Brock Osweiler will be part of the 2012 draft. He's tall.
Pete Carroll spoke openly about his desire to improve the team’s pass rush this week, while also adding more speed to the front seven. He didn’t speak with quite as much urgency about the quarterback position. That’s not to say the Seahawks will ignore it (let’s hope not) but Carroll has been open and honest about his draft plans in the past and I’m not expecting anything different this time round. The big issue appears to be simply a lack of options. Matt Barkley has returned to USC, leaving just Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III as the two likely options early in round one. A lot of people have touted Ryan Tannehill as an option, but I just can’t grade him that early. Landry Jones, who has decided to return to Oklahoma, would almost certainly not have been an option for the Seahawks (or anyone else in the first round).
Kip looked at some potential later round QB’s last month (here and here), while I highlighted Ryan Lindley and Brandon Weeden game tape. Today I’m going to feature tape from five different quarterbacks, one of which currently plays in the NFL.
Tyler Wilson (QB, Arkansas)
Wilson is reported to be researching his options and has requested feedback from the draft committee. It’s not surprising that he’s testing the water, given the lack of top end quarterback options in round one. While he’s a mobile and accurate passer with a lot of the technical qualities you expect from a player working underneath Bobby Petrino, he’s not a physically brilliant quarterback who will wow scouts in work-outs. He’s more developed than a lot of college quarterbacks in terms of needing to make reads, going through progressions and attempting a range of different passes. He’s not quite as sharp as Ryan Mallett from the pre-snap standpoint, but quarterbacks working under Petrino will always have a slight edge with the terminology and expectations of the next level. Seattle’s front office wants a point guard who can control the clock and make the most of their playmakers – and Wilson could easily fill that void. Is he special enough to warrant the #11 or #12 pick though if he declares?
Tape vs Auburn (2010) – JMPasq
Ryan Tannehill (QB, Texas A&M)
I’ve written a lot on this blog about Tannehill and I just do not see a first round level talent. Yes – he has a lot of the athletic qualities you want for a potential franchise quarterback. He’s at his most comfortable getting out of the pocket and throwing on the run, similar to Jake Locker. However, Locker had better mechanics and a great knack for making plays. It’s also important to remember Tannehill was sacked less than any other quarterback in the NCAA this season except notoriously untroubled Kellen Moore. Taking that into consideration, there’s very little excuse for some of the mistakes he made during the season. His side-arm throwing motion led to a lot of tipped passes, he made several bad decisions and he just doesn’t look like a natural for the position. His awareness in the pocket is weak and he’ll regularly linger on a target, before panicking and forcing a throw to another receiver. He’s had interceptions this season where he’s been staring right at a target and knows full well the defensive back has leverage, only to throw the pass anyway. I don’t accept a lack of playing time as an excuse, because this is all we have to work with. You don’t take gambles on players making giant steps forward on a technical level, because the risk is too severe.
Tape vs Northwestern (2012) – JMPasq
Matt Flynn (QB, Green Bay)
Here’s the most recent ‘flavor of the month’ at quarterback. Flynn set records for his display against Detroit in week 17, helping the Packers to a shoot-out victory over the Lions. The entire NFL fraternity now assumes he’ll get a major contract in free agency and be immediately snapped up Washington, Cleveland, Miami or Seattle. When I watch the tape from last week, I see the same player that warranted a 7th round pick in the 2008 draft despite leading LSU to the BCS Championship. Flynn was always a neat and tidy football player, who put the ball in the right areas but lacked any kind of physical quality. He hasn’t got a strong arm, he struggles to move around in the pocket and extend plays. In order to throw the ball downfield, he needs to exert so much back-lift and almost jumps into the throw. Green Bay’s offense is a well oiled machine, with or without Greg Jennings. Flynn deserves credit for getting to grips with it and providing solid cover for the NFL’s best quarterback. Yet as Pete Carroll referred to him this week, he’s “the backup”. It’s an unpopular opinion to have at the moment, but I don’t expect a scramble of activity to sign Flynn in free agency. It is quite possible to just be a good back-up. In fact, when all is said and done I think there’s a pretty good chance he re-signs with Green Bay on a modest deal to continue as Aaron Rodgers’ understudy.
