Swiss Cheezhead Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 From Cliff Christl's camp blog, 9 Aug 06: If linebacker coach Winston Moss has been at all disappointed in rookie A.J. Hawk’s play to this point, he isn’t willing to admit it, at least not publicly. Moss said he sees a “very talented player” with some pop to his game. “He has all the tools,” said Moss. “He’s still learning the defense. Once he settles down, people are going to be pleased.” But after 15 practices, Hawk hasn’t stuck out in a way that you’d expect from the fifth pick in the draft. Third-round choice Abdul Hodge seems to have more snap to his game, at least to this point. The big-time hitters at linebacker have a knack for rolling their hips and striking with such force that they’ll even jolt a 300-plus pound lineman. If Hawk has that kind of explosiveness, it hasn’t been apparent from the sidelines. More often, he seems to get engulfed with blockers and even take bad angles to the ball. And like most rookies, Hawk has struggled with pass coverage. Maybe there’s no reason for alarm at this point. Maybe Moss is right, that it will only be a matter of time before Hawk starts making people take notice. After all, Moss has an up-close look on the field and then watches every practice over again on tape. Moreover, Hawk hasn’t even played an exhibition game yet. But fifth picks in the draft are supposed to be special players; players who jump out on the practice field. And so far, Hawk has been hard to find. Not only is he short at 6-foot-1, but he also looks light in the shorts. I think Hawk is one of those guys who WILL show up on Sunday, even if his head is swimming now. If he were a late-1st-round pick, he might have to worry about TC affecting his playing time; at 5th overall, though, he could sleep through practice and still start at WLB in Week 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Itals Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 Hodge isn't that much "heavier in the shorts:, especially for a MLB, but he is a player. Imo, Bobby Carpenter went along ways towards taking on blockers and making Hawk look much better than he is. On a sidenote, I've heard that Chad Greenway has been disappointing in Vikings' camp. E.J. Henderson has looked much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Cheezhead Posted August 12, 2006 Author Share Posted August 12, 2006 Imo, Bobby Carpenter went along ways towards taking on blockers and making Hawk look much better than he is. Maybe you mean Anthony Schlegel, since Carpenter played on the other side of the defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 I believe we had this discussion in the off-season. I still think he's a bust. I don't think he can play pass coverage in the NFL. I don't like taking linebackers in the top 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Cheezhead Posted August 16, 2006 Author Share Posted August 16, 2006 I don't like taking linebackers in the top 10. You mean in IDP FF or in the real NFL? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 Maybe you mean Anthony Schlegel, since Carpenter played on the other side of the defense. He said it Schlegel and Vilma are going to be studs for a long time on that defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 You mean in IDP FF or in the real NFL? Real NFL. We had this conversation in the off-season. I am forever scarred against top picks used on linebackes after Quentin Coryatt and Trev Alberts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glabra Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 It's hard to believe that, with his no-nonsense and ultra-intense approach to the game, linebacker A.J. Hawk is only a few weeks into his first NFL training camp. Hawk acts, looks, and performs like a seasoned pro. He is every bit the hitting machine he was during his spectacular career at Ohio State. One of the jokes around the team is that Hawk isn't satisfied unless he records at least 30 tackles in each practice. Veteran defensive tackle Aaron Kampman is as impressed as anyone who has watched Hawk in action on the field, but his favorite anecdote about his rookie teammate came when each player on the team had to stand up during a meeting and recite his name and college. Hawk instantly won over Kampman when he simply identified his school as "Ohio State" rather than " The Ohio State," as is common practice for so many former Buckeyes. "It's a little thing," Kampman said. "But it told me a lot about the guy." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Cheezhead Posted August 20, 2006 Author Share Posted August 20, 2006 Glabra -- source? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glabra Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Glabra -- source? Vic Carucci Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XFlash Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 The Pack signed LB Ben Taylor from CLE, anyone know where he is at on the depth? Is he pushing for starter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 The Pack signed LB Ben Taylor from CLE, anyone know where he is at on the depth? Is he pushing for starter? Currently starting at SLB. But the LB positions could quickly shuffle with Hodge becoming a starter and Taylor becoming a backup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingers Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 At the end of the day I think it will be Hawk at WLB - Hodge MLB and Barnett as SLB. You've heard it here many times already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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