In relation to the run game, is it possible that Sundell is a bigger issue than Bradford? Or that at least Bradford would be easier to hide with competent center play?
I wonder if they consider Olu during the bye, because Jalen hasn’t exactly been winning any hearts and minds. I doubt there are starting caliber centers available for trade, nor is it easy to learn a new playbook for an OL mid season.
SSJ, would you be able to give us any insight into what you’ve seen with Sundell, and if the risk/reward of chemistry would be worth it to potentially consider a change?
I like Charbs but he's too slow to be RB1. It's hard to evaluate K9 without having an Oline that's better than average, especially if we can't run to the right successfully.
If we can sign him for 8 mill, we should keep him. We shouldn't use a 1st round pick on a RB. when we have much bigger needs. ( LB, EDGE, RG. )
With so many running backs available in 26 , 8 mill may be the best any of them can get! I have faith that JS can figure it out, just like he got a 3rd round pick and saved 30 mill by trading Geno for a younger, better QB in Darnold.
An aside, the Ravens defense without MM is a disaster. Looks like we got the right HC.
I suspect the Ravens have been losing their team identity. Ballers playing at elite levels are losing inspiration? Might we hope to see team sports revive?
I think it’s harsh to knock Walker about his stats given our O-line is still a work in progress and the coaching hasn’t had our running game working very well at all IMO.
I think we need to give it some more time to see how the rest of the season goes before we all suggest he’s not worth keeping or not performing as a RB1. So far he hasn’t had the best system to work within.
When a RB as talented as Charbonet has well under 3 YPC, it’s clear that the OL still has problems and/or, the opposing is really stacking the box. Given that Charbs is more likely to be in on 3rd down, and that’s when teams are least likely to stack the box, our OL isn’t quite there yet.
We know from the stats that the opposition is absolutely stacking the box on 1st and 2nd against the Seahawks, possibly more than against any other team. Yet Walker has over 4 YPC.
That average keeps us running viably, and that opens up the field for Sam and JSN.
I’ve seen what happens when the opponent isn’t scared of your RB, and it’s not good.
Frankly, I think the Texans D will focus more on the pass and Walker will benefit. The Jags sold out against the run, and Sam gashed them - deep and over the middle. Houston will try to solve that, and our RBs will feast. Meanwhile, the blockers will feel like they took the weighted donut off their bat. A lighter box will be a relief.
Sam and Koob can now begin feasting... Pass? No wait...run. No wait...pass. HooAh. Go boyz! McVay walked downfield on MM on 9 run plays consecutive. TD. Lessons learned.
As a free agent, would Walker WANT to come back to the Hawks? I kind of doubt it. Not unless something changes the rest of the season. Will the O-Line mature and give consistent holes for Walker to run through? Will K9 improve on his blitz pickups and be valuable as the third down back? Will the coaches demonstrate faith in K9?
Only if all of those things came true would I expect K9 to WANT to re-sign with the Seahawks.
Will any other team offer K9 anything better, besides money? I doubt it. I wouldn't blame KW3 for taking the most money from whichever team offers it, but I don't think money will guarantee a better situation.
I've always liked Walkers big play ability, but the more I study the more I see someone who doesn't set up and read blockers very well sometimes. Too often I'm seeing opportunities missed because Walker wasn't patient enough or didn't see the lane about to open. He also had several instances of not reading how to set up the defender so the blocker can do his job. By changing angles he could get defenders to position themselves to get picked off by blockers, but instead he runs along his path into harms way. I'm not sure if this is something that can get coached up much or if it's just a processing thing and that's just the way it is? I like Walker, but not sure what his future is. I trust both Walker and Charbs. They hang on to the rock.
Danno is on to something by identifying football players and exceptional athletes playing at football. Russ cured me of rooting for Heros. Looking to one guy to offset a down day or dismal efforts. Give me a group of guys exceeding their own expectations who get joyous when "luck" smiles on them. An O-Line opening holes a Rookie could run through. Stick around, Mr. Walker. We want to love having you here. You have Barry Sander's moves. He stuck around with Detroit for a career that hoped that the next year would be Their Year. It never happened, but he knows what Home feels like. Never has had to pay for a beer. 80,000 people loving on you 30 years after retiring.
