Packers Stock Report: Hawkins Capitalizes on Randall's Misfortune
By ChrisWanless
The Packers managed to fight off the injury bug and a 45-minute weather delay on Thursday night en route to a 35-14 victory over Chicago. Here’s how Green Bay is trending as they head into Dallas:
Rising
James Campen: Coaches don’t usually get shouted out in this column, but what Campen was able to do with limited options on the offensive line was nothing short of masterful. While it may not come as a huge shock—Campen has been coaching at a high level for years—the four-guard strategy employed by the Packers on Thursday could easily have been a recipe for disaster. Instead, they trusted their guys to get the job done, and the players responded.
Josh Hawkins: The second-year corner was afforded more snaps by way of misfortune elsewhere in the secondary, and he didn’t disappoint. Hawkins broke up three passes and made five tackles, and will be a player to watch given the apparent fluidity of Damarious Randall’s current situation.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: After a relatively underwhelming start to the season, Clinton-Dix seemed more dialed in on Thursday night. He recorded the first Packers interception of the season and made eight tackles in a game that hopefully will prove to have served as an opportunity to get the wheels firmly back on the road.
Aaron Jones: If nothing else, Jones stock is rising simply because he’s in line for more playing time due to Jamaal Williams’s knee injury. Luckily for the Packers, Jones looked more than serviceable filling in as the last man standing on Thursday night, rushing for 49 yards and his first touchdown as a pro.
Falling
Damarious Randall: The story is well-known by now—Randall gets burned for a touchdown, gets benched, pouts about it and then disappears. Friday morning, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters it was his decision to send Randall to the locker room. We’re left to assume that Randall either did or said something directed at the coaching staff that got him sent packing early. Look, it takes a lot of pride to play cornerback in the NFL, and no one likes being benched. One of the hallmarks of great corners, however, is incredibly thick skin and an ability to learn from the bad experiences and then flush them. Though McCarthy scoffed when asked whether Randall’s maturity is an issue, the behavior exhibited Thursday night is extremely unbecoming of a starting cornerback in the NFL, especially one who is in his third year. Hopefully Randall can use the situation as a spring board, but he’s going to have to fight to earn his reps back.
Comments (63)
jww061356
October 03, 2017 at 11:14 am
I sa, bring on Hawkins. Move Randall to the bottom of the rotation and make him earn his way back with his play and attitude. It just doesn't look to me like he takes coaching as well as the others. I may be wrong, but from the outside looking in, he seems like a prima donna who seems to blame others, injuries, etc. when things go wrong. Time to man up.
RCPackerFan
October 03, 2017 at 11:29 am
Hawkins really played well. While he could have had at least 1 PI called against him, he did really play well.
I think he just needs experience. I would expect to see a lot more of him this week especially if House can't play.
Jones was the player I wanted to see since week 1. I thought he was ahead of Williams in almost every aspect of the RB position. Jones brings quickness, speed, power and vision.
On his TD he made a great cut back and got to the endzone.
Jones is a guy to watch big time this week.
dobber
October 03, 2017 at 12:27 pm
" While he could have had at least 1 PI called against him, he did really play well."
PI > TD
Finwiz
October 03, 2017 at 12:33 pm
Barely...if it's in the end zone with ball at 1 yd. line.
RCPackerFan
October 03, 2017 at 12:38 pm
The one I'm referring to is the one where he jumped on the back early. I am not sure of the other that has been said.
But mostly I agree.
I think with experience he won't make that mistake. Just needs the experience.
croatpackfan
October 04, 2017 at 02:59 am
I agree with you that Josh Hawkins was playing good. Do not forget he was playing against Bears rookie WR or 4th or 5th option, because Bears are much harder hit with the injuries. That should bring some concern.
What I said is, on the other hand, very unfavorable for Randall, who played against same opponents and played worse.
I think if Davon House can play against Dallas, that will be a huge releif.
Aaron Jones is the last amongst RB in pass protection per reports. I think that is the only reason why he was held spliting 4th place in RB rotation. I hope that Packers will be wise and let Aaron Jones and Devante Mays plays against Dallas, because Dallas D looks awful at the moment - 18th, while Packers D are 6th overal... They are 21st against pass (Packers are 5th) and 16th against rush (Packers are 19th). More important is that Dallas D has downline trending in both category!
