Every Wednesday at 12pm PT I join Puck & Jim on KJR to talk Seahawks — and you can check out today’s segment below as we get into the latest topics. Shout out to Superior Linen for making it possible.
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Rob Staton
Hot topics
- Why the Seahawks are already facing a critical period under the new regime
- Instant reaction: Don’t be fooled, this was an embarrassing loss
- Curtis Allen’s week six watch-notes (vs San Francisco)
- Scouting notes week six: Eye-catching O-liners, a player the Seahawks might target, Luke Lachey notes, Cam Ward is what he is & more
- Video: 49ers preview with Puck Sports and an honest debate about the Seahawks after the Giants loss
So, when is the Plan Pony coming for Will Dissly?
Keep the cuts coming!!!!
Time to get TQBOTF!!!!
…it might be time to step back a bit…. The caps, exclamation points, and weird phrasing is getting a bit much.
These are guys that are losing their jobs and that we have been rooting for for a few years.
It’s good to be excited about additions to your favorite team. Even when they come in the form of subtraction
There is nothing wrong with being excited about seeing your philosophy finally rewarded, and the foolish fandom of others shown the door. This has been coming for a long time for smart football fans. It’s hard to not be excited. The days of grandfatherly sentimentality and caring about feelings is over. This is a good thing. If anything, the team need to be even more ruthless in their brutal excellence. Hopefully we all get another day of roster cut brilliance tomorrow.
There is getting excited and then over doing it: calling players worthless, getting excited for them (like Mone who was undrafted), cheering for MORE CUTS in all caps over and over and over, killing an old culture (bad choice of words), and just all of the over top terms.
I’m all for being excited. Just don’t be so over the top. Reel it in. Don’t over do it.
+1
I can’t get overly worked up about guys who have earned millions getting cut. I worry about the impoverished. I worry about people living in war zones. I worry about parents who lose children and children who lose parents. There are plenty of people who deserve our concern and empathy. These wealthy athletes are nowhere near that list, at least in my book.
Not quite sure the two thoughts are linked to being in the same conversation….
Si Senior.
This is why I feel it ok to be very happy about this all. It’s just sports and rich people. You do not win or succeed in the land of rich business without being as cut throat and careless about feelings as possible. Caring about feelings and happiness is how you lose.
I think you’re missing the point about the role ‘feelings’ play both for management and players. Players play hard because they love the game and cherish their relationship with their teammates. Why else would they put their health and even lives on the field 17 games? Management gets a ‘feeling’ for who might be able to step into the culture and be successful. PC cared about his players. That was both a benefit but also a problem especially the past 5 years. I get that, but take a step away from ruthlessness. Seems more like cut-throat capitalism you’re espousing instead of football with human beings involved.
Yes, cut throat capitalism is how true elites succeed in today’s business world. I am not saying it’s fair or right. But it’s how the winners win. Just look at top tech mogels like Musk. He isn’t nice. He doesn’t care about feelings. He isn’t “nice.” He just keeps winning and laughing all the way to the bank. Same for most successful politicians. Again I am not saying it’s good. But it’s reality. And if you want to win in a reap world, you can’t be nice. Seattle have been the nicest organization in all of football for decades. Nice may have won 20 years ago. Not in 2024. Not in the current culture of revenge on nice.
It’s pretty amazing to read through comments on other sites and see so many people bemoaning Diggs’ release. I’m thinking “have we been watching the same player?” Nick Bellore also has quite a dedicated fan base who don’t want to see him go. I struggle to see how a 35 year old special teamer is worth $4 million.
It’s because there are a handful of very vocal people online who have convinced a pool of Seahawks twitter they know what they’re talking about. And they really liked Diggs. Or, as far as I can tell, they felt he was fundamentally sound within the scheme
A fundamentally sound safety isn’t worth $21m for 2024
The Spider Y Banana backfill Dig cover he did that one game that no one could see on tape?
A work of art. Picasso could only dream of what Diggs did on that play.
Of course, they were gashed for a 19 yard run but what Diggs did? //chef’s kiss
The fact that you didn’t see that Rob is telling. You need to reach a higher level of football consciousness.
I’m literally LOLing
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ya but you don’t know ball….lol!
I am at the point where I am considering blocking that group. They think they are so much smarter than everyone else and immediately dismiss anyone who brings up legitimate counterpoints.
Which site are you referencing?
Twitter.
Elon Must changed it to X. I think a lot of people have not realized this as they still call it Twitter. There is no more “Seahawks Twitter.” It is now “Seahawks X”. Or maybe we need to refer to them as SeahawX. LOL.
You see a lot of the same dumpster fire low IQ garbage on Seahawks sub reddit too.
You only say that because you don’t know ball
I just ignore it
Best way to ignore it is to act like those sights do not exist and only discourse with intelligence on SDB and Rob Staton’s YouTube comments. You will never get through to the randos on X, FB, Instagram, or Reddit.
Amen! Social media often amplifies the worst and most blinkered people for almost anything these days.
People upset by the Diggs release just have to be upset. He was overpaid for his lack of performance point blank period. If people want to see improvement, you can’t overpay for underperformers.
