[img_r]http://cmsimg.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20081117&Category=PKR01&ArtNo=81117162&Ref=AR&Profile=1058&MaxW=318&Border=0[/img_r]When the coaches went through film of Sundays 37-3 victory over the Chicago Bears, A.J. Hawk looked just as impressive on tape as he did live during his first start as the Green Bay Packers middle linebacker.
Hawks coaches on Monday stopped short of saying the third-year pro, who spent his first 2 seasons playing the weak-side spot, might end up being better in the middle. But Hawks play he led the Packers with seven tackles (including six solos) while communicating the defensive plays for the first time suggests it might be his more natural position.
Its only one game, Packers linebackers coach Winston Moss said. I hate to speculate. Well take it a game at a time, but he looked awfully good in there. He looked extremely comfortable. He did play to some of his strengths that we liked with him when we evaluated him coming out of college, so if he continues to improve on that, well revisit that question maybe at the end of the year.
After a successful debut in place of injured starter Nick Barnett, Hawk almost certainly will finish the season as the starting middle linebacker. There were some scouts who believed Hawk was more suited to play the middle after the Packers drafted him fifth overall in 2006. But the Packers had long been reluctant to move Barnett, the starter in the middle since 2003.
Hawk had no trouble getting the play calls to his teammates and seemed to excel while operating more in the box and less in coverage than he did playing the weak side.
Weve always thought (Hawk) had great instincts, and those instincts showed up (on Sunday), Moss said. When his matchup is more in the box, it allowed him to stay in the box and actually be a little bit more aggressive. When that tight end is releasing all the time and he has to get downfield and cover and has to play in space, I think he does an adequate job of that, but he is better staying around the box and playing up the field and attacking guys as opposed to playing off and reacting to the guy.
Defensive coordinator Bob Sanders used his nickel defense (with two linebackers and a fifth defensive back) almost exclusively against the Bears, pairing Hawk with Brandon Chillar. On most plays in the nickel, Hawk played Barnetts spot while Chillar played Hawks old position. Sanders used his base defense on just five snaps (three on the first series and two on the second).
Driver hurting
[ul]Donald Driver hasnt been listed on the injury report, but the 33-year old receiver has been ailing.
Coach Mike McCarthy wouldnt offer specifics, but on the telecast of Sundays game, Fox analyst Troy Aikman said Driver has a turf toe injury and had his hand stepped on during a recent game. McCarthy said Driver probably wont practice Wednesday but gave no indication that the injuries would keep Driver out of Mondays game at New Orleans.
Donald has some little things, and I think its like a lot of players, McCarthy said. He has some things he deals with during the course of the week, but its nothing where hes missed any practice time. Thats probably why Im going to give him a day this week to get back healthy.
Driver had four catches for 60 yards against the Bears.
You take things for granted with Driver in terms of hes always available, hes always out there and hes usually very productive, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. Unless you really examine those medical reports, which I typically dont unless someones out, Im sure hes battling through a number of things and to his credit hes always at practice, always out there in the games and making plays. Its impressive what hes been able to do.
McCarthy didnt mention any other injuries as a result of Sundays game. He said Barnett is scheduled for a Thursday operation to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament.[/ul]
Rodgers feeling good
[ul]Quarterback Aaron Rodgers sprained right shoulder might finally be healed.
Not only was Rodgers not sacked against the Bears, he didnt take any hits in the game.
I met with (team physician) Pat McKenzie (Monday), and this is the best Aarons felt coming out of the game, McCarthy said. I dont think he was hit in the football game, so that definitely helps.
Rodgers was a full participant in practice last Thursday and Friday, marking the first time since his Sept. 28 injury that he wasnt limited in practice. The Packers have an extra day of practice this week because of the Monday night game against the Saints, so its possible Rodgers wont be full-go every day in practice.
Left tackle Chad Clifton, who also was a rare full participant in practice last Wednesday and Thursday, might also get additional work this week.
Hell go back-to-back, which days I havent determined yet, McCarthy said. Its important based on where he is with his situation medically that he doesnt go three days in a row.[/ul]
No Flynn
[ul]When the Packers took possession with a 34-3 lead and 6:02 remaining in Sundays game against the Bears, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get rookie backup quarterback Matt Flynn some work.
Besides, McCarthy had pulled Clifton and right tackle Mark Tauscher, meaning Rodgers could have been at greater risk of getting hit. But McCarthy never made the move at quarterback because he said Flynn wasnt warmed up in time for the start of that series.
The series before is when we started talking about it, McCarthy said. Then we actually got the ball and I talked about putting him in in the middle of the series, and I just didnt want to do that. I wanted him to start the series. It just didnt work out. It would have been good to have gotten him some snaps there, though.
[/ul]Schedule note
[ul]The Packers game against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field on Nov. 30 will remain a noon kickoff, the NFL announced Monday. The only Week 13 change under the NFLs flexible schedule is the New York Jets home game against the Denver Broncos. It was moved from noon to 3:15 p.m. and will be televised on CBS.[/ul]