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LoKyBuckeye
I give up. This board is too hard to understand.
the line is the weakest part of the Packers defense... he'll have plenty of time to work on that this year.
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DDN
Rookie Hawk tunes out critics
By Mark Gokavi
Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
CINCINNATI — His father says A.J. Hawk doesn't worry about pundits looking for flashier performances.
"They expect him to get a sack or an interception every play," Keith Hawk said during Monday night's Bengals-Packers game at Paul Brown Stadium. "He doesn't subscribe to the paper and he's not a big Internet guy."
Hawk, the former Centerville and Ohio State standout, was the Packers' top pick in this April's draft, No. 5 overall. Some newspaper and Internet reports have mentioned that the rookie hasn't set the world on fire.
"I sure pay attention to everything," Keith said. "They have such high hopes. He wants to be a good assignment football player. It's not always exciting."
Sometimes it is. Hawk made his name at Ohio State by mastering his assignments and getting to the football.
His coaches expect the same in Green Bay, but it takes time to learn and execute blitzes and pass coverage. After all, Hawk is a rookie three games into his first preseason.
"He's self-motivated," Keith said. "He's less affected (by criticism) than the rest of us."
In this case, "us" was 30 friends and family members in Cincinnati to see Hawk play against the team he rooted for on Sundays.
"It's great," Keith said. "The word I use is it's just surreal with him down there."
Hawk had two solo tackles and two assists Monday, sparring a few times against Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly.
Hawk even lined up at cornerback when Kelly split out wide. But the rookie linebacker didn't chalk up any highlight-reel plays.
Uniform excellence
Perhaps helped by Under Armour commercials, Hawk's No. 50 Packers currently is the 25th-most purchased jersey. Hawk is fourth among rookies in jersey sales, behind Reggie Bush, Vince Young and Matt Leinart.
The NFL wouldn't let Hawk wear No. 47 (his OSU number), so he took 50.
"He didn't know of anybody (recently) with that number," Keith said. "So, hopefully, he'll do well with that 50."
Field leader
Keith said Hawk and former Centerville/OSU teammate Mike Nugent (New York Jets) donated pictures and memorabilia that Centerville High School used to raise money for its new football field.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or [email protected].
Rookie Hawk tunes out critics
By Mark Gokavi
Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
CINCINNATI — His father says A.J. Hawk doesn't worry about pundits looking for flashier performances.
"They expect him to get a sack or an interception every play," Keith Hawk said during Monday night's Bengals-Packers game at Paul Brown Stadium. "He doesn't subscribe to the paper and he's not a big Internet guy."
Hawk, the former Centerville and Ohio State standout, was the Packers' top pick in this April's draft, No. 5 overall. Some newspaper and Internet reports have mentioned that the rookie hasn't set the world on fire.
"I sure pay attention to everything," Keith said. "They have such high hopes. He wants to be a good assignment football player. It's not always exciting."
Sometimes it is. Hawk made his name at Ohio State by mastering his assignments and getting to the football.
His coaches expect the same in Green Bay, but it takes time to learn and execute blitzes and pass coverage. After all, Hawk is a rookie three games into his first preseason.
"He's self-motivated," Keith said. "He's less affected (by criticism) than the rest of us."
In this case, "us" was 30 friends and family members in Cincinnati to see Hawk play against the team he rooted for on Sundays.
"It's great," Keith said. "The word I use is it's just surreal with him down there."
Hawk had two solo tackles and two assists Monday, sparring a few times against Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly.
Hawk even lined up at cornerback when Kelly split out wide. But the rookie linebacker didn't chalk up any highlight-reel plays.
Uniform excellence
Perhaps helped by Under Armour commercials, Hawk's No. 50 Packers currently is the 25th-most purchased jersey. Hawk is fourth among rookies in jersey sales, behind Reggie Bush, Vince Young and Matt Leinart.
The NFL wouldn't let Hawk wear No. 47 (his OSU number), so he took 50.
"He didn't know of anybody (recently) with that number," Keith said. "So, hopefully, he'll do well with that 50."
Field leader
Keith said Hawk and former Centerville/OSU teammate Mike Nugent (New York Jets) donated pictures and memorabilia that Centerville High School used to raise money for its new football field.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or [email protected].
