Author: Rob Staton (Page 397 of 423)

This is Pete Carroll's vision, including on offense

Yesterday we brought you information on what the Seahawks might be planning for next week. I wanted to offer a few thoughts.

People have latched onto the information about the quarterbacks and the possibility that Colin Kaepernick has received consensus approval in the team’s scouting department. The other big headline is the suggestion Ryan Mallett is not part of the team’s draft board.

The same source last year told me, accurately, that Jimmy Clausen was not in the team’s plans and neither was C.J. Spiller. Both players had been projected regularly to the Seahawks with the #6 and #14 pick in the 2010 draft yet the team passed on both. Of course, they had many options among the top-15 picks but let’s not forget just how regularly both were mocked to the Seahawks.

Let’s start with the Ryan Mallett news. After all, I graded him higher than a lot of prospects in this draft. I understand the concerns that a lot of people have, but I also value some of the positives more others too. If I’m a team in need of a quarterback and Ryan Mallett is available on the board, then I’m giving serious consideration to making that pick. Not every NFL team will feel that way and it appears the Seahawks are a case in point.

When Jeremy Bates was offensive coordinator a lot was talked about mobility at the quarterback position and arm strength. This was a Shanahan-style offense that required a Shanahan-style quarterback. Bates’ departure made many believe the Seahawks would make clinical changes, possibly towards a more conventional west coast offense. I never agreed with that suggestion. This is the Pete Carroll offense – this is the Pete Carroll show.

Make no mistake that the direction this offense goes will be dictated by Carroll. Sure, the man charged with making the play calls may change and at the moment it’s Darrell Bevell. The idea, the philosophy on how this offense coordinates is being dictated from the top.

Jeremy Bates did not trade for Charlie Whitehurst, that was a decision made by Carroll and John Schneider. Look at the two quarterbacks that have arrived since then – JP Losman and Nate Davis. Are we seeing a pattern here? All three are mobile guys capable of getting the ball downfield. This was more than a pure Bates philosophy.

In Carroll’s end of season press conference he stated himself that not much would change on offense. The plan stays the same – they want to run the ball using the zone blocking scheme and they want a quarterback who can run bootlegs, handle play action and be a threat running the ball in order to further open up the attack. Bates’ departure was certainly down to the problems running the ball. The departure of Alex Gibbs played it’s part, because the party that won that battle didn’t achieve results. Yet the core value of the Carroll offense remains. They will start again with Tom Cable effectively running the ZBS and with Bevell attempting to bring it all together and be the designated play caller.

That is the strictness with which this situation is being handled. The flexibility that some thought might be there perhaps isn’t after all. They won’t be signing a quarterback and building around them. Seattle will draft a quarterback who fits their plan and while that doesn’t mean drafting any old QB who fits, it does mean refining the search.

It’s not that Mallett doesn’t fit an assumed version of the WCO that keeps him off the team’s board, he won’t be an option because he’s immobile. I don’t necessarily agree with this approach because I rate Mallett, but if you believe the information provided yesterday this is my read on the situation.

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I anticipated a battle between Washington and the Seahawks for quarterbacks during the 2010 NFL season. Neither team was performing particularly well and for large parts were projected as picking in the top ten. Seattle would’ve picked 8th overall had they lost to St. Louis in week 17, instead they win a playoff game and the rest is history. It’s not much of a competition now with the two picking at opposite ends of the first round.

The Bates connection to Shanahan really was the catalyst for this thinking, but as I mentioned before it’s looking more and more like the ‘Carroll’ offense is based around some similar aspects. I am absolutely certain that given the opportunity Washington will draft Jake Locker tenth overall. I think Seattle would do the same if roles were reversed. Pete Carroll is a Jake Locker fan and I truly believe he’d love to coach the guy in Seattle, what’s more he fits what they want to do on offense perfectly.

Would they consider trading up? I seriously doubt it. Imagine the backlash such a move would create, particularly because it would almost certainly involve 2012 compensation to get as high as #9. The reality is they are left with little option here and Locker is out of their hands.

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My source speculated that Kaepernick had received consensus approval in the Seahawks draft camp. This is another guy who fits the mantra – mobility, arm strength, character. I have seen two games from Kaepernick (vs Boise State and vs Boston College) which is not enough to make a valid opinion. In comparison, I’ve seen 10+ games from Ryan Mallett and Cam Newton because I have a lot more access to the SEC.

I’d recommend reading Kip Earlywine’s report on Kaerpernick if you want a better opinion on the guy.

