I find the amount of time given to talking about what people are thinking/saying about our draft choices is tiresome. Prefer analysis of how those draft choices fit in the greater scheme of things; i.e. strategy for this year & next year as a whole! Intelligent, sustainable, team building.
Also read a blog that complained about drafting a RB was not a cost effective use of resources! HEY I know that football is a $/cents business at the macro level but at the micro/team level your P/L is calculated in wins vs losses! Given that you work within $ constraints!
These guys are just posting F grades on pick 41 to get attention. Seattle picked the #1 (in my opinion, #2 at worst) RB in the draft instead of the 8th (since 7 were off the board) best WR. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the #8 wr contributing more on his rookie deal, but perhaps my view is too simplistic.
Every draft pick is a calculated risk because every player has flaws and concerns. It's not possible to know who will succeed at the next level (for a whole variety of reasons). Therefore, anyone can express concerns about any pick. Mafe will be 24 in his rookie year (as an example).
I'm super happy with this year's draft because Carroll and Schneider made smart gambles. Gambles, sure, because that's the nature of the draft. But this year, rather than thinking they could outsmart everyone else, they went with the obvious best choice at positions of need.
PS: Anyone who doesn't think running back is a position of need for the Seahawks isn't paying attention. Easy to look at a roster and see two starting-caliber guys under contract but even the most cursory understanding of context will explain why, when a guy like Walker falls into your lap at 41 in this year's draft, one has to at least think about it.
I'm with you in thinking it was a smart move. Of course when we look back in two or three years, there will be someone chosen further down who will make us smack our heads and say "if only". Unless our guy turns out to the one who exceeds expectations.
Those pushing for Seattle to select a QB in this draft are, in my opinion, lacking in analytical skills. You've mapped out really effectively in a long series of articles why that would have been a poor choice. Along the way, you've educated your readers. I was one of those who spent the whole draft hoping against hope Seattle wouldn't waste its picks. Particularly in rounds 1 and 2. Even beyond that into rounds 3 and 4. Around round 5 I could have reconciled myself to taking a flier on someone but I'm glad we didn't. Though I would have gotten excited if we had taken Strong in the 7th. Wish we had signed him as an undrafted free agent, though chances of him going anywhere with Philly are slim.
I have already written my support about K3, right here. We have 2 runninbacks who have been hurt a lot. Part of that is the style of running. We don't have an RB under contract next year but K3. He plays a special premium position, that so many under value because they are lazy. I thought K3 was stronger and faster than Hall We shall see. He probably won't get 1000 yards if Penny plays 14 games, but he will score 5 times. Victoria Chris
In 2020, the Colts sent picks 44 and 160 to Cleveland in order to pick a running back at 41. The move is generally liked, applauded, and graded highly. The Colts were good, not great that year, making the playoffs at 11-5 but ultimately losing to the Ravens in the AFC Wild Card.
In 2022, the Seahawks stay put to take a running back at 41. The move is widely ridiculed and criticized, despite running back being a position of need to a "retooling" team, in a league where the odds of a running back landing on IR at any moment during the 17-game season is somewhere between 1 in 3 and 1 in 4.
That pick by the Colts seems to be working out pretty well by the way.
Preparing for the draft I saw RB's that would improve our team further down the board, and just assumed PC/JS would have higher priorities than RB in the second, but Walker was significantly better than those lower choices, and I wasn't thinking enough about 2023. So I am pleased with the choice now.
Your explanation of the twitterverse is amusing and interesting, and I read it all the way through for comprehension, but I still don't care. I especially don't care what the opinions are about our draft. If anything I am worried so many people approve of this draft. They hated our best draft until they didn't.
One point not mentioned much is how synergistic it is drafting two OT's and a RB.
Kenneth, it must be hard to write an column every day but to regularly produce a product of this depth is amazing. You must have to stick your ceberal cortex in the freezer when you're done. I sincerely hope my comment floods you with dopamine.
