A.J. Hawk didn't have a dramatically better year in 2013 than previous years. Fans merely gave him the credit he's deserved.


2013
Tackles: 118
Sacks: 5.0


2012
Tackles: 120
Sacks: 3.0

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solid numbers imo

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Haven't you guys riled up poor Buckeye enough?

I actually thought Hawk did have a pretty good year. I didn't see him getting burned by 5 yards deep down the seam. The balls completed on him were usually pretty well thrown. He was noticeably leaner, which kind of bit him in the ass on a few plays when he got run over - but for the most part, he played pretty well.

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I guess that means he has reached the top and leveled off. Nothing wrong with that.

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I thought there was no doubt that he improved. Came in lighter, which helped his speed and coverage, and that was noticeable.

He was coming off of two pretty poor seasons, so this was good to see. I would like to see what he would do with a legit ILB alongside of him. Oddly enough, we lost Bishop and his effectiveness plummeted. Bishop is another player Ted never really replaced.

Hawk has been the same player he has always been. Reliable and none risk taking. Even his position coach joked that he would like to see Hawk take a risk here and there, but then followed it up with that he's the most assignment sure player on defense.


I think those who say Hawk really came into his own or really had a great year ... haven't really paid much attention to Hawk in the first place.

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I thought he cut down on the number of yards lost per tackle. Maybe down to 3 instead of his customary 5-7.

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Without looking at tape,

That could be more of a reflection in the DL for constantly getting blown off the LoS.

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If what we want is a marginal player in an important position, then he's our man. If he was the second best ILB, then no problem. But you look around at what most teams in the league have at ILB or MLB, and Hawk doesn't stack up very well - Jones even worse. Putting an athletic young ILB beside Hawk, then replacing Hawk with another quality young ILB in a year or so is pretty much what we need to do. Hopefully Thompson will get that done. Borland in the second or third round would help a lot. Just starting Lattimore over Jones would help some.

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He's the one guy on our team that we can depend on to show up every week. As long as he can stay healthy, the Packers are in no position to replace him with yet another injury prone player.

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