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

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Packers' Hawk Faces Great Expectations
Posted: ugust 9, 2010
By Jason Wilde
Channel3000.com's Packer Insider from ESPN Madison

GREEN BAY -- A.J. Hawk has spent the better part of the last four years hearing the same word, over and over and over again.

Expectations.

It goes with the territory, of course, when you?re the No. 5 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft like the Green Bay Packers inside linebacker was. And it started right away during his first training camp, when the consensus from observers was that he was off to a slow start and was already failing to live up to ? there?s that word again ? expectations.

?But that's fine. I want the expectation level to be high on me -- and on the team as well," Hawk said at the time, about a week after signing his six-year, $37.5 million rookie deal. "That's what coach (Jim) Tressel used to tell us at Ohio State all the time. We want people to get mad if we're losing, if we're not playing well. You want people to demand that. So that's fine with me. They can think whatever they think. I don't feel any added pressure."
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Packers' Hawk Faces Great Expectations - Sports News Story - WISC Madison
 
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Camp confidential: A.J. Hawk keeps turning heads. After a strong showing in the Family Night Scrimmage ? and with the linebacker corps depleted by injury ? he just keeps going out practice after practice and doing his job. He?s now added making plays to his repertoire, something fans have long waited for. In the morning practice, he ran stride-for-stride with Nelson and knocked down a pass that should?ve been a completion. ?I would think A.J. is probably having his best camp in his time here,? McCarthy said afterward. ?I?ve liked his approach. His conditioning is at the highest level. He?s always been a highly conditioned athlete, and I think he?s taken it to another level this year, and I think he?s been very productive out here. He?s put together some big days, and I thought he definitely stood out in the scrimmage Saturday night.?
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540 ESPN Milwaukee
 
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Hawk Off To Strong Start
By Tom Fanning
Posted Aug 12, 2010

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You often hear about the importance of young players needing to make the most of the practice reps they get during training camp, but the same can be said for veterans as well.

It has been the case through the first two weeks of training camp for fifth-year linebacker A.J. Hawk, who has continued to work as the starting ‘Buck’ inside linebacker in the Packers’ 3-4 base defense while seeing some time in the various sub packages as well.

“I would think A.J. is probably having his best camp in his time here,” Head Coach Mike McCarthy said on Tuesday. “I’ve liked his approach. His conditioning is at the highest level. He’s always been a highly conditioned athlete, and I think he’s taken it to another level this year, and I think he’s been very productive out here. He’s put together some big days, and I thought he definitely stood out in the scrimmage Saturday night.”

Part of the reason that Hawk has been on the field even more this camp is because of the injuries throughout the linebacker group, including to veteran Nick Barnett, who has been on a one-a-day schedule following offseason knee surgery. Brandon Chillar, who worked inside last year with Barnett in the middle, has lined up primarily at right outside linebacker during camp thus far. Inside linebacker Desmond Bishop figures to make a push for more time in the sub packages next to Barnett, but that doesn’t mean Hawk will be strictly a base-defense player this season.

“(A.J.) is going to be involved in a number of our different sub groups this year,” defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. “We played far more nickel last year. I could see us playing more variations this year in our sub groups. A.J. is involved in a number of them. We’re going to have to take advantage of our linebacker group and try to utilize them the best we can.

“He has gotten an awful lot of work on all three downs out there during camp, and he has done a good job. A.J. has always been a real reliable guy in terms of making the calls and getting us into the right things. I think he is a guy that is a combination that can play both the run and the pass. I am certainly pleased with the way he has played this camp.”
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http://www.packers.com/news-and-eve...ng-Start/e76d27fa-cde1-4d07-8f2a-582d49a38948

McCarthy praises Hawk, lukewarm on Wynn
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel

Aug. 10, 2010

Green Bay - After today's light practice, coach Mike McCarthy had a few interesting things to say.

He really gave some high praise to LB A.J. Hawk.

"I would think A.J. is probably having his best camp in his time here," McCarthy said. "I?ve liked his approach. His conditioning is at the highest level. He?s always been a highly conditioned athlete, and I think he?s taken it to another level this year, and I think he?s been very productive out here. He?s put together some big days, and I thought he definitely stood out in the scrimmage Saturday night."

Later, Hawk said he appreciated the comments.

"I think at least physically I feel as good as I've felt since I've been in the league, which is rare because coming in, as a rookie, you'd figure you'd feel your best," Hawk said. "I always feel every year I feel really good coming but for some reason I think I just feel healthy and lucky to get some good reps in.

"I feel healthy and I feel comfortable in this defense and the scheme. I think what's helped me is I've played pretty much at some point every inside linebacker position, nickel, dime and the regular package. I have a feeling of everything around me."

There's no question Hawk has been a little bit more aggressive shooting gaps in this training camp.