Nick Bellore is a curious case for me. He is a special teams captain and that leadership/energy is a big deal. From the standpoint of a meh fullback and linebacker making $4 million, I think we can find a younger/hungrier guy to lead and inspire much cheaper!
This fanbase in general (excluding this site of course) is pretty low IQ with their takes and football knowledge. They get overly attached to medicore players and because they “Pete’s guys”. Its likely a cultural thing in Seattle that you see this sort of mentality, it applies to other areas too outside of sports and Seahawks.
Mariners 116 wins in 2001!!
Exactly. It’s like 1 big giant copium fest.
“We’re doing the fanbase a favor. Our goal is to win 54% of games.”
– Jerry Dipoto
If we are going to bemoan the IQ of the fanbase then best not include this quote…It contradicts the notion of having high sports knowledge…Just saying.
“You gotta love these guys!”
Which is why I’m so hoping to see Seattle football go the other direction. When teams get overly sentimental with their players and messaging to fans, it’s a sign of them covering up for deficiencies elsewhere. Many teams rather focus on feel good stories and personalities and social media posts and memes, as opposed to spend the real money on winning. Sorry, no more Mariners mindset for Seattle football!
Don’t worry, we’re not special. Pretty much every fanbase has the same low IQ takes. We just SEE the ones for the Seahawks. Social media is a dumpster fire all the way around.
Hmm dunno about that, sure every fanbase has their low IQ fart huffers, but it’s definitely more prevalent in Seattle teams than other fanbases from my own observation. When I venture into other teams sub reddits, theres not an overwhelming sense of being so attached to mediciority like there is in Seattle.
Mediocrity may be our particular issue, but every fan base has it’s low oxygen takes. Don’t believe me, go wade into a Cowboys or Niners site. It’s different, but the same.
Every reply to this was clearly written by non-football people….
Currently on watch to see where Diggs ends up on certain people’s FA ranking for Safeties.
Rob,
Great work. I particularly like your viewpoints on Leonard Williams, Jordyn Brooks and Geno Stone. I previously had a very similar mindset that Leonard Williams was a must re-sign, but I also agree that it can’t be at any cost. The hope is that the new leadership has convinced him that he could be a big part of this teams future and that he doesn’t break the bank. Similar to Jordyn Brooks. Give him the opportunity to make money. Stone while impressive last year is not someone to make a big investment in either.
I am interested to see what happens at Tight End. I agree that Schultz’s deal has set the market and Fant would probably get offers north of $10M/annually. Not sure what Parkinson’s market looks like.
Looking forward to seeing what happens with Lewis, Lockett, Fant, Wagner.
HOPE FULLY 2 CUTS, 1 CUT, 1 RESIGN.
I spelled that out bad… of the 4:
1-keep
1-re sign
2-dont bring back
Cut 1 resign 2
Hayden Hurst released in Carolina. Paths likely crossed MM in Baltimore a few years ago.
For once I’m really excited about day one of free agency frenzy!
Could we make a move for someone we’ve not considered?
I would recommend not getting too excited in the early part of free agency. Even though they’ve cleared a fair amount of cap room, they’re not swimming in money. I don’t think you’re going to see a big name signing. I think they’ll sign several guys, particularly a LB or two and maybe a G or S a ways into the window. But who knows, just my opinion. Maybe they do go big.
Yep. As I believe Rob has noted pretty recently, the big splashy free agents are rarely a success. It’s the guys who cost less and allow you to fill the holes on your roster that bring success.
Rob been thinking about your article on the Hawks moving up to take a QB. At first I dismissed it and thought a trade back to take Pennix was more likely.
The more I think about it though the more it makes sense. If they do Mcarthy or Maye seem like the target. Maye more the JS prototype but Mcarthy seems to have the it factor and if Harbaugh really loves him as much as he said that has to have some impact on how McDonald views him.
Would cost a ton to move to 3 and I think the Patriots will take Maye or Daniels.
Cardinals at 4 likely take Harrison and would not want to trade in the division.
So the Chargers at 5 seems the most likely spot. Thier biggest needs at RT and a playmaker. Both options will be there at 16 for them if they trade back. Hawks give up 16 and a 1st in 2025 and 2026 to move up in front of Giants and take McCarthy. Trade Geno on Day 2 for a 4th round pick to the Raiders or another team like that.
#1 Bears – Caleb Williams
#2 Commanders – Jayden Daniels
#3 Patriots – Drake Maye
#4 Cardinals – Marvin Harrison
#5 Seahawks – JJ Mcarthy
#6 Giants – Rome Odunze
#7 Titans – Joe Alt
#8 Falcons – Dallas Turner
#9 Bears -Malik Nabors
#10 Jets -Talise Fuaga
#11 Vikings – Jaded Verse
#12 Broncos- Nix
#13 Raiders – Pennix
#14 Saints- Amarius Mimms
#15 Colts – Quinyon Mitchell
#16 Chargers – Troy Fautanu
Not sure it’s what I would do but that’s an option I could see playing out.
