AJ Hawk on trading block

Monkeydad · 09-17-2010, 04:48 PM

Green Bay Packers LB A.J. Hawk open to trade, agent Mike McCartney says | greenbaypressgazette.com | Green Bay Press-Gazette

Green Bay Packers LB A.J. Hawk open to trade, agent Mike McCartney says

BY ROB DEMOVSKY • rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com • September 15, 2010

After a training camp practice on Aug. 10, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy heaped praise on A.J. Hawk, saying he was having the best camp of his NFL career.

A month later, Hawk didn’t play a single snap from scrimmage for the Packers in their season-opening victory at Philadelphia. After starting 62 of 65 games in his Packers’ career, the former first-round draft pick appears to have reached the point where his best opportunity to be a key contributor on defense might be with another team.

There’s still more than a month before the NFL’s Oct. 19 trading deadline and although Hawk’s agent, Mike McCartney, stressed that Hawk remains committed to the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2006, he indicated that Hawk would be willing to change teams if it meant more playing time.

“A.J. is a pro’s pro and wants to do his part to help the team win, and his first priority is to be the best Packer he can,” McCartney said when reached by phone on Wednesday. “But if some team called and wanted him to play on all three downs, I think he’d be excited about that.”

The fifth-year pro has not lost his spot in the Packers’ base 3-4 defense and remains a starter by definition, but he didn’t play from scrimmage against the Eagles because defensive coordinator Dom Capers used only his sub packages with five and six defensive backs.

Despite his strong training camp this summer, Capers opted to play Hawk only in the base for the second straight season with Brandon Chillar replacing Hawk in the sub packages. Hawk’s position coach, Winston Moss, said on Monday that there were some packages in which he penciled in Hawk to play against the Eagles but said, “we never got around to it,” and “we decided to keep the same rhythm going.”

Early in the preseason, it appeared Hawk’s role might expand when the Packers moved Chillar to outside linebacker. Hawk was then in competition with Desmond Bishop for one of the inside linebacker spots in the nickel. He had a strong performance in the Family Night scrimmage on Aug. 7, when he had a sack, a tackle for a loss and was solid in coverage. He followed that up with a solid string of practices that prompted McCarthy’s praise.

“I would think A.J. is probably having his best camp in his time here,” McCarthy said on Aug. 10. “I’ve liked his approach. His conditioning is at the highest level. He’s always been a highly conditioned athlete, and I think he’s taken it to another level this year, and I think he’s been very productive out here. He’s put together some big plays, and I thought he definitely stood out in the scrimmage.”

But after a couple of weeks, the Packers ditched the idea of playing Chillar outside, which meant Hawk and Bishop were no longer competing for a spot in the nickel. Bishop went back to playing on special teams, and Hawk was back to playing only in the base.

The Packers didn’t ask Hawk to take a pay cut despite his $4.623 million salary this season. Hawk has one more year remaining on his contract and with a base salary of $10 million for 2011, it’s unlikely that he will be back with the Packers next season, at least not at that price. Getting another team to take on Hawk’s contract in a trade might be tough, but there are ways for an interested team to restructure the deal.

McCartney said the Packers have not talked to him about trading his client, nor was he aware of any efforts to do so at this point.

However, the Packers might be in the market for a running back, and could use Hawk as trade bait to acquire one after losing starter Ryan Grant for the season because of an ankle injury. Their opponent on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills, might be willing to part ways with former first-round draft pick Marshawn Lynch, and the Bills need help at linebacker because starter Paul Posluszny is out indefinitely with a knee injury.

Monkeydad · 09-17-2010, 04:49 PM

So...want to work out a deal, GB? 3-way trade with SD to bring VJ here and gives either one of you suckers Fat Al?

BleedBurgundy · 09-17-2010, 05:55 PM

Where would he play for us though? Is he good enough to replace Rocky? Or would you move him outside to take Carter's spot?

Ruhskins · 09-17-2010, 06:01 PM

I think Hawk is a casualty of their switch to the 3-4 defense last season. I don't think we can afford to get him at this point, plus I think we need to get players with 3-4 experience into our defense or groom our own 3-4 D players.

Dirtbag59 · 09-17-2010, 06:09 PM

How is AJ Hawk not starting? He was one of the safest picks coming out of his draft.

DCtoAZ · 09-17-2010, 06:12 PM

i'm an AC#99 fan and would hate to see him go .. i'm a big Hawk fan too but is he really worth shakin up the D ?

Dirtbag59 · 09-17-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCtoAZ

i'm an AC#99 fan and would hate to see him go .. i'm a big Hawk fan too but is he really worth shakin up the D ?

