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Rob Staton
Hot topics
- Scouting notes week seven: Quinn Ewers returns, Donovan Jackson & Iowa center impress again, TE’s excel and more
- 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
https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1386073/what-must-be-different-for-seahawks-in-2021-to-avoid-another-disappointing-finish/
Jake Heaps: ‘Seahawks need more grit, feistiness and to hit with more physicality. Also need to force more turnovers.’
Also Heaps: ‘Resigning Jamal Adams is a priority!’
//facepalm
Time to just accept that Adams is going to get extended, there is no way that Pete will trade him before seeing what he does when he’s healthy and plugged into this big nickel look against the division rivals. There is even less of a chance that Adams won’t make them pay to see it. Even if they don’t like what they see, someone under contract should be easier to trade at a loss.
But how many games will he be healthy for if he’s continued to be used as a 215 lb. blitzer?
Well they might as well resign him now with draft over. Otherwise he’ll be a headache. I’m guessing he’ll wait for Jets to resign Marcus Maye 1st though. Seahawks need to make up their fricking mind. Eithe was worth resigning or they should have traded him.
Meant as reply to Cha
2020 Jamal Adams was the equivalent of the Original Trilogy Boba Fett: Very cool, skilled, played up as a major character, and sold a lot of merchandise. While he has skill, it was more offscreen than onscreen and he had an ignominious end, being taken out by blind Han Solo.
The Hawks need 2021 Jamal Adams to be Mandalorian-series Boba Fett: Battered but unbroken, never shrinking from a fight and consistently demonstrating superior skills.
Yes we can just hope for that. Will super happy to be wrong, Adam behave like Tyler and be consistent good and make every dollar/draft pick worth.
In other words, he needs to be a BAMF/warrior.
He’s not imo.
Temuera Morrison is one of my favorite actors. Proud of his heritage, yet as nice a guy as can be. Met him in Wellington at a festival.
Jake the Muss. Holy crap what a performance.
One of my all time favorite movies. I don’t know how you can watch that with dry eyes.
Love those comparisons ^^
Is Russell Wilson Baby Yoda?
As I read these sentences by cha, I recognize that is is Indo-European in grammatical and morphological structure, and I see a few words I have seen before — fight, cool, merchandise etc. — but as for the rest … nada, zip, zero. Manda-what? 😂
Interesting talk about the rest of the NFC. Makes you really want to snag a few more of the FAs out there. I know the media keep saying the D-line is fixed, but with all the guys still out there, id want a few of them on the team. Same with wright and sherm. Can we admit its time to commit to wilson and restructure the contract to make this thing serious.
Like we say, no.
Not even close.
I think the Seahawks can get to the Super Bowl, but a lot of things have to fall their way. As is, they may have a slim chance, but they do not have nearly as good of a chance as teams like the Bucs, 49ers, Packers (with Rodgers), etc.
If the Hawks are going to reach the Super Bowl, most or all of the following need to happen:
1. Waldron needs to work magic with/for Wilson.
2. Eskridge needs to be the real deal, an impact rookie. He doesn’t need to be a great overall WR, but he needs to do what he does well at a high level.
3. The OL needs to stay healthy (mostly Brown, Jackson, and Lewis).
4. Carson needs to stay healthy all season (I need to buy a billion dollar winning lottery ticket, too) and Penny needs to finally show people he can stay healthy and why he was drafted over Nick Chubb.
5. They need reinforcements on the DL. No way in heck is this current group of DTs close to good enough. I love Ford and he does his part well – but the group as a whole is worrisome.
6. Jamal Adams needs to stay healthy and prove he was worth 194 draft picks and ten billion dollars.
7. Bobby Wagner needs to party like it’s 2018.
8. Overall, they need to be relatively healthy like they were heading into the playoffs this past year (and still got stomped).
The reality:
– Waldron will be under PC oversight, and RW needs to reinvent his game
– Eskridge struggles vs mediocre NFL corners
– Brown will play 50% of the time, Jacksons career will continue to slide into irrelevance
– Carson is injured late September at latest
– Penny will be out of the NFL end of next season
– The DL will come into living, but nowhere be one of the top 10 units; this time, the CB-corps will be the problem.
– Jamal Adams will continue in his hybrid-LB-S-role, and will cost us in coverage in 80% of his snaps. If we needed a player like him, JOK would have been the deal.
– Bwagz is one year distance from his career end (and he should ask himself, if retiring while being good instead of destroying his legacy ET3-style is worth it)
– Yeah, running the 100m in trials or making crazy workouts stuff is definitely the way to go.
Right, because this suggests that Waldron is completely under Pete’s thumb:
https://twitter.com/Joe_Fann/status/1356695259716063232
Also, we’ve never even seen Eskridge against mediocre NFL corners. What I can tell you with confidence is that he was toasting NFL-caliber DBs at the Senior Bowl. It’s a logical leap to say that he will struggle against mediocre NFL corners any more than rookie WRs usually do. And he can still impact this team in a very significant way even if he isn’t an instant game-wrecker come Week 1.
