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

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A.J. Hawk's value grows for limping Packers
By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 15, 2012

Green Bay - Trust in A.J. Hawk never seems to waver in Green Bay. The coaches stand by their veteran linebacker. Right now, that trust will be tested.

With D.J. Smith joining Desmond Bishop on the sideline for the rest of the season, Hawk's value to the defense inherently soars. He'll be on the field more. Run downs. Passing downs. The Packers need Hawk to anchor the middle of their 3-4 defense.

Through six games, he's been a steady presence.

"A.J.'s always been important," coach Mike McCarthy said. "A.J.'s really kind of the quarterback for us on defense in a lot of ways just with the command that he has. I thought he played probably his best game of the year last night, but yes, A.J.'s so consistent, same guy every day, excellent work ethic and has a clear understanding of everything that we're trying to do.

"He's definitely a big factor as we move forward."

Make that a bigger factor now because Hawk will likely assume Smith's duties as the Packers' dime linebacker. There are other options. Quite possibly, Robert Francois works his way onto the field in packages. The athletic linebacker did see action at inside linebacker last season. Certain players could fit into certain roles.

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http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ping-green-bay-packers-u477te1-174304501.html
 
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A few moments with Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk
Oct. 26, 2012
Bill Windler, senior editor of sports

When Mike McCarthy was asked why linebacker A.J. Hawk was playing so well this season, the Packers coach quipped, "new haircut?" The veteran linebacker who has hardly missed a game in his seven years is having a solid season, and he is still interested in hair - short hair - for a good cause. He is hosting a charity event that will benefit Hawk's Locks for Kids hawkslocksforkids.org. Hawk and comedian Josh Sneed will host the fundraiser at Appleton's Skyline Comedy Cafe on Nov. 2.

Did you think you'd always be this connected with your alma mater? "I think the first year I moved out of Ohio, I realized there are Buckeyes everywhere. As the years have gone by, I have wanted to reconnect with old teammates. It's a special group, and they do a good job of bringing us all together."

You're named after A.J. Foyt. Where did you come up with the name Lennon Noel for your daughter? "We came up with it a couple of months before my wife, Laura, actually had her. We're kind of big into musician-type names. My wife and I are both fans of The Beatles so of course we got the name from John Lennon. My wife thought of it one day, and it really seemed to click. It fits her well."

Love the name Noel for a December baby. "We didn't have that until she was born, and we were filling out the birth certificate. They told us we had to figure out a middle name, and it was around Christmastime and we both love Christmas - so let's just do Noel."

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http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ers-linebacker-aj-hawk-0t7c4dd-176062531.html
 
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Hawk thrives despite playing only in base, nickel defenses
Nov 6, 2012
Written by
Rob Demovsky
Press-Gazette

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Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) pressures Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 14, 2012. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette

When Desmond Bishop sustained a season-ending hamstring injury in the preseason opener, the Green Bay Packers went with second-year pro D.J Smith as their every-down inside linebacker.

When Smith went down in Week 6 with a season-ending knee injury, they went to Brad Jones, a converted outside linebacker who played only on special teams the first five games of the season.

What does that say about A.J. Hawk, the other starting inside linebacker, that coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers passed on the option of having him as their every-down inside linebacker and instead limiting him to the base and nickel packages?

?He?s probably doing what he does best,? inside linebackers coach Winston Moss said. ?I?ll put it to you that way.?

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http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com...s-LB-A-J-Hawk-thrives-in-base-nickel-defenses
 
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Hawk comes into his own
Author: By Jason Wilde
Published On: Nov 15 2012

GREEN BAY, Wis. -

The joke is an easy one to make. Ask what?s different this season about Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk this year, and let Open Mic Night at the Chuckle Hut commence.

?Haircut?? Packers coach Mike McCarthy responded, clearly proud of his one-liner.

?He's got short hair,? replied Hawk?s ex-teammate, now-Arizona Cardinals guard Daryn Colledge, chuckling to himself on a recent conference call.

Hardy-har-har. But things have changed for Hawk in this, his seventh NFL season ? he?s playing fewer snaps, but playing noticeably better at the same time.