"It's definitely being confident in the scheme and being confident, not only in what I'm doing but what I know what everyone else around me is doing," Hawk said. "I think we have a better feel for where your help is at, where your safety's coming down, where your other backer is, what your d-line is going to do. I've always had an idea of knowing what they're doing but now I've had a year under my belt of feeling it, being on the game field, getting some real reps at it. And it's also kind of just letting it go and playing."
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McCarthy praises Hawk, lukewarm on Wynn - JSOnline
 
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Packers open LB AJ Hawk's job to competition

Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers confirmed that ILB AJ Hawk's starting job has been opened to competition.

Hawk was beat for a touchdown in the exhibition opener. "That competition is kind of wide open," said Capers. "Between A.J. and (Desmond) Bishop, it's going to be who shows the best during the preseason." If Hawk loses the job, he'll be cut this winter. He's scheduled for a $10 million salary next year, and the money becomes guaranteed if he's on the roster in March of 2011.
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Packers open LB AJ Hawk's job to competition - NFL- nbcsports.msnbc.com

Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk raises hopes during high-flying night practice
Press-Gazette ? August 17, 2010

Some days, A.J. Hawk looks like a world beater. Other days, he looks like he could get beaten by anybody in the world.

Tuesday was the former.

Just three days after the fifth-year inside linebacker got burned by Cleveland Browns tight end Ben Watson for a touchdown in the preseason opener, Hawk was all over the field making plays on Tuesday.

Granted, both practices were in shells (no pads), but Hawk made game-changing plays in both the morning and afternoon session.

During a blitz period in the morning practice, Hawk snagged a one-handed interception on a quick throw by third-string quarterback Graham Harrell.

In the night practice, he showed some of his much-criticized coverage ability in a 7-on-7 period. Dropping into coverage against tight end Spencer Havner, Hawk ripped the ball out of Havner?s hands on a seam route and the ball popped right to Nick Collins for an interception.
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Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk raises hopes during high-flying night practice | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette
 
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Green Bay Packers inside linebacker coach Winston Moss explains decision to sit out A.J. Hawk
By Kareem Copeland
[email protected]
September 13, 2010

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Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk had started 62 of 64 games during his four-year career but didn?t play a single defensive snap in the Packers? 27-20 victory at Philadelphia.

The No. 5 overall pick of the 2006 draft is the starter next to Nick Barnett in the base 3-4 but is replaced by Brandon Chillar in the nickel sub-package when the Packers use an extra defensive back in place of a linebacker.

The Packers used five or six defensive backs all game long.

Inside linebackers coach Winston Moss was asked how Hawk responded to the lack of playing time.

?You would have to ask him,? Moss said. ?I have my own feelings on that. But if you need to find out how he feels about that, I think he?d be the best guy to answer that.?

Hawk wasn?t available for comment after the game and wasn?t in the Packers locker room Monday during the media access period.

?If I was in that same situation, I would be upset if I didn?t play and I was going into an opening game ? and I had a very good preseason,? Moss said. ?I would have wanted to play. I?m sure a highly competitive guy would have wanted to play.

?I would use it as -- if I have to do whatever it takes and do more to stay on the field as much as possible, I?ve got to do whatever it takes. That would be my attitude.?

he team stayed in the subpackages all game to match up with the Eagles? athleticism at the skill positions -- receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, running back LeSean McCoy and tight end Brent Celek. That basically left Hawk as the odd man out.

The Packers wanted to take away big plays down the field and did so for the most part. The longest play from scrimmage for Philadelphia was a 31-yard scramble by quarterback Michael Vick. But Hawk lost his snaps in the process.

?A.J. was actually, before the game started, still set to play some (and) sub as far as subbing those guys,? Moss said. ?I was worried that Nick (Barnett) didn?t play all preseason and worried about his stamina and his durability coming off that (knee) rehab all offseason. Chillar was just coming back from switching from outside linebacker.

?I wanted to see how the game was flowing. ? As the game was going, it didn?t happen. But there are no red flags. He was still involved in a few packages we had set up. We never got around to it. (Hawk) was aware we were going into the game with a certain plan. He was still set to play. I made the decision once the game developed to stick with the guys that were in there. From how the way the game flowed and how the way Nick Barnett and Chillar were playing, I decided to keep that same rhythm going.?

Moss praised Hawk and said he is judged unfairly when it comes to production, pointing out he recorded a minimum of 121 tackles in his first three seasons. At the same time, the Packers will continue to match up with teams and Moss said the development of Chillar and Desmond Bishop gives them more flexibility in those subpackages.
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http://packersnews.greenbaypressgaz...k-Moss-explains-decision-to-sit-out-A-J-Hawk-
 
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Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk would be open to trade, agent Mike McCartney says

BY ROB DEMOVSKY ? [email protected] ? September 15, 2010

After a training camp practice on Aug. 10, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy heaped praise on A.J. Hawk, saying he was having the best camp of his NFL career.

