GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -The Green Bay Packers are working though a few different options to replace injured middle linebacker Nick Barnett, but it appears they’ve settled on the idea of moving A.J. Hawk inside.
Hawk, a former Ohio State standout who has been the Packers’ starting weak-side linebacker since the team took him in the first round of the 2006 draft, shifted to the middle of the Packers’ base defense during the portion of Wednesday’s practice that was open to the media.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said afterward that Hawk was one of three players who took practice repetitions at middle linebacker but acknowledged that Hawk “is getting a lot of work there.”
Hawk said he’s ready for the challenge.
for a long time. So whether it’s me or not, I’m going to try to relish the opportunity.”
Barnett tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on the first series of the second half in Sunday’s loss at Minnesota. McCarthy said Monday that Barnett would miss the rest of the season.
Hawk said the loss of Barnett, an intense player who has started since his rookie season of 2003, would be tough to handle.
“The tone Nick helps set in practice, in games, the emotion he brings to games, the energy – everyone can see that from watching,” Hawk said. “It’s going to be a huge loss. We’re going to miss that a lot. But it needs to be a collective effort from everybody on this defense to try to make up for what he brings.”
Should Hawk move to the middle when the Packers are playing their base defense, Brady Poppinga and Brandon Chillar would play the outside positions. Both players have rotated at strong side linebacker this season, an attempt by Packers coaches to take advantage of Chillar’s ability to cover tight ends and Poppinga’s ability to play the run.
Other options to replace Barnett included moving Chillar to the middle or promoting backup Desmond Bishop.
have scared off Packers coaches with the way he played in Barnett’s place in the second half of Sunday’s game.
Bishop made a big play to strip the ball from Adrian Peterson on fourth-and-1, but was out of position on two touchdowns – blowing coverage on a pass to Chester Taylor and missing an assignment on a run by Peterson.
“You can’t think like that, but then again, it’s in the back of my mind: Maybe if those two plays would’ve went the way I wanted to, then maybe they might’ve had a little more confidence in me,” Bishop said. “But you can’t go back. I can only look forward.”
Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman said he believes the Packers’ depth at linebacker will help them get through the loss of a defensive leader.
“It’s not a great thing, but it gives guys another opportunity to step up,” Kampman said. “I’ve said all along I think linebacker is one of our greatest positions of depth, and now we get a chance to really reflect that and show that this Sunday.”
The move to the middle also could be a significant opportunity for Hawk to raise his profile. Hawk has been solid and consistent for the Packers, but has drawn some criticism for not making more big plays.
Will Hawk get a chance to make a bigger impact?
itely a big challenge, but it’s also a big opportunity. I will try to relish that and do a little of what Nick’s done around here and how he’s set the tone.”
Hawk said switching from the weak side to the middle isn’t a major adjustment – “We try to tackle the guy with the ball, so that’s my goal,” he said – but Hawk plans to put in extra time in the film room.
“I definitely want to make sure that this defense doesn’t miss a beat if I’m in there, or Brandon or Desmond or anyone who’s in the middle,” Hawk said. “We want to make sure that we get everything set, we’re lined up correctly and we’re doing everything right. So of course, we’re going to have some extra study time just to go over, anytime you’re learning anything new.”
Playing middle linebacker also means Hawk will have a headset in his helmet, allowing him to receive signals from the Packers’ sideline before the snap. That’s usually Barnett’s responsibility, but Hawk took over signal-relaying duties after Barnett was injured Sunday.
“I don’t think there’s a learning curve,” Hawk said. “It should be pretty easy to listen to it and basically repeat what the coach gives you. I mean, it’s a little different, but it’s not anything I can’t handle.”
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