Jimmy Graham’s production isn’t a problem. But is his role within Seattle’s scheme causing an issue for the Seahawks’ offense?
Trent Dilfer appeared on Brock and Salk this morning (see audio above). It’s an insightful, detailed and fascinating listen. And Dilfer doesn’t hold back on why he thinks the Seahawks are struggling on offense.
It’s Jimmy Graham.
At least, he thinks that’s the catalyst. He starts by criticising the offensive line:
“They’ve really struggled in pass protection. They’re what I call a box offensive line. They play best when it’s in a box. When it becomes a lateral game, when it becomes a movement game, a pass protection game, they really struggle. Because they’ve been less stubborn with the run this year, it’s been a little bit exposed as the year’s gone on.”
When asked why they’ve been less stubborn with the run game, this is Dilfer’s damning response:
“You can’t do it with Jimmy Graham on the field. I can’t think of a team in the NFL… that’s been a dominant run team without an in-line blocking tight end. It’s just a key in your run-blocking schemes to have an in-line tight end that can set an edge, that can work double teams, that can come down on ends so that you can run the gap scheme game, that can get to the second level in the zone game. And you don’t have to dominate you just have to be really physical, you have to have great effort and Jimmy just is not… he’s not a tight end.”
He goes on to add…
“(Darrell) Bevell does a decent job at times removing him from the formation. He’s doing everything he can. I mean, he wants to run the ball. They had a lot of success in the year detaching Jimmy Graham from the formation, put him at X or Z. Bring in another tight end as an in-line tight end so you aren’t in 12-personnel you’re in 13-personnel (3TE’s and 1RB) but now he’s playing wide receiver and you get the box you’re looking for and you’re able to run the ball, but it brings up the second issue that I think is one of the misroutes with Graham. He’s not really a separation guy. He has exceptional ball skills. He’s a speed-move route runner. But he does not create a ton of separation… So a lot of teams sit inside, adjust to the out-breaking route and sit on the in-breaking route… It’s the issue they’re going to have because of the trade they made.”
Dilfer discusses the system Seattle is asking Russell Wilson to operate. Essentially, because they aren’t able to commit as much to the run he’s being asked to throw too much. He says Wilson needs a structured offense that limits his throws to maximise his talent. Mike Salk questions whether Graham’s presence prevents them from running the offense they’d like to. This is Dilfer’s final response:
“The Jimmy Graham trade forced their hand to try and evolve into a system that is not best for the rest of their personnel. Not just Russell (Wilson) specifically but the rest of the personnel… If you’re going to have JAG’s (just another guy) running your offensive line — which is fine, a lot of teams are doing it and a lot of teams are having success doing it — if that’s the philosophy, then your system needs to protect those guys. So by making the Jimmy Graham trade, you’re in an identity crisis because now the other ten aren’t playing the type of specific system that they would thrive the most in.”
When Graham arrived in Seattle, it was easy to assume this was the missing piece of the offense. The Seahawks hadn’t really had a #1 target for Russell Wilson. This was supposed to be a trinity — Wilson, Graham and Marshawn Lynch. Three unstoppable weapons.
Instead, as Dilfer suggests, the offense feels different. Wilson has struggled at times. The run game doesn’t feel as effective. Are they obliged to force Graham into a role? Are they designing plays to feature him, instead of just playing their natural game or scheme?
Have they gone away from what worked?
Here are Seattle’s leading receivers (targets and receptions) from 2014:
Doug Baldwin — 98 targets, 66 receptions
Jermaine Kearse — 67 targets, 38 receptions
Marshawn Lynch — 48 targets, 37 receptions
Paul Richardson — 43 targets, 29 receptions
This year, Jimmy Graham is already on pace for 72 receptions and he’s been targeted 63 times in nine games. He’s set to smash Doug Baldwin’s 98 targets at this pace.
And yet his production is projected to reach 877 yards — only 52 more than Baldwin’s 2014 total.
Fitting him into the existing scheme has not been a smooth transition. Rather than provide a red-zone dynamo and touchdown machine, the Seahawks have spent nearly three months answering questions about the way they’re using him.
Instead of improving the red-zone offense, Seattle is ranked dead last in the league for scoring percentage. Think about that. A team with Wilson, Graham and Lynch is the worst in the league for scoring touchdowns in the red zone.
Complicating matters, however, is the way the offense is being graded overall. They’re tied fifth with Carolina for explosive plays. According to Football Outsiders, they’re the #11 offense and #5 team overall.
Is it just an aesthetic problem? A case of ironing out the kinks? Finding a rhythm? Or is the scheme permanently incapable of reaching it’s potential with Graham on the field?
Perhaps it’s just a case of improving the O-line and finding an in-line blocking tight end for 2016? If the protection is better and they have a capable run blocking TE, it maybe frees Graham up to be a classic joker tight end who just works the seam and finds a mismatch?
Or maybe the Seahawks were better without a #1 target? Someone they had to force-feed production. Were they better with a motley crew of undrafted receivers, Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, Zach Miller and Paul Richardson — all playing without the expectation of catching a certain amount of passes in a single game?
When there was no pressure to pass the ball to a certain player, could they focus on run-design and making Marshawn Lynch the focal point? Allowing Russell Wilson to do what he does best — be a point guard.
Can we still define Wilson as a point guard any more? Is his job to spread the ball around, protect the ball, find the open man and make things tick? Or is he being asked to do too much? Such as keep plays alive behind a sieve-like offensive line, make the most of Jimmy Graham and do everything else that was asked of him before 2015?
If they felt they really needed to add a big target to the offense, would they have been better investing the first round pick they used for Graham on a player like Dorial Green-Beckham — who would’ve carried a lot of upside but no serious expectations going into 2015?
It’s also hard not to look back on what could’ve been. Would there be any need to trade for Graham if they’d taken DeAndre Hopkins in 2013 instead of trading for Percy Harvin? It’s easy to use hindsight when reflecting on previous drafts — but here’s an article I wrote about Hopkins in January 2013 — and a pertinent quote:
“He’s a top-20 talent who may go later… and a smart team will be ready to capitalise…
…The way you make up for a lack of size is playing above your stature. Be physical. Master your routes. Understand the offense. Find advantages elsewhere. When you listen to Hopkins conduct an interview, he’ll talk about exploiting a cover-2 and appears to be a student of the game. Despite the arrival of highly-recruited Sammy Watkins he never complained about a reduced work-load in 2011.”
Graham, rather than provide a unique mismatch, has instead provided a constant distraction as we debate his targets, production and use. The scrutiny is never ending.
With seven games remaining, can they prove there is some light at the end of the tunnel? Otherwise the Seahawks will miss the playoffs and the inquisition begins. And as things stand, one of the questions that has to be asked is whether or not Jimmy Graham will ever be able to fit into this offense — and are they just better off without him?
Tough to blame one guy for the malaise
Agreed — but Dilfer makes a good point. Is his presence in the offense having such an adverse effect that it’s impacting everyone else?
Why should it effect everyone else? Just play Graham as a wide receiver along with Baldwin and Kearse. No the problem is that the Seahawks have gotten away from the running game and are relyingmore on Wilson’s arm, and unfortunately he is having problems with accuracy this year.
