A.J. Hawk Wants Out
It may be time for the Packers to part ways with Hawk
The Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk, the former No. 5 overall draft pick, didn’t play one snap in the team’s season-opening victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Today, Hawk’s agent, Mike McCartney, said Hawk wants out of Green Bay… without actually saying Hawk wants out of Green Bay.
“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. “But if some team called and wanted him to play on all three downs, I think he’d be excited about that.”
We get it. Hawk loves the Packers, but he wants to play.
Although Hawk would never openly express his displeasure, the guy is a competitor and his stance is understandable.
While he technically remains a starter at inside linebacker, the Packers have effectively minimized Hawk’s role. In Philadelphia, the Packers played the entire game in their nickel or dime defense, where Brandon Chillar replaces Hawk.
The writing is on the wall for Hawk in Green Bay.
The NFL is a passing league. The Packers are going to play nickel or dime more often than they’re going to play their base defense. If Hawk stays in Green Bay, he’s going to get less than 50 percent of the defensive snaps.
In fact, he could be get a lot less. The Packers didn’t give Chillar a contract extension last year for him to sit around and take up space on the bench. Chillar’s week one performance didn’t do anything to warrant less playing time, either. He finished with a team-leading seven tackles.
The problem with Hawk is he can’t cover anyone, which makes him a liability for the Packers. The only way he’s going to be an every-down player again in Green Bay is if someone gets injured.
If the Packers can find a trading partner willing to take on Hawk’s $4.623 million salary, they may be wise to move him.
Desmond Bishop is a capable backup and can fill in as a starter should either Chillar or Nick Barnett go down. Hawk is a great insurance policy, but he seems more like a luxury for the Packers right now.
Unfortunately for Hawk, the only place he’s likely to find a home as an every down player is with a bad team. The rest of the NFL is just as aware as the Packers are Hawk is a liability in coverage.
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09/15/2010 - 6:55 pm
Perhaps Hawk can fly back with the Bills and Lynch can buy his house thats reportedly for sale.
09/15/2010 - 9:35 pm
I like Jeremy’s thinking here. But, I think we should get a low round draft pick as well – speaking value of course.
09/16/2010 - 5:41 am
throw in a bunch of Shake Weights, happy meals for the whole team, and some old TO Jerseys too.
09/16/2010 - 6:02 am
You know what? After one game of him not playing they should ship his ass immediately. I know he didn’t say it, but his agent isn’t going to say stuff like that without Hawk knowing. Hey A.J. this isn’t 2nd grade Little League where everyone plays. You want to play? Get better. You’re not playing? Shut the fuck up and shut your agent up too.
09/16/2010 - 6:05 am
And in a side note I think AJ should go form a bowling team with Albert Haynesworth and Randy Moss.
09/16/2010 - 7:16 am
Yeah, Fat Albert would say it wasn’t fair that he had to role fourth and would quit before the second frame.
09/16/2010 - 9:26 pm
If he goes to another team can Marcus Theaters PLEASE ax the A.J. Hawk PSA before the movies start. That would be nice.