An interview with Scot McCloughan

This week I was able to catch-up with Scot McCloughan, former GM in San Francisco and Washington, former Senior personnel executive in Seattle and one of the best talent evaluators in the business.

Please have a listen — for me it’s a great football education every time I get a chance to speak with Scot.

This is also available via ‘The Rebuild’ podcast.

133 Comments

  1. Steve Nelsen

    Scot is the Man! Great interview.

    • Steve Nelsen

      Is he working as a consultant for a team? I was listening to him talk about quarterbacks and trying to figure out which comments matched which prospects. I hope Seattle has him on contract.

      • Rob Staton

        Is he working as a consultant for a team?

        Yes

        • PJ in Seattle

          Who though?

          • EdS

            Seattle. They brought him on for best results with the extra Denver picks. Consulted last year, consulting this year. That would explain a lot about 2022.

            • Glor

              Seems like he should be our GM.. we’ve always had our best success when he has been around

              • God of Thunder

                Don’t get carried away. He’s more like a temporary Head Scout. A GM has many other duties.

            • Steve Nelsen

              Ed, are you posting this as fact or as speculation? I can’t find any confirmation.

              • EdS

                Sorry, just tripping. Absolutely no basis for this.

            • Rushless pass

              I’ve seen nothing out there saying Scot has been working with the hawks

          • Rob Staton

            He says in the piece he’s been working with the Buccs

  2. Rob Staton

    A request to the community — please can you share this around? On reddit, other forums etc

    And if you’re on twitter, a like and a RT would be appreciated:

    https://twitter.com/robstaton/status/1636881216346390531

    Just want to try and get as many ears as possible to the interview

    • WestSide72

      ✅ exquisite interview!

    • GoHawks5151

      Done. Terrific interview!

    • Sea Mode

      Don’t have any followers 😂, but done anyway and liked on YT too!

  3. Peter

    Absolutely great stuff sir. I wish these interviews could be longer.

  4. DC1234

    The qb he talked about being poised in the pocket. And knows what to do when he escapes the pocket. Do you think its Bryce Young? If so, gives me even more confidence that the Seahawks should draft him if available at #5.

    • PJ in Seattle

      That’s exactly who I assumed he was talking about.

      • Cody

        Oh I was thinking the opposite haha. He had also mentioned concerns with being the guy who’s going to draft the first successful 5’10” qb and sure, there’s a first for everything, but is it going to be you? Then he mentioned ripping off a 70 yard run in big moments. I thought he was referring to AR15 and that Young might actually slide.

        • MountainHawker

          I was wondering the same. AR has shown some great moments of pocket presence and movement. Bryce is regarded as the best when the play breaks down. Hard to tell

      • Hebegbs

        I had the sense he was talking about Stroud. Young would be my 2nd guess.

        • MountainHawker

          On second listen I think I agree with you

          • God of Thunder

            Seems it was Stroud being discussed.

            As much as I like Levis and Richardson for their best attributes, they are as likely to throw inaccurately as they are to extend a play. Stroud and Young are calmer and more “reliable” when going off script.

  5. EIEIO

    Great interview, Rob. Scot probably knows more about the interworkings of the NFL than anyone alive. Great score! One of the pearls of wisdom he shared and emphasized was his description between a Good, Great, and Special football player. I think it was in reply to your reference to what John Schneider stated about projecting. Scot said something to the effect that it is not so much the physical traits, but their mental make-up… “what they have between the ears.” That really struck me as a “truth”. No wonder putting together a team is so difficult. Anyway, Thanks for all you do!

    • Gary

      Exhibit A – Jalen Carter.

      • Glor

        Yes and no, I think from what I heard, he wouldn’t be scared off by this off the field stuff with Carter (depending on their analysis of how he might be in Seattle), but I think their issue with Carter is going to be the drive. Ie not being in shape this year and blowing the workouts/combine, seems the work ethic trend will be the biggest red flag over the speeding issues

        • Rob Staton

          Yes and no, I think from what I heard, he wouldn’t be scared off by this off the field stuff with Carter

          Wouldn’t be so sure there…

          • AlaskaHawk

            Carter is a triple whammy.
            Questions about character,
            Questions about physical conditioning and whether he will test
            Questions about his playing ability – I didn’t notice him in the BCS games.

            If someone wants to take a chance the second round would be more appropriate.

            • Jon

              It depends on what you look for.

              1) yeah, that night sounds like a huge deadly mistake. And worse, it was like the 4th time that year he was cited for driving recklessly. But keep in mind, he’s still a kid. It’s fair to ding him but not to write him off. For what is worth, every teammate says he’s a great humble guy and even paid for someone’s lunches who couldn’t afford it all year. So there are positive signals too.