My 2 cents and I’ve been wrong about plenty of QB’s, but I hate it. Would much rather your original idea of trading down and getting Penix, or even staying put for him.
I understand and appreciate the discussion Rob has presented regarding a ‘would they’ move up scenario. When I think about three 1st round picks for McCarthy, all I can see is the Trey Lance debacle.
But as Rob clearly explains, we need TQBOTF! It’s time to make a bold move for one! Who cares about future picks when you have TQBOTF! This is why this site is the superior place for Seattle football discourse. Because most people understand TQBOTF is the most important thing holding Seattle back. That and overly sentimental fan thinking about old Pete players.
Jethro and Joel Were a Troll….and so are you.
You can feel free to disagree. But calling those you fisagree with a troll is like when Seahawks X calls you a bot bevause they disagree with you. Veru small minded and not forward thinking. It does not make me wrong for being happy to get past the old culture which iw very important. It is why Seattle have not won a playoff game in almost a decade now. That and ignoring TQBOTF. And trading away valuable draft picks for mediocre players. And overpaying meh role players because we liked them as people. I just very much hope all of the bad contracts were all Pete, and not some of them on Schnieder. Because if he did help Pete on some of them, there is fear he will continue. Here’s to Mike Big Mac teaching him the Baltimore way!
No, I don’t disagree with everything you said, just how you go about it. I think you’re Trolling: espousing opinions you don’t believe to mock folks.
If not, it sure smells like it to me…but whatever floats yer boat.
+1
+2 – usually love reading the comments on this site (almost as much as the content) but IH is sucking the life out of it.
We all get your point and probably all agree with it to some degree, we don’t need to hear that same point over and over again
+3
Ian – Please share your unsurpassed football IQ and let us know who you would select to be the annointed
QBOTF. And, while you are at it, help an old, sentimental Seahawks fan understand the wisdom of your statement that, “Who cares about future picks when you have ‘QBOTF’ “.
I wouldn’t put too much stock into what Harbaugh says, he was his QB, of course he’s going to go to bat for him and proclaim him (absurdly) the best QB of the draft..
Yeah…loved him so much that he didn’t want to use him….
Listened to Millen today before Rob and made me smile that he cribbed my notes.
Basically asking how can you evaluate a qb who threw for 143 yards a game against his toughest opponents.
Ryan Leaf was surprisingly negative about him too. And Caleb Williams. And really anyone not named Michael Penix. Basically said that he couldn’t choose McCarthy very when the team didn’t even need him/was interchangeable.
But then again he was fine taking Hooker as a top 5 pick last year.
I think the mccarthy doubters can take that as a win. That’s been a thought of mine.
Maybe he’s amazing. I’ve not really paid attention to qbs more than a few years now.
He’s getting a lot of run and deflection about plays in a system, unselfish, etc,
Stanford was an even better team running the ball and Luck threw it.
Feels like stuff like that should matter more than a lot of the intangibles are this year.
And Leaf loves a great arm. And penix has that.
I think there’s an increasingly strong chance the Patriots trade out of #3
I also think there’s an increasingly strong chance Fautanu won’t last to #16
Looking at this list, I’m also quite jealous of the team with the #5 pick THIS year. I love Spoon and love the fact that he’s a Hawk, so no knock on him.
That said, I was watching WR’s last night and couldn’t help but watch Odunze… That guy is going to be an absolute stud. If he goes #5 to the Chargers, I think he’ll be setting records before we know it. DK, JSN and Rome… man oh man, how sweet would that be?
https://x.com/MikeDugar/status/1765480281958760520?s=20
This just totally screams “I really hope Quandre will put me on his Christmas card list next year! Please like me, please!” Totally pathetic look from Seattle media
Seattle media in general is pathetic.
Michael-Shawn lol enough said
I don’t know anything about his other tweets but he is has a point here. JS did sign off on these deals.
He didn’t sign off on anything if he had no say in it, as the person not with full personnel control
Correct. These were all clearly Pete created problems. He was the one who was overly sentimental and concerned with being nice and caring about his players. And of course his “culture” of positivity and “always compete” blah blah blah. It’s safe to see what happened. Pete allowed his old man emotions and “feelings” to let his players take advantage of him. How do you explain huge contracts for ho hum who cares players such as Dissly, Mone, Bellore, Diggs, and Wagner. Grandpa Pete was senile, and let his players dupe him out of his money like some African Prince scam on the internet. All the time, ignoring TQBOTF. Criminal.
Even if he signed off on it, Diggs didn’t play well enough to justify the money (IMO).
Between Dugar, Gee Scott, Corbin Smith, most of the “710” media group and the usual suspects on Twitter, it’s become apparent that the Pete cult of personality, which trickles down to his “favorite” players still on the roster (or recently released) will be with us until Macdonald’s success reaches a certain apex, which is as of yet undetermined.
Hoping we can start to make noise in the playoffs starting 2025 because dealing peacefully with these folks that insist on labeling anyone with an alternate view a “hater” for more than another couple of seasons will be a Herculean task.
