My concern on Hood is his tackling and his tendency to draw penalties. I see way too much of Woolen in him to make me feel comfortable.
I'm not sold at all on the top end of this CB class. I have big marks against basically all of them. I've said before I see best value at WR and RB for us early on (yes I'd still draft a rd2 RB even now), and using free agency to target some of the more known roster gaps like DB
You are also my favorite Seahawks writer because you write the kind of stuff you would want to read. I will never go back to other sites/writers unless they either get on your level or you sell out and start sucking. Keep it up!
Things I particularly hope you never lose, and which make you stand out in the crowd IMO:
- Intellectual humility, admitting when you're wrong, and consistently improving by evaluating *why* you were right/wrong
- Using data but not over-relying on it and coming to absurd conclusions
- Making predictions with a *medium* level of confidence
- Avoiding tedious low-effort content mocking the officiating or other teams and their fans
- Focusing on enjoying the game and having fun rather than being attached to the Seahawks winning and stressing out over the outcome
- Generous linkouts to other creators who cover Xs and Os and other topics that aren't your core competency
I'm finally starting to get draft curious. Up until this weekend I've had zero inspiration to start researching.
Re: Jobe, I guessing/hoping that JS will find the right number to keep him. He's still an ascending player, so I'd prefer if he's still on the roster next year. Woolen and Bryant will be harder to get to a number that makes sense for both sides. I really like Coby, but he's going to be able to make more money elsewhere. Some really stupid GM is going to throw a lot of money at Woolen.
New England was a 17-3 team, that was clearly overmatched by the Seahawks roster. If you can overmatch a 17 win team, then you've got some blue chip players. I have no idea who is and who isn't, but we've got a bunch of them. You don't dominate a team that has won that many games without clearly having better players. And most certainly better coaches.
I have been a big fan of Hall as the one who can replace DeMarcus Lawrence. He is a keeper. I like Mafe fine, too, but between the two there's no question, Hall is worthy of starting. That means we need to replace Nwosu, I guess, though I like him as part of the rotation, not as a starter in future. But you can never have too many, and I like Crosby, but he would have to want to come here enough to keep his price down a bit. I prefer to find the next Crosby or whatever in the draft. We need more draft capital, so I imagine JS will trade down in the 1st, 2, or 3rd to get some later round picks. We need depth at CB, S, and RB. Not necessarily in that order.
It's so easy to remember our needs and forget about Best Player Available. Period. We have no glaring needs that we should go away from what got us here. Are they leader types? Do they respect everyone in the building? Are they intelligent? Do they love the game? Do they like to hit? In about that order.
Love Chuck's question about Hall becoming a "perinatal 10+ sack guy"! The unintended (I think) word-play because of Hall's birth circumstances was perfect!
I really need to learn to read one of these days. I read the original comment, and I read your quoted comment, and it came out "Perennial" both times. The third time through was a charm.
If I were drafting by name only, offensive center/guard Jake Slaughter would be my selection. The guy looks like a beast and potentially is a late 1st/early 2nd round draft pick.
He's high up my list of OLinemen this year. I'd describe him as, what if AB was a pass pro lineman. By that I mean, he's aggressive and wants to make contact early and get his hands on the defender. The drawback is this leaves him vulnerable against quick power, and for me he's a little too heavy in his play.
Personally my preferred Centre is Hecht out of Kansas. Little more to work on, but is a bit more versatile with a higher ceiling.
OK...so we're going to be looking at corners. There are a few in the draft that look promising...but I'm guessing they mostly go in top 100. Unless someone falls in round 1, I'm hoping we can find trade partner and acquire more picks in top 100 ish range. Cisse looks interesting. Rivers from Duke is great but small. There are a few that will hit too. Could be fun to see what Johnny Value comes out with.
Regarding Walker not being an elite back because of getting less than 50% of snaps, I see it differently.
JS has the experience of signing past-prime Lynch and Turbin, because of RB injuries. This year, even with a committee, we lost Charbs to an ACL.
I think the Seahawks want an exceptional back and they want him fresh in the postseason. Gift JS any RB on the planet, and he will still ask Macdonald and the OC to limit his exposure to injury before Christmas.
