Like both Lawrence and MVS. Lawrence is a force and a master. Masters are mentors and can unlock abilities in others with physical attributes, like Mafe and Hall, even Nwosu.
He's not a slacker, just riding out a contract after an injury. MacDonald knows defense and Durde already worked with him, so that bodes well.
MVS came on strong the end of last year and Kubiak knows him as well. Don't know anything about OL Josh Jones, but hopefully Mike D knows something about him. We have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds of the draft. We can get some good OL prospects there and have a better array of O coaches to coach up players as well.
- Defense - good, and just need to tweak it a bit to get to elite. Blue chippers in Leo and Spoon. Re-sign EJ and JReed. Add depth in FA and the draft at iLB, DT, and DB.
- Offense - not good enough. No blue chippers. Need a bit of a reset to get the group to mature within a window. Some players not a scheme fit. Will add in FA to fill out the roster a bit, but will leverage the draft to add talent, and will leverage the new offensive staff to develop them. Draft needs to add OG/C, WR, TE, OT and maybe QB if they love a guy.
I know everyone wants instant gratification on the o-line, and I wouldn't mind that either, but I just don't think they are going there. They will try to find the baddest m'fers in the draft that block like their mothers are behind them. If you're a TE or WR, you better be able and willing to block. Same with those interior lineman, only they need to be able to move as well.
Mike MacDonald knows what he wants this to look like on offense. Last year was not it. They assessed that the Grubb/Huff combo was most definitely not the scheme they wanted to run. They think that Kubiak's system is the right one, so now it's getting the players that can run that system. Darnold has experience with it at San Fran and Minny. MVS has experience with it in NO. Those two make sense at relative bargain prices. They're assessing the players they have, and will draft and sign the players that are scheme fits.
We don't need much on defense. We have some heavy lifting to do on offense. But a weak FA group doesn't have a lot of quick fixes. There are some trade opportunities, so we'll see if John can pull something off. 11 picks in the draft. Choose wisely.
Would I rather have Jones or Lawrence? Gimme Lawrence! Replaces Dre for less money with better Run D and leadership, which is a much needed positive move in that regards.
Was looking at the FA list yesterday thinking "hmm, wonder if Durde wants Lawrence". Great minds think alike haha.
Plugging in needs and replacing outgoings with cheaper (and arguably better/more upside) players. Solid off-season, even if the national media wants to portray us so far as D grades or lower. We understand the plan and moves in context. Like that it opens up the draft to go BPA with all our first 5 picks, a proven way to hit usable players.
Ryan Clark blasted Dallas for not resigning Lawrence because he was their most physical player and gave them leadership and grit. Hoping he has a few more years of that left to bring to Seattle.
I’m still catching up but we need to note this day. Our sadness. SJ I’m surprised you have written this article yet. The 2021 draft class is officially no more in Seattle. We lost Dee last year. But I read Tre Brown signed by our nemesis, the Whiners. And just read the Stone Giant has left us to go to the Giants (that fits). The lowest draft capital in the NFL is now no more in Seattle. (A big big big day for the Hawks!!!!).
In our 3-4, I can see him playing DE and not EDGE (OLB). He fits the past mold of a guy coming off an injury at a discount who was dominant before. I am hoping doctors were involved, a physical was administered, and assurances were given. Ain't trying to get another Conner Williams.
A lot of negativity for these moves by JS so far. But we need to fill out the roster with depth, and if we missed out on our top choices at some positions of need, it’s still necessary to put 90 players on the roster by camp. I was hoping for Fries and Dalman, but I’m not upset at missing out on 5 years and $90 million for someone whose shine was so short lived. And it’s not the Seahawks fault Dalman did not want to consider playing in the PNW. The first game of the season is almost 6 months away. I still think we can build on what we have and improve our record over last year.
My thoughts on the O-line, Cross is 25 years old, He will probably be at least as good as last year, and maybe improve some. Lucas finished last year with healthy knees and has had his first NFL off season to work on improving his game. I don’t know how many of you remember his rookie year, but many people felt he played better than Cross. Perhaps if he stay healthy, he will be better than that rookie year. In any event, right tackle will be tons better with Lucas starting the season than the combination of Fant/Forsythe/Jerrell.
Rookies face an awakening coming into the NFL. It’s a steep learning curve. Those rookies got more playing time last year than they should have, but they’ve had a full off season to improve their game. I expect Lemea, Sundell, Haynes and Jerrell to be better this year. Olu has a 1/2 year of play under his belt and should be better. Center and right guard play will be better than last year. Perhaps one of the right guards can move to left and take Tomlinson’s spot.
We can still make a trade for an IOL. We still have the draft to add and IOL. It’s not unreasonable to think that just like our tackle positions, IOL will be better than last year.