Ignore them. Those guys don’t bother me in the least. I’ve been called a hater because I’ve not sung the praises of certain players. I respond that we’re each entitled to an opinion and disagreement is in no way, shape or form “hate”. It’s simply a different assessment of a player.
I managed to get kicked out of Seaside Joe for expressing disdain for the Williams trade. It pissed some guys off who had pull with Kenneth. He now talks about how his community is a place where everyone gets to have an opinion but actions speak louder than words. You can disagree there but only to a point. In particular, don’t disagree with Kenneth.
I got banned on seahawks net by Kenneth years ago, all I did was suggest that he proofread before hitting enter and I provided several examples of garbage he posted. He didn’t take ANY criticism well. On top of that, he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, bordering on low functioning moron with a big ego.
I’d say you’re one of the lucky ones, Jim
Guess I am too then.
I don’t particularly miss Kenneth. I miss some of the fellas who posted there. It was a smallish community with, mostly, a nice camaraderie. Same is true here but it’s much larger so it takes longer to get to know other members.
That would seem to be evidence of a big ego covering over a deep insecurity. Which isn’t a criticism. Truth be told, we’re all insecure. Arrogance is an ineffective strategy for hiding it. My policy is to do my best to just be honest. Like anyone, I have blind spots. But I try to see my weaknesses and own them.
Spoke briefly to a group of colleagues this morning. I was nervous. I don’t know if it showed but I forgot some of the points I wanted to make. That was my insecurity. Tomorrow, when I present again, I’ll bring notes and, if it’s awkward to reference them, I’ll just say I forgot to make all my points yesterday so this time I’m playing it safe.
I don’t litigate anymore. But when I did, if someone wasn’t a little anxious on the witness stand, particularly if it was their case, which means a stranger in a black robe holds all this power over their lives and future, I worried about those folks who didn’t seem unsteady. It quickly became clear that healthy people are anxious at times like that. Those who spoke with perfect confidence were often narcissist or sociopaths. It’s not normal to have no fear or insecurity. If there’s an exception, it’s those with lots of experience testifying. Been there, done that — eventually it make get easier.
I imagine that when Rob’s going on air, he may have jitters. If not, he probably once did. I’m actually fine on the phone because I do it all the time. Standing physically in front of people is something I still find a bit challenging. I once thought it might eventually get easy. It’s gotten easier but I’m 60, with plans to retire in a few years, so I don’t expect to necessarily get there.
I generally agree, but I will say, Salk has been pretty on point with Rob’s opinions of late. i.e. Pete needed to go; both safeties needed to go; focus on the OL/DL; Geno may be traded…..
Seattle media, especially on X, are way too sentimental. As if being nice makes your journalism better. This is not the nice Olympics. It’s football reporting. Focus on the facts and stats.
I’ve often wondered if it’s Seattle culture, which in a lot of ways is similar to the upper Midwest. “Minnesota nice” transplanted. Of course media plays the access game too.
It’s definitely a culture thing no doubt about it.
Certain people, like MSD, like to pal around with players and think they’re objected, yet connected with the team. That’s not journalism. That being a fanboy.
I have yet to ever read a full article, or watch his shitty podcast, of his. Waste of time.
Fanboy and a stenographer.
John and his peoples. Smh.
His peoples = Pete carrol.
Msd and some of the other mouthpieces are really having a hard time with all this change.
If I am looking at things with a 2 to 4+ year window, I wonder about the approach in FA and truly setting themselves up for the best position in 2025.
Next year, our FA list is Love and Reed. That’s it. This year, we have Leonard Williams (3-4), Fant (4-5), Brooks (5), Lock/Brown/DT/Lewis/Parkinson/etc (6-7). Parenthesis are comp pick ranges. If they want to pile on 2024 picks, this is one way to do it.
Last year the Jags lost 4 guys to FA and didn’t sign any that counted against the comp pick calculation. They added a 3,6,7,7 and I could see us getting something similar (maybe 3,4,5,6 best case).
Cowboys did the same thing and lost 3 guys w/o signing anyone in the comp pick window. They netted 5,6,7.
Eagles – same thing. They got 3,5,5,5.
Packers – same thing. They got 5,6,7,7
Rams – same thing. They got 5,6,6,6
No FA are going to make us contenders this year. I hope they can take a page out of these teams book (that I’ve been begging for for years) and quit spending on average Joe’s during the comp pick window. Notice all of these teams were in the playoffs who managed to lose 5 of 6 to end the year.
These are contending teams that can manage to avoid early FA. In a year where we are slashing payroll, why not also see if we can FINALLY take advantage of the comp pick system. By the looks of 2025, we won’t have any FA who even qualify.
Side benefit. We save a lot of money and get to roll the cap to 2025 (when we dgaf about comp picks) and can spend away.
*Notice all of these teams were in the playoffs EXCEPT THE JAGS who managed to lose 5 of 6 to end the year.
The only problem with that strategy is the Hawks are completely without linebackers and mostly without tight ends and I don’t think we can fill all those holes in the draft. And strictly using the draft to fill holes gets you LJ Collier and Malik McDowell.