It’s good for all parties. While the RB won’t break Shaun Alexander’s numbers, he’ll have the opportunity for a longer career and strong postseasons in uniform, rather than street clothes. The team gets depth with experience, multiple skill sets out of the backfield, a *fresh* elite back, and hopefully no need to make desperate signings. As long as the RB gets lots of YPC, he can get paid. And with lower tread wear, he’ll get more suitors.
To me, an elite back doesn’t fumble, can make good reads, can make something from nothing, can break tackles, and has the speed to make explosive plays. Sound like anybody we know?
Kupp is big on teaching 'Indicators" to receivers, where they send subtle messages to Sam as to which way they will break. Stuff the defender can't see. I can understand how a RB can get familiar with his blockers, who may well use Kupp's ideas with this, making our O-Line/RB familiarity a huge advantage as time goes on. MM is equally big on leaving no stone unturned. The Dance is just getting started!
I know why you said that, but I'm just clarifying to you that I did not say that Kenneth Walker was not an elite back. My intention was to get across the message that if you asked 100 non-Seahawks fans if Walker was a blue chip player, a lot of them would say "Well, he doesn't even get half of the snaps".
And that if the Seahawks were to increase his reps next year, his ceiling would prove to be even higher, perhaps significantly higher, in the range of leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns.
You don't need to convince me about Kenneth Walker. I think the last 4 years of articles about Walker is evidence enough of that.
My concern on Hood is his tackling and his tendency to draw penalties. I see way too much of Woolen in him to make me feel comfortable.
I'm not sold at all on the top end of this CB class. I have big marks against basically all of them. I've said before I see best value at WR and RB for us early on (yes I'd still draft a rd2 RB even now), and using free agency to target some of the more known roster gaps like DB
This was a reply to Don that got separated
You are also my favorite Seahawks writer because you write the kind of stuff you would want to read. I will never go back to other sites/writers unless they either get on your level or you sell out and start sucking. Keep it up!
Things I particularly hope you never lose, and which make you stand out in the crowd IMO:
- Intellectual humility, admitting when you're wrong, and consistently improving by evaluating *why* you were right/wrong
- Using data but not over-relying on it and coming to absurd conclusions
- Making predictions with a *medium* level of confidence
- Avoiding tedious low-effort content mocking the officiating or other teams and their fans
- Focusing on enjoying the game and having fun rather than being attached to the Seahawks winning and stressing out over the outcome
- Generous linkouts to other creators who cover Xs and Os and other topics that aren't your core competency
"- Avoiding tedious low-effort content..."
I absolutely, totally agree. This was a great post, but that line alone was worth the like button.
I'm finally starting to get draft curious. Up until this weekend I've had zero inspiration to start researching.
Re: Jobe, I guessing/hoping that JS will find the right number to keep him. He's still an ascending player, so I'd prefer if he's still on the roster next year. Woolen and Bryant will be harder to get to a number that makes sense for both sides. I really like Coby, but he's going to be able to make more money elsewhere. Some really stupid GM is going to throw a lot of money at Woolen.
New England was a 17-3 team, that was clearly overmatched by the Seahawks roster. If you can overmatch a 17 win team, then you've got some blue chip players. I have no idea who is and who isn't, but we've got a bunch of them. You don't dominate a team that has won that many games without clearly having better players. And most certainly better coaches.
Enjoy your vacation and don’t wait so long until your next one! You deserve to relax and we all need time away from the grind.
Ok. I’m curious. Which country are SJ & SJ vacationing?
You absolutely deserve it.
I have been a big fan of Hall as the one who can replace DeMarcus Lawrence. He is a keeper. I like Mafe fine, too, but between the two there's no question, Hall is worthy of starting. That means we need to replace Nwosu, I guess, though I like him as part of the rotation, not as a starter in future. But you can never have too many, and I like Crosby, but he would have to want to come here enough to keep his price down a bit. I prefer to find the next Crosby or whatever in the draft. We need more draft capital, so I imagine JS will trade down in the 1st, 2, or 3rd to get some later round picks. We need depth at CB, S, and RB. Not necessarily in that order.
It's so easy to remember our needs and forget about Best Player Available. Period. We have no glaring needs that we should go away from what got us here. Are they leader types? Do they respect everyone in the building? Are they intelligent? Do they love the game? Do they like to hit? In about that order.
Love Chuck's question about Hall becoming a "perinatal 10+ sack guy"! The unintended (I think) word-play because of Hall's birth circumstances was perfect!
