Just posted. Bryant and Cross won't be able to go against the Panthers on Sunday. Josh Jones again at LT. Ty at FS. A concern there but Ty has done well at SS spot as we all know.
JS's strategic thinking is unreal. With all the variables of best bang for the buck, he (and shout out to our scouts) keep finding great talent. With all the complexities envolved in his decisions I wonder if an AI would (or does?) facilitate said choices? Pretty sure his appearance isn't AI generated or he'd probably look more like George Clooney right? In our brave new world can all available info on an upcoming opponent be entered into the hungry maw of an AI whch could poop out the optimum game plan!? YIKES! Pulling this thread is yellow brick road stuff...I need a drink.
If we could get a bully right guard I think there would be no stopping the run game. We have the other parts.
And I just looked up Seahawks payroll, is it correct that Zabel is our highest paid guard?
I have him at $4.6M, Jones at $4M, and Bradford/Cabledue/Haynes at $1M. Olu and Sundell make less than $2M combined. I am not the one paying the bill, but that seems low for IOL. Is this a case of you get what you pay for, or is this comparable to other teams?
Bears are the best example of how quality olines make everything else work better for your offense. I would tell AB to eat better, get in better shape or lose his job next year. Sundell may be better next year and Olu is fine as a backup spot starter, but we need a mauler at either RG or C. Haynes will be gone next year. We have way too many running plays that end in the backfield or close to line of scrimmage due to one of the 5 getting blown up and when we do get a big run, 50% of the time it gets called back for holding. K9 would be almost Saquon if he had a line to get 3 yards before contact.
On one hand reading this one would imply you think it’s wrong to have Zabel….Did Detroit go wrong in bringing in Tate? Sure doesn’t seem like it. But, I think maybe a missed point. And yes clearly we need at least a replacement at RG. But Lions have Goff and one of the top 3 RBs and like the Hawks, a very good RB 1B. Bears on the other hand had a rookie QB that didn’t play within the system (coach was berating him multiple times this year). We and Lions have experienced QBs, albeit it new here. As we all know (our DLine and the majorly snubbed Murphy on it) line play critical. So, did Bears go big on IOL because of Caleb “weaknesses”? Bears have gotten better because of their 2 headed run game.
I think "a little bit of spending" is always at least on the table, and should be in order when our championship opportunity timeline is imminent like it seems now. We need to get the best currently available RG/C this coming year, no matter if he's already on our team, in college, a free agent, or can be had in trade. We do NOT need to keep someone because they could be better 4yrs from now. We do NOT need to settle to save some money right now.
The 25 Seahawk run game is a huge improvement just by being committed to the schemes let alone the O-line improvement’s. This committment worked great until the Minnesota game. Since then the Hawks have “dropped from 17th in yards per carry to 27th” so now the Hawks need to generate an impactful run game by confusing vs telegrafing to the defense what it’s doing. So why haven’t Klint Kubiak done this? Ya there one or two good misdirection plays each game, but we need one, two or more on each drive. I have a hard time in seeing the Hawks “lose Klint Kubiak to a head coaching job in a month” if he can’t fix the run game this month and in the playoffs.
Has anyone interviewed O-Line Coach John Benton? Is it for lack of interest or does he stay away for good reason? Maybe he hasn't the time for such foolishness. I'm good with that. Might kinder/gentler media commenters not wish to speak with intimidating big men? Maybe MM, KK and JS all agree with John: don't put a mic in front of him. When our down linemen on Defense held out the vaunted Rams attack from the Ref-awarded first and goal for 9 plays early in the contest, I found a primal enjoyment that satisfied any outcome that game held. Same goes for our big down O-Linemen. If KK takes flight, then let's elevate Coach Benton. Once united, these guys know the strength of their play individually is magnified 10 times. Injury is less likely when it is you guys putting on the hurt, opening holes that any RB could sail through. Just don't fall on each other. Design for that. Make it all a dance. Include your tight ends with Barnburners delighting in the contact. Give our Cupp-coached WRs small parts. Play a Game that doesn't care what the score is or how the Season is going. Be a place worthy of the 12s: NO opponent wants to play here. Give our Trenchers a place to stay for a career, fat, rich and happy. Make our Hawks the focus of any young Big Man coming out of college. The rest will take care of it's self. Bradford has what is so rare: he's willing to TRY and that's all one can ask. That and size. Short of the destructive effects of greed, keep everybody around, Schneider. Set a generous budget they all agree with and run with it.