RCPackerFan
October 04, 2017 at 07:55 am
You are right. He was playing against the Bears. But that was a good place to get him action.
I am hoping House can come back and play. It would be nice to get one of our top FA's on the field again.
Where did you get the info about Jones and pass protection? Against the Bears in his only game action this year he rarely pass protected as he went out in routes.
Bure9620
October 03, 2017 at 11:32 am
I really like what I have seen in Hawkins in limited reps. He has sub 4.4 closing speed which allows him to be aggressive and he seems to play with grit and passion. He's smaller and quicker so an ideal slot guy Soon our corners will be King and House at the boundary and Hawkins in the slot. We need to go the younder options. Just FYI, Randall is giving up a 121 passer rating to opposing QBs. Aaron Rodgers has the highest passer rating in NFL history at 104. Who do opposing O coordinators target? Go after 23. The targets dont lie.
Burnett can cover a 4th WR or vertical TE threat. He is our best player in the secondary and I hope they get an extension done during the year. He's the glue.
Finwiz
October 03, 2017 at 12:03 pm
I disagree- Burnett is overrated, and doesn't cover particularly well.
Certainly can't cover a WR, and challenged to cover the top tier TE's.
Unimpressed.
RCPackerFan
October 03, 2017 at 12:37 pm
"I disagree- Burnett is overrated, and doesn't cover particularly well.
Certainly can't cover a WR, and challenged to cover the top tier TE's.
Unimpressed."
Do you watch the games?
Currently Burnett is the #24th best rated CB according to Pro football focus. Yes, I said that right. 24th rated CB, not Safety.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/morgan-burnett/5596
Burnett has primarily went up against the teams #1 TE. These are what the Packers gave up to opposing TE's.
Jimmy Graham - 3 catches (7 targets), 8 yards.
Austin Hooper - 2 catches (2 targets), 7 yards.
Tyler Kroft - 3 catches (4 targets), 28 yards.
Zach Miller - 2 catches 45 yards (2 targets). He had a long of 29 yards and Burnett wasn't covering him on that play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmexDwTPec4
Burnett is having probably his best year as a Packer and is a big reason why the defense has been playing well. He is probably their biggest underrated player on the defense.
Finwiz
October 03, 2017 at 01:31 pm
Sorry, I'm jaded by the fool falling down into the fetal position in the NFCCG against Seattle, with nothing but open field in front of him.
I'll never get over it, and won't miss him when he leaves.
Forever one of the dumbest players in the history of the Packers.
Brent Fullwood number 1.
He's no Cam Chancellor, and nothing close to Earl Thomas.
RCPackerFan
October 03, 2017 at 01:22 pm
Your talking about the play 3 years ago... The play in which he was told to get down... You need to redirect your anger towards Peppers on that one.
Burnett has been one of the Packers best players so far this year.
Finwiz
October 03, 2017 at 01:30 pm
As my dad used to say, when I used the 'my friends told me this' excuse, "if he told you to jump off a cliff, would you follow him"?
Should be an instinctive enough football player, with a passion to be great and try to score, as opposed to following a stupid order. Literally the blind leading the blind. That Peppers story is just excuses designed to cover for Burnett cause he's 'their guy'. He's a beta, not an alpha...a follower, not a leader. I actually think the mistake he made there was worse than Brandon Bostick dropping the onside kick. Bostick was acting instinctively and aggressively, whereas Burnett displayed no instinct at all to make a big play. I realize I'm going against most of Packer nation here, but I don't care.
RCPackerFan
October 03, 2017 at 01:44 pm
Burnett couldn't see what was behind him. What if, Peppers tells him to get down, he doesn't and someone comes up from behind him and strips the ball from him?
I really don't get what your point is. Fine you don't like Burnett because he listened to a veteran leader.
So your saying you think Bostick not doing his actual job (to block so Nelson could catch the ball) was better then Burnett taking a knee.
