Falcons rookie Joe Hawley is saving most of his stacks

Falcons fourth round pick Joe Hawley plays with a mean streak. He will do some car shopping before returning for training camp.

BIRDLAND – Falcons draft pick Joe Hawley is a simple man.

When the fourth round pick from UNLV signed his contract he received 480 stacks for his bonus money.

(BLOG ASIDE: Urban dictionary: A stack is $1,000 dollars. I found this out when the contractor working on my basement said, “I need at least 2 stacks to get started.” I said, “Hmmmm. What’s a stack?”)

So what’s Hawley going to do with some of stacks?

Hawley probably won't be peeling rubber in his new F-150 in the Flowery Branch parking lot.

“I’m going to get a new car just because I don’t have one,” Hawley told the AJC’s Ken Sugiura on one of the last days of OTAs. “It’s not going to be anything crazy, probably just a truck or something. I’ve actually been riding with Mike (Johnson), so I need to get a new car in the first place.”

Hawley and the rest of the team’s rookie class is at the NFL Rookie Symposium in San Diego.

Last night, commissioner Roger Goodell spoke to the group. The meetings are designed to the help the rookies make the transition into the NFL. They are warned about groupies, long lost family members looking for handouts and how to manage their new found wealth.

According to a tweet from our buddy Steve Wyche, Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden showed up draped in jewelry looking like Mr. T. He’ll be warned that such behavior could make him a robbery target.

Hawley been checking out  one of those cool F-150 pickup trucks.

“I drove my parents’ car in college so it was never actually mine,” Hawley said. “It’s going to be the first big purchase I’ve ever made with my money.”

With his deal done, Hawley can focus on preparing for training camp. He has to digest the hefty playbook.

“It’s a lot to learn,” Hawley said. “A lot of plays. A lot more pass protection than I’ve ever been used to but the older guys have helped make it a smooth transition. Any questions I have, they really help me out, it hasn’t been too bad. I’m getting there. I’m getting more used to it.”

Hawley, who played center and guard for the Runnin’ Rebels, will be vying for one of the backup interior line spots. Veterans Todd McClure and Brett Romberg have welcomed him the tight knit offensive linemen group.

“They’re both awesome,” Hawley said. “Anything I need they help me out.”

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