I really need to learn to read one of these days. I read the original comment, and I read your quoted comment, and it came out "Perennial" both times. The third time through was a charm.
Have a great vacation!
It looks like $9 million of Cooper Kupp's $13 million salary vested yesterday. Looks like Coop will be on the team for next season.
It is my understanding that JS had promised Kupp his second year and had a private agreement with Kupp to save liquid cash for the team.
If I were drafting by name only, offensive center/guard Jake Slaughter would be my selection. The guy looks like a beast and potentially is a late 1st/early 2nd round draft pick.
He's high up my list of OLinemen this year. I'd describe him as, what if AB was a pass pro lineman. By that I mean, he's aggressive and wants to make contact early and get his hands on the defender. The drawback is this leaves him vulnerable against quick power, and for me he's a little too heavy in his play.
Personally my preferred Centre is Hecht out of Kansas. Little more to work on, but is a bit more versatile with a higher ceiling.
Thanks for the information about Slaughter and Hecht! I haven't watched any tape of Hecht and will make it a point to.
My guess is we will be drafting a cornerback with one of our first two draft selections. What do you think of Hood out of Tennessee?
OK...so we're going to be looking at corners. There are a few in the draft that look promising...but I'm guessing they mostly go in top 100. Unless someone falls in round 1, I'm hoping we can find trade partner and acquire more picks in top 100 ish range. Cisse looks interesting. Rivers from Duke is great but small. There are a few that will hit too. Could be fun to see what Johnny Value comes out with.
Roses are red, violets are blue.
Seaside Joe and Seaside Jay are going on a WELL DESERVED vacation. And here in the clubhouse, we’ll find a way to muddle on.
I’m not a poet, in case you were wondering. ;-)
Happy Valentines & Bon Voyage KenJoe & SSJay!
Thanks Flurb!
Hmmm. 2 weeks... is SuperDog going?
KenJoe thows a football, Seaside Jay catches the football and the football turns into a Valentine ! (not friends with AI so this didn't quite work).
Have a good SAFE vacation. It's a crazy world out there right now.
Will do! Thanks!
Regarding Walker not being an elite back because of getting less than 50% of snaps, I see it differently.
JS has the experience of signing past-prime Lynch and Turbin, because of RB injuries. This year, even with a committee, we lost Charbs to an ACL.
I think the Seahawks want an exceptional back and they want him fresh in the postseason. Gift JS any RB on the planet, and he will still ask Macdonald and the OC to limit his exposure to injury before Christmas.
It’s good for all parties. While the RB won’t break Shaun Alexander’s numbers, he’ll have the opportunity for a longer career and strong postseasons in uniform, rather than street clothes. The team gets depth with experience, multiple skill sets out of the backfield, a *fresh* elite back, and hopefully no need to make desperate signings. As long as the RB gets lots of YPC, he can get paid. And with lower tread wear, he’ll get more suitors.
To me, an elite back doesn’t fumble, can make good reads, can make something from nothing, can break tackles, and has the speed to make explosive plays. Sound like anybody we know?
Kupp is big on teaching 'Indicators" to receivers, where they send subtle messages to Sam as to which way they will break. Stuff the defender can't see. I can understand how a RB can get familiar with his blockers, who may well use Kupp's ideas with this, making our O-Line/RB familiarity a huge advantage as time goes on. MM is equally big on leaving no stone unturned. The Dance is just getting started!
I know why you said that, but I'm just clarifying to you that I did not say that Kenneth Walker was not an elite back. My intention was to get across the message that if you asked 100 non-Seahawks fans if Walker was a blue chip player, a lot of them would say "Well, he doesn't even get half of the snaps".
And that if the Seahawks were to increase his reps next year, his ceiling would prove to be even higher, perhaps significantly higher, in the range of leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns.
You don't need to convince me about Kenneth Walker. I think the last 4 years of articles about Walker is evidence enough of that.
I didn’t mean to imply that you don’t think very highly of Walker. I read all of your posts, so I know otherwise.
And yes, I misunderstood. I thought you were equating percentage of snaps with eliteness. My apologies. It’s what outsiders could claim.
With that said, have a great vacation! We’re looking forward another season on great insights!
+1 SSJ is my favorite Seahawks writer also.
Thanks, K Man!