So would you be happy if John Kuhn doesn't do his job to block Peppers which allowed Rodgers to escape and find a wide open Cobb for a TD? You're ok with players not doing what their jobs are?
Finwiz
October 04, 2017 at 10:23 am
You can get killed walking your doggie across the street to the mail box too - in your subdivision. But we do it every day despite the risk. I'd say the odds of getting stripped with a full grown linebacker running interference for you were somewhere between unlikely and nil. There was NOBODY around him! Dumb, dumb play. Cost us the game. I predict they will NOT give Burnett big money in FA. Why? Because he might be competent, which is more than you can say for 60% of the players on that D, but he's not an impact player.
I'll never forget that - you can if you want to. Doesn't effect me either way.
Finwiz
October 03, 2017 at 01:36 pm
Oh - and how many pick six's has he had....ah err....interceptions....um....fumble recoveries.....ah er.....sacks?
Maybe 1, out of the 4 categories?
The jury rests.
dobber
October 03, 2017 at 02:51 pm
Morgan Burnett has (since being drafted in 2010, 94 reg season games, 11 playoff games)...
No pick 6 (a terrible measure for a quality player, btw)
9 career regular season INTs, 2 playoff INTs
10 career fumble recoveries, 7 career forced fumbles, and 1 fumble return for TD (1 playoff fumble recovery)
7.5 career regular season sacks, 2 playoff sacks.
Cam Chancellor has (over the same time period, 104 reg season games, 14 playoff games)...
No reg season pick 6 (1 in playoffs)
12 INT, 3 playoff INT
3 Fumble Recoveries (0 playoff), 8 Forced Fumbles (1 playoff), no Fumble Return TD
2.0 career sacks, no playoff sacks.
What's your point?
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BurnMo99.htm
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChanKa99.htm
dobber
October 03, 2017 at 02:53 pm
Burnett leads in reg. season tackles 477-415.
Finwiz
October 03, 2017 at 06:20 pm
Nobody cares about tackles - that's what they're supposed to do.
IMPACT PLAYS genius. Difference makers.
He ain't it.
dobber
October 03, 2017 at 07:05 pm
I'm only citing what you stated. Your argument didn't hold up.
Keep changing the rules and you'll always be right.
SpudRapids
October 03, 2017 at 03:48 pm
Mic drop!
Finwiz
October 03, 2017 at 06:18 pm
Turnovers this YEAR, numb nutz. Geezus, the density.
Anybody can tackle - put me out there with pads and a knee brace, I'd get killed, but I'd grab an ankle and hold on.
dobber
October 03, 2017 at 07:10 pm
Then say "THIS year"...
Cam has nothing. No INTs, No Pick 6's, No fumbles, 14 tackles.
Burnett...identical but with two passes defensed.
Again, keep re-qualifying your argument and you'll never be wrong...
TheVOR
October 03, 2017 at 03:01 pm
Ya, that was on Peppers. Peppers wanted a chance at a ring so badly, he screwed himself right out of one! That pick was a time to slit their throat, we should have been trying to take it to the house, and lets say we only got back to their 35, we could have kicked a FG and iced it. I think that one was all on peppers, and he screwed himself out of a chance at a ring! That was horrible!
Finwiz
October 04, 2017 at 10:38 am
I disagree - he's a professional football player that went to college, meaning he actually has a mind of his own. Georgia Tech, no great school, but still college.
No football instincts to make a play, as is evident by his rather unremarkable career.
Yet people want to make him into Charles Woodsen.
Now there's an example of a guy that could make BIG plays.
Or Nick Collins. He's neither.
Rak43
October 04, 2017 at 10:30 am
Maybe not but he can play 3 positions S/LB/CB and he plays all of them exceptionally well. Not many players in the NFL with Burnett's combination of talent and versatility. His team first attitude is the icing on the cake.
