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Inside Dish: Packers' Hawk becoming an impact player By Dan Pompei - SportingNews
As WLB A.J. Hawk has become acclimated to the pro game, Packers coaches have become more ambitious in what they ask him to do. Initially, Hawk did not play on passing downs, but now he has become an every-down player. As Hawk has become more comfortable blitzing, coaches also have included him in their pressure packages. The result: Hawk is improving as the season goes on and becoming an impact player. . . .
Here's a heartwarming anecdote. Bears RE Alex Brown was eating in the team hotel's restaurant the night before their Week 11 game against the Jets with his agent, Joel Segal. A young fan named Ryan approached Brown and asked for his autograph. The accommodating Brown granted the request and struck up a conversation with the boy that went on for about 20 minutes. The kid had traveled from Chicago to New Jersey with his father to see his first Bears game but had yet to acquire tickets. Brown excused himself to go to the restroom and left Ryan and Segal to talk. When Brown returned, he asked about the boy's grades. Ryan said they were pretty good. Brown told him to improve the grades, then handed him two tickets for the Bears-Jets game. . . .
Because the Colts have been without third WR Brandon Stokley most of the year, the team has used a lot of two-tight end sets. The key to their success has been the development of third-year TE Ben Utecht into a point-of-attack blocker and pass protector, which has enabled the Colts to move TE Dallas Clark to the slot. In college, Utecht primarily was used as an H-back and receiving tight end. Although the two-tight end look has been effective, the team had been limited in its personnel packages. To offset the problem, the Colts started using WR Reggie Wayne in the slot, which allows them to get an extra wide receiver on the field. Wayne was used in the slot two years ago but hadn't played it since except in practice. He has handled the position well, and it's possible Wayne will get more time there, depending on Stokley's return. . . .
Many thought RT Marc Colombo was washed up, but he has become a solid starter for the Cowboys and perhaps has been their most consistent offensive lineman this season. It has taken Colombo, a first-round pick of the Bears in 2002, four years to re-establish himself after a gruesome knee injury. If he has lost any athleticism, it's difficult to tell because, as one Cowboys front office man points out, he didn't have a lot to begin with. The traits that have stood out in Colombo are his tenacity and will to succeed. . . .
No one has been surprised to see RB Steven Jackson run the ball well for the Rams, but some have been surprised to see him become an effective receiver. Even his coaches wondered whether Jackson could run routes effectively and catch the ball consistently because there aren't many backs as big as Jackson (6-2, 233) who excel as receivers. He has shown soft hands and a good feel for route structures and attacking zones, and he has been dangerous after the catch in space. Rams coaches love getting Jackson isolated against a defensive back because most corners and many safeties struggle to tackle him. Playing behind Marshall Faulk seems to have benefited Jackson as a receiver.
Inside Dish: Packers' Hawk becoming an impact player By Dan Pompei - SportingNews
As WLB A.J. Hawk has become acclimated to the pro game, Packers coaches have become more ambitious in what they ask him to do. Initially, Hawk did not play on passing downs, but now he has become an every-down player. As Hawk has become more comfortable blitzing, coaches also have included him in their pressure packages. The result: Hawk is improving as the season goes on and becoming an impact player. . . .
Here's a heartwarming anecdote. Bears RE Alex Brown was eating in the team hotel's restaurant the night before their Week 11 game against the Jets with his agent, Joel Segal. A young fan named Ryan approached Brown and asked for his autograph. The accommodating Brown granted the request and struck up a conversation with the boy that went on for about 20 minutes. The kid had traveled from Chicago to New Jersey with his father to see his first Bears game but had yet to acquire tickets. Brown excused himself to go to the restroom and left Ryan and Segal to talk. When Brown returned, he asked about the boy's grades. Ryan said they were pretty good. Brown told him to improve the grades, then handed him two tickets for the Bears-Jets game. . . .
Because the Colts have been without third WR Brandon Stokley most of the year, the team has used a lot of two-tight end sets. The key to their success has been the development of third-year TE Ben Utecht into a point-of-attack blocker and pass protector, which has enabled the Colts to move TE Dallas Clark to the slot. In college, Utecht primarily was used as an H-back and receiving tight end. Although the two-tight end look has been effective, the team had been limited in its personnel packages. To offset the problem, the Colts started using WR Reggie Wayne in the slot, which allows them to get an extra wide receiver on the field. Wayne was used in the slot two years ago but hadn't played it since except in practice. He has handled the position well, and it's possible Wayne will get more time there, depending on Stokley's return. . . .
Many thought RT Marc Colombo was washed up, but he has become a solid starter for the Cowboys and perhaps has been their most consistent offensive lineman this season. It has taken Colombo, a first-round pick of the Bears in 2002, four years to re-establish himself after a gruesome knee injury. If he has lost any athleticism, it's difficult to tell because, as one Cowboys front office man points out, he didn't have a lot to begin with. The traits that have stood out in Colombo are his tenacity and will to succeed. . . .
No one has been surprised to see RB Steven Jackson run the ball well for the Rams, but some have been surprised to see him become an effective receiver. Even his coaches wondered whether Jackson could run routes effectively and catch the ball consistently because there aren't many backs as big as Jackson (6-2, 233) who excel as receivers. He has shown soft hands and a good feel for route structures and attacking zones, and he has been dangerous after the catch in space. Rams coaches love getting Jackson isolated against a defensive back because most corners and many safeties struggle to tackle him. Playing behind Marshall Faulk seems to have benefited Jackson as a receiver.
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