This isn’t Roquan Smith but if MM wants him he should be an upgrade over Baker. If he just understands his run fits and angles he will be an improvement!,
When I heard Jones was available in the offseason, I was sad to know that he wouldn't go to the Seahawks, but now to get him is awesome. If he does nothing else besides help the run game, it's worth the pick.
Excited about this news. I think that Jones is a good player and Baker stood out to me in the Niners game as not up for the task. LB was always a place of need coming into the season and proved to be true.
It could be looked at as a steep price. But LBing these days seems to be increasingly difficult as teams run more and more two high safety defenses. Having the experience helps but ...
These will all be back end loaded contracts which is always the case in the NFL so it should work but puts burden into future years.
The Brooks situation to me feels more like Brooks was ready to leave. I have not read that anywhere except for some opinions here and there (which I agree with), but the Hawks certainly did not prioritize him and I think he just said I am not waiting around and left. He's a FA that is his right.
Anyways, move is consistent with what JS has said the whole time. He believes this team is ready to win. This is not, and never has been a rebuild.
People will gripe about the price, but how steep is it, really? A player that Seattle didn’t want and a day 3 pick for a 24-year old LB with 38 starts doesn’t seem like all that much of a risk.
I agree. In terms of the draft comp. But I am curious in terms of 2025 Cap and beyond.
But I think the interest will be in price to retain. I'll be interested to see what Joe thinks he will cost and when JS decides to pull the trigger on a new contract. I thought he should have last year before Leonard Williams hit FA but he waited and may have cost them. Will he wait or sign in season? And for how much?
Good move. People will complain about the pick but he’s 24 and you have to like the Hawks being aggressive about a problem unlike watching the M’s ownership put the clamps on
I’m guessing Seattle wasn’t the only one knocking on the door. One possible explanation for a 4th next year (rather than a 4th or 5th in 2026 for example). I mean, Nuk went for a 5th although there was also a big contract to partially absorb.
MM is slowly getting the personnel he needs to run his D scheme. They can always recover that 4th round pick this year or next. Baker was nothing to write home about.
I hope this finds you well. I am ok but I am really frustrated that my ILBs can’t seem to find the running back and make a tackle consistently. I think I need to send Baker back to the kitchen!
I remember him in the draft as well. I had him projected more as an outside for 4-3 linebacker. Largely because of the time that’s what the Seahawks were playing most of the time.
The linebacker play has been a huge disappointment too many blown gap assignments, getting washed out
Just read this elsewhere. While not 100% Jones, he’s second in tackles behind another LB from what Brooks timeframe, Murray, we have this “Tennessee has excelled in stopping the run this season, posting the sixth-best defensive rushing DVOA on the year while allowing just 3.9 yards per carry, fourth-lowest in the league.”
No should have been more clear. We gave up Baker and a 4 but we’re likely getting a comp 4 so ends up a wash. And we get benefit of a now player maybe signed longer term.
The best ability is availability. Baker was never fully healthy and it showed on the field. His strength of pass coverage became a liability.
Jones I always thought was a good player in LA. My FTR glasses did cloud my judgement as they tend to make all Rams look vile and pathetic. I am optimistic that he is a better fit than Baker.
Huh. Baker didn't strike me as a disappointment. It does show us (and the Team) how closely MM demands excellence. The additional perk speaks volumes. He and JS pulled the trigger on this fast.
Baker looked slow to me, but he hasn't seemed like the main culprit in not wrapping the back. Hoping this isn't a lateral move and that the cost isn't too steep.
On Brock & Salk, MM was definite that the DTs were playing well against the run, then got vague about the LBs and safeties. Nuf sed.
BTW, MM is a fan of Coby Bryant. I look for him to get more PT as the season progresses. (Bryant never did much for me. You can take that and $5 to Starbuck’s and get a latte.)