Spot on...and even if Benton doesn't want a mic in his face, he does deserve recognition for what he's done with what he has. Benton's Bruiser's have us in first place in the toughest Division on planet earth.
JS's position about the offensive line is confusing to me. On one hand he has spoken about the Seahawks commitment to developing the players drafted and not entertaining free agents. On the other hand he brought in a few free agent offensive linemen and even started contract talks with Fries. If Fries had not balked at the physical, he possibly would be a Seahawk today.
I really like Linderbaum and would be happy to see him in a Seahawks uniform even if it means somebody from the Bradford, Haynes, Cabeldue or Richman group is starting at RG.
Earlier in the season, I was a proponent of drafting yet another linemen to develop but now am a fan of bringing in somebody who can step right in and play well. The problem is there are not a lot of good interior linemen out there and it will be costly to sign one. I am an advocate for opening up the books.
I’m pretty sure we would never have signed Fries at that asking price. We let a better G go in Lewis for less $. And I’m ecstatic we didn’t sign Fries. Much prefer what we drafted and resigning guys we did and bringing in DLaw over over rated Fries.
The other thing I think I've noticed about the Lions (but haven't run the data) is they seem to be running even more 4th down attempts than usual, and they seem to be failing more. In some cases eshewing a make-able field goal, and in most cases giving their opponents pretty good field position -- which pressures even more an already-pressured defense.
Which then puts you on the defensive, maybe puts you behind on the scoreboard, which means you're passing more than you'd like to be, losing running game effectiveness.
Is that the case? Does Gamblin' Dan Campbell have an addiction now that's out of control?
Lots still to be worked out but a couple of UFA's to monitor - Daniel Faalele & Tyler Linderbaum from the Ravens, Ed Ingram from the Texans, Jamaree Salyer from the Chargers, Will Hernandez from the Cardinals. Not saying we must go FA, but this ain't a good draft class for interior linemen. The mentioned names here are, mostly, slightly younger than average and, mostly, have proven to be at least solid if not good. Salyer stands out a bit as the 2nd choice for Chargers, but the Chargers OLine is good, he's player quite a lot still, and I like there's room to develop him. Hernandez is the older name on the list but I quite like him and his skillset for me would suit Kubiak as a more veteran option.
Zabel is good, locked in. I think Bradford/Haynes can still work at RG. Centre is my more unknown. That's where it could be worth splashing some cash on Linderbaum, or another name I think is interesting is Luke Fortner from the 'Aints - far from a star but there's a decent base there and a better team could really help him out on a bit of a budget. I don't think we need major changes to the Line. The challenge will be balancing back-up options for when injury inevitably hits.
Although it's all pointless speculation without knowing if we'll have Klint or not. He leaves and we get a new coordinator, well we could switch away from the current wider zone scheme and need something entirely different! Or we keep KK, would benefit from stability and knowing what we need.
Either way, i don't like this OLine draft class. Trade down in the 1st, go WR & RB on Day 2, and see what comes our way after than building out some depth on the Defense.
Been a big defender of AB here most of the offseason. But going to have to disagree with you (rare…) but while AB has his good points, the game appears to have “never slowed down” for him. The whiffs and misses and out of position plays are just not hacking it. Frankly he’s a liability. And I think it impacts both C and Abe at OT. And the fact that Haynes hasn’t supplanted him puts him on thin ice. Based on Olu showing decent play, to me it’s replace RG then see. Hate to say it but our window might be open, and a Chris Grey RG to match with a “HutchL LG, might be what we need. Although at this point neither Sundell or Olu is Robbie level (in fairness he had a long career before our championship season).
