IMHO the only mis-step for lack of a better term is Pete's almost refusal to value and have a great ( or at least very good ) O-line as a top priority. I would be fine with a sale to Bezo's from the simple fact he will WANT a winner! Would prefer another option , But oh well- I have seen nothing that makes me think Hurtt is a head coach-
A couple of years ago several of the members of the LOB collectively suggested they would like to band together to take ownership of the Seahawks. If they add Pete and John to their group it would be the most interesting, enthusiastic, and impressive ownership in the history of the NFL.
Ownership / Pete and John. I suspect that there is a chicken and egg relationship here. Pete and John leaving would be a natural point to sell the team and selling the team would be a natural time for Pete and John to depart. I also think the sale of team and Pete and John departure is actually linked to whether Seahawk's continue to be viewed as a roster on the rise and not whether the Seahawks get to the Super Bowl in the next two years. In short - but rather does the Seahawk / 49er new old approach of QB as piece supporting piece of the puzzle work, or does it make sense to blow it up.
The change in kick returns is bad news for Dee Eskridge. He could carve a roster spot returning kicks, which he was really good in college, but did only a couple of times with the Seahawks given the high chances of injury and he being banged up already. Now, he's healthy, but unless he can return punts, his value as a returner is much, much lower. He will need to show up and have some spark in a crowded receiver room.
I hope he does. Lockett won't play forever, and we may get to a situation again where we have only 2 really good receivers. We went from Baldwin and Tate, to Baldwin and committee, to Baldwin and Lockett, to Lockett and Metcalf. If JSN plays as we expect him to play, it will be the first time we have 3 great receivers (which we have been trying to get at least since the Harvin trade). And if Dee finally blossoms, we may keep this going after NoE retirement.
Bezos worries me as a potential owner, he'll be an interferer. He's not a football man with years of experience and knowledge of the game. But he does have too much money and an ego almost as large as his hoard of gold. That makes me think if he did takeover he'd want to operate in a way akin to that of Jones or Snyder or Tepper or Irsay. "My team, I can make decisions." The best teams are those where the Owner takes a backseat to those with footballing skills and understanding. That's not just true for the NFL but for all sports. We have a great set-up know, the current owners have an input, but they don't override those with the smarts and day-to-day experience.
We could do a lot worse than Hurtt as HC in a year/two-years time. We could also do better... There are good coaches, with solid records, that are available now to bring in as HC or will be in that same time span. Lovie Smith, Brian Flores, Eric Bieniemy I feel could all do well given a HC job in the PNW and the stability and support we can offer. But the dream hire, Mike Tomlin. I believe his contract runs only to the end of 2024, so two years for Pete to run at another ring, and then getting Tomlin, arguably the best HC in the NFL of the last 15 years. A fan can dream!
Please no Bezos, apparently he doesn't understand music... not that he can't write it but that he doesn't understand why people listen to it. I want an owner that sees it as a sport first instead of simply another business venture. Granted, maybe Jody only sees it as a business venture but shit owners interfering with things they don't understand sucks for fans and the team. If it weren't for the rules how many people can be joint owners of a team I would say we should start a GoFundMe right now and buy the team so it's fan owned!
Ken!!! What was that article you (at least I think it was you... I know it was on Field Gulls in the before time of the long, long ago) wrote years ago about some no-name Seahawk that was the only player on the field on offense AND defense, sacked the entire OL by himself while intercepting a pass for a pick six...etc. It wasn't exactly what I said but it was a very funny article and google is not being my friend at the moment but I know it exists!
Geno is going to kill it this season. A reminder I am on record that we will end at 12-5 but I need to amend that as the bottom, but not the top. And since I gazed into my crystal ball and made that prediction, I have gazed again, and seen Geno exceeding expectations, AGAIN, and again, BY A LOT! Truly, how could he not? With a more seasoned OL and a stacked RB room, and with 50% more firepower in the WR room how could Geno not do more easily what he did last year, this year? More weapons, more protection, more time in the pocket? Geno's second half "collapse" was more like the collapse of the interior OL, but our tackles failed us towards the end, too. I'm confident they will improve, and I am confident Brown is significantly better than Blyth, so if Olu Olu wins the job over Brown we should be significantly improved over last year at center.
Oh my, who am I expecting to take the next step and become part of the core going forward? Everyone drafted in the last two years. Bo Melton be damned. Both of our tackles should take a step forward. Everyone we have acquired in free agency, too. Love, for sure. Witherspoon for sure. We need our 4th round NT to hold up for a while anyways, but maybe Tavai can do the job?
