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Who is the no.1 Rookie Defensive Player


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Per KFFL LINK

 

Packers | Hodge provides depth at linebacker; he has a shot to start

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 06:47:25 -0700

 

Lori Nickel, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports the Green Bay Packers plan to start off using third-round draft pick LB Abdul Hodge at middle linebacker at minicamp next weekend. Hodge seems willing to move around if need be to get on the field. Packers' general manager Ted Thompson said he was impressed that Hodge never left the field at Iowa and said it was conceivable that he could be a starter, and not just a special teams guy, in 2006. "You never know how that's going to work out, we're going to play the best three linebackers," Thompson said. "It's conceivable, sure."

 

 

LINK

 

Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers turned three first-day draft choices and the trade of wide receiver Javon Walker into five selections Saturday and three more Sunday while at the same time fortifying some of the weakest areas on the roster.

 

Led by the quintessential collegiate linebacker, A.J. Hawk of Ohio State, the Packers drafted five players with no fewer than three years of starting experience and an average score of 24.8 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, about five more than the league average.

 

"All five of those guys are what I consider, we as a group consider, real football guys," GM Ted Thompson said. "Tough guys. Smart guys. I told my scouts three months ago to remind me every 15 minutes that we need real football players and not to get caught up with 40 times."

 

"We trusted our board," coach Mike McCarthy said. "We peeled them right off."

 

Hawk, 6 feet 1 inches and 245 pounds, immediately was installed as the starting weak-side linebacker.

 

"I think he'll be an impact player," McCarthy said. "He's been consistent throughout his whole career. I think he's a complete football player."

 

In the second round, the Packers took Boise State left tackle Daryn Colledge (6-4½, 301) but probably will give him every chance to start as a rookie, most likely at left guard where Junius Coston had been the nominal No. 1 this spring.

 

Five selections later, the Packers used the No. 52 pick on wide receiver Greg Jennings (5-11, 198) of Western Michigan. With Walker having been traded to Denver for a second-round choice (No. 37), Jennings has the ability to push for one of the top three berths as a rookie.

 

Green Bay's two choices in the third round were middle linebacker Abdul Hodge (6-0 ½, 234) of Iowa and center Jason Spitz (6-3½, 313) of Louisville.

 

After staying put and taking Hawk at No. 5, the Packers traded their second-round pick (No. 36) to New England for a second-round choice (No. 52) and a third-round choice (No. 75). Using the trade value chart, they finished plus-60 on the transaction.

 

Then they sent the No. 37 pick and a fifth (No. 139) to Atlanta for the second-round choice (No. 47) used for Colledge, a third-round pick (No. 93) and a fifth-round pick (No. 148). They finished plus-41 on that transaction.

 

Thompson said the Packers would have taken Colledge at No. 36, and thus were pleased to find him still available at No. 47.

 

Later, they dealt the third-round pick (No. 93) to St. Louis for a fourth-round pick (No. 109) and a sixth-round selection (No. 183). They finished minus-45 on that deal.

 

Now the Packers will open his morning with six selections, including two in the fourth round, two in the fifth, one in the sixth and one in the seventh. Beginning the day, they had four second-day choices.

 

Trading down three times increased to 11 the number of times that Thompson has backed up in 6½ drafts for Seattle and Green Bay. He has not traded up once.

 

"I don't necessarily like to (trade down)," Thompson said. "I do it when I have a number of players available that I'd consider taking, that I know I can go back and get one of those players. I won't sacrifice a player to move down."

 

Hodge will start out backing up Nick Barnett in the middle. However, the Packers intend to play their best three linebackers, and if Roy Manning and former Brown Ben Taylor don't pan out on the strong side Hodge definitely will have a chance to start.

 

Spitz, a guard in college, will start off competing with Chris White for the backup center job behind Scott Wells.

 

The Packers went with Hawk over Maryland's Vernon Davis, a brilliant prospect at tight end, quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler and defensive back Michael Huff.