              2) conditioning over last off season is a worry for me, but not the pro day. I mean how about you try to stay in shape while the potential legal ramifications of the worst night of your life and the deaths of 2 friends hang over your head. It’s not proof of laziness. It’s a dark cloud that you wonder if he can figure out how to move past.

              Ave even with all that, the unique attributes that make him special are evident at the pro day. If you watch the highlights getting shared, yeah he was gassed and cramping. If you watch the change of direction drills, he’s keeping up with Nolan Smith (combine darling) in the short area and changing direction significantly quicker even though he’s much heavier. He can turn all 330 pounds around from a sprint in a single step. He can make a full speed 90 degree cut without rounding it off at all.

              3) Sure, that’s my biggest hangup right now.

              But overall, I would not hate taking Carter at 5 and would love it at 20.

              • Rob Staton

                A great humble guy… who did whatever he wanted at Georgia and provided he actually turned up on a Saturday, the coaches let it go.

                I’m trying not to spell everything out here. But no, he’s not a great kid who made a small error in judgement.

  6. Sluggo42

    Yep- I’ve always said Young is the smartest/wiliest/poised of the 4…
    Just afraid of his size… you can be smartest football player ever born, but recovering in a hospital bed won’t win any games

  7. Cody

    Wow that was a game changing 20 mins.

    A few things that stood out to me:

    1) A lot of teams bring red flag players in for top 30 visits. Guys that don’t have character concerns won’t be brought in even if they’re super high on boards. It’s trying to figure out players and get vibes on their personality/attitude/work ethic where normally in the scouting process you just have crumbs to work with. Always thought the exact opposite.

    2) There’s one QB that stands out. Scot said it’s all about poise in big moments like 3rd downs. Mentioned Baker being hyper on 3rd downs. Not panicking, but hyper and that rubbing off on teammates vs a chill Peyton Manning.

    3) Small QBs. There will be a first for everything (5’10” qb) but is that going to happen with you and are you going to risk your job on it?

    These things, to me, mean 1) Carter is off a lot of teams boards and 2) Either Will Levis OR AR15 is consensus number 1 NOT CJ Stroud and not Young and 3) Young might fall but it just depends on if there’s a GM who’s already fallen in love.

    The top 30 visit was mindblowing; I always figured it was guys teams were really interested in, not guys that have red flags they’re trying to figure out.

    He also mentioned ripping off a 70 yard run in big moments and being chill so now, sadly, I do kinda think AR15 might go #1 overall as I think that was a bit of a giveaway when it came to his preferred QB.

    This basically changed everything I thought would happen in the top 5 outside of Carter.

    • Hawkster

      Ditto on the idea that the 30 visits are often the red flag or small school guys.
      Somewhere in there a quick quip “well of course you make sure they’ve always given 100%” or something like that. To me it was as if elite given talents can give great results with 80% effort in college, but you dont draft them for NFL.Also pretty forgiving on screwing up, but is looking for patterns aa a red flag.
      The specific QB talk made me think he is not a Richardson guy, but ill watch tape again.
      3rd down tape that is. Anybody can look good on 1st or 2nd down.

      • BK26

        3rd down tape was about Baker Mayfield. Said he was jittery and that can make the offense nervous.

        • Hawkster

          I saw the Mayfield reference as an example of the concept, along with something like “heck you or I can look good on first or second down, run a play action, TE gets a clean release, you flip it to em and look great”

    • PJ in Seattle

      First, I’m gonna say – I love Richardson and would be thrilled to see him walk up to that podium wearring a Seahawks cap six weeks from now.

      But I got a totally different take from yours. I’m pretty sure he’s talking about Bryce Young as the guy who reallty pops in this class Watch third and long tape – which is the first thing he goes to. The 5’10 comment is real, but a bit of a red herring. I think that was more of a comment on Kyler Murray than Young. You make an exception, because everything else is there, but it’s what’s between the ears and is he a true leader of men matters most.

      Honestly, I think it is most likely we’re looking at Richardson or Young at #5 and I would be very happy with either for different reasons. Maybe Levis drops and that’s cool too, but I think he might be just the guy the Colts are looking for.

      I’ve come around on Young the more tape I’ve watched. Or, if QBs go 1-4 and we take Will Anderson and we’re getting the best defensive player in this draft. Any way you slice it, this team is going to get a hell of a lot better.

      • Cody

        You might be right! He’s pretty good at just disguising it haha. Really curious how the top 5 will shake out now.

