After the first preseason game, I really think Mark Ingram shot up to the top of my watch list for the 2011 Draft. Julius Jones has proven time and again he is not the answer for us at Running Back. I love Forsett, and I really love Leon Washington, but their is still an every-down back missing for this equation. How long has it been since we actually had the best RB in the league? It seems like forever. I’m not saying Ingram will be able to replicate Shaun Alexander’s success (Although the whole Alabama connection is certainly fun to think about) but I think for a team like the Seahawks, a new RB is almost a must. I really think when it comes to RBs however, it all comes to draft placement. If we end with let’s say a 7-9 record and are picking in the 8-13 range, I really think Ingram should be on our radar.
Although it’s only been 2 games, and rumors persist about Vincent Jackson, I think the biggest need on our offense (Besides maybe RT) is for a new RB. It was amazing how much our recieving core seemed to function better with Mike Williams in that #3 role. Add in Butler and Tate, and really WR doesn’t seem like as big of a need as it did a few weeks ago. And although QB is certainly still a possibility, I think a new RB could help whoever is starting next year. After all, how good would Matt Ryan have really been without Michael Turner? And although DE and DT seem to remain areas of need on Def. you have to wonder if any DE would emerge to fit into our range. Sure Robert Quinn seems to be a Top 5 pick, and I’m a huge fan of Greg Romeous from Pitt. but I don’t know if he’d be considered a top 10 pick. Besides, I think Dexter Davis and Walter Thurmond III are showing that Carroll and co. know how to find talent deep. Especially when we have decent stopgate players in these positions.
It’s an interesting theory Patrick and one I’d applaud. I think too many people get caught up in needing to invest all finance/draft stock/energy into the offensive line and that will solve all your problems. The fact is it won’t unless you do have weapons on your team. The best teams have key playmakers on both sides of the ball and right now Seattle has zero. For this team to function, they simply have to get better at the skill positions – which is one reason I pushed Michael Crabtree so much in 2009 because I do think he can become an elite wide out – something Seattle would love to have right now.
Would the Seahawks spend a very high pick on a guy like Ingram? I’m not sure. I get the feeling they trust the Gibbs system and that they’ll use a multi-back system rather than have one star (ala Johnson, Peterson etc). We’ll have to wait and see if this produces. Ingram is one of my favorite prospects to watch and I do think he can be a good NFL back. However, his stock will be interesting to watch in 2010. He’s such a physical player – will teams show some concern about that? Does his production take a hit playing alongside another really talented running back? Can he stay healthy? Do teams invest that much in RB in round one these days without having the pure straight line speed of a Spiller or McFadden?
I could see him going top ten, I could see him going in the 20’s. I think the latter is more likely just because teams view the position with some suspicion in the draft. If Seattle have a surprise year and end up picking later in round one – he maybe becomes a more likely option. I wouldn’t rule it out though and I think he’d be a fine addition to the Seahawks roster, especially if the top wide outs who will be available in 2010 are off the board.
Also regarding the defensive ends – I keep hearing that 2010 will be deep for the position from other blogs and pundits. That’s not strictly true. Quinn has the potential to be a high pick, we’ll see if that UNC defense loses some key players due to this agents fiasco and watch his performance then. Aside from that, Romeus as you say Patrick – is he R1 material? I’m not convinced. Von Miller isn’t a R1 pick to me. Heyward at OSU is a five technique which Seattle are using these days but you’re not going to solve your pass rush problems with him. Clayborn has serious issues off the field – but I do like him as a pass rusher. There are some big names there, but none scream out that they’ll jump into the league and play at a very high level and become pro-bowl players in their career. In fact, I actually think Derrick Morgan and Jason Pierre-Paul have as much potential, if not more, than any in this group.
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Nice new site here. I do have the same question as Patrick regarding DEs, and my main concern is about the Leo. Chris Clemons I think can be moderately successful in rushing the passer this year, but he’s already getting in that age range where he’ll be physically declining. So he’s just a stopgap. I remember reading somewhere that we didn’t draft a pass-rusher until late because there was a shortage of suitable Leo prospects this year.
So who are the guys to track for next year? Assume a prototype would be 6’4″ 250-260 with 4.65
speed. Robert Quinn sounds like a great fit. He may have stuff to prove, but who doesn’t? Heyward and Clayborn are 5-tech DE or 3-tech DT types. Romeus is larger too, built like guys we’ve getting rid of as system misfits (Tapp and Jackson). Von Miller, you don’t like, and I understand the issues with production against top opponents. So if we don’t pick really high in the 1st round, there’s got to be a plan B to Quinn.
I think the nearest to a pure LEO would be Von Miller. I don’t think he’s first round material, but certainly could be an option later. Out of the ‘big names’ Quinn could play the role and that’s about it. I’m not sure how Seattle might change scheme depending if the right guy was there. There are some good interior lineman available such as Marcell Dareus so perhaps that could be a target area and may improve pass rush production?
The problem is as with any target area, you can have many different ‘holes’ to fill but you can’t fight a draft. How ever much you want prospects to be there who can solve your issues immediately, that isn’t often the case. Brandon Graham would’ve been ideal for the LEO position but went much higher than I anticipated. When things like that happen, it just further shows how difficult it can be to fill holes.
The Seahawks could have a chance at a Robert Quinn next year – but even then I don’t think you can expect him to walk into the league and instantly improve our pass rush. There’s a lot of things to consider.