Tape vs Detroit (2012) – Aaron Aloysius
Brock Osweiler (QB, Arizona State)
Osweiler today revealed his intentions to declare for the 2012 draft. He’s a lean quarterback who’s been measured in the 6-7/6-8 range. The 240lbs weight listed appears ambitious and he could do with adding some bulk before attempting a career in the NFL. However, he moves well for a big guy and has no trouble extending plays or running for first downs. Osweiler’s greatest strength is his arm and he’s quite capable of elite velocity on long and medium range throws. The coaching staff at ASU may actually have downplayed his talents by not using the deep ball more in 2011. He has a side-arm throwing motion which is less of an issue given his height, but it’s still not ideal given the release angle on some throws. Like Tyler Wilson, he only has one year’s experience as a starter and that will concern teams in an age where Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley and Robert Griffin III have all had multiple seasons in the same offense. Osweiler has some potential though and don’t be surprised if he makes a late surge up the boards. He has the arm and the mobility that teams are looking for these days and he could go higher than you expect.
Tape vs USC (2011) – JMPasq
Geno Smith (QB, West Virginia)
Dana Holgorsen knows how to create a pulsating passing offense and 2011 was no different in his first year at West Virginia. Geno Smith passed for 4379 yards – a significant improvement on the 2763 he managed the previous season. A 401-yard, six-touchdown performance in the Mountaineers 70-33 Orange Bowl victory was a fitting end to the year for a quarterback who took major strides forward. However, Smith is far from the finished article. His deep ball is inconsistent and he needs to improve his arm strength. He made probably my favorite pass of the season against LSU, flashing perfect accuracy and touch. This was mixed in with a lot of mental mistakes too and games where he struggled (for example, in defeat to Syracuse). Smith has potential if he continues to develop and another year at West Virginia would be just the tonic. Yet with so few exciting quarterback options, he may feel this is a good time to declare and ‘strike while the iron’s hot’. He’s unlikely to be a first round prospect in 2012, but he could easily find a home in rounds 2-3 if a team buys into the potential. There’s nothing to say he will declare, but with nine days to go until the deadline – anything can happen.
Tape vs LSU (2011) – JMPasq
Drafttek recently mocked Weeden to the Seahawks at #11, calling him a reach of 13 spots. I’d be disappointed if we took the guy before the 3rd.
I love Brandon Weeden but that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
Wow. Geno’s throw at 10:09 is a beauty. The timing and placement was dead on, let alone the fact that it was a 48-yard throw.
Throw of the season, Jeff.
I hope we dont take Weeden, i dont like the idea of going after weeden especially in the 1st, hes gonna be 29 right?, hes going to be around the same age as Tarvaris, not interested in that, i like RG3, A. Davis, Tannehill as potential Hawks, with the last two being later picks.
I like Osweilers Size, thats a big guy, if he could add weight he could be a tough guy to bring down, he shows pretty good mobility for a guy like that. only thing that i dont really like is his screen pass offense, i didnt watch the whole video and havent seen alot of him this year but i would like to see him air it out or something. he seems like a nice QB option though.
I think Drafttek is out of touch – Seahawks are the second youngest team in the NFL – It just doesn’t seem logical to pick a QB who will be 29 during his rookie year. Weeden in my mind is not an option – I would prefer to give Portis the chance long before a 29 year old rookie!
Yah, if Weeden was like 22? then yah id be down, but then again i think he’d be a 1st rounder and would get alot of attention coming into the draft.
I see weeden as a stop gap, hes too old.
I hope all these guys dont declare I wasnt planning on cutting there tape them till after April.
If Weeden was 21 I’d still put him in the mid-rounds at best. He’s much more of a project than people think.
Osweiler is a hugely intriguing prospect to me. There weren’t too many impressive throws in that film, but he does show a great arm, and decent mobility. But, as we’ve seen with Tarvaris Jackson, those attributes can be completely negated without a good feel for the pocket and Osweiler seems to have that. He knows when to step up, roll out, or try to run for the first, and he’s not afraid to make a throw under pressure. That to me is what makes him as a prospect. He’s not a Landry Jones that completely folds when the perfect pocket isn’t there, he can extend a play and improvise if he needs to.
