year under coordinator Bob Sanders. Hawk was removed in certain packages and most of the game against Indianapolis to allow Chillar to provide better coverage against tight ends.

Depending on how healthy Barnett proves to be after ACL surgery, the Packers could use Hawk (Buck) and Barnett (Mack) on the first two downs, and then replace them with Bishop and Chillar in passing situations or some similar combination.

Playing to their strength - JSOnline

 

[Buckskin86]

Packers' A.J. Hawk Faces Off Against His Brother-in-Law

Updated: Aug 10, 2009

It's game week, and for A.J. Hawk and his wife Laura it's also a family reunion with the Browns coming to Green Bay Saturday night.

Laura's brother Brady Quinn is fighting for the Browns' starting quarterback job.

But she won't be wearing a two-sided jersey like she did when A.J. and Brady met in a bowl game -- Notre Dame on one side, Ohio State on the other.

"She regrets that decision, but you live and learn," A.J. said. "She just wants us both to come out of the game unhurt. We both have a job to do. I tell her I'm not going to do anything extra, I'm not going to punch him after the play, but I am not going to let up before the whistle, though."

Packers' A.J. Hawk Faces Off Against His Brother-in-Law - WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News:

 

[Buckskin86]

Coach locks up weight room to give linebacker Hawk a break
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Aug. 12, 2009

Green Bay ? There aren't many lifting techniques or workout philosophies that linebacker A.J. Hawk won't consider when it comes to readying himself to play in the National Football League.

But the new one where Green Bay Packers strength and conditioning coach Dave Redding locks up the weight room and won't let him in on the weekends - he's had a little bit of trouble buying into that one. Years of lifting weights only on days that end in "Y" have gotten Hawk this far, so it will take more convincing before he's willing to take off a whole weekend.

"I think when you get to this level, pretty much everyone is working hard," Hawk said recently during a break in training camp. "To be able to keep up, I feel I need to work out. I wasn't born a genetic freak like some guys were. You've got to turn yourself into that through workouts.

"I guess I don't feel like I need a lot of motivation to work out. I never looked at working out as work. It's something I enjoy doing to mentally and physically feel good. That's how it's always been, and it will never change."

To get an idea of how religious Hawk is about working out, you have to consider that the Packers' off-season lifting program is a four-day-a-week session in which Redding, in his first season with the Packers, challenges the players with fast-tempo, high-energy exercises. He's adamant about the players taking time off on Wednesdays and on the weekends so their bodies get the rest they need.

The 6-1, 248-pound Hawk doesn't spend hour upon hour in the weight room, but if you need to find him, you know where to look first.

"Every time I go in the weight room, he's in the weight room, so we joke around about that," said linebacker Brandon Chillar, a workout warrior in his own right. "We both take it serious and know that weight room training and diet and all that stuff really helps you evolve as a player. You can consider him a weight room junky. I'm trying to be in there as much as him."

Coach locks up weight room to give linebacker Hawk a break - JSOnline