Hawk is an ILB. Hypothetically if he did replace someone on our D it would be Rocky.

Ruhskins · 09-17-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Hawk is an ILB. Hypothetically if he did replace someone on our D it would be Rocky.

or Fletcher.

SirClintonPortis · 09-17-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

or Fletcher.

Blades.

Dirtbag59 · 09-17-2010, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

or Fletcher.

Yeah, screw that guy. He's a liability and a horrible leader. When he tries to give a speech before a game people just walk away. When he tries to break it down after practice the team calls over the waterboy to lead the chant instead. He also kicks babies because he's so frustrated with his inability to tackle.

GusFrerotte · 09-17-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

I think Hawk is a casualty of their switch to the 3-4 defense last season. I don't think we can afford to get him at this point, plus I think we need to get players with 3-4 experience into our defense or groom our own 3-4 D players.

Yeah, why get a guy that can't play in our new system. Then again most of our guys were brought in under the standard 4-3 anyway. Sounds like a potential AH situation though. He might not like the 3-4 at all, just isn't being the royal pain in the ass about it like Ah is, or maybe he just can't get the system. Ohio State has been 4-3 since the dinosaurs were around.

EARTHQUAKE2689 · 09-17-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Yeah, screw that guy. He's a liability and a horrible leader. When he tries to give a speech before a game people just walk away. When he tries to break it down after practice the team calls over the waterboy to lead the chant instead. He also kicks babies because he's so frustrated with his inability to tackle.

Well in that case, we should definitely trade for Hawk. He probably meant after Fletch retires though.

skinsfaninok · 09-17-2010, 07:46 PM

Yawn..

artmonkforhallofamein07 · 09-18-2010, 01:09 AM

fail on the 3 way deal.....

fail on bringing Hawk to DC.... nothing to see here.

mooby · 09-18-2010, 01:33 AM

I guess what I want to know is why he has fallen out of favor in Green Bay. Not a good fit for the 3-4? Too much of a liability on the field? Coaching staff doesn't like him? I was under the assumption he was a quality linebacker, but quality linebackers don't miss games even when they are perfectly healthy. I'd take him if there's nothing substantially wrong with him and if he'd be a good fit for our 3-4 (and if we could get him cheap), but if it's something related to how he plays I'd probably decline.

09-17-2010, 04:48 PM	#1
Monkeydad Living Legend Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Age: 45 Posts: 17,460	AJ Hawk on trading block Green Bay Packers LB A.J. Hawk open to trade, agent Mike McCartney says \| greenbaypressgazette.com \| Green Bay Press-Gazette Green Bay Packers LB A.J. Hawk open to trade, agent Mike McCartney says BY ROB DEMOVSKY • rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com • September 15, 2010 After a training camp practice on Aug. 10, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy heaped praise on A.J. Hawk, saying he was having the best camp of his NFL career. A month later, Hawk didn’t play a single snap from scrimmage for the Packers in their season-opening victory at Philadelphia. After starting 62 of 65 games in his Packers’ career, the former first-round draft pick appears to have reached the point where his best opportunity to be a key contributor on defense might be with another team. There’s still more than a month before the NFL’s Oct. 19 trading deadline and although Hawk’s agent, Mike McCartney, stressed that Hawk remains committed to the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2006, he indicated that Hawk would be willing to change teams if it meant more playing time. “A.J. is a pro’s pro and wants to do his part to help the team win, and his first priority is to be the best Packer he can,” McCartney said when reached by phone on Wednesday. “But if some team called and wanted him to play on all three downs, I think he’d be excited about that.” The fifth-year pro has not lost his spot in the Packers’ base 3-4 defense and remains a starter by definition, but he didn’t play from scrimmage against the Eagles because defensive coordinator Dom Capers used only his sub packages with five and six defensive backs. Despite his strong training camp this summer, Capers opted to play Hawk only in the base for the second straight season with Brandon Chillar replacing Hawk in the sub packages. Hawk’s position coach, Winston Moss, said on Monday that there were some packages in which he penciled in Hawk to play against the Eagles but said, “we never got around to it,” and “we decided to keep the same rhythm going.” Early in the preseason, it appeared Hawk’s role might expand when the Packers moved Chillar to outside linebacker. Hawk was then in competition with Desmond Bishop for one of the inside linebacker spots in the nickel. He had a strong performance in the Family Night scrimmage on Aug. 7, when he had a sack, a tackle for a loss and was solid in coverage. He followed that up with a solid string of practices that prompted McCarthy’s praise. “I would think A.J. is probably having his best camp in his time here,” McCarthy said on Aug. 10. “I’ve liked his approach. His conditioning is at the highest level. He’s always been a highly conditioned athlete, and I think he’s taken it to another level this year, and I think he’s been very productive out here. He’s put together some big plays, and I thought he definitely stood out in the scrimmage.” But after a couple of weeks, the Packers ditched the idea of playing Chillar outside, which meant Hawk and Bishop were no longer competing for a spot in the nickel. Bishop went back to playing on special teams, and Hawk was back to playing only in the base. The Packers didn’t ask Hawk to take a pay cut despite his $4.623 million salary this season. Hawk has one more year remaining on his contract and with a base salary of $10 million for 2011, it’s unlikely that he will be back with the Packers next season, at least not at that price. Getting another team to take on Hawk’s contract in a trade might be tough, but there are ways for an interested team to restructure the deal. McCartney said the Packers have not talked to him about trading his client, nor was he aware of any efforts to do so at this point. However, the Packers might be in the market for a running back, and could use Hawk as trade bait to acquire one after losing starter Ryan Grant for the season because of an ankle injury. Their opponent on Sunday, the Buffalo Bills, might be willing to part ways with former first-round draft pick Marshawn Lynch, and the Bills need help at linebacker because starter Paul Posluszny is out indefinitely with a knee injury. __________________ Not sent from a Droid, iPhone, Blackberry or toaster

