Could this be a guy for Seattle?
Just a few things to keep you up to date…
Tony McDaniel, a free agent defensive tackle, is meeting with the Seahawks today according to Adam Schefter. He’s a former UDFA out of Tennessee (2006) who’s spent time with Jacksonville and Miami. Last year he recorded just a half-sack in limited playing time with the Dolphins, but he had five sacks overall in 2010-11.
He’s had a couple of ugly run-ins with the police. In January 2005 he assaulted a fellow Tennessee student during a game of pick-up basketball. Edward Goodrich suffered four broke bones in the incident and needed a metal plate inserting into his face to repair the injuries. McDaniel pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault. Four years later he was arrested on the charge of domestic battery against his girlfriend. The charges were later reduced to disorderly contact, another misdemeanor. He was sentenced to six months probation. He was also required to attend counseling and served a one-game suspension issued by the NFL.
He’s 6-7 and 305lbs. That appears to be Seattle’s preference at defensive tackle. Size. Or more specifically, height. Alan Branch is 6-6, 325lbs. I’m not sure they’re looking for a 340-350lbs space eater. I think they’re looking for a taller tackle with proportionate size who isn’t just a one-trick pony. It’s kind of a unique look. Not a nose tackle, but not a three-technique either.
The thing is, there doesn’t appear to be many players who fit that style in this years draft. John Jenkins is just shorter than 6-4 and weighs a massive 346lbs. He might be too big. Kwame Geathers is 6-5 but again on the big side at 342lbs. I’m struggling to find others.
Maybe there are players in this draft class, such as Sly Williams or a Kawann Short, that go beyond any size ideals? Yet if they are looking for a tall, 315-325lbs — the options aren’t great. Montori Hughes (6-4, 329lbs) fits the criteria. Yet he didn’t look all that special at the Senior Bowl (see below). He’s certainly not a pass rusher at this stage. His pad level is all over the place, while his hand use lacks any real technique. He doesn’t convert speed to power at the snap and often gets beat pretty early during a rush. He does have a lot of core strength though for the run game and this can be harnessed. Short arms (32.5 inches) are a concern though.
He’s also got plenty of his own off-field red flags, including:
– Reportedly being involved in a bar-room altercation involving several members of the Tennessee football team, although he was not charged by police
– Suspended in 2010 for a violation of team academic rules
– Suspended two more times from team activities for unspecified offenses
– Dismissed by Tennessee after a further altercation in a dorm room in 2011
– Coaches at Tennessee questioned his work rate and desire for the game
Like many players who are kicked off a big program, they go to a smaller school (in this case Tennessee-Martin) and knuckle down. There were no fresh incidents with his new team. He’s a former three-star recruit and was also a talented basketball player at Siegel High School. The potential is there. He fits what Seattle is looking for at least in terms of size and hey — they’re speaking to McDaniel with all of his former problems. Maybe they consider Hughes too? The off-field concerns and on-field performance might force him down the board. He’s become a bit of a media favourite this off-season, but that’ll only get you so far. If they feel confident to go after a big tackle later in the draft, Hughes is one to monitor.
Who knows, the plan might be to use Greg Scruggs as a permanent defensive end. According to his Twitter feed, he’s added 10lbs this off-season. That would put him around 295lbs at 6-4.
Pete Carroll spoke to Mike Florio in Arizona this week. There’s an interesting remark on Russell Wilson, where Carroll admits they would’ve taken him in round two if necessary. Yet they felt he’d be around in round three. And they were right. Thankfully.
This is a fine interview by Florio, incidentally. One of the best I’ve seen with Carroll.
According to Mike Sando, the 7th round pick Seattle traded to Minnesota in the Percy Harvin trade was the #214 overall selection. That’s the pick Buffalo gave Seattle for Tarvaris Jackson.
The Seahawks had representation at Cumberland’s pro-day today. They were watching 6-4, 255lbs tight end B.J. Stewart. You can get a look at him here here and here. It’s coaches-copy tape too.
The NFL has released the official draft order as things stand today. You can see it by clicking here.