I was just curious in this pass happy league what type of rushing yards the Rams and Bengals put up last year. Mixon over 1200 16 TDs. Rams 1533 combined for 2 backs 10 TD's. Remember when one of the elements of a winning team was to have a 1000 yard rusher. Not much has changed. Running the ball is still important. Belichick knows it, the McVay (tree coaches) know it and PC still thinks it's important. Good running backs are hard to find especially in this years draft. Seattle got one of them and accomplished what most of the draft prognosticators said Seattle had to do. Draft some immediate impact players. The last two years Seattle's RB injuries have been immense. I think Seattle will bring in another vet RB before all is said and done. People can suffer from the paralysis of analysis and become a chronic malcontent over what's trending in media draft white noise or you can see how people are winning championships and follow suit. Being able to run the ball and having a top notch defense still is important to a winning formula in the NFL. It has been for years. This draft and Seattle's free agency adds has given the Seahawks (some power rank at 28th) a chance to be relevant in 22 and give them a running start for 23 and another opportunity at greatness. Of course at this point it's all merely speculation but one thing is for certain. Teams make winning franchises and I believe Seattle has taken a major step toward that goal with personnel and coaching changes. QB is important, but then Rodgers only has one SB ring, Brady for many of his SB wins had a great supporting cast, so did Wilson in 13 and Dilfer helped Baltimore win a SB. I'm okay with RB at 41, a line commitment and rebuilding a strong defense. Nothin fancy...just facts.
Response to Computer Cowboy: “There is literally no great move that this regime could make that some segment of the Twitterverse wouldn’t bitch and moan about afterwards.”
The hard-core quants believe that analytics is a strategic tool for roster-building, just like with baseball. By those lights, no team is ever justified drafting any RB before the 3rd or 4th round in any draft. There’s no debating the point because it is a truism. At root, their argument is to get a coach and GM who see football as they do.
But others see footballl as *much* different than baseball (take me, for example). We point to football’s relatively short schedule and the of greater impact of conditions* and situations.** To us, while analytics has tactical value, we’d never use it as a basis for roster construction. Taking who many see as the best RB in the draft at 41 is a no-brainer for a team that can’t win without an elite running game. And we’re not in any hurry to move from Pete Carroll, either—replacing him is easier said than done.
Doesn’t anyone remember that Seattle’s running backs spend more time being injured then actually playing on the field? What makes you think that that is suddenly going to change? The Kenneth Walker pick was another A pick, and we were damn lucky he fell to us. There are so many dumb-asses out there I wonder how we all survive. . .
I find the amount of time given to talking about what people are thinking/saying about our draft choices is tiresome. Prefer analysis of how those draft choices fit in the greater scheme of things; i.e. strategy for this year & next year as a whole! Intelligent, sustainable, team building.
Also read a blog that complained about drafting a RB was not a cost effective use of resources! HEY I know that football is a $/cents business at the macro level but at the micro/team level your P/L is calculated in wins vs losses! Given that you work within $ constraints!
These guys are just posting F grades on pick 41 to get attention. Seattle picked the #1 (in my opinion, #2 at worst) RB in the draft instead of the 8th (since 7 were off the board) best WR. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the #8 wr contributing more on his rookie deal, but perhaps my view is too simplistic.
Every draft pick is a calculated risk because every player has flaws and concerns. It's not possible to know who will succeed at the next level (for a whole variety of reasons). Therefore, anyone can express concerns about any pick. Mafe will be 24 in his rookie year (as an example).
I'm super happy with this year's draft because Carroll and Schneider made smart gambles. Gambles, sure, because that's the nature of the draft. But this year, rather than thinking they could outsmart everyone else, they went with the obvious best choice at positions of need.
PS: Anyone who doesn't think running back is a position of need for the Seahawks isn't paying attention. Easy to look at a roster and see two starting-caliber guys under contract but even the most cursory understanding of context will explain why, when a guy like Walker falls into your lap at 41 in this year's draft, one has to at least think about it.
I'm with you in thinking it was a smart move. Of course when we look back in two or three years, there will be someone chosen further down who will make us smack our heads and say "if only". Unless our guy turns out to the one who exceeds expectations.
Those pushing for Seattle to select a QB in this draft are, in my opinion, lacking in analytical skills. You've mapped out really effectively in a long series of articles why that would have been a poor choice. Along the way, you've educated your readers. I was one of those who spent the whole draft hoping against hope Seattle wouldn't waste its picks. Particularly in rounds 1 and 2. Even beyond that into rounds 3 and 4. Around round 5 I could have reconciled myself to taking a flier on someone but I'm glad we didn't. Though I would have gotten excited if we had taken Strong in the 7th. Wish we had signed him as an undrafted free agent, though chances of him going anywhere with Philly are slim.
I have already written my support about K3, right here. We have 2 runninbacks who have been hurt a lot. Part of that is the style of running. We don't have an RB under contract next year but K3. He plays a special premium position, that so many under value because they are lazy. I thought K3 was stronger and faster than Hall We shall see. He probably won't get 1000 yards if Penny plays 14 games, but he will score 5 times. Victoria Chris
I like the pick. Didn't want to, but Walker could be really good in ways Penny is not.