We got Graham for at least one more year, and possibly three more years. So they better figure it out. I’m talking to you Bevell and Cable. Do your job!
Dilfer explains in the audio part of the problem with just using Graham as a wide out.
True, but the defense “adjust to the out-breaking route and sit on the in-breaking route” problem is much smaller than the “Graham can’t block” problem. Personally (and I’ve said this in previous posts), I would like to see Richardson and Lockett at outside WR, Graham in the slot, and Willson at TE.
Rob, do you think a full-time commitment to Graham in the slot and a Willson as the inline TE would help?
I do.
Luke Willson has to be one of the worst blocking tight ends in football, I can’t imagine him as full-time inline TE would do anything but hurt.
I hate it when Trent Dilfer makes an interesting point. It’s a transitional year for sure. While I feel RW works best as a point guard, and I’ve been weary of fans crying for Jimmy to get his catches because RW has never had to make one receiver be such a focal point, I have to feel that until they get better line play it’s tough to be this gloomy about the presence of Jimmy, simply because it’s been so gawd awful.
My first thought was when they traded for Graham, they were looking at becoming more like the Saints, but when they didn’t start drafting interior OL until R4 (something the Saints had relied heavily on for their short QB) I was left with a big plate of WTF to feast on, as Tom Cable lines have never been known for their interior pass blocking.. and here we are. Check blocking TE on the list of many needs.
My question is if there is a problem playing him as a receiver then how could he be a red zone threat? He wasn’t hired to block for Lynch.
Because in the red zone he can be a jump ball specialist. Doesn’t need separation.
And yet, we make no attempt to get Graham the ball down there.
There’s a screen shot of Graham isolated 1 on 1 with Mathieu. That’s a 10″ height difference. THROW. HIM. THE. BALL. RUSSELL.
Well, they threw to him in the red zone for a DPI vs Arizona (FB run for a TD on next play) and targeted Graham on the second 2-pt conversion (blown up by Arizona). So they are looking his way.
That’s the play I’m talking about. Just throw it up and let him make a play.
Some very interesting topics for sure.
IMO Seattle needs to be built around the run. They are not a passing team, and RW’s struggles are proof of this. I don’t care if he’s a 20$ million dollar man, dude is better being the PG of the offense. Play to his strengths.
I always felt that Seattle not having a clear cut ‘no 1’ or ‘go to guy’ worked in their favor. The defense couldn’t key in on one guy. Remember PC saying he liked having a ‘Basketball starting 5’ as his WR core?
It does feel like they’re trying to build an offense around Jimmy Graham like they tried with WR Percy Harvin.
Should be interesting to see if Jimmy Graham can start adapting by season’s end, but by then, it may be too late.
Should’ve kept Golden Tate over Harvin and traded back with the 31st overall pick this year and took OL Mitch Morse.
Yes, that would have made a lot more sense.
We have a chance to draft another Golden Tate in the 2016 draft with Pharoh Cooper, but I’d wait until the 3rd round to take him.
Good comp. I’d take Pharoh Cooper as well.
Somewhat flawed logic, the whole point of having a #1 guy, is that even though the defence know he’s getting it, he can still come down with it in key moments.
Imagine Romo saying to the coach, take Dez off with the game on the line, I’d rather them not knowing where the ball is going.
And imagine having that guy, but still facing the same problems we did last year in the red zone and on 3rd downs.
I actually thought when Chris Matthews was released they were going to bring a blocking tight end to the active roster
Seattle could really use a Delanie Walker or Bruce Miller kind of guy. Someone that can be an in-line blocking TE, but also act as a FB too.
Michigan St has 2 really nice looking blocking TE’s. V-Tech’s TE Ryan Malleck fits this role too as does Florida’s Jake McGee.
Sorry to change the subject, but I’m really liking this LB from LSU-Deion Jones. One of the most unique prospects in all of CFB.
Rob, yoy like TCU RB Aaron Green, or is he too small for Seattle?
Not focused on him, very little TCU on TV over here
Rob you need to get the KODI program on an amazon fire TV. You can watch any game you want to scout talent.
“Or maybe the Seahawks were better without a #1 target? Someone they had to force-feed production. Were they better with a motley crew of undrafted receivers, Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, Zach Miller and Paul Richardson — all playing without the expectation of catching a certain amount of passes in a single game?”
This is my opinion on the matter. We won one and went to two consecutive SB’s without a true #1 receiving target certainly we can do it again.
This Jimmy Graham experiment is beginning to take on the tone and tenor of the Percy Harvin experiment without the drama (so far). We are hearing from other teams players and commentators about how his presence or non-presence tips certain plays. That is a problem. If he can’t run block he can’t be our every down TE, plain and simple.
I predict we’ll move him outside and into the slot more going forward. Go and watch JG highlights videos from his time in New Orleans – deep bomb after deep bomb. Watching Russ take that failed deep shot to Chris Matthews on Sunday night I couldn’t help but wonder whey we aren’t targeting Graham with those types of plays. Now that CM is gone, perhaps now we will.
Hopefully Russ and JG can find a rapport through the end of this season that they can build upon, otherwise I’d suggest cutting our losses and trading JG for whatever we can get. Hopefully it’s higher than a conditional 6th.
It feels like there’s some kind of disconnect between the big 4 players: Schneider, PC, Cable and Bevell, and it happened with Harvin and it’s happening in a sense with Graham.
You have a Asst HC building an OL on the cheap and teaching guys continuity on the fly, a GM/HC trading picks for seeming misfit star players, an OC who’s supposed to make all of this work, and a QB who can’t seem to make consistently good pocket reads to find open receivers.
If we go with Dilfer’s premise, how did one of Cable or Bevell not raise holy hell when an Unger for Graham trade was discussed internally, realizing that Graham is not a good blocker (or a good scramble drill guy for that matter)? Or did they get vetoed? Following that trade, why would they not immediately set out to find more in-line blocking at TE, not having a good option on the roster at the time?
I listen to 710 sports radio regularly, like many other people do, and something that I have noticed for quite some time is that there is very little negative criticism aimed at any of the coordinators. They have Russ, Lynch, Lockett and Graham to work with, but so far this year the offense is looking like a fish out of water. It is baffling that they do not play Graham like New Orleans used him. Bevell is not a good coach. You do not use a finish-work hammer to break boulders that is the job of a sledge hammer. Having Graham act as a blocking-end is like breaking boulders with a finish hammer, it is just silly and the person seen doing this looks equally silly. He is SUPPOSED to put defenses on edge, and those defenses should most definitely respect his abilities as a pass-catcher. That is what he is SUPPOSED to do. He is SUPPOSED to catch the ball. Using him as a blocking-tight end is really just stupid, and it makes criticizing the coaches easy. They are the ones drawing up the plays. They are the ones who are incapable of properly using the tools that they have. Cable is recreating the wheel with his tried-and-failed attempt to train former d-liners into o-liners, and Bevell calls plays like watered down coffee; too weak. All the while the Trent Dilfer’s of the world are blaming Jimmy Graham for the Seahawks woes. What a joke.