I think JSN is special and probably a better WR than either DK or Lockett. I think they will replace Lockett as the outside receiver almost immediately once in a while. To give the old fart more rest, but also to move Lockett inside and give our offense a few wrinkles that are easy to implement so long as the added player is pro ready, and I am kind of thinking that is part of the "character" check list. It seems like the only non pro ready guy we have drafted in the last two years, besides Bo Melton, was Woolen. And look how that turned out. Woolen shocked the shit out of the coaches at his pro readyness. They weren't expecting it from him.
Anyone who has followed the story of JSN would probably agree that he was pro ready as a Sophomore in college. They get good coaching at Ohio State U., but he's better than that guy at SF who is a great WR after the catch guy. I'm forgetting names in my weekend hedonism and slothfullness. He has the lower body of a running back and some of the most elite athleticism in the world. His hands are elite. He's the whole package, and Geno will learn quickly to always know where he is on the field. So my expectations are out of this world for JSN. I just hope Geno learns to lean on him quickly and not worry about DK's numbers or ego. As long as we win, everyone will learn to be happy.
There are a lot of skill players on this team who will want touches, but anyone who gets those third downs gives everyone more chances. JSN should be very popular on the offense.
Bezos....hmmmmmm. Up until about 2015, Bezos was really nailing it. The first 15 or so of his annual letters to investors should be mandatory reading for people in a customer-focused business. (At least in my opinion).
But sometime around 2015 he realized he was a billionaire and decided to act like one. All I have to see his Blue Origin pic where he’s trying to look like a fighter pilot and I about sprain my eyes from them rolling so hard.
I question his commitment to Seattle, and I could see him pulling a Ken Behring kind of move down the road.
It could also be quite some time before Ms. Allen sells the team. Phil Knight tried to buy the Trail Blazers from her (there’s no issue with repaying Washington) this past year and was soundly rebuffed.
I think she really likes owning the teams and could take a long time to ever sell them. And I’m good with that.
Denver was bought on Advantage Buy and are "rolling back prices"! I always enjoy your word play, Ken! Good article, in general, as well.
I think Taylor has the best chance of sticking around among that group you listed. He has shown ability, but not consistency. If he does have that 10 sack season, I could see Schneider (John, not Dwayne) resigning him if one of the rookies doesn't immediately pop off. He wouldn't command top dollar, yet, maybe just a "let's see if you can be consistent" deal.
One does not make Idiot Supreme by thinking (although referring to oneself as "one" certainly helps), but with this essay you have made me think you should write an article (or series) that does two things:
1) Analyzes the Seahawks ownership since 1997. What are their defining principles, if any, and how are they distinct from those of other NFL owners, both current and former, both Seahawks and others? What makes you (Ken) think those are the key principles, and why are they important? Does it seem to you that those principles have changed over time?
2) What are the implications of those ownership characteristics for who they'd pick to succeed Pete Carroll? Who are the candidates, and why? Of those, who are most likely to accept an offer, if extended, and why? Here, you could look down the road as far as you like. Who is "coming up" that might be ready in another couple of years, even if not now?
Naturally, all that would be out the window if the team is sold, but who cares? When/as/if that happens, all prognostication will go out the window anyways.
That might require a lot of time & might not be get fed to mere Regular Joes, so I might not get to read the whole thing. But you could still put enough in the teaser to make me think a bit more.
I heard a rumour that the Allen group had a deal with Pete that he would not retire until they had downloaded his mind into an AI replacement robot, right down to the gum-chewing. Seriously, the guy looks like he having so dang-much FUN coaching that why would he want to quit?
Losing "good" players to FA because there is no room for them on the roster is how you know you have a very good team. The compensatory picks earned by the Seahawks in the LOB years has never been equalled since and it is because those rosters were stacked.
About the QBOTF--there are already numerious 2024 QB ranking lists out there including this one:
Ken, I am wondering if we should revive the spreadsheet we were using last fall to track, say, the top 25 (McCall is currently #14 on this list!) partly for interest but also "who would make the best QBOTF for the Seahawks"?
Re Darryl Taylor, my understanding is that his rookie season did not count as a contract year, because he was on non-football IR all season long. So his 2024 season will be as a restricted free agent.
