I can't recall where I saw someone discount Hawk as an OLB based on his less than stellar 40 time, which, by the way, at 4.59 isn't bad for an LB either. Now that I think about it, someone bashed him as bust because Cutler lifted about what Hawk did in the bench reps. Hawk ahd 24, and I've seen reports of Cutler doing 23 and 26. In any case, anything over 30 is considered really good for O linemen. Most don't break the 30 mark. In any case.... these are the drills that matter for OLB's.... Vertical leap, 3 cone drill, short shuttle and long shuttle. In those four drills, Hawk came in 6th, 3rd, 1st and 1st amoung LB's. That's exactly what you want to see. That translates to a guy that has initial burst, can acclerate, change direction and recover, and go sideline to sideline, along with the agility to get into the backfield. Here are the times: http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/9273126 This kid is going to be a beast in the NFL, he has a mean streak. I just wish we didn't need a QB at 4. He's a blue chipper.
Pickin A.J could possibly give us the best two lb's in league in a few years but our major concern right now is our offense. i.e - qb/rb . but it is awfully tempting to pick up a a stud like A.J
Well if we get him we also get Laura Quinn, maybe she can play QB, I mean the talent's gotta run in the family. :wink:
He had an excellent Pro-Agility time. Bench really isn't the most important muscle for football anyway, for LBers it's mostly for extending on blocks. Lower body is by far more important.
Anybody ever heard of Mike Mamula..a Workout Wonder who shot up the draft board but ultimately could not play. AJ Hawk is a PLAYER..who gives a shit about all those #s..just watch him.
Point is, he already established that he's a football player.... these number just renforce the fact that he is the real deal.... and that was my point.
Hawk is a great linebacker. He is not a future Jet, and if he is then Mike Tannenbaum is worse than Bradway ever was. With no legitimate QB or offensive lineman I would be furious if we passed on Ferguson or Cutler for a linebacker.
We would never draft a linebacker with the #4 pick. They released all of those offensive linemen so I think it's obvious that's what we'll be drafting with our 2nd and 3rd pick with the first pick going QB. There will be next year for the defense. This is'nt going to be a one year rebuilding process through the draft!
