This could be the future of Seattle’s offense. Or maybe not. It depends what you want to believe.
The whole ‘Marshawn Lynch could be released’ dynamic still confuses me. Chris Mortensen and Ian Rapoport aren’t just random journalists trying to make a name here. The chances are there’s a fire at the heart of all this billowing smoke. Nobody’s reported the opposite have they? Nobody’s denying anything.
Pete Carroll spoke about his relationship with Lynch on Brock and Salk this morning. He was candid. He essentially admitted there was an issue relating to his contract and the hold out this year. Take a listen yourself:
It was a rare moment where Carroll let his media guard down. Not in a bad way. He’s adept at the ‘saying a lot without really saying anything’ approach all good coaches master. This was the real deal. As close to an admittance of some tension as you were going to get. And even then he made a point to add they’ll do their best to work through it this year.
But what about next year? That’s the key. There was certainly no denial here. No insistence that Lynch isn’t going anywhere. And considering he’s under contract for 2015 and still a fantastic and productive feature for the offense — it was an easy thing to say. “He isn’t going anywhere”. That reassurance never came.
So we go on wondering what the future holds. The reality is you better savor every one of those two yards runs that end up going for six or seven. You better enjoy those formal handshakes with the offensive line in the end zone. You better live through these six games because after that Beast Mode might be “all about that action” elsewhere.
It’s still unthinkable right now, especially with the way he’s playing. You hope there’s a way to make this work. Surely there has to be? Why would you cut your best offensive player, creating an extra hole that’d need to be filled? Yet we’re forced to dwell on this possibility every week because it keeps racing back into our lives — usually in the form of a national media report hours before the latest game.
As we’ve said on more than one occasion now (and I appreciate it’s stating the obvious) — replacing him won’t be easy. You’re making up for more than just the loss of a top, elite running back. You either need to put another really effective back in his place, or you need to bolster that passing game and bring in 2-3 players to compensate.
Hey — they might need 2-3 players anyway. It’d be foolish to expect Russell Wilson to perform miracles with a new contract worth around $20m a year. He’s lost Golden Tate, Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice this year. Throw the loss of Zach Miller into the equation too. He needs more at the receiver and tight end position. The Seahawks need to get back to winning the red line and challenging their receivers to make plays. For that they need the bigger bodies, they need a vertical threat too. They have to hope Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood develop — they also have to find more options in the draft or free agency.
Even after some surgery to the passing game, you’d be left needing to restore the balance and maintain your running identity. And that’s why Melvin Gordon remains a distinct possibility for the Seahawks in round one. At USC Carroll used a committee approach filled with 5-star recruits at running back. In Seattle, you get the sense they’ll only ever be as good as their top running back on offense.
I think this probably becomes a one-horse race in that regard. Todd Gurley is a fantastic player but an ACL injury this late in the season will almost certainly mean no combine or sufficient work out pre-draft. He could sneak into the back end of round one but it’d be a good team taking a gamble. After a couple of so-so drafts and the botched Harvin trade, I’m not sure the Seahawks can afford to start taking first round risks on an injured running back.
I pondered Gordon’s stock last night and still feel, even despite Gurley’s injury, a grade in the 16-32 range is fair. It’s a deep class and teams won’t feel totally pressured to go big at the position early (unless they’re trying to replace Marshawn Lynch, of course). It’s not beyond the realms of possibility Seattle ends up picking in the late teens — even if we hope it’s much later. That would put them in a good position to target Gordon.
The video above shows his record breaking 408-yard performance against Nebraska. As you can see, he’s a very different back to Lynch. He’s a lot closer to Jamaal Charles in style. There’s no dragging a defender an extra yard or two or a punishing stiff arm to extend a run. That has been Seattle’s staple for four seasons. Gordon will not replicate that wherever he lands in the NFL.
However, find him a lane and he’ll explode through it. Seattle has gone out of its way to draft run blocking offensive linemen. They’re good at it too. You can imagine Gordon playing for the Seahawks and having a lot of runs in the 0-2 yard range before breaking off a 40-yarder. He’d be a home run hitter and a chunk play specialist. He wouldn’t be a punishing inside runner. It would be a very different offense. But different doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.
It’s still early and this topic doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. Have a look at Gordon vs Nebraska for yourself and let me know what you think in the comments section.
If the Seahawks had plans on Gordon, you have to wonder if 408 and a few more Seattle wins puts him out of reach.. Having Lynch and addressing other needs, of which they’re many, seems to be a more ideal path.
A report today from Jason LaConforia that seattle, Indy, and SF are interested in CFL star Duran Carter, 6-5 WR and son of Chris Carter. They can start negotiations Dec 1st. Indy is the favorite.