Barring a freak injury, the rest plan they have Duane Brown on now seemed to work well. Gabe Jackson is a solid starter – should be much improved at the guard spots as a whole simply because Iupati or Simmons is no longer even in consideration as a full-time starter.
Maybe Carson will get injured as quickly as you claim. Personally, I don’t think it’s likely because I expect the Hawks to use more RBBC than wearing down Carson.
I’m sorry, but no matter how much you hate Jamal Adams’ fit in Seattle, a rookie JOK will not be as good as Jamal Adams in the same role.
The point about Wagner ending his career ET3 style is absolutely ridiculous. The two have entirely different personalities and their careers have already taken entirely different trajectories. There is nothing to suggest Wagner will “destroy his legacy” like ET3 did.
Also, I have no idea why people continue to bag on DK after the competition. He didn’t mention any sort of injuries and if he was going to do something like this, now would be the time. Let the guy live a little. I’d much rather this be his definition of “fun” then going out to the club.
The BWags comment isn’t even close. Bobby will go out in style when he does…nothing like ET did.
And for DK…the more I thought about it the more I realized the man is a professional athlete who knows how to train and take care of himself. It was fun watching the race and he did a damn fine job in the race hanging with the pack. Good for him.
Eskridge is a rookie but he will have his moments and they will be fun ones. Looking forward to see what he has.
McZ … this isn’t “glass half full.” This is glass isn’t glass, it’s not even cardboard, it’s a sieve. And the water isn’t H2O, it’s kerosene etc. Just saying. Now you could be right, but I certainly hope not!
Tomorrow the .N.F.L. schedule comes out. During the off season this probably is the 2nd biggest off season event. The biggest the off season event is of coarse the N.F.L. draft. This really is an exciting moment. We know the Seahawk opponents. What we don’t know is when we play our opponents. Also how many prime time games the Seahawk fans will enjoy. Can’t wait.
my guess, hawks will get 2 primetime games. have 4 on schedule, but 2 get flexed out
Thanks for that Rob-was another great one. I hope you are getting some decent time away, and some good family together-time logged presently.
Really appreciate that you still find ways to feed ‘the base’ some maintenance stuff along the way to keep us going. Really helps, man!
Cheers, mate!
Talking about the schedule on the stream got me thinking about our schedule, we get both the Texans and the Lions, the two teams that are VERY likely to be picking first overall next year. I really hope we show up for those games, those kind of games are ones that good teams really crush, thinking 2012 or 2013 Seahawks or like the Rams hanging 50 on bad teams in 2017. I want to see a high powered offense and turnovers those games
I’m hoping Waldron mimics his mentor, McVay, and doesn’t take the foot off the gas with a sizable lead. It is so infuriating to watch Pete pull on the reigns, allowing the other team to inch it’s way back into the game. The Eagles game last year had me pulling my hair out. One turnover by the Hawks and they could have lost that one.
Welcome back! 6’4”, 240, 4.46 40, 39” vertical, 22 bench reps. I am really interested in seeing this Aaron Donkor against some actual competition.
His measurables seem to improve every time he’s brought up…
His numbers line up with B Wags pro-day numbers almost perfectly… Bobby jumped 1/2 an inch higher and jumped a foot farther everything else is essentially identical. I think he might be faster than Bobby was off the jump, who knows? either way seems like an exciting player.
Week One announced
Seahawks in Indy to fade Carson Wentz to open the season.
London games @ Tottenham
Jets vs Falcons oct 10
Dolphins vs jags oct 17
That’s good news, we start 1-0.
Hard to believe we are 2 point underdogs. They say the home team gets 3 points for being the home team. Guess we should win this by 1 point then.
Colts are a decent team though. They don’t suck. The Seahawks could be good, but they’re not elite.
I have more confidence in the Seahawks this year than I did last year so they may not be elite in your book, they’re still going to be a good team. The Colts are a good team also and I expect it to be a hard fought game. Will Wentz come out with something to prove? Should be interesting to see how he bounces back this year.
Agreed. I expect him to look better this year with a guy like Q. Nelson blocking for him, as opposed to the Eagles mash unit OL.
Colts are going to be good this year, I wouldn’t bet on a hawks win here.
One the one hand, I’d like to think that’s a plus: Wentz just barely installed with a new team.
On the flip side, I can already hear the PC presser: “we didn’t have any tape on them, had a great game plan to stop X, weren’t expecting them to do Y, need to learn to adjust better. We will be better…”
Unconfirmed leaks
Seahawks @ WFT Week 12 MNF
Seahawks @ Chicago Week 16
New Orleans @ Seattle Week 7 MNF
Another leak (per Twitter):
49ers at Seattle, week 13, Sunday night football
If those are all real, that’s at least 3 prime time games. Call it 4 with a TNF game.
#WeWantDalton
At Chicago in December? Not good. Seriously hope Carson is healthy and were able to run the ball that week.