I’m a little sceptical about the role Jimmy Graham’s blocking ability or lack of ability is playing in the offensive deficiency of the team. Zach Miller played in three games last season and the Seahawks entered the Super Bowl with a historically great running game. I think this is about commitment and identity. Seattle’s top two running backs got 10 carries combined against Arizona. 10. Lynch got 8, Rawls got 2. They each averaged over 5 YPC.
I thought the same thing, Ross, when I heard Dilfer’s comments about the Hawks needing an inline blocking TE. While that may be true, we didn’t have that last year either and our running game was still consistently dominant. I still think alot of our issues come down to having a really lousy OL and Russell not progressing as much as we would have liked at QB (why can’t he throw slants, hot reads so that they can mitigate the all that pass pressure and for whatever reason, he’s throwing more balls up for grabs and just making boneheaded decisions with the ball this season….granted, it’s also hard to take the next step in your skill set when you’re usually running for you life behind our OL.
Dilfer hasn’t thought very hard. Tomlinson had Antonio Gates. Tiki Barber had Shockey. Shaun Alexander had Jerramy Stevens. None of those guys was an accomplished in line blocker.
Hopkins has really nice totals, but he’s been targeted more than anyone other than Julio Jones. His catch rate is pretty bad. Love to have him, but I’m not ready to put him in the upper echelon of receivers yet.
Good points. I love it when Trent Dilfer’s opinion is dissed. Go Hawks!
His catch rate is bad, because he has terrible QBs throwing to him.
Man I can’t imagine what it would be like if we had drafted Nuke Hopkins rather than trading for Percy Harvin. Clemson puts out some great WRs, Dabo Swinney knows how to coach them up.
Before we go blaming Graham for all the problems (not that you are Rob), perhaps we should look at what else is different between 2013-14 and now.
Major changes on the OL come immediately to mind.
At RT no more Breno, replaced by a rookie, replaced by an UDFA.
At C no more Unger, replaced by an UDFA DT convert.
At LG no more Carp, replaced by a 2nd year OT convert.
Only 2 OL positions have continuity RG and LT. Just 2 positions out of 5. Add to that a new TE – new to SEA’s system, and new to blocking responsibility in general.
Yep, way too early to think Graham is the major reason for our offense’s issues.
If the line gets rid of the penalties (and the refs stop calling phantom penalties) this conversation doesn’t even start. Its impossible to get the run game going when the team is staring at 1st and 20 or worse every drive. Combine that with being down 19 after half and its amazing that they almost won this game. The losses in my opinion can be attributed to two things. Incredibly shaky line play that has gotten better, and just bad luck. As bad as the O has looked at times they have still been in every game. With improved line play and without the timely penalties the 3rd down conversion starts to come around. When that comes around the defense gets more rest and suddenly the whole team looks much better. If this team can make the playoffs I still think they have a legit shot to do some damage there. The addition of Lane will only help and I really hope Kris Richard keeps dialing up blitzes from time to time. Not just when the team is behind. The steelers game will be a barometer for the rest of the season. If they can gain some quick momentum and take out the steelers and Vikings I think you have to like our chances for this season. The system is not broken and the sky is not falling just yet.
Another thing to point out is that SEA has had a 4th qtr lead in every game this year. Aside from the obvious 4 victories, they’ve been in a position to win every single other game. Two of those were against (arguably) the best NFC team and 2nd best AFC team – CAR and CIN – and one of those was on the road.
This is perhaps the streakiest team I’ve been a fan of, particularly on offense. One quarter, they can’t get out of their own way. The next quarter, they’re unstoppable. Their overarching problem is they can’t put together a solid 4 quarters. Even in the 4 wins they had stretches of poor play.
That’s what’s most frustrating for me. When it clicks, they’re a SB caliber team. It just doesn’t click with regularity.
A necessary discussion, complex problem. It is a mess, and it is all of the above, with no clear solution.
Graham and the Seahawks offense were never a good fit, and a failed investment. A marriage that has wound cancelling out the strengths of each, magnifying the weaknesses of each. Graham is a pure move/joker TE who will never be a tough blocker. I don’t even think he is a tough pass catcher who is that great when challenged physically, who is tall but not physically threatening. He needs to be in open space. So many who criticized “Jimmy Who” put those concerns aside when he came on board, in hopes that those issues would be put to rest. A bad o-line starts a domino effect, as we know, ruining things for everything in the passing game, but even with a good o-line and a running attack that works, you are still left with the deficiencies in Graham’s game (which I just do not think will change), as well as problems in Russell Wilson’s game, and Bevell.
I hate to say it, but they should have gone for another TE—a real TE—instead. The question is ,now what? If they get that TE, Jimmy is still a tweener, Russell still isn’t Drew Brees, Bevell is still Bevell.
I think the build the line with a high pick in the draft, and figure a system that is still about running the ball but features a pass catching TE. It shouldn’t be that hard. It’s gloom and doom now because they didn’t invest much into the line after trading Unger, and not addressing it earlier in the draft, or to bring in a veteran center. They wanted another pass rusher, and felt a kick returner was more vital.
San Diego figured it out with Gates and LT. Shoot, the Saints had a decent blend of the run and pass when everything was clicking, it’s not like they are the run and shoot.
While Difler made an interesting case of “blame it on Jimmy” I think the Graham trade might now be characterized as being more for the future than present. I think they are using the present to figure it out. With this line, God help them.
So if hes a move tight end, then play him there. We lined up without a fullback for most of the season. Bevel has got to be the only OC in the NFL who cant figure out how to use two tight ends at the same time.
I’m with you, frank. The lack of fullback in this offense when you probably have arguably the best back in the league to run out of Power I, and arguably the best throw on the run QB for play action is mind numbing, especially after the 49ers, Carroll said Marshawn prefers running with a fullback in front of him.
interesting…the only problem I have with this theory, is last year when miller was out, it was betty luke who took over, and hes not a blocking machine either, yet lynch still had a great year. its the line and the play calling that are the issues. it just seems that we totally forget about the run at times. we averaged 5 yards a pop last game yet only ran it 10 times?! and although it was 1 20 a few times u can still run it. go hawks
Disagree with Willson being a poor blocker. He is more than willing. Certainly not Zach Miller but few are.
Rob interesting read but I really don’t put a ton of stock in Dilfers opinion as an analyst. I think that it has definitely taken time for Graham to mesh into our offense but it takes time and tons of blame to go around QB play, OC play calling, OL Blocking and Graham himself.
I look at WIllson and Graham much like when NE had Gronk and Hernandez. One was a great blocker in Gronk but Hernandez was a terrible blocker. NE never seemed to have any problems in fact the were incredibly innovative with play calling and flourished. Willson is a good blocking TE who can get vertical and Graham is basically a huge WR. I just think it will take time and once again the Hawks caching staff jut has to be a little flexible and try different things.
It just make no sense. No one can tell me an offense is worse with one of the top 2 receiving TEs in the league. If that is the case why ever try to get a #1 receiver and lets just start running the triple option like G-Tech.
