If Walker sees success, it's because the line got sorted out....which I think is a ways off. I'm bracing for change, new personnel could be coming at guard and/or center. Why else would there still be so many combinations being tried along the line?
With Walker, Charbs, Martinez and Halani and an occasional run by Milroe, the running room is fine, especially since they will have a FB opening holes.
My worry is at center, the most important position on the O line. Not only the physical aspect but the mental as well, IE line calls , blitz pick ups etc.
Unfortunately, Olu doesn't give me warm and fuzzy feelings. I hope I'm wrong.
In the past the Hawks gave up.on the run game too soon. Beast Mode wore the defense down with the increased runs. I think the new staff understands that.
Olu mental capabilities are well known. And his pass blocking is good. What I really would love to see from a coach, explaining difference between a QB vs Coach vs C making line calls. Toebek not that big, but awesome play calling. How much of last year was Geno and Grubb? Did Grubb hamper Geno with too much responsibility? Is Olu speed of game and physical grown to match his mental skills?
Past performance is no guarantee of future success.
I love the enthusiasm but I think you, we all, need to step outside and get some fresh air. All the projections, comparing walker to RB’s who have racked up multiple 1000+ yard seasons ALL come with one, very significant ‘if’: “If he doesn’t get hurt”.
This is a year where the scheme will emphasize the running game more than in the past, a year when Walker will be trying harder than ever to produce, and opponents should wise up to the new game plan and be keying on him more, not less than in the past. The guy has a history of injury. If you ask me, all these factors suggest that he is more likely to suffer an injury(s) that will reduce his impact.
I’m hoping he does have a breakout year, that the hawks will break records in the ground game, that the go to the Super Bowl that island a 40+ pound King this year … but I think the enthusiasm and projections need to consider probabilities along with possibilities.
Paul see Barkley please. I get your point but see Barkley. First 2 years, then nothing. Good. Then nothing. Then a run emphasis game plan… a couple of years ago Barkley was being questioned if ever make it back. Other examples. But any back, injury can be an issue. McM same (and no not putting K9 at that insane level). Just saying possibilities exist.
I also think K9 is in significantly better shape than he’s been in before. This will help him be more durable. I also think they will refrain from using him to run the ball 25 times a game. Charbs and Martinez can shoulder some of the load. I fully admit injury is a possibility that could bite K9. But I do think he and the coaches are fully cognizant of this, and will utilize the depth of the room to increase the odds of K9 being there until the bitter end. Make that the sweet ending!
Gonna be a Contrary Mary real quick: Alvin Kamara is absolutely analogous to K9, if anything he's got more established pass catching chops. He did pretty well last year.
The running game is so critical to the success of this team this year. K9 is by far our most explosive RB with his ability to create missed tackles in the open field once he gets past the line of scrimmage. Getting him through to the second level defenders is what Kubiak’s scheme is designed to do. I’ve said this before that I feel K9 is a 1400+ yard rusher with a 5+ YPC average IF he stays healthy. I love the work he’s put in to strengthen his body but can it translate to staying healthy for 17 games and then the playoffs? We can only hope so. Having Charbs and Martinez will help if they prove themselves capable in this scheme. In an ideal world K9 carries between 15 to 20 times a game to keep him from overuse and injury.
I’ve got the Seahawks at 12 wins this season, but 1400+ yards from K9 and 2400+ for the team and this team will win additional games. That 1400 yards are rushing yards. I also expect K9 to see plays designed for him in the passing game to get him the ball in open space. 2000+ all purpose yards from him and this team is a true contender.
Marshawn didn't care for Pete much. I see it caused by Lynch knowing Pete didn't take much interest in getting him proper blockers, so the RBs had to bust themselves up keeping the pass-rush honest. Carson was nearly as tough as Marshawn, but eventually fell to injuries. Lynch knew he wouldn't survive much longer and retired. We are just now breaking that era. Even a fair amount of good blocking will pay big dividends. Our Big Men on the OLine now know JS is serious about keeping them together as a Unit. Wild money meant for QBs will be directed their way so long as Milroe shows promise (3 years?).
What happens with Cross and Lucas (if healthy this year) extensions will let us know what to think about JS and the O-line. If two years from now we are struggling to find 2 OTs and still struggling at that position group, I will be sorely disappointed. I get that Cross is not yet playing at near pro bowl level, but I give him a pass on last year. It’s amazing how hard Marshawn ran and the punishment he took and dished out and still had the ability to stay healthy for the most part. If cloning was legal, he’d be in high demand. I do hope someone steps up and wins the job at C and RG. I’d hate to think we go into week one with the least abysmal players at those position. I do have hope in Sundell at RG and Olu at center. It seems Bradford is still outplaying Haynes at RG. I think that’s why Haynes is getting reps at center. I don’t see them making a decision until we see how they play next Thursday against the Raiders.
