Gary Beban- QB and Heisman winner at UCLA. Drafted Round 2. Played 2 years then gone. Steve Spurrier-QB and Heisman winner at Florida. Drafted Round 1, pick 3. Played 10 years as a backup. Great football coach. Terry Baker-QB and Heisman winner at Oregon State. Drafted Round 1 pick 1. Lasted 2 years in NFL. Couldn’t throw long. He did help Oregon State basketball team to the Final Four. Drafting a quarterback is a different beast.
So besides DT, what is our weakest link on the Seahawks team? I saw recently an analyst saying that the nickel corner is the third most critical position on the defense, and the hardest corner position to fill. Having watched the Seahawks for decades I can say without hesitation that the nickel corner position has been the weakest link on this team for as long as I can remember.
Last year our run defense eclipsed the nickel corner position for weakest link, but our second weakest link was again, our nickel corner, played by rookie Coby Bryant, who gave up a QB rating of somewhere in the neighborhood of 120 QB rating. That is bad, but Coby managed to be a ball hawk and just missed getting credit for more than one interception as well as forcing three or more fumbles. Those were Coby's saving grace, but it didn't erase that QB rating of 120.
Some have suggested Coby will improve this year and all is well, and that is a possibility for sure, and one I hope for if nothing else changes. However, it has occurred to me that the Hawks may change their normal tactic of never drafting a CB earlier than the 90th pick this year if there is an opportunity to permanently plug that oh so difficult to plug hole on our defense with an early pick.
I have heard people say that Witherspoon is a natural nickel cornerback. Though, he could play outside corner, he has all the skills to play the nickel corner position at a very high level. If Pete and John feel the same way, perhaps they will use our #5 pick on Witherspoon as an alternative to trading down, taking Carter, or being forced to use the pick on a guard or WR.
Personally, If I had not thought of this, I would have been shocked to see them draft a CB in the first round like everyone else here. But now, I am not so sure. I hate that teams abuse our defense almost at will on third downs because we cannot stop the slop receiver from getting open.
I have my doubts Coby Bryant is the answer at nickel cornerback, and so I'd be OK with fixing this problem with a high pick.
Great piece and fantastic questions (not ones you see elsewhere!)
I would take issue with her answer to #1 tho. Pete found gold with Russ in round 3 AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DID IT AGAIN W GENO. Rare or not the guy has done it twice in a row so he has to be at least entertaining the idea he can do it again.
New tweet from Schefter says there are 6 teams that want to trade up with the Cardinals. I guess the Seahawks could be one but this makes me think a good portion of the league wants to move up for a QB or is Will Anderson generating this much interest?
Wow that’s why I like Miah and Seaside Joe. JSN remains my dark horse at 5. He just fits what they want to do on offense. I keep thinking this would be an easy draft with the 9th and 10th pick (JSN and Robinson because that is where they should and probably will go) instead of the 5th and the 20th.
Congrats on 1500!! I started reading your newsletter my first year out of college. I had it sent to my work inbox, and whenever it came in, it would kick off my coffee/water cooler break. Here's to many more great newsletters!
One thing I have always liked about Pete Carroll is his positivity. He isn’t over zealous but a good balance; of course his glass isn’t 1/2 full but 3/4 full. Go Hawks! Go Seaside Joe!
I know the QB is a different beast, but Seattle had their greatest success when the team was full of personalities and egos: Marshawn, Sherm, Earl, Bennett and Tate to name a few. I don’t think Pete would be concerned about any of these top five QBs derailing the locker room.
Congratulations my friend...Thank you so much for what you do .
MK for MD (Roman numeral). Thanks Ken, and congratulations on this great accomplishment -
I’m a Seasider, thanks for gathering, leading & entertaining our community!
Thomas, I was just agreeing with you. I use to live at the airport and everything went over my head. Lol. Take care. 😊
Great questions for Mina.