Perhaps your answer holds the key. Steal the playbook from the Patriots when they used 2 TE sets a few years back. I’m not sure, but I think Seattle likes to run the 1 RB, 1 TE and 3 WR combo more than most other sets. Maybe they need to redo their scheme slightly, get the 2 or 3 TE packages on the field more.
whoa whoa whoa…that would take a little innovation on Bevell’s part and slight willingness to adjust on Seattle’s part. Out. Of. The. Question.
I wonder if there is any other team in the NFL where Graham would not be a good fit? Something tells me their OC would find a way to make a unique talent like him fit in.
I was not a huge fan of the trade because I value 1st rounders too much but to me this talk about Graham being the problem seems like a stretch. It is the coaching staffs job to devise a scheme to best utilize the talents of your players. This what supposedly made the Seahawks great. When did it become the players fault he had a different skill set so the coach and offense could not adapt.
A question I am curious about. Has the offense been alot more successful when he is not on the field? Someone must have those #s certainly Dilfer analytic team at ESPN must. Anyone know the stats?
I found these stats. Not sure if the first one is % of TOTAL snaps, or % of snaps that were pass plays. Total I think.
Jimmy Graham’s % of offensive snaps/routes this season:
Week 1: 91%/48
Week 2: 83%/32
Week 3: 80%/31
Week 4: 74.5%/30
Week 5: 74.1%/23
Jimmy Graham % of snaps in slot/out wide:
2013 67%
2014 64%
2015 before ARI: 40%
1st half vs ARI: 32%
Rob, these are the same issues I brought up last off-season when their was a lot of talk about Seattle needing to go out and get a big target at WR or TE and people on this board – and really a lot of fans – were on the sign Julius Thomas train.
I brought up the point that if the Seahawks went out to get this big target it would effect the overall team identity and mentality of this team. When you have a offense like Seahawks that was built on a bully style – running the ball even when the defense knows – and you change that mentality over night with a target that needs 10-15 targets a game to be most effective, its going to become a issue. I pointed this out…. why is there a need to bring a guy like this in (Graham and Thomas) when you need to run the ball as your identity 30 times a game? When the Seahawks got back to this last season after trading Harvin you seen the entire offense spark – Wilson being able to take his deep shots and the play action opening up both down field throws and Wilson being able to move and run.
Not only did this trade not make sense from a football standpoint… it didn’t make a sense from a business standpoint as well. That is why this offense is struggling, why Wilson is being asked to do more (which is why he is being exposed) because the investment that was put into the Graham trade required us to move on from are team identity.
I asked you Rob and people on this board last off-season when these talks started, are you willing to trade this teams identity – which took us to back to back superbowls – for a possible shot in the arm expensive offensive weapon? No one in the Seahawks FO can say that this was a surprise, or can they really say it was a gamble that just happened to fail because all the signs were there with Harvin. It was evident that trying to bring a “dynamic” pieces into this system – especially that isn’t homegrown (Golden) – wasn’t going to work.
This situation wont be “fixed” with a team meeting. You have a TE you are paying 12 Mil a year that in order for him to be of real value needs 10-12 targets a game. But the dilemma is that in order for you offense and QB to be successful you need a REAL down-blocking TE that can be both a weapon in the play-action game catching but also being a extension of your down hill zone-blocking scheme. Graham isn’t going to be that, asking him to do so and requiring him to change who he is isn’t going to work and its going to lead to more issues (team dynamic and locker room (Harvin)). I would argue the Seahawks have already asked Graham to make this change and it didn’t work because he doesn’t have the necessary skill set to do so. There really is only two option at this point… (1) Russell Wilson becomes ELITE and he completely takes over this offense and team – which I don’t see how this happens seeing how he is already being asked to do more and he is struggling. (2) You trade Graham this off-season which would make the most sense but you have to ask yourself is the ego of JSPC (or really any GM/HC) would allow this to happen because of the Harvin situation.
Very tough spot…
Nice post. As for the PCJS ego….. I’m more than confident, if they think something isn’t going to work out longterm… they will make the move(s) they think will be best for the team. I think the perfect example was Lendale White, the bumm came into camp thinking he would get a job…. and was out the door almost as fast as he showed up. I’m sure, even with salary cap concerns, if they want to move Graham in the offseason, they would.
Interesting question you pose.
Another questions is, without Lynch, would it have been so easy for this staff to establish its identity as a dominant run team? I think Lynch is a hall of fame back, and acquiring him for peanuts was just as big as getting RW, SHerm, or anyone.
If this staff were to dump Graham in the offseason and call it another Percy mistake, at what point does their insistence on a particular style grow stale and outdated as Holmy’s WCO?
The Stealers and Pats are two teams that evolve with the times. I wish we had a bit more of that, but I fear RW’s physical limitations will prevent such flexibility.
Or you can play Graham another year as a wide receiver since that much money is guaranteed. What is the issue with him being a big wide receiver? We can use other players for tight ends.
As for running the ball, we got Lynch and Rawls. They are both capable of moving the chains. Lets see a real committment to it. The season is half shot anyway. How about 80% running plays during the next game? Get that line working in rhythmn. Get both backs going.
Again, Alaska, there’s a fair enough reason they aren’t playing him at WR as emphasised by Dilfer in the piece. He can’t separate on the short level. So it’s jump ball or bust. And Seattle preaches ball control and conservatism. So having him line up outside and just be covered easily — that isn’t a solution.
The one thing they could have him do more is go deep from a wide or slot alignment. But putting him split out permanently isn’t really a solution.
Havent read the other responses but my reaction is, this is bs.
Their using him as Zach Miller and hes a wildly different player. Hes a joker tight end that new orleans was splitting wide, which was massively successful. His “lack of separation” didnt stop him there.
He most likely would block fine for a TE2. But Miller is gone and wasnt replaced and Willson cant block either. This isnt Jimmys fault. Line up in 12, split him out on some snaps and foresee this likelihood in the preseason, this is not a sophisticated concept. What we have is an offensive system that doesnt know how to utilize talent and coaches who hammer square pegs at round holes.
Also dont get why we have a run based offense and didnt keep even one blocking tight end.
Sound like Lane is looking really good in practice… Anyone think Lane might get split out and not just used as a NCB?
I wouldn’t be surprised. He is an inside/out corner. Playing outside might even be easier for him from a physical standpoint right now.
I’d like to see Shead on the outside and Lane inside.
We might actually see that. Cary Williams reportedly has a hip injury. IDK if he’ll miss an extended amount of time, if any, but could be interesting.
Part of the reason is also that the defense is allowing crapload of points as compared to last couple years. All the games we have lost, the defense has allowed more than 25 points. In the last two years, we have never won a game when the defense has allowed that many points.
I am in no way suggesting that the offence is blameless but it’s not as bad as it looks. It took Lynch a year & a half to break out. Graham has played only half a season. Also, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect Wilson to take over the offense, 22M QB ought to try it. But then again, maybe we are just spoilt in hoping that we are the next Patroits & Wilson is the next Brady.