I get a feeling Haynes might be having a hard time fitting in. He's reportedly been sailing snaps more than a few times during scrimmage. Sundell seems like they are just trying to figure out where he fits best or getting him reps all over so he can be the first off the bench regardless...they had Sundell at R tackle recently.
Yeah, I think Haynes may still work out. I don’t feel he’s out of the mix just yet. I think they are working him at center to make him more valuable if he doesn’t win the RG position and needs to be on the team as a backup. Being able to play G and C makes his value as a backup much higher.
Cross and Lucas have a dance to learn if we hope to see them open running lanes. Any dance coach will tell us how important practise is. (my wife got me watching DWS). I'm encouraged to see Big Cat Williams is giving Trey his secrets on how to counter his pass rush and that's less a dance as it is one-on-one. Last year, we never heard from Cross much as who cares if this is a team you would rather leave? Why make it harder by liking the place? All our Big Men were quiet. I think JS has made commitments, showing us his Word is his bond. There's a new spirit among them now. All of them. Both sides of the Line. Saw Cross smiling and all chatty the other day... That's new.
Both Cross and Lucas have publicly stated they want to play their whole career in Seattle. I can’t tell you how much I love hearing that. Especially after learning DK had requested a trade for a few years now, and it’s no secret Geno wanted to get to the raiders and PC. I yearn for the old days and team loyalty. I’ve flushed DK and Geno from my system, and I want both Cross and Lucas to succeed and be extended and play a big role in a new Super Bowl era for the Seahawks.
My only caveat is that we can not sign everyone who is good or even very good or we will run out of money. The salary cap can be tweaked but in the end a team pays the price for tweaking your cap numbers, and then someone has to go.
Ultimately, the most valuable commodity in the NFL are draft picks. Building your team with a constant influx of new talent is the only real way to have a consistently winning team. LTackles are almost like QB's in that you just have to have a top ten QB and LTackle if you want to succeed in the NFL. So I am still up in the air on Lucas getting resigned.
I'm liking how KC is staying in Super Bowl contention while losing all their "skill' players. Shows what a good QB can do. Note- Both he a Brady insisted on keeping their Tight Ends.
I’ve felt for a while that we should let Woolen walk if he wants $25-30 million and put that to use on Lucas if he’s healthy. It’s easier to find a CB than a real OT, and an average CB is easier to win with than an average OT. Brady Henderson, when asked about the likelihood of extending Woolen, said 1 out of 10. He’s not been able to be consistent, and MM wants players he can trust to play every down with complete focus and effort. Bryant and K9 will not be expensive extensions. Mafe will be cheap for an edge. If we can only afford 2 out of Lucas, Cross and Woolen, I say lock down the bookend tackles. Assuming Lucas is healthy and looks to be living up to the promise of his rookie season.
of course we might not be able to afford those players if you believe Nemhauser and we’re trading away draft picks for Parsons.
BoyHowdy I am with you on celebrating guys who wish to become neighbors among us. Huge difference. Playing for the real Home Team. Extra Umphh. A Fans, I think we lose something when folks no longer feel a bond or kinship with what kind of Men their hometowns are raising. Dads would get into fist fights at halftime. It was THAT which made our small town team Champions for all of Northern California. How we might regenerate this Passion is something I've not found a solution for. Regional preferences for colleges? Nah. It won't fly today, especially with the new NIL influences. Still, I think both Kupp and Zabel think of the PNW as "home". Cool. I'm adding Cross and Lucas...
I've always believed that Seattle is such a beautiful city and has a quality of life that is just higher than almost any other city in the world, and think once you get people to come here for an extended period of time, they will fall in love with it and not want to leave. I've always wondered why the U of W. doesn't do better recruiting, too. But pros seem to move here permanently more often than most cities.
I think that quite a few more players feel this way based on “voluntary” OTA turnout. We hit 100% of the vets. We don’t need DK or Geno to take this to the next level!
All we need is a healthy season. I hope he’s due for that. He’s certainly done what he could to strengthened his body. Even still, I worry they will give him 25 carries a week, and he won’t stand up to that type of workhorse use.
If Walker sees success, it's because the line got sorted out....which I think is a ways off. I'm bracing for change, new personnel could be coming at guard and/or center. Why else would there still be so many combinations being tried along the line?
