Get Outta Here, Rook....

by: Michael Steffes

The rookie portion of mini camp has concluded. Veterans only for the rest of the week. As for the rookies, by all accounts they seem to be well on their way to contributing to the team.

Red Bryant received promising reports all weekend. Frank Hughes says he was at it again this morning. John Clayton talked to him too, so maybe he will get a little national pub soon. It is good to see Red playing so well already. Most agreed that finding a big defensive tackle was going to be key for this defense. The Hawks may have gotten one in the 4th, a relative steal if he keeps it up. Not only that but by adding Lawrence Jaskson first, they have deepened the entire line. Jackson was mentioned in several of the reports through out the weekend as well. As for the less heralded rookies, Jamar Adams apparently had a nice pick today. He has to be the favorite of the undrafted guys to make the team. Most thought he would get drafted, so that could be another steal for the Hawks. If you want....

The one unit we haven't heard much about so far is the linebackers. Until now. Clare Farnsworth has some detailed info on Lance Laury's play. This is excellent news. Laury has really been seen as a special teamer up to this point in his career, but if he could fill the roles left open when Bentley and Niko left, I will rest easier at night. An excellent camp by Laury and this defense would be "solid as Sears", a phrase used by Mr. Ruskell the other day.

Line depth was obviously a problem through out camp. I am not too worried about this. It would be nice if the starting five could be out there working together, if only for the sake of unity and getting used to each other. It has been stated that a lack of fundamentals often leads to shoulder problems in linemen. Well this team has two starting linemen who have had their shoulders worked on in consecutive years. Maybe we can judge the success of the new coaches by how many big nasties miss next years camp after shoulder surgery. Regardless, with no rookies expected to see time as a Hawks linemen this year, the team should be able to come together quickly, once everybody is healthy. Look for improvement in the health department by the time the next camp rolls around in June.

Also, look for the Hawks to possibly announce some roster moves later. It is possible that some of the tryout guys made enough of an impression to unseat some of the camp fodder who had previously signed.