After thinking about our DL, thought I would throw out the other areas of D also.

2012 was disappointing from LB standpoint. But rather than think we need new talent, let's look at what we have. My predictions without regard for CAP or contract issues:

Starters:
Matthews
Smith
Bishop
Perry

That is a huge step up from Matthews, Hawk, Jones and Walden that we finished 2012 with. Of course it assumes several returning from injury without issues, but it's February, I can be optimistic!

Backups:
Manning
Moses
Draft Pick- ILB
Draft Pick- OLB
Free Agent

Gone:
Hawk
Jones
Francois
Lattimore
Walden
Zombo
Johnson
Just some of my thoughts. I see talent in LB corps. Just need to keep them off IR.

It truly is time to clean out this unit. The only problem is everyone wants to let Hawk go without knowing the full status of Desmond Bishop and DJ Smith, both coming back from major injuries. Unless the Packers are going into the draft and getting a guy that can start from day 1 (Manti Te'o- all sideshow crap aside, its realistic), I wouldn't suggest letting go of Hawk.

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Hawk stays. There is still 3 years left on his 5 yr contract with a $8 mil signing bonus. The $5 mil a yr isn't so nice but I don't see him moving. He does some things adequately well.

If Smith and Bishop fully recover they can be the starters but Smith has issues too. Hawk complements his weakness.

Uncle Ted is not going to get a high profile LB who will adequately contribute. No one will be better than what they already have. If they go for 2 LB in the draft will be in the lower rounds so they too will not be much stronger than the players they currently have who already know the system. Of the 3 slots you had looted to draft and FA I see 1 being used in this fashion.

Backups:
Manning
Hawk

bubble- (2 make team)
Moses
Jones
Francois
Draft Pick

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You're probably right about Hawk. But I believe he was #5 in salary this year. Jennings will be gone and Woodson probably redone. So he would move up to #3. For someone that is adequate and maybe even a backup. Not smart capology.
Ted Thompson has to free up some money for Rodgers, Matthews and Raji. Cutting Hawk probably wouldn't matter much in 2013, but it would be a big chunk of 2014 salary gone so he can resign one of them.

I agree that Ted Thompson will probably go with a mid to late pick, kind of like Manning last year. Maybe effective on ST and grow into a starter in a couple years.

maybe they will try and redo Hawk along with Woody.

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Thing that Hawk does adequately is show up every day, week in, week out.

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Hawk is coming off probably the best season of his career. I don't think he goes anywhere, though I do like the dynamic ability that Bishop and Smith bring to the table. I'd like to see the Packers utilize all three next season. I believe the cap hit for releasing Hawk is actually large, so the money saved isn't that significant. I could be wrong on that, though.

Erik Walden has overstayed his welcome. He has flashes, but he pulls the rug out from under you too often. It’s time to move on.

I'd hang onto Jones. He's proven he's a capable ILB, and he has experience on the outside. That's good versatility to have. Robert Francois is also a solid special team player.

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Cutting Hawk doesn't free up much money though. They would basically be paying him 4 or 5 million dollars to go play for someone else. If you need money in 2014 you can cut him then.

.

my sentiments exactly! 😆

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