Judging those intangible character traits is an under appreciated quality as anyone being mentioned as a draft pick has unbelievable physical skills. PC/JS guessed wrong with Malik McDowell, many questioned his work ethic, but no one expected an atv accident to derail his career before it started. I truly believe that last year they used that lesson when they selected Spoon at #5, they loved his attitude.
In a team full of talented folks it’s often the one that won’t quit that prevails even if they aren’t the most physically gifted. Doug Baldwin is a great example of that quality. His “angry Doug” persona elevated his game beyond his mere physical skills and kept him constantly improving. Sports is full of examples like him as well as supremely gifted players who didn’t quite reach their potential due to not quite having that undefinable something. If you can combine the skill and attitude you get Michael Jordan.
Since wear and tear on the physical body is inevitable in pro sports the mental toughness can be the difference maker between ok careers and great ones.
We haven't heard a lot from Mike Mac since he was hired, so piecing together what he's all about is difficult to do. But after I read about what he said at the coaches clinic the other day, I'm starting to think that he is not going to emulate either the Seahawk or Raven way. He's got something else in mind. He wants football junkies. He wants selfless players. He wants players that will do whatever it takes, regardless of how tired they are, or how difficult it is. He wants players tough enough to go to war, and resilient enough to win it.
Yes, the 'smart, tough, reliable' is a subset of that, but I don't think that really covers the traits and characteristics that will make up what he wants in new Seahawks. We'll start to get a glimpse of it Thursday through Saturday, and perhaps even more so when roster cuts are made in August. He's already watching guys working out, in the weight room, on the field, in the classroom. He's sizing them up. If they don't attack their training like it means everything to them, how can he expect them to win on the field consistently. You can 'chase edges' in the weight room, just like you can scheme them on the field.
If Darrell Taylor isn't willing to use his God given ability to set a hard edge in run support, or chase a play down from behind.......I don't think he will be on the roster in September. Your teammates are depending on you......don't let them down, or you can't be here.
I've been watching WOF long enough that the final round didn't give you R-S-T-L-N-E way back when. I solved a puzzle that was two five letter words and the category was Person. The letters they chose were S-T-N-L-D and vowel A. They got no letters. And they didn't get it. But I did.
I guess I'll accpet the Ravens championing the character of their players by giving them a pass on Ray Lewis because he was already there when Harbaugh got there, it happened in college, and he wasn't charged. But, if I remember correctly, he refused to give info on a murder he was eyewitness to. Not being judgy, just reminding us that there is an asterisk.
Okay, now all the speculation gets closer to reality and Seaside Joseph (who unbelievably creates these detailed missives daily) is now getting down to the bone. They are going to try to trade down, probably more than once, and get players Mike McDonald can work with. Mostly defense, but I'm sure there will be a surprise or two. I hope we get a glimpse or more at the live Hawks draftroom. Could be fun, especially if someone interesting falls to 16.
Maybe what they were talking about in regards to Ravens' wings was that they can fly upside down. Somehow, they can continue to flap their wings and fly level. It is quite startling to see it at first. I believe that is a unique trait of Ravens. But they cannot fly from a standing start. They need to use their legs to move forward and get a running start to get off the ground. Unlike crows which can easily jump into the air and begin flying.
I cannot speak to a Ravens good character, passion or courage, but I can attest to those qualities in crows. Minus the courage, come to think of it. They are naturally suspicious of everything, but especially open boxes. However, crows demonstrate a clear division of labor where the males are always the risk taker. Females hang back and wait for the males to make sure there are not any traps or danger.
I love the Raven “look For’s” as you draft and the analysis of Kool-Aid.. There has got to be a minimum criteria we look for as we look to bring players “in.” And that criteria has to be used in getting players “out.”
When I picked the Ravens in our office survivor pool last year, I did so by quoting Poe to our league commissioner. He had no idea what I was talking about. I realized that he was 10+ years younger than me and did not grow up learning life lessons (and literature) from The Simpsons.
I am wondering how those stats about Baltimore picks/players coming from late first, and then third/fourth rounds corresponds to yesterday's column suggesting that there was a significant drop-off in player quality after the first 100 (memory, could be 150?) picks? And that colleges were less and less adept at producing NFL-ready players? Does that argue the Ravens' way is, perhaps, already out of date? (Not advocating for anything here. Just following the logic where it seems to go.)
Judging those intangible character traits is an under appreciated quality as anyone being mentioned as a draft pick has unbelievable physical skills. PC/JS guessed wrong with Malik McDowell, many questioned his work ethic, but no one expected an atv accident to derail his career before it started. I truly believe that last year they used that lesson when they selected Spoon at #5, they loved his attitude.
In a team full of talented folks it’s often the one that won’t quit that prevails even if they aren’t the most physically gifted. Doug Baldwin is a great example of that quality. His “angry Doug” persona elevated his game beyond his mere physical skills and kept him constantly improving. Sports is full of examples like him as well as supremely gifted players who didn’t quite reach their potential due to not quite having that undefinable something. If you can combine the skill and attitude you get Michael Jordan.