The offense had 2 first downs against the Arizona Cardinals until we scored late in 2nd half. The defense, due to the offense lack of ability to move the ball all game against Arizona, was on the field for over 80 plays and 40 minutes of time of possession. And its been like this ALL SEASON long because the offense cant convert on 3rd down leaving the defense out to dry and exposing them to more minutes. The defense is the only reason why we didn’t get blown out last week.
The offense last was great against arizona last year on Sunday night. All thru the playoffs and sb, it did not perform well or with consistency. It has not recaptured such efficiency since that one Sunday night. We’ve only seen a quarter here and there where everything suddenly comes together and they play like we expect.
In 2012 during a 5 game stretch after the Chicago game, they went on an offensive tear that was pretty much unseen in seattle history. I remember Pete saying that that stretch was unrealistic and you couldn’t expect it as a normal situation. They were “growing” into something, evolving into some objective that he planned out. Even after the 2013 sb win, he mentioned it was not finished yet. When he made that comment, sports talk radio at the time was giddy with what it all might mean.
This late 2014/2015 offense? I certainly hope this is nothing close to his vision.
This just shouldn’t be that hard. JG should rarely, if ever, single block, and should be sent down the redline or seam on the vast majority of his routes. Russ isn’t especially precise throwing short, so the passing game in general should be directed deeper. Russ has a hard time seeing and the OL is terrible, so they need to move the pocket more — not full on rollouts necessarily, but Brees-esque half rolls, etc.
Graham is not Harvin. Bevell should be able to adjust not only to Graham, but to the poor OL. That’s what a good coach does. Let Graham chip, but quit having him pass pro on 3rd and long. Just dumb
The amount of plays where I’ve seen Graham tasked with blocking a DE instead of a “chip and release into the flat” is mind-boggling to me.
Yep. You knew it would be this way though when Bevell said he wouldn’t change. Ridiculous and so many other reasons he has to go. Cable too. Bring in Callahan as OC/OL/Assistant HC
I have been against firing Bevel mid season but I have to agree Ed
If they can get Callahan this offseason I think it is a move you have to consider. He coaches the exact style that Pete wants and has had great success with mobile QBs and building young OLs. Dallas has really dropped off this year after he left.
So quickly we forget that these same staffers have contributed to B2B SB appearances. And whose to say it won’t be a 3peet. Too premature to cast off Bev & Cable. By the end of the year you may be singing their praise again. Wait until the end of the year before you make such a determination. They do deserve that, at least. I’m sure PA is willing to show gratitude for receiving his 1st SB championship. Shouldn’t we?
Disagree. You don’t keep your job because of the past. And the problems this team has always had, continue. Too much talent to not be better on 3rd down and in the red zone, even with a bad OL.
Or by the end of the year we may be calling for their resignations, again. Time will indeed tell.
Re: your point on Deandre Hopkins… hindsight is indeed a wonderful thing (I though Harvin was going to be spectacular on this team going into 2014) but drafting Hopkins could have allowed them to draft Bitonio rather than Richardson. Perhaps they would have chosen to trade down and missed him anyway. I wonder if John Schneider is done with trading #1s for stars. Bitonio and Morse at this stage sounds a lot more enticing than the long departed Harvin and Graham.
Been watching some film or footage on Michigan St OL Jack Conklin, and I like him more than I originally thought. Granted, he has struggled these past 2 weeks or so, but I see a guy that loves to bury/finish his man, is outstanding in pass protection, and gives off a road grader vibe in the run game. He’s not a LT IMO, but would make a really good, possibly great (in time) RT.
I didn’t know that he attended Fork Union military academy in VA either. So, in essence he’s somewhat of a JUCO kind of prospect. Reportedly runs a 4.9 40 and is an avid, very accomplished water skier. A little likeTy Sambrailo in that regard. Seems like he might be a very underrated athlete at his position and size.
Really looking forward to his match-up with Ohio St DL Joey Bosa on Saturday.
Conklin or Decker and Allen or Turek would be nice OT and C positions.
Gilliam/Britt/Allen/Boone/Conklin
Gilliam/Britt/Turek/Boone/Decker
I’d rather have a veteran C personally. Don’t want even more headaches there.
If Okung/Sweezy/Mebane/Kearse all leave, would the Hawks have room to resign Irvin and get Mack and Boone?
Here is my guess on what each get’s next year in their contracts (on average) Okung 10M, Sweezy 3-5M, Mebane 2M and Kearse 1-3M.
Mack 8-10M, Boone 5-7M… so maybe. But I do not like the idea of paying 2 guys what you were paying 4 guys before…. the team, overall, would be weaker imo.
Agree completely! With Russ struggling with the pre-snap protection calls I think a veterna Center is a critcal need to be addressed. Alex Mack if we can come up with the $ and if not the Wisnewski whom we really should have had this off season.
I still say our worst move this off season was not signing both Mathis and Wisnewski this offseaon when we had the chance. We could have had both for about $4 mill in cap space prior to signing Russ and Wags. Have to think the OL would have been much much better with two solid veterans.
That ship has sailed. Wis & Mathis want their last paycheck. They were evaluated based on cost & what they could bring to the table and the decision was made to move on. So should we.
It takes time to build an OL that will carry the offense where it needs to go. They’ve decided to do so via the draft. 2016 Draft will complete that rebuild with (2) key components added at center and tackle. If they are fortunate to get Coleman and Jack Allen, the offense would be rolling come midseason.
Can they get Coleman from the draft? We’ll have to wait and see. He still hasn’t considered his future as yet. His current injury may keep him out this weekend against Idaho. If he’s not at full strength at the ‘Iron Bowl’, his last game, may determine whether he returns for his 5th and final year. A poor performance and a decision to go pro could be advantageous to the Hawks.
How the Hawks finish will also be the determining factor, along with how Coleman does as well. Subpar performances by both might bring both together in the long run.
LT Okung
LG Britt
OC Allen
RG Sweezy/Glow
RT Coleman
This just may be a possibility. Another month or so, we’ll have a clearer picture. We can only hope. Right?
I would trade Graham to Cleveland for their pick in Round 2 (33). Then I would draft Henry Hunter to be the all around blocking TE in the middle of the 2nd round. We need to get back to running the ball. Add a couple of OT’s into the mix and we will be fine.
This is funny, I was just thinking of posting to ask what Rob or anybody thought about us actually using a Day 2 or early Day 3 draft pick on a real TE, with Henry in mind. R1 Decker, R2 Henry, pick up a veteran C, plug in Glow at RG and I feel like our running issues would be a lot better and we wouldn’t to rely on Russ throwing as much. Pick up a DT in R3 and I’m happy.
Honestly, I feel as if at this point we should just look at Graham as Matthews’ replacement and play him outside.
As an aside, I don’t quite understand the contradiction/fascination with finding a big WR who can’t get open for a QB who won’t throw to anybody unless he sees they’re open. Yeah, if you can find AJ Green or Dez Bryant, great. But most of the big WRs I’ve seen tape of don’t really get open. So they do us no good.
I think a RB in 2nd or 3rd is a must. I kind of agree about playing Graham outside. Wilson needs a big target, but maybe it needs to be outside as a WR, not inside as a TE. VJack next season?