I spoke to a friend yesterday who is very knowledgable on the draft and he informed me of two scouts he knew who both rated Kaepernick highly, one even graded him 14th overall on his big board. Perhaps he is ranked higher than a lot of the draft media has been reporting? It wouldn’t be the first time someone flew under the radar (see: Tyson Alualu).

Perhaps the Seahawks view Kaepernick as a viable alternative at quarterback and one they would be willing to make the investment on?

Yet here’s the important thing to remember – my source said they like Kaepernick, but this only produces a possibility. What if there’s a shock and he’s off the board before #25? What if someone else falls? What if the Seahawks actually grade 3-4 players higher than Kaepernick and they are available, or what if a trade down the board isn’t possible?

There’s a big difference between rating someone highly and actually pulling the trigger. I wouldn’t assume the Seahawks will draft Kaepernick, I’d just prepare yourselves for it being a possibility.

With just over a week to go until the 2011 NFL Draft, Seahawks Draft Blog is giving you the opportunity to win a copy of Paul Allen’s new book, ‘Idea Man’.

All you need to do is email me a first round mock draft to rob@seahawksdraftblog.com. There are five copies to give away courtesy of publishers ‘Portfolio’. Mocks will be judged for accuracy, with five points awarded if you can pair a player, team and position accurately and two points if you get just the player and team.

For example, if Cam Newton is drafted by Carolina first overall and you make that projection – it’s five points.

If the Panthers traded down to #3 and still took Newton, you get two points. Simple, right? The top five highest scorers win a copy.

The book covers a lot of ground including Paul’s early days at Microsoft to more recent ventures. There’s a chapter on the Seahawks including a frank and open account as to why he bought the team and his passion for keeping the franchise in Seattle.

“Whenever you are given the opportunity to get behind the scenes with one of the greatest creative minds in the world of technology and innovation, you have to jump on it.  Paul Allen has shown a unique ability and desire to contribute to and powerfully influence a broad spectrum of interests, including technology, science, medicine, the arts, and philanthropic endeavors.”
–Pete Carroll, Seahawks Head Coach

The competition is completely free to enter and alongside the book, winners will also have the opportunity to boast considerably about your NFL Draft knowledge and projection skills.

The deadline for entries will be April 27th at 11pm. I’m taking submissions now so get to work and good luck.

John Schneider admits he'd like to trade down, but it's easier to trade up

Seahawks GM John Schneider held the first of two pre-draft press conferences today. It’s Schneider’s second draft with the team, working in partnership with Pete Carroll. You sense this could be a defining off-season, despite the current lockout which may or may not be ended prematurely via an injunction this week. Last year the key task was to hit on two top-15 picks to launch the start of a new era. With mission accomplished in that sense, the Seahawks now face the daunting proposition of following it up despite picking in the late first round.  

“The playoff game was very exciting, special stuff, but it makes the building process more challenging.”  

Eric Williams from the Tacoma News Tribune writes that Schneider ‘admitted to cringing a little’ when the Seahawks defeated St. Louis in the final game of the regular season. Defeat would’ve secured the 8th overall selection, instead they could pick no earlier than 21st. The playoff victory over New Orleans essentially earned the 25th overall selection.  

Inevitably the discussion turned to quarterbacks. The Seahawks currently have Charlie Whitehurst contracted for 2011 on a deal worth around $4 million. Matt Hasselbeck is a free agent, as is JP Losman who acted as the team’s third quarterback for most of last season. Nate Davis was released shortly after signing a deal having left the San Francisco 49ers.  

“Quarterback is the hardest position to evaluate. It’s not an area you could panic for but not an area you can overlook.”  

“It’s a unique year in the quarterback class because the guys available are so different.”  

ESPN’s Mike Sando asked Schneider about Pete Carroll’s ideal for the position, a question he seemingly believed to be about Ryan Mallett. Sando: 

“Schneider apparently thought I was asking whether the slow-footed Ryan Mallett would fit in Seattle’s offense, but I had no one in mind. Schneider: ‘From a pure, uh, I’m reading your mind with this, I’m going to be really careful how I answer this. Pete and (quarterbacks coach) Carl (Smith) coached Drew Bledsoe, who is not a big movement guy, and he had his best season. I don’t know if Pete has ever had a guy that is a big-time runner, huge movement guy. I wouldn’t slam any of the guys he has had. But everybody likes a guy that can move, but a lot of these guys have compensating factors. So the guy that you’re thinking about would be one of those guys that has compensating factors.'”  

