The unquantifiable value of Bobby Wagner
The unquantifiable value of Bobby Wagner
I talk "Seahawks" on a podcast for the first time in months: Seaside Joe 1556
What do we do with ProFootballFocus? We allow them to exist, to share their opinions, even though a week ago I wrote about why I choose not to use their grades. Everybody has their right to an opinion, including when it is disguised as being “a stat”.
On Monday, PFF posted their opinion on who the top-32 linebackers are entering the season and after a year without Bobby Wagner, the Seattle Seahawks are back in the top-10.
7. BOBBY WAGNER, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Though he isn’t as athletic as he used to be, his anticipation and football IQ continue to put him in the right spots to make an impact.
(Removed: PFF’s note about his 2022 grade.)
Already other members of the Seahawks have cited Wagner’s presence as important motivation for their own standards, including Dre’Mont Jones:
Then, noticing Bobby Wagner watching from the side as he spoke to reporters, Jones said “I’m trying to get on Bobby’s level. So, one day at a time.’’
In OTAs last week, Wagner and Julian Love combined for a pass breakup and though it is only practice, the moment exemplified a potential change in energy with Wagner back in the fold.
Notably absent from any list of the top-30 linebackers in the NFL: Cody Barton. I don’t say this to invoke angry feelings in Barton and those who felt strongly about his value, but merely to note the same upgrade at a position that Jets media would make at quarterback with Aaron Rodgers or how Dolphins media would address the change at cornerback with Jalen Ramsey.
Pete Carroll wasn’t happy with the quality of play Seattle was getting at linebacker in 2022 and Barton dipped into a part-time role before a torn ACL for Jordyn Brooks put him back into a full-time role late in the season. Brooks did not get the fifth-year option this offseason and his return date is unknown but there was also a clear difference in value in the middle between him and Wagner, even at this stage of their careers.
Had the Seahawks not been able to bring Bobby back, where would they be left at linebacker? Would it be Devin Bush and a rookie? A different veteran such as Eric Kendricks, who signed with the Chargers after an eight-year career in Minnesota and the brother of a former Seattle linebacker?
We’ll never know. But any other option—truly ANY other option—wouldn’t have commanded the same level of respect or brought near the amount of experience with this team and what the equates to in terms of upgrading the position is not quantifiable. Whether it’s less than we think or more than anyone has predicted, having Bobby Wagner back in Seattle is a move that translates to value that goes beyond the field.
I can comfortably say that the Seahawks now have someone better than the 33rd best linebacker, which may have been where they stood last season.
Seaside Joe on Seahawks Forever
Dan Viens of the Seahawks Forever podcast was awesome enough to invite me onto his show this week to talk about my Geno Smith-Matt Ryan comparison, the Devon Witherspoon prediction on draft day, and the Seaside Joe newsletter’s daily writing streak. You can subscribe to the Seahawks Forever YouTube channel by clicking here and you can watch the episode right here:
Watch it once and then click on it at least five more times to really JUICE Dan’s numbers and show the power of the Seaside Joe audience. Audio-only Seahawks fans can listen to the podcast here.
There are many more origin stories to come this summer, game-by-game analysis of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zach Charbonnet (at least) in college, and no shortage of previews of the roster and depth chart so be sure to be subscribed to Seaside Joe as a daily free subscriber or support with as little as $5 per month:
I truly dig the defensive upgrades. In my heart of hearts, we would have a Big named interior D-lineman as well but I am feeling very good about Cam Young. I am also Very intrigued by the little guy from San Diego State (Jonah Tavai) whose film looks amazing!
Nevertheless, if the NYJ's Quinnen Williams (and his $9.5M 2023 contract) could be absorbed - somehow - I'd give up next year's 1st-Round pic - heck, maybe a little more. His next contract will be a biggie, like $20M+ annually, but that is what you pay for Massive game-wrecking studs like him.
Regardless, 7 new starters this year pretty much Guarantees our D's run-fits will not be completely on the same page until well into the season. By the time the late season weather affects the passing game, we will be ready to be a factor.
I'm a little late on the stats debate but since you mentioned your opinion on PFF again, I'll chime in. Stats are kind of like the Bible. IF you break them down into small enough parts, you can get them to say whatever you want, even if it is the opposite of the intent. Far too many journalist write from a pre-concluded argument that they disguise as an open ended question and they are trying to gather data in order to form a "enlightened" opinion in real time with the reader. In reality, they are parsing out pieces of stats to justify what they already believe in order to make it look that they took you along on their "eureka" journey. Context be damned. It's no different than what politicians & religious exploiters do. So many sports journalists try to look like impartial scientists uncovering the truth but they are just fans who know how to write & they have their favorites and least-favorites just like everybody else. One of Joe's greatest advantages is that he doesn't have to pretend to be impartial or un-biased. He is biased & partial and that is the beauty & simplicity of his points of view. No need to pretend.