The flip side is that Fields will be starting by week 16.
If they can’t handle Chicago in December they have no business being in the playoffs.
I get that but weather can equal playing fields.
So what? Bring it on.
No pun intended 😀
Well I’m certainly less concerned with Chicago any time of year than at Green Bay assuming Rogers stays there
Seahawks @ Vikings Week 3
I’ll be there!
Seahawks @ Arizona Week 18
Rams Week 5 in Seattle TNF
Hope this is true. Home team has an advantage on TNF, even when the teams are in the same time zone.
We always seem to play well against the Rams on TNF at home in our action greens! Let’s hope the streak continues!
Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Week 6 SNF
I’d be really surprised if the NFL gave Seattle a 10 day break going to the stealers and have it on a Sunday night on top of it. They are notorious for giving pissburgh scheduling breaks. For example, a few years back they scheduled SF at stealers at 10 AM our time on the 2nd Sunday of the season after scheduling SF at home on the late Monday night season opener giving them basically like 5 days between games. No surprise, the 9ers lost handily.
isn’t that game supposed to be week 17?
Those added 17th games were just that but not necessarily week 17 games. Just an additional game on the schedule
That’s how it worked out. I was wrong and am happy that’s the case.
Speaking of the late Monday Night opener, Cowherd just had week 1 schedule on screen and there was only one MNF game week 1. Seems they aren’t doing 2 opening week anymore?
Not this year.
Do we know when our bye is?
AARON RODGERS EXIT IS IMMINENT
lol
🙂
Or maybe Jordan Love is so shitty they don’t trust him if Rodgers gets hurt?
Rumored for Thanksgiving Day is:
Bear @ Lions
Raiders @ Cowboys
Bills @ Saints
Packers after bye what kind of luck is that
Not to mention the Rams at home in primetime followed by a 10-day mini bye before another primetime in Pittsburgh.
One thing Pete Carroll’s teams do well is play in primetime.
All in all a reasonably favorable schedule.
packers play chiefs week 9
1 Sept. 12 at Colts 1 p.m. ET Fox
2 Sept. 19 vs. Titans 4:25 p.m. ET CBS
3 Sept. 26 at Vikings 4:25 p.m. ET Fox
4 Oct. 3 at 49ers 4:05 p.m. ET Fox
5 Oct. 7 (Thursday) vs. Rams 8:20 p.m. ET Fox/NFLN/Amazon
6 Oct. 17 at Steelers 8:20 p.m. ET NBC
7 Oct. 25 (Monday) vs. Saints 8:15 p.m. ESPN
8 Oct. 31 vs. Jaguars 4:05 p.m. ET CBS
9 BYE – – –
10 Nov. 14 at Packers 4:25 p.m. ET CBS
11 Nov. 21 vs. Cardinals 4:25 p.m. ET Fox
12 Nov. 29 (Monday) at Washington 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN
13 Dec. 5 vs. 49ers 8:20 p.m. ET NBC
14 Dec. 12 at Texans 1 p.m. ET Fox
15 Dec. 19 at Rams 4:25 p.m. ET Fox
16 Dec. 26 vs. Bears 4:05 p.m. ET Fox
17 Jan. 2 vs. Lions 4:25 p.m. ET Fox
18 Jan. 9 at Cardinals 4:25 p.m. ET Fox
it doesn’t appear that any team has a bye week before they play us as well. greenbay plays hawks, then rams back to back after both teams are coming off the bye
Saints, I think
B ye right in the middle of the season is a good thing too.
Bye
Not that it matters much anymore, but only two 10 AM games is a positive as well.
we play a thursday night game before the stealers as well. cant complain about the schedule much
12-5 by my estimation.
On first glance that early schedule looks brutal:
Week 1: 10 am at colts (who I think are as good as any team outside of the qb situation)
Week 2: home opener against a very solid Titans team
Week 3: at Vikings – maybe the easiest draw but I shudder to think what Jefferson does to this secondary
Week 4: at a healthy, loaded, pissed off niners team
Week 5: spanked us in the playoffs with a one handed Jared Goof
Week 6: at an always competent Steelers team
Week 7: home against a saints team that beat us with teddy bridgewater a couple years back
Honestly I wouldn’t bet on the hawks in any of those games with my hard earned dough. I think 3-4 is realistic and 2-5 would not surprise me in the slightest.
Time to tar and feather Thomas for daring to have less than a lickspittle opinion on the Hawks chances!! LOL!!
Thing is, we all know things change all the time. Teams that look daunting now may not be when we play them, teams we look at putting a W next to on the schedule may be flying. So predicting right now is kind of futile. All we need to worry about each week is 1-0.
No doubt. It’s hard to predict how good a team is going to be from year to year. But my concerns aren’t just based on win loss records from last year. The first half of the schedule is full of winning programs with solid coaches that out competitive teams in the field year in year out. Vikings have always been competitive under zimmer. Titans and colts have built nice programs over the last few years (eapecialy since Tennessee found a qb). Shanahan and McBay have built quality winning programs in our division. And the saints and Steelers have had long term success for about a decade each under Tomlin and Payton. That being said, the Seahawks are in the same category as the Steelers and Saints, so it’s not like we are necessarily at a disadvantage. But I definitely don’t see any gimmes.
