Banks has us taking AJ HAWK

[bduff54]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/03/14/mock.draft3.part1/index.html

i would be all for that if Ngata is gone

[TRIPLE P]

In a second.....

Hawk WILL be a top 3 LB in the NFL for the next 7 years.

[JLB]

Love to see it happen A.J.Hawk would be awesome keep your fingers crossed.

[mixum]

he will never slip that far to number 8.

also I'd bet 500 chips that GB takes him.

[bduff54]

whats the word on young, i doubt we would have any interest but has he impressed. I don't care about his wonderlick score so leave that out.

[shiva2999]

With Spikes recovering from an achilles heel tear and Fletcher sucking bigtime we need an impact linebacker desperately.

[bduff54]

i agree Shiva, will there be anyone out there in FA. Arrington? If used correctly he can be great.

[JLB]

he will never slip that far to number 8.

also I'd bet 500 chips that GB takes him.
Would it be possible GreenBay might draft a Q.B. with Brett possibly retiring? It could happen but we would be very fortunate I agree.

[hello]

Banks is a moron, San FRan just paid tons of money for Jennings, their incumbant LT. Cutler isn't going higher than Young.

[adporter59]

Why Draft A Lb When We Have 3 Starters Already And We Have Crowell Who Staarted In Place Of Spikes. I Think Hawk Is A Great Player But It Is Not A Great Need Like Ol, Dl,ss,wr.

[hello]

Why Draft A Lb When We Have 3 Starters Already And We Have Crowell Who Staarted In Place Of Spikes. I Think Hawk Is A Great Player But It Is Not A Great Need Like Ol, Dl,ss,wr.
right on!

[TRIPLE P]

The thing about Hawk is that he's the total package...... run, pass coverage, pass rush.... he;s got it all... he's blocked punts.....and he's a leader...

And don't forget the most important criteria to be a Buffalo Bill:

GREAT HAIR!!!
http://corbyfanpage.tripod.com/hawkman.jpg

[Might]

Why Draft A Lb When We Have 3 Starters Already And We Have Crowell Who Staarted In Place Of Spikes. I Think Hawk Is A Great Player But It Is Not A Great Need Like Ol, Dl,ss,wr.

What is with everyone insisting on drafting a need position.

It's the big picture, folks. Go need only if you have everything else in place to win a Superbowl.

If there is a future all-pro for the taking, you take him. Hawk will be a future defensive MVP... and you don't take him because right now, in 2006, the Bills are lacking a SS or a LT?

[JLB]

The thing about Hawk is that he's the total package...... run, pass coverage, pass rush.... he;s got it all... he's blocked punts.....and he's a leader...

And don't forget the most important criteria to be a Buffalo Bill:

GREAT HAIR!!!
http://corbyfanpage.tripod.com/hawkman.jpg
Right on this guy just kicks ... since when was that not enough he would be a great addition.Please let him slip to us with all that has happened in free agency nothing about the draft would surprise me.Trades in draft position will happen certain teams like G.B. need more choices.

[bduff54]

exactly, this team is about 11 "need positions" away from being competitive.

You are content going in with

1.Spikes (injured, remember sam cowart).
2.Fletcher (49 years old)
3 Crowell, unproven.

[bcw]

This is why it is so important that the Bills sign Pickett. His signing with us would keep GB from filling their DT spot and may force them to go after Ngata instead of Hawk, and we end up with both our DT and a star LB. Get him signed Marv!!!

[voicekiller]

hell ya that would be a dream...

[Victor7]

Hawk would be a great pick

[unklechucky]

he will never slip that far to number 8.

also I'd bet 500 chips that GB takes him.

My thoughts EXACTLY.

[gilchristfan]

good time to trade down. Plenty of other teams will be wanting him, and we could probably pimp an extra second out of them.

Trade down and you could get Hali, or Bunckly (if Pickett doesn't sign) or Winston Justice, or even Mangold if you want. With an extra second, you can work on the interior line, (i.e. Charles Spencer, or Davin Joseph, etc).

[shasta]

I could see San Fran drafting Hawk and D-Brick being our pick.

[BanditsRock11]

Would it be possible GreenBay might draft a Q.B. with Brett possibly retiring?

Well they have Aaron Rodgers so I doubt they take a QB..

[Purple Haze]

With Spikes recovering from an achilles heel tear and Fletcher sucking bigtime we need an impact linebacker desperately.

Huh? Fletcher sucks? You meant to say Posey, right?

[shiva2999]

Huh? Fletcher sucks? You meant to say Posey, right?

Nope. Fletcher.

[bduff54]

fletcher does suck guys, he is a nice little spark plug and pretty good leader but it most of tackles are after 6 yard gains at this point. He is done.

[shiva2999]

Remember the return of Teddy Bruschi?

London was so fired up he had ONE tackle and ONE assist.

The guy returning from the stroke had two tackles and five assists.

[gilchristfan]

Nope. Fletcher.