Was it just me or did Tyler wilson look the most well-rounded and most intriguing out the bunch? Would love to read a full article just on his strengths and weaknesses from you Rob. Flynn looked alot like well, Hasselbeck of old running a short slant based route running offense.
BTW. Rob i loove what you do on the draftblog your a real asset to the seahawks fanbase, i look to your knowledge alot concerning these draft issues, keep up the great work!
Hi JJ, really appreciate the kind words. Cannot stress enough how much it means to hear people take enjoyment from visiting the blog. Rest assured being able to talk draft with fellow Seahawks fans is even more enjoyable for me.
I will wait to see what Wilson decides before doing a full report, because at this stage most still expect he’ll return to Arkansas. I’ve watched double figure games for Landry Jones, Matt Barkley and Ryan Tannehill – and in each I’ve studied the QB’s and made notes. I’ve seen Wilson a handful of times, but didn’t do too much serious study because of his expected status. If he declares, we’ll be able to provide some game tape on the blog and a full breakdown.
I like this Osweiler kid. Decent arm, makes good throws, solid physique, good potential. Needs to speed up his reads but I think he could be an option.
In DraftTek’s defense, their mock drafts are created by a simulation engine they have. In their writeup, they don’t really think Weeden will be picked by Seattle but I don’t believe they’d want to change it. You can probably consider their pick for the ‘Hawks as Zach Brown.
——
Anyways, I certainly wouldn’t be upset if the Seahawks took a pass rusher in the first and either Tannehill or Osweiler in the second, especially the latter. Obviously the concern is a Ponder like reach for one or both of them from some other QB-needy team.
These guys may turn out as decent options when it comes to the QB position, but they all just give off this vibe that we would be settling and not really getting our guy.
I still maintain that if you need to go out and get a franchise QB, you do what it takes to get your guy and don’t settle for anybody. It is just too valuable a position to consistently try to groom late round QB’s and expect them to become the next Tom Brady. Seattle has to make their move to hopefully get RG3, or maybe Luck if they are feeling a bit more ambitious.
I see a great benefit in our defensive scheme. It calls for players to do specific things but not be exceptional at all of them. This in turn allows the front office to go out and get players through the draft or free agency that are scheme friendly that won’t always need to cost lots of money or high round picks. I believe that they can fill their depth needs at DE or DT in the late rounds with some speed projects, perhaps in the same mould as Jameson Konz, but earlier in say rounds 4 or 5.
To sum all of this up into one concrete point, I am of the opinion that it is much easier to turn late round scheme players into regular contributors than it is to turn late round QB projects into franchise signal callers.
Ugly game from Tyler Wilson.Showed very poor anticipation all night
@Will – “In DraftTek’s defense, their mock drafts are created by a simulation engine they have.” It takes just an instant to update a computer simulation! They still have Miami drafting Landry Jones at 41!!! They have Zach Brown listed as an alternative choice, not “their” choice as you have suggested. If that was in fact “their” choice they would have listed him as the pick.
Mock drafts are a crap shoot – I get it – but to defend lazy reporting is just bad form. That is why I send out mad props to Rob, because his mock is far from lazy!!! So @RobStaton kuddos and keep up the awesome work and @Will you get a C’mon Man!!
Okay Osweiler as a 2nd round pick wouldn’t break my heart. He’s at least as good as T Jackson but with may more apparent mental toughness and making something happen under pressure. With a year in the system, under the appropriate qb coach to fix mechanical flaws, he could be a solid force for us. He had the steep drop in production and wins to end the season, but with Erickson being fired and the regime change, there were probably other things going on as well. Also it was his first year starting, he certainly lacks the experience to maintain consistent production. I like him though, certainly better than most of the other prospects at QB available to us. Kuechly in the first, Osweiler in the second would make me a happy Hawk fan
Hello fellow Hawks fans!
I don’t usually post here although I am an avid follower of Rob’s Blog (which is the best Draft Blog in the business hands down btw) but I have seen DraftTek come up a number of times here so I just wanted to clear some things up and shed some light on how it works and why Weeden was chosen.
