Packers Minute: Smith Playing Better Than Hawk
An interview with Nathan Jahnke of ProFootballFocus.com provides some evidence that the rookie inside linebacker is playing better than the veteran.
The Packers Minute airs on ESPN Radio in Milwaukee, Madison and Wausau, K107.1 FM in Fond du Lac, and Sports Radio 1400 in Eau Claire.
An interview with Nathan Jahnke of ProFootballFocus.com, provides statistical backup to the claim that D.J. Smith is playing better than A.J. Hawk at inside linebacker. Listen in...
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Brian Carriveau is a writer at Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (10)
December 16, 2011 at 11:10 am
Well, let's wait a couple more games to make that assessment. I mean, Smith went up against the Raiders injury ridden offense last weekend.
December 16, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Profootballfocus also rated D.J. Smith in their worst team of the week 13 season and wrote "Smith played badly enough that he made [PFF] miss the overrated A.J. Hawk"
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/12/07/all-had-a-bad-day-team-w...
Now back to not missing the overrated Hawk?
Perhaps the best thing to do is not judge a player completely based on one or two games.
December 16, 2011 at 06:41 pm
While I definitely think we should wait for a larger pool to look at before giving Smith the starting job, I will say that week 13 was his first game as a starter.
December 17, 2011 at 11:33 pm
Petr you neglected to mention PFF's review of Smith the following week against Oakland.
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/12/14/all-pff-team-week-14/
"Is there a dilemma brewing in Green Bay, where D.J. Smiths’ performances are making some think they can live without A.J. Hawk. The sixth-rounder looks like one to watch."
I say yes, he is one to watch.
December 18, 2011 at 06:39 am
I like D.J. Smith and PFF. But it's too early to judge whether Smith should replace Hawk and D.J. isn't consistent enough to warrant that discussion anyway. Smith was very good v Detroit, not so good V NYG and very good v Oakland. For me he has potential but is still learning.
December 16, 2011 at 05:18 pm
I just don't see it. I really don't. Packers minutes didn't really give me any reason (no statistics?) to think that we would be better off with Smith over Hawk. I agree he probably is our 4th best linebacker on the team but with Hawk's experience there's just no way I will change my mind on this.
December 16, 2011 at 05:36 pm
I know it's a small sample size of snaps, but if he keeps going at anywhere near the level of play he's shown the last two games, I completely buy the Smith over Hawk argument. No one can get carried for 4-5 yds like AJ-he just sort of eventually rides guys to the ground. It seems like when Smith hits the ball carrier knows it.
December 17, 2011 at 06:54 am
Small sample sizes and it's packaging are almost always used to brainwash consumers to change a product.
Tebowmania is a perfect example,throws 15 passes in 4th quarter over 3 games and he's better than Rodgers,Brady,Brees based on that small sample and packaging in 4th quarter.
I'm not saying Smith is getting that kind of hype but,small sample is a small sample.
But I have more hope in Smith being a very good ILB than Tebow ever being a very good QB based on sample sizes.
December 17, 2011 at 11:36 am
smith>tebow
December 17, 2011 at 06:33 pm
Lots of Hawk fans defending the most overpaid player on the team. Pretty sad when a 6th round rookie outplays your $6.5 million starter. Hawk stepped it up just enough last year to get the big $$$. Now, he's back to his old, mediocre self.