4 questions: Seahawks sale, Pete Carroll successor, QBOTF, breakouts
IMHO the only mis-step for lack of a better term is Pete's almost refusal to value and have a great ( or at least very good ) O-line as a top priority. I would be fine with a sale to Bezo's from the simple fact he will WANT a winner! Would prefer another option , But oh well- I have seen nothing that makes me think Hurtt is a head coach-
A couple of years ago several of the members of the LOB collectively suggested they would like to band together to take ownership of the Seahawks. If they add Pete and John to their group it would be the most interesting, enthusiastic, and impressive ownership in the history of the NFL.
Ownership / Pete and John. I suspect that there is a chicken and egg relationship here. Pete and John leaving would be a natural point to sell the team and selling the team would be a natural time for Pete and John to depart. I also think the sale of team and Pete and John departure is actually linked to whether Seahawk's continue to be viewed as a roster on the rise and not whether the Seahawks get to the Super Bowl in the next two years. In short - but rather does the Seahawk / 49er new old approach of QB as piece supporting piece of the puzzle work, or does it make sense to blow it up.
The change in kick returns is bad news for Dee Eskridge. He could carve a roster spot returning kicks, which he was really good in college, but did only a couple of times with the Seahawks given the high chances of injury and he being banged up already. Now, he's healthy, but unless he can return punts, his value as a returner is much, much lower. He will need to show up and have some spark in a crowded receiver room.
I hope he does. Lockett won't play forever, and we may get to a situation again where we have only 2 really good receivers. We went from Baldwin and Tate, to Baldwin and committee, to Baldwin and Lockett, to Lockett and Metcalf. If JSN plays as we expect him to play, it will be the first time we have 3 great receivers (which we have been trying to get at least since the Harvin trade). And if Dee finally blossoms, we may keep this going after NoE retirement.
Bezos worries me as a potential owner, he'll be an interferer. He's not a football man with years of experience and knowledge of the game. But he does have too much money and an ego almost as large as his hoard of gold. That makes me think if he did takeover he'd want to operate in a way akin to that of Jones or Snyder or Tepper or Irsay. "My team, I can make decisions." The best teams are those where the Owner takes a backseat to those with footballing skills and understanding. That's not just true for the NFL but for all sports. We have a great set-up know, the current owners have an input, but they don't override those with the smarts and day-to-day experience.
We could do a lot worse than Hurtt as HC in a year/two-years time. We could also do better... There are good coaches, with solid records, that are available now to bring in as HC or will be in that same time span. Lovie Smith, Brian Flores, Eric Bieniemy I feel could all do well given a HC job in the PNW and the stability and support we can offer. But the dream hire, Mike Tomlin. I believe his contract runs only to the end of 2024, so two years for Pete to run at another ring, and then getting Tomlin, arguably the best HC in the NFL of the last 15 years. A fan can dream!
https://youtu.be/fhDfmUnN1vY
We wouldn't have colosseums if it wasn't for Rome...or Pink Floyd playing in them. 2000 years, holy shit
Please no Bezos, apparently he doesn't understand music... not that he can't write it but that he doesn't understand why people listen to it. I want an owner that sees it as a sport first instead of simply another business venture. Granted, maybe Jody only sees it as a business venture but shit owners interfering with things they don't understand sucks for fans and the team. If it weren't for the rules how many people can be joint owners of a team I would say we should start a GoFundMe right now and buy the team so it's fan owned!
Ken!!! What was that article you (at least I think it was you... I know it was on Field Gulls in the before time of the long, long ago) wrote years ago about some no-name Seahawk that was the only player on the field on offense AND defense, sacked the entire OL by himself while intercepting a pass for a pick six...etc. It wasn't exactly what I said but it was a very funny article and google is not being my friend at the moment but I know it exists!
Geno is going to kill it this season. A reminder I am on record that we will end at 12-5 but I need to amend that as the bottom, but not the top. And since I gazed into my crystal ball and made that prediction, I have gazed again, and seen Geno exceeding expectations, AGAIN, and again, BY A LOT! Truly, how could he not? With a more seasoned OL and a stacked RB room, and with 50% more firepower in the WR room how could Geno not do more easily what he did last year, this year? More weapons, more protection, more time in the pocket? Geno's second half "collapse" was more like the collapse of the interior OL, but our tackles failed us towards the end, too. I'm confident they will improve, and I am confident Brown is significantly better than Blyth, so if Olu Olu wins the job over Brown we should be significantly improved over last year at center.
Oh my, who am I expecting to take the next step and become part of the core going forward? Everyone drafted in the last two years. Bo Melton be damned. Both of our tackles should take a step forward. Everyone we have acquired in free agency, too. Love, for sure. Witherspoon for sure. We need our 4th round NT to hold up for a while anyways, but maybe Tavai can do the job?