It was the Stanford pro-day today and Zach Ertz ran a 4.66 according to Tony Pauline. The track is notoriously fast (Coby Fleener ran in the 4.4’s last year). It’s hard to get an angle on Ertz’s stock right now. Could he fall into the late second round? And is he too good to pass at #56?
Georgia also held their pro-day today and Jarvis Jones had a chance to work out for scouts. I guess we know why he skipped the combine after running a reported 4.92. He was never likely to post a lightning quick time, but that’s slower than expected. Some reports say he pulled a hamstring during the run. It’s funny how hamstring injury’s always seem to happen to pass rushers running in the 4.9’s (Jarvis Jones, Damontre Moore…)
Florida State’s pro-day took place earlier in the week. Tank Carradine still didn’t do anything apart from the bench press, but he has an individual work-out scheduled for the week of the draft. I’m still sceptical that a.) he’ll be able to compete that soon after injuring an ACL and b.) it’s the right thing to do. Getting 100% healthy must be his priority, not fitting in a work-out for the sake of it.
Having spent considerable time talking against an offensive lineman being drafted in round one (and let’s be right, it was never likely to happen), I do think the Seahawks will consider a swing tackle/guard on day two of the draft. It’s why I mocked Dallas Thomas at #56 last week. It’d still need to be a value pick — it’s not a big need that must be addressed. But I think it’s something they could consider. Here’s some more Thomas tape vs Florida courtesy of JMPasq:
I found this note interesting from the owner’s meeting this week — Seattle and Philadelphia agreed on a first round trade the day before the draft last year. The Eagles moved up for Fletcher Cox while the Seahawks moved down three spots and took Bruce Irvin. It goes to show two things. One — Seattle didn’t have much interest in Cox. Two — teams have a pretty good idea how things will shake out.
It’s worth keeping a tally on who’s visiting Seattle for a workout. Look at this list of defensive players (compiled by Davis Hsu) who made a pre-draft visit in 2012. There are some familiar names on there.
Players to keep an eye on this year include Louisville running back Jeremy Wright, Tarleton State DE/OLB Rufus Johnson and UCLA long snapper Kevin McDermott. In the two videos below you’ll see Wright competing against Rutgers (it’s also a tape feature for Khaseem Greene, so check him out too) and a highlights package for Johnson. All three players named above are visiting Seattle.
Im surprised Jarvis Jones ran a 4.9! While in some mocks he gets mocked all the way up to the top 5, I just don’t see it. If he ran a 4.9 at his pro day, wouldn’t he likely be right at 5.0 at the combine? He played on a talented defense with multiple high round defensive talents, and was put in a prime position to rack up sacks. I’m sure he is good, but a 240 lb Jarvis at 4.92 isn’t going to scare any linemen!
I think if he pulled up during it that’s understandable — same with Damontre Moore at the combine. He’s probably a late 4.7 or a 4.8 guy I would guess.
It seems as a fan I am able to overlook an awful lot of naughtiness by a player if he plays for our “home team.” With players with checkered past dont they have specific language in their contracts that prohibit run ins with the law? Everybody at some time in their life get in a fight or two but assaulting your girlfriend, that’s crossing the line to me, pass, period.
Hard to disagree with you there, Stuart.
Agreed the domestic violence thing isn’t something I would want in a rookie for sure
I would worry more if the guy shows a pattern. I’m not going to write a guy off for a one time incident. Women are not blameless, innocent lambs in every domestic violence case. There are plenty of circumstances where a guy can get in trouble over something like this and not make it habitual. If he keeps himself clean, then I’m ok with it. I don’t want habitual offenders on the team. It doesn’t take much for a guy his size to hurt someone. He does have to be extra careful.
Actually it’s pretty simple. Don’t hit a woman. If it happens once its likely to happen again. There is nothing that a woman could do or say to a man, especially a 300 pounder, that should elicit such a violent response.
