As always, thank you Kenneth for taking time to answer our Q's. I look forward to this newsletter everyday, it's part of my daily habits.....so keep it up!!
Good point about the best WRs not being allowed to hit the free agent market. I didn't realize how many nice contracts and extensions were handed out to the best WRs from their current teams.
The salary cap situation is going to get really interesting really soon if we get pro-bowl-ish seasons from DK, Walker, Cross, Lucas, Mafe and Woolen!
Every time Mike Mac does an interview or press conference, he gets me pumped up. At yesterdays press conference he was asked about how much of the defense is installed so far. His answer, we're installing concepts right now, not plays. And only 20% or so of the concepts are in. He talked about building the foundation first, and then we'll get to the plays and pressures.
This excites me, because I think that has been a problem for us for years. The players try to understand the plays and their assignments, but with no understanding of the concepts of the defense, offenses can trip them up inside of that rigidity. I know this will take time to sort out, but several reporters remarked about the level of communication between players on the defense. If the offense and defense can 'have answers' for what they are seeing, that will go a long way to success.
This team is going to look very different on both sides of the ball this year, and that's going to be a lot of fun, even if it takes half the season to get the players flowing within the new schemes. Add to that the new kickoff rules, which will also alter ST schemes and roster construction. Is the gunner position the same on kickoffs any more, or will that look entirely different? Super interesting.
Being a great Teacher requires you first get your students to buy in to your ideas. Persuasion is an Art Form mastered by few. Mike has already proved this talent with the Raven's, simplifying the concepts down to those who 'get it' and those who never will. He comes to Seattle because of the great athletic talent that already exists here. He could have gone anywhere. The Guys need to come to believe we will exceed what was done with the Ravens. The OTAs should show him who 'gets it' and who doesn't. Or won't. We can expect the League will be copying his successes, so who better to see our Offense is prepared for the surprises?
I won't be putting my full faith in any one player, as it seems is happening with Spoon. Two years ago, we designed an entire Defense around Adams and watched the stadium deflate as he was carted off the field early in the first game of the season. Clint Hurtt, not known for his scheme adjustments, showed us he had no Plan B. Our players lost Faith and we never recovered. Those days are behind us now because Jodi and John made the Hard Call, ending the bureaucracy our coaching had fallen into. The more I dwell on why Mike was chosen, the more excited I become. We will soon see what The Guys think. If they come to believe in themselves, watch out. I suspect we shall see a HeyDay like no other. New MVPs every game. Hero Ball, spread around. I'm thinking that is what Coach Mack brings.
That whole thing with Adams still befuddles me. Building anything around one player is lunacy. It's like a stool balancing on one leg. It makes no sense. And, that was the most fragile leg on the team. Totally confusing to me.
I totally agree that 1) it will be unsurprising if Mike Mac's coaching and scheme result in one or more 'stars' emerging on the defense and 2) that interchangeability of roles on the defense leaves us less susceptible to an injury at any given position. Or at least, lowers the impact of losing any given player.
Until we see an improvement I would say it has to be two-fold. Both lines Offensive and Defensive. Although I think with some time to play and learn together the O-line will be better, I think we need a prove it with the D-line. I do think they will be much improved from last year, but for the rest of the D to truly work it starts up front. And as always I will throw in there the same on the O-line and how who ever plays at center learns quickly, for they need to lead the O-line!
Our first 2 games give us the opportunity to learn hard lessons and still win. Like pre-season games which actually count. Nail down the timing and precision needed before a huge test in Detroit.
As for greatest positional vulnerability I say LB. We only have 2, maybe. I do not like players like Uchenna Hall and now maybe Jones being called on ball linebackers. Linebacker is the guy backing the line, and usually making the tackles. Why I say we’re a 5-2 defense. Our hay day was 4-3. Kam played line to safety. BWagz and KJ took half the field and we had versatility with guys like Avril and Irvin. Taylor prime example of a guy who was not a linebacker and a guy who could not set the edge.
We can add IOL as 1 A to that list with safety coming in a close third. Kenneth like John doesn’t consider players between the hash marks as mattering much, so it doesn’t matter that half the players were back ups last year. If the starters get hurt the Seahawks are just playing another backup so how much worse could it be?
yeah, part of the equation is the drop off in talent from starter to backup and value of the position in question. Both OT and edge/OLB fit the bill in those areas, while IOL and LB don't so much. I agree that the middle of the field needs work on both sides of the ball, but maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised this year by our newcomers.