09-17-2010, 04:49 PM	#2
Monkeydad Living Legend Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Age: 45 Posts: 17,460	Re: AJ Hawk on trading block So...want to work out a deal, GB? 3-way trade with SD to bring VJ here and gives either one of you suckers Fat Al? __________________ Not sent from a Droid, iPhone, Blackberry or toaster

09-17-2010, 05:55 PM	#3
BleedBurgundy Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,471	Re: AJ Hawk on trading block Where would he play for us though? Is he good enough to replace Rocky? Or would you move him outside to take Carter's spot? __________________ "All natural institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit." Thomas Paine

09-17-2010, 06:01 PM	#4
Ruhskins Living Legend Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 22,341	Re: AJ Hawk on trading block I think Hawk is a casualty of their switch to the 3-4 defense last season. I don't think we can afford to get him at this point, plus I think we need to get players with 3-4 experience into our defense or groom our own 3-4 D players. __________________ R.I.P. #21

09-17-2010, 06:09 PM	#5
Dirtbag59 Naega jeil jal naga Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Atlanta, Georgia From: Silver Spring, Maryland Age: 39 Posts: 14,750	Re: AJ Hawk on trading block How is AJ Hawk not starting? He was one of the safest picks coming out of his draft. __________________ "It's nice to be important, but its more important to be nice." - Scooter "I feel like Dirtbag has been slowly and methodically trolling the board for a month or so now." - FRPLG

09-17-2010, 06:12 PM	#6
DCtoAZ Impact Rookie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Age: 43 Posts: 623	Re: AJ Hawk on trading block i'm an AC#99 fan and would hate to see him go .. i'm a big Hawk fan too but is he really worth shakin up the D ? __________________ "F*CK THE DALLAS JUMBOTRON" NFC EAST CHAMPS RG3 will be back & #12 can run the show until hes ready.We are young w depth. 23,59,89 will all be back.Alfred Morris aka Diesel Hybrid ! @DCtoAZ81 ...2013 NFC CHAMPS

09-17-2010, 07:46 PM	#13
skinsfaninok Warpath Hall of Fame Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UNITED STATES Age: 38 Posts: 36,137	Re: AJ Hawk on trading block Yawn.. __________________ “Mediocre people don’t like high achievers, and high achievers don’t like mediocre people.” ― Nick Saban

09-18-2010, 01:09 AM	#14
artmonkforhallofamein07 Pro Bowl Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Charleston , SC Posts: 5,001	Re: AJ Hawk on trading block fail on the 3 way deal..... fail on bringing Hawk to DC.... nothing to see here. __________________ Just win.

09-18-2010, 01:33 AM	#15
mooby Hug Anne Spyder Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 20,468	Re: AJ Hawk on trading block I guess what I want to know is why he has fallen out of favor in Green Bay. Not a good fit for the 3-4? Too much of a liability on the field? Coaching staff doesn't like him? I was under the assumption he was a quality linebacker, but quality linebackers don't miss games even when they are perfectly healthy. I'd take him if there's nothing substantially wrong with him and if he'd be a good fit for our 3-4 (and if we could get him cheap), but if it's something related to how he plays I'd probably decline.

AJ Hawk on trading block

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