The guy see's not just what you can be, but what you will be, if he's allowed to work with you. I think Clowney's run as a Raven is a good example here, especially considering how long he's been playing for many other coaches. Maybe Bryant has come around and accepted this? Maybe the whole team is now buying into it? Sending teammates packing carries an inevitable sense of resentment. It's very tricky to deal with. Sorry/not sorry. It had to be done.
Not sure what to conclude from this. Baker not a (run) fit. The standard is the standard. JS thinks the roster is closer than I do, or this is just part of the likely roster churn until we get the right formula.
I think we can assume some, if not a lot or most, of those "our run fits and angles are lacking"s can be attributed to Baker. He hasn't been healthy, and we shoulda known that from the get-go.
I remember the 27yd run that someone went inside then cut left through a hole Baker shoulda been in instead of him being in the middle hole Dofdon was in. It was on one of the recent film breakdowns. Was it Tracy Jr? Regardless, it was clear that Spoon had the gap on our left, Dodson had middle, and Baker had right, because of the shift the OL did and our own DL slanting. Baker peeked right into the hole, then joined Dodson in the middle. The back cut back into the hole Baker shoulda beennin and was off for 27yds. That was not a health issue. That was a mental error. Stuff like that offsets the few highlight plays he had closing down on a screen pass, etc.
This isn’t Roquan Smith but if MM wants him he should be an upgrade over Baker. If he just understands his run fits and angles he will be an improvement!,
When I heard Jones was available in the offseason, I was sad to know that he wouldn't go to the Seahawks, but now to get him is awesome. If he does nothing else besides help the run game, it's worth the pick.
Excited about this news. I think that Jones is a good player and Baker stood out to me in the Niners game as not up for the task. LB was always a place of need coming into the season and proved to be true.
It could be looked at as a steep price. But LBing these days seems to be increasingly difficult as teams run more and more two high safety defenses. Having the experience helps but ...
We add another player who is projected to be extended in the offseason, as Joe said and echoed here by Brady Henderson. https://x.com/BradyHenderson/status/1849135706083615094
Geno, DK, (assuming he plays well enough) Jones
These will all be back end loaded contracts which is always the case in the NFL so it should work but puts burden into future years.
The Brooks situation to me feels more like Brooks was ready to leave. I have not read that anywhere except for some opinions here and there (which I agree with), but the Hawks certainly did not prioritize him and I think he just said I am not waiting around and left. He's a FA that is his right.
Anyways, move is consistent with what JS has said the whole time. He believes this team is ready to win. This is not, and never has been a rebuild.
People will gripe about the price, but how steep is it, really? A player that Seattle didn’t want and a day 3 pick for a 24-year old LB with 38 starts doesn’t seem like all that much of a risk.
I agree. In terms of the draft comp. But I am curious in terms of 2025 Cap and beyond.
But I think the interest will be in price to retain. I'll be interested to see what Joe thinks he will cost and when JS decides to pull the trigger on a new contract. I thought he should have last year before Leonard Williams hit FA but he waited and may have cost them. Will he wait or sign in season? And for how much?
Schneider’s M.O. is to see how the guy does before extending him. I don’t see that changing for Ernest Jones.
Welcome to the Seahawks, Mr. Jerome Baker. Here's hoping the Rams will regret letting you go.
Revenge game coming up in a couple of weeks!
Good move. People will complain about the pick but he’s 24 and you have to like the Hawks being aggressive about a problem unlike watching the M’s ownership put the clamps on
Agreed.
Agree that this is an extension type situation thus can make up for that rd 4 pick lost.
I’m guessing Seattle wasn’t the only one knocking on the door. One possible explanation for a 4th next year (rather than a 4th or 5th in 2026 for example). I mean, Nuk went for a 5th although there was also a big contract to partially absorb.
Great point. Competitive situations always raise the asking price.
Fans invariably overrate their teams’ draft picks. When you get right down to it, this is the old bird-in-the-hand calculation.
MM is slowly getting the personnel he needs to run his D scheme. They can always recover that 4th round pick this year or next. Baker was nothing to write home about.