I think JSN is special and probably a better WR than either DK or Lockett. I think they will replace Lockett as the outside receiver almost immediately once in a while. To give the old fart more rest, but also to move Lockett inside and give our offense a few wrinkles that are easy to implement so long as the added player is pro ready, and I am kind of thinking that is part of the "character" check list. It seems like the only non pro ready guy we have drafted in the last two years, besides Bo Melton, was Woolen. And look how that turned out. Woolen shocked the shit out of the coaches at his pro readyness. They weren't expecting it from him.
Anyone who has followed the story of JSN would probably agree that he was pro ready as a Sophomore in college. They get good coaching at Ohio State U., but he's better than that guy at SF who is a great WR after the catch guy. I'm forgetting names in my weekend hedonism and slothfullness. He has the lower body of a running back and some of the most elite athleticism in the world. His hands are elite. He's the whole package, and Geno will learn quickly to always know where he is on the field. So my expectations are out of this world for JSN. I just hope Geno learns to lean on him quickly and not worry about DK's numbers or ego. As long as we win, everyone will learn to be happy.
There are a lot of skill players on this team who will want touches, but anyone who gets those third downs gives everyone more chances. JSN should be very popular on the offense.
Bezos....hmmmmmm. Up until about 2015, Bezos was really nailing it. The first 15 or so of his annual letters to investors should be mandatory reading for people in a customer-focused business. (At least in my opinion).
But sometime around 2015 he realized he was a billionaire and decided to act like one. All I have to see his Blue Origin pic where he’s trying to look like a fighter pilot and I about sprain my eyes from them rolling so hard.
I question his commitment to Seattle, and I could see him pulling a Ken Behring kind of move down the road.
It could also be quite some time before Ms. Allen sells the team. Phil Knight tried to buy the Trail Blazers from her (there’s no issue with repaying Washington) this past year and was soundly rebuffed.
I think she really likes owning the teams and could take a long time to ever sell them. And I’m good with that.
Denver was bought on Advantage Buy and are "rolling back prices"! I always enjoy your word play, Ken! Good article, in general, as well.
I think Taylor has the best chance of sticking around among that group you listed. He has shown ability, but not consistency. If he does have that 10 sack season, I could see Schneider (John, not Dwayne) resigning him if one of the rookies doesn't immediately pop off. He wouldn't command top dollar, yet, maybe just a "let's see if you can be consistent" deal.
One does not make Idiot Supreme by thinking (although referring to oneself as "one" certainly helps), but with this essay you have made me think you should write an article (or series) that does two things:
1) Analyzes the Seahawks ownership since 1997. What are their defining principles, if any, and how are they distinct from those of other NFL owners, both current and former, both Seahawks and others? What makes you (Ken) think those are the key principles, and why are they important? Does it seem to you that those principles have changed over time?
2) What are the implications of those ownership characteristics for who they'd pick to succeed Pete Carroll? Who are the candidates, and why? Of those, who are most likely to accept an offer, if extended, and why? Here, you could look down the road as far as you like. Who is "coming up" that might be ready in another couple of years, even if not now?
Naturally, all that would be out the window if the team is sold, but who cares? When/as/if that happens, all prognostication will go out the window anyways.
That might require a lot of time & might not be get fed to mere Regular Joes, so I might not get to read the whole thing. But you could still put enough in the teaser to make me think a bit more.
I heard a rumour that the Allen group had a deal with Pete that he would not retire until they had downloaded his mind into an AI replacement robot, right down to the gum-chewing. Seriously, the guy looks like he having so dang-much FUN coaching that why would he want to quit?
Losing "good" players to FA because there is no room for them on the roster is how you know you have a very good team. The compensatory picks earned by the Seahawks in the LOB years has never been equalled since and it is because those rosters were stacked.
About the QBOTF--there are already numerious 2024 QB ranking lists out there including this one:
https://www.draftcountdown.com/rankings/2024-nfl-draft-qb-rankings-shane/
Ken, I am wondering if we should revive the spreadsheet we were using last fall to track, say, the top 25 (McCall is currently #14 on this list!) partly for interest but also "who would make the best QBOTF for the Seahawks"?
Re Darryl Taylor, my understanding is that his rookie season did not count as a contract year, because he was on non-football IR all season long. So his 2024 season will be as a restricted free agent.
Thanks for the callout! Heard you on the Seahawks Forever podcast, checked out the newsletter, loved your writing (and persistence), and here I am.
If Bezos buys the Seahawks, let’s hope he doesn’t bring his “Frugality” leadership principle along with him.