Here are some other selected quotes and notes from John Schneider’s press conference:  

“Personally, I would like to move back because I have confidence in our ability in the middle rounds to do good stuff and we have a coaching staff that has good teachers and they are excited to have these guys.”  

Schneider admitted it would be easier to trade up in the draft than trade down.  

On the topic of defensive backs, he stated that height was the primary criteria unless a player is versatile enough to play well in different scenarios. I wonder if this brings Brandon Harris (CB, Miami) back into contention at the end of round one. He’s shorter than Seattle would like (5-9) but he’s a better open field tackler than most cornerbacks. Struggles against the tall, physical Malcolm Floyd were slightly over-blown on second viewing.  

He suggested a good draft ultimately means bringing in impact players who keep cohesion in the locker room. Schneider also admitted the hardest part of the evaluation process is to work out how much a player respects the game.  

Charlie Whitehurst will get an opportunity to compete for the starting position. This isn’t a revelation – he’s the only contracted quarterback on the roster at the moment. Schneider: “Did he have his struggles during the season? Sure. I mean he hasn’t played a lot of regular-season games. So, I thought one of the coolest things he did was come into that Arizona game and bring us right down the field. Now, the series didn’t end that great. He threw a ball he’d like to have back. But I’ve been around a three-time MVP that wasn’t a great decision maker early on in his career, but he became a much better decision maker.”  

“To be a consistent Championship team, we have to get better.”  

“We’d like to be younger. We didn’t have much depth last year. We want a young, tough, smart, fast, aggressive group.”  

On Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Mark Domenik suggesting as many as six quarterbacks could go in round one: “Mark is a good friend of mine and if he was sitting right here, I would say, ‘He’s got a quarterback, so he wants a lot of guys to be taken. He wants the offensive linemen to fall.”  

The Seahawks would like to come away from the draft with at least one defensive and offensive lineman.  

Schneider said discipline would be key and not panicking to get a quarterback. He used the example of Green Bay drafting Aaron Rodgers at #24 in 2005 and the fact they wouldn’t trade up for him. Of course, it’s easier to say things like that when you’re starting quarterback is Brett Favre, who never missed games for the Packers.  

Final thoughts  

The Seahawks were nothing but transparent before the 2010 draft. It was common knowledge they’d gone bowling with Russell Okung after a trip to Texas (presumably to see Earl Thomas among other things). You’re never going to learn that much from these press conferences because teams are not going to gift wrap their plans to the rest of the world ten days before a draft. I suspect, however, that there’s not a great deal of spin here – there merely isn’t a great deal of hard information. Seattle probably would like to trade down for a good price if the options at #25 aren’t ideal. It probably is easier to be aggressive and approach another team about moving up than it is to be on the receiving end of an acceptable deal.  

I thought the response to Mike Sando’s question was interesting if only for the caution with which it was answered. Sando: “Schneider thought long and hard, choosing his words carefully when I asked him to what extent Carroll, as a defensive head coach, has a vision for what he wants in a quarterback. I wanted to know how that vision might differ from the visions an offensive-minded head coach might have for a quarterback.”  

This may be the most interesting portion of the press conference. Clearly the Seahawks have to make the quarterback position a priority. With or without Matt Hasselbeck, this regime’s success or failure will probably be defined by it’s ability to adequately fill the position for 2011 and beyond. They can talk about offensive lineman and defensive lineman – I would wager that the most heated discussions taking place in the front office right now are about the direction at quarterback. Is there a guy in this draft we should invest our faith in? Will we need to trade up? Who among the second tier prospects, if anyone, has that starter potential? What deals can we arrange once a new CBA is complete or a court injunction ends the lockout? These are surely the kind of questions being asked. 

That slightly tentative and guarded response to Sando’s question may hint that it’s a subject that still hasn’t been fully resolved. Maybe they have come to a decision and they just don’t want to give anything away? Of course, as with the other topics, neither would be a surprise. Yet the importance of the decision cannot be underestimated.  

New look for the blog  

You may have noticed the new home page for Seahawks Draft Blog. In future when you click www.seahawksdraftblog.com this is where you’ll arrive. It’s a way to push feature articles and a few other things. Of course it also means clicking ‘Blog’ on the new menu bar to arrive at the actual articles. If you want to avoid the homepage and visit the site as you did normally, it’s pretty simple. All you need to do is type www.seahawksdraftblog.com/blog into your address bar. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that, because I would like as many people as possible to visit the homepage which will continue to develop with new features. Feedback is always appreciated.