Hawk ready to help Pack rebound in 2006

By David Murray  |   Monday, June 19, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

Green Bay Packers
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After celebrated Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk added the Lombardi Award to his already impressive resume, it seemed only fitting that the Green Bay Packers would select the talented Centerville, Ohio native. And the Pack did just that, using the fifth overall pick in the collegiate draft.

Now the Packers are counting on Hawk to contribute immediately as new head coach Mike McCarthy seeks to turn the team around after last season's collapse, and their nightmarish 4-12 finish.

Hawk joins a Packers defensive unit that was ninth overall during the 2005 campaign, and finished first against the pass. But with the exception of middle linebacker Nick Barnett, the linebacking corps will have an all-new look in 2006. Gone are Na'il Diggs - who had been a mainstay on defense for the Packers for three seasons before injuries ruined his 2005 season - and two others who started in 2005, Paris Lenon and Robert Thomas. Still, new defensive coordinator Bob Sanders, last year's defensive ends coach, has plenty of talent at his disposal.

For starters, the Green Bay Packers signed free agent Ben Taylor, a 4th round pick out of Virginia Tech in 2002 that started all 16 games at linebackers for Cleveland in 2005. There is also the very promising Brady Poppinga, a 4th round pick out of BYU in 2005. The high energy, 6-3 245 pound Poppinga had worked his way into the starting lineup when he went down with a torn ACL last December. The Packers also used a 3rd round pick to grab linebacker Abdul Hodge out of Iowa.

And then there is Hawk. Because Ohio State prohibits their players from participating in an NFL camp prior to the school's graduation, Hawk was forced to miss the first few sessions of voluntary practice with the Pack. Once he arrived, however, he was immediately inserted with the first team defense at weak side linebacker.

Hawk brings tremendous speed and athleticism with him. He has been clocked at an astounding 4.5 in the 40, and has recorded an impressive 40 inch vertical jump. He also has plenty of size at 6-1 248 lbs. and strength with a 395 pound bench press to go along with his explosiveness. He also displays a ton of intensity on the field, an unbridled aggressiveness and plenty of smarts and football savvy. Hawk is a heat seeking missile, and he can find his way to the ball as his 121 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks as a senior at Ohio State show.

Hawk and new defensive coordinator Sanders should click. Sanders' defensive ends--Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja Biamila--were a Packers bright spot in 2005 and kept the heat on opposition passers. Prior to last season, Sanders was Miami's linebacker coach from 2001-04. One of his star pupils was linebacker Zach Thomas, who went to three straight Pro Bowls during that time.

The Lombardi Award is given annually to the outstanding defensive player who best exhibits the discipline of the legendary Packers head coach during the glory years of the 1960's. Hawk's work ethic is undisputed. He puts his work in. He is a fixture in the film room and in the weight room. Combine this type of dedication with Hawk's obvious physical gifts, and it is easy to see why the Pack picked Hawk. His presence on the field for the Green Bay Packers in 2006 should go a long way toward helping the Pack rebound from the debacle of the 2005 season.

- Have a question or a comment about this article? Have a compliment? A criticism? Let us know about it by filling out the comment section below...get more A.J. Hawk insights at Realfootball365.com
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