I seem to have this weird vibe that DK might be, possibly, maybe, on the move?. I can't seem to get it out of my head. Why would Russell Wilson be openly practicing with DK? I keep seeing reports that the Steelers are interested in finding their next great receiver. What's going on in my head?! I've read every one of your trade articles, so, is there something wrong with me?! :))
I think they're just friends. Guys from different teams practice/workout together every offseason because they like spending time together. I always got the sense that DK and Russ had a big-bro-little-bro dynamic (but the big bro was smaller than the little bro), and that Dk was one of the guys that really bought into Russell's whole mentality/vibe as the team leader.
I think they'd be happy to play together again if circumstances allowed, but that's really not up to them.
As Grant noted, this started years ago. You may recall about time of us winning etc RW started having these get togethers, some times with receivers that left Seattle to go elsewhere. Clearly practicing with incredible athletes helps.
Walker could be one of the 5-6 best backs in the league, and maybe the most explosive. I’ve resigned myself to the likelihood that ZC was overdrafted and has a ceiling of “useful cog in the machine.”
I definitely expect more from Charbs. In that sense, I would have to say, ‘yes’ to ‘more than K9’. However, do I think he is the better back? No, not at this stage. K9 seems much better.
But….has Charbs had as much opportunity to shine? I’m not so sure, so the jury’s still out. What is definitely clear is that both backs have great potential. Let’s see if that potential is drawn out by the new coaching staff and playbook.
Also, let’s not forget Kenny Macintosh. The little I’ve seen of him impressed me.
McIntosh was impressive at Georgia and will hopefully be a key player in the return game this season; I can't see him earning many RB touches outside of blowouts or the odd drive to keep the other 2 guys fresh but I do think he could be impactful in those situations
I definitely think there is a true position battle at RB this off-season with the new coaching staff. We may well end up with a true committee/ride yhe hot hand situation. In short, for all his explosiveness K9 is guaranteed nothing and Charbs could wind up taking the majority of RB snaps.
Walker needs to work off of his blocking more consistently to really take off. Charbonnet already does this well, if there is any reasonable blocking to work off of. Our o-line was so inconsistent last year it was hard to evaluate either of them. There is a world where Charbs gets more carries than K9, if the o-line delivers, and only Charbs is willing to take what is there. This feels unlikely, as KW seems very coachable, but I suppose it could happen.
I'll ask the uncomfortable, and probably unpopular question. If the Seahawks are a playoff team with 11 or more wins this year with largely the same personnel, what does that do to Pete's legacy here? I personally think his legacy is fine, but I do think it reflects on how he had transitioned from a league innovator, to a coach who couldn't accept that his puzzles had all been solved.
No not now but many teams going with dual backs now. Plus, like IOL, as of late paying huge bucks to RB isn’t in Seattles interest. I suspect Charbo takes over as lead back in a couple years and K9 signs the money contract elsewhere.
To me, the ultimate Swiss Army knife of slot corners IS Devon Witherspoon. Size doesn’t matter when you’re a junk yard dog with tremendous skills.
If Cross and Lucas perform at expected levels, having Olu blow up and outperform brings both the running and passing games up to a new level. And in my Hawk-fevered brain that takes a 9-8 team to somewhere between 10-7 and 12-5.
I voted for Walker because I think if we get him going, any of the other receiving positions should have more opportunities.
But then second poll got me thinking that Walker doesn’t have the year we need him to have without the o-line. So is my answer really Haynes or Olu or either of the tackles?
I want JSN to have a monster year but I just don’t know if him or Fant shining is “helping us the most.”
I voted K9 for the same reasons. If he breaks out, then we could expect that would logically have meant that the entire offense, especially the OL, would have had a successful season.
The coach question triggered a question for me: what is possible from a new coach hire with a specialty?
We know Mac was hired for defense and his modern approach. How long can that take?
The first name I thought of was Brian Daboll. BD took over for what I would consider to be an inept offensive coordinator and staff. Led the Giants to the playoffs in year 1 even with Danny Dimes at QB (then made the terrible decision to pay him)
I think there are some parallels. The Giants have stacked high draft picks for years before Daboll got there and had some talent even tho they were not good.
I think you could make that same argument for the Seahawks defense.
So, what was the change for the giants?
The two years prior to Daboll getting hired the Giants were the worst offense in the league on an EPA/Play basis (2020-2021). After Daboll was hired in 2022 they were 9th.
In the first year with largely the same players and a modern offensive system the Giants went from 32 to 9th. (And that’s with Daniel Jones at QB)
Giants 2020-2021 = 32 to 9th in 2022
Could that happen for the hawks defense in year 1?
