A.J. Hawk Quotes (17 Quotes)

People always try to get us in linebacker battles with the other teams. But we're trying to be the best defense in the country. We're going in as a defense and to make a statement.

I really haven't given it too much thought. Any team that wants me, I'll gladly go. Especially a team like Green Bay, with the tradition they have, the fans they have, it would be unbelievable.

You want to come in and prove yourself early. Obviously, it is a responsibility being drafted that high to come in and play well and to make an impact. If not, you're going to get cut. So you have to come in, make the team, have an impact and do something special. And I feel that, obviously, internally. I feel an obligation to myself to do that but obviously the organization, the fans, this community. I mean, they don't want to see a first-round draft pick be a bust, so I feel I have to come in and hopefully make an impact early.

You can't even mention us in the same breath as him, (but) it's a good story. I didn't think about it much until we came out here. But playing on the field he played on is a great honor.

He keeps you grounded and lets you know that regardless of what happens, don't ever get too upset about what someone says to you. If you have a bad game and someone's cutting you down, don't get down on yourself. If you have a great game, don't listen to them. Don't let your head get big because of it.

I told all of the coaches here that we had two of the most physical safeties in the country playing behind me. I knew if I didn't make the tackle they were probably going to hit me on their way to make the tackle. So I had to get there first before them.

I was trying to get to the ball. I play with 10 other guys who are really good.

It's a position where a lot of times they say they don't want to draft people too high because they think 'How much impact can a linebacker have' I guess it's understandable. Obviously we're not big defensive ends who are going to get 15 to 18 sacks a yea

Everybody talked about giving Charlie Weis four weeks to prepare. That kind of upset me. What about giving coach Tress four weeks to prepare He's four out of five in bowl games.

I think you always have to be aware of where he (Young) is and not turn your back on him. Some teams play man-to-man, turn their back and all of a sudden he's gone he gets out of the pocket and scrambles. You've got to know where he is and know he can make something out of nothing at any time.

Once your bowl game is over this is what you work for. That's why I want to come here and compete. I don't want to delay it any longer. I'm ready to get back to doing some football-type things instead of working on mainly these drills.

They completed a lot of balls. But when we needed to make plays, we did.

They found some playmakers on their team. They are playing with a lot of confidence.

We knew Notre Dame was coming out to make plays. They have a ton of talent but we always talk about our next play being the most important.

We knew they'd come out with the atmosphere of the game and electricity in the air they'd come out ready to play. And we knew we had to match that. I think coming out and giving up that early touchdown hurt us a little bit.

There are certain guys you want to hit, and some you don't. I try to take everyone's head off, to tell the truth. I'm not going to play differently regardless. I'm out there to play 100 percent every play, whoever it is. If it was my own brother, I wouldn't change my play.

That's what we do every game affect the quarterback and just be a physical defense - a defense that people like to watch.