The question asking if the offense will improve/decline/remain the same has me stuck on "I don't know!" So many questions about the offense:
1. Will terminology be different from Kubiak in Fleury's playbook? How much learning curve will there be in adopting Fleury's playbook? How much input will MM have in playbook design? Game day play calling?
2. Because Fleury coached TEs in SF will we see an abundance of 12 or 13 personnel? Nick Kallerup was a 53 man casualty on a recent "way too early" analysis. Will Arroyo be healthy and a willing and effective blocker? Does Brady Russell get more snaps at TE?
3. Will opposing DCs continue to stack the box like last season? Or will they find Price/Holani/Wilson not as threatening as K9/Charbs and pull back thus clogging up passing lanes?
I DON'T KNOW!! 😂
My answer to the poll came down to everyone who returned on offense will pick up where they left off and keep going the same as last season. Enough change to limit improvement but enough constants to avoid decline. I guess.
I do not want to see Spoon play for another team. He's a Seahawk, through and through. As a matter of fact, I can't think of anyone who is more of a Seahawk than Spoon. He's the poster child for a Seahawk. This is how a Seahawk plays, acts, and works. He's all football, all the time. He needs to stay. I know why other teams would want him. He's a 'seed' guy. You plant him in a new locker room and you watch that attitude take root.....affects everyone.
I realize if some team offered two firsts, with at least one of them a likely top ten pick, that'd be hard to turn down if you're likely to get excellent players on rookie deals, rather than paying $30M to one player. But there are no guarantees with rookies, no matter where they are picked......although with JS lately, he hasn't swung and missed much.
I'll be very happy when/if the deal gets done.
Switching topics, Mason Richman playing center, guard, and some tackle at OTA's. Dave Wyman called him out for 'looking different'. I'd already read somewhere that Cabeldue had a really good offseason getting bigger, stronger, faster......so this is all good. Even if AB holds it down, injuries happen, so it's important the 2nd line guys are ready to roll.
The K-Ball thing is a little exaggerated, but only a little. The bigger impact on Kickers length and accuracy is recent improvements in training and general special teams work. We're basically only just entered into the first generation of Kickers (and punters) that have had genuine quality training from school right through to the NFL.
K-Balls do help, it's very much proven (see also doped Baseballs). And in a world where 2 yards of difference can mean the whole game it will continue to be important. But don't think it's turning average Joe's into 50yard hitters, it's turning 55yard guys into 56yard guys. The guy is still by far the biggest impact.
The risk with Spoon is he may be a one-extension d-back and that’s it. Maybe pound-for-pound the hardest hitter in the NFL but you can only hit guys 30-60 lbs heavier than you for so long before you start to break down. It’s possible the back half of his extension contract is already marred by injuries. And Spoon may be well aware of this. This did happen:
Not a fan of that last question from Danno. All things being equal, I think the offense will be better. However, all things aren't equal. Specifically, there's a new OC. For me, that makes this question non-applicable.
I wanted to answer...I think it will be roughly as effective, but in different ways. Fleury was a TE coach, so I expect more production there. Shaheed got paid to be WR2 and so I hope he and Darnold are playing pitch and catch as I type. Our OL should be more cohesive after a year together. All that is not dependent on Price being Walker. And let's remember, at this time last year we thought Kubiak would be fine. Competent. A professional. Not special. Which, in the main, seems like what he was, for us.
Since the question asks you to take the new OC and RB-room into consideration when casting your vote, I take it not so much an apples-v-oranges as a prognostication. I sincerely hope that Fleury can keep the offense as (moderately) successful as they were last year. It will be a challenge to get production out of Price/Wilson/Holani et al, keep Darnold grounded, and keep JSN running free, all while (or because) he gets more production from the TE room. It's a tall order, but it shouldn't be impossible. There are enough lower-tier defenses sprinkled around the schedule to pad their stats; the rubber will meet the road when they need to score in a fourth-quarter deficit situation.
Now we shall see if Schneider's Budget will hold up. Guys making $5 million a year (whew!) can not be asked to join in and take a $100 thousand hit just so Devon can get $30 million instead of $29 million. And we'll never know what all the Handshake Perks are hidden in the weeds, in any event.
Thank you for addressing the K-ball issue. I feel smarter already.
Now, can we talk about the scouting department? Like, how many? Are some resources shared with other teams? Do the Seattle scouts ever have a beer and chit-chat with other scouts?
I already made this comment in an earlier article, but it seems more relevant here:
The Spoon contract situation is further complicated because he and Christian Gonzalez have the same agent. You have two guys drafted in the first round of the same year who have both lived up to expectations and have compelling arguments to be the highest paid CB in the NFL. Why would either guy sign a deal before the other? Maybe instead of negotiating with their agent, Schneider and Eliot Wolf (Patriots GM), need to get on the phone and agree to contract terms they are willing to offer so they don't get jerked around.
