A couple years ago, I went to Toys R Us in Madison to look for a Packers jersey for my 2 year old son. I didn’t end up buying one because all I could find were A.J. Hawk jerseys. Like he was going to be the next Nitschke. I remember when Hawk was considered the safe pick, most likely to be a reliable starter. Now it’s unlikely he’ll even start.

I’d have to say Jennings is a safe jersey. He’s had two great seasons, with two different QBs so it’s not just because of his teammates. Although he’s only had 16 NFL starts, I’d be shocked if Rodgers wasn’t a safe jersey too.

There is no way you can feasibly call A.J. Hawk a bust. And barely a serviceable starter? You have to be joking right? Yeah it’s true that he hasn’t quite been a Pro Bowler but does that constitute him as a bust? No way. If he came out as a highly touted draft pick and then completely underachieved, became injury prone and missed significant playing time, or just was a complete waste of talent, then I could see throwing the bust label on him. But he hasn’t done anything to warrant that criticism.

He has started all 48 regular season games of his 3 year career. He led the team in tackles his rookie year with 119, was second on the team in tackles behind Nick Barnett in his second season, and lead the team in tackles again last season. And even though his tackle numbers diminished to only 86 last year, he was thrust into a much different roll on the team after Barnett went down for the season with injury. Going from weak side linebacker to middle linebacker is a big adjustment to make, especially when that transition takes place during the season and it’s a position he had never previously played before.

So even though he hasn’t been an All-Pro or even a Pro Bowler, he does not even come close to being a bust! And as far as being “barely a serviceable starter” I’d like to know what more you think he should be doing to improve on that label that you’ve given him? Should he have 200 tackles a year and make every play on the defensive side just because he was the fifth pick in the draft? As far as I see it he’s been one of the most consistent players to come out of that draft class so far. Look at the 2006 draft class again and try and put 5 players from the 1st round ahead of A.J. Hawk…I’ll even give you a couple…Mario Williams, Ernie Sims, Jay Cutler, and Antonio Cromartie are the only guys that I would say right now could be considered “top caliber” players ahead of him, but IMO NONE of them have been as consistent as he has through 3 seasons.

So maybe take that into consideration before you go pawning off your Hawk jersey and giving him the “bust” label…although a Jennings jersey wouldn’t be too bad of an alternative.

OK, guys. I didn’t mean to incite a holy crusade on Hawk’s behalf.

You guys are right, he wasn’t viewed as much of an impact player leading up to the draft, more of a “safe” pick. So maybe I should be bitching at Ted for not drafting someone who has more upside and big-play ability.

BleedCheese: I would add Haloti Ngata, Nick Mangold, and arguably Joseph Addai and Santonio Holmes to that list. And I’m not planning on “pawning off” my jersey. There’s a big difference between that and giving it to a family member who’s also a big Packer fan.

Has the Hawk had some good moments? Yes. Has he played in situations that are less than ideal? Definitely. But I think someone drafted at #5 should be expected to “step up” (crap, I hate that cliche). Does he deserve the “bust” title? I don’t know. Maybe it depends on your definition of “bust”. But I do think that I would be a little happier now if I had waited a while and spent my money on a different jersey instead. For now, I’ll still wear my white #50 with pride, hoping that he’ll adapt better to the 3-4.