Gary Beban- QB and Heisman winner at UCLA. Drafted Round 2. Played 2 years then gone. Steve Spurrier-QB and Heisman winner at Florida. Drafted Round 1, pick 3. Played 10 years as a backup. Great football coach. Terry Baker-QB and Heisman winner at Oregon State. Drafted Round 1 pick 1. Lasted 2 years in NFL. Couldn’t throw long. He did help Oregon State basketball team to the Final Four. Drafting a quarterback is a different beast.
So besides DT, what is our weakest link on the Seahawks team? I saw recently an analyst saying that the nickel corner is the third most critical position on the defense, and the hardest corner position to fill. Having watched the Seahawks for decades I can say without hesitation that the nickel corner position has been the weakest link on this team for as long as I can remember.
Last year our run defense eclipsed the nickel corner position for weakest link, but our second weakest link was again, our nickel corner, played by rookie Coby Bryant, who gave up a QB rating of somewhere in the neighborhood of 120 QB rating. That is bad, but Coby managed to be a ball hawk and just missed getting credit for more than one interception as well as forcing three or more fumbles. Those were Coby's saving grace, but it didn't erase that QB rating of 120.
Some have suggested Coby will improve this year and all is well, and that is a possibility for sure, and one I hope for if nothing else changes. However, it has occurred to me that the Hawks may change their normal tactic of never drafting a CB earlier than the 90th pick this year if there is an opportunity to permanently plug that oh so difficult to plug hole on our defense with an early pick.
I have heard people say that Witherspoon is a natural nickel cornerback. Though, he could play outside corner, he has all the skills to play the nickel corner position at a very high level. If Pete and John feel the same way, perhaps they will use our #5 pick on Witherspoon as an alternative to trading down, taking Carter, or being forced to use the pick on a guard or WR.
Personally, If I had not thought of this, I would have been shocked to see them draft a CB in the first round like everyone else here. But now, I am not so sure. I hate that teams abuse our defense almost at will on third downs because we cannot stop the slop receiver from getting open.
I have my doubts Coby Bryant is the answer at nickel cornerback, and so I'd be OK with fixing this problem with a high pick.
Great piece and fantastic questions (not ones you see elsewhere!)
I would take issue with her answer to #1 tho. Pete found gold with Russ in round 3 AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DID IT AGAIN W GENO. Rare or not the guy has done it twice in a row so he has to be at least entertaining the idea he can do it again.
Congratulations for 1500! That is truly amazing. Thank you for making my day a little more interesting...each day 🎆🎇
Now I want to see a "why draft" piece written on Jaxon Smith-Njigba!
And Nolan Smith too, if you're taking requests.
1500 holy carp! Great stuff, and here's to 1500 more Kenneth! And to you too commenters, readers, likers and community!
Good answers from Mina. A timely reminder that for all we think we know about PC/JS and their plans, we really know next to nothing.
New tweet from Schefter says there are 6 teams that want to trade up with the Cardinals. I guess the Seahawks could be one but this makes me think a good portion of the league wants to move up for a QB or is Will Anderson generating this much interest?
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1645451234357264385?s=20
Congratulations to 1500!
Wow that’s why I like Miah and Seaside Joe. JSN remains my dark horse at 5. He just fits what they want to do on offense. I keep thinking this would be an easy draft with the 9th and 10th pick (JSN and Robinson because that is where they should and probably will go) instead of the 5th and the 20th.
Congrats on 1500!! I started reading your newsletter my first year out of college. I had it sent to my work inbox, and whenever it came in, it would kick off my coffee/water cooler break. Here's to many more great newsletters!
One thing I have always liked about Pete Carroll is his positivity. He isn’t over zealous but a good balance; of course his glass isn’t 1/2 full but 3/4 full. Go Hawks! Go Seaside Joe!
I know the QB is a different beast, but Seattle had their greatest success when the team was full of personalities and egos: Marshawn, Sherm, Earl, Bennett and Tate to name a few. I don’t think Pete would be concerned about any of these top five QBs derailing the locker room.