Yeah, and Tennessee has built a team that can kick your butt on the ground, out tough their opponents, which can crush the new finesse Seattle teams.
Best news from schedule release, will play our last game in Arizona. I don’t like that stadium for many reasons. shhh…
This seems to be the first year where an NFC team plays an AFC team beyond the single divisional rotation that was the previous norm. We play the AFC south AND the Steelers. So does that mean the new 17 game schedule adds another non-conference game for each team?
Yes, that’s exactly right. The 17th game is a non-conference game against a team from a different division than the normally-scheduled non-conference division matchups. I believe it is also based on each team’s records from the year before.
Yea, I didn’t realize they would do it this way. We have our 6 division games. Then we play all the teams in 1 division in each conference. That will be the NFC North and AFC South, which is 14 games all together. Then it looks like we play one team from each of the other 2 NFC divisions, and 1 random game of an AFC opponent. I wonder how this looks for future years.
Im surprised this hasn’t been mentioned before, but is it a possibility that Jamal and Bobby were blitzed so frequently (and were less effective) because KJ offers no rush threat at the SAM?
I personally think this is why KJ has not been signed yet with the Hawks or any other team. He is great at other areas of the job; but is not a scheme fit at SAM because he offers no threat at rushing the passer. Darrell Taylor & Aldon can get after the passer.
I was quite impressed with Brooks in College as well. He’s got great speed around the edge – not sure if he’s a fit at SLB or if they plan on moving him over.
Wagner and Adams were blitzed so much because the defensive line stunk. Full stop.
This.
Anyone have stats on jamal/Bobby blitz rate after Dunlap added? There has to be some reason why KJ has not been signed yet aside his age. Having a legit dline isn’t mutually exclusive with blitzing Bobby or Jamal.
Traditionally the Seahawks have not been big blitzers under Pete Carroll. Bobby and Jamal had to be used as blitzers because the D line couldn’t get any pressure. If they could have, you wouldn’t have seen many blitzes.
So you’re saying that had the pass rush been addressed earlish in the offseason last year the Seahawks would’ve been able to play their normal defensive scheme and not traded two 1sts a 3rd and a starting player for a semi-fragile blitzing safety that had to be schemed to 9 sacks by stepping nearly completely outside of the normal approach to defense Pete Carroll has always employed?
I find it interesting that PC gets complaints for not adapting and changing but also with doing something different here. I’ve always heard that great coaches adapt the scheme based on the personnel.
Lots of Jamal hate on this blog but have to remember his floor was 2nd team all pro. The great Tony Pauline who is frequently mentioned on this blog also is high on Jamal.
BYE comes at a perfect time. Like how 2 of last 3 are at home. Can’t really complain about the schedule too much. It is what it is.
In regards to the schedule, I am going to quote Chuck Knox.
“You play the hand you are dealt with.”
KJ has never been a pass rush threat. Most teams don’t expect their SAM’s to be pass rushers. Plenty of good/great LBs aren’t good at rushing the passer. A guy like Logan Wilson had a good rookie year for the Bengals last year but is no pass rushing threat. The Bengals drafted what they hoped they would – a very good LB but one that they didn’t plan to rush the QB much.
KJ is unsigned because of his age and he probably overvalues himself while not taking that age into account. Remember those knee injuries a few years ago? They don’t fully and miraculously disappear. Each year older he gets you know the clock is winding down. Father time is undefeated (though he’s having a heck of a time with Tom Brady) and that will never change.
Meant as a response to Jordan E.
Loss of speed I think is a big issue, plus inability to blitz. Aldon & Darrell specifically offer this ability. So did Bruce Irvin.
https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-sign-four-free-agents-ahead-of-rookie-minicamp
Two safeties, I wonder if they consider trading Adams.
Circle the whole week, Rob!
Certainly helps now that it doesn’t clash with my daughters birthday
Get this man to Mobile!
https://www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/news/darrell-taylor-expected-to-participate-in-seahawks-rookie-minicamp
Carroll on Taylor at SAM: “We have that as part of what we’re counting on as he comes to us and we get him out there on the field and kind of fit him in.” How do you insert a facepalm?
Agreed – tired of PC putting square pegs in round holes just to fill the holes of the roster. Leave Taylor at DE, the position we drafted him to play, the position that fits him best, a position where we have no key long-term pieces solidified. Just sign a FA that can take some snaps or bring back KJ.
Like this: 🤦🏼♂️
How do you insert an eyeroll?
Oh, like this…….
🙄
I’m just happy he’s going to be out there. Hopefully, it’s a talent infusion, if nothing else.
The positive spin on it is that it’s like having an extra 2nd round pick from this draft class….
