I sent Danzig, a senior writer at Bearsnecessity,  a few questions about the Titans newest receiver, Lavelle Hawkins.

1. Who is going to be a better NFL receiver, LaVelle
   Hawkins or DeSean Jackson?

Well gee, thanks for the impossible question. How
about which one is hotter: Jessica Alba or Keeley
Hazell? Short answer, Hawk projects as the more
productive NFL WR. Heck, even our coach let it slip
that Hawk would be drafted first (really).  Here's
why:

• Hawk is superior physically: This allowed
  him to run all the routes on our playbook while Djax
  is mainly a deep guy (although Hawk leads in
  yards/catch, meaning he can go deep too).  We sent
  Hawk to catch balls over the middle and take nasty
  hits from LBs and Safeties. He owned 3rd downs because
  he boxes people out and can catch with defenders
  literally on his back (his best quality!).  Hawk deals
  with press coverage better. He is not affected by the
  initial bump, can recover and then has 4.4 speed to
  separate.

          Hawk can improvise: When our QB is in
          trouble he looks for the Hawk.  He is especially good
          at catching bullets on come-backers when our QB has
          been flushed. His ability to catch balls in traffic
          also makes him a great red-zone target.

• Hawk does not need open space: Djax is
  better in space when making people miss, but isn't
  great at fighting off defenders.  Although Hawk also
  has great moves, he uses his strength or his stiff arm
  to fight defenders for YAC. He loves the stiff arm!
  Not to say that Hawk can't hot-dog, remember he's been
  our KOR guy for 2 years.

2. How did Hawkins play against top competition?

Can't really say.  In our system we only have two WRs
out 70% of the time.  It’s a pure run-first, pro
offense.  So Hawk found himself in one-on-ones alot
against the second best corner (Djax gets the best
corners).  But regardless the DB talent, he rips them
up consistently. Remember, he led our team in
receiving and all-purpose yards last year, meaning he
produces no matter who it is.  As far as big games vs.
small games, Hawk's production never really changes.
He's like a straight line while Djax is like a Sine
wave.  Djax is quiet during small games and explodes
during big games.  Hawk just keeps getting open game
after game. Remember the Vols game in 07? Everyone
remembers Djax and his big plays, but in that game
Hawk had more receiving yards, yards/catch, total
yards and more return yards...that pretty much sums
him up.

3. What NFL receiver do you think Hawkins resembles?

I sort of answered this before in a post but basically
he's a carbon copy of a younger Hines Ward (Steelers).
Like Ward he doesn’t think too much when he’s
catching, meaning his upper-body adjustments are
instinctive and natural (as opposed to being
mechanical) allowing him to catch grossly off-target
balls.  Like Ward he doesn't have great timed speed or
size, but functional speed and size (4.44,5’11).  Like
Ward he fights off defenders for that extra two or
three yards on each catch and blocks out people with
his body.

A big thanks to Danzig for his insights.