        • PJ in Seattle

          Watch these 2022 highlights (a down year for him lol) and embrace the stoke. It starts with a 63yd scramble but jump to the first 3rd and 10 at 2:47 and then the play right after. Two third and longs. On he first, it’s zero rush and everyone on the field and in the stands knows it’s deep pass. Result = TD. On the next, 3rd and long with an actual pass rush, he evades and extends. Result = TD.

          Yes, surrounded by great talent, but I have a feeling, whether he plays for us or someone else, this guy is going to be a serious problem for the NFL.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be2br5rUu-8

          • Pugs1

            Young and the refs were the only reason they beat Texas that day. If that dude was two inches taller and 10 pounds heavier there would be no question who would be going number one.

  8. ShowMeYourHawk

    Great get, Rob! Your annual interviews with Scot and Nagy are always highlights.

    As an aside, as I’m not readily familiar with Scot’s physical appearance, his voice is a dead ringer for Ken Medlock, the actor who played Oakland A’s Head Scout Grady Fuson in Moneyball. Great film and I can’t not hear Scot talk and think of that character.

  9. PJ in Seattle

    Great interview. Loved his insight on QB scouting. Not sure if I’m reading the tea leaves right, but my guess is that Scot believes Bryce Young is the QB gem of this class.

    Character, poise, calm demeanor in the huddle, and can just make plays – that’s him. Could be Levis or Stroud too, I dunno. But it was good to hear that the interview process and scouting between the ears is as much or more important than anything else when it comes to that position.

    His #1 criteria – is he an alpha? Is he the guy the rest of the team gels around? The guy who throws the party and everyone is there? Totally made me think of the Draft Day movie.

    “He can throw it 75 yards from his knees but 5 of his teammates bothered to show up at his stripper birthday party. What does that tell you?” Paraphrasing here, but it hammers home that, at QB in particular, the traits that matter most aren’t measured at the combine or pro days.

    • UkAlex6674

      Well I guess Mayfield can throw a good party, but that’s about the only thing he can throw well.

  10. MountainHawker

    Talent vs character Convo was very very interesting

  11. Brad

    I love when you get the chance to chat with Scot for us all and hope the tradition continues! He has such an incredible mind for football and always shares valuable insights that wring of inevitable truth and aren’t usually available to those of us participating only as fans.

    What an incredible 2nd offseason in a row thus far and can’t wait for the draft!

    Thanks as always Rob – I find myself regularly sharing your analysis and content with friends regardless of your request because of the quality and style. Will certainly do so with this one.

  12. Zxvo3

    Rob, this interview was amazing. I remember the time you had an interview with McCloughan in that 2020 season during Covid. I thought it was a one time deal that you could interview him. I appreciate you and McCloughan for being able to do this again. Always a pleasure hearing from him.

  13. Mr Magic

    McCloughan is one of the best in the biz but has always fought personal daemons. I hope he is handling hisl life well and controlling things. He really knows his football.

  14. Silly Billy

    In terms of helping Rob Staton’s numbers, what platform would you prefer we listen to this on?
    I really don’t care what I watch these on, so whatever helps rob the most

    • HawkfaninMT

      I believe he gets most benefit from watching on Youtube

    • Rob Staton

      YouTube please — that’s the platform where I earn revenue for views

      • Glor

        Does watching it on this site count as yt, or should we watch through the yt app/site?

      • Roy Batty

        And watch the commercials all the way through on his YT channel.

    • Hawkcrazy

      After you watch on Youtube make sure you click like and leave a message. Leaving a message is important and helps Rob.

  15. Phil

    Hey Rob,

    Long time lurker. This is usually the interview that you do that I like the most. Hope you can get more GMs.

  16. Nano

    Amazing work, Rob. Thanks.

  17. TwilightError

    I too got the feeling that the QB he was excited about, leaving the pocket with poise and calm on third downs, was Young. What does Rob think?

    Who was the very special player from a bad neighborhood? I was thinking Jalen Carter but he is from Apopka Florida. Is that a gang infested area?

    Thanks for this! It’s the best insight on scouting we can ever get.

    • Rob Staton

      https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Apopka

      • Steve Nelsen

        When you hear comments about, “Who his friends are? Who he hangs out with?” when talking about prospects this is what I think of. With respect to Carter, I specifically worry about prior “character” issues being related to his friends. With so much already going sideways for this kid, I think any team that gets an Aaron Hernandez vibe is going to run, not walk, to the nearest exit.

  18. KSB

    I enjoyed this interview from beginning to end.

    I’ve heard bits over the years about the process of what you are looking for. When drafting players.