Will had it correct when he said the mocks are done through a simulation engine. Analysts input what are known as “team needs” and assign a numerical value to those needs. Quarterback for example is a “1” which is the highest priority and will commonly result in a large reach in order to fill that position. 9 is the lowest priority, and if a 9 is assigned to a position it means that a team has little to no need to address that position in the draft. Obviously this can change during the course of a season/off-season and team needs are regularly updated to reflect this.
Every position is also scouted and each prospect rated and ranked by a number of analysts (I personally am not a part of this process as other more established analysts over at DraftTek have these duties). Prospects move up and down quite frequently on both the “Big Board” and at their respective positional rankings.
As far as the Weeden pick goes it was a result of a mixture of both processes I just explained. Weeden was in the right place in the positional rankings and the Seahawks have a highest priority need to fill that position which resulted in a reach and Weeden being taken by the Seahawks. Now as both a Seahawks fan and draft enthusiast I do not see Weeden being drafted by the Hawks. He isn’t particularly athletic which will be a turn-off to Carroll, he played in a offensive scheme known as the Air Raid (which many of us will become much more accustomed to now that Mike Leach is at Wazzu) which won’t translate well to Bevell’s run heavy version of the West Coast Offense, and of course the elephant in the room which is Weeden’s age. That being said, Weeden does have some upside. He has one of the stronger arms in this draft class and is decently accurate with his passes. He won’t be a concern as far as professionalism and maturity goes and his familiarity with professional sports should allow him to adjust to the NFL atmosphere quicker than most. One could even make the case he is a “young” 28 due to not playing Football for the greater part of a decade. Still I can’t imagine him going in the first 2 rounds myself and I honestly I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he ends up going UDFA. His draft stock will probably never be higher than it is RIGHT NOW either and I would expect to see him sink down boards continually from now until the draft.
Lastly keep in mind that it is still very early in the draft world and until we get past the combine and Free Agency the picture will stay hazy and mocks are all over the place. Also someone called draft mocking a “crap-shoot” which I don’t think is an accurate representation of how mocks are carried out. I think educated guessing is a much more appropriate term for how mocks are carried out.
GO SEAHAWKS and thanks for all your hard work Rob!
Osprey
Trade their 2nd Round pick for Ryan Mallett.
Mallett wasn’t even on Seattle’s draft board last year and passed on him in round two. Nothing in the last 12 months has changed to make them feel the need to act on that decision.
Osprey – thanks for those thoughts and thank you also for the kind words. It means a lot.
Agreed with the true reality of your reporting Rob, not just the same recycled crap that 90% of the others do.. It is appreciated greatly. Altho I don’t always agree with you… :o)
I am convinced that they are going to go D-line/End, due to our lack of a consistent pass rush. Maybe even 1 and 2. They might not even draft a QB this year and instead continue to try to upgrade/add players.
They need to upgrade Tru, JForce, Brock, just to name a few off the top of my head, and there goes the first 3 picks. More RB’s are declaring and a good one will be available still in the 3rd round I think, perhaps even Polk. Another big back to spell the Beast.
I think they will still rely on TJack for another year, and with all our kids ready to rumble again, our team will be really tough, even without a QBOTF.
BUT, if they can trade the farm for one of the 2, I say do it. I would happily trade all picks this year, plus next years for Luck, because I think we already have a pretty good team that with just a few FA pick-ups would be really good, and to score Luck or RG#3 would be awesome. I think that we have a team now that is appealing to FA acquisitions, and that is where we could replace the drafts we trade away for the QB.
But if we don’t get one of those two, then we go D…
Watching Andy Dalton must just kill John Scheider. It also makes me question Rob’s QB chops (just calling it as it is). Rob referred to Dalton as a 2nd day draft guy. Perhaps history will prove this correct. I would say right now that Seattle would take him with their 2011 pick if they had a do over.
It is pretty obvious the Carroll killed any thought of Andy Dalton. Carroll seems to be in the mold of John Gruden: two people that hate rookie quarterbacks.
Now Carroll realizes he has waited too long in his tunure. He realizes right tackles are a dime a dozen. He realizes he bought safe and lost. And now, I expect Seattle will reach in 2012 and waste a pick.
I’m way frustrated watching Dalton succeed. Bad pick and all.
What is it about Andy Dalton’s performance tonight that will have Schneider and Carroll cursing the decision to pass? Because I’m pretty satisfied with my grade right now. And even if Dalton has a decent career, I certainly don’t think anyone’s ‘chops’ will be determined on one player.