Actually, it’s not that simple. Yes, there are things a woman can do to elicit that kind of response. It’s annoying to hear that kind of naive thinking. You ever been struck by a woman or had one physically attack you? Then you push her away to get her off you and she falls down, then decides to call the police, and it is automatically your fault for no other reason than you’re male? I imagine not.
These situations are not as black and white as you want to make them out to be. A guy’s professional life should not be written off for one incident. If it happens once, it does necessarily mean it will happen again.
A habitual offender is far different than a one time instance. A one time instance can be a bad situation the guy should extricate himself from. If he does that and this situation doesn’t happen again, then he should be given another chance.
agreed.
I don’t think I can really defend what A. Simmons is saying here; men in our society have power over women, from a privilege standpoint, and typically have a physical advantage as well (especially with a football player). Physically putting your hands on a woman at all should be a last resort. Of course if a woman is hitting a man it’s going to make them angry, but if your first response is to hit back, there are some issues there that need to be dealt with. Situations like these can be diffused in other ways; retreating into the bedroom and locking the door is one example. The only way I might defend a guy for striking a woman is if she was coming after him with a knife or something. But if it’s a typical domestic abuse case, men are always always always to blame.
I’m not saying that this should write off a man from a professional perspective, but really it doesn’t in the United States. Men have far more privilege than women; even a man with a domestic abuse mark on his record is probably more apt to go out and get a good job than a woman with a clean one. And men blaming women for domestic abuse is based on the ignorance of their inherent privilege.
That being said, it’s not like the Seahawks write players off for domestic abuse. Are we forgetting that we signed Leroy Hill to a contract right after his domestic abuse case a couple years ago?
Miles I think your a tad over blown there, its not the 1950s Women can get jobs easier then convicts.
I just think women face preconceived stereotypes that men don’t have to deal with on the job market. From that standpoint, it is more difficult for women to get a decent job. No, it’s not the 1950s anymore, but don’t dismiss that gender roles and sexism still exist.
A. Simmons, it is that simple. I work in the domestic violence field and what you’re doing is victim blaming. A typical male reaction. There may be instances where a mans life is in such danger from a female, that the only way he could save his own life is to get physical with her, But that’s pretty rare. Each case should be investigated and considered by it’s own merits. But unfortunately, all to often it is simply a man abusing a female unnecessarily. As for the stereotypes that make it harder for women to get a job, it’s obvious and there is data to support this. Look no further than the NFL and NCAA coaching situation. How many black coaches are there? Racism and sexism is alive and well, especially in corporate America. Obviously the world has gone, and is going, in the right direction but there is still a long way to go. Rob, sorry for getting so far off the draft…
If you work in a field that deals with domestic violence, then you should very much know that it is not as simple as you make it out to be. You either don’t really work in that field or are completely biased against males involved in such altercations due to your own preconceived notions.
You and Miles are being as prejudice as you claim males are. Women in America are being allowed to join combat units in our military. That alone will open them up to severe violence. They are police officers which opens them up to severe violence. They also drink and do drugs, which can cause them to act in a violent or irrational manner just as it does males.
I’m going to end this by saying I hope our front office does a thorough check and decides whether to sign in a sensible fashion rather than making the automatic assumption that a single incident of domestic violence makes him a habitual offender that should have his professional career destroyed.
I don’t want to say that this isn’t a discourse worth having, because it is. But let me just jump in again and say that we should stop discussing this on the blog. If any of you want to have an honest discourse with me about these issues, add me on facebook: Miles Liatos. But I’m just going to assume that Rob and Kip would prefer us to steer clear of these topics here.
I’ve been waiting to hear some news about Gregg Scruggs. Obviously, he showed some talent in the limited snaps he took last year. But I feel like his frame allows him to bulk up if need be. He has potential to play multiple positions and I had a hunch the FO had a plan in mind for him.
I agree with you here my man, Dan! I think he and our other DT Jaye Howard are the reasons why we haven’t gone big in free agency for a DT. I could see them becoming incredible.
He said on his twitter he’s put on 10 lbs
What, no tape of UCLA long snapper Kevin McDermott? That’s bull*&^@!!