SpudRapids
October 03, 2017 at 12:59 pm
I'm unimpressed with this comment
Bure9620
October 03, 2017 at 01:13 pm
Watch his film against Jimmy Graham
John30856
October 03, 2017 at 02:36 pm
You really should watch current games not worry about what happened 3 years ago sheesh as said he was signaled to go down
J0hn Denver's Gavel
October 04, 2017 at 12:59 am
Burnett's done everything asked of him and he's done it all at a high level. He's played the slot especially well, probably better than anyone else to this point. The Peppers play that happened 3 years ago only makes him more situationally aware in 2017.
dobber
October 04, 2017 at 08:49 am
Burnett is making himself a lot of money this year.
When he played next to the likes of MD Jennings and the other ragamuffins the Packers started at FS next to him, he didn't look so good. I thought he might be a player that had to have a higher end FS next to him to be a decent SS. I think he's grown past that point, now. Is he Cam Chancellor? No, they're different kinds of players, but just as Burnett likely benefits from playing next to a competent FS (HHCD), Chancellor benefits a ton from playing next to arguably the best FS in the NFL (Earl Thomas) and behind an attacking front 7.
al bundy
October 03, 2017 at 11:36 am
Not a ha ha fan by any stretch. On the interception I noticed he was moving backwards away from the one receiver, giving him a lot more room instead of closing on him. In doing so we was again out of position but able to catch an over throw.
Also of note, he hasnt been injured in what four years. Ya no contact by him.
You watch his play and you will see he is an avoider unless he is crowding the line of scrimmage, why I have no clue.
zeke
October 03, 2017 at 12:45 pm
Huge thumbs up for the last four words of your post.
daveinTX
October 03, 2017 at 12:45 pm
Al, much agree with you on HaHa. For a safety he is a very soft tackler. He also tends to miss a lot in the open field. In deep over the top bracket type coverage he tends to give too much space, IMO. And does not seem to have the instinct to know where the pass is going to make proper breaks and angles to close the gaps and be there in time to disrupt the catch. That said, he is still young enough to have upside in all those areas with experience.
Randall might be a better tackler than Dix. Which, IMO isn't saying much. But, I suspect he may have developed better playing FS. That might even bring some value if they trade him to a team needing safety help.
John30856
October 03, 2017 at 02:37 pm
sheesh guys Ha Ha is a vert good player only gonna get better
SpudRapids
October 03, 2017 at 04:59 pm
Soft tackler??? HaHa only missed 3 tackles in 2016 which was 3rd best in the league amongst safeties, the year before he was 7th best. QB's passer rating was 61.2 when targeting him which was 8th best in the league.
lou
October 03, 2017 at 06:50 pm
The most important team stat is Wins, the most important individual stat because peers vote is the Pro Bowl, Clinton-Dix got his peers votes, enough said about his performance last season.
daveinTX
October 03, 2017 at 06:56 pm
Yes, he is a very soft tackler, specifically downfield. He is tougher and fearless in the box. I assume the 61.2 QB rating is from his man to man match ups. That doesn't surprise me in the least. He seems to me to have excellent underneath/trailing coverage techniques, especially vs TEs.
The young safety, Jones, is a tackling machine. He zeroes in and explodes into and through the ball carrier's center of gravity while wrapping up. He doesn't seem to go high or low like Dix. Or just use force like Burnett.
Anyhow, yes, I think Dix is a very good safety, and like I said, he should get better with more experience. I was in no way suggesting we needed to upgrade him or that Randall might have been a better safety than Dix. Just pointing out a couple things I see as weaknesses about his more recent playing.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 04, 2017 at 01:57 am
Lou, pro bowl is one third players, one third coaches and one third fans. All pro is 50 members of the media (AP anyway).
Some odd ducks get voted in as pro bowlers (see Jeff Saturday, who got voted in despite being terrible, getting benched, and having to retire due to lack of ability after that season), and indeed many deserving players take an extra year to gain recognition. All pros are generally all really good, though that might be because there is only a first team and a second team designation.
Pro bowl does mean something, but All Pro means a lot.
lou
October 04, 2017 at 10:44 am
Everything you said about the process is spot on, All Pro level is the top category and qualify for HOF status.
JDK52
October 03, 2017 at 12:56 pm
He was watching the QB's eyes and deliberately broke on the coverage to be in position to catch the throw. That's called a smart risk that turned out perfectly.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
October 04, 2017 at 01:21 am
What's next, Rodgers is injury prone? Jordy's too slow? You guys sure love to hate.