Another example is Saleh going to the Jets. Their D was still pretty bad in year 1, but has been much better since. So it can take a bit of time, depending on personnel and scheme fit. I'll be pleasantly surprised if the Seahawks are better than average on D this year with all the moving parts. If they do surprise and get to top 10, I expect it will because the personnel was largely already here.
Is it weird that I like the idea and his size speed plus best man coverage rating (cough) per pff swapping to slot on his side on occasion and being sent on blitzed. I think Mike will use him more not less
I want Zach Charbonnet to be the big deal breakout player because if he has a monster year it would probably mean KW3 was doing even better, the OL was doing well, and the defense was doing it's job. All of that together would be a wonderful sight to see on Sunday mornings.
I would feel so much better about the Seahawks potential to compete/win at the highest level, run the ball effectively in short yardage situations, and protect/develop a QB of the future (not to mention the QB of the present), if our left tackle was a perennial pro bowler. Anyone voting for Olu must already feel really good about Cross. I'm not there yet and need to see him prove it this season. Let's go Charles!
A breakout season from a tight end would be more advantageous to our offense than from an interion lineman. If there were one TE who was both our best blocker and receiver from that position group, and could get the job done at a pro bowl level, wouldn't that be better than a single pro bowl guard? Now, wouldn't it be better for the team if that player were AJ Barner instead of Noah Fant? Let's go AJ!
It's not a poll. It's a pop quiz and these are the only correct answers.
Cross has a prove it year after playing all season with a foot injury. Will he be a top five LT, not this year, But will he show he belongs and will get better, I'll bet he does. That being said these aren't the only correct answers- The Center position is a huge need!
This is such an easy answer- It's Olu or whoever starts and plays the most at Center! Yes, the center position is the second most important on the O-line! I am very hyped about our backfield, and I also think Charbonnet will have a very good year!
I seem to have this weird vibe that DK might be, possibly, maybe, on the move?. I can't seem to get it out of my head. Why would Russell Wilson be openly practicing with DK? I keep seeing reports that the Steelers are interested in finding their next great receiver. What's going on in my head?! I've read every one of your trade articles, so, is there something wrong with me?! :))
I think they're just friends. Guys from different teams practice/workout together every offseason because they like spending time together. I always got the sense that DK and Russ had a big-bro-little-bro dynamic (but the big bro was smaller than the little bro), and that Dk was one of the guys that really bought into Russell's whole mentality/vibe as the team leader.
I think they'd be happy to play together again if circumstances allowed, but that's really not up to them.
As Grant noted, this started years ago. You may recall about time of us winning etc RW started having these get togethers, some times with receivers that left Seattle to go elsewhere. Clearly practicing with incredible athletes helps.
MORE comments…
- is there anyone out there who maybe expects more from Charbonnet than Walker? Either long term or short term.
- if you are a regular Joe and want to submit a question, put them in the replies to this comment
Walker could be one of the 5-6 best backs in the league, and maybe the most explosive. I’ve resigned myself to the likelihood that ZC was overdrafted and has a ceiling of “useful cog in the machine.”
Echo what Paul G said.
K9 does things that I don’t see other backs doing (sometimes great sometimes frustrating but he is different)
Whereas Charbs I think can be good solid but I don’t see special
I definitely expect more from Charbs. In that sense, I would have to say, ‘yes’ to ‘more than K9’. However, do I think he is the better back? No, not at this stage. K9 seems much better.
But….has Charbs had as much opportunity to shine? I’m not so sure, so the jury’s still out. What is definitely clear is that both backs have great potential. Let’s see if that potential is drawn out by the new coaching staff and playbook.
Also, let’s not forget Kenny Macintosh. The little I’ve seen of him impressed me.
McIntosh was impressive at Georgia and will hopefully be a key player in the return game this season; I can't see him earning many RB touches outside of blowouts or the odd drive to keep the other 2 guys fresh but I do think he could be impactful in those situations
I definitely think there is a true position battle at RB this off-season with the new coaching staff. We may well end up with a true committee/ride yhe hot hand situation. In short, for all his explosiveness K9 is guaranteed nothing and Charbs could wind up taking the majority of RB snaps.
Walker needs to work off of his blocking more consistently to really take off. Charbonnet already does this well, if there is any reasonable blocking to work off of. Our o-line was so inconsistent last year it was hard to evaluate either of them. There is a world where Charbs gets more carries than K9, if the o-line delivers, and only Charbs is willing to take what is there. This feels unlikely, as KW seems very coachable, but I suppose it could happen.