But it most definitely happens. And they know each other really well. I'm not accusing anybody of anything, but these sorts of things routinely happen at league meetings, the combine, etc. Whether JS plays that game or not, I have no idea......but 'chasing edges' and all. You know.
Gonzalez is a terrific player. Might have been the best player on the field at the Super Bowl. Seattle would have blown the doors off without a few finger tip plays by him, and a few slightly short throws by Sam. Gonzalez is also a more traditional CB, so probably a more straightforward evaluation, unlike Spoon, whose calling card is more versatility and physicality than a true lockdown corner. Tough to compare the two, but they are both fantastic players.
Ha! Now that would be interesting. Wouldn't save us any money, I don't expect. Trading versatility for a true lock down corner. But Spoon on the Patriots, ugh. I hate the Patriots.
Right? I'm sure the two GMs coming together is illegal somehow, but in this case the moral obligation of the sports agent also gets very murky. Is it a conflict of interest for the same small group of agents to work with two guys who want the same thing? I think it would be naive to assume that Spoon and Gonzo aren't both aware of the situation and applying pressure to be the highest paid CB.
It's hard, spoon is a great football player but almost plays like a LB more than outside corner. I hope we keep him on a reasonable deal. Once the draft was over I felt like Seattle made every attempt to bring in talent to replace him but in the end we'll see how much Johnny Value will pay for spoons services.
I really like what MM's defensive scheme (and scheming) does, but I firmly believe that it takes some talented players to implement the myriad on-field switches that it includes. Spoons looks to be one of the keys, not just another cog, so I can't see him leaving.
If a Spoon trade becomes a true option, I hope they try to keep him for 2026. Our 2 rookie dbs could really benefit by seeing the Spoon approach. And kudos for pointing out that knowing who has top 10 picks to deal is huge!
The question asking if the offense will improve/decline/remain the same has me stuck on "I don't know!" So many questions about the offense:
1. Will terminology be different from Kubiak in Fleury's playbook? How much learning curve will there be in adopting Fleury's playbook? How much input will MM have in playbook design? Game day play calling?
2. Because Fleury coached TEs in SF will we see an abundance of 12 or 13 personnel? Nick Kallerup was a 53 man casualty on a recent "way too early" analysis. Will Arroyo be healthy and a willing and effective blocker? Does Brady Russell get more snaps at TE?
3. Will opposing DCs continue to stack the box like last season? Or will they find Price/Holani/Wilson not as threatening as K9/Charbs and pull back thus clogging up passing lanes?
I DON'T KNOW!! 😂
My answer to the poll came down to everyone who returned on offense will pick up where they left off and keep going the same as last season. Enough change to limit improvement but enough constants to avoid decline. I guess.
I DON'T KNOW, DANNO! 🤣
K-Ball banter. Very nice.
I do not want to see Spoon play for another team. He's a Seahawk, through and through. As a matter of fact, I can't think of anyone who is more of a Seahawk than Spoon. He's the poster child for a Seahawk. This is how a Seahawk plays, acts, and works. He's all football, all the time. He needs to stay. I know why other teams would want him. He's a 'seed' guy. You plant him in a new locker room and you watch that attitude take root.....affects everyone.
I realize if some team offered two firsts, with at least one of them a likely top ten pick, that'd be hard to turn down if you're likely to get excellent players on rookie deals, rather than paying $30M to one player. But there are no guarantees with rookies, no matter where they are picked......although with JS lately, he hasn't swung and missed much.
I'll be very happy when/if the deal gets done.
Switching topics, Mason Richman playing center, guard, and some tackle at OTA's. Dave Wyman called him out for 'looking different'. I'd already read somewhere that Cabeldue had a really good offseason getting bigger, stronger, faster......so this is all good. Even if AB holds it down, injuries happen, so it's important the 2nd line guys are ready to roll.
Thanks for the extra info, Chris. It's good to know.
Spoon is a slightly built fella who hits bigger men with bad intent. Physics are not in his favor.
But you're right; I don't want to see him elsewhere. However the team plays this I'll trust.
If Cabledue can back up C and G, that makes Olu and Haynes less likely to make the 53.
I think Haynes has run his course in Seattle. Tons of opportunities.....hasn't taken advantage of any of them.
The K-Ball thing is a little exaggerated, but only a little. The bigger impact on Kickers length and accuracy is recent improvements in training and general special teams work. We're basically only just entered into the first generation of Kickers (and punters) that have had genuine quality training from school right through to the NFL.
K-Balls do help, it's very much proven (see also doped Baseballs). And in a world where 2 yards of difference can mean the whole game it will continue to be important. But don't think it's turning average Joe's into 50yard hitters, it's turning 55yard guys into 56yard guys. The guy is still by far the biggest impact.
If you mean including the practice squad, Danno, then 8 draftees make it, but I think 6 dress for the Pats.
Took the question of who makes the 53 in broadest sense, who of the draftees makes it to the 53 this season...
