http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81b7db02/article/petersonhawk-showdown-one-of-critical-week-7-matchups?module=HP_spotlight 

I've never read such a baffling matchup article. Gil Brandt is under the assumption that A.J. Hawk is going to be pinned on Peterson the entire game.

As much as I love Hawk, he's nowhere near the leader of this defense. He's slow, his instincts are nowhere near where they were at Ohio State, and he's way too passive in coverage. And when this guy hits the hole, I see no desire to even shed a blocker.

I expect Desmond Bishop, (whoever plays DE opposite Cullen Jenkins), and Clay Matthews (if he plays) to be setting the tone on the run game. All Hawk ill get is assists... and tackles after Peterson passes the first down marker.

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I think Bishop will have a big game.

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I'm getting used to the soapbox from people about Hawk, whatever. I hardly think that article is that far off base with that matchup assessment. Take the 1st round pick expectations away and the evaluation of what Hawk brings to the table in our run defense would greatly change. I agree with Brandt that Hawk or any ILB for that matter against the Minnesota running game is a key matchup.

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What is with everyone saying Hawk is so bad really he is not ya ya the guy isn't elite but ill say something he is a solid LB.He makes plays if you haven't noticed only one LB on are team has intercepted a pass other than hawk in the last 2 years,hawk has 3 in the last 2 years.He makes a lot of tackles as well he was either 1st or 2nd in tackles on the team each year since he was drafted by us.

Hawk is a better LB than nothing.I saw someone say once on here that they wished hawk was injured than are other players that were this year lol thats a little harsh.

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Hawk is OK. Howver, if everyone were healthy, I think he would be only our 4th best ILB. He's pretty good in run support, and is at his best in close spaces. But too many times have I seen him dragged by a reciever or running back for a few vital yards to really like him.

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Interesting stat to consider when people claim that Hawk only gets assists.

Percentage assists of total tackles
AJ Hawk: 41% of 49
Desmond Bishop: 37% of 27
James Farrior: 38% of 31
Lawrence Timmons: 29% of 59
Jameel McClain: 53% of 28
Ray Lewis: 29% of 45
Bart Scott: 47% of 30
David Harris: 33% of 40

Overall I would say that Hawk is doing just fine.

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I still don't understand this argument about being dragged a couple yards on a tackle. Most tackles are finished that way, it's not like Hawk is some weak exception in this.

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Have you watched any of the Packers games this year? If you had, you would know what I'm talking about. He grabs a tight end, then the tight end just fights for five yards for a first down while Hawk is desperately trying to bring him down, but unable to until he gets some help. And it's definitely happened for at least five times this year.

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Have you watched any football other than watching Hawk in Packers games? This is not a phenomenon for Hawk only. Even Ray Lewis has trailing tackles. 5 trailing tackles out of 50 tackles I would not consider a bad thing, and in fact a good thing in my evaluations.

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Yes I watch a lot of football. I watch 5-10 full games a week. It's not just Hawk, but Hawk does it more often than any LB I've seen.

His strength is in close spaces near the line. Our DL needs to do a really good job for Hawk to shine.

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