For several reasons.
First, unlike this board and most fans, Ted Thompson does not have the capability to turn over the entire roster every off season. Let alone after every loss as most fans wish to do. Can't happen. So you address the biggest priorities. ILB, much like FB and P, is not usually one of them.
Second, having Hawk on the roster saves at least 2 spots. Dude never misses a game. So Mike McCarthy can carry an extra DL on the roster. Or WR. Or whatever. In his 9 years on the team, he has missed 2 games. Think about the list of players at the other ILB spot. There's been so many I can't count that high.
Third, it may be that we are not as appreciative of his role and impact. Clay Matthews playing an extensive role in our D has 61 tackles. AJ Hawk, playing a much smaller role, has 90. I don't know where to find the number of plays each has seen, but I am guessing that Clay has seen a lot more time on the field. So wouldn't Hawk be the more efficient tackler? I agree that Hawk is short of big plays, but he's consistent. He's not the best ILB in the league, but he's played next to worse ones most of his career.
Would you rather have the 49ers ILB studs this year? Bowman and Willis? 34 total tackles in a combined 6 games on the field. 11M in salary, sitting. Those 2 missed 26 games this year. Hawk has missed 2 in his career. There's a value to showing up.
Originally Posted by: QCHuskerFan