He looks legit, but I think it is unlikely Cris Carter’s son is going to come play in an offense that throws the ball 25-30 times. No up and coming WR is going to want to come here – that is why Marshall and others have passed regardless of $. Best to draft WRs and hope they can play. Time for Norwood and PRich to get more looks.
Very very true. It’s like the M’s trying to lure hitters to Safeco. They have to dramatically overpay. And we can’t do that with too many needs.
He’s coming from the CFL and has major character red flags, so I doubt he’s going to get to pick his situation.
I guess you haven’t read about how many teams are beating down his door right now for the chance to sign this kid. Indy currently had the inside track.
Going off the limited amount of video I’ve seen, Gordon doesn’t look like the answer. He’s got great vision and his athleticism allows him to exploit gaps and running lanes, but the question here concerns finding a running back that not only replaces Lynch as the bell cow, but fits the punishing style of offense Carroll and Cable want. Gordon is not a strong, physical runner like Beast Mode, he breaks tackles by being so fast and agile that the linebackers and defensive backs simply can’t properly track him. I haven’t seen him power through a guy in the open field or pump his legs to grind out those few extra yards. Of course, it must be noted that no one does those things better than the Beast, but their styles are so completely different.
Honestly, I don’t see anything that Melvin Gordon does that Christine Michael can’t do. We saw him do the exact same sort of stuff against an equally bad Giants run defense.
I agree with you, Rob, don’t create a problem when there isn’t one, keep the high picks to grab an impact player or two at other positions like defensive tackle or wide receiver. I’d much rather see Russell Wilson throwing to Kevin White or another big time target.
I like Gordon a lot and think he would lethal in this offense. It’s interesting to see how similar Wisconsin’s offense is to ours – the read option element, inside/outside zone, and the anemic passing offense.
It’s easy to see Gordon thriving in our offense. He’s a different runner than Lynch for sure, and I would be running a lot of off tackle and outside zone with him, but we’ve had success with these sorts of plays. Pairing him with Christine Michael would put a lot of stress on a defense. Run outside zone with Gordon or inside with Michael.
I personally believe that the key to our rushing success has actually been, and will in future continue to be Russell Wilson. Just the threat of Russ keeping on a zone read or bootleg creates favorable match-ups for linemen and running backs.
I do believe that Melvin Gordon could replace or come close to replacing Marshawn Lynch. I do not believe he will be the only RB on draft day to meet this description. This is a loaded class.
The fact is, our running game has literally never been better, and all we have to show for it is a 6-4 record. Yes, I know, the defense is down, but the offense is averaging roughly the same amount of points and yards per game as last season, but the distribution has been more running yards and fewer passing yards. These numbers reflect what we are all seeing in the games. Our passing offense is barely functional, and it rears its ugly head mostly in tight contests where we need to move the ball without the ability to run because of the clock or timeout situation.
Let me get to the point. If in 2015 we have a bonfide #1 receiver and one of the top 3 or 4 RB’s from this class, that offense will be more efficient than this 2014 offense. I truly believe that.
Can we accomplish this? It will be tough, but if ever there was an off-season to do so, this will be the one. Without Lynch we will have north of 40 million in available cap dollars to go along with our treasure trove of draft picks. It will be an interesting off-season, to say the least.
Hey Rob what do you think of Javorius Allen from USC? I could see the Seahawks picking up someone like that – because I don’t see them going RB in the first round. Karlos Williams and Mack Brown have the speed and bulk – but haven’t really looked at them.
The bottom line is when need to start emphasizing offense in the draft, something P & J haven’t really done. Get some receivers and a solid LG and let’s turn Russell loose.
I really, really, REALLY hope we don’t spend a 1st round pick on a RB. That would be a total waste.
Totally agree!
Rob,
Instead of cutting Lynch, if it comes to that, why wouldn’t they send him to Oakland for a 2nd or 3rd? I know we differ, but do the same thing (not to Oakland per say) for Unger and Okung (2 talented lineman when healthy, but can’t stay that way).
As much a Beast replacement is needed, our biggest needs lie elsewhere. We need the upgrade the trenches. Oline and Dline. If we can get one or two of Melton/Fairley/Suh/Odrick/Peters/Paea, one of Hardy/Pierre-Paul/Hughes/Clayborn and two of Franklin/Cannon/Wisnewski.
Improve dinner (both lines) before you worry about desert (playmakers)
He’s a 29 year old back going into the last year of his contract, with known front office issues. His trade value is pretty low right now. You probably won’t get anything.
I hardly doubt his stock is low but most teams would want a deal for Marshawn extension in place to make a trade.
I think it’s very unlikely Ed that Lynch will get that level of draft return. He’s 29 next year and teams know he’s reportedly on the way out. The best they could hope for was a 5th-6th rounder — small compensation. And even then, Lynch would probably be looking for an extension of sorts. I doubt a trade happens but you never know.