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Hawk was credited with 2 tackles and 2 assists. He looked good last night, always around the ball.
Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) tackles Cincinnati Bengals running back Quincy Wilson (35) in the third quarter an NFL football game, Monday, Aug. 28, 2006, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)
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RCollett
Gazillion!
I found myself watching only watching Hawk. He did look alright. He seemed to be confused at times and looks like he is still dealing with alot of the rookie syndrome. He was around the ball all the time and really went all out every play. It is really weird watching him play in a different defense, and not be 100% sure what is going on at all times.
I think we all know that he will develop into a top level player this season, but it will be interesting to see how fast that happens.
I think we all know that he will develop into a top level player this season, but it will be interesting to see how fast that happens.
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smith288
Compelling Protagonist
I found myself feeling sort of bad for the guy. He was clearly confused on many plays or out of position. Its alot like the star of a team playing with other stars and just being a face in the crowd.
I have no doubts he will rise to the top as he did at OSU and will again dominate.
Still doesnt make it fun to watch him not punish like he did at OSU.
I have no doubts he will rise to the top as he did at OSU and will again dominate.
Still doesnt make it fun to watch him not punish like he did at OSU.
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DDN
OSU experience helps Hawk make NFL leap
Green Bay fans mirror Columbus' passion, but Hawk's already been under microscope.
By Mark Gokavi
Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
CINCINNATI — Green Bay has been called the college town of the NFL. That's probably why Packers rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk is right at home.
"I love it," Hawk said Monday night. "I don't think you can get that in any other NFL city — how it is in Green Bay.
"Everyone cares so much and is so passionate for the game. That's what's made it a great transition from college to the NFL. That's how it is in Columbus, what I'm used to. I know it's not like that everywhere."
Under a microscope
With passion comes fanaticism. Coming from a tradition-rich program like Ohio State, the Centerville grad knows Monday night's 48-17 preseason loss to the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium will cause Packers fans uneasy thoughts.
"Columbus does a great job of making it not a huge transition from college to the pros on that aspect — to be under a microscope," Hawk said. "When you're at Ohio State in college, you don't want your fans hoping you go 6-6. They want to win a national title every year."
Expectations
Packer fans probably aren't thinking Super Bowl. Green Bay slipped to 4-12 last season and the team has many question marks this season, some involving Hawk.
The rookie said he doesn't feel any added burden by being the No. 5 pick in the NFL draft.
"It's true, you don't have a freshman year in the NFL," he said. "You need to come in and play well. I don't feel any pressure from that. I feel I have high expectations of myself, so I hope people have high expectations of me as well. It's something that comes with the territory. I think you should embrace it."
Family ties
Hawk said his parents bought a house in Green Bay within walking distance of Lambeau Field. Hawk and new wife Laura have a built-in support system as he learns the pro game.
"Coming into a new system in your first year, you learn something different every day. You have to build off that."
Hawk had four tackles Monday night, each drawing applause from the otherwise pro-Bengals crowd.
"That's kind of odd, being here, but I guess they like Ohio people," he said. "There's probably a lot of Ohio State fans."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or [email protected].
OSU experience helps Hawk make NFL leap
Green Bay fans mirror Columbus' passion, but Hawk's already been under microscope.
By Mark Gokavi
Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
CINCINNATI — Green Bay has been called the college town of the NFL. That's probably why Packers rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk is right at home.
"I love it," Hawk said Monday night. "I don't think you can get that in any other NFL city — how it is in Green Bay.
"Everyone cares so much and is so passionate for the game. That's what's made it a great transition from college to the NFL. That's how it is in Columbus, what I'm used to. I know it's not like that everywhere."
Under a microscope
With passion comes fanaticism. Coming from a tradition-rich program like Ohio State, the Centerville grad knows Monday night's 48-17 preseason loss to the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium will cause Packers fans uneasy thoughts.
"Columbus does a great job of making it not a huge transition from college to the pros on that aspect — to be under a microscope," Hawk said. "When you're at Ohio State in college, you don't want your fans hoping you go 6-6. They want to win a national title every year."
Expectations
Packer fans probably aren't thinking Super Bowl. Green Bay slipped to 4-12 last season and the team has many question marks this season, some involving Hawk.
The rookie said he doesn't feel any added burden by being the No. 5 pick in the NFL draft.