🙂
That’s weird. Are we not satisfied with the Gresh Man?
It’s seriously hard to get good long-snappers in the NFL. Anyone remember, what was it, 2007? Too many balls sailing over too many heads. I’m happy with Gresh, but I understand the Hawks are looking to get competition at every position.
Unique Interior size = Margus Hunt?
Bingo
Not sure he could manage the full time switch to tackle. He’s best at the edge IMO.
It worries me that he’s only been playing a couple of years. I like his long-term upside but in the second round don’t you want someone who can play right away? If he slides to the third round I might consider him more seriously.
For tall, 315-325 lb DT, does Quinton Dial of Alabama fit the bill? He’s 6-5, 318 lb, with 34 1/2 arm length.
Sounds very promising as far as measurables go.
Any thoughts on Joe Kruger from Utah? He played DE in college, but at 6’6″ and only 265, he should be able to add some strength/bulk and move inside. He also has 34.5″ arms.
He had a respectable Combine: 4.83s 40yd, 34″ vertical, 117″ broad, 7.17s 3-cone, and 4.46 20yd shuttle. His 24 reps on BP isn’t great for a DT, but not horrible either. Plus I think he could improve with proper strength training. Oh, and he comes from an NFL blue blood family.
I’ve seen him projected as high as the 3rd and as low as the 7th.
They can always pick an offensive guard and convert him to defensive tackle. 🙂
TJ Barns 6’6″ and 370 lbs
🙂
Do you think TJ Barnes could be competition for Red Bryant?
Definitely competition on the buffet line. Now let’s see if we can wait till the 7th round to pick him. 🙂
It’s hard to believe they get that big. Terrence Cody out of Alabama was 360 lbs coming out of college if I remember correctly, and he was an absolutely mountain of a man.
I am not a TJ Barnes fan. The guy may be big; I referred in another post to who I thought was Brandon Williams, that got pushed around as if he were on “ice skates” in one game. I was mistaken. It was Barnes.
Abry Jones is a guy i’ve heard people talk about before 6’3 310lbs with 35’inch arms kind of looks like Okung but a few inches shorter. Seems like he could fit the mold arm lenth wise and don’t know how strict they are on the height but he could be a good player in the seahawks scheme.
I like Abry as well. His tape looks really good. But, I wonder how much of his success is attributed to playing on the line with Geathers and Jarvis Jones. I’m going to have to watch him some more/check out his measurables. Thoughts anyone.
Rufus Johnson looks like a mid round gem.
He definitely has the body length Carroll keeps harping on. There was one play kind of early on in the tape where Rufus Johnson gets sandwiched by the tackle and the guard, but he bursts through and gets the sack. I’m still wary of his “small-school” dominance; is he a big man amongst boys?
The best offensive lineman on the field for the Tennessee was #74
I like what I’m hearing about Scruggs. The kid has a lot of promise. If he’s working to get bigger, that’s great. I hope Bruce Irvin is putting in equal work to get better. I hope he has added some weight, improved his hand fighting, and developd some moves.
I’m with you on Scruggs. He showed some flashes of brilliance last season earning 2 sacks on the year. That’s pretty good for a guy who probably plays less than ten snaps a game, and on the interior! If he steps up this year, with a blistering-off-the-edge Avril and a line-penetrating Bennett, and a gap-shooting Mebane, we can only dream about what the results will be..
Rob,
Got word from NFL.com today to let me know that the way that your affiliation with the NFL website is such that Seahawks Draft Blog will only receive a commission when someone purchases one of the Harvin jerseys through the link on this website. I was told that it does not apply to any other products at their websites since your links are Harvin-jersey specific. Hope that clears some things up for you a bit.
I don’t know how you communicate with them regarding the implementation of such links, but maybe you’d be able to switch it up every once in a while as to what products are being advertised? Perhaps even set up a schedule so that people who are intending on purchasing a new product can see that your site will be advertising new Avril jerseys or Wilson jerseys from Date A through Date B. If that is at all possible, i recommend the new panorama photo I linked in your previous mock draft!