?I would just say this: Maybe a year ago, where he might have been playing 65, 70 plays a game, he?s playing probably 45, 50 plays a game. Specific packages. I think it gives guys a chance to focus in on their package and what they?re doing,? said defensive coordinator Dom Capers, avoiding the comedy show and answering the question seriously. ?I think it?s the smartest way to use A.J., because I think he?s had an excellent year to this point in time.

?I think A.J.?s had his best year since I?ve been here. I like the role we have him in. His reps, I think he?s fresh and when he goes out there you see more quickness.?

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http://www.channel3000.com/sports/p...his-own/-/4058/17432900/-/cgivqj/-/index.html
 
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Danz gets moving with A.J. Hawk
School presented with $10,000 check
Updated: Tuesday, 04 Dec 2012
Eric Peterson, FOX 11 News

GREEN BAY - It was back to school Tuesday morning for one of the Packers' linebackers.

Former Ohio State University student A.J. Hawk visited Danz Elementary in Green Bay, and brought with him a check from the NFL for $10,000

The school is a Super School winner, part of the league's PLAY 60 initiative.

Hawk, on his day off from football practice, led the students in a workout.

It was a super check for a Super School.

A.J. Hawk made the presentation in front of 500 cheering students.

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http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/green_bay/danz-gets-moving-with-aj-hawk

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU3BG-gqpVs"]Packers LB A.J. Hawk at Danz School - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13KYdUnlw8o"]AJ Hawk interview at Schmit Bros. Ford - YouTube[/ame]
 
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A.J. Hawk: Packers? Defense is Improved, But Hasn?t Hit its Stride Yet
December 14, 2012
by Eric Schmoldt

Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk doesn?t beat around the bush when it comes to assessing the team?s defense not being very good in 2011. This year, despite injuries to players like Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji, the unit has improved and the Packers own a one-game lead in the NFC North on the Chicago Bears with the two teams set to collide this weekend.

A.J. Hawk joined ESPN Milwaukee with Homer and Thunder to discuss how he?s played this year, the improvement by the Packers? defense, if he starts looking at playoff scenarios at this point, Aaron Rodgers as an athlete in general and comparing his career at this point to where he was selected in the NFL Draft.

How do you feel like you?ve played this year?:

?I?m definitely glad that we?ve got our nice little streak of winning. We hit a little speed bump in New York. Personally, I feel really good. Luckily, I?ve been really healthy. ? Mentally, physically, I feel really good.?

You guys have been hurt on defense by injuries, but you could argue that the unit has been even better than it was last year:

?I?m not saying that without Charles [Woodson] and Clay [Matthews] we?re better. We need those guys; they?re amazing players. But I would say ? we didn?t play very well last year, as a defense. We had to count on our offense to bail us out multiple times, and that?s just not a good feeling when you know that, for whatever reason, we just couldn?t get guys stopped. ? We?re not even close to hitting our stride. We?re on our way though.?

Were there specific things this defense worked on to improve, or what?s been the key?:

?A whole lot hasn?t changed. Defense, I say it all the time, it?s not rocket science. We?re trying to tackle the guy with the ball. That?s all it is. I wouldn?t say we?ve changed up our scheme a whole lot. We haven?t done a whole lot of different things. ? I think, just as a whole, we?re working better as a unit. It definitely takes 11 guys and we?re on the same page a lot more than we were last year and we?re not giving up a lot of big plays.?

As the season?s end gets closer, how much do you start breaking down playoffs seeding scenarios?:

?For myself personally, I don?t really play any of those games in my head just because ? last year, look at it. We were set up thinking, ?Oh, this is so nice. We?re set up going to the playoffs ? first-round bye, 15-1.? Then, bam! It?s over, that quick. I don?t think any of us are looking ahead too much. ? It all starts this Sunday with the big game against Chicago.?

What does Aaron Rodgers think that he?s good at but he really isn?t?:

?I would say he definitely thinks he?s a solid ping-pong player. I would challenge him any day in ping-pong. But you know what he?s really good at? We played dodgeball as a team a couple years ago, and he was a stud. ? He?s definitely a good athlete.?