"It's true, you don't have a freshman year in the NFL," he said. "You need to come in and play well. I don't feel any pressure from that. I feel I have high expectations of myself, so I hope people have high expectations of me as well. It's something that comes with the territory. I think you should embrace it."
Family ties
Hawk said his parents bought a house in Green Bay within walking distance of Lambeau Field. Hawk and new wife Laura have a built-in support system as he learns the pro game.
"Coming into a new system in your first year, you learn something different every day. You have to build off that."
Hawk had four tackles Monday night, each drawing applause from the otherwise pro-Bengals crowd.
"That's kind of odd, being here, but I guess they like Ohio people," he said. "There's probably a lot of Ohio State fans."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or [email protected].
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Dispatch
SUDDEN IMPACT?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Aaron Portzline
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
A.J. Hawk , left, says that spending less time watching the opposing quarterback has been an adjustment but that he’s progressing.
CINCINNATI — It seemed so perfect in April, when the Green Bay Packers chose linebacker A.J. Hawk from Ohio State with the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL draft.
Quarterback Brett Favre, regarded as a living legend in Wisconsin after resuscitating the storied franchise a decade earlier, was holding Green Bay in suspense as he pondered retirement.
The arrival of Hawk, with a sterling scouting report and his throwback attitude, made Favre’s inevitable waltz into the sunset that much easier for Packers fans to swallow.
With his classic, rugged linebacker looks — Hawk fits right into the roughand-tumble appearance of many in the north woods — he seemed poised to be the face of the Packers for years to come.
But a lot has changed in five months. At the very least, the passing of the torch has been delayed.
Favre came back for a 16 th season, and Hawk, who appeared to have no flaws as a three-year starter with the Buckeyes, hasn’t played like a top-five pick during training camp and in exhibition games.
"For now, let’s understand, let’s be realistic," Packers linebackers coach Winston Moss told reporters recently in Green Bay. "He’s a young guy learning a new scheme. Obviously, we expect him to be superhuman. But for right now, I’m pleased with what he’s been doing and the progress he’s making."
Hawk, a starter for the Packers at weakside linebacker, is under a microscope in Green Bay, much like he was at Ohio State. But it’s different in the NFL.
Hawk is the highest-drafted linebacker since LaVar Arrington went No. 2 to Washington, in 2000. Hawk signed a six-year, $37.5 million contract, which includes an $11.8 million bonus next spring.
To whom much is given, much is expected — and right away by a club that went 4-12 last season, its first losing record since 1991. The Packers were 23 rd in the NFL against the run in 2005.
"You don’t have a freshman year in the NFL; you have to come in and play well," Hawk said Monday after the Packers’ 48-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. "I don’t feel any pressure from that.
"I have high expectations for myself, and I hope other people do, too. It comes with the territory. You have to embrace it."
The biggest hurdle for Hawk has been adapting to the Packers’ defensive scheme.
Rather than reading the quarterback and reacting, as Hawk did with great success at Ohio State, he’s being asked to follow more of a script in Green Bay.The Packers rely on the weakside linebacker to provide pass coverage, especially against tight ends in the nickel package.
"I don’t look at the quarterback as much as I used to, and that’s an adjustment for me," Hawk said. "At Ohio State, we could sit 10 or 12 yards off the line and read the play. Here, it’s an assignment right off the snap. It’s communication on every down.
"I knew it would take a little bit of time. It’s not that I’ve never done it, it’s just that we do it a lot more here. Each day, I’m getting a little better at it."
With the Buckeyes, Hawk had 368 tackles the past three seasons. It seemed like his helmet was in the middle of every play.
With the Packers, not so much — not yet, anyway.
In Monday’s game, Hawk was only sporadically involved. He had two solo tackles and two assisted tackles in nearly three quarters of play.
Earlier this preseason, Hawk was burned for a 17-yard touchdown by All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers. On Monday, he did much better against a lesser player, Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly. The two jawed and sparred after the whistle repeatedly, but no balls were thrown in Hawk’s direction.
"You can see him growing in all three of our (exhibition) games so far," Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila said. "That’s all you can ask out of a young player, I don’t care how high they were drafted.
"He’s going to be fine. He’s going to help us back there. A big part of playing defense is trust, and I think we trust A.J. back there already."