I'm looking at the draft -- which has always been a crapshoot anyway -- and finding it to be even more unpredictable now with NIL and the transfer portal, where kids aren't getting enough reps for long enough, in a given system, to be predictable.
So yeah, if anyone wants our draft picks in exchange for proven NFL players, I'm all for it. There will be a cap issue quickly bc the draft is the cheapest way to fill out a roster, but maybe giving up the high draft picks (where you're still spending millions) and focusing on finding gems in Rds 3-7 is the way to go.
All I know is, if you were worried a R1/R2 draft pick might be a whiff, I'd be worried even more. Hence the added value of someone you've actually seen play in the NFL.
I like the "little bit" of spending idea, especially for All-Pro caliber players, but I don't like the "tons of money" for mediocre to washed up veterians. We did a good job of avoiding the overpriced vets last year, but we need to move up to the next level. I wish I could have given JS a crystal ball for Christmas.
Signing Zabel was great. Not only is he an exceptional player as a rookie, signing him and the new offensive staff showed commitment to the trenches and to running.
I wonder… The team’s strength is the interior defensive line. The coaches see how that plays out in practice. I can’t imagine that the iOL wins a high percentage of reps. Will this help convince the front office to be aggressive in improving the iOL with the best players available?
The biggest investments in most teams is the QB. it makes no sense to go cheap on the OL. It’s also one of the positions that FE’s that are young , healthy and good. are costly. How many times have we picked up broken down , end of the rod players on the OL ? I hope JS has learned its top FEs or high draft picks.
Just posted. Bryant and Cross won't be able to go against the Panthers on Sunday. Josh Jones again at LT. Ty at FS. A concern there but Ty has done well at SS spot as we all know.
JS's strategic thinking is unreal. With all the variables of best bang for the buck, he (and shout out to our scouts) keep finding great talent. With all the complexities envolved in his decisions I wonder if an AI would (or does?) facilitate said choices? Pretty sure his appearance isn't AI generated or he'd probably look more like George Clooney right? In our brave new world can all available info on an upcoming opponent be entered into the hungry maw of an AI whch could poop out the optimum game plan!? YIKES! Pulling this thread is yellow brick road stuff...I need a drink.
If we could get a bully right guard I think there would be no stopping the run game. We have the other parts.
And I just looked up Seahawks payroll, is it correct that Zabel is our highest paid guard?
I have him at $4.6M, Jones at $4M, and Bradford/Cabledue/Haynes at $1M. Olu and Sundell make less than $2M combined. I am not the one paying the bill, but that seems low for IOL. Is this a case of you get what you pay for, or is this comparable to other teams?
Yes, yes and YES! Our first 2026 pick should be a Zabel clone. O or D, the big dawgs up front make it all happen.
Bears are the best example of how quality olines make everything else work better for your offense. I would tell AB to eat better, get in better shape or lose his job next year. Sundell may be better next year and Olu is fine as a backup spot starter, but we need a mauler at either RG or C. Haynes will be gone next year. We have way too many running plays that end in the backfield or close to line of scrimmage due to one of the 5 getting blown up and when we do get a big run, 50% of the time it gets called back for holding. K9 would be almost Saquon if he had a line to get 3 yards before contact.
On one hand reading this one would imply you think it’s wrong to have Zabel….Did Detroit go wrong in bringing in Tate? Sure doesn’t seem like it. But, I think maybe a missed point. And yes clearly we need at least a replacement at RG. But Lions have Goff and one of the top 3 RBs and like the Hawks, a very good RB 1B. Bears on the other hand had a rookie QB that didn’t play within the system (coach was berating him multiple times this year). We and Lions have experienced QBs, albeit it new here. As we all know (our DLine and the majorly snubbed Murphy on it) line play critical. So, did Bears go big on IOL because of Caleb “weaknesses”? Bears have gotten better because of their 2 headed run game.