That's because he needs protection in the form of big ass DT's. He's not big enough to take on 325 + guards. Most 4-3 MLB's are like that now, unless they go 260 and up, or are a freak like Ray Lewis.

You would probably see the same problems with a 240 lb AJ Hawk that you see in London Fletcher now. He'll be a really good pursuing-type, provided there is someone to keep the interior linemen off of him.

He does have a cool name though. Pair him up with Spikes, and they could be the new Road Warriors of the WWE. Or maybe form their own Justice League.

[shiva2999]

That's because he needs protection in the form of big ass DT's. He's not big enough to take on 325 + guards. Most 4-3 MLB's are like that now, unless they go 260 and up, or are a freak like Ray Lewis.

I watched him a lot last year and it seemed to me he ran himself out of a ton of plays. For huge sections of games he was nowhere around the ball.

[pmoon6]

A.J.Hawk played outside linebacker, so comparisons to Fletcher are moot. He could replace Posey on the strong side, with his speed he would be able to cover the TE or come off the end on the pass rush. We do have an up and comer in Crowell, so I wouldn't use the 8th pick on a linebacker. I agree with Gil, if we can trade down, we do it.

[TRIPLE P]

Fletcher doesn't suck... he's not as good as his numbers say, however....

He's also too expensive....

I'd cut Fletcher in a second and save 4 million...he'll be gone in a year anyway

[pmoon6]

The only thing I never liked about Fletcher was that he's undersized for a middle linebacker. He makes up for it with athleticism and heart. Gil's right, he needs the big guys inside to take up space and not let the guard or center lock up on him.

[gilchristfan]

I watched him a lot last year and it seemed to me he ran himself out of a ton of plays. For huge sections of games he was nowhere around the ball.


Was he running out of plays, or taken out? He does have a problem with over pursuing, (so does Spikes). Plus, the way Jerry Gray was blitzing last year, in alot of those plays, he might have been filling another gap by design. Or covering a different section of the field in a zone blitz. I'm not trying to make excuses for him, just saying that on some of the plays, there might be another reason he looked like he was taking himself out of a play.

Last year was such a F-UP all around, that its tough to make a good evaluation, at least for me. I do know that when he had Sam AND Pat in front of him, people weren't breaking 40 yard runs on us, and not too many were getting alot of yardage between the tackles in general.

[shiva2999]

Was he running out of plays, or taken out?

I was aware of the "London needs protection from the DTs" theory so I watched out for that but it just seemed to me like he made a bunch of bad reads, like his head wasn't in the game. It didn't look to me like a matchup problem.

[gilchristfan]

A.J.Hawk played outside linebacker, so comparisons to Fletcher are moot. He could replace Posey on the strong side, with his speed he would be able to cover the TE or come off the end on the pass rush. We do have an up and comer in Crowell, so I wouldn't use the 8th pick on a linebacker. I agree with Gil, if we can trade down, we do it.


I agree with pretty much all of that. I think if we're going to fix the interior of our O-line, the second round is the place to do it.

[gilchristfan]

I was aware of the "London needs protection from the DTs" theory so I watched out for that but it just seemed to me like he made a bunch of bad reads, like his head wasn't in the game. It didn't look to me like a matchup problem.


If that's true, and it wasn't a designed play (i.e. a blitz or covering on a stunt), you'd wonder if an OC hasn't found a way to create a false read for him. A little misdirection is a great way to beat an overpursuing defender.

[Merk]

A.J.Hawk played outside linebacker, so comparisons to Fletcher are moot. He could replace Posey on the strong side, with his speed he would be able to cover the TE or come off the end on the pass rush. We do have an up and comer in Crowell, so I wouldn't use the 8th pick on a linebacker. I agree with Gil, if we can trade down, we do it.



Hawk would be able to make an easy transition to MLB


He has the skills to play at any LB spot



But none of that matter b/c there is no way he gets by G.B. and if he does he will be sporting a 49er uni

[pmoon6]

Hawk would be able to make an easy transition to MLB


He has the skills to play at any LB spot



But none of that matter b/c there is no way he gets by G.B. and if he does he will be sporting a 49er uniMaybe so, but even if he fell to us, don't you think we have more pressing needs than linebacker. A rebuilt D-line would do wonders for the 'backers we already have. And don't even get me started on O-line.:D

[Later]

If we sign Pickett, our D-line will be rebuilt via FA. WE can draft a DT in the 2nd or 3rd.

I agree with shiva about Fletcher. I'm glad someone has said this. I think we all admire his heart and his production dspite his size. However, he does make tackles too far in the backfield, and not just this year. It always seems like he's just a step too slow or a bit too small to be an imposing MLB, and that's something we haven't had. Think about the MLBs in our great defenses: Cowart, Spielman, Talley (in a 3-4 I beleive, but still). Who do you think fits into those molds more: London Fletcher or AJ Hawk?

[jjm19672000]

Why Draft A Lb When We Have 3 Starters Already And We Have Crowell Who Staarted In Place Of Spikes. I Think Hawk Is A Great Player But It Is Not A Great Need Like Ol, Dl,ss,wr.

