Entering the 2012 season, second-year linebacker D.J. Smith could challenge A.J. Hawk for playing time. Paul Imig of Fox Sports points out that Smith is unlikely to outright replace Hawk because they don't really play the same position. Even though they are both inside linebackers. "You can say it's kind of minor, but it's kind of a big difference," Smith said. "It's still a middle linebacker, but one position (Hawk's) has more responsibility than the other. When it comes to A.J.'s spot, he's the signal caller. He's the guy that runs the show. He's the quarterback of the whole thing. He gets guys lined up, ready to go and makes all the checks when things switch around."