 

"There's not any category that I can think of that I'm worried about," Thompson said, referring to Hawk. "That doesn't mean he's a perfect player or anything like that. But I think the fans here are going to love this guy. He's all football."

 

The Houston Texans might have used the first pick in the draft on defensive end Mario Williams but the consensus of scouts in the league was that Hawk was the better player. A Journal Sentinel poll of 16 personnel people saw Hawk get 11 votes as the best defensive player in the draft compared to three for Williams and two for linebacker Ernie Sims.

 

Several scouts said Hawk clearly would prove to be a superior linebacker in the 4-1 dime defense than Nick Barnett, who played almost every snap for the last three seasons and was no better than adequate against run and pass. Now the Packers will have two linebackers with speed and can employ more 4-2 sets on passing downs, increasing their ability to stop the run.

 

Hawk started for three seasons, as did Jennings and Hodge. Colledge was a four-year starter at left tackle and Spitz started 3½ years at guard.

 

Their Wonderlic scores were 27 for Hawk, 30 for Colledge, 18 for Jennings, 22 for Hodge and 27 for Spitz.

 

"We want to make an impact with high-character individuals," offensive line coach Joe Philbin said.

 

According to scouts, Colledge fits well in the zone style of ground game that the Packers will switch to in '06. His initial success, however, will hinge on whether he is robust enough in the upper body to anchor against big defensive tackles.

 

"He's got very good lower-body strength," Philbin said. "He's got good bend. He's got a chance to play with leverage."

 

The program at Boise State has taken off in recent seasons so caliber of competition didn't bother the Packers.

 

"He has quickness, balance and he's athletic," Philbin said. "Plus, you've got to love his durability. And he loves the game of football."

 

Jennings also toiled in the lower levels of Division I-A but that didn't stop the Packers. In the Journal Sentinel poll of 20 personnel people, he tied for the fourth best wide receiver in the draft.

 

"I was very impressed with his yards after the catch," McCarthy said. "He knows what to do with the ball in his hands. He has a playmaker mentality."

 

McCarthy would prefer more height at wide receiver but it was a weak year at the position and the Packers had a desperate need after letting go of Walker.

 

"I think he's got the ability to become a starter," new wide receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said. "I felt he can come in and contribute early. He's quick and agile. He played extremely hard. He plays big, in my opinion. And he's a pretty good route-runner. He broke tackles and made guys miss."

 

Hodge started 37 games in the Big Ten, one fewer than Hawk, and was responsible for the same number of turnover plays with 12. Thompson said Hodge never left the field at Iowa.

 

"When we watched the film he can get the ball out," new linebackers coach Winston Moss said. "We talked about him being very undersized but he is a very competitive undersized."

 

Hodge played alongside Chad Greenway, an outside linebacker drafted in the first round by Minnesota.

 

"He tackled just as well as Greenway," Moss said.

 

Spitz was scheduled to move from guard to center in '05 but injuries elsewhere on the line prevented it.

 

"He uses his hands better than anyone in the draft," Philbin said. "He's smart and very tough. He has good functional strength and uses his hands to gain separation."

 

be back with the rest when i find it....the article said something about Hawk not being as good in coverage and IF for some reason the pack start HODGE at MLB then you would have to assume that BARNETT could very well end up at SLB....and again this is a big IF its not difinitive like you try to make everything

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Sarge -- you are really making yourself look silly now.

 

After saying that "Barnett played Middle Linebacker and Oregon St. Not outside," NOW you're saying you're not arguing that. :D

 

NO ONE is saying that Barnett IS DEFINITELY moving to EITHER OLB position for the Packers. I mentioned it was possible (which isn't exactly rocket science), just to illustrate that Hawk playing WLB for the Packers is not a sure thing. Then, I STILL called Hawk the best rookie IDP in the class.

