21 Comments

If we apply Oscar Wilde’s definition of cynicism then wouldn’t we need a formula that quantifies a player’s “value” (and by extension a position room) rather than “cost”? I’m thinking that brighter or just more dedicated minds than mine could come up with the formula that produces an index figure that equates cost with performance. Or maybe it exists already and I just didn’t know about it?

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Jun 24Liked by Seaside Joe

This is a brilliant analysis.. But it begs a ?… WHY IN THE HELL aren’t we paying more for OL, Overall D, and QB(when we get a franchise QB)???? The Raiders??? This $$$ Being overweighted on Receivers is a hell of a problem!!!!

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If Charles Cross and Abe Lucas get themselves together in the next 2 years, the $ on OL will go up. I don't think the Seahawks are opposed to keeping great OL if they finally start to draft some.

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Jun 24Liked by Seaside Joe

Also love the graphs and the way they are represented. An interesting fact is that throughout the whole NFL the most resigned players on teams are their O-linemen. Am encouraged that Seattle (JS) finally sems to be putting at least some importance on that position. Doesn't need to be first rounders necessarily, just need to be diligent in always bringing in guys that can or might raise your talent level there. That is the second most important unit on the offense ( IMHO and many others). I am old school and will always believe that (other than finding the QB) that the O-line, D-line and MLB are the most important areas to build a team and have consistency that will lead to possible greatness.

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Jun 23Liked by Seaside Joe

I believe the article author you are referencing is Mike Salk, not Mike Sando.

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Why do I keep doing that!

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Jun 23Liked by Seaside Joe

Well, I think the answer is pretty obvious lol.

Great article by the way. I always enjoy visual aids.

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Well, this is what's scary Jejune...I make the mistake so often that I "double-checked" that sentence to make sure it was accurate...and it still was wrong!

I'll try to incorporate more visuals for the rest of the year. Thank you!

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Thanks for the education in these days of little news, Guys. This Game of Football will again become a source of deep inspiration as we endeavor to secure the future of this Country, our Communities and our Children. The Hawks will reflect back at us what it takes to win and win strong. It is good and right that I spend time learning the intricacies it takes to get there.

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I’d argue they did draft a 1st round guard in James Carpenter. It’s not what they intended to do, but effectively that’s what they did. Terrible tackle, average guard.

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Yeah, I always mention Carpenter and Ifedi. As you say, they don't intentionally draft guards.

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Jun 23Liked by Seaside Joe

I'm mostly here for the street cred, but just a little for the FICO.

I think JS (and Pete) has been good about rewarding the guys that make the team stronger inside the locker room. There are off-field/leadership qualities that we fans don't see as clearly as the front office guys, and that is worth paying a premium for. I think they saw this in Jamal Adams and Will Disley, for example. I think they see it in Tyler Lockett. DK is a hard-working talented freak of nature, but he wants to be lead. Lockett is naturally a leader whether he wants to be or not (like Marshawn). Most players aren't on the roster long enough for us fans to get a sense of who they are, but JS and PC got to find out and make their contract decisions accordingly. It's important for us to remember how much better these guys know their players than we ever will. Positional spending is an interesting comparison, but I think if you look at where teams are spending the most money, you'll find a guy who plays an important role off the field.

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Jun 23Liked by Seaside Joe

"It's important for us to remember how much better these guys [JS&MMc] know their players than we ever will."

I'll add to your comment that these guys know infinitely more about their NFL competition, NCAA players, and the game itself that any of us will ever know. In order to be an above average GM, JS has to be a Mensa level genus, and have scouts and salary-cap guys that are just as smart. I think it's a crime JS has never been Exec Of The Year (or PC: COTY). He's been (and PC had been) above average for his whole time in Seattle and and deserve more recognition that they received.

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Jun 23Liked by Seaside Joe

"the Patriots from 2014-2018 (investing in stealing signs from the Seahawks in the Super Bowl)."

Huh? Is it just me? I have not heard this before

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Just an unfounded accusation I'm making up.

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Hear Hear!

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Jun 23Liked by Seaside Joe

Love the way you show the data, and explain some of what it *may* indicate, without stating it unequivocally means 'this'. We have to be careful not to draw inferences of causality from data, especially when it is only 1 set. Some of the data *not* listed would be the ages of the players at the positions, with respect to whether it is a rookie contract, or not. Also, what round were they drafted in? Does this data account for the fact that there are usually only 2 QBs on a team, and roughly 8-10 OL?

I am not saying there are any deficiencies in your analysis, just illustrating that you did a good job of using the data to raise questions rather than make definitive conclusions. Thank you for the entertaining direction you took today's article (and my Seahawk thoughts)!

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Jun 23Liked by Seaside Joe

I love charts and pics, they convey so much information. Thanks for putting those together and breaking it all down. Another great read.

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MORE...

- I'd like to recommend the 2024 album "We're all born screaming" by St. Vincent. And the Netflix limited series talk show "Everybody's in LA" with John Mulaney. "Dinner Time Live" with David Chang isn't as good, but I'm surprised I had to go look for it on Netflix instead of having it shoved down my throat and it's worth watching some episodes at least.

- With regards to trying to copy a Super Bowl-winning team, I think it's a bad idea to look at their salary cap from that season. You probably won't get anywhere successful trying to do that. Even with Brock Purdy's contract and rookie QB savings...yes, that's good to have. But you have to get so lucky that it shouldn't be "your plan" until you find the QB first. You can't just "plan" to have QB savings. You need to get lucky first, then build the plan around that. The 49ers didn't plan Brock Purdy, they planned Jimmy Garoppolo, then they planned Trey Lance. Those were antithetical moves to looking for savings on a rookie QB picked on day 2 or 3.

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Jun 23Liked by Seaside Joe

I’d go so far as to say that an SB winner’s positional salary cap expense shows exactly where it got lucky.

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Jun 23Liked by Seaside Joe

Agree with St Vincent

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