Agreed. Lets see how he looks. Looks like he takes the Bruce Irvin role. I wonder if this plays into disguising Adams on the blitz? To be able to blitz someone else besides Bobby on 1st and 2nd down as well as non nickel situations. He possesses the pass rush skills on the outside KJ does not.
I’m cool with Taylor being like an extra 2nd round pick a few weeks ago, but I’d like to know who their 2nd and 3rd round picks were last year then.
He’s not a SAM. How can morons like us know that and Pete Carroll can’t? I remember when Pete first took over and had the mentality of taking players and playing players to their strengths (Red Bryant) and now he’s taking a DE and trying to get him to play strong side LB.
At least he isn’t trying to have him play tight end for us.
I’ve seen several videos online indicating he is a great athlete and able to play the Sam. Bruce Irvin was drafted as DE too remember?
Bear fronts, the SAM is more like a 3-4 OLB. Stand by this not being that strange an idea.
The SAM traditionally is called on to set the edge and be a run defender in Bear, so it’s still ‘square peg round hole.’
I don’t understand why using Taylor at SAM is even considered necessary.
Depth is good. Repeat – Depth is good.
There are going to be injuries and guys banged up at times.
We don’t even know if Taylor will be able to play. Maybe he’ll need 8 games to get settled into the NFL.
The Seahawks can easily do a Taylor/Alton/Mayowa rotation.
There’s NASCAR packages they could run.
They can keep Dunlap fresh for the stretch run and playoffs.
I guess I dont see why they cant still do those things. The role is a hybrid one, just like 3-4 Edge guys who essentially play DE most the time anyway.
I’m not saying give him the job, he’ll need to actually practice first but I think it would make sense to use him in that role if he can get healthy and win the job.
It’s probably moot as he won’t see a ton of action anyway.
I’d just prefer them using him for what they drafted him for instead of pussyfooting around and finally figuring out that his best fit was where they originally intended to play him and now he’s off his rookie contract and they have very little to show for 4 years.
Bruce Irvin was also drafted as DE right… or at least he played on the line throughout college right?
Doesn’t sound like the case at all.
“The SAM position is great,” Taylor said. “I like the transition. I’m still going to be playing LEO (defensive end) as well, trying to be a versatile player. The SAM position requires a little more dropping, but we’re trying to make the SAM a dominant player and just trying to help this defense be more dominant every year we get on that field… I played a lot of SAM linebacker at Tennessee in our 3-4 front, so it’s not really new to me. Tennessee asked me to do a lot, and the Seahawks are asking me to do the same thing, and I can take the challenge, I’m ready.”
Lol
https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/seahawks/fake-account-misleads-people-thinking-kj-wright-re-signed-seahawks
Everyonelovesnudes?
😀
https://youtu.be/3QFErfVcHeo
My goodness is this cringey. Seahawks with a ‘how do you do, fellow kids?’ moment.
Cringey is being nice.
I opened the link but the thumbnail is so awful I won’t press the play button.
I couldn’t even get through it…
I watched less than a full minute. Time I’ll sadly never get back.
This is how you social media your schedule, Hawks.
https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1392639838218858499
We need a Jarran Reed replacement. Without an interior penetrating DT it’s going to be a rough go for the defense. Opposing QB’s will be able to step up in the pocket at will and the results won’t be pretty. Third down conversion rates will be sky high for opponents. You have to be able to get some DT push into the QB and make it at least a bit difficult to scan the field.
Can’t agree more. The DT situation sucked (depth) before they released Reed. That just shows how utterly dumb they can be sometimes. And Reed deserves dumb blame, too. He’s making a million less this year (more than I make in decades) because he was too proud.
Yup. Right now we have the worst dt group in the nfl by far. Need to add a vet.
I am hoping a couple more options open up after June 1st, although I am not well versed in the DT free agency situation.
Rookie Camp Press Conf Pete
[?] Important to get Daryl Taylor on the field? “Really important for his return to get comfortable. Long year for him. Saw him end of season, but this is hugely important for him. Great attitude. Got some catching up to do.”
[joe fann] Taylor 100%? “Let me look at film see how he looks. Ran around pretty well, felt comfortable.”
[joe] Where playing him? “Outside player for us. Rush outside, outside linebacker. Both jobs.”
[corbin] More individual time with players? “Rooke camp normally another 15 guys, had 31 today. Worked out fine. Same snaps and reps to make good evaluation.”
[corbin] Cade Johnson (I think)? “Really productive at school. Inside WR for us, not quite ready to go yet. Walkthrough reps. Can’t get him on practice yet.”
[condotta] Eskridge & Bennington? “Dwayne looked very good, quick, strong. Had easy time with routes we ran. Caught ball beautiful today. Good strong kid, built well, gets out of transitions catching it well. Got better course of day.”
[tim booth] Taylor why SAM? Needs to learn? “Lot in college. Liked him as a rusher first, still do, but natural athlete, light on his feet, burst and explosion, COD really good. Not going to be a challenge. Need to see how he feels when we mix it. Outside rusher in passing situations. Double-teaching him. Good looking athlete. No restrictions or hesitation on range of play.”
