I agree with Pack93z that they need to turn Hawk loose. I think they loaded him up with too many assignments right from the beginning. I'm not sure if that situation will improve in the 3-4, although I do know that I like him blitzing up the middle better than off the edge, so ILB definitely seems like the position for him.

Ray Lewis has said that playing ILB in the 3-4 is not nearly as fun as playing MLB in the 4-3, which makes me leery about how much Hawk will be able to use his instincts in this new defense. I'm hoping that there are at least a certain percentage of plays where they just tell Hawk to go get the QB or ballcarrier.

As for Reggie Bush, he has been a disappointment, but I would not label him a bust. He was pretty great in his rookie year and helped the Saints reach the playoffs. Even last year, he had some great punt returns, including two TD's in one game. There were always questions about whether he would be durable enough for the NFL. The high expectations were based on his big play ability, and he has shown that--just not as consistently as expected.

---

In my fantasy world we would never fully be 3-4 but a hybrid defensive team.

---

well, if the addition of Kevin "Balls-Out" Greene to the coaching staff is any indication, I think the dogs will be turned loose this year.

---

Of course he is. I wonder if you'd say that if any other GM drafted him.

I question the intelligence of Packers fans and it pains me, I thought we were the best and the smartest.

---

You thought wrong, as usual.

---

THAT is EXACTLY what i'm looking forward too!
Greene is gonna have those guys foaming at the mouth!

---

I would have picked Hawk at #5.

Barnett's name came up and I think Barnett is a solid MLB. The problem is not our players, but the Coaching. I think '09 will prove me right, now that we have real Defensive coaches.

We'll see....

---

Hawk was above average his first two seasons and below average last season.

It should be interesting to see how he'll do in the 3-4. I think he'll thrive being the designated run stopper, allowing Barnett (a former safety) to roam around and make plays. Add in Kampman and a solid rookie on the outsides to rush the passer and we'll have a defense that will hopefully be fun to watch.

Having watched the 07 season a couple of times.. Hawk tailed off about the Cowboy game on in 07 as well.. it was like he is slowly regressing into a mechanical robot at linebacker.. throwing away his instincts and processing information only after it has occurred, sometimes at less that a 8 bit process. ;)

This regression in play and how he plays, along with the sub par play at the other linebacker spots is the primary reason I still hold doubt about Moss as a coach. Even more as an assistant head coach if there was in-fighting among the defensive coaching staff. That would mean he was part of the problem and didn't effectively manage the discontent properly.

Also, I see it as poor structure to have a linebacker coach as the assistant head coach, the dynamic that is set with the DC/HC/LB Coach has got to be interesting to say the least.

---