 

Then, YOU started posting your " :D " bullsh*t, calling it a stupid idea that Barnett could be moved outside, saying that he never played OLB in college, etc., etc. :D:D

 

I think Barnett is an very good NFL MLB. However, the only reason he has played MLB for the Packers is because Mike Sherman wanted it that way -- we desperately needed one after the Hardy Nickerson debacle. He played inside last year because he was BY FAR the best LB the Packers had. With Hawk, Hodge, and Taylor now in the mix, THE PACKERS WILL FIELD THE BEST THREE STARTERS AT THEIR BEST RESPECTIVE POSITIONS.

 

I'm not pulling this stuff out of my ass.

 

1. Barnett played SLB throughout his career in college.

2. Since Barnett became our MLB, there has been talk about how he might be better suited to play OLB (due to his lack of ideal bulk).

3. Hawk has the build of a MLB.

4. Hawk said after the combine that most teams he talked to (and there were lots of teams, as you might imagine) viewed him as a MLB in the NFL.

5. I watched Hawk play a lot of college football. From everything you can tell from his play at OSU, he's made to be a middle linebacker. He's got the instincts, toughness, and playmaking skills to be the leader of the defense.

 

 

And, by the way, for all of these reasons -- and because I had a feeling the Packers would draft Hawk back in February/March or so -- I traded Barnett (one of my FAVORITE NFL players) away in both leagues I had him. Remember -- you gave me Andra Davis for him? That could easily hurt me if Barnett stays in the middle, but I wanted someone else to take that risk. That said, if you think I want to get Barnett back, why would I be spending time here talking about how he's going to move to SLB? :D

 

Please stop now.

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you just dont get it do you?  can you read and comprehend what you read?

 

all i have said is that there is a POSSABILITY that a move could happen and thats it...the only one making end all and be all statements is YOU and you were dead wrong on one of those statements when you said Barnett NEVER PLAYED OUTSIDE LB

 

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I get you, and know exactly what you are about, and you jump on the bad source about his college carrer, but fail to recognize the other 3 sources provided that show hawk as the WLB and Barnett as the MLB. I also get you and Swiss have spewed out this info for your own gain in Huddle leagues, while I have nothing to gain by adamently saying Barnett wont move to strong side LB.

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Please stop now.

 

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I am not arguing he played OLB or MLB in college. I posted he played MLB in college because I read he did. If he didnt. that doesnt change the fact, Im adamently saying he wont be moved to SLB in the pros. Even you are smart enough to know I was using what I read about his college days to back up my arguement he isnt moving to SLB. If a source says one thing, i repeat the source, then that source is proven wrong by other sources, so be it. But the argument isnt what he played in college, its him moving to SLB that you claim, and I have said it isnt going to happen. Lets not j

 

And, you asked for barnett back after you traded him to me. So don't give me why would I be trying to muddy the water about him moving to SLB, to get him for less. Sorry, you didnt get him back then, and you wont get him back. So I shouldnt have to worry about hearing from you about Barnett in GMX again. BTW, thanks, he looks great as my #3 LB in that league. :D

Edited by Sgt. Ryan
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I get you, and know exactly what you are about, and you jump on the bad source about his college carrer, but fail to recognize the other 3 sources provided that show hawk as the WLB and Barnett as the MLB.  I also get you and Swiss have spewed out this info for your own gain in Huddle leagues, while I have nothing to gain by adamently saying Barnett wont move to strong side LB.

 

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aren't you one to call someone out for jumping on someone because they got on someone(you) for saying something that was COMPLETELY WRONG(bad source or not)

Mr. Pot meet Mr. Kettle

 

umm i dont really want to go back and ck but i dont recall you saying "I READ" he played MLB ....you said HE NEVER PLAYED SLB or something like that....

 

I dont fail to recognize what any of the depth charts say...all i have said and swiss for that matter is that there is UNCERTAINTITY surrounding how the GB LB spots play out...and since when did NFL Depth Charts become the bible

 

For my own gain? care to elaborate? I dont own Barnett nor have i traded for him nor have i tried to trade for him....so i dont get the FOR MY OWN GAIN thing...

