The Green Bay Packers went into Sunday’s game at Baltimore, missing a couple of
A.J. Hawk
key starters at linebacker. Clay Matthews (broken thumb) and Brad Jones (hamstring) were both out, replaced by Jamari Lattimore and Nick Perry.
The transition didn’t stop there though. Jones normally is the defensive player with the ear-piece/speaker in his helmet. That responsiblity was taken on by Hawk. The 8th-year linebacker responded with a 10-tackle (5 for loss) and a career high three sacks in Green Bay’s 19-17 win over the Ravens in Baltimore. The three sacks for Hawk matches his total from the entire 2012 season.
AUDIO: AJ Hawk on his 3-sack day :14
The Packers held the Ravens to 43-yards rushing for the game and sacked Joe Flacco a total of five times.
Hawk has been the center of criticism on many occasions during his career, but he’s missed only two of the 115 games during that stretch.
Hawk said after the game when the Packers lost Randall Cobb and James Jones, the defense wanted to step up even more.
AUDIO: AJ Hawk asked about the key to his success :23
The Packers are certainly playing outstanding defense, but A.J. said they’re not playing great defense yet. “No, not yet. We’ve given up too many points this year I think. Today was good, I think obviously with those goal line stands and everything. No, you can’t call yourself great until you’re holding teams consistently under 13, 14 points I think.” “You know we played pretty well today, but it’s a long season, that’s for sure. We’re only three and two.”