Hawk doesn’t read newspapers or go online, his father, Keith said. He doesn’t tune in to sports radio, either.
"But I do," Keith Hawk said. "And it’s been a little harsh, especially since it started so early in training camp. They wanted him to blow somebody up on the first day of camp. Well, that’s kind of hard to do without pads on."
Keith thinks his son will settle in once the season begins and once Packers fans realize what kind of player he is.
"He plays assignment-sound football, and that doesn’t always show up in statistics," he said. "I don’t think anybody on the Packers is too worried about him.
"It’s an adjustment period. He has gone from college to the pros, and that’s a whole different world. But A.J. is going to be fine."
[email protected]
SUDDEN IMPACT?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Aaron Portzline
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
CINCINNATI — It seemed so perfect in April, when the Green Bay Packers chose linebacker A.J. Hawk from Ohio State with the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL draft.
Quarterback Brett Favre, regarded as a living legend in Wisconsin after resuscitating the storied franchise a decade earlier, was holding Green Bay in suspense as he pondered retirement.
The arrival of Hawk, with a sterling scouting report and his throwback attitude, made Favre’s inevitable waltz into the sunset that much easier for Packers fans to swallow.
With his classic, rugged linebacker looks — Hawk fits right into the roughand-tumble appearance of many in the north woods — he seemed poised to be the face of the Packers for years to come.
But a lot has changed in five months. At the very least, the passing of the torch has been delayed.
Favre came back for a 16 th season, and Hawk, who appeared to have no flaws as a three-year starter with the Buckeyes, hasn’t played like a top-five pick during training camp and in exhibition games.
"For now, let’s understand, let’s be realistic," Packers linebackers coach Winston Moss told reporters recently in Green Bay. "He’s a young guy learning a new scheme. Obviously, we expect him to be superhuman. But for right now, I’m pleased with what he’s been doing and the progress he’s making."
Hawk, a starter for the Packers at weakside linebacker, is under a microscope in Green Bay, much like he was at Ohio State. But it’s different in the NFL.
Hawk is the highest-drafted linebacker since LaVar Arrington went No. 2 to Washington, in 2000. Hawk signed a six-year, $37.5 million contract, which includes an $11.8 million bonus next spring.
To whom much is given, much is expected — and right away by a club that went 4-12 last season, its first losing record since 1991. The Packers were 23 rd in the NFL against the run in 2005.
"You don’t have a freshman year in the NFL; you have to come in and play well," Hawk said Monday after the Packers’ 48-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. "I don’t feel any pressure from that.
"I have high expectations for myself, and I hope other people do, too. It comes with the territory. You have to embrace it."
The biggest hurdle for Hawk has been adapting to the Packers’ defensive scheme.
Rather than reading the quarterback and reacting, as Hawk did with great success at Ohio State, he’s being asked to follow more of a script in Green Bay.The Packers rely on the weakside linebacker to provide pass coverage, especially against tight ends in the nickel package.
"I don’t look at the quarterback as much as I used to, and that’s an adjustment for me," Hawk said. "At Ohio State, we could sit 10 or 12 yards off the line and read the play. Here, it’s an assignment right off the snap. It’s communication on every down.
"I knew it would take a little bit of time. It’s not that I’ve never done it, it’s just that we do it a lot more here. Each day, I’m getting a little better at it."
With the Buckeyes, Hawk had 368 tackles the past three seasons. It seemed like his helmet was in the middle of every play.
With the Packers, not so much — not yet, anyway.
In Monday’s game, Hawk was only sporadically involved. He had two solo tackles and two assisted tackles in nearly three quarters of play.
Earlier this preseason, Hawk was burned for a 17-yard touchdown by All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers. On Monday, he did much better against a lesser player, Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly. The two jawed and sparred after the whistle repeatedly, but no balls were thrown in Hawk’s direction.
"You can see him growing in all three of our (exhibition) games so far," Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila said. "That’s all you can ask out of a young player, I don’t care how high they were drafted.
"He’s going to be fine. He’s going to help us back there. A big part of playing defense is trust, and I think we trust A.J. back there already."
Hawk doesn’t read newspapers or go online, his father, Keith said. He doesn’t tune in to sports radio, either.