Sure, but we don’t have to sign the very best either. They just have to not be signed until May. Look at the flurry of moves from the teams above on the day after the comp pick window closed. They are absolutely gaming the system and we aren’t.
Jags: 5/1/23 – Signed DL Jayson Ademilola, LB D.J. Coleman, WRs Elijah Cooks and Oliver Martin, TE Leonard Taylor , CBs Kaleb Hayes, Jordan Jones and Divaad Wilson, LBs Dequan Jackson and Matthew Jackson and OL Samuel Jackson, Waived S Tyree Gillespie and OL Jimmy Murray.
Rams: 5/1/23 – Signed ILBs Kelechi Anyalebechi, Deandre Square, Jaiden Woodbey and Ryan Smenda, K Tanner Brown, CBs Timarcus Davis, Cameron McCutcheon and Tyon Davis, Ss Collin Duncan, Quindell Johnson, Rashad Torrence and Tanner Ingle, K Christopher Dunn, RB Tiyon Evans, WRs Tyler Hudson, Xavier Smith and Sam Jones, OLB Matthew Jester, OCs Sean Maginn and Mike Mcallister, TE Christian Sims, LS Alex Ward, and QB Dresser Winn.
You get the idea. The other teams look the same.
Sure they aren’t the big names, but how much different are they from guys like: Tanner Muse, Artie Burns, John Rattigan, Bryan Mone, Penny Hart, John Reid, Sidney Jones, Dakoda Shipley, Kyle Fuller & Joel Iyiegbuniwe?
Because those are all names of guys we signed between March 10-19 of 2022.
You play a very dangerous game waiting until May to try and start filling starting and key depth roles on your roster. That feels extremely unrealistic
Only if you feel the need to win now. I’d rather build for the future.
Well, how many of the Jags or Rams players mattered? Jags sucked.
Ours were no great shakes either though. I thought Reid deserved a better shot, and Artie Burns. Mone was a pretty decent player, getting better, and then…the injury.
Playing the Comp pick game is complicated. Ravens do it best, but how many Comp picks have done well? They haven’t gone to the SB either, so it’s all for naught…
Both of the Rams starting corners and their starting FS were comp picks from the 2022 draft.
My argument is that none of these guys matter much. In a lot of cases with our team, I feel they’ve been detrimental. Preventing rookies from getting time, frittering away cap, tacking on dead cap money and nullifying comp picks.
Look at the Rams over the last 3-4 years and I think you’ll see that they are quietly working the comp pick system better than the Ravens or anyone else. 4 picks every year and only one FA signed in the window in the last 3 years. Then right below them is us. No picks earned since 2020, but a whole bunch of did-nothing FA’s that cancelled ours.
https://overthecap.com/compensatory-picks
Rams, Eagles, Cowboys, Packers and Jags all played that game last year and seemed to do okay. Those 5 teams all sat out FA until May 1 and netted 19 comp picks between them.
The Rams (lowest starting expectations) started a rookie LG (avilla) and a former 7th round pick (Tremayne Anchrum) at RG. A 5th round rookie WR (Puka). Their starting corners were second year players that they’d taken in the 4th and 6th round. Starting safeties were another 2nd year player taken in the 7th round and a 4th year player they drafted in the 6th round a couple of years prior.
It’s basically like us starting Olu, Bradford, Jerrick Reed and Young with a rookie LB, maybe Devin Bush, with Hayden Hurst and a rookie TE. The only ‘threat’ to this would be not getting Bush or Hurst. There are 45 free agent TE’s who were on an NFL roster last year. Some of them will be available on May 1. There are another 25 FA LB’s who played 50+% of snaps for a team last year.
We’ve been wanting to see what the young guys can do. I hope they finally give it a shot, rather than rush out to sign rookie-blocking FA’s like Mayowa, Irvin, BJ Finney, Greg Olsen, Mike Iupati, etc.
The Rams have done this exact thing for 3 years straight, where they have netted 4 comp picks by not signing anyone until after the deadline. The exception was in 2023 when they signed Allen Robinson, but still netted four picks.
ONE pre-May1st FA signing in 3 years and they’ve kicked our butts throughout. The most amazing thing, is they didn’t even have to do it in 2022 or 2024 because of the Rooney rule (of course they couldn’t know that during FA). It is most definitely a feature of their roster building and not a bug though.
I hear you… it sounds a bit out there. When I look at where we are and how much a couple of FA’s move the needle though… along with the idea of heading into the season with $20-$30M in cap space that we could potentially roll over? You don’t want to be spending every dollar when you aren’t in your championship window.
This just feels like a year where some of our FA’s could actually find a market and we aren’t trying to ‘go for it’ in 2024.
I love this idea. I’d much rather see the Hawks get right side up on the cap, clear out the dead cap hits, and create a surplus. Then, add some comp picks as you’ve suggested. Punt 2024.
I don’t see anything but a win-win. There can be some roster churn to unearth some hidden gems. They can see what their young guys can do with more playing time. And, if they lose, they have a better draft position for their native picks next year to go with more cap space and the added comp pick.