[curtis crab] Anyone/anything stand out? Random first impressions? “3 draft picks giddy just to be here. First day in NFL, see facility, so first class here, guys big-eyed, smiling having fun. Dwayne said dream come true. Fun to see excitement. Forsythe is a monster of a guy. Anxious to see film for first day. Tremendous length, stature built beautifully. Not as excited as I am but close.”
[michael shawn-dugar] Feeling about vets skipping OTA’s? “Had info early, protocols weren’t sure. Make sure everyone stayed safe, I couldn’t agree more. Big announcement from league, vaccinated people, it’s a shift in mentality. Transition to this point. Anxious to see how all teams handle it next week. Trust our guys are working and working really hard. All Zoom meetings better than this time last year.”
[gregg bell] Offer week back in lieu of mandatory minicamp? “Will come up with our own stuff.”
[gregg] Rattigan army status? “Seamless, no issue. Here with us. Time and freedom to be here with us. Imagine has some Reserve responsibility. But he’s all in. Cool kid, chip on his shoulder being from West Point.”
[gregg] ILB? “Yeah, starting him out there. MIKE and WILL.”
[boyle] Aaron Donker allocated from Germany? “Great program. Aaron really charged up, excited. Fits with everybody, not too big for him. Back home big deal. Good first day. Not be without enthusiasm. Jacked up today.”
[brady henderson] Taylor leg injury thing of the past? “Seeing his offseason work, that’s how we’re approaching it. Now about getting in great shape and playing football. Wishful thinking a little, feel like it’s behind him. Now get strong and maximize opp. Encouraged.”
[brady] SAM and LEO overlap? “Outside rush ability for both positions. Both drop at times, SAM more than LEO. Demands can cross over, guys can double dip. Maximizing guys’ strengths. Evaluating flexibility. NO question Daryl can do both.”
[art thiel] 3rd WR 4.4 less, options? “RW great downfield thrower. The more speed the better. Fit in beautifully. Have all as threats really what you desire. Million miles from figuring out how much. But real positive for us. Dee will play inside and outside. Uncover some of that flexibility. Motion around. Bright kid, cares about details, big impression with guys.”
[bob condotta] Lestage, G or C? “Try him at G as well as emergency C. But that’s day one. Really focused and jacked about being here.”
So Taylor’s leg is still an issue… as predicted
I don’t know. PC sounded positive for his first time being out there.
And Taylor’s interview sounded pretty positive too. All this “he’s never going to play a down” stuff is just disasterbation.
Might be wise to wait until Taylor actually plays a down before taking a victory lap.
Not taking a victory lap at all. The guy has done nothing. He may never do anything. But we do not know yet.
Maybe this is an erroneous read on my part, but I seem to recall several times last season where Pete suggested Taylor was looking good, almost ready to get out there. So the cynical side of me is in “I’ll believe it when I see it” mode.
Reminded me of the Seinfeld episode where the wait for a table at the Chinese restaurant was always “5, 10 minutes”.
Totally fair, because you are not wrong. I just think being overly negative is no different than being overly positive.
No one, absolutely no one, is being too negative about Darrell Taylor.
I for one am really excited to see how eskridge performs in the preseason. I’m really think we scored being able to make it out of the draft with him. 2 second round picks in three years + extension for lockett, WR core is one thing russ can’t complain about. Now if we had signed linsley in FA I would feel much better about our offense as a whole.
Thanks for doing this Cha!
Cha: Excellent! Appreciate the information. Good stuff. 👍
Thanks for the info, but seriously….take some time off with your family and re-set 😉 We value your effort and time for this blog and want it to continue! Distance makes the heart grow fonder?
Much peace and thanks again for all your efforts!
B
Question for blog:
If you can only do one, do you resign Wright or sign vet DT.
I say vet DT. You drafted Brooks round one and Barton round three for a reason.
I can understand that. The thing is. We have talked repeatedly about the defense needing some kind of physical presence. Wright gives you that. Physicality was lacking last year as it is.
If we would have acted like a functional franchise the last 4 years this wouldn’t be a decision we would need to make.
Love KJ, but…….need at DT is greater imo.
I would say that it would depend on the DT before I could answer that question.
Taylor saying the leg will never really be behind him, was a bit concerning. Plus being down like 25Lbs from last year.
Hopefully he’s able to keep the injury out of his head and just play. We’ll need him healthy. Not just physically, but mentally as well.
He’s skinny like a wide receiver. The leg being an issue is a major red flag. Anyone with a positive takeaway after the press conferences today is delusional at best.
I have to agree Captain. Tough to be optimistic after hearing that presser.