In one game last year a full 87% of our plays on offense were passing plays, and we were damn near the worst team in the NFL in the ratio of passing plays to running plays. Just balancing that out some will improve our O-line pass protection and there’s reason to believe our O-line will be better this year.
Kubiak has a pro scheme that may put our O-line in a position to succeed more often, and make our O-line better than last year.
We have an entirely new O-line coaching staff that may coach up our players to be better this year than last year.
We have many positive ways to get better on the O-line, and we still have almost 6 months until the first game of the season.
Let’s not write the eulogy on this season just yet.
I think any disappointment stems from Schneider doubling down on building an OL in a way that has not yielded much. (He himself admits that a trade is unlikely.)
The angst over Lawrence probably wouldn’t exist had Schneider succeeded in signing Fries. Hey, everyone knows that Fries is not an AP. Still, even a serviceable young guy looks good compared to the sad parade that has shuffled in and out of the IOL for years now.
After such a fabulous weekend these 2 don’t give me feel great vibes. However, just another reason this group is great except some doubters, because I completely forgot about Durde attraction here. They don’t sign him if he didn’t pass physical. Durde could have immense bro love but if didn’t pass physical he’s not signed. But Chuck thanks for your insight on the injury. MVS didn’t make me happy but then Coach K likely likes him otherwise he had enough knowledge to say no. And MVS is the speedy deep guy we lost with DK gone. MVS is 5th in reception pecking order so in that case I’m good with it. Deep passes with downfield blocking. Keep the FS honest then those are wins. Two coaches that had great insights thus I think we trust them.
We can, but I think there were only two 'blue chip' o-lineman in FA, and they are both signed for big, big dollars. Even the 2nd tier guys like Zietler are mostly gone. I'm ok with not picking him up at age 35 anyway. I think the plan is to develop the young guys we have and take advantage of a draft with really good inside o-line options that will be available in rounds 1 thru 4.
I'm starting to think that John & Mike like the talent they have, and the young talent in the draft, and further, think the new offensive coaching staff can get one hell of a lot more out of them than the Grubb/Huff combo.
Circling back to Fries, it wasn't just the 5 year term and the per year salary with him, he wasn't even willing to wait until Wednesday when FA began, and it was 'legal' to do a team visit to Seattle so they could do a physical and check everything out. Seattle might have stretched further than they wanted to for him, but not sight unseen. I wouldn't have either. If the guy has a f'd up knee and you just signed him for $20M/year for 5 years.......ooof.
I don't love this one. I'm pretty sure I wanted us to draft him back then, but it's been so long that I can't even be sure I'm thinking of the right guy! He's a 4 time Pro Bowler, which is nice. Including in his age 30 and 31 season, which is even nicer. But guys past 30 with injuries building up aren't what I had in mind for spending big(ish) on. I read 3 year contracts as 2 year deals, and 9-14M per season isn't bad at all *if* he plays. Lisfranc injuries aren't usually career-enders, but they do tend to linger. And cause life-long disability/pain later in life. This is brutal sport. And he didn't get surgery, which worries me far, far more than if he had. I'm no doctor so I'm just going on what I read from orthopedic smart people who know about feet that just because bones aren't displaced doesn't mean it's not the best idea for long-term mobility to avoid surgery even in milder cases. It is quite likely I'm wrong and he plays so well that we keep him for that 3rd year. But I would bet more money than I can afford to lose that won't happen. Fortunately, I am not gambling real American dollars and just shouting my opinion on the internet!
I pretty much take back my skepticism on this one. His health does worry me, but this guy might be the best player on our D line next year if he stays healthy. And having someone to teach our young pups can only help.
Tim Duncan had plantar fasciitis early in his career and he turned out to be pretty good. I was there for this play. My jaw still drops when I remember it.
Glad we got an edge rusher. Pray he stays healthy because the hawks need difference makers and he has the history, he fits the mold. Excited to see an elite, dominate D line this year which I think we may have, the depth is there.
That leaves us with a need for OL and WR players now and frankly I am concerned the Seahawks have not signed a top OL out there yet! (They got another backup swing tackle I get that)
But I feel JS will continue to keep signing cheap guards and centers this off season (and draft)
Even if he doesn't have a full tank, he could be really helpful to the younger guys, especially Mafe. If he can produce and mentor, could be a great pick-up.
Yep, he seems like the perfect guy for that role. And if he rotates in and out of the lineup and stays healthy, this would be a signing we look back on as a great one.
Like both Lawrence and MVS. Lawrence is a force and a master. Masters are mentors and can unlock abilities in others with physical attributes, like Mafe and Hall, even Nwosu.
He's not a slacker, just riding out a contract after an injury. MacDonald knows defense and Durde already worked with him, so that bodes well.
MVS came on strong the end of last year and Kubiak knows him as well. Don't know anything about OL Josh Jones, but hopefully Mike D knows something about him. We have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds of the draft. We can get some good OL prospects there and have a better array of O coaches to coach up players as well.