    You can tell by the way Scot speaks that he’s been doing this for a while and knows his stuff.

    It sounds like what he said is what the Hawks kind of did in last years draft.

    I know something has changed. You can see it happening here. Now I think I have a better understanding of who that is.

    I have a feeling that Young is the QB is is talking about being cool under pressure and converting on those 3rd down plays. I’m just worried about his durability in the NFL? Is he going to be able to bulk up. Like Scot was talking about? If not, I’m not sure how long his career will be.

  19. samprassultanofswat

    Thanks Rob: Love the interview.

    It is nice to see John Schneider and the front office attack free agency. Seattle’s latest signing is Julian Love. Now that Russell Wilson is gone. Seattle is in a position where the Hawks can now spread the wealth instead of pouring millions into the 10.25-inch hands of Wilson. John Schneider has put Seattle in an excellent position for the NFL Draft next month. The Seahawks are now in a position where they can go TALENT OVER NEED. The is exactly where you want to be in when you enter the draft. WOW!!!

    The NFL draft is really looking promising.

    TALENT OVER NEED!!!

    • STTBM

      If Seattle could have drafted and done free agency at even an average level the last 8 years before the 2022 draft, the amount they paid Wilson wouldn’t have mattered as much. They had picks, they had cash and cap space, and they blew it, year after year after year.

      Now they have to hire an outside guy to get their draft right?! Kinda pathetic. I know McCloughan is a great talent evaluator, and he should be a GM. But if Carrol and JS can’t figure it out without him, maybe he should be GM and they the lackeys.

      And blaming Russ for not playing on the cheap is flat dumb. Anytime JS and PC had extra picks or money, they blew it. More cap wasn’t gonna fix their stupid until it nearly got them fired. They needed to feel the heat…

      • God of Thunder

        Good points. I’d only add: we should remember that until around 2021, they were pretty optimistic about being Super Bowl contenders.

        And until Russ was traded, they were in constant “win now” / win in the window mode. That typically means drafting for need.

        When a rebuild became the obvious reality, they could draft differently. And take chances with rookies on the OL.

        • STTBM

          If they thought they had a chance with those rosters and staff since 2016, that in itself is part of the problem: they had no chance, they were relying on Russ being awesome at the end of games to cover the talent holes in the roster and the coaching staff.

          They had the best roster in the NFL 2012-2014, then it crumbled due to mismanagement. They had tons of draft picks, and instead of trading up for a handful of guys they knew could fill holes, they went with the more choices is better route and failed. They drafted a ton of JAGs rather than a few kick ass players when they had the luxury to do that.

          Hubris was a big part of it, and Carrol having too much say over the roster, be it trades, Free Agency, and the Draft. And the results spoke for themselves: that route failed.

          After getting brought up short and being forced to change by J Allen, they are getting it right. But none of this would have been necessary if they’d done a half-decent job.

          • smitty1547

            STTBM spot on my thoughts 100%

  20. Big Mike

    Great stuff Rob. Loved getting insight on how NFL personnel people operate. Hope this becomes truly an annual tradition.

  21. Sea Mode

    That’s interesting that several posters thought of Bryce Young. I thought more of CJ Stroud when Scot was talking about calm in the chaos.

    To be fair, they don’t say a whole lot, but I found this interesting nonetheless:
    https://www.panthers.com/news/georgia-defenders-sound-off-on-nfl-draft-s-top-quarterbacks

    • TatupuTime

      100%. I assumed he was talking about Stroud as well. Just a guy that exudes calm, stays in the pocket and is willing to take a hit to deliver the ball. If anything Young bails in the pocket too soon to avoid hits (which is justifiable but still).

      I took him to mean Stroud, saying that no one like Young has succeeded before so you have to be willing to make the exception, and he’s out on Carter given the character.

      • TatupuTime

        I don’t think he was talking Levis in the interview, but a lot of what Scot was saying translates there as well. Teammates and the program clearly love him from the interviews I’ve seen. Seems like the kind of guy that teammates want to have “pizza and beer” with. While you can nitpick the decision making and accuracy at times, Levis also that dude that stood there and took massive hit after massive hit for his team. Can see Levis being a total Scot guy as well.

  22. Sea Mode

    So was Feldman fed a little bit pumped-up numbers from the Michigan trainers, or what is up with Mazi Smith?

