I think Cross has a great chance to be a very good left tackle. People forget he was a 21 year old rookie: he's barely getting to his "man strength years". Abe Lucas entered the NFL 2 years older and his play strength showed.
Now Cross has had 2+ years in an NFL strength program and was also somewhat banged up last year. We'll see how he pans out but I'm hopeful for a strong showing these next couple years & beyond.
Excited to see Murphy selling his own story. That may get contagious, especially if he overcomes all the focus from opponents out to kick his ass for trying to do so. Believing he has a story to be told isn't so much about arrogance as it is confidence. Reminds me of a young Sherman passionately putting forward a narrative on who we might be (L.O.B.), then making everyone else believe it too. Look what happened when that took hold. Like the Blues Brothers, he may well be on a Mission from God...
The Patriots also took advantage of some GMs who didn't really understand the value of draft picks. Almost no one trades first rounders any more, especially for anything other than a QB. So it's a lot more difficult to get first round picks and the deals reflect that.
Sure would love to see one of those unique Seaside Joe personal/professional “getting to know” stories on Scot McLaughlan, who was Seattle’s draft consultant in 2011-2013 and then again in 2022-2023. Pure coincidence those were (by far) the best draft classes of the Schneider era?
By some accounts McLaughan is one of the greatest talent evaluators in NFL history, albeit undone by a personal struggle.
Think you are one of the few (if not the only) sportswriters capable of parsing the colliding forces without falling into easy moralization. You’re always so balanced, would love to see your perspective.
The team needs more PR. They have a rabid fan base with no borders. The amount of any social media needs to increase. I think they know this and this is the first step.
Very light on substance. As I’d expect from this org but I’m like a moth to the flame with those colors and logo.
Interesting article. My belief is that when firing Pete, JS should have gone with him, the drafts over the past ten years or so point to that. OK, if Pete was the guy making the decisions, then JS is inept and inexperienced since he wasn't the guy drafting. If he was involved, those drafts are more on his shoulders that Pete's as the GM. Definitely not a fan and after the first two no brainer picks that one of my dogs could have made, the day 3 picks were unimpressive this year.
I hope so. Part of the issue I have with the draft isn't the specific players but positions drafted (and not drafted). Two cornerbacks and no safeties?
The thing about Day 3 picks is that none are impressive until the player gets on the field and rewrites the story. Same with UDFAs. We have yet to see what Day 3, 2024 might become.
Interesting bit on t he Patriots. I believe Belichick was right and trading up is much more advantageous and likely to produce exceptional players. When I looked over the JS legacy and trading down it was a revelation. More “ bites at the apple “ were almost always flops.
I think Cross has a great chance to be a very good left tackle. People forget he was a 21 year old rookie: he's barely getting to his "man strength years". Abe Lucas entered the NFL 2 years older and his play strength showed.
Now Cross has had 2+ years in an NFL strength program and was also somewhat banged up last year. We'll see how he pans out but I'm hopeful for a strong showing these next couple years & beyond.
My biggest ? is the CB that weighs in at 170? Don't care how fast he is , at that size how can he defend NFL receivers?
Excited to see Murphy selling his own story. That may get contagious, especially if he overcomes all the focus from opponents out to kick his ass for trying to do so. Believing he has a story to be told isn't so much about arrogance as it is confidence. Reminds me of a young Sherman passionately putting forward a narrative on who we might be (L.O.B.), then making everyone else believe it too. Look what happened when that took hold. Like the Blues Brothers, he may well be on a Mission from God...
The Patriots also took advantage of some GMs who didn't really understand the value of draft picks. Almost no one trades first rounders any more, especially for anything other than a QB. So it's a lot more difficult to get first round picks and the deals reflect that.
A good argument for always taking the best player available, at least with your first pick.
Sure would love to see one of those unique Seaside Joe personal/professional “getting to know” stories on Scot McLaughlan, who was Seattle’s draft consultant in 2011-2013 and then again in 2022-2023. Pure coincidence those were (by far) the best draft classes of the Schneider era?
By some accounts McLaughan is one of the greatest talent evaluators in NFL history, albeit undone by a personal struggle.
Think you are one of the few (if not the only) sportswriters capable of parsing the colliding forces without falling into easy moralization. You’re always so balanced, would love to see your perspective.
I forgot about Scot and I think you have nailed much of the reason for the early drafting success👏
The team needs more PR. They have a rabid fan base with no borders. The amount of any social media needs to increase. I think they know this and this is the first step.
Very light on substance. As I’d expect from this org but I’m like a moth to the flame with those colors and logo.
Interesting article. My belief is that when firing Pete, JS should have gone with him, the drafts over the past ten years or so point to that. OK, if Pete was the guy making the decisions, then JS is inept and inexperienced since he wasn't the guy drafting. If he was involved, those drafts are more on his shoulders that Pete's as the GM. Definitely not a fan and after the first two no brainer picks that one of my dogs could have made, the day 3 picks were unimpressive this year.
My guess is that Schneider is on a short leash.
I don't think he is. The last 3 drafts have given him loads of credibility.
I hope so. Part of the issue I have with the draft isn't the specific players but positions drafted (and not drafted). Two cornerbacks and no safeties?
Disagree - The guard from Utah is going to be a player - Watch!
The thing about Day 3 picks is that none are impressive until the player gets on the field and rewrites the story. Same with UDFAs. We have yet to see what Day 3, 2024 might become.
Interesting bit on t he Patriots. I believe Belichick was right and trading up is much more advantageous and likely to produce exceptional players. When I looked over the JS legacy and trading down it was a revelation. More “ bites at the apple “ were almost always flops.