By the way, Dalton was actually taken on the 2nd day of the draft. I said he was a third day player and I’ll stand by that for the long term. I’m delighted he’s not the future in Seattle.
I am not a fan of Dalton, and im not sure why. i like the way this team is going, i dont think Pete regrets what hes chosen, hes got a nice core. they’re building around the QB, i think they will go QB this year, im thinking they will move up, maybe 2 1sts and a 3rd and.
James Carpenter was not a bad pick, maybe the first day when most fans were surprised (even his former coach) but other than that he wasnt a bad pick. Till he got injured you could see he was improving like Cable said was gonna happen toward the middle of the season.
If anything we need to get a QB, Paul Allen I would imagine, would want to get something done and quick, if he thinks RG3 is going to sell tickets, i see him informing John Schnieder and Pete Caroll to pull the trigger.
I would want to appease Cable as much as i can, and if he wanted lineman last year (like was reported) then give him lineman, hes becoming a hot topic when it comes to Head Coaching opening
I do not see why Pete and John wouldnt try everything to move up and get a QB, its almost a must. Tarvaris is a nice player to maybe have but a future is needed now as redundant as that sounds its true. I dont know if i want a Drafted QB taking advice and being taught by Tarvaris. I would rather have a RG3 that can come and play, or well least closer to playing then a Tannehill or Jones.
Rob your write ups always a joy for me to read, i love hearing your expert opinion, i dont pay attention to Mcshay or Kiper, because i cannot stand ESPN. keep it up bud.
Ohh and what do we think of this.
http://football.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/25344/20120107/source_colts_have_already_decided_to_pick_luck/
Fair enough. Dalton did not have a great finish to the game. He is a rookie who played in the toughest conference in the league and went to the playoffs. His grade is similar to Andy Davis of S. Miss. Thus, one would expect the same from Seattle. Good ground game, tough defense, easier conference: playoffs with 16 starts.
David – thanks for the kind words, really appreciated.
Carpenter was a very good choice in my mind, and I generally don’t agree with taking right tackles in round one. Every season you’ll only ever have a handful of guys who stand out on tape when you’re not concentrating on them – Carpenter was on that list for me last year. People who visited the blog last season will know how high I was on Carpenter and when he finally got back to his playing weight he looked a lot better. With a proper off-season I think he’ll be one of the best right tackles in the league – but the injury may set him back. I mocked him to Phill at #23 in my final 2011 projection.
Andy Dalton tonight – in my mind – justified the opinion I had of him. Technically there isn’t too much to complain about in terms of the mechanics. He’s got a natural feel for the position. Yet he’s not a stand-out player in any area. I watched a guy describe his favorite play as a 4WR go-route with a running back checkdown before the draft and struggle with only a middling pro-play on the chalk board with Steve Mariucci at the combine. He’s not a technical player and he didn’t show much range at TCU – a lot of the same routes in spread out sets. On tape, as a junior he would let mistakes get to him in a BAD way and collapse. He moved past that as a senior, but I sensed it’d always be there. I projected him as a mid/late rounder. I’ll stand by that today, tomorrow, next year. If he proves me wrong – I’ll take the negative feedback. But tonight in a big game, he struggled badly. He’s a rookie, he should improve. My biggest concern is that in three years he’ll still be this player, that the ceiling isn’t higher than what we saw this year. Being tied to Dalton as a starter isn’t good enough for me, I want more.
I respect the analysis. And my words were not meant to incite. Poor choice in words. I respect the “want”. Just curious how long you wait. Football happens now, not in the future.
I completely agree Michael – and without doubt the Seahawks have to identify somebody who can lead this team at QB very soon. Twelve and Fourteen touchdowns in a season for your starter is not good enough – whatever your philosophy on offense. That is what Matt Hasselbeck and Tarvaris Jackson have provided in 2010 and 2011.
Strongly disagree with your assessment on Flynn and his arm strength.