    The 6-foot-3, 337-pound senior has rare power and agility. So rare, in fact, it’s hard to find the right superlative to begin with. But let’s start with this: Smith does 22 reps on the bench press, but that’s with 325 (not 225). He close-grip benched 550 pounds. He vertical-jumps 33 inches. He broad-jumped 9-4 1/2. Smith, who had 37 tackles last season, has clocked a 4.41 shuttle time, which would’ve tied the best by any defensive tackle at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, and it would’ve been better than any defensive tackle weighing 310 pounds or more in the past decade. His 6.95 3-cone time would’ve been by far the fastest among defensive tackles in Indianapolis. The fastest was 7.33. Smith’s 60-yard shuttle time is 11.90.

    First of all, he weighed in at 319 (323 at Combine) instead of reported 337. Great, one thinks, maybe he will test even better. Then he only jumped a 29.5″ vert instead of the supposed 33″, and an 8’11” broad instead of 9’4 1/2″. And on top of that, he doesn’t show off his supposed elite agility? Don’t get me wrong, those are decent numbers, but not #1 freak numbers. What’s going on?

    https://twitter.com/UMichFootball/status/1636840200620974082

    In 2012, Dontari Poe jumped a 29.5″ vert and 8’9″ broad at 346 lbs.
    Last year, Jordan Davis jumped a 32″ vert and 10’3″ broad at 341 lbs.

    Al Woods jumped a 37″ vert and 9’1″ broad at 309 lbs.
    Red Bryant jumped a 28″ vert and 9’3″ broad at 318 lbs.

    Maybe Mazi is closer comp athletically to Red Bryant than to Jordan Davis or some other freak.

    Red.: 6041, 318, 35 3/8″ arm, 28.0″ vert, 9’3″ broad, 4.64 SS, 7.75 3C
    Mazi: 6031, 319, 33 3/4″ arm, 29.5″ vert, 8’11 broad, 4.41 SS*, 6.95 3C*

    *according to Feldman, but also likely inflated?

    • Sea Mode

      As I continue to dive deeper, he does say in this video that he arrived at Michigan weighing 345 but his ideal playing weight is between 315-325, which is exactly where he is at for Combine and Pro Day.

      Size ☑️ Speed ☑️ Strength ☑️ | Mazi Smith Checks All the Boxes | Michigan Football | The Journey
      https://youtu.be/5YwcDhTgQ-c

      • OakleyD

        Great video Sea Mode. I think Mazi is this years Jarran Reed.

        Seen as a run stopper only, but untapped pass rush potential. Definitely a possibility for us at #37 if he falls that far

        • Sea Mode

          I like his ability to get pressures, even if he doesn’t get sacks. He has a nice quick swim move too, which can get him some TFLs, but that’s all just a bonus.

          My question is: is he really what we need at NT in a 3-4? Able to hold his ground against double teams/control two gaps in the NFL? Or should we be looking for someone 15-20 lbs. heavier?

          I guess Vince Wilfork was 6012, 323, so it’s not necessary to be up around 340 lbs. And Mazi does seem to have the strength. But Mazi is taller and less massive in the middle than guys like Wilfork or BJ Raji, and I wonder if he might fit better as a DT in a 4-3.

          I’ll need to watch more, but if someone already has, feel free to chime in.

          • Dan

            If you have access to the The Athletic, read Feldman’s write-up on him, he looks very impressive including a video of him doing Michigan’s “reactive plyo stairs test”, incredible to see a big man do that. He did it in 2.82 secs, Aidan Hutchinson did it in 2.57 but 60lbs lighter. (Don’t know what weight Smith was at, just quoting the numbers Feldman had). The article also shows him doing a rotational strength machine. He tapped out the machine at 600lbs. They had the manufacture come in and customize the machine to extend to more weight just for him…800lbs. The Michigan trainer says he’s the strongest man he’s seen in 5 years.

            Which is what I thought of in the interview when Scot said some guys just have natural strength. Don’t know what the recent numbers mean but I’d go with what I see in Feldman’s video.

            here’s the link (behind paywall): https://theathletic.com/3488797/2022/08/10/college-football-freaks-list-2022/

        • Spectator

          Idk about the comp to Reed, only because I think Reed had more exposure (we know about Mazi based on Rob’s excellent coverage and thoroughness, but most o talk to know little about him), more stats, and different tape compared to Smith. Smith’s snap count I would love to see a percentage on, but seems low or under 50. Which for a nose isn’t bad. But without the athletic freakiness and upside, he will probably be seen as nothing more than a nose and last into round 3 now. Just my thoughts at least.

          • Peter

            I wonder if the freakiness was b.s. or did he not pull his hamstring at tge combine.

    • Rob Staton

      I think this tempers Smith’s stock considerably

      He’s not the upside talent we thought

      • Peter

        Not sure….