I’m hopeful on the IOL. With last year and this years picks I think there is good potential thus I didn’t say IOL. I do feel that PC la j of respect for IOL hurt us. We have depth at Safety thus didnt say that spot but agree.
The most resigned players in the NFL after their first contract are Offensive linemen. That is done by teams who understand the importance of that unit. Nothing works consistently on offense without at least a decent O-line. Fact! The one exception is if you have one of the 3 or 4 best QB's that make things work because of themselves regardless of what is going on up front.
I didn't even notice the 1st rd part. Idk what round he was drafted in, at all... so the guess is even less educated than I previously thought (which was pretty uneducated - like home schooled by Beavis & Butthead uneducated)
The only way Mike Mac gets fired is if he does something unethical or shows poor character in something off the field, IMHO. Of course, we all know that John and Jody vetted MM for those possible issues while looking into the on-field, if not before the on-field stuff. At least I assume so.
Like the Reed ending in there. Cant recall the game but early in season, Reed was everywhere that game if you pay attention to the full play and not just the ball. I remarked to my seat mates at the game at Seahawks Stadium that Reed was the MVP and deserved game ball if Seattle won. With Murphy Big Cat and Spoon being planned for, that could open up Reed to some big results.
A 31-year old DT who has never made the PB much less AP *could* be the defensive MVP. But I don’t like to think about how bad the defense would have to be for that to happen.
That seems very limited. We have Rankins to spell him. I pointed out he was game defensive player early in season before he got worn down. Tez at 31 was a pro bowler. With all the focus on other players that opens up for Reed. Do I think he will? No. But he still top 10 interior DLine in sacks and more combined tackles than even Donald. And has been pointed out, Madubuike ended up with double digit sacks in a MM defense.
As always, thank you Kenneth for taking time to answer our Q's. I look forward to this newsletter everyday, it's part of my daily habits.....so keep it up!!
Good point about the best WRs not being allowed to hit the free agent market. I didn't realize how many nice contracts and extensions were handed out to the best WRs from their current teams.
The salary cap situation is going to get really interesting really soon if we get pro-bowl-ish seasons from DK, Walker, Cross, Lucas, Mafe and Woolen!
Every time Mike Mac does an interview or press conference, he gets me pumped up. At yesterdays press conference he was asked about how much of the defense is installed so far. His answer, we're installing concepts right now, not plays. And only 20% or so of the concepts are in. He talked about building the foundation first, and then we'll get to the plays and pressures.
This excites me, because I think that has been a problem for us for years. The players try to understand the plays and their assignments, but with no understanding of the concepts of the defense, offenses can trip them up inside of that rigidity. I know this will take time to sort out, but several reporters remarked about the level of communication between players on the defense. If the offense and defense can 'have answers' for what they are seeing, that will go a long way to success.
This team is going to look very different on both sides of the ball this year, and that's going to be a lot of fun, even if it takes half the season to get the players flowing within the new schemes. Add to that the new kickoff rules, which will also alter ST schemes and roster construction. Is the gunner position the same on kickoffs any more, or will that look entirely different? Super interesting.
Being a great Teacher requires you first get your students to buy in to your ideas. Persuasion is an Art Form mastered by few. Mike has already proved this talent with the Raven's, simplifying the concepts down to those who 'get it' and those who never will. He comes to Seattle because of the great athletic talent that already exists here. He could have gone anywhere. The Guys need to come to believe we will exceed what was done with the Ravens. The OTAs should show him who 'gets it' and who doesn't. Or won't. We can expect the League will be copying his successes, so who better to see our Offense is prepared for the surprises?
It'll be the first time in a long while that our defense will actually make our offense better. Looking forward to that.
I won't be putting my full faith in any one player, as it seems is happening with Spoon. Two years ago, we designed an entire Defense around Adams and watched the stadium deflate as he was carted off the field early in the first game of the season. Clint Hurtt, not known for his scheme adjustments, showed us he had no Plan B. Our players lost Faith and we never recovered. Those days are behind us now because Jodi and John made the Hard Call, ending the bureaucracy our coaching had fallen into. The more I dwell on why Mike was chosen, the more excited I become. We will soon see what The Guys think. If they come to believe in themselves, watch out. I suspect we shall see a HeyDay like no other. New MVPs every game. Hero Ball, spread around. I'm thinking that is what Coach Mack brings.