Optimistic about the coming season.
Look at his run defense tape.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uscJ9czDx0&ab_channel=DC4Life
Highlights make any player look good, but his look insane.
What the Seahawks are doing.......
Here's my take FWIW.
- Defense - good, and just need to tweak it a bit to get to elite. Blue chippers in Leo and Spoon. Re-sign EJ and JReed. Add depth in FA and the draft at iLB, DT, and DB.
- Offense - not good enough. No blue chippers. Need a bit of a reset to get the group to mature within a window. Some players not a scheme fit. Will add in FA to fill out the roster a bit, but will leverage the draft to add talent, and will leverage the new offensive staff to develop them. Draft needs to add OG/C, WR, TE, OT and maybe QB if they love a guy.
I know everyone wants instant gratification on the o-line, and I wouldn't mind that either, but I just don't think they are going there. They will try to find the baddest m'fers in the draft that block like their mothers are behind them. If you're a TE or WR, you better be able and willing to block. Same with those interior lineman, only they need to be able to move as well.
Mike MacDonald knows what he wants this to look like on offense. Last year was not it. They assessed that the Grubb/Huff combo was most definitely not the scheme they wanted to run. They think that Kubiak's system is the right one, so now it's getting the players that can run that system. Darnold has experience with it at San Fran and Minny. MVS has experience with it in NO. Those two make sense at relative bargain prices. They're assessing the players they have, and will draft and sign the players that are scheme fits.
We don't need much on defense. We have some heavy lifting to do on offense. But a weak FA group doesn't have a lot of quick fixes. There are some trade opportunities, so we'll see if John can pull something off. 11 picks in the draft. Choose wisely.
Would I rather have Jones or Lawrence? Gimme Lawrence! Replaces Dre for less money with better Run D and leadership, which is a much needed positive move in that regards.
Was looking at the FA list yesterday thinking "hmm, wonder if Durde wants Lawrence". Great minds think alike haha.
Plugging in needs and replacing outgoings with cheaper (and arguably better/more upside) players. Solid off-season, even if the national media wants to portray us so far as D grades or lower. We understand the plan and moves in context. Like that it opens up the draft to go BPA with all our first 5 picks, a proven way to hit usable players.
Ryan Clark blasted Dallas for not resigning Lawrence because he was their most physical player and gave them leadership and grit. Hoping he has a few more years of that left to bring to Seattle.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44224523/demarcus-lawrence-agrees-free-agent-deal-seahawks
I’m still catching up but we need to note this day. Our sadness. SJ I’m surprised you have written this article yet. The 2021 draft class is officially no more in Seattle. We lost Dee last year. But I read Tre Brown signed by our nemesis, the Whiners. And just read the Stone Giant has left us to go to the Giants (that fits). The lowest draft capital in the NFL is now no more in Seattle. (A big big big day for the Hawks!!!!).
Feels like an over pay, if we’re gonna do that how about over pay for iOL?! Otherwise I’m fine with the moves this far.
Too old… Injured last year… Not much different than who we already have at EDGE…
In our 3-4, I can see him playing DE and not EDGE (OLB). He fits the past mold of a guy coming off an injury at a discount who was dominant before. I am hoping doctors were involved, a physical was administered, and assurances were given. Ain't trying to get another Conner Williams.
A lot of negativity for these moves by JS so far. But we need to fill out the roster with depth, and if we missed out on our top choices at some positions of need, it’s still necessary to put 90 players on the roster by camp. I was hoping for Fries and Dalman, but I’m not upset at missing out on 5 years and $90 million for someone whose shine was so short lived. And it’s not the Seahawks fault Dalman did not want to consider playing in the PNW. The first game of the season is almost 6 months away. I still think we can build on what we have and improve our record over last year.
My thoughts on the O-line, Cross is 25 years old, He will probably be at least as good as last year, and maybe improve some. Lucas finished last year with healthy knees and has had his first NFL off season to work on improving his game. I don’t know how many of you remember his rookie year, but many people felt he played better than Cross. Perhaps if he stay healthy, he will be better than that rookie year. In any event, right tackle will be tons better with Lucas starting the season than the combination of Fant/Forsythe/Jerrell.
Rookies face an awakening coming into the NFL. It’s a steep learning curve. Those rookies got more playing time last year than they should have, but they’ve had a full off season to improve their game. I expect Lemea, Sundell, Haynes and Jerrell to be better this year. Olu has a 1/2 year of play under his belt and should be better. Center and right guard play will be better than last year. Perhaps one of the right guards can move to left and take Tomlinson’s spot.
We can still make a trade for an IOL. We still have the draft to add and IOL. It’s not unreasonable to think that just like our tackle positions, IOL will be better than last year.