Great points there Brodie. They have all gotten a few jems from those later picks as well.
Thanks. I didn’t realize until today how effective LAR have been with this.
Apart from Allen Robinson, they haven’t made a FA acquisition before the May1 deadline in 3 years.
3/4 of their secondary were comp picks. This just feels like the year to try something new, or at the very least explore every avenue for team building.
Guess who else was a comp pick? Puka
It’s definitely interesting, cool digging you did. I think there’s a chance this route is taken. Or at least partially.
As Rob has brought up, a number of key players for Ravens came late in the offseason last year.
My preference and expectation has been for an active offseason, but it doesn’t have be active in the early waves…
Thanks. It turned out to be quite the rabbit hole. It feels like an opportunity that John will want to take advantage of – again, within reason. Try to target a few picks every year.
Once you start the pipeline, it seems like it becomes easier to repeat the process. Imagine going into every April with 10-11 picks. We just have never started. Coupled with our trading away of picks, we’ve been hamstringing our drafts for years (RW compensation being the outlier).
This would be fine if there weren’t gaping holes on the roster
You have to actually be able to field a team
Yeah my point is this year anyway, the Hawks need to fill most holes via FA so draft is hopefully BPA.
John may see it that way. It has been that way for years. I’m proposing that maybe there is another way to look at it. I don’t think anyone we sign in FA would prevent us from taking BPA even if it was a position we had covered.
We took Spoon and JSN when CB and WR weren’t considered holes. Same with Charbonnet and Hall. We even drafted a safety with Adams, Diggs and Love under contract.
I’ll admit that it may make position of need feel more pressing. Filling holes with JAGS to avoid that feels like what we’ve been doing for quite awhile. I’m not so sure that the delta from a middle-of-the-road hole-filler in March to the best FA available in May is all that much.
But does it really making how good next year’s team is?? Isn’t a rebuild and cultural cleansing much more important? I think it would be OK being bad for a couple years. You get much more high valuable draft picks going this route. This is what has doomed Seattle for years. Pete was just good enough to keep Seattle from ever getting any good draft picks. It was forever of drafting in the 20s followed by a few years of drafting in the teens. If you look at all of the top clubs such as SF they benefitted greater by having truly bad years so as to acquire high picks which they then used on star talent. The more I consider options, the more I would like to cut as much fat as possible and acquire as much comp picks as possible. If you can do that AND acquire TQBOTF either this year or next, it will be mission accomplished. We should much rather build a team capable of winning it all than being decent and competitive in the meantime.
Then you waste the last two year’s draft classes. And a team that was somewhat close to playoff contention. And the good players that we do have.
You’re acting like there is literal cancer on the team. You still have to be able to sign players. You still need to see what the new coaches can do with certain players already on the team. You can’t just cut everyone and tank for 4 years and start over from the ground up. It’s a balance.
And then the players have to work out too….
In all likelihood the past two years drafts were kind of wasted as soon as they were turned in and selected – because we still had Pete at the helm and his ‘ways’ put us in a good sized hole roster, cap and even culture wise with him being tuned out(by anyone with half a brain by the end of it all). Obviously we can 2nd contract the better guys but rookie pay scale wise to making a deep playoff push? Yeah the past couple drafts are’nt going to provide that.
The worst parts of it to me are the wasted/poor draft picks because you can reset a culture and fix the cap in fairly short order but when you trade away valuable picks for poor returns and pick either poor players or unwise position choices (cough, cough RB early frequently) and waste picks and create a poor and/or badly constructed roster it can take a longer more difficult route to try to fix.
It may be possible for our Hawks to right the ship trying to toe the line if they play things super smart and most everything falls in our favor and we hit great in the draft for a few years(including finding a QB) but imo it might be better to semi-tank for a year or two to make big gains in cap and higher draft picks(although I don’t believe they will go this route at all).
I believe there could be a plausible way to do it : we all pretty much agree that a QB is key in the nfl, so build your roster up with better and better talent through the draft and occasional longer term key free agents signings for like 2 years while playing a QB that isn’t even Geno level – liiike Lock or some other a little below average guy. Don’t feel you have to spend all of your cap, stack it up unless a really great free or two catch your fancy and you sign them longer term. Get better picks and stay within better striking distance of trading up for a QB you really like(or luck into an even worse season than expected and be drafting top 3 ish).
Sir, I suspect you are using AI and feeding it portions of comments from this blog, and this is the result. It’s actually kind of funny, if simplistic and deliberately missing the point.
You are Taking The Piss.
Don’t you have better things to do? Like buy Carrols used bubblegum off eBay?
I was kind of thinking the same thing.
My main hope is just that they make an effort to play the comp pick game. The biggest holes (FA could address) are TE and ILB currently. DT if Williams goes.
My contention is that Colby Parkinson (won’t count against comps), Tyler Kroft, Adam Trautman or two of the 45 FA’s still available in May is fine. How much more are we going to get from Fant, Gesicki or the like?