“Dear Mom:
I hope this finds you well. I am ok but I am really frustrated that my ILBs can’t seem to find the running back and make a tackle consistently. I think I need to send Baker back to the kitchen!
Anyway, talk to you soon.
Love,
Micky”
They are getting at least one 4th comp pick for Brooks
I remember him in the draft as well. I had him projected more as an outside for 4-3 linebacker. Largely because of the time that’s what the Seahawks were playing most of the time.
The linebacker play has been a huge disappointment too many blown gap assignments, getting washed out
This is a very welcome edition
Solid timing for the trade:
Jones just played the Bills and then he plays his former team (Rams) the next week.
That's some fancy GM-ing by Tennessee.
Just read this elsewhere. While not 100% Jones, he’s second in tackles behind another LB from what Brooks timeframe, Murray, we have this “Tennessee has excelled in stopping the run this season, posting the sixth-best defensive rushing DVOA on the year while allowing just 3.9 yards per carry, fourth-lowest in the league.”
Hey SJ related to the lost pick, we’re still on for a couple of mid/late extra picks from the offseason losses?
For Brooks at least we should get a 4th.
Yeah, this wouldn't impact comp picks if that's what you mean
No should have been more clear. We gave up Baker and a 4 but we’re likely getting a comp 4 so ends up a wash. And we get benefit of a now player maybe signed longer term.
That's some good business by Ran Carthon
The best ability is availability. Baker was never fully healthy and it showed on the field. His strength of pass coverage became a liability.
Jones I always thought was a good player in LA. My FTR glasses did cloud my judgement as they tend to make all Rams look vile and pathetic. I am optimistic that he is a better fit than Baker.
Obligatory FTRs incoming:
FTR!
Huh. Baker didn't strike me as a disappointment. It does show us (and the Team) how closely MM demands excellence. The additional perk speaks volumes. He and JS pulled the trigger on this fast.
Baker looked slow to me, but he hasn't seemed like the main culprit in not wrapping the back. Hoping this isn't a lateral move and that the cost isn't too steep.
3 heavy losses said something was lacking. I feel more confident that our Coach is effectively identifying where those points are.
On Brock & Salk, MM was definite that the DTs were playing well against the run, then got vague about the LBs and safeties. Nuf sed.
BTW, MM is a fan of Coby Bryant. I look for him to get more PT as the season progresses. (Bryant never did much for me. You can take that and $5 to Starbuck’s and get a latte.)
The guy see's not just what you can be, but what you will be, if he's allowed to work with you. I think Clowney's run as a Raven is a good example here, especially considering how long he's been playing for many other coaches. Maybe Bryant has come around and accepted this? Maybe the whole team is now buying into it? Sending teammates packing carries an inevitable sense of resentment. It's very tricky to deal with. Sorry/not sorry. It had to be done.
Macdonald confirms Ernest Jones will start this weekend. Tyrel Dodson will be the WILL.
Not sure what to conclude from this. Baker not a (run) fit. The standard is the standard. JS thinks the roster is closer than I do, or this is just part of the likely roster churn until we get the right formula.
I think we can assume some, if not a lot or most, of those "our run fits and angles are lacking"s can be attributed to Baker. He hasn't been healthy, and we shoulda known that from the get-go.
I remember the 27yd run that someone went inside then cut left through a hole Baker shoulda been in instead of him being in the middle hole Dofdon was in. It was on one of the recent film breakdowns. Was it Tracy Jr? Regardless, it was clear that Spoon had the gap on our left, Dodson had middle, and Baker had right, because of the shift the OL did and our own DL slanting. Baker peeked right into the hole, then joined Dodson in the middle. The back cut back into the hole Baker shoulda beennin and was off for 27yds. That was not a health issue. That was a mental error. Stuff like that offsets the few highlight plays he had closing down on a screen pass, etc.
I swear once teams got past our D line it was like a free 5 yards because it felt like our second line was a sieve.