I can’t agree with the second bit. How or why would you trade Okung and Unger? It’s a bit Madden-esque. Even if it was possible, the entire soul of the running game would be gone — Lynch plus your center and left tackle. You’d have to replace the two most vital positions on the offensive line and then replace Lynch too. I’m not sure the names you suggested are improvements either. It’d be a recipe for disaster.
Neither do I agree with the rhetoric that dominates football conversation — that skill players are somehow second to ‘linemen’. It’s simply not true. There are many ways to win football games and we’ve seen in recent years if you have a good QB and skill players, you’re just as likely to win a title than if you have a great offensive line. Quarterback is the most important position and after that it’s equally important to provide him with a competent line and enough weapons.
For Seattle to get back to a Championship level they need, more than anything, to retain Lynch and get some weapons for Wilson. They need to improve the depth and quality of the defensive line. That’s really about it.
Just a thought, keep Marshawn next season and draft Gurley in the late first round. Heck, we could trade back in the 1st round, and pick up more draft capitol too.
Not saying I would do this, but it’s another option to look at as we all over analyze what we should or could do.
This guy has change of pace back written all over him doesn’t fit our style of play, we drafted Christine micheal who is big fast and maybe physical, don’t completely now that yet, why wast needed pics on a position we r stacked at, let’s get more talent at offensive and defensive line, that is where we are having issues, the game is won up front, just imagine wilson with a great line where he doesn’t have to fear having to run away that often, or a retooled defensive line that can pressure and sack the qb, and stop the run, and big physical recievers, like Vincent Jackson and Kelvin B., we need piece’s not one piece.
I think that no matter how good Gordon is and even if he puts up a 1000 yard season his first year in the league….we will also compare him to Lynch. And no matter how good he is he just won’t hold up well in comparison.
I look at that tape and see a guy who would be thrilling to watch. A real threat in this offense mixed with Russell Wilson. But I keep wanting more. I want him to drag defenders along with him. Bust through the defense like a bowling ball. In short I want him to be like Lynch. And that’s unfair.
Melvin Gordon would be a fantastic addition to this team. I sure hope he is the pick. But as soon as Lynch is no longer with this team the team we are used to is gone. But change isn’t always bad.
Meh, I don’t really see it. Nothing spectacular IMO. OK speed, but not elite. (word is he’s in the mid 4.4’s) Good vision, not much burst. I saw a lot of dancing behind the line, which would never fly here. I saw a number of runs around the outside, something that he won’t be able to do in the NFL.
As it’s been said countless times by myself and others, from a physical ability standpoint, Michael is superior. It blows my mind that Michael’s attitude, intelligence, fundamentals, maturity, whatever are so bad that they’d take a first round RB with lesser physical ability. Man.
As for Lynch, my gut tells me his return depends on Seattle making the playoffs. If they get in, he’ll stay. If they don’t get in, he’s gone. Just something about winning making everything better.
Exact same thoughts. This guy doesn’t seem special. Great at taking advantage of nice lanes opened up by a good line, but he didn’t do anything cmike couldn’t and I think cmike offers a lot more in terms of physicality and probably speed as well.
I am still hoping that either way, if Lynch is here or gone, we go after a big reciever or TE. I was hoping for the same thing last year and was disappointed with our pick…. Just did not see the need for a smaller speed guy with Percy on the roster.
My thought is if Lynch leaves we split reps with Turbin and Michael perhaps pick up a mid round back to challenge for time. Running back seems like the one position you can regularly find rookie stars in the 3-5 round range. I would hate to pass up on a true weapon for RW.
I can’t help but believe RW would be much more comfortable with a big target or two to have on roll outs and in the red zone. I know we’ll never be a passing offence under this PC but with the real possibility of Lynch not returning next year we will need to look at other options for 3rd down conversions and red the zone.
I agree it would be awesome to have a big receiver or TE, I just see Seattle not being a destination for FA’s because of the lack of passes unless we can find a SIdney Rice who was glad to leave a situation that was ready to roll down a hill after Favre left.
In the draft would be the way to go, but this draft cycle to me is lacking in some serious WR/TE talent.
Maybe Rob disagrees which I actually hope he does in this case.
But what I see is a LOT of guys who have Kearse’s size (6-1, 200 ish) and none that are all that spectacular. Basically layers of redundancy in our already pedestrian receiving corps. Honestly I hope/ wish Seattle considers Dorial Green-Beckham if he declares. Or Kevin White if he’s in one to two draft spots by the tie the Seahawks are picking.
I know more names will pop up as senior bowl and shrine game come around, but last year was the year to draft WR talent. This year who knows.
It’s a poor year for big receivers.
Rob,
as per the comment above….what areas do you think are particularly deep in this draft? Right now it seems that oddly RB/LB….possible DB are the deepest if not the most talented areas of the draft.