"But I do," Keith Hawk said. "And it’s been a little harsh, especially since it started so early in training camp. They wanted him to blow somebody up on the first day of camp. Well, that’s kind of hard to do without pads on."
Keith thinks his son will settle in once the season begins and once Packers fans realize what kind of player he is.
"He plays assignment-sound football, and that doesn’t always show up in statistics," he said. "I don’t think anybody on the Packers is too worried about him.
"It’s an adjustment period. He has gone from college to the pros, and that’s a whole different world. But A.J. is going to be fine."
[email protected]
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Dispatch
RUMBLINGS
Friday, September 01, 2006
BOB HUNTER
A J . Hawk’s parents have purchased a home in Green Bay, a half-mile from Lambeau Field. They walk to Packers games and already have made three visits to training camp.
Hawk’s father, Keith, said he did it mostly with A.J., the former Ohio State All-American whom the Packers chose with the fifth pick in the NFL draft, in mind
"I didn’t want to impose on my kids, especially with he and Laura as newlyweds," Keith Hawk said. "I go there as much as I can. I can go there any time I want and so can family and friends without asking A.J. and Laura for a place to stay. "A.J. uses it too. When he has an hour or two off from practice, he’ll come on over and lay down on the couch and take a break."
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"A J . Hawk’s parents have purchased a home in Green Bay, a half-mile from Lambeau Field. They walk to Packers games and already have made three visits to training camp."
"I didn’t want to impose on my kids, especially with he and Laura as newlyweds," Keith Hawk said. "I go there as much as I can. I can go there any time I want and so can family and friends without asking A.J. and Laura for a place to stay.
-------------------
Guess we know how to find Deety when we need her...
"I didn’t want to impose on my kids, especially with he and Laura as newlyweds," Keith Hawk said. "I go there as much as I can. I can go there any time I want and so can family and friends without asking A.J. and Laura for a place to stay.
-------------------
Guess we know how to find Deety when we need her...
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Link
Notes: Hawk fined for illegal hit
Head-to-head shot costs him $5,000
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
[email protected]
Posted: Aug. 31, 2006
Green Bay - Rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk's welcome-to-the-NFL moment didn't come on a tackle he made or a pass he deflected this summer for the Green Bay Packers.
It came with a notice from the league that he had been fined $5,000 for "impermissible use of the helmet" during the Atlanta game Aug. 19.
When asked about the play recently, Hawk said he had not yet received a letter from the National Football League but had been told by teammates he should probably expect one. Players were not made available to reporters Thursday but a league spokesman confirmed that Hawk had been fined.
Hawk collided head-to-head with Falcons quarterback D.J. Shockley as he came up the middle on a blitz. Though his intent might not have been to hit Shockley with his helmet, he appeared to leap as he attempted to sack the quarterback.
The officials flagged Hawk for a 15-yard personal foul penalty on the play.
The rules are clear about such collisions. According to the rule book, "No defensive player may hit the quarterback in the head, face or neck."
Helmet-to-helmet hits almost always draw a fine from the league office. Film of every game is reviewed and the NFL's director of football operations, Gene Washington, decides whether a player should be fined
Notes: Hawk fined for illegal hit
Head-to-head shot costs him $5,000
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
[email protected]
Posted: Aug. 31, 2006
Green Bay - Rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk's welcome-to-the-NFL moment didn't come on a tackle he made or a pass he deflected this summer for the Green Bay Packers.
It came with a notice from the league that he had been fined $5,000 for "impermissible use of the helmet" during the Atlanta game Aug. 19.
When asked about the play recently, Hawk said he had not yet received a letter from the National Football League but had been told by teammates he should probably expect one. Players were not made available to reporters Thursday but a league spokesman confirmed that Hawk had been fined.
Hawk collided head-to-head with Falcons quarterback D.J. Shockley as he came up the middle on a blitz. Though his intent might not have been to hit Shockley with his helmet, he appeared to leap as he attempted to sack the quarterback.
The officials flagged Hawk for a 15-yard personal foul penalty on the play.
The rules are clear about such collisions. According to the rule book, "No defensive player may hit the quarterback in the head, face or neck."
Helmet-to-helmet hits almost always draw a fine from the league office. Film of every game is reviewed and the NFL's director of football operations, Gene Washington, decides whether a player should be fined
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