So, we just quit trying to find receivers with size? Let them come to us?
Yes, essentially. Taller, heavier guys are generally not as quick as shorter, lighter guys. That’s normally offset by the fact that you can throw them the ball when they are not as open because they can use their body to shield or they can just go up and get it. But we seem to have a QB that won’t throw you the ball unless he sees you are open (not counting, of course, times of desperation or on one-read plays where he throws it whether or not the guy is open (or before he could be open)).
So the advantage of big receivers seems wasted on us.
I get your point.
What big WR have we ever had? Please don’t say Jimmy Graham.
When we had Sidney Rice, Russ threw to him all the time.
I really think trading is a bad idea, but even if they did want to, why would Cleveland do that? They have Barnbridge who has been one of the most protective receiving TEs in the league.
Why spend a premium pick on a blocking TE? You can find guys like that late in the draft.
Not really. Zack Miller was a early 2nd round pick. TE’s, like good centers go early. If they were that easy to come by we would have a couple on the roster now. Most TE’s today want to be the HB type like Graham. Catching the ball pays better than blocking.
Zack Miller was more than just a ‘blocking TE’ when he came out of Arizona St.
If college teams actually taugt the TE position, we’d have a couple.
One thing that is pretty obvious after hearing Pete, Bevell and Baldwin etc. talk in the press this week. They are not happy with Wilsons play and view him as the primary reasons for the problems with this offense.
I am not sure if it because he has to call protection now, or the OL issues or lack of focus and prep this off season but after watching his tape carefully this week he is clearly regressed. His accuracy is off and he almost seems like things are happening to fast for him which is concerning.
We all love the scrambling and play making / running ability but it seems like it has prevented him from learning the read defenses and now he is looking to scramble even when there is time. Once again maybe he is just gun shy because of the OL issues but to be very clear he has been awful in most games this year and it is clear the Hawks should have let him play out his contract year before signing a long term deal. I can assure you they would be in the drivers seat from a negotiation standpoint and always had the franchise tag to fall back on.
Kapernicks regression from starting in a SB and going back to the division final was the most stunning one I have seen. But based on his play this year the scary thought is Russ could be on the same path. I believed from the first time I saw Russ in a pre-season game he was going to be our franchise QB for a long time and he exceeded my expectations. His dynamic play making ability was exactly what a team with a power run game and great defense needed as a compliment. Without those two things he looks like a chicken with his head cut off running around for no reason as times and that had to be a huge concern to PC/JS after the investment they made.
I have noticed the regression also, but I think it is because of the terrible play of the o-line. Okung is the only one who looks like an actual pro, the rest of them are just sorry. Cable’s experiment of converting d-linemen into nfl-caliber o-linemen has blown up the chemistry lab. Moving forward they need to draft o-linemen early, ones with in-game experience. I do not believe Cable’s assessment about college o-liners being incapable of learning the pro-style is correct. Plenty of other teams trust the draft, look at how the Cowboys and Patriots o-lines are doing.
Yup-he’s not running /scramling to create. He’s playing scatter-shot, because the O-line is so bad.
You don’t give up on a QB after 3.5 years. Ask Carolina and Cincinnati how they feel about that.
I am certainly not saying give up on him. That is not even an option given his new contract. I am saying he needs an OL and system to help him and to put in the time studying instead of trying to increase his running speed in the off season.
Hmm…I think they need a new QB coach…a Bevel/Cable replacement would be nice (if they can find the right fit), but I think they need to focus on the positional coaches more than the bigwigs this off-season…
I still think the whole Graham situation is being overanalyzed, but I really think he’s more of a “future” piece than a year one in a new system sensation.
As much as I don’t want to admit it I think the Lynch era is coming to a close. I just have this gut feeling that he’s hitting the wall. I still see production, but injuries are also taking their toll (probably a reason we aren’t seeing as many run plays)…
Just some stray thoughts…
I still think this is a bit premature to consider changes at this point. Why not wait until the end of the season? It’s not over yet. We’ve been spoiled by the success these past years that it may have clouded our judgment for demanding instantaneous success. It is difficult to win in the NFL, especially after B2B SB appearances.
I don’t think it’s too early to be talking about positional coaches. OC/DC? Sure, way too early. Really though, I do think Wilson needs someone who will really help him develop and move forward. It’s obvious that he isn’t progressing this season, and I don’t want them to be paying $20mil to a guy who isn’t getting the best help possible (especially this early in his career). So maybe consider bringing in a QB coach that can really teach Wilson how to utilize his talent to maximum potential. Really PC and Bevel have just kind of let Wilson do his thing, and that may not be the best choice moving forward (no, I don’t mean they should make him a pocket passer).
There’s still hope for the season, but it’s about time to start exploring possibilities for the future. At about 10 games into the season I at least think these things should be mentioned.
Jimmy was brought in, I believe, specifically as a “now”, in response to losing the SB, and the effectiveness of having tall targets and mismatch weapons, based partially on how Chris Matthews was used in the SB. This concept still has not gotten its test and won’t this season. The o-line domino effect, regression with Russell, Jimmy not really using his size to advantage, Matthews did not step and is gone. No big receivers on the roster.
I think even if they won the SB they still would have brought Graham (or someone very similar) in to add that size variable. Plus he would have to be a “long term” piece or else they wouldn’t have even brought him in the first place. Otherwise I agree with you.
The Offense took a step back this year, that’s for sure. It starts with the O-Line, and then Wilson has also regressed (slightly), but Wilson’s regression is probably also (at least partially) because of the O-Line. We know what’s wrong on that side of the ball.
Then you have the Defense. The front 7 have looked really great (especially recently), but the secondary looks really bipolar for the most part. Williams is completely meh. Sherman is still great, but he’s being challenged more often. ET has looked solid for the most part, but then Cancellor looks really inconsistent and just bad at points. Communication and lack of “intensity” seem to be major issues this year.
Here here. Rather have Graham than any available draft pick last year. Offense trying to evolve but all the parts aren’t there yet
Doesn’t Jimmy inability to get separation a key problem all by itself? He also isn’t a physical player. That’s two knocks against him, that many thought would be non-problems once he joined the Seahawks and proved critics wrong. He hasn’t done that. He has not turned out to be a reliable red zone threat. Three knocks against him.
Essentially, they paid handsomely for a tall, slowish, finesse pass catcher with decent hands, who doesn’t block. There were other tight ends they could have acquired who were better fits for the system. I had hoped otherwise.
As for Jimmy “ruining their identity”, I think that notion is somewhat false. They will always be a smashmouth running offense. Their pitiful line is what prevents them from establishing that identity this season. If they had Jimmy last season with the running attack going well, it would still be an awkward marriage, between the respective flaws in Jimmy, Russell and Bevell.
New Orleans had plenty of success throwing to Graham, and I think the Seahawks are hoping to get some of that magic. I agree with you that the o-line is a serious problem, and that fixing that mess should be the top priority in the future. If Russ can get even an extra half-second to make a read without having to hit the ejector button, then that will create more opportunities to accurately get the ball to a receiver.