Please check out this article on NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks on Flynn (who BTW, feels Flynn is ready to step in as an elite tier QB in this league) and his arm strength. I’d be interested to know what you think:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d825ab668/article/packers-backup-flynn-has-talent-of-toptier-qb
I also think it’s crazy to assume that Flynn will be back to Green Bay to back up Rodgers. If not the Seahawks, SOME TEAM will be all over him for his services. Green Bay’s strong pedigree with backup quarterbacks from Favre to Hasselbeck to Mark Brunell to Aaron Brooks having success as starters is just too strong to ignore.
Hey Arias,
Well, I’m tempted to say of course it’s crazy while people like Bucky Brooks are arguing he doesn’t have a very weak arm. It’s just my opinion, but that’s one of the most ridiculous articles I’ve read on NFL.com. The concept of this blog is to offer opinions based on tape observation and analysis. If that conforms with common opinion, so be it. If it flies in the face of what ‘most’ people think – again, so be it. Just because Flynn is flavor of the month, I don’t believe he’s automatically going to be snapped up to be a starter.
His physical limitations and skill set will not appeal to Washington and Seattle. He can’t run a naked bootleg, he’s not good in play action, he won’t extend plays, he can’t complete passes via long developing routes. He’s a pure pocket passer. He could find a home in Cleveland, but why would they commit millions to Flynn a month before the draft when who knows what will happen? Cleveland might be planning on drafting RG3. Peyton Manning is very likely to be competition for Flynn in free agency, what if Cleveland plans to draft RG3 and Washington signs Manning? Then you’re looking at Miami and Seattle – and I’m not convinced the Dolphins would see Flynn as an upgrade over Matt Moore who won games for them in 2011. Then there’s the prospect that Tyler Wilson could enter the draft or a team could overrate Ryan Tannehill.
So when you consider all of those things, it’s not so ridiculous that Flynn might not actually be the hot property people think and suddenly re-signing in Green Bay isn’t so preposterous. I can only go off analysis of the guy at LSU and in the tape we’ve seen from two games in the NFL vs New England and Detroit. I understand fans pining for a solution at QB that won’t cost the earth, but in my mind it’s simply wishful thinking to see Flynn as the answer. I will be stunned if the Seahawks sign him.
Hey Rob, just curious as to your take on Russell Wilson. Besides the obvious his measurables, u think he has what it takes for the pro-level? His very noticebly mobile but what really like in the lil bit of tape ive seen of him is his arm strengh and accuracy, also throwing motion, of course i could be wrong but he seems like a true leader and minus the height he passes my humble eye test, the way i see it My seahawks priority at qb is Griffin -Tyler Wilson (if he declares)- Russell Wilson. Not a fan of Flynn at all.
Ooops should have proof read that last post hope your able to understand it. lol
I suspect Wilson will consider a baseball career. He’s always been a fun player to watch, but Seneca Wallace is his ceiling.
Rob I seriously do believe some majpr draft pundits read this blog, because they always seem to be just one step behind your analysis in under-known players, and right behind in down-grading overhyped players. It’s just too coincidental. Obviously not a single one of them has any clue about Seattle or what we need and are looking for. With all the Tannehill’s, Jerel Worthy, and Quinton Coples’s getting mocked to us, I wonder if they even understand the scheme we’re trying to run here. As for Matt Flynn, every honk on the Bleacher Report is in love with this guy. I keep asking myself why? Joe Webb has looked good OCCASIONALLY in games, should we trade for him? Flynn has played 2 games for arguably the best offense in football. Matt Kassel won plenty of games for the Pats, KC signed him to a big deal and now they are probably going to sign Kyle Orton long term. Same thing happened with Rob Johnson, Frank Reich, and let’s go WAY back, how about Jeff Hostettler. Teams have always been in love with that hidden gem they think will blossom into ‘The Guy’. So many times it doesn’t work out. For every Steve Young, there are many, many more Matt Kassel’s. While flynn may even be a competent QB, Seattle at least, cannot afford the years and zero’s that Flynn will be asking for. I have said before- Seattle needs to grow it’s own QB even if it is only a 3rd rounder. No more backups. Ask yourself this- how many qb’s for Seattle have taken a SIGNIFICANT number of snaps in regular season games that didn’t start out as some other teams back up QB? Once you get past Seneca Wallace, it’s hard to think of one, huh? Let’s change that though. Let’s actually go after any one of the plethora of Q’s available and coach ’em up. Get OUR guy, for a change
Rob says:
“He can’t run a naked bootleg, he’s not good in play action, he won’t extend plays, he can’t complete passes via long developing routes. He’s a pure pocket passer.”