A month later, Hawk didn?t play a single snap from scrimmage for the Packers in their season-opening victory at Philadelphia. After starting 62 of 65 games in his Packers? career, the former first-round draft pick appears to have reached the point where his best opportunity to be a key contributor on defense might be with another team.

There?s still more than a month before the NFL?s Oct. 19 trading deadline and although Hawk?s agent, Mike McCartney, stressed that Hawk remains committed to the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2006, he indicated that Hawk would be willing to change teams if it meant more playing time.

?A.J. is a pro?s pro and wants to do his part to help the team win, and his first priority is to be the best Packer he can,? McCartney said when reached by phone on Wednesday. ?But if some team called and wanted him to play on all three downs, I think he?d be excited about that.?
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http://packersnews.greenbaypressgaz...backer-Hawk-would-be-open-to-trade-agent-says
 
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BuckeyeMike80;1771471; said:
and if he were to come to the Browns
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Your lips to god's ears...

Our front office seriously better not fuck this up, I can already tell you how many fans would show up just to see 'Hawk' on the back of a Brownies jersey.
On top of the fact it would be an instant upgrade at ILB.
 
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Moss: Hawk's attitude 'perfect'
Sep 17, 2010

GREEN BAY ? Packers inside linebackers coach Winston Moss says he?s seen no outward frustration from linebacker A.J. Hawk in the wake of Hawk not playing a single snap from scrimmage against Philadelphia, but Moss believes the experience should ramp up any motivation Hawk already has to prove he belongs on the field on all three downs.

?His attitude?s been perfect. He?s been great. I see zero frustration from him. He?s a great pro. Regardless of how he feels, he?s responded as well as you can,? Moss said after practice Friday.

Hawk is set to become a free agent or negotiate a contract extension this offseason with a guaranteed $10 million base salary for 2011 if he?s on the roster when the league year begins, a clause that was inserted to force either a new contract or Hawk?s release.

?You?d have to ask him, but if that was me, absolutely,? Moss replied when asked if watching the Packers play no snaps of ?Okie? defense ? they used all nickel and dime packages ? against the Eagles has motivated Hawk. ?You can get into a lot of other variables off the field ? the contract, (it being a) big year (for him), all the dynamics. When you throw all that in there, it?s the highest level of motivation you can get.?

Moss said Hawk took his advice during camp and was more aggressive with his play, but it didn?t carry over into the preseason games.

?I think that he?s had his best training camp since he?s been here. The production in preseason did not confirm that,? Moss said. ?He didn?t play last week, so now we?ll get to evaluate him and see how far he?s come and confirm what we were talking about during camp. He?s in the right direction, based on what we talked about in the offseason ? just having a different mindset to where, ?It?s very important for you, with your ability, to be aggressive and take those shots when you have that opportunity and don?t be afraid to go after it.??

Interestingly, Moss said that if something were to happen to Brandon Chillar, who replaces Hawk in the nickel, Hawk wouldn?t necessarily be the next man up.
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http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/includes/blog/index.php?action=blog&blog_id=20&post_id=1900
 
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Packers: Hawk goes from zero to prominent on defense
Jon Masson
For Madison.com sports |
Posted: Sunday, September 19, 2010

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Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk pressures Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards, who threw a pass that was intercepted by Green Bay's Brandon Chillar in the third quarter Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Steve Apps / Wisconsin State Journal

GREEN BAY - The frustration A.J. Hawk felt last week wasn't apparent Sunday, hidden by the Green Bay linebacker's grin after the Packers' 34-7 victory over Buffalo.

He played almost the entire game at Lambeau Field, matching linebacker Nick Barnett with a team-high nine tackles. The performance came after Hawk expressed displeasure to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he didn't play a snap on defense in the regular-season opener at Philadelphia.

"I'm glad I got to play some,'' Hawk said with a wide smile. "I wasn't out for revenge or anything to make up for anything that happened. I was glad to play and be part of the plan. I think we put in some good packages today and a lot of people got to make plays.''

The Packers' linebackers were extremely active Sunday. Clay Matthews had three sacks, Brandon Chillar recorded his first NFL interception and Hawk had two quarterback hurries, including hitting Buffalo quarterback Trent Edwards on Chillar's interception.

"When you are a fifth pick (in the draft), they expect you to be God,'' Barnett said about former Ohio State standout Hawk, whose performance has been heavily scrutinized since he was a first-round pick in 2006. "You know what I mean? He's been playing great since he's been here. He hasn't been like, `Man, he's garbage.' He's making plays. He's always here. He is very professional.''

Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said Hawk and Chillar were used in separate variations of the nickel package. Hawk was able to stay in the game more because Buffalo likes to run when in a three-receiver set.

"We wanted to make sure we were stout enough to play the run in there,'' Capers said.
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http://host.madison.com/sports/foot...cle_3f9777ee-c46d-11df-96a8-001cc4c002e0.html
 
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