I really like K9, and I’ll miss having him on the team if he’s gone next year. If he goes to a team that already has regular success with their running scheme, I expect he’ll do well.
That said, if the Hawks let him go to free agency, I’ll trust John Schneider has a plan. I just hope that plan isn’t just counting on Zach Charbonnet to light it up for 17 games. In my opinion, he’s not fast enough to be an RB1 in the NFL. He has his place, but being a bell cow isn’t it.
Do I trust Zach Charbonnet? Let me rephrase: Do I trust a running back with the first step of a slow loris? No, I don’t. Charbonnet is a capable #2 and he’s good close to the goal line. He’s also shown up (more or less) when Walker hasn’t been able to play. None of which means that he’s anywhere near being the featured back over a 17-game season.
I’ll harp on this once again: Schneider passed O’Cyrus Torrence for a running back with no explosiveness. That was a mistake; don’t compound it.
BTW, are we certain that Walker will command $10M/yr on the open market? I’m not. On the other hand, I wouldn’t blame Ken for wanting to try his hand somewhere else.
For me, the biggest drawback to K9 is his durability. If he plays healthy the rest of the year, and has some big time difference making explosive runs, I could see extending him, but not at a big number. You mention how many RBs are going to be free agents, that might mean the competition for jobs could drive down the price of keeping him. I love keeping players who like being here in Seattle and who work hard for the team. Walker is that type of player. I can’t see spending $8 million or even more than $6 million a year. Would he take a team friendly contract that has a low base guarantee, but has incentives for performance? I would say, look at E. Jones, we can’t pay more than someone who is there every game and playing down after down. If he can get $8 million elsewhere with all the available RBs, than let him go. Maybe he will take less and bet on himself.
In relation to the run game, is it possible that Sundell is a bigger issue than Bradford? Or that at least Bradford would be easier to hide with competent center play?
I wonder if they consider Olu during the bye, because Jalen hasn’t exactly been winning any hearts and minds. I doubt there are starting caliber centers available for trade, nor is it easy to learn a new playbook for an OL mid season.
SSJ, would you be able to give us any insight into what you’ve seen with Sundell, and if the risk/reward of chemistry would be worth it to potentially consider a change?
I like Charbs but he's too slow to be RB1. It's hard to evaluate K9 without having an Oline that's better than average, especially if we can't run to the right successfully.
If we can sign him for 8 mill, we should keep him. We shouldn't use a 1st round pick on a RB. when we have much bigger needs. ( LB, EDGE, RG. )
With so many running backs available in 26 , 8 mill may be the best any of them can get! I have faith that JS can figure it out, just like he got a 3rd round pick and saved 30 mill by trading Geno for a younger, better QB in Darnold.
An aside, the Ravens defense without MM is a disaster. Looks like we got the right HC.
I suspect the Ravens have been losing their team identity. Ballers playing at elite levels are losing inspiration? Might we hope to see team sports revive?
I think it’s harsh to knock Walker about his stats given our O-line is still a work in progress and the coaching hasn’t had our running game working very well at all IMO.
I think we need to give it some more time to see how the rest of the season goes before we all suggest he’s not worth keeping or not performing as a RB1. So far he hasn’t had the best system to work within.
Absolutely with you on this, Dale. We have over a half season to get there...
Why not just move him into the receiving corps?
When a RB as talented as Charbonet has well under 3 YPC, it’s clear that the OL still has problems and/or, the opposing is really stacking the box. Given that Charbs is more likely to be in on 3rd down, and that’s when teams are least likely to stack the box, our OL isn’t quite there yet.
We know from the stats that the opposition is absolutely stacking the box on 1st and 2nd against the Seahawks, possibly more than against any other team. Yet Walker has over 4 YPC.
That average keeps us running viably, and that opens up the field for Sam and JSN.
I’ve seen what happens when the opponent isn’t scared of your RB, and it’s not good.