        I mean I’ve been hearing for a week that testing is essentially pointless🙃

      • Blitzy the Clown

        Agreed. Gotta think Keeanu Benton is DT #2 now. And he’s clearly a R2 pick.

        I have no idea what’s happening with Carter, but it looks like Kancey is the only sure-fire R1 DT

        • Blitzy the Clown

          Then again…

          Defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who led all defensive linemen at the Combine with 34 reps on the bench press, looked terrific in position drills — smooth and very fluid. Multiple people I spoke with were super impressed with Smith’s position work.

          I can confirm Smith had private meetings with the Jets, Steelers, and Jaguars. In fact, he met with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin twice this week.

          The sense I’m getting is the Steelers would select Smith over Bryan Breese of Clemson if, in fact, it is a battle between the two at pick No. 17. Pittsburgh would prefer Smith’s rough-and-tumble style over the finesse Breese brings.

          This is going to be a weird, wild draft

        • Rob Staton

          I think Zacch Pickens is being overlooked big time in the media

  23. Sneekes

    What a great interview, I think I got more insight into the talent acquisition process from the two Scot McCloughan interviews than I have from anyone else.
    The thing about the 30 visits was such a surprise to me – but how didn’t I figure it out – seems obvious now.
    I think his favoured QB is Stroud, but I could be wrong. He did a good job of talking about the 4 QB candidates without fully revealing his hand in my opinion.

  24. Sea Mode

    RE: yesterday’s conversation about Nagy’s post on JMS (and others)

    Jim Nagy
    @JimNagy_SB
    ·48m

    Yes, we promote @seniorbowl players.

    But anything we post about draft stock/rounds has been confirmed by NFL execs.

    Ask any agent, setting realistic expectations is huge part of their job. Inflating hopes is reckless. We’d never do that.

    Way too much respect for players’ grind

    • AL

      Your piece on Mazi Smith, good stuff!

      Goes without saying Pete and John won’t be interested.

      • Peter

        I don’t think so.

        His testing numbers are the better thannand worse than Jarran Reed. And they took him in round two.

        • AL

          I just don’t see them taking him. Especially not with Scott consulting.

          • Peter

            Are we talking about mazi smith or carter?

  25. TomLPDX

    Excellent interview! I’m going to have to listen to it again since there is so much information from Scot.

  26. Thomas

    Great interview.

    Sounds like he might be skeptical on Young and Richardson.

    The top 30 visits as mainly troubled players or small school prospects was very interesting.

    • Seattle Person

      I think the QB he is praising is Young. Especially the part about extending plays.

      • Peter

        Would be very cool to know for sure.

        I think it’s young coupled with the doubts at size.

        On the other hand Rob has presented a ton of videos of Levis standing tall getting absolutely drilled because of his rap oline and making throws.

        Plus everyone loves levis as a leader.

        Plus the parts where he was talking about not just sacks but getting hit out of bounds.

        • Gaux Hawks

          + 1 (Will Levis)

      • Blitzy the Clown

        But he also specifically mentioned height as a limiting factor and are you gonna be the GM/coach to be the first who makes a success out of someone limited by that factor.

        Height is very specific. Young is short.

        Third down efficiency? I mean, that could be any of Stroud, Young or Levis.

        Seems contradictory at best.

        • Zorn Is King

          I thought he was referencing Russell Wilson and his success with him…but maybe Bryce…basic risk Assesment and thought process…

          • Thomas

            He said something about running 70 yards and then throwing an INT. That sounds like he’s worried about Richardson.

            I’ll bet their QB board is

            Stroud
            Levis
            Young
            Richardson

            Anyway I was all on the Richardson train and this interview made me pause.

            Hmm…maybe they do have a top defender they would take over Richardson.

  27. Sea Mode

    Logan Ryan
    @RealLoganRyan
    ·18h

    I always say @_jlove20 gonna play 10+ years in the league. True pro, great teammate, smart, versatile, easy to play off of & super productive. @Seahawks got them a ball player on the rise 🤝🏾💼 #LogKnows

    • Seattle Person

      This sounds a lot like the Nwosu signing.

    • Simo

      It’s sure nice to hear this kind of praise, especially when it comes from other players. I wonder how many players would have said similar things about Jamal??

    • EdS

      My sense is that JLove and D’Jones are “core culture” players. Love in particular is much more than a hedge for JAdams, whether they keep JA for a year, cut or restructure. Would not be surprised if he eventually fills the leadership space left by Bobby’s departure. Guys like this are as rare in their own way as the freak athletes, but they really hold a team together.

