Green Bay Packers: The Curious Case of A.J. Hawk

The Green Bay Packers are mortal. Their 43-37 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football featured their league-best offense operating at full capacity, but the Green Bay Packers were badly exposed on defense. With Falcons’ WR Julio Jones catching 11 balls for 259 yards and a score, it is apparent that the Packers will need to improve defensively as the playoffs approach. For the second week in a row, however, the spotlight rests on one of the Green Bay’s longest serving contributors: Inside Linebacker A.J. Hawk.

A.J. Hawk holds such a unique role within the Green Bay Packers’ fan base. He is simultaneously one of the most loved players of the past decade, and one of the most frequently questioned.

Hawk’s age seems to have caught up to him, as the 30-year old has looked a half-step behind against the run, and a full step behind against the pass. It’s hard not to notice that Hawk is playing at a lower weight in 2014, which has left him to struggle against bigger ball-carriers while diving at the feet of missed tackles.

The changing of the guard began last week against the New England Patriots, where Hawk was replaced in the Nickel package my 2nd-year man Sam Barrington. Hawk would be out-snapped in that game, playing only 26 defensive snaps compared to 47 by Barrington.

When the Green Bay Packers’ defense took the field for the first series on Monday night, Hawk stayed on the sideline. Barrington remained in his role on the Nickel unit, and began to eat into Hawk’s snaps in other packages. At the end of the night, Barrington had played 44 snaps on defense. Hawk? Only 8.

If this sounds familiar, it should. The storyline of A.J. Hawk being on his way out is a classic tale in Green Bay. In 2010, Hawk did not see the field during the Packers’ opening game against the Philadelphia Eagles, leading to rumors that his agent had requested a trade. The next week, Hawk began what was arguably his best season as a Green Bay Packer, and played a large role in the team’s Super Bowl Championship.

So, has A.J. Hawk finally lost it? Is this the end of the road for the great Packers’ LB, as he rides out the season as a backup to a 2nd-year 7th round pick? Don’t count on it.

There is still a critical role for A.J. Hawk on the Green Bay Packers, and I expect his playing time to fluctuate largely based on opponent. Hawk is miles ahead of Barrington mentally, and against a cerebral QB such as Peyton Manning, the Packers may be better served to lean on the veteran mind in big situations. That being said, Mike McCarthy and the Packers’ coaching staff thought enough of Barrington to sacrifice that mental edge and play him over Hawk, so it is clear that they believe in his upside.

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A.J. Hawk’s draft slot, 5th Overall in 2006, may be one of the biggest factors working against him in the minds of fans. If he were a mid-round pick, much of the criticism that has surrounded him would never have existed, but fans and media have expected an All-Pro at the position, and rightly so. A.J. Hawk has operated for his entire career a few steps below that level, but that is OK. He has played at a consistently high level for nine years, missing just two games along the way, and been an ambassador for the Green Bay Packers both on and off the field.

NFL playoff runs are about results, though, and nothing more. If Hawk’s struggles continue, it will be completely valid to question his future with the Packers. GM Ted Thompson knows that the team is best served to sever ties with players before they hit their wall, not a year after.

Hawk’s veteran leadership and mental abilities will still be invaluable to the Green Bay Packers’ down the stretch, however, and I would be surprised to see him held under 10 snaps again defensively. His best seasons are now behind him, which is unfortunate, but he has just enough left in the tank for one more run at one more ring.

Sam Barrington will be given every opportunity to earn more responsibilities on defense, but it’s growing more clear that the Green Bay Packers will need to aggressively address the ILB position at the 2015 NFL Draft.

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