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After the first preseason game, I really think Mark Ingram shot up to the top of my watch list for the 2011 Draft. Julius Jones has proven time and again he is not the answer for us at Running Back. I love Forsett, and I really love Leon Washington, but their is still an every-down back missing for this equation. How long has it been since we actually had the best RB in the league? It seems like forever. I’m not saying Ingram will be able to replicate Shaun Alexander’s success (Although the whole Alabama connection is certainly fun to think about) but I think for a team like the Seahawks, a new RB is almost a must. I really think when it comes to RBs however, it all comes to draft placement. If we end with let’s say a 7-9 record and are picking in the 8-13 range, I really think Ingram should be on our radar.
Although it’s only been 2 games, and rumors persist about Vincent Jackson, I think the biggest need on our offense (Besides maybe RT) is for a new RB. It was amazing how much our recieving core seemed to function better with Mike Williams in that #3 role. Add in Butler and Tate, and really WR doesn’t seem like as big of a need as it did a few weeks ago. And although QB is certainly still a possibility, I think a new RB could help whoever is starting next year. After all, how good would Matt Ryan have really been without Michael Turner? And although DE and DT seem to remain areas of need on Def. you have to wonder if any DE would emerge to fit into our range. Sure Robert Quinn seems to be a Top 5 pick, and I’m a huge fan of Greg Romeous from Pitt. but I don’t know if he’d be considered a top 10 pick. Besides, I think Dexter Davis and Walter Thurmond III are showing that Carroll and co. know how to find talent deep. Especially when we have decent stopgate players in these positions.
It’s an interesting theory Patrick and one I’d applaud. I think too many people get caught up in needing to invest all finance/draft stock/energy into the offensive line and that will solve all your problems. The fact is it won’t unless you do have weapons on your team. The best teams have key playmakers on both sides of the ball and right now Seattle has zero. For this team to function, they simply have to get better at the skill positions – which is one reason I pushed Michael Crabtree so much in 2009 because I do think he can become an elite wide out – something Seattle would love to have right now.
Would the Seahawks spend a very high pick on a guy like Ingram? I’m not sure. I get the feeling they trust the Gibbs system and that they’ll use a multi-back system rather than have one star (ala Johnson, Peterson etc). We’ll have to wait and see if this produces. Ingram is one of my favorite prospects to watch and I do think he can be a good NFL back. However, his stock will be interesting to watch in 2010. He’s such a physical player – will teams show some concern about that? Does his production take a hit playing alongside another really talented running back? Can he stay healthy? Do teams invest that much in RB in round one these days without having the pure straight line speed of a Spiller or McFadden?
I could see him going top ten, I could see him going in the 20’s. I think the latter is more likely just because teams view the position with some suspicion in the draft. If Seattle have a surprise year and end up picking later in round one – he maybe becomes a more likely option. I wouldn’t rule it out though and I think he’d be a fine addition to the Seahawks roster, especially if the top wide outs who will be available in 2010 are off the board.
Also regarding the defensive ends – I keep hearing that 2010 will be deep for the position from other blogs and pundits. That’s not strictly true. Quinn has the potential to be a high pick, we’ll see if that UNC defense loses some key players due to this agents fiasco and watch his performance then. Aside from that, Romeus as you say Patrick – is he R1 material? I’m not convinced. Von Miller isn’t a R1 pick to me. Heyward at OSU is a five technique which Seattle are using these days but you’re not going to solve your pass rush problems with him. Clayborn has serious issues off the field – but I do like him as a pass rusher. There are some big names there, but none scream out that they’ll jump into the league and play at a very high level and become pro-bowl players in their career. In fact, I actually think Derrick Morgan and Jason Pierre-Paul have as much potential, if not more, than any in this group.
Nice new site here. I do have the same question as Patrick regarding DEs, and my main concern is about the Leo. Chris Clemons I think can be moderately successful in rushing the passer this year, but he’s already getting in that age range where he’ll be physically declining. So he’s just a stopgap. I remember reading somewhere that we didn’t draft a pass-rusher until late because there was a shortage of suitable Leo prospects this year.
So who are the guys to track for next year? Assume a prototype would be 6’4″ 250-260 with 4.65
speed. Robert Quinn sounds like a great fit. He may have stuff to prove, but who doesn’t? Heyward and Clayborn are 5-tech DE or 3-tech DT types. Romeus is larger too, built like guys we’ve getting rid of as system misfits (Tapp and Jackson). Von Miller, you don’t like, and I understand the issues with production against top opponents. So if we don’t pick really high in the 1st round, there’s got to be a plan B to Quinn.
I think the nearest to a pure LEO would be Von Miller. I don’t think he’s first round material, but certainly could be an option later. Out of the ‘big names’ Quinn could play the role and that’s about it. I’m not sure how Seattle might change scheme depending if the right guy was there. There are some good interior lineman available such as Marcell Dareus so perhaps that could be a target area and may improve pass rush production?
The problem is as with any target area, you can have many different ‘holes’ to fill but you can’t fight a draft. How ever much you want prospects to be there who can solve your issues immediately, that isn’t often the case. Brandon Graham would’ve been ideal for the LEO position but went much higher than I anticipated. When things like that happen, it just further shows how difficult it can be to fill holes.
The Seahawks could have a chance at a Robert Quinn next year – but even then I don’t think you can expect him to walk into the league and instantly improve our pass rush. There’s a lot of things to consider.