  28. Peter

    People talking about the draft need to stop saying every year a player is a generational talent.

    Players obviously can be.

    But not every good player every year at the same position is. It’s the laziest take possible.

    • Rob Staton

      And the true generational player of our generation was taken 10th overall and wasn’t considered a first round pick by many in the media

      • Peter

        Exactly 💯.

    • BK26

      The only generational TALENT (raw, but still) is probably the kid from Gainesville that make fans as nervous as a puppy trying to be house broken.

      Anyone else is just a fan getting worked up and having tunnel vision.

      • Peter

        Yep. To me its pretty simple. You either change the paradigm of the position…reggie white, Lawrence Taylor. And or you are the best at your position…aaron donald now Mahomes as Rodgers wanes.

        It’s not evert year at the same position. Burrows and Lawrence (probably?) Are both ideals at their positions but how could both be generational talents?

  29. Blitzy the Clown

    What struck me most about Rob’s interview of Scot is how easy it is to miss the level to which scouts have to play psychologist.

    He mentions it so directly and matter-of-factly it almost comes across as pedestrian as reviewing hours of tape. But it isn’t. It’s having conversations with coaches and support staff and former teammates and teachers, and family and friends. It’s watching carefully how a prospect handles himself in the quieter moments of events like Senior Bowl and Combine.

    I guess it’s no different than any other pursuit — genius is in the details. And geniuses make all it sound so simple.

    • Steve Nelsen

      When he talked about how you can have 2 players with the exact same height, weight, agility, strength, speed and length and yet they can be two very different players, I immediately thought of all the comps that we see every year where some prospect has a similar physical profile to an NFL star.

      • Palatypus

        Breese.

  30. Geoff u

    Great interview and insight from a legend. I can see why anyone who loves football would love to be interviewed by you, this is the kind of in-depth nuts and bolts talk you don’t get in regular interviews.

  31. Tatupu51

    I’ve come around to the idea of drafting Dawand Jones with our second first round pick, hopefully after a small trade down. Then take Luke Wypler in the second round, put Abe Lucas at RG and you have a massive, dominant O-Line for Geno/A-Rich/Levis!

    Cross-Lewis-Wypler-Lucas-Jones

    Imagine KWIII running behind that line!

    • Tim

      Good call. Defensive lines from Eagles and KC were hyped before the Super Bowl, but offensive lines dominated all day.

  32. Zorn is King

    Great stuff! He’s such a football dude.

    Thoughts on draft..

    1) filling the roster allows BPA..there only one (or two) holes that haven’t been addressed… and they’re both spaced the hawks have traditionally set aside to late or undrafted picks..WR3 and CB…

    2) im beginning to think WR3 and CB2 (1.5 really) will be big considerations at #20…. Witherspoon/ Porter hate both in play… or Ohio state WR or Zay… options they’ve never afforded themselves in the past…

    Exciting!

    • Zorn Is King

      Apologies for typos…are…not hate…love both of those guys… ballers.

    • STTBM

      For the love of God, Seattle is not likely to take a CB high this year, certainly not in the first round. They’ve got 4 guys they think can be legit starters, why would they do that, especially since they never ever have?

      If they plan on going to more Man instead of Zone, maybe there’s a chance they look for one higher than normal for them. But only a slight chance. Brown and Bryant can play, and Jackson was pretty damn good.

      Anything is possible, but I can’t see them taking a CB or even a WR before a defender, and I’m holding out hope for a QB at 5 lol!

      • Zorn Is King

        I get that… I’m saying the conditions for the unthinkable are here… the cb’s and wr’s fall into place at that point and would be bpa’s…and it happens to coincide with needs/wants unmet through free agency…

        • STTBM

          I’d actually be fine with BPA, as long as it’s not other horseshit pick like LJ Non-Athlete Collier.

  33. Mr drucker in hooterville

    With this FA roster upgrade, Meyer at 20 can be rea possibility.

  34. Sluggo42

    Saw an article claiming a possibility for Kareem Hunt as a free agent- I would have been excited a few years ago be now more of a meh.. I’d be more excited about a Bijan , but then getting him will be nearly impossible..

    Someone will let their hubris select Carter, feeling that they will have what it takes to reach him, and extract the all star the media has assigned and declared him to be- Pete used to be that guy- I hope he’s outgrown that trait-

    Didn’t Jamarcus Russell and Haskins have that big QB that can throw and run hype as their draft profile? Wasn’t that little guy Doug Flooty to small to ever amount to anything? How did those guys do?

    So the 5th pick is a bit of a puzzle, where the rest of the draft is a working man’s play, and BPA should be the blueprint…
    But the first pick… could be a gamble. Do you take the “potential “ , or the sure thing?