Watching the game that he tore up the Lions he seemed to EXCEL at play action, which seemed to be every time he wasn’t in the shotgun. He also appeared to extend plays by buying additional time stepping up and around defenders in the pocket and successfully improvised outside the pocket a few times turning negative gains into postive yards. Sure he doesn’t have the legs of a Rodgers or Vick but who does? I’ve seen nothing to make me think Flynn’s feet are so immobile so as to be a liability, as it sounds like you’re claiming with the “pure pocket passer” reference, given his apparent ability to extend plays moving nimbly in the pocket and at times outside of it.
You say he can’t complete passing via long developing routes … can you point out when he tried and failed to do this?
Long developing routes require you to run bootlegs, which he hasn’t in the two starts for Green Bay. It’s about extending time by getting out of the pocket to allow a receiver to get into a route that requires more time, either on a stop-start, comeback, deep post etc. Some are more adept at this than others.
I disagree on the extending plays part but respect the opinion you bring to the table. I just don’t see enough mobility in there, if he faces an exterior or interior rush he will not scramble away from pressure, he will more often than not have to throw or take the sack. Again, some are more adept than others at this and Flynn will never be mistaken for a mobile QB. He’s a pocket passer.
Rob, what are your qualifications as a judge of quarterbacks? That is, how should we evaluate your comments regarding Flynn with those of Brock Huard, Rich Gannon, and Tim Hasselbeck — all analysts who have played the position and have glowing reports of the back-up in Green Bay?
What’s John Schneider’s qualification to judge quarterbacks then? Or Pete Carroll? How many times have they played quarterback in the NFL? I give my opinion on players of all positions, if people don’t want to read those opinions they don’t have to visit the blog.
My biggest worry about acquiring Flynn is what AZ did with Kolb. They traded a kings ransom for a guy with a few starts under his belt and really nothing special in those games. They’re regretting it largely because they fell for the Elephant in the room:
If he’s so good, why wasn’t he the starter when they acquired him? I worry that Flynn is the benefit of playing and learning in ONE system for such a long time and that he really has alot of flaws covered by such offensive talent and coaching around him.
*And yes, I know Flynn will be a free agent signing if he were to come to Seattle. He’d cripple the cap though.
John Schneider played football and his talent as an evaluator of players can be found on his resume, that is, actual NFL teams have hired him to do exactly that. It is a simple question, what is your background in football? Were you a player, a coach, a former scout, or are you just a fan?
What difference does it make? It’s irrelevant.
Gramsci-
Not to be confrontational, but this blog is outstanding because not only does Rob offer great insight, but fellow readers offer constructive debate as well. You are coming across as if you are a direct disciple of Bill Parcells or something. If your goal is to simply tough talk, I suggest you leave the blog because many of us have been following it for years and value the information/conversation it offers. It’s fine to disagree, but it’s a totally different thing to just come off like a jerk.
Sincerely,
Every loyal member of this blog
Rob, if you were reading an analysis of the Civil War for example, is it not entirely reasonable to ask the author what their credentials are? Do they have a Ph.D in History, a M.A., or are they simply an enthusiast…? Now, it is possible to write a brilliant piece on Lincoln without any degree — like a Gore Vidal for example. Regardless, it is simply nice to know the qualifications of people who present information.
MJ, as a Seahawk fan like you I am interested in what our team will do at quarterback next year. I am at a loss to understand why it is deemed inappropriate as a new reader of this blog to ask the football background of the author. When I listen to Huard, Gannon, and Tim Hasselbeck give their opinions on Flynn, I know their background and am able to assign a certain value to their opinions as a result. What is wrong with doing the same here?
Gramsci-
That’s understandable. Its just how I interpreted it. That said, Rob offers a unique perspective and despite not being a former NFL QB or GM, he does stick with his guns and forms his own conclusion. There are far too many blogs that simply rehash what national pundits say. Rob does provide great reasoning for why he grades a player the way he does, though I am sure that may not fully come across in the comments section.
Apologies for the misinterpretation.