With Walker, Charbs, Martinez and Halani and an occasional run by Milroe, the running room is fine, especially since they will have a FB opening holes.
My worry is at center, the most important position on the O line. Not only the physical aspect but the mental as well, IE line calls , blitz pick ups etc.
Unfortunately, Olu doesn't give me warm and fuzzy feelings. I hope I'm wrong.
In the past the Hawks gave up.on the run game too soon. Beast Mode wore the defense down with the increased runs. I think the new staff understands that.
Olu mental capabilities are well known. And his pass blocking is good. What I really would love to see from a coach, explaining difference between a QB vs Coach vs C making line calls. Toebek not that big, but awesome play calling. How much of last year was Geno and Grubb? Did Grubb hamper Geno with too much responsibility? Is Olu speed of game and physical grown to match his mental skills?
Past performance is no guarantee of future success.
I love the enthusiasm but I think you, we all, need to step outside and get some fresh air. All the projections, comparing walker to RB’s who have racked up multiple 1000+ yard seasons ALL come with one, very significant ‘if’: “If he doesn’t get hurt”.
This is a year where the scheme will emphasize the running game more than in the past, a year when Walker will be trying harder than ever to produce, and opponents should wise up to the new game plan and be keying on him more, not less than in the past. The guy has a history of injury. If you ask me, all these factors suggest that he is more likely to suffer an injury(s) that will reduce his impact.
I’m hoping he does have a breakout year, that the hawks will break records in the ground game, that the go to the Super Bowl that island a 40+ pound King this year … but I think the enthusiasm and projections need to consider probabilities along with possibilities.
Paul see Barkley please. I get your point but see Barkley. First 2 years, then nothing. Good. Then nothing. Then a run emphasis game plan… a couple of years ago Barkley was being questioned if ever make it back. Other examples. But any back, injury can be an issue. McM same (and no not putting K9 at that insane level). Just saying possibilities exist.
I think it was a USC game where Walker did the undo-able and practically won the game on his own efforts. Talk about a confidence builder...
I get where you're coming from here but there are 2 mitigating factors:
1) if defenses are focused on K9, the PA passing game can thrive, which is probably Sam's strong suit
2) Charbs is real good
I also think K9 is in significantly better shape than he’s been in before. This will help him be more durable. I also think they will refrain from using him to run the ball 25 times a game. Charbs and Martinez can shoulder some of the load. I fully admit injury is a possibility that could bite K9. But I do think he and the coaches are fully cognizant of this, and will utilize the depth of the room to increase the odds of K9 being there until the bitter end. Make that the sweet ending!
"Bite (!) K9"?? noice! I see what you did there
Gonna be a Contrary Mary real quick: Alvin Kamara is absolutely analogous to K9, if anything he's got more established pass catching chops. He did pretty well last year.
The running game is so critical to the success of this team this year. K9 is by far our most explosive RB with his ability to create missed tackles in the open field once he gets past the line of scrimmage. Getting him through to the second level defenders is what Kubiak’s scheme is designed to do. I’ve said this before that I feel K9 is a 1400+ yard rusher with a 5+ YPC average IF he stays healthy. I love the work he’s put in to strengthen his body but can it translate to staying healthy for 17 games and then the playoffs? We can only hope so. Having Charbs and Martinez will help if they prove themselves capable in this scheme. In an ideal world K9 carries between 15 to 20 times a game to keep him from overuse and injury.
I’ve got the Seahawks at 12 wins this season, but 1400+ yards from K9 and 2400+ for the team and this team will win additional games. That 1400 yards are rushing yards. I also expect K9 to see plays designed for him in the passing game to get him the ball in open space. 2000+ all purpose yards from him and this team is a true contender.
Marshawn didn't care for Pete much. I see it caused by Lynch knowing Pete didn't take much interest in getting him proper blockers, so the RBs had to bust themselves up keeping the pass-rush honest. Carson was nearly as tough as Marshawn, but eventually fell to injuries. Lynch knew he wouldn't survive much longer and retired. We are just now breaking that era. Even a fair amount of good blocking will pay big dividends. Our Big Men on the OLine now know JS is serious about keeping them together as a Unit. Wild money meant for QBs will be directed their way so long as Milroe shows promise (3 years?).