The risk with Spoon is he may be a one-extension d-back and that’s it. Maybe pound-for-pound the hardest hitter in the NFL but you can only hit guys 30-60 lbs heavier than you for so long before you start to break down. It’s possible the back half of his extension contract is already marred by injuries. And Spoon may be well aware of this. This did happen:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKDsJZbID-S/?igsh=djIxdGpiNmMzbWhv
Could it be they’re not arguing as much about APR as they are term and guarantees?
Not a fan of that last question from Danno. All things being equal, I think the offense will be better. However, all things aren't equal. Specifically, there's a new OC. For me, that makes this question non-applicable.
I wanted to answer...I think it will be roughly as effective, but in different ways. Fleury was a TE coach, so I expect more production there. Shaheed got paid to be WR2 and so I hope he and Darnold are playing pitch and catch as I type. Our OL should be more cohesive after a year together. All that is not dependent on Price being Walker. And let's remember, at this time last year we thought Kubiak would be fine. Competent. A professional. Not special. Which, in the main, seems like what he was, for us.
Since the question asks you to take the new OC and RB-room into consideration when casting your vote, I take it not so much an apples-v-oranges as a prognostication. I sincerely hope that Fleury can keep the offense as (moderately) successful as they were last year. It will be a challenge to get production out of Price/Wilson/Holani et al, keep Darnold grounded, and keep JSN running free, all while (or because) he gets more production from the TE room. It's a tall order, but it shouldn't be impossible. There are enough lower-tier defenses sprinkled around the schedule to pad their stats; the rubber will meet the road when they need to score in a fourth-quarter deficit situation.
Now we shall see if Schneider's Budget will hold up. Guys making $5 million a year (whew!) can not be asked to join in and take a $100 thousand hit just so Devon can get $30 million instead of $29 million. And we'll never know what all the Handshake Perks are hidden in the weeds, in any event.
Thank you for addressing the K-ball issue. I feel smarter already.
Now, can we talk about the scouting department? Like, how many? Are some resources shared with other teams? Do the Seattle scouts ever have a beer and chit-chat with other scouts?
Yeppers, that video on the K-ball was very informative.
I already made this comment in an earlier article, but it seems more relevant here:
The Spoon contract situation is further complicated because he and Christian Gonzalez have the same agent. You have two guys drafted in the first round of the same year who have both lived up to expectations and have compelling arguments to be the highest paid CB in the NFL. Why would either guy sign a deal before the other? Maybe instead of negotiating with their agent, Schneider and Eliot Wolf (Patriots GM), need to get on the phone and agree to contract terms they are willing to offer so they don't get jerked around.
That sound like a great idea Grant.
That’s collusion. It’s probably either illegal or banned by the collective bargaining agreement.
But it most definitely happens. And they know each other really well. I'm not accusing anybody of anything, but these sorts of things routinely happen at league meetings, the combine, etc. Whether JS plays that game or not, I have no idea......but 'chasing edges' and all. You know.
Gonzalez is a terrific player. Might have been the best player on the field at the Super Bowl. Seattle would have blown the doors off without a few finger tip plays by him, and a few slightly short throws by Sam. Gonzalez is also a more traditional CB, so probably a more straightforward evaluation, unlike Spoon, whose calling card is more versatility and physicality than a true lockdown corner. Tough to compare the two, but they are both fantastic players.
So...trade Spoon for Gonzalez, then?
Ha! Now that would be interesting. Wouldn't save us any money, I don't expect. Trading versatility for a true lock down corner. But Spoon on the Patriots, ugh. I hate the Patriots.
Well….. can you collude with yourself when you’re representing 2 individuals. That seems like an unfair advantage.
Right? I'm sure the two GMs coming together is illegal somehow, but in this case the moral obligation of the sports agent also gets very murky. Is it a conflict of interest for the same small group of agents to work with two guys who want the same thing? I think it would be naive to assume that Spoon and Gonzo aren't both aware of the situation and applying pressure to be the highest paid CB.
Unless, of course, the conversation takes place during the legal-colluding period. ;^)
It's hard, spoon is a great football player but almost plays like a LB more than outside corner. I hope we keep him on a reasonable deal. Once the draft was over I felt like Seattle made every attempt to bring in talent to replace him but in the end we'll see how much Johnny Value will pay for spoons services.
I really like what MM's defensive scheme (and scheming) does, but I firmly believe that it takes some talented players to implement the myriad on-field switches that it includes. Spoons looks to be one of the keys, not just another cog, so I can't see him leaving.
If a Spoon trade becomes a true option, I hope they try to keep him for 2026. Our 2 rookie dbs could really benefit by seeing the Spoon approach. And kudos for pointing out that knowing who has top 10 picks to deal is huge!
So, you’re saying that JS might want to re-live the Jamal Adams deal from the other side?
Wouldn't that be something?
If I didn't get to your Super Joes Q today, don't worry, not even close to done yet!