    It’s a tough way to make a living

    • Ben

      Nothing is a sure thing. The 5th pick is simple, take the 5th best player in the draft, likely a QB.

      • Tim

        Agreed. Aaron Curry was supposed to be a sure thing in 2009 taken #4 overall in the first round by the Seahawks. Draft gurus even said that he was a safe pick. How did that work out….

    • MountainHawker

      There are no sure things

  35. Peter

    Since we are playing guess Scott’s clues….

    I go back to Richardson and the hawks. Two qbs signed feels very much like the original plan for Alex smith….paraphrasing but he was NOT under any circumstance supposed to take the field year one.

    • God of Thunder

      I don’t think the Hawks expect Stroud or Young to fall to them at 5.

      Both Levis and Richardson (especially Richardson) will need to redshirt.

      If we get Levis, and he progresses quickly—recall that he was in a Seahawks like offence—we could move on from Geno after next season and resign Lock. Many options…

      • Peter

        Indeed this.

  36. Ben

    My suggestion for the #5 pick…

    Whoever you want least of Anderson and the 4 QBs, simply expect that we’ll draft that one and get used to the idea of it.

    For lot of you, that means assuming we draft Young. I’ve accustomed myself to the idea of getting him, and while it’s not as exciting as the other 3, you’re still getting a great QB whose only real question people ask is how long will be play at 100% health.

    It’s not perfect, but it’s still has exciting possibilities that we should all be grateful for.

    • MountainHawker

      I would be happy with any of those. Some more so than others. But I wouldn’t hate the pick. If we take someone like Wilson or Murphy at 5 I’ll hate it until proven wrong. Doubly so if we pass a QB to do it.

  37. Tecmo Bowl

    Really enjoyed the interview! At about the 8 minute mark Rob’s question about projecting players-a,b,c to x,y,z- Scot’s answer is interesting. Refering towards natural physical maturation, and projecting size/strength in younger prospects.

    2 solid cases this year being at C and DE.
    JMS is more than 2 years older than Wypler
    Keion White is more than 2 years older than Ade Ade and Van Ness.

    It’ll be fun to see how much JS weighs age(projection) into decision making. He hasnt been shy drafting older prospects early in the past- Collier, Brooks.

    • Peter

      Will Macdonald. Keion.

      Darrell Taylor before them. I think the hawks are realistic in this approach. They’ve taken some very young players as well.

      This fascination with age sometimes baffles me. I’d think to the future but also only think about four years because that’s what most of these guys get.

  38. Sea Mode

    Ian Rapoport
    @RapSheet
    ·3h

    #Rams DL A’Shawn Robinson, one of the top free agents available, is scheduled to visit the #Giants on Monday, source said. The veteran could beef up a NYG DL that already includes Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence, among others.

    • Rob Staton

      Damn

      • Rob Staton

        And Gaines has signed for the Buccs

  39. jed

    Really great interview, thanks. I like how open he is about the process and challenges as a individual sticking to his plans and trying not to make exceptions.

    If you have a chance to interview him again, I’d be curious how after the draft they set up players for success and help develop them from average to good, etc. I’m also curious how they continue to scout players on their own teams and around the league on both current performance and how & if they can get better.

  40. Sea Mode

    A long interview with Jim Nagy with some interesting tidbits. You can use the bookmarks to skip around.

    Jim Nagy on if Anthony Richardson is NFL Ready, Jalen Carter Stock Falling | For Those About to Mock
    https://youtu.be/cWe2Sv0gYaE

    Watched all 4 top QBs last week: “AR is closer to getting on the field than I thought going into it. I thought there would be more accuracy issues, I thought there would be more rawness.”

    Says knowing what he knows now (without having done extensive homework on all the QBs) he would roll the dice on Bryce Young at #1 if he were GM of the Panthers.

    In the “On the Clock” section, which are quick-fire Q&A, he says he thinks Bryce Young goes #1, but to the Texans who trade up.

    Favorite player in the draft? Cody Mauch (“Not most talented, just the one I want on my team”)

    Most over-hyped: Jalin Hyatt

    Senior Bowl player that will be a day 1 starter: Dawand Jones

    Senior Bowl player that will be an all-pro eventually: Julius Brents!

    Senior Bowl player that will be known by everyone at this time next year: WR Michael Wilson, Stanford

  41. Sea Mode

    Missed this the other day: Keion White unofficial 4.65-4.75 40yd @281 lbs!

    https://twitter.com/NFLRookieWatxh/status/1637120653714247680

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