 

but go ahead continue on with your "politician style" argumentitve routine

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LMMFAO, Politician style, that sums you up to a T. You focus on one thing I said, and fail to recognize everything else, as it doesnt benefit whatever you are trying to achieve at the time. And you and I can discuss the league thing away from here if you seriously care to do so, there are other owners invovled that may not want what they said repeated here. And you know I wouldnt post that here, which is the only reason you brought it up. You can be bitter towards me from now until the end of time, it makes me no difference. It isnt going to change me in any way, and the sooner you realize that, the better off things will be.

Edited by Sgt. Ryan
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Link

 

It's uncertain at this point whether A.J. Hawk will play middle or weak-side linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. He played on the weak side as a senior at Ohio State and general manager Ted Thompson said that probably was where Hawk would start out in Green Bay.

 

 

For now, second-year veteran Roy Manning is No. 1 on the Green Bay Packers' depth at strong-side linebacker, according to linebackers coach Winston Moss. The Packers also will start out with A.J. Hawk playing on the weak side and Nick Barnett remaining in the middle.

 

Obviously, the Packers believe A.J. Hawk can be a big-play linebacker or they wouldn't have drafted him No. 1. A linebacker can make plays in the running game by striking with force and causing fumbles, or by taking on blockers and chasing backs down for tackles for losses. And it was partly Hawk's toughness and explsoiveness that sold Ted Thompson on drafting him.

 

But defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said he thought Hawk also had the potential to make plays as a blitzer. "He looks like he has the speed, the toughness, the athleticism to be a good blitzer," said Sanders. There's less reason to think that Hawk will make plays in coverage. Linebackers coach Winston Moss said that probably will be the toughest transition for Hawk. He has little experience in man-to-man coverage.

If a guy has LITTLE experience in Man to Man what would be the chance they would play SLB?

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You guys sound like squawking hens. :D

 

Funny...I went ahead and took him in the IDP Handbook draft just now before I ever saw this debate. :D Maybe it doesn't matter.....but my feeling is that he'll play the majority of his time at weak side. Carpenter was the strong side specialist at OSU.

 

Hawk does as well with pass coverage in zone as his rush defense. But he's a good roamer...spying RBs and QBs and rarely overruns the play. Though I've seen many times where he's been blocked out of the play initially, yet still manages to be the primary tackler on the down by coming completely back around to the ball. Second and third effort on a play.....tenacious. Very much in the Spielman mold.

 

Man to man on a passing play? Odds are they'll either send him in on the QB or have him guard against a pass in the flat to the RB.

 

That's not to say that as his career progresses...things won't change. But for this year, GB is going to need to just get guys comfortable fitting into schemes together. That means utilizing them where they've "recently" been doing best.

I don't think they start tweaking, expanding and complicating things until next year.

 

But...this is JMHO. :D

Edited by SteelBunz
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You guys sound like squawking hens.  :D

 

Funny...I went ahead and took him in the IDP Handbook draft just now before I ever saw this debate.  :D Maybe it doesn't matter.....but my feeling is that he'll play the majority of his time at weak side.  Carpenter was the strong side specialist at OSU. 

 

Hawk does as well with pass coverage in zone as his rush defense.  But he's a good roamer...spying RBs and QBs and rarely overruns the play.  Though I've seen many times where he's been blocked out of the play initially, yet still manages to be the primary tackler on the down by coming completely back around to the ball.  Second and third effort on a play.....tenacious.  Very much in the Spielman mold.

 

Man to man on a passing play?  Odds are they'll either send him in on the QB or have him guard against a pass in the flat to the RB.

 

That's not to say that as his career progresses...things won't change.  But for this year, GB is going to need to just get guys comfortable fitting into schemes together.  That means utilizing them where they've "recently" been doing best. 

I don't think they start tweaking, expanding and complicating things until next year.

 

But...this is JMHO.  :D

 

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Yep, I agree 100%, and I wanted Hawk for sure.

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You guys sound like squawking hens.  :D

 

Funny...I went ahead and took him in the IDP Handbook draft just now before I ever saw this debate.  :D Maybe it doesn't matter.....but my feeling is that he'll play the majority of his time at weak side.  Carpenter was the strong side specialist at OSU. 