Have to wonder how much of Jimmy’s New Orleans success was simply the excellence of Drew Brees’ passing. Russell is a different QB, doesn’t make those same throws.
Part #1 2016 Summary (Part #2 Plan to follow) from a hopeful but realistic Seahawks Fan who hopes the front office truly wants to win forever.
Tis incredibly fustrating and disappointing season where we have held the lead in the 4th Q of every game can be summarized in 4 points.
1) A horrible offensive line
2)Russell Wilson’s regression (partly due to the aforementioned line)
3) The inability of the OC to incorporate Jimmy Graham
4) Kam Chancellor’s ill advised team chemistry crushing holdout.
I know I am in the minority but Chancellor needs to go. You cannot keep a malcontent, especially when he appears to be going through the motions and playing for a paycheck. He has made one great play all season (Detroit game saving play) – and offset that when he whiffed with really poor effort on Andre Ellington’s game-clinching touchdown run Sunday night after spending the night getting pushed around by a blocking Larry Fitz. His play has been uninspired and at times downright awful. This secondary requires everyone to communicate well and work as one unit. That is not happening.
A guy who is normally really positive Earl Thomas referenced teammates who are not giving it their all or won’t “give it up for the team.” Chancellor sure seems to be one of those.
Schneider needs to trade Chancellor in the offseason – a move that would net $4.1 million in salary cap space and perhaps a second-round draft pick. Jacksonville or Washington would be logical destinations. The savings could be used to re-sign Shead and the draft pick used on a guy like Sua Cravens. Will either be the vintage enforcer Chancellor we all love in 2016. No, but they can certainly be an upgrade over the 2015 team killing unmotivated Chancellor.
I love Beast Mode and he is one of the only players who seemed inspired against the Cardinals. But the is a reason they talk about the 30 yr old wall for RBs. Marshawn Lynch’s time probably should be up, too. Thomas Rawls has been more effective behind this sluggish offensive line, which requires speed to the hole, and Lynch is becoming more and more a part-time player as he suffers through various ailments (currently an abdominal issue) he is a permanent fixture now on that Injury report and that is worrisome. His departure would net Seattle $6.5 million next year.
I am a realist and these two guys have been the heart beat of a championship team.I know many fans will call those suggested moves blasphemy, claiming Chancellor and Lynch have been the soul of this team and that getting rid of them would kill Seattle’s identity.
But lets get real that bully identity is already dead and gone. Arizona certainly did not look afraid when they fired the ball downfield more than I have ever seen against a Seahawks unit. Teams are not afraid to come to C-Link anymore.
Sure things could miraculously turn around starting Sunday and they may kindle the magic in the final seven games then go on a run in the playoffs, but that doesn’t change the fact that Seattle needs to redefine both the offense and defense next year. Chancellor and Lynch are not going to last much longer anyway, and Seattle needs to be proactive about evolving its roster.
The $10.5 million saved by the departures of Chancellor and Lynch + an additional $3.83 by releasing the disappointing Carey Williams would free up the cash to fix our OL and DL. Seattle is slated to have $23 million in space + 14.2 (with proposed moves) under a $150 million salary cap; but, the team will have at least 10-15 fee agents they want to retain, so that money will go fast.
The majority of Seattle’s resources next offseason must go into upgrading the O-line and solidifying the DL with someone who can get some consistent interior push. It is clearly time to give Wilson some protection and stop relying on him to make decisions under duress. I feel a big reason he has regressed and is struggling behind this line this year is because the coaches and front office have failed him.
No for the proposed 2016 Plan hope you are listening JS (kidding of course).
Trevor, I love you man, but do we really need to keep talking about trading Kam? If they were even remotely interested in doing that it would’ve happened during the hold out.
Rob I know we disagree on this but when I hear comments like the one Earl made it is clear that internally that caused issues that still linger. It shows on the field and in his play as well.
You may be right and he will not ask for his contract to be done again this off season and go back to playing at a Pro Bowl level and team leader but I just don’t see it. If so I will be happy and stand corrected.
If he does not try to get his deal re done this off season then the hold out even made less sense.
Kam was my favourite Hawk prior to the holdout so I guess I am like the boyfriend who loved the girl and then got cheated on and can’t get over it 🙂
I won’t mention it any more though so as not to beat a dead horse.
Kam has been a step slow all year.
Great post Trevor! I’m with ya buddy.
The ideal 2016 off season plan. IMO
1)Trade Chancellor for a 2nd to Jacksonville (4.1 cap save)
2) Beast Mode retires and waits for spot on ring of fame (6.5 mil cap save)
3) Cut Carey Williams (3.8 mil cap save)
4) Let Sweezy walk if we wants more than $2 mil per
5)Let Jermain Kearse walk. He has been awful and
New Total Cap Space $37.2 mil assuming $150 mil Cap.
5)Extend / Restructure Michael Bennet and Cliff Avril (team MVP years to date)
6)Resign either Mebane or Rubin for 2 yr team friendly deal and add another veteran DT ($2 mil per/ vet DT $4 mil total)
7)Sign C Alex Mack ($9 mil per)
8)Resign Russel Okung LT ($9 mil Per)
9)Sign a veteran Guard like Mathis, Boone ($3 mil Per)
10)Resign Deshawn Shead ($2mil per) his versatility is very valuable
Now for our favorite part. The Seahawks’ 2016 draft includes 11 projected picks (including four comps): a first, second, two thirds (one comp), fourth, fifth (comp), two sixths (one comp) and three sevenths (comp and Christine Michael trade). They sent their fifth-rounder to Kansas City for safety Kelcie McCray.
A report Thursday indicated that teams will be able to trade comp picks starting next spring. That rule change clearly would help the Seahawks move around in the draft, perhaps moving up to get Shon Coleman.
2016 Perfect Scenario Draft IMO
1st Rd : Shon Coleman (OT) Auburn. Our future Pro Bowl RT
2nd Rd (Chancellor Trade) Sua Cravens (SS) USC- Hard hitting play maker
2nd Rd Alex Collins (RB) Arkansas)- Collins and Rawls would be a solid duo with a veteran FA
3rd Rd Eric Striker (Edge) Oklahoma – He is a tweener and will fall come draft day but is my favourite player / personality in CFB. He just seems like a Sea Hawk
3rd Rd (Comp) Chris Jones (DT) Miss St.
4th Rd Noah Spence (LEO) E Kentucky -Former Ohio St player with perfect LEO measurables
5th Rd (Comp)Deandre Hall (CB) Nothern Iowa – Another 5th round long press cover CB
6th Rd Adam Gotsis (DT) G-Tech -He was a beast until he got hurt
6th Rd (Comp) Carson Wentz (QB) NDST -If he falls because of injury it would be great to get Russel’s new backup. Would have gone in the 2nd or 3rd if not hurt IMO and still may go alot higher. Really like his potential
7th Rd Miles Kilabrew (SS) Southern Utah -Good athlete 6-3 /230 and big hitter. Good special teams player at worst
7th Rd (Michael Trade) Clay Debord (OT) Eastern Wash – Local kid who would be a solid development prospect. Enough with the DL converts
7th Rd (Comp) Drew Kaser (Punter) Texas A&M-In case we can’t resign Ryan
How does Seattle have 11 picks? Isn’t it 9? A 1st, 2nd, two 3rds, 4th, 5th (comp), 6th (comp), 2 7ths?