It makes sense that he cut weight to give his leg as much time to heal while lowering the stress or impact on it with each step. But him talking about adding 15-20lbs to get into the 260+lb range over the next 3 months sounds like a big red flag. Time will tell. If he can play at 240 during mini camp without setbacks then good. Playing underweight at 240 is obviously an injury risk in this physical sport. While playing on a bum leg with a rapid and substantial 15-20lb increase is weight up to 260+ is likely just as bad if not worse. I’m hoping for the best, but see little evidence to be optimistic about him playing let alone contributing in a meaningful way.
Sounds about as bad as could be to me. Clearly still a huge issue for him with how long it’s been since surgeries and he’s down a crazy amount of muscle/playing weight, Pete even saying he’s behind(translation waaaay behind) – and the guy still does’nt feel good about his leg(maybe the most concerning point of all). So he needs to gain a boatload of nfl playing muscle weight, get into playing condition and somehow feel better about a leg that he has’nt felt good about all along – oh and he has’nt practiced or played meaningful football in how long much less coming in almost completely as a rookie. Yeah there’s a long, long way to go and alot to overcome before this fella sees an nfl field defense n gameday much less makes a career of it.
Considering all that’s was said, still seems very doubtful he ever plays a down
Well that cleared up the Taylor situation. LOL It’s almost impossible to get a read on where he’s really at. Is there something truly *unstable* about the leg in that even doctors don’t know if the leg is a 100% go until you try? That’s the question I never seem to get a satisfactory answer to.
Oh well, time will tell.
I will say this about our slim pickings in the draft. In Eskridge, they nabbed a player I’m really excited about seeing on the field. He’s such an elusive guy. You just know he’s going to break some big plays this year from the slot and/or on returns.
In Forsythe, at least we got a potential replacement for Brown a year or two from now, or at least for Shell. I just didn’t see that potential anywhere else on the roster no matter how much they keep talking these other guys up.
As for Brown, I watched a lot of him, and I know he’s a real aggressive baller. He’ll at least be a potentially solid special teams guy and add to our DB depth chart.
I don’t know. It’s hard for me to argue with any of these picks. We just didn’t have many of them. And who knows? Maybe we’ll find a keeper or two amongst our UDFA’s.
It all boils down to scheme/philosophy/approach for me this year. I need to see something markedly better in this department than in recent years. This is pretty much all on PC.
Rookie Camp Day 2 Press Conf w PC
[john boyle] Jerry Burns passed away? “Incredible FB coach. Bud held him in high regard. Worked with him for years. One of most colorful people. Sense of humor, brilliance, light to all of us. Had to decide whether I would be QB during the strike week. He made the right decision.”
[corbin smith] Cody Thompson ran you over? “That was a forced fumble. Cody did a better job scrambling.”
[corbin] SAM in Bear front, Taylor importance? “Big part of the scheme. Threat of guys on edge a factor. Couple days, Darrell looks the part. Clint fired up about pass rush drills. Haven’t seen much, only one week kinda babied him. Has makeup that fits well. Has a shot to fit there.”
[Curtis crab] Eskridge speed get behind D? “Flyer. Showed right out of the chute. Build strong and solid. Gets off LOS and has burst. Pleased with first showing”
[Curtis] Stood out about him? “Attidude more than anything. Chip on shoulder, prove he belongs. Talented, quick, explosive, good strong hands. Fired up about his attitude, here to prove somtehting, brings out best.”
[ms dugar] Why Cade hurt? “I’m not sure to tell you the truth. Something bother him not quite right. Our guys didn’t want to rush. Middle of next week involved. (off camera) Do we have his injury? Will get it to you.”
[ms] Terry hurt? “Hip pointer landed on backside.”
[Gregg bell] Slower tempo? “Guys need reps, to put it together. All new language is a heavy burden for them. They want to come out and show off, it’s hard, it slows you down. Not time for big evaluations at all. Fewer numbers here. Tempo more in between reps. Did all turns we needed. Inside walkthrough before we get out here. Intro to what comes next week. Installed a ton on both side. Guys will be in catch up mode for a while.”
[Gregg] Donker a project? “No comfortable. Couple highlights. Good speed, good start. More behind LOS so see how he adapts.
“Cade Johnson groin issue.”
[joe fann] What’s left for offseason? “Monday begins phase 2 for one week. Used to be 3 weeks. Players can come voluntary and be on field w coaches. Mostly drill work, no offense vs defense. Practice w young guys plus whoever else wants to come out, similar drills. Week after offense vs defense – two weeks from now. That’s phase 3.”
[joe fann] Cap space, restructure Russ or Bobby? “All options available to us. Talked about that. Possibilities, where do we need to go. Know that we’ve looked at every option out there. Even to the point those guys know we’ve discussed. Just hasn’t been necessary at this point.”
[brady] DK track event? “Marvelous challenge he took on. Special individual. Take a special person to even consider it. He mentioned it quite a while back, I thought ultimate competitor looking for chance to battle. Worked out, process, speed important in his makeup, couldn’t have done more than what he did. And then gets there and looks awesome. Whole family watched it on iPad. Cheering for him. Within 5 mins doing races in the driveway w the grandkids. Grace and respect for those marvelous athletes. He’s in the pack there! Give him a couple tries he might be even better. His vision, go after it, but humble and respectful. Proud of him.”