 

 

 

But...this is JMHO.  :D

 

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You mean him?

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You mean him?

 

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Well....I never have liked the longish hair.....it was something the linebacking core did a few years ago and never stopped. :D Of course as evidenced with David Carr when he didn't cut his hair for a while.....that seems to be the look in the 18-24 yr old demographic these days. Long, straight, greasy looking hair. :doah:

 

And that nose of his looks constantly broken. :D

 

But let's be honest....would you rather have a pretty-boy SOB LB? :D

 

OK....he's NEVER going to rival Jason Taylor for NFL male model of the year. :D

 

But I'll take a bruiser on my team any day. :D

Edited by SteelBunz
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I dont fail to recognize what any of the depth charts say...all i have said and swiss for that matter is that there is UNCERTAINTITY surrounding how the GB LB spots play out.

 

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well, not like i want to step into this wetodded pissing match, but i believe swiss alluded to a probability that hawk would play the middle, rather than a possibility. and there is indeed a pretty big difference (enough to make sarge crap his pants). given the fact that barnett has played the middle since he's been in the league, and hawk played weakside in college...i'd have to agree with sarge it's a lot more likely hawk plays WLB in GB.

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But let's be honest....would you rather have a pretty-boy SOB LB?  :D

 

OK....he's NEVER going to rival Jason Taylor for NFL male model of the year. :D

 

But I'll take a bruiser on my team any day.  :D

 

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Absolutely not. I'm a Packer fan, this is a good story on him. He's perfect for Green Bay I think.

 

"As he matured throughout college, Hawk became a fan of late Arizona Cardinal and U.S. soldier Pat Tillman. Hawk wears his hair long in honor of his idol and took up hunting and target shooting, also hobbies of Tillman's.

 

A Republican and believer in the war in Iraq, Hawk once told Tressel that if he hadn't become a football player, he would have been a Navy SEAL."

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well, not like i want to step into this wetodded pissing match, but i believe swiss alluded to a probability that hawk would play the middle, rather than a possibility.  and there is indeed a pretty big difference (enough to make sarge crap his pants).  given the fact that barnett has played the middle since he's been in the league, and hawk played weakside in college...i'd have to agree with sarge it's a lot more likely hawk plays WLB in GB.

 

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i cant and wont disagree that i think Hawk plays WLB too but from my point of view I do see a certain amount of uncertainty with how the LB spots could play out....

 

with that probable vs possible i dont think that is what got sarge going but you never know.

Edited by keggerz
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Some additional info: LINK

 

Linebackers This much we know: Mike (middle) linebacker Nick Barnett and No. 5 overall pick A.J. Hawk, who started out at will (weak side), are going to be on the field a lot. Roy Manning, an undrafted rookie last year, and free-agent pickup Ben Taylor alternated at sam (strong side) with the No. 1 unit, but if third-round pick Abdul Hodge, who worked behind Barnett at mike, can emerge, Barnett could be a candidate to move outside.

 

"There were some good guys added in there," defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said. "It creates a lot of good competition, and competition breeds guys elevating their level of play. It should be interesting." •

 

 

The following info it is down the right side in GREY LINK

 

Linebackers: A.J. Hawk, the fifth pick in the draft, didn’t make any eye-catching plays, but those opportunities won’t show up much until training camp, when 9-on-7 running drills and team drills are performed in pads. He appeared comfortable with the speed of the NFL game.

 

Ben Taylor, signed as a free agent from Cleveland, started at strong-side linebacker on Saturday and Sunday and is the front-runner for that job. Second-year pro Roy Manning started there Friday. Abdul Hodge, a third-round pick, can’t be ruled out as a possible starter if the instincts he showed in college carry over quickly to the NFL.

 

 

Edited by keggerz
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I say Hodge will be in the MLB spot Barnett at WLB and Hawk at SLB

 

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We'll see. I would like to see Hodge, Hawk and Barnett on the field. In pass situations it may be Hawk and Barnett and 5 or 6 DB's. GB should have a vastly improved defense this year.

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