In 2020, the Colts sent picks 44 and 160 to Cleveland in order to pick a running back at 41. The move is generally liked, applauded, and graded highly. The Colts were good, not great that year, making the playoffs at 11-5 but ultimately losing to the Ravens in the AFC Wild Card.
In 2022, the Seahawks stay put to take a running back at 41. The move is widely ridiculed and criticized, despite running back being a position of need to a "retooling" team, in a league where the odds of a running back landing on IR at any moment during the 17-game season is somewhere between 1 in 3 and 1 in 4.
That pick by the Colts seems to be working out pretty well by the way.
USUALLY LT is the BEST blindside PASS PROTECTOR while the RT is more the ROADGRADER .
LUCAS is a very good pass blocking RT . HOW would the LOUISIANA LEFTY change the OFFENSE?
HOW does COUNTER-CLOCKWISE rotation affect LOCKETT and METCALF ?
( sounds new and FUN )
Preparing for the draft I saw RB's that would improve our team further down the board, and just assumed PC/JS would have higher priorities than RB in the second, but Walker was significantly better than those lower choices, and I wasn't thinking enough about 2023. So I am pleased with the choice now.
Your explanation of the twitterverse is amusing and interesting, and I read it all the way through for comprehension, but I still don't care. I especially don't care what the opinions are about our draft. If anything I am worried so many people approve of this draft. They hated our best draft until they didn't.
One point not mentioned much is how synergistic it is drafting two OT's and a RB.
Kenneth, it must be hard to write an column every day but to regularly produce a product of this depth is amazing. You must have to stick your ceberal cortex in the freezer when you're done. I sincerely hope my comment floods you with dopamine.
I was just curious in this pass happy league what type of rushing yards the Rams and Bengals put up last year. Mixon over 1200 16 TDs. Rams 1533 combined for 2 backs 10 TD's. Remember when one of the elements of a winning team was to have a 1000 yard rusher. Not much has changed. Running the ball is still important. Belichick knows it, the McVay (tree coaches) know it and PC still thinks it's important. Good running backs are hard to find especially in this years draft. Seattle got one of them and accomplished what most of the draft prognosticators said Seattle had to do. Draft some immediate impact players. The last two years Seattle's RB injuries have been immense. I think Seattle will bring in another vet RB before all is said and done. People can suffer from the paralysis of analysis and become a chronic malcontent over what's trending in media draft white noise or you can see how people are winning championships and follow suit. Being able to run the ball and having a top notch defense still is important to a winning formula in the NFL. It has been for years. This draft and Seattle's free agency adds has given the Seahawks (some power rank at 28th) a chance to be relevant in 22 and give them a running start for 23 and another opportunity at greatness. Of course at this point it's all merely speculation but one thing is for certain. Teams make winning franchises and I believe Seattle has taken a major step toward that goal with personnel and coaching changes. QB is important, but then Rodgers only has one SB ring, Brady for many of his SB wins had a great supporting cast, so did Wilson in 13 and Dilfer helped Baltimore win a SB. I'm okay with RB at 41, a line commitment and rebuilding a strong defense. Nothin fancy...just facts.
Response to Computer Cowboy: “There is literally no great move that this regime could make that some segment of the Twitterverse wouldn’t bitch and moan about afterwards.”
The hard-core quants believe that analytics is a strategic tool for roster-building, just like with baseball. By those lights, no team is ever justified drafting any RB before the 3rd or 4th round in any draft. There’s no debating the point because it is a truism. At root, their argument is to get a coach and GM who see football as they do.
But others see footballl as *much* different than baseball (take me, for example). We point to football’s relatively short schedule and the of greater impact of conditions* and situations.** To us, while analytics has tactical value, we’d never use it as a basis for roster construction. Taking who many see as the best RB in the draft at 41 is a no-brainer for a team that can’t win without an elite running game. And we’re not in any hurry to move from Pete Carroll, either—replacing him is easier said than done.
* E.g., weather
** E.g., down and distance
Doesn’t anyone remember that Seattle’s running backs spend more time being injured then actually playing on the field? What makes you think that that is suddenly going to change? The Kenneth Walker pick was another A pick, and we were damn lucky he fell to us. There are so many dumb-asses out there I wonder how we all survive. . .