What happens with Cross and Lucas (if healthy this year) extensions will let us know what to think about JS and the O-line. If two years from now we are struggling to find 2 OTs and still struggling at that position group, I will be sorely disappointed. I get that Cross is not yet playing at near pro bowl level, but I give him a pass on last year. It’s amazing how hard Marshawn ran and the punishment he took and dished out and still had the ability to stay healthy for the most part. If cloning was legal, he’d be in high demand. I do hope someone steps up and wins the job at C and RG. I’d hate to think we go into week one with the least abysmal players at those position. I do have hope in Sundell at RG and Olu at center. It seems Bradford is still outplaying Haynes at RG. I think that’s why Haynes is getting reps at center. I don’t see them making a decision until we see how they play next Thursday against the Raiders.
I get a feeling Haynes might be having a hard time fitting in. He's reportedly been sailing snaps more than a few times during scrimmage. Sundell seems like they are just trying to figure out where he fits best or getting him reps all over so he can be the first off the bench regardless...they had Sundell at R tackle recently.
Yeah, I think Haynes may still work out. I don’t feel he’s out of the mix just yet. I think they are working him at center to make him more valuable if he doesn’t win the RG position and needs to be on the team as a backup. Being able to play G and C makes his value as a backup much higher.
Cross and Lucas have a dance to learn if we hope to see them open running lanes. Any dance coach will tell us how important practise is. (my wife got me watching DWS). I'm encouraged to see Big Cat Williams is giving Trey his secrets on how to counter his pass rush and that's less a dance as it is one-on-one. Last year, we never heard from Cross much as who cares if this is a team you would rather leave? Why make it harder by liking the place? All our Big Men were quiet. I think JS has made commitments, showing us his Word is his bond. There's a new spirit among them now. All of them. Both sides of the Line. Saw Cross smiling and all chatty the other day... That's new.
Both Cross and Lucas have publicly stated they want to play their whole career in Seattle. I can’t tell you how much I love hearing that. Especially after learning DK had requested a trade for a few years now, and it’s no secret Geno wanted to get to the raiders and PC. I yearn for the old days and team loyalty. I’ve flushed DK and Geno from my system, and I want both Cross and Lucas to succeed and be extended and play a big role in a new Super Bowl era for the Seahawks.
My only caveat is that we can not sign everyone who is good or even very good or we will run out of money. The salary cap can be tweaked but in the end a team pays the price for tweaking your cap numbers, and then someone has to go.
Ultimately, the most valuable commodity in the NFL are draft picks. Building your team with a constant influx of new talent is the only real way to have a consistently winning team. LTackles are almost like QB's in that you just have to have a top ten QB and LTackle if you want to succeed in the NFL. So I am still up in the air on Lucas getting resigned.
I'm liking how KC is staying in Super Bowl contention while losing all their "skill' players. Shows what a good QB can do. Note- Both he a Brady insisted on keeping their Tight Ends.
I’ve felt for a while that we should let Woolen walk if he wants $25-30 million and put that to use on Lucas if he’s healthy. It’s easier to find a CB than a real OT, and an average CB is easier to win with than an average OT. Brady Henderson, when asked about the likelihood of extending Woolen, said 1 out of 10. He’s not been able to be consistent, and MM wants players he can trust to play every down with complete focus and effort. Bryant and K9 will not be expensive extensions. Mafe will be cheap for an edge. If we can only afford 2 out of Lucas, Cross and Woolen, I say lock down the bookend tackles. Assuming Lucas is healthy and looks to be living up to the promise of his rookie season.
of course we might not be able to afford those players if you believe Nemhauser and we’re trading away draft picks for Parsons.
BoyHowdy I am with you on celebrating guys who wish to become neighbors among us. Huge difference. Playing for the real Home Team. Extra Umphh. A Fans, I think we lose something when folks no longer feel a bond or kinship with what kind of Men their hometowns are raising. Dads would get into fist fights at halftime. It was THAT which made our small town team Champions for all of Northern California. How we might regenerate this Passion is something I've not found a solution for. Regional preferences for colleges? Nah. It won't fly today, especially with the new NIL influences. Still, I think both Kupp and Zabel think of the PNW as "home". Cool. I'm adding Cross and Lucas...
I've always believed that Seattle is such a beautiful city and has a quality of life that is just higher than almost any other city in the world, and think once you get people to come here for an extended period of time, they will fall in love with it and not want to leave. I've always wondered why the U of W. doesn't do better recruiting, too. But pros seem to move here permanently more often than most cities.
I think that quite a few more players feel this way based on “voluntary” OTA turnout. We hit 100% of the vets. We don’t need DK or Geno to take this to the next level!
I love your unbridled optimism, and share it. 12-5 with K9 leading the way.
All we need is a healthy season. I hope he’s due for that. He’s certainly done what he could to strengthened his body. Even still, I worry they will give him 25 carries a week, and he won’t stand up to that type of workhorse use.