Since wear and tear on the physical body is inevitable in pro sports the mental toughness can be the difference maker between ok careers and great ones.
We haven't heard a lot from Mike Mac since he was hired, so piecing together what he's all about is difficult to do. But after I read about what he said at the coaches clinic the other day, I'm starting to think that he is not going to emulate either the Seahawk or Raven way. He's got something else in mind. He wants football junkies. He wants selfless players. He wants players that will do whatever it takes, regardless of how tired they are, or how difficult it is. He wants players tough enough to go to war, and resilient enough to win it.
Yes, the 'smart, tough, reliable' is a subset of that, but I don't think that really covers the traits and characteristics that will make up what he wants in new Seahawks. We'll start to get a glimpse of it Thursday through Saturday, and perhaps even more so when roster cuts are made in August. He's already watching guys working out, in the weight room, on the field, in the classroom. He's sizing them up. If they don't attack their training like it means everything to them, how can he expect them to win on the field consistently. You can 'chase edges' in the weight room, just like you can scheme them on the field.
If Darrell Taylor isn't willing to use his God given ability to set a hard edge in run support, or chase a play down from behind.......I don't think he will be on the roster in September. Your teammates are depending on you......don't let them down, or you can't be here.
Thank goodness tomorrow is Thursday.
Total sidebar...if one were to hypothetically stick and pick at every current selection for Seattle, which draft simulator gives you your favorite results? Assuming only free sims like https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/simulator, https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/mock-draft-simulator, https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mockdraft, https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/mock-draft-simulator, https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock-nfl-mock-draft-simulator/, or many others?? I am curious which one or ones people prefer because I know my favorites...but I have my favorite prospects and target them at certain picks so I am curious. Another great article...keep up the good work Kenneth!
I've been watching WOF long enough that the final round didn't give you R-S-T-L-N-E way back when. I solved a puzzle that was two five letter words and the category was Person. The letters they chose were S-T-N-L-D and vowel A. They got no letters. And they didn't get it. But I did.
I guess I'll accpet the Ravens championing the character of their players by giving them a pass on Ray Lewis because he was already there when Harbaugh got there, it happened in college, and he wasn't charged. But, if I remember correctly, he refused to give info on a murder he was eyewitness to. Not being judgy, just reminding us that there is an asterisk.
Never more! Never more! Never more!
https://youtu.be/bLiXjaPqSyY?si=uWbD-l8cxmL8IiBE
Just remember folks, drafts are " like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get!!!
Okay, now all the speculation gets closer to reality and Seaside Joseph (who unbelievably creates these detailed missives daily) is now getting down to the bone. They are going to try to trade down, probably more than once, and get players Mike McDonald can work with. Mostly defense, but I'm sure there will be a surprise or two. I hope we get a glimpse or more at the live Hawks draftroom. Could be fun, especially if someone interesting falls to 16.
Passion, Good Character, Courage.
Maybe what they were talking about in regards to Ravens' wings was that they can fly upside down. Somehow, they can continue to flap their wings and fly level. It is quite startling to see it at first. I believe that is a unique trait of Ravens. But they cannot fly from a standing start. They need to use their legs to move forward and get a running start to get off the ground. Unlike crows which can easily jump into the air and begin flying.
I cannot speak to a Ravens good character, passion or courage, but I can attest to those qualities in crows. Minus the courage, come to think of it. They are naturally suspicious of everything, but especially open boxes. However, crows demonstrate a clear division of labor where the males are always the risk taker. Females hang back and wait for the males to make sure there are not any traps or danger.
The Raven philosophy has transcended everything else… Except for some less than average AFC Championship games by Lamar.. They are a dynasty
I love the Raven “look For’s” as you draft and the analysis of Kool-Aid.. There has got to be a minimum criteria we look for as we look to bring players “in.” And that criteria has to be used in getting players “out.”
I'd like to buy a vowel... an "o" please.
When I picked the Ravens in our office survivor pool last year, I did so by quoting Poe to our league commissioner. He had no idea what I was talking about. I realized that he was 10+ years younger than me and did not grow up learning life lessons (and literature) from The Simpsons.
Can't wait to see what happens at the draft. I am expecting JS to surprise some people with a trade UP at some point to grab a guy.
H_ w_ _l tr_ _e d_ _n t_ _ce. W_ _ch _s f_n_, a_ yo_'_e s_ el _qu _n_ly p_int_d o_t.
I am wondering how those stats about Baltimore picks/players coming from late first, and then third/fourth rounds corresponds to yesterday's column suggesting that there was a significant drop-off in player quality after the first 100 (memory, could be 150?) picks? And that colleges were less and less adept at producing NFL-ready players? Does that argue the Ravens' way is, perhaps, already out of date? (Not advocating for anything here. Just following the logic where it seems to go.)