Handsback
October 03, 2017 at 02:04 pm
I think the Cowboy's game will determine if Hawkins is a potential quality starter. Playing against the Bears wasn't a true test.
John30856
October 03, 2017 at 02:38 pm
give th eguy a number of games shhesh he's new
croatpackfan
October 04, 2017 at 03:32 am
I agree with Handsback. 3 top Chicago WR are injured. Packer secondary was playing against 4th, 5th and 6th guy on the depth chart.
Hawkins was playing solid. But the final conclusion on his prepareness to play good in NFL will come from next few games...
TKWorldWide
October 03, 2017 at 06:23 pm
The sheesh count in this thread is alarmingly high.
dobber
October 03, 2017 at 07:13 pm
We got a "numb nutz", too.
Since'61
October 03, 2017 at 08:24 pm
And I say another cookie for Dobber! Thanks, Since '61
dobber
October 03, 2017 at 08:27 pm
Mmmm...cookies!
Thegreatreynoldo
October 04, 2017 at 02:02 am
You're too modest: there was a genius too.
TKWorldWide
October 04, 2017 at 05:54 am
Can I get an "aforementioned"?
dobber
October 04, 2017 at 05:59 am
Not today...maybe an 'erstwhile'?
dobber
October 04, 2017 at 05:56 am
I DID crack the genius line on an IQ test once. It's part of what makes me completely unable to relate to people.
TKWorldWide
October 04, 2017 at 08:08 am
I resemble that remark!
Somedumbname
October 04, 2017 at 10:20 am
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits:)
dobber
October 04, 2017 at 10:23 am
I might have to make that my screensaver!
Finwiz
October 04, 2017 at 10:34 am
Sure you did. What do you have to show for it?
I'm in the process of getting IFR rated, and buying a Cirrus SR22.
Actions speak louder than hollow words.
I don't relate to people well either, but I've never taken an IQ test.
Packer_Fan
October 03, 2017 at 09:18 pm
I think this article is right on. Campen pulled out a treasure by playing Taylor at tackle. He will be serviceable for backup once Bulaga and Bachtiari come back.
I am all in on Hawkins playing in place of Randall. He was all over a Chicago receiver on one play that should have been flagged for pass interference. But he was there in position for making a play. Not so with Randall. Rarely is he in position to make on play on the ball. I don't know if he is anticipating too much or is just poor at covering fundamentals. On the touchdown pass, his first move was to take away the middle of the field by moving that way. The receiver went the other way and Randall couldn't respond fast enough. Is that poor technique or what? Hawkins will learn how to play better with experience.
Right now the best DB's: Dix, Bryce, Burnett, Jones, House, King and Hawkins. There are seven players for six positions. Keep rotating them to get experience for Jones and Hawkins and then for backups.
Jones looked good. Some experience and patience will bring his more success.
Gman1976
October 03, 2017 at 10:35 pm
I sure hope that Hawkins pulls a "Sam Shields," and becomes a great starting CB. It would be a great story to read about again and again for the next several years as we hear again and again how the Pack is able to get undrafted CBs and develop them (like Williams and Shields).
daveinTX
October 04, 2017 at 01:52 am
I like Hawkins a lot and hope Capers keeps using him after House returns. But, I would assume House and King will be the outside starters w/Burnett in the slot. That would put Rollins, Randall, and Hawkins on the bench relegated to special packages. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Rak43
October 04, 2017 at 10:51 am
Randall has all the talent needed to play slot but is a head case. After 3 years he still can't line up properly or use proper technique in bump and run coverage. That's not a physical issue, that's a mental one.
Archie
October 04, 2017 at 12:50 pm
HHCD=AJHAWK, nuff said.
Finwiz
October 04, 2017 at 01:34 pm
Not sure about this. Hawk was the 5th pick in the draft so expectations were higher. In terms of performance, not sure about that one either, but I will say they both have about the same level of impact plays.
I'd say HHCD still has a higher comparative performance level, given where he was drafted.