That whole thing with Adams still befuddles me. Building anything around one player is lunacy. It's like a stool balancing on one leg. It makes no sense. And, that was the most fragile leg on the team. Totally confusing to me.
I totally agree that 1) it will be unsurprising if Mike Mac's coaching and scheme result in one or more 'stars' emerging on the defense and 2) that interchangeability of roles on the defense leaves us less susceptible to an injury at any given position. Or at least, lowers the impact of losing any given player.
Article idea, how was Baltimore defense different from the Projected Seahawks def this year
Boosting Clowney's veteran talents is very encouraging. Speaks highly for both Coach and Player.
Markquise Pouncey - Steelers?
Until we see an improvement I would say it has to be two-fold. Both lines Offensive and Defensive. Although I think with some time to play and learn together the O-line will be better, I think we need a prove it with the D-line. I do think they will be much improved from last year, but for the rest of the D to truly work it starts up front. And as always I will throw in there the same on the O-line and how who ever plays at center learns quickly, for they need to lead the O-line!
Our first 2 games give us the opportunity to learn hard lessons and still win. Like pre-season games which actually count. Nail down the timing and precision needed before a huge test in Detroit.
As for greatest positional vulnerability I say LB. We only have 2, maybe. I do not like players like Uchenna Hall and now maybe Jones being called on ball linebackers. Linebacker is the guy backing the line, and usually making the tackles. Why I say we’re a 5-2 defense. Our hay day was 4-3. Kam played line to safety. BWagz and KJ took half the field and we had versatility with guys like Avril and Irvin. Taylor prime example of a guy who was not a linebacker and a guy who could not set the edge.
We can add IOL as 1 A to that list with safety coming in a close third. Kenneth like John doesn’t consider players between the hash marks as mattering much, so it doesn’t matter that half the players were back ups last year. If the starters get hurt the Seahawks are just playing another backup so how much worse could it be?
yeah, part of the equation is the drop off in talent from starter to backup and value of the position in question. Both OT and edge/OLB fit the bill in those areas, while IOL and LB don't so much. I agree that the middle of the field needs work on both sides of the ball, but maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised this year by our newcomers.
I’m hopeful on the IOL. With last year and this years picks I think there is good potential thus I didn’t say IOL. I do feel that PC la j of respect for IOL hurt us. We have depth at Safety thus didnt say that spot but agree.
My guess for last center drafted to make a pro-bowl and super bowl:
Marquis Pouncey, PIT??
Idk if he was on the Super Bowl team, or not. May have been a year before he came in
The most resigned players in the NFL after their first contract are Offensive linemen. That is done by teams who understand the importance of that unit. Nothing works consistently on offense without at least a decent O-line. Fact! The one exception is if you have one of the 3 or 4 best QB's that make things work because of themselves regardless of what is going on up front.
I didn't even notice the 1st rd part. Idk what round he was drafted in, at all... so the guess is even less educated than I previously thought (which was pretty uneducated - like home schooled by Beavis & Butthead uneducated)
The only way Mike Mac gets fired is if he does something unethical or shows poor character in something off the field, IMHO. Of course, we all know that John and Jody vetted MM for those possible issues while looking into the on-field, if not before the on-field stuff. At least I assume so.
Like the Reed ending in there. Cant recall the game but early in season, Reed was everywhere that game if you pay attention to the full play and not just the ball. I remarked to my seat mates at the game at Seahawks Stadium that Reed was the MVP and deserved game ball if Seattle won. With Murphy Big Cat and Spoon being planned for, that could open up Reed to some big results.
A 31-year old DT who has never made the PB much less AP *could* be the defensive MVP. But I don’t like to think about how bad the defense would have to be for that to happen.
That seems very limited. We have Rankins to spell him. I pointed out he was game defensive player early in season before he got worn down. Tez at 31 was a pro bowler. With all the focus on other players that opens up for Reed. Do I think he will? No. But he still top 10 interior DLine in sacks and more combined tackles than even Donald. And has been pointed out, Madubuike ended up with double digit sacks in a MM defense.