I'll ask the uncomfortable, and probably unpopular question. If the Seahawks are a playoff team with 11 or more wins this year with largely the same personnel, what does that do to Pete's legacy here? I personally think his legacy is fine, but I do think it reflects on how he had transitioned from a league innovator, to a coach who couldn't accept that his puzzles had all been solved.
I'd like to see more Walker. I think he will be the best back in the league this year. Keep him in on passing downs please!
No not now but many teams going with dual backs now. Plus, like IOL, as of late paying huge bucks to RB isn’t in Seattles interest. I suspect Charbo takes over as lead back in a couple years and K9 signs the money contract elsewhere.
How did Spoon injure himself for the entire 2022 season?
To me, the ultimate Swiss Army knife of slot corners IS Devon Witherspoon. Size doesn’t matter when you’re a junk yard dog with tremendous skills.
If Cross and Lucas perform at expected levels, having Olu blow up and outperform brings both the running and passing games up to a new level. And in my Hawk-fevered brain that takes a 9-8 team to somewhere between 10-7 and 12-5.
I LIKE this blue and green Kool-aid!
I voted for Walker because I think if we get him going, any of the other receiving positions should have more opportunities.
But then second poll got me thinking that Walker doesn’t have the year we need him to have without the o-line. So is my answer really Haynes or Olu or either of the tackles?
I want JSN to have a monster year but I just don’t know if him or Fant shining is “helping us the most.”
I voted K9 for the same reasons. If he breaks out, then we could expect that would logically have meant that the entire offense, especially the OL, would have had a successful season.
The coach question triggered a question for me: what is possible from a new coach hire with a specialty?
We know Mac was hired for defense and his modern approach. How long can that take?
The first name I thought of was Brian Daboll. BD took over for what I would consider to be an inept offensive coordinator and staff. Led the Giants to the playoffs in year 1 even with Danny Dimes at QB (then made the terrible decision to pay him)
I think there are some parallels. The Giants have stacked high draft picks for years before Daboll got there and had some talent even tho they were not good.
I think you could make that same argument for the Seahawks defense.
So, what was the change for the giants?
The two years prior to Daboll getting hired the Giants were the worst offense in the league on an EPA/Play basis (2020-2021). After Daboll was hired in 2022 they were 9th.
In the first year with largely the same players and a modern offensive system the Giants went from 32 to 9th. (And that’s with Daniel Jones at QB)
Giants 2020-2021 = 32 to 9th in 2022
Could that happen for the hawks defense in year 1?
Another example is Saleh going to the Jets. Their D was still pretty bad in year 1, but has been much better since. So it can take a bit of time, depending on personnel and scheme fit. I'll be pleasantly surprised if the Seahawks are better than average on D this year with all the moving parts. If they do surprise and get to top 10, I expect it will because the personnel was largely already here.
Is it weird that I like the idea and his size speed plus best man coverage rating (cough) per pff swapping to slot on his side on occasion and being sent on blitzed. I think Mike will use him more not less
Appreciate the response man! Hadn’t thought about the post snap benefits of Mike Mac’s D in this respect. Makes sense.
Yeah, I think Riq would be the first to thank anyone who keeps him out the slot! Look forward to hearing what feedback you get from All_22. Gracias!
I want Zach Charbonnet to be the big deal breakout player because if he has a monster year it would probably mean KW3 was doing even better, the OL was doing well, and the defense was doing it's job. All of that together would be a wonderful sight to see on Sunday mornings.
I would feel so much better about the Seahawks potential to compete/win at the highest level, run the ball effectively in short yardage situations, and protect/develop a QB of the future (not to mention the QB of the present), if our left tackle was a perennial pro bowler. Anyone voting for Olu must already feel really good about Cross. I'm not there yet and need to see him prove it this season. Let's go Charles!
A breakout season from a tight end would be more advantageous to our offense than from an interion lineman. If there were one TE who was both our best blocker and receiver from that position group, and could get the job done at a pro bowl level, wouldn't that be better than a single pro bowl guard? Now, wouldn't it be better for the team if that player were AJ Barner instead of Noah Fant? Let's go AJ!
It's not a poll. It's a pop quiz and these are the only correct answers.
Cross has a prove it year after playing all season with a foot injury. Will he be a top five LT, not this year, But will he show he belongs and will get better, I'll bet he does. That being said these aren't the only correct answers- The Center position is a huge need!
This is such an easy answer- It's Olu or whoever starts and plays the most at Center! Yes, the center position is the second most important on the O-line! I am very hyped about our backfield, and I also think Charbonnet will have a very good year!