In one game last year a full 87% of our plays on offense were passing plays, and we were damn near the worst team in the NFL in the ratio of passing plays to running plays. Just balancing that out some will improve our O-line pass protection and there’s reason to believe our O-line will be better this year.
Kubiak has a pro scheme that may put our O-line in a position to succeed more often, and make our O-line better than last year.
We have an entirely new O-line coaching staff that may coach up our players to be better this year than last year.
We have many positive ways to get better on the O-line, and we still have almost 6 months until the first game of the season.
Let’s not write the eulogy on this season just yet.
Be well everyone!
I think any disappointment stems from Schneider doubling down on building an OL in a way that has not yielded much. (He himself admits that a trade is unlikely.)
The angst over Lawrence probably wouldn’t exist had Schneider succeeded in signing Fries. Hey, everyone knows that Fries is not an AP. Still, even a serviceable young guy looks good compared to the sad parade that has shuffled in and out of the IOL for years now.
After such a fabulous weekend these 2 don’t give me feel great vibes. However, just another reason this group is great except some doubters, because I completely forgot about Durde attraction here. They don’t sign him if he didn’t pass physical. Durde could have immense bro love but if didn’t pass physical he’s not signed. But Chuck thanks for your insight on the injury. MVS didn’t make me happy but then Coach K likely likes him otherwise he had enough knowledge to say no. And MVS is the speedy deep guy we lost with DK gone. MVS is 5th in reception pecking order so in that case I’m good with it. Deep passes with downfield blocking. Keep the FS honest then those are wins. Two coaches that had great insights thus I think we trust them.
Can we still sign more than one blue chip O lineman in Free Agency?!!? Even after all the more spending today
We can, but I think there were only two 'blue chip' o-lineman in FA, and they are both signed for big, big dollars. Even the 2nd tier guys like Zietler are mostly gone. I'm ok with not picking him up at age 35 anyway. I think the plan is to develop the young guys we have and take advantage of a draft with really good inside o-line options that will be available in rounds 1 thru 4.
I'm starting to think that John & Mike like the talent they have, and the young talent in the draft, and further, think the new offensive coaching staff can get one hell of a lot more out of them than the Grubb/Huff combo.
Circling back to Fries, it wasn't just the 5 year term and the per year salary with him, he wasn't even willing to wait until Wednesday when FA began, and it was 'legal' to do a team visit to Seattle so they could do a physical and check everything out. Seattle might have stretched further than they wanted to for him, but not sight unseen. I wouldn't have either. If the guy has a f'd up knee and you just signed him for $20M/year for 5 years.......ooof.
I don't love this one. I'm pretty sure I wanted us to draft him back then, but it's been so long that I can't even be sure I'm thinking of the right guy! He's a 4 time Pro Bowler, which is nice. Including in his age 30 and 31 season, which is even nicer. But guys past 30 with injuries building up aren't what I had in mind for spending big(ish) on. I read 3 year contracts as 2 year deals, and 9-14M per season isn't bad at all *if* he plays. Lisfranc injuries aren't usually career-enders, but they do tend to linger. And cause life-long disability/pain later in life. This is brutal sport. And he didn't get surgery, which worries me far, far more than if he had. I'm no doctor so I'm just going on what I read from orthopedic smart people who know about feet that just because bones aren't displaced doesn't mean it's not the best idea for long-term mobility to avoid surgery even in milder cases. It is quite likely I'm wrong and he plays so well that we keep him for that 3rd year. But I would bet more money than I can afford to lose that won't happen. Fortunately, I am not gambling real American dollars and just shouting my opinion on the internet!
I pretty much take back my skepticism on this one. His health does worry me, but this guy might be the best player on our D line next year if he stays healthy. And having someone to teach our young pups can only help.
Tim Duncan had plantar fasciitis early in his career and he turned out to be pretty good. I was there for this play. My jaw still drops when I remember it.
https://youtu.be/8LxfOV5B9Ko?si=gjJZhDf5CzwqCgMJ
Glad we got an edge rusher. Pray he stays healthy because the hawks need difference makers and he has the history, he fits the mold. Excited to see an elite, dominate D line this year which I think we may have, the depth is there.
That leaves us with a need for OL and WR players now and frankly I am concerned the Seahawks have not signed a top OL out there yet! (They got another backup swing tackle I get that)
But I feel JS will continue to keep signing cheap guards and centers this off season (and draft)
I hope I’m wrong!
I am not impressed with the offseason moves so far😒
Again, hoping JS has some things up his sleeve cause so far it doesn't look good to me!
Even if he doesn't have a full tank, he could be really helpful to the younger guys, especially Mafe. If he can produce and mentor, could be a great pick-up.
Yep, he seems like the perfect guy for that role. And if he rotates in and out of the lineup and stays healthy, this would be a signing we look back on as a great one.