I see a similar landscape for ILB. Lavonte David is old, Devin White lost his job, Isaiah Simmons has been a bust, ditto Devin Bush. Queen will cost a fortune… The best options I see are bringing Brooks back or maybe Frankie Luvu or Willie Gay Jr.
Sure grab a cheap vet, but I’d much rather take a couple of bat-out-of-hell 22 year-olds. There are 19 guys on your big board at ILB. Let MM pick a pair and turn them loose.
The Ravens picked up John Simpson after being cut by the Raiders. They threw him on the practice squad for a year and then brought him up. He played more snaps than Damien Lewis, was graded better, cost $1M and is now going to sign somewhere and bring them back yet another comp pick.
You can’t find these guys by re-treading 31 year old vets who have been in the league for 8 seasons at $6.5M/year. Go with a Tylan Grable, Mason McCormick, Dylan McMahon or Trevor Keegan at Guard in the mid-rounds and start em. Spend up on Zak Zinter, Cooper Beebe or Graham Barton. If they stink up the joint, pivot and re-assess.
Get some dogs that have been overlooked and would do anything for one shot. Some Doug Baldwin types who are going to carry a chip on their shoulder for years. You aren’t going to find gold in the thrift shop. You have to get in the mud and the muck and be okay with striking out over and over.
We can have this approach, while also passing (within reason) on these FA’s who don’t move the needle. Giving guys like Luke Joeckel $8M on day one of FA because he was once a 1st rounder hasn’t been a recipe for success.
I’ll end with this, as part of the reason I’m getting excited about this idea was in finding out that a number of other teams have been employing this strategy for years. Recently there have been a number of teams (both bad and good) who have not added a single player who has counted against the comp formula – either by waiting until May or doing low-value deals that don’t factor in. Here is the list:
2024: Jags, Chargers, Cowboys, Eagles, Packers, Rams
2023: Pats, Cowboys, Washington, Cardinals *5 other teams signed only one player
2022: Packers, Saints, Rams, Bucs
In the last 4 years, there have been 128 comp picks awarded and we’ve received zero. I just hope that can change.
Apologies. I don’t realize how much I’m writing until I hit ‘post’ and then see the wall of text.
Don’t apologize. You’re crushing it. That stat about no comp picks in four years is an eye opener.
Let JS do what he does best,— find day 3 gems.
So is the “and more” part of the headline the story of your poor dog? Great stuff as usual.
“More more more!” should the SDB motto. LOL.
Give us more! We deserve it! We have been waiting for this for YEARS! Cut cut cut until all of the entitled overpaid fat is gone. Then do what it takes to get TQBOTF and actually start a real rebuild. No more half measures!
Leverage, Leeee-verage, Lee-ver-Edge….
I’m starting to get some clarity on my feelings about the QB choices for the Seahawks this upcoming year… with songs…
Running it back with Geno, no QB … Mad World – the saddest version
Team somehow lands Daniels …. Glitter & Gold
Team trades up for Maye … the Sound of Silence
Team trades up for McCarthy … Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: II. Prélude In C-Sharp Minor: Lento (my kids said they expect me to go full Fuhrer in the Bunker if this happens)
Team trades up for Penix … The Show Goes On – Lupe Fiasco
Team stays at 16 and picks Penix … The Good Life – G-Easy
Team trades down and lands Penix … Lose yourself – Eminem
Rattler – Who you are by Jessie J
Anyone else after round 4 won’t move the needle, but I would raise an eyebrow for Travis.
This post just reminded me that we don’t have to be driven mad another year with grandpa Pete’s “draft clues” on X. Thank the heavens. Having to watch the dopes on X think they actually meant something and trying to “crack the code” was the more interminable nonsense imaginable. No more! I bet you Big Mike Mac won’t even post on X during the draft as he will be focused on inacting his vision in the war room. Not joke with fans on X.
He’ll be taking it to the streets
LOL
The Pete bashing is a little much. Yes, we needed a change in direction, but using pejoratives like “grandpa” and calling him “senile” is unnecessary and over the top.
I say he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He was, in some ways, a different man in 2010. Comparing his first Seattle press conference to his last is a shock. He came in HUNGRY. I’ve never thought him a smart analyst or strategist but he was at least really focused back then.
Like most things??
I’m old so I prefer Who Are You? by The Who
Good post
FA matchmaker QBs:
Cousins to Falcons
RW to Giants (low-key to Bears)
Zach Wilson traded to Vikes for peanuts, they also sign Flacco
Fields traded to the Saints for Peanuts
Dobbs signed by the Patriots
Baker back to Tampa
Lock back to the Seahawks to compete with QBotF and Smith (cause there is a non-zero chance Smith is traded this summer).
Did I miss anything of note?
I think Lock is going to get an opportunity to start somewhere. At the very least he will get a qb camp battle.
There’s a chance. But Careful What You Wish For, just like Rashad Penny leaving for Philly….I’d dump Geno for Lock in a heartbeat. Geno hesitates and folds like a deck of cards…Lock at least makes decisions, even if he throws too many picks. He’s young still, and Geno ain’t.
Agreed. It makes too much sense to not happen. Again, why I’m so annoyed at Schneider bungling Geno’s bonuses.