[brady] Veteran players virtual meetings? “Yes, continue. 2 hrs a day with our guys. Better than last year. Communication at a high level. Guys working out all over the country. See as we move forward, opened up facility to guys that are here. Good progress.”
[Jackie Montgomery] Tre Brown? “Need to see film. Demonstrate knows how game works yesterday. Comfortable, fast, speedy, stayed w everyone we ran at him. Gave him some more looks today. Made a couple plays today that caught my eye. Will take his shots. Know more tomorrow.”
[art thiel] Vax question, players don’t get vaxed, competitive disadvantage, discussion w NFL? “Not sure how you’re seeing that as a disadvantage. Nobody’s restricted because of decision. Encouraging everyone to get vaxed, league too. Not mandatory. Make their own choice. Still early in process. Guys like to have more information. Common theme w players.”
[art thiel] Players not vaxed, have to quarantine is disadvantage? “I can’t imagine different than last year, vaxed or not. Whole approach to how you do this. Max out our protection for everybody.”
[cha ed – art is bulldogging Pete on vaccination stuff and he’s getting irritated]
[bob condotta] Weddington impression, Jay Curhan? “Connor really excited about. Versatile athlete, went to Stanford as a RB, went to WR. Bright kid. Excited chance to play here. Jake, had a back issue, take care of him through process.”
[chris francis] Waldron offense hard to learn? “Beautifully thought out. Got a complementary makeup to it. Why I love it. Make sense. Guys have to work with discipline to execute. Terminology. Not a simple offense.”
Terry… injury issues are temper my enthusiasm about him. Speed, size, hands, experience all there. Route running needs to improve (as did DK’s), injuries might ruin his shot in the NFL though. Bummer Cade is also injured.
Thanks Cha, I went and watched the entire interviews today and recommend that everyone do the same if you can. Some really great kids coming in this year (yes, they are kids…I’m 62!) and well spoken. I agree with CaptJack that it is really too bad that Cade is injured and hope he is able to get back into the mix. So hard for UDFAs to make this team but even our UDFAs have a lot to offer.
Unbelievable.
UNBELIEVABLE.
https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1393981755955286017
Huh, fascinating (and a bit sad, of course, that someone would pull this presumably for nothing but laughs).
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31457094/ex-austin-peay-governors-db-juantarius-bryant-falls-victim-atlanta-falcons-tryout-hoax
One less vet on the market:
My mind is blown that the Seattle press hasn’t asked a single follow up question about the Russell Wilson offseason drama. They’ve had multiple chances to challenge the ridiculous statements PC and JS said in their pre-draft conference and the closest we get is ‘did you consider restructuring Russ’ contract to get some more cap room?’
Pathetic.
Do you guys think they are restructure their contract when they sign someone after final roster cut? Like Vet DT/Center
The past few seasons they seemed content with the DT position depth being filled with UDFAs. The problem now is we are taking that same approach but without a good starter like Reed on the roster. They seem content with Woods replacing Reed and UDFAs (Ford, Mone Lattimore) completing the group. Not ideal.
The Seattle press are mostly sycophants to Pete Carroll cha. No surprise. Florio and Co. will ask and do so many times over as the next year progresses.
…so, pending priority roster items for SDB?
DT, KJ, Taylor (health)… am I missing anything?
Update on Aldon?
I guess we’ll have to wait on KJ, especially if they are planning on having Taylor as the SAM. Still think they might do something at center but you never know. Our DBs are a huge unknown at this point…so Sherm may still be in the picture as well.
NO!!! Is the echo chamber dead? LONG LIVE THE ECHO CHAMBER!!!
Oh do piss off
seriously
This goon started tweeting me after this too
Really hoping they add players for some pressure from the middle to replace Reed. Would they really be fine with Poona and Collier/Hyder moving inside?
I totally agree. The d really had a hard time stopping the run last year
The Jags just cut Ryquell Armstead. Could be good pick up to add to the competition / depth at RB.
Giants picked him up off of waivers
Geno Atkins could really slot in well at the jarran reed spot, we really lack talent at the 3T. As much as I like KJ or Sherm I’d prioritize Geno.
sheldon richardson still out there too… 3 yrs younger than Atkins. But agreed, I’d be happy to add either of them. We are super thin there.
What’s the likely timing of all those vets (including KJ, Sherman) reaching terms with teams? Early summer?
“The 46, or “Bear Front” was created by Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan for safety Doug Plank. Plank might have played safety, but in Ryan’s defense he was, essentially, an extra linebacker. Ryan would walk Plank up to the line of scrimmage, giving him a consistent eight-man box and one-on-one match-ups for his five pass rushers. ”
This is from bigblueview.com. Thinking of Jamal.
I think teams need to have more hybrid fronts to utillize the edge rushers. Im glad Sea is finding ways to disguise and get the best combo of rushers.
Nice.
https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1394690269552037889/photo/1