Some of you just need to realize that it all starts up front. D-line does their jobs, it enables the Lbr's to do their job, which alows the DB's to do their job.

Originally Posted by: buckeyepackfan 

Can't wait for pre-season when the rookies and udfa's get all the playing time because the coaches are trying to evaluate them to see who makes the team.

I am sincerely hoping that Manning plays lights out, that would mean that Ted made another good decision.

That doesn't mean Manning will be taking anyones starting position.

Even though some of you have had a "hard on" for AJ Hawk pretty much since after his rookie year, fact is when push comes to shove, Hawk is the best at his position The Packers have.

Do you really want a rookie 4th rnd draft pick to be responsible for how the D lines up? To make any pre-snap adjustments?

A rookie(at any position) can have all the talent in the world, he still has to prove he can play at the NFL level.
As I said before, I hope Manning plays lights out in pre-season, that is only going to make The Packers deeper at the LBr position.

Ted has brought in a plethera of Lbr's in the past 5 years but in the end, whether you like it or not AJ Hawk has been, is, and will be the starter.


Some of you just need to realize that it all starts up front. D-line does their jobs, it enables the Lbr's to do their job, which alows the DB's to do their job.

Originally Posted by: buckeyepackfan 

I think most of us realize that. However, Hawk has looked bad even when we have had borderline great defensive line play. Yeah, he may be the best we have, but that's doesn't mean any of us has to like it. I agree that he's a serviceable starter and have said so many times. He's also durable and available. That can't be discounted. I think the main point many of us are trying to make is that play from the MLB line backer position needs to improve. That likely will only happen when the talent at the position is increased. Perhaps Manning with help with that, if not, it will be something to address next season. In the meantime, I like the emphasis on the pass rush because, as you said, a lethal pass rush can cover up many other holes defensively.

Originally Posted by: doddpower 

AJ Hawk has been more than "servicable" When Packers ran 4-3 he was damn good on the outside starting from day 1, leading the team in tackles his first 3 years, then Barnett gets hurt, and Hawk gets moved to middle lb, a position he never played but was willing to make the move.
Once again he was more than servicable despite fighting through groin and shoulder injuries that would have sidelined most guys.

Then The Packers switch to the 3-4, that was when they really thought they were going to let Hawk go, but of course Barnett gets ir'd for 2nd year in a row and Hawk is moved to his position and solidifies the Middle of the D, becoming the QB, and helping The Pack to SB win.

Go back and check, I would wager that there are at least a dozen or more "AJ Hawk sucks" threads that have been started in the last 2 years alone. That's just sad, he's not the only one, Jarret Bush comes to mind, Donald Driver also.

What I don't understand is that Ted Thompson, everyones players guru GM hero, drafted AJ Hawk #5 overall, then when the time came to make a decision on him he resigns him to a new contract with an 8 mil signing bonus. Pretty much honoring the last year of Hawks rookie contract.

Trust in Ted, that's all I ever read around here, but when it comes to a few players that members of this forum haved decide they don't like, no matter how they perform they are either just "servicable" or they just plain "Suck".

So I say why the hell does Ted Thompson keep AJ Hawk and those others?

Just because a player's last name isn't Mathews or Rodgers, doesn't mean he isn't good enough to start for The Green Bay Packers.

Originally Posted by: buckeyepackfan 

So the hype is Terrell Manning is going to be the new starting ILB?

Kinda like the hype last year about Ricky Elmore being the future Packers starting ROLB?

I don't get why the hype has Manning passing Hawk and Smith. I thought Smith played very well last year and people have been saying Hawk will be beat out for years... hasn't happened yet...

Anyways as for coverage ILB, 🇲🇲 said Jones and Lattimore are gonna spend some more time at ILB. I'm not sure if that's a full time or not, but Jones would be an interesting coverage LB.

Originally Posted by: beast 

With Hawk we get one good year one terrible year ...

Originally Posted by: shield4life