I think "a little bit of spending" is always at least on the table, and should be in order when our championship opportunity timeline is imminent like it seems now. We need to get the best currently available RG/C this coming year, no matter if he's already on our team, in college, a free agent, or can be had in trade. We do NOT need to keep someone because they could be better 4yrs from now. We do NOT need to settle to save some money right now.
Agree, the championship window feels open right now. It feels like the need to upgrade is more urgent.
The 25 Seahawk run game is a huge improvement just by being committed to the schemes let alone the O-line improvement’s. This committment worked great until the Minnesota game. Since then the Hawks have “dropped from 17th in yards per carry to 27th” so now the Hawks need to generate an impactful run game by confusing vs telegrafing to the defense what it’s doing. So why haven’t Klint Kubiak done this? Ya there one or two good misdirection plays each game, but we need one, two or more on each drive. I have a hard time in seeing the Hawks “lose Klint Kubiak to a head coaching job in a month” if he can’t fix the run game this month and in the playoffs.
Yes. I'd even go with misdirection EVERY PLAY! Backfield looking like a Globe Trotter warm up before the snap.
Has anyone interviewed O-Line Coach John Benton? Is it for lack of interest or does he stay away for good reason? Maybe he hasn't the time for such foolishness. I'm good with that. Might kinder/gentler media commenters not wish to speak with intimidating big men? Maybe MM, KK and JS all agree with John: don't put a mic in front of him. When our down linemen on Defense held out the vaunted Rams attack from the Ref-awarded first and goal for 9 plays early in the contest, I found a primal enjoyment that satisfied any outcome that game held. Same goes for our big down O-Linemen. If KK takes flight, then let's elevate Coach Benton. Once united, these guys know the strength of their play individually is magnified 10 times. Injury is less likely when it is you guys putting on the hurt, opening holes that any RB could sail through. Just don't fall on each other. Design for that. Make it all a dance. Include your tight ends with Barnburners delighting in the contact. Give our Cupp-coached WRs small parts. Play a Game that doesn't care what the score is or how the Season is going. Be a place worthy of the 12s: NO opponent wants to play here. Give our Trenchers a place to stay for a career, fat, rich and happy. Make our Hawks the focus of any young Big Man coming out of college. The rest will take care of it's self. Bradford has what is so rare: he's willing to TRY and that's all one can ask. That and size. Short of the destructive effects of greed, keep everybody around, Schneider. Set a generous budget they all agree with and run with it.
Spot on...and even if Benton doesn't want a mic in his face, he does deserve recognition for what he's done with what he has. Benton's Bruiser's have us in first place in the toughest Division on planet earth.
Brian Nemhauser had about 10 minutes with Benton.
Gonna go find that for sure. Thanks
Put it up?
JS's position about the offensive line is confusing to me. On one hand he has spoken about the Seahawks commitment to developing the players drafted and not entertaining free agents. On the other hand he brought in a few free agent offensive linemen and even started contract talks with Fries. If Fries had not balked at the physical, he possibly would be a Seahawk today.
I really like Linderbaum and would be happy to see him in a Seahawks uniform even if it means somebody from the Bradford, Haynes, Cabeldue or Richman group is starting at RG.
Earlier in the season, I was a proponent of drafting yet another linemen to develop but now am a fan of bringing in somebody who can step right in and play well. The problem is there are not a lot of good interior linemen out there and it will be costly to sign one. I am an advocate for opening up the books.
I’m pretty sure we would never have signed Fries at that asking price. We let a better G go in Lewis for less $. And I’m ecstatic we didn’t sign Fries. Much prefer what we drafted and resigning guys we did and bringing in DLaw over over rated Fries.
The other thing I think I've noticed about the Lions (but haven't run the data) is they seem to be running even more 4th down attempts than usual, and they seem to be failing more. In some cases eshewing a make-able field goal, and in most cases giving their opponents pretty good field position -- which pressures even more an already-pressured defense.