We my or may not have 3 starters. I think Crowell can play in this defense, but I have my doubts about Fletcher making plays in coverage. Posey has no business in a 4-3, and Spikes may or may not come back.

[pmoon6]

Talley played outside, Shane Conlan and Ray Bentley were inside. How sweet would it be to sign Pickett and then have Mario Williams fall in our laps. I know it's a fantasy and I still think we should trade out of the spot if possible, unless someone like Williams is available, but it's fun to think about.

[Merk]

Maybe so, but even if he fell to us, don't you think we have more pressing needs than linebacker. A rebuilt D-line would do wonders for the 'backers we already have. And don't even get me started on O-line.:D


Yea I agree we have more pressing needs than LB



But IMO a team shouldnt weigh there needs to heavy w/ there first pick. In the first round you should pick the best player available. We have 7 other picks after our first to address the needs. When you are picking top 10 its in our best intrest to come away w/ the best player we can who can have the biggest impact in not just the next season but over the next few years.

[pmoon6]

We my or may not have 3 starters. I think Crowell can play in this defense, but I have my doubts about Fletcher making plays in coverage. Posey has no business in a 4-3, and Spikes may or may not come back.Spikes will come back, he might not have a great year this year, but when he is 100% he will come back with a vengence. I only worry about reinjury, once an area is injured it increases the chance of reinjury. Hopefully nothing will be rushed and TKO will be able to work and play his way back on his own (his body's) timetable.

[TRIPLE P]

Spikes will come back, he might not have a great year this year, but when he is 100% he will come back with a vengence. I only worry about reinjury, once an area is injured it increases the chance of reinjury. Hopefully nothing will be rushed and TKO will be able to work and play his way back on his own (his body's) timetable.

He's actually more likely to injure the other achilles than he is to reinjure the first one.....

the chance of reinjuring the repaired one can be as little as 1-2% with a good repair.

[randobill]

Don't you want be able to stop the run game?The answer to that one is NAGATA!hopefully green bay doe'nt take him (http://www.jsonline.com/blog/index.aspx?id=94&entry=15510&month=2&year=2006)

[Later]

Talley played outside, Shane Conlan and Ray Bentley were inside.

Oh, ok, my bad. I'm obviously a little too young to remember.

[TRIPLE P]

Ngo Ngata.... there is no defense in the Pac-10.....

I guarantee Ngata is nowhere near the difference maker Hawk is in the NFL.

[pmoon6]

Yea I agree we have more pressing needs than LB



But IMO a team shouldnt weigh there needs to heavy w/ there first pick. In the first round you should pick the best player available. We have 7 other picks after our first to address the needs. When you are picking top 10 its in our best intrest to come away w/ the best player we can who can have the biggest impact in not just the next season but over the next few years.Fair enough, it also depends on what management's strategy is. I just hesitate when it comes to drafting that high. The player costs you big bucks 'cause he's top ten. You don't even know if he will work out (Mike Williams) or if he will even want to sign after his initial contract. Just say Vince Young falls to them, do you take him? (and I don't give a monkey's about the Wonderlic) He's a talent with alot of potential. Do you take that chance?

[pmoon6]

Oh, ok, my bad. I'm obviously a little too young to remember.LOL, I didn't post it as a slam, just as an FWI. They did try to use Bennett on the inside when Conlan was hurt. Biscuit didn't like it, he was afraid his career would be shortened. Team player.

[Later]

LOL, I didn't post it as a slam, just as an FWI. They did try to use Bennett on the inside when Conlan was hurt. Biscuit didn't like it, he was afraid his career would be shortened. Team player.

Ha, thanks, but I didn't think you were slamming me. Then again, there are a lot of sensitive people on this board, so I'm not surprised you perceived my response that way.

Anyway, thanks for the info. My point still stands that we need a MLB who intimidates opponents, and I just don't see Fletch that way.

[BTKMTG]

Would it be possible GreenBay might draft a Q.B. with Brett possibly retiring? It could happen but we would be very fortunate I agree.
GB took a QB last year in Rd 1

[Overdue Bills]

I'd be thrilled to get Hawk!

[shiva2999]

My point still stands that we need a MLB who intimidates opponents, and I just don't see Fletch that way.

I totally agree.

I'm old school. I want my MLB to be the scariest mother****er on the field. I also want him to be able to see over the line of scrimmage.

[brewman74]

I think this guy would be a definent badass for Buffalo. It would be a great pick.

[DropTheGloves]

I totally agree.

I'm old school. I want my MLB to be the scariest mother****er on the field. I also want him to be able to see over the line of scrimmage.



LMFAO. Classic Shiva.


Agree 100% though.

[gmbuffalo]

now that the pack have pickett, they will probably be the ones to get hawk, unless we move ahead of them. just on another note with that link, if the cardinals get vernon davis, that offense is going to be sick!

[jaymitch84]

I guarantee Ngata is nowhere near the difference maker Hawk is in the NFL.

And thats why when the Bills' pick rolls around Ngata will be on the board and Hawk won't.