Not a chance Lock will start anywhere apart from here.
RW to Giants is an interesting one. Russ likes the big stage and they are apparently done with Daniel Jones. If he really is willing to go for vet minimum, he would easily beat out Jones imo.
I think Russell might prefer a more “ready-made” team though like ATL/MIN/PIT
Russ might not have the luxury to choose…
Daboll isn’t doing that
Neither will Russ
Lance is apparently the one to watch for Minnesota not ZW
Russ to Giants isn’t a fit, neither party will be interested in that
Lance? I guess that makes as much sense as ZW. KOC wants to prove he is better than Shanny.
Maybe I’m perceiving Daboll’s job security and desperarion wrongly. I think RW is off his own reservation, would be wooed by the bright lights of NYC – direct competition with ARodg.
Otherwise he is looking at Pit (maybe not starter, offense that doesn’t suit him), Vegas (running with AOC I think), NO (team is a mess, cant see them wanting to add RW), or places where he’d have to accept being the bridge.
Russ and Daboll aren’t a fit — I heard that as much during the trade saga
I’m not seeing it with McCarthy. Will Levis was a better prospect coming into the league than McCarthy, and it’s not really close for me, but Levis lasted until R2, so I the idea that McCarthy is some world beater that Levis was not and is going to be drafted top 5 is nonsense.
Ah, but McCarthy gives good interview, whereas Levis likes mayo in his coffee.
(McCarthy looks like he drinks decaf)
For that reason alone I wouldn’t even consider him. I been going off on people drinking decaf for 30 years. I’ve almost lost some friends over it.
Decaf drinkers truly are the scourge of humanity
Maybe Jamal is decaf drinker? Oh well, he’s not our headache anymore!!
He probably had a decaf iced caramel Frappuccino in that cup he always had.
Agree geoff. What’s the point?
It’s not a nonsense
I don’t rate McCarthy’s tape either
But it’s very possible he goes top five still
I’m trying to convince myself that he goes #2 nd the Patriots love getting those extra 2 firsts from us.
Also relevant, Prez trade was an overpay, but how many would feel giving up the same package for Daniels would be? Or for Herbert (at the time)
Looks like the Mone cut has happened
Link:
https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-release-nose-tackle-bryan-mone?fbclid=IwAR0ZQ6JkkLSvO6pePtCigqhUUkO9xZy7VSAQOwFamoIFv0j2VKreSivetHE_aem_AZkcXatTKAimpyiqZV_3ttZuDojbLDmw34CMb9uCFIvTF_Fgy2Dd5RCT0JnoP2cXz74
You were looking so tired the other night. I was concerned. When I look like that, my wife pleads with me to go to sleep. So sorry about your dog’s bowels. You really went above and beyond the call of duty this last weekend.
Not worried about the except at QB. I have complete confidence in JS, Mike MacDonald, and Ray Grubb to find the right decisions when it comes to filling out the roster. Except for the most important decision(QB).
I believe it was 2016 where the Rams went up from 15 all the way to the top shot in the entire draft . So my advice is to do what ever is needed to find your franchise QB, Even if the price is going to be high.
Agreed. Whether the cost is multiple future picks or a couple terrible seasons. I do not care. You will accomplish nothing without finally finding TQBOTF.
In relation to the posts above about having bad seasons for a couple of years to rebuild/culture cleanse etc.
I genuinely think Big Mac thinks there is enough in this team to make a play off push this year, despite all the upcoming changes and roster churn.
As people have already noted he won’t want to waste the last two draft cycles where we have taken some good players.
I certainly don’t think for one minute we are a 3-14 or 5-12 team for example.
Barring injury
Same for every team though to be fair.
This is the fallacy that Seattle can not fall prey to! This is what leads to the past few mediocrity hell seasons. All you get is playoff losses and mediocre draft position. The worst thing people can do today is let the 3rd wild card delude them into thinking they are a contender. 2/3 of playoff teams are not contenders at all. If Big Mac and Schneider are smart, they will not delude themselves like Grandpa Pete did for so long. When was the last time such a strategy led to a playoff win? We as Seattle fans used to be upset about 1 playoff win and nothing seasons. Then it only got worse! Focus on TQBOTF and getting high draft picks for star talent. I could care less about wild card round losses.
Rob, I am on tender hooks (whatever that means), to see your post combine horizontal board.
Will it be coming soon?
Yes, it is virtually complete. I need to watch a couple more games of two players to confirm gradings
Tenterhooks – first used for hanging and drying wool. Useful to understand the metaphor if you think of tent posts and the tension they are under (especially if you’ve tent camped without tents with tension rods).
Rob, you guys are quickly developing a nice chemistry on the segment. The runtime of 15 minutes or so is nice, too. I find myself looking forward to it each week already.
Thank you!
Love these. KJR needs a 2x speed feature.
I wish. I actually listen at 2.5x. Helps big time in getting through all the news in a timely and economical fashion. I don’t know how people listen to anything anything lower than 2. Any less sounds drunk or granda talk to me. 😆