This.

Let's not lose sight of last year's #1 ranked run defense. Hawk was the starting ILB in the base defense and played a decent amount of Nickel (which he may yet play this season). It doesn't seem wise to belittle his contribution and AGAIN are we taking way too much from the first game of the season (in terms of his participation)?

---

Yes, I can almost guarantee that if we played Nickel again, Dom will work Hawk in there somehow. He's too good of a player to be on the bench all game.

Good point about the #1 ranked run D. Forgot about that. Hawk played a part in that, despite what Packer fans like to believe.

And just because Nick Barnett and Clay Matthews are both better than Hawk doesn't mean he sucks. I'd probably list him as a hair under Solid.

---

AJ Hawk - Not bad enough that I want to see him leave but not good enough that I'd hate to see him go.

---

Nice and simple, but so right.

He's a 2 down LB for us right now. He's a good, big, run stuffer who can also occupy some blockers and is somewhat decent in coverage, but that's it.

He's a good nr. 2 ILB for most teams in the league. He's a decent OLB/MLB in most 4-3 defenses. He could start for a lot of teams and be decent, but not impactful. He is what he is.

I just think that, for us, he's expendable. You don't replace Barnett. He played like a Pro Bowler last year and is a former All-Pro. You have Chillar, who's better against the pass, both in coverage and rushing, but who's a little weaker against the run. Then we still have Bishop who's more of the developmental back-up who can step in when needed.

Now I don't mind having Hawk. It's great for depth and you can put him out there on 1st and 2nd down over Chillar against a running team. Thing is, he's making a lot of money for a back-up. And there are positions on our team right now that are a lot weaker than ILBer even if we traded away Hawk.

we need a # 1 back, bj is a good 3rd down back but i think he is way to injury prone to be a 1-3 down back , i say bring lynch or possibly former steeler and redskin willie parker !!

---

system error.

---

not to be critical of you but your buffalo to nyc reference is way off, there about 7-8 hrs away from each other thats with no traffic problems lol

---

Correct.
Correct 102 tackles in 2000 and 110 tackles in 2002 (led the team both years I believe) 5 1/2 sacks in 2002 with 3 Ints and 3 fumbles forced. Had 85 tackles in only 12 games in 2001.
And wrong. GB released him and he was signed as a FA by Phil.

I still give you +1 for getting 2 out of 3.

---

Agreed. Not that a solid showing against the Bills means much of anything. But why are we all jumping the gun already?
We have a couple of unproven guys (BJack and now Nance) who we haven't even really given a chance to show what they can do and we're already panicking about this phantom "need" for a new back.
As far as the depth issues are concerned, I for one would much rather jump that hurdle as it comes, if it comes. No point in trading away a guy who can make a good/great contribution on the field for someone who's going to sit on our depth chart just in case something happens.

---

BILLS RB LYNCH CAN'T ESCAPE GROWING TRADE SPECULATION

ASSOCIATED PRESS
9/16/2010 7:20:16 PM

http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=334030 

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch can't escape talk that he's on the trading block.

Shortly after Lynch informed reporters Thursday he didn't have any thoughts regarding his status, cornerback Drayton Florence popped by his teammate's locker with what he jokingly referred to as breaking news.

"Hey, you know you're getting traded, right?" Florence said with a big smile. "It just went across the bottom of the screen. Me and you, package deal, baby."

Lynch could only shake his head and laugh.

"So we're out of this thing, huh?" Lynch said, before noting that Florence had spoiled the flow of the interview taking place.

It's been that type of week for Lynch, who realizes he can't control his future beyond attempting to find a niche in a crowded backfield as the Bills prepare to play at Green Bay on Sunday.

"All I know is I'm taking handoffs from Fitz or Trent or Brohm," Lynch said, referring to the team's three quarterbacks. "That's pretty much all I've got to say about that."

Others, meanwhile, are doing the talking for Lynch.

Speculation of Lynch being traded was raised a day earlier when Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he'd urge the team to acquire Lynch. The two played together at California, and the Packers are in need of a running back after losing Ryan Grant to a season-ending ankle injury.

"Bring him on," Rodgers said when asked what he'd tell the team's front office about Lynch. "I think when you give a guy a change of scenery, and a guy like that who might feel like he has something to prove ... I think that can only help him feel comfortable and see a lot of production."

Packers general manager Ted Thompson isn't known for making splashy moves out of desperation and doesn't like to part with future draft picks. Without Grant, the Packers are left with Brandon Jackson, the only other halfback currently on their roster, and fullback John Kuhn.

The Bills have maintained they have no intention of trading Lynch, even after the player skipped the team's first 12 voluntary minicamp practices this past spring.

Bills coach Chan Gailey on Wednesday insisted he's comfortable with the team's three-back rotation, rounded out by first-round pick C.J. Spiller and former starter Fred Jackson.

"I know everybody's got opinions on what's right, and we feel like having the three we've got right now is a very good situation for us," Gailey said. "I know that Green Bay wishes they had one more than they had."

Lynch lost his starting job to Jackson last season, and now ranks third on the depth chart. Though he was open to being traded this off-season, Lynch is in no position to speculate while knowing that decision is out of his hands.

"If they say you've got to go, what am I going to do, tell them no?" Lynch said. "If they say I'm not going anywhere, then come on, let's continue to build on this thing and let's get better."

The Bills' running attack produced a dud, managing just 50 yards on a mere 17 carries in a 15-10 loss to Miami on Sunday. Lynch had the longest run, a 13-yarder, while Spiller was bottled up for six yards on seven carries.

That's not the production anticipated from a running back trio that was supposed to be the offence's strength.

Gailey was disappointed and added he's re-emphasizing the team's running attack entering this weekend.

"We've got to block better and run north and south, and not have negative plays," Gailey said.

Lynch was disappointed in how all three running backs failed to get into a groove due to a lack of carries.

"I'm not saying what we should've done or what could've been done to be better," Lynch said. "All I know, is we just have to do something to get it back on track."

Bills centre Geoff Hangartner returned to practice Thursday, a day after being held out for precautionary reasons due to a sore left ankle. Gailey anticipates Hangartner will play Sunday.

___

AP Sports Writer Chris Jenkins in Green Bay, Wis., contributed to this report.