What?s your response to fans who directly compare how you play to where you were drafted in the first round?:

?I don?t know. I think you?re allowed to have opinions. ? Whatever they think of how I?ve played and what I?ve done ? I?ve been lucky enough to win one Super Bowl here, and hopefully many more ? but whatever anyone says, if they have anything positive or negative to say, I?m open for it. ? When I got picked, I was 21, 22 years old, such a young kid and new to everything. ? I don?t think I feel pressure. I think everyone, as a player, you?re paid to perform, and if you don?t perform, you?re gone.?
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http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2012/12/14/nfl-green-bay-packers-bears-aj-hawk-defense/

AJ Hawk radio interview- ESPN Milwaukee
 
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Ryan Grant, A.J. Hawk, Frank Zombo earn game balls vs. Titans
Posted by Mike Spofford on December 24, 2012

The Packers coaching staff has awarded game balls to RB Ryan Grant (offense), LB A.J. Hawk (defense) and LB Frank Zombo (special teams) for their performances in the 55-7 victory over Tennessee on Sunday.

Hawk was credited by the press box statisticians with seven tackles (six solo), including two sacks and three tackles for loss. He also had three QB hits. It was Hawk?s first two-sack game since 2008 as the Packers racked up seven sacks total of Tennessee QB Jake Locker.
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http://blog.packers.com/2012/12/24/ryan-grant-a-j-hawk-frank-zombo-earn-game-balls-vs-titans/
 
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A.J. Hawk

Hawk was the fifth-overall pick in the 2006 draft by Green Bay and quite frankly has been as good a fit as a team could expect from any player.

He is all football in a town that is all about football. He is the glue of the defense. Smart and assignment-sure, Hawk has answered the bell for 110 of 112 games in his career.

Hawk made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and helped the Packers win the Super Bowl. He is coming off one of his most productive campaigns and has now led the team in tackles in four different seasons.

No one knows the future. I don't pretend to know what direction Packer general manager Ted Thompson will take with his roster this off-season, but free agency is looming for Driver and Jennings.

Contractual obligations will have to be addressed for both Woodson and Hawk, and the end result could lead to free agency for both.

With major deals probably coming for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, linebacker Clay Matthews and defensive lineman B.J. Raji, the Packers will face tough decisions.
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http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/core-four-m288ms5-186102651.html
 
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Hawk a cap casualty candidate in Green Bay

Coming out of the combine weekend, Green Bay has some decisions to make. Searching for salary-cap space to extend their two best players, [the Packers] haven't approached the agent for linebacker A.J. Hawk about a pay cut but probably will do so before long. Mike McCartney, the longtime agent for Hawk, said he planned to discuss that looming possibility in a face-to-face meeting with his client this week. "A.J. and I haven't broached that subject yet," McCartney said at the National Football League scouting combine. "We really haven't. But we will." ... If the Packers released Hawk, they would gain $5.45M against the '13 cap by eliminating his $4.9M base salary, $300,000 per-game roster bonus and $250,000 workout bonus.

Entire article: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...uld-affect-linebackers-6d8tk30-193176041.html
 
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A. J. Hawk accepts pay cut to remain with Packers
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
March 15, 2013

It wasn't what linebacker A.J. Hawk had in mind, but the veteran wanted to stay with the Packers and was willing to alter his contract.

The Packers came to Hawk to ask him to take a reduction in salary so that they could knock down his $7.05 million salary cap number. It's not known yet what the terms of the new deal are, but his 2013 salary cap number was reduced significantly.

According to a source familiar with the dealings, Hawk accepted it as a pay cut and not a restructuring. It doesn't appear money was moved around to make it more palatable and Hawk wasn't interested in trying to portray it as anything but a pay cut.

However, it was never presented to him as take the cut or get cut. The Packers asked for the reduction and Hawk decided to work with them on the numbers.

Hawk will still have three years remaining on the deal he signed in March of 2011, two months after the Packers won Super Bowl XLV. The five-year, $33.75 million deal made Hawk the fourth highest-paid player on the roster behind QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Greg Jennings, CB Tramon Williams and TE Jermichael Finley.

He was scheduled to make $5.45 million this year in base salary and bonuses, $5.95 million in 2014 and $5.45 million in 2015.

His salary cap number of $7.05 million was the 12th highest of all linebackers in the NFL. His average base salary of $6.75 million per year was 19th highest.

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http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/198523791.html
 
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