So, in your opinion, anyone who gets drafted #5 overall should, by the mere fact of their college performance and draft result, become a top player at their position. Otherwise, they are a bust.

Okay, that’s fine. But then the VAST majority of those picked in the Top 10 are busts, per your definition of it. And since the majority of players picked are busts, then being a bust, per se, isn’t a big deal. It is only the norm.

I would say a guy who is about to start his 7th season in the league, started virtually every year, missing very few games to injury, and is a Super Bowl champion is NOT a bust.

Could he be a disappointment based on his draft position? Sure. But not a bust. Justin Harrell is a bust. There is a difference.

So, our difference really doesn’t come from our opinion of Hawk; it comes from our definition of what a bust is.

Perhaps you have different levels of busts. Perhaps Hawk is a mild bust while Harrell is a major bust while JeMarcus Russell is a colossal bust. I don’t know. Maybe that’s how you role.

To me, those latter guys are busts; Hawk is just mildly disappointing.

2. Okay, no argument.

3. Yes, the Packers handed the job to someone else, and they aren’t going to hand it to him again. I think this article kind of answers your point there. IF he played better, as you contend, then he would still be in that role, right now. So, obviously, the coaches don’t agree with your assessment. Doesn’t mean they are right. Just saying…

First, I don’t hate anyone on the Packers. I merely call a spade a spade. To your points:

1. Anyone drafted in that position who’s been in the league five or more years that hasn’t made a Pro Bowl or isn’t considered among the best at his position is a bust. You can’t compare the guy drafted No. 5 last year or the year before because they’re still developing. Hawk is as good as he’s going to get, and the production doesn’t equal his draft status.

2. So? Ten other guys played on those defenses as well. Charles Woodson won defensive player of the year one of those seasons. Clay Matthews almost won it the next year. Look at the catalysts of those defenses – Woodson, Matthews, Nick Collins. Hawk wasn’t the catalyst of anything. In fact, he was almost replaced by Brandon Chillar.

3. Again, so? It’s not like that makes him a rocket scientist. The Packers handed the same job to a rookie sixth-round pick last season when Hawk got injured and he actually handled that AND played better than Hawk.

Your move.

People want to hate on Hawk because he’s never been a big play guy, fine.

But what the guy does is show up and play every single game, and that is something that MM and TT preach.

A big reason why Hawk had a career low in tackles last season is because he got injured during the Lions game and the coaching staff sat him for a couple games. If people would remember, Hawk was pissed off about it because he wanted to play.

Hawk has a lunchbox mentality and keeps his nose clean. Management loves that. If he is overvalued, it is because of that. It has nothing to do with where he was drafted or by whom.

I will close with three facts.

1) No player drafted 5th overall since Hawk was drafted has started in a Pro Bowl either.

2) The Packers ranked in the Top 5 in overall defense in 2009 and 2010. AJ Hawk was a starting inside LB on both defenses.

3) AJ Hawk was the defensive signal caller when the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2010.

Yeah, not a bad resume.

I can’t really see how you can question Ted Thompson and call this a conspiracy. This site is starting to sound a little like a fair weather fan.

Francois has the size to take Hawk’s spot. That is also a likely factor.

Stop with the conspiracy BS, TT regime, nonsense. TT doesn’t decide who starts. If MM thought Francois or Smith were better players, then they would be out there. TT doesn’t make that call.