Miles Killebrew depending on how he tests will be gone by the 5th round IMO.
What do you think of Kilebrew Vol?
Noah Spence and Deandre Hall are two other small school guys I think look like they fit the Seahawk mould as well.
I thought we had our 7 picks -1 traded to KC then we have 4 comp picks likely and the 7th rounder from Dallas. That would be 11. I forgot about the 6th we traded to Det. So we would have 10 picks I guess.
9. You included the move for Bam Bam
I think Miles Killebrew is a freak athlete. He’s versatile, good St’s player, high character kid, I luke him. Knows how to hit luke an NFL guy. Brings his body with him and uses his legs. I really like the kid. He might be the highest drafted small school player this year.
Great offseason plan, Trevor! That’s a lot of improvement. Hope JSPC do it.
Trevor, does your scenario leave dangerous holes at CB? I am all for cutting Cary Williams, but who replaces him? Simon? Tye Smith? A 5th round corner would not be starting caliber. And there is still a hole in the slot, unless we expect Lane to be 100%.
I think the LOB has suffered this season from not only a dropff from Quinn to K. Richard, but the slot and Cary,which has forced the rest of the LOB to compensate. I believe some of Sherman’s lesser performance has been because he has been forced to extra damage control.
Bottom line, they need a reliable lockdown corner opposite Sherman. I think a veteran.
Yeah they need to address the corner spot. My thoughts were Simon but I am not sure he will stay healthy. Definitely an area that needs to be addressed unless Ty Smith steps up.
Just great, according to an ESPN article, the 2009 Neon/Lime Green Seahawks alt Jersey was the worst of all time. I’m not sure, the green or red ones from earlier this year in the first “color” TNF were much worse in my opinion. I think the author bought one of them with Curry’s #59 on it.
What games / prospects should we be checking out today?
Ohio St vs Michigan St
LSU vs Ole Miss
TCU vs Oklahoma
Cal vs Stanford
Rob, if Okung/Sweezy/Mebane/Kearse/Lynch/Williams/Graham ($33 million total) go, would the Hawks have room for all of these moves:
Resign Irvin
Resign Tukuafu
Resign Shead
Extend Avril
Extend Bennett
Sign Mack
Sign Boone
If not, what else would need to be done, or would just not resigning Irvin make everything else possible.
I only put Graham there, because if the offense stays intact, you can’t pay a TE that you can’t utilize correctly $10 million.
Why would you extend Avril? They just re-signed him. Might as well extend KJ too.
A little late to the party, but this an interesting article on Graham:
http://overthecap.com/can-jimmy-graham-be-fixed/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=seattle-seahawks
That was a good read! The statistics on the red-zone targets to Graham capture what is wrong with the Seahawks offense right now. Like Jason Fitzgerald said:
“There is really no explanation for the lack of use inside the 20s. That is completely on Seattle and their offensive coordinator for not maximizing the use of their best receiver. They should probably consider passing a bit more in other situations as well to make use of him.”
At least someone else in the sporting world is confirming what I have seen from the Seahawks offense to this point in the season. I do not think, however, that Seattle should trade away Graham after this season, because even despite his age I still think that they can get good production out of him for a few more years. The maestros on the offense need to adjust to Graham’s game. It just should not be this hard to dial up plays that are designed to optimize Jimmy’s skills. This is not to say that they should COMPLETELY tailor their offensive plans specifically for him, but why continue using a finish-hammer to break boulders. Graham is not a sledge-hammer, he is the finish-hammer that should be used to make the final product, the offense, look pristine; not like a chaotic mess slapped together by novices.
Keep an eye on #66 Jack Allen.
BYU DE Bronson Kaufusi has been unreal lately. Dude has a lot of Cash Marsh to his game.
Another Tukuafu going DEF & OFF, DE/TE?
Possibly. I mean, does he play TE or something, or are we speculating?
I see a legit, rotational DE in the NFL.
Versatility that can be tapped. He could be a good blkg TE as well. I hope he’s there @ Rd 5-6.
JAllen is the best player on the MSU OL. In fact, he’s probably the best player on offense for MSU today.
That’s why he’s a must get for the Hawks.
Jack Allen in R3-R4, I like-y. If they take a tackle high in R1, you want a player with a better kick slide, but that said, I thought Conklin held up pretty well against Bosa. He kind of bullied the bully in the second half.
https://vine.co/v/izzzWV110uE
Yup. That’s what I’m talking about! Quit messing with convert projects and get a kid that knows what he’s doing. That’s a pro style they run there in Sparta.
Whoo! Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche is a bad boy! Love this dude.
I have ahead of Bosa.
Love me some Nkemdiche. Only adds to my obsession.
I was having a think about our red zone struggles, and remembered a simple touchdown we scored against Kansas City.
Lynch and Tukuafu in the backfield on the 1 yard line, obviously we’re gonna run it.
Moeaki head up to the back corner and takes an easy catch unmarked.
Why would we not go back to it?
You need a blkg TE that would be viewed as a blocker in order for it to be pulled off. Bronson Kaufusi could pull it off.
Damn! Udub LB Travis Feeney hurt bad. Dude just ran a guy down from 80 yards out.
Very interested to see what TCU’s offense looks like without QB Trevon Boykin and WR Josh Doctson playing.
Hoping to see TCU WR Kolby Listenbee step up. Dude is pure speed. Might be one of the fastest (is that a word) players in the country. Reminds me of ‘Zona WR ‘Smoke’ Brown, but with more size.
Getting a sense/hunch that Seattle really likes one of the front 7 defenders on this ‘Bama squad. I mean, how could rhey not?
So I guess we are using this thread to talk college ball, lacking a Saturday open game thread?
I was watching the Michigan/Penn State game earlier and noticed the large number of Seniors on that squad. Their entire OL are seniors, excepting the LT. I tried to pay close attention to their C Graham Glasgow and their RT Ben Braden. Neither look like SPARQ heroes that will crash the combine, but they both just looked solid, which is something I think we need. Plus, they handled a pretty good Penn State DL that boasts some NFL talent. Any thoughts on these or other, copious Michigan seniors?
Seniors on the Michigan squad, to clarify.
Glasgow ain’t bad.
I realky like DT Chris Wormley. Great size, versatile, appears to be a good athlete.
Don’t really see much NFL talent this year for Michigan,
If you were watching the Michigan game, watch the TEs Michigan has… they are learning how to play in a pro style offense and can block and catch the ball. I would wager, Seattle might dip into the Michigan TE well at least once this upcoming draft.
That hit on the QB in the Oklahoma TCU game was disgusting.
Damn! Eric Striker and Charles Tapper are 2 difference makers. Real impressive.
Prosise out of the game with possible broken ankle
Why can’t SEA WRs make catches like Chris Brown just did?
Thomas Rhawls is Seriously Something!