Frankly, I think the Texans D will focus more on the pass and Walker will benefit. The Jags sold out against the run, and Sam gashed them - deep and over the middle. Houston will try to solve that, and our RBs will feast. Meanwhile, the blockers will feel like they took the weighted donut off their bat. A lighter box will be a relief.
We will see…
Sam and Koob can now begin feasting... Pass? No wait...run. No wait...pass. HooAh. Go boyz! McVay walked downfield on MM on 9 run plays consecutive. TD. Lessons learned.
As a free agent, would Walker WANT to come back to the Hawks? I kind of doubt it. Not unless something changes the rest of the season. Will the O-Line mature and give consistent holes for Walker to run through? Will K9 improve on his blitz pickups and be valuable as the third down back? Will the coaches demonstrate faith in K9?
Only if all of those things came true would I expect K9 to WANT to re-sign with the Seahawks.
Will any other team offer K9 anything better, besides money? I doubt it. I wouldn't blame KW3 for taking the most money from whichever team offers it, but I don't think money will guarantee a better situation.
My hope is he begins to appreciate the value of a Team playing as One. Safer. Healthier. Happier. Being rich by anyone's measure.
I've always liked Walkers big play ability, but the more I study the more I see someone who doesn't set up and read blockers very well sometimes. Too often I'm seeing opportunities missed because Walker wasn't patient enough or didn't see the lane about to open. He also had several instances of not reading how to set up the defender so the blocker can do his job. By changing angles he could get defenders to position themselves to get picked off by blockers, but instead he runs along his path into harms way. I'm not sure if this is something that can get coached up much or if it's just a processing thing and that's just the way it is? I like Walker, but not sure what his future is. I trust both Walker and Charbs. They hang on to the rock.
Danno is on to something by identifying football players and exceptional athletes playing at football. Russ cured me of rooting for Heros. Looking to one guy to offset a down day or dismal efforts. Give me a group of guys exceeding their own expectations who get joyous when "luck" smiles on them. An O-Line opening holes a Rookie could run through. Stick around, Mr. Walker. We want to love having you here. You have Barry Sander's moves. He stuck around with Detroit for a career that hoped that the next year would be Their Year. It never happened, but he knows what Home feels like. Never has had to pay for a beer. 80,000 people loving on you 30 years after retiring.
I really like K9, and I’ll miss having him on the team if he’s gone next year. If he goes to a team that already has regular success with their running scheme, I expect he’ll do well.
That said, if the Hawks let him go to free agency, I’ll trust John Schneider has a plan. I just hope that plan isn’t just counting on Zach Charbonnet to light it up for 17 games. In my opinion, he’s not fast enough to be an RB1 in the NFL. He has his place, but being a bell cow isn’t it.
Do I trust Zach Charbonnet? Let me rephrase: Do I trust a running back with the first step of a slow loris? No, I don’t. Charbonnet is a capable #2 and he’s good close to the goal line. He’s also shown up (more or less) when Walker hasn’t been able to play. None of which means that he’s anywhere near being the featured back over a 17-game season.
I’ll harp on this once again: Schneider passed O’Cyrus Torrence for a running back with no explosiveness. That was a mistake; don’t compound it.
BTW, are we certain that Walker will command $10M/yr on the open market? I’m not. On the other hand, I wouldn’t blame Ken for wanting to try his hand somewhere else.
For me, the biggest drawback to K9 is his durability. If he plays healthy the rest of the year, and has some big time difference making explosive runs, I could see extending him, but not at a big number. You mention how many RBs are going to be free agents, that might mean the competition for jobs could drive down the price of keeping him. I love keeping players who like being here in Seattle and who work hard for the team. Walker is that type of player. I can’t see spending $8 million or even more than $6 million a year. Would he take a team friendly contract that has a low base guarantee, but has incentives for performance? I would say, look at E. Jones, we can’t pay more than someone who is there every game and playing down after down. If he can get $8 million elsewhere with all the available RBs, than let him go. Maybe he will take less and bet on himself.
Nailed it Danno! this is pretty much what was jumbling around in my skull after reading the article, but you wrote it out coherently
You caught me on a good day ;) I often don’t even make sense to myself.