Which then puts you on the defensive, maybe puts you behind on the scoreboard, which means you're passing more than you'd like to be, losing running game effectiveness.
Is that the case? Does Gamblin' Dan Campbell have an addiction now that's out of control?
Lots still to be worked out but a couple of UFA's to monitor - Daniel Faalele & Tyler Linderbaum from the Ravens, Ed Ingram from the Texans, Jamaree Salyer from the Chargers, Will Hernandez from the Cardinals. Not saying we must go FA, but this ain't a good draft class for interior linemen. The mentioned names here are, mostly, slightly younger than average and, mostly, have proven to be at least solid if not good. Salyer stands out a bit as the 2nd choice for Chargers, but the Chargers OLine is good, he's player quite a lot still, and I like there's room to develop him. Hernandez is the older name on the list but I quite like him and his skillset for me would suit Kubiak as a more veteran option.
Zabel is good, locked in. I think Bradford/Haynes can still work at RG. Centre is my more unknown. That's where it could be worth splashing some cash on Linderbaum, or another name I think is interesting is Luke Fortner from the 'Aints - far from a star but there's a decent base there and a better team could really help him out on a bit of a budget. I don't think we need major changes to the Line. The challenge will be balancing back-up options for when injury inevitably hits.
Although it's all pointless speculation without knowing if we'll have Klint or not. He leaves and we get a new coordinator, well we could switch away from the current wider zone scheme and need something entirely different! Or we keep KK, would benefit from stability and knowing what we need.
Either way, i don't like this OLine draft class. Trade down in the 1st, go WR & RB on Day 2, and see what comes our way after than building out some depth on the Defense.
Been a big defender of AB here most of the offseason. But going to have to disagree with you (rare…) but while AB has his good points, the game appears to have “never slowed down” for him. The whiffs and misses and out of position plays are just not hacking it. Frankly he’s a liability. And I think it impacts both C and Abe at OT. And the fact that Haynes hasn’t supplanted him puts him on thin ice. Based on Olu showing decent play, to me it’s replace RG then see. Hate to say it but our window might be open, and a Chris Grey RG to match with a “HutchL LG, might be what we need. Although at this point neither Sundell or Olu is Robbie level (in fairness he had a long career before our championship season).
It's funny, Engram was looked at similarly as Bradford by Viking fans when he was starting for the Vikings. I would take Engram over Fries right now.
I can't watch Bradford try to block the air anymore...
If we could get Linderbaum at decent price, awesome!
I'm looking at the draft -- which has always been a crapshoot anyway -- and finding it to be even more unpredictable now with NIL and the transfer portal, where kids aren't getting enough reps for long enough, in a given system, to be predictable.
So yeah, if anyone wants our draft picks in exchange for proven NFL players, I'm all for it. There will be a cap issue quickly bc the draft is the cheapest way to fill out a roster, but maybe giving up the high draft picks (where you're still spending millions) and focusing on finding gems in Rds 3-7 is the way to go.
All I know is, if you were worried a R1/R2 draft pick might be a whiff, I'd be worried even more. Hence the added value of someone you've actually seen play in the NFL.
I like the "little bit" of spending idea, especially for All-Pro caliber players, but I don't like the "tons of money" for mediocre to washed up veterians. We did a good job of avoiding the overpriced vets last year, but we need to move up to the next level. I wish I could have given JS a crystal ball for Christmas.
Signing Zabel was great. Not only is he an exceptional player as a rookie, signing him and the new offensive staff showed commitment to the trenches and to running.
I wonder… The team’s strength is the interior defensive line. The coaches see how that plays out in practice. I can’t imagine that the iOL wins a high percentage of reps. Will this help convince the front office to be aggressive in improving the iOL with the best players available?
The biggest investments in most teams is the QB. it makes no sense to go cheap on the OL. It’s also one of the positions that FE’s that are young , healthy and good. are costly. How many times have we picked up broken down , end of the rod players on the OL ? I hope JS has learned its top FEs or high draft picks.