Rob do you think Gordon is better than Michael? Michael looks to be just as fast/explosive but brings a more physical style. He has grinded out a couple of tough 3-1’s this year for Seattle. I still think Michael can be the guy but I’m not a scouting guy like you. just seems like people have given up on MIchael but I have LOVED what I have I seen from him altho its dissapointing he hasn’t carved out a bigger role. The talent looks off the charts to me. Thoughts on the two?
It’s hard to say. Michael is one of the greatest athletes we’ll see in college football but clearly has some issues — why else did end up in the doghouse at A&M and now on the periphery in Seattle? You have the RB coach going on radio criticizing his technique. I’d love to think the light will switch on but I’m not convinced.
I keep thinking SSmith was trying to light a fire under CMike by criticizing him in the media. It’s too unbelievable for me to think SEA would draft a “fundamentally unsound” player at any position.
CMike’s athleticism and running style (as demonstrated at A&M) are perfect for a zbs offense. His speed burst when hitting the hole or making a cut is almost unprecedented. He’s not as agile or shifty as Lynch, but he’s a strong, powerful RB.
As for Lynch, the biggest problem I see in replacing him isn’t necessarily his physicality. Rather it’s his intelligence as a runner. Don’t know of any RBs who set up their downfield blockers better, or who see the field on the fly and adjust as well as he does. His IQ gets overshadowed by his physicality, but don’t kid yourself. Dude is one smart runner.
If it ends up being something that keeps Michael from getting a chance its sad. I think he could be special in Seattle. Different than Lynch obviously but very, very good. Assuming Lynch is gone, if Michael doesn’t win the role in year 3 he probably never will. He will have every opportunity to take the job next year.
Calling C-Mike fundamentally unsound was a nice way of saying he is just plain dumb. Did you see him jump up and signal first down in the Carolina game after he was hit in the backfield and then struggled to get back to the LOS? I was embarrassed for him.
Big reciever or tight end…cue up Rob! Who’s coming out that fit our needs? We’ve talked about White a bit….who is might we consider as a boon to our anemic pass & redzone efforts?
Issac Blakeney at Duke one to watch, assuming they don’t target this need in R1.
I’m hoping that Maxx Williams from Minnesota declares for the draft. I think he will be a nice TE
My dream off-season would look something like:
1. Retain Lynch
2. Sign Jordan Cameron
3. Sign Nick Fairley
4. Darft Dorial Green-Beckham
Goals: Get interior DL help to provide a push up the middle. Get bigger at the receiver/TE position, Keep the running game the same.
Forgot to add, I’d gladly take Devin Funchess if DGB doesn’t declare. Either one will be great IMO
Yeesh, couldn’t disagree more. Fairley’s barely got his weight where it needs to be for the first time, the fact that it’s in a contract year should throw some red flags. Cameron’s coming off his third concussion in two years, and Beckham’s had drug / domestic violence problems in the past.
From a talent standpoint I completely agree we need to address those areas, but the front office has its back to the wall for the first time. The problems with Lynch, the Harvin saga and two poor drafts in a row mean they have to nail it this summer. Taking on more players with injury/attitude problems and paying them good contracts over the likes of KJ or Byron could lead to a pretty disillusioned locker room.
Agree with your points, but I would counter with the fact that those guys have talent and will be affordable. The Hawks aren’t in a position to go after the likes of Bryant, Thomas and Suh, so if you’re wanting to upgrade the roster via free agency, those are the kind of risk/high reward players you need to go after IMO. What would the alternative be? Who’s the better option as an interior D-line player in the free agent market? Which TE out there is an upgrade over what we have? What free agents do you bring in to get the talent level back up to 2013?
Rob,
You say get weapons and keep with Oline that we have. If that’s the case, do you think at some point we move on from Cable or at least his advice for lineman? I just don’t really see it working. While his guys (Sweezy/Britt) are nasty, so was Bitonio but for some reason (I assume) they graded Britt somewhere in the same league as Bitonio (where as you and practically the entire league had him 4th rd and lower).
Too cute on too many picks.
This draft alone could have got us Bitonio/Nix/M. Bryant all guys you raved about and could have been taken in 1st 2nd 3rd
It is amazing to think that if seattle had just followed conventional wisdom how they would be looking at so many fewer holes to fill just with those players you list.
I don’t see us moving on from Cable unless he’s offered a better job. The line run blocks very well and has good and bad games in pass pro — which is incredibly difficult with a scrambling QB/system.
You have to be a scrambling QB to have a chance with this line. We said early on in PC/JS we trust. The boat is hitting some big waves, I hope they can prove we should still trust them. I’m getting a little scared because the waves look big.
PS Let’s hope they read your blog for whom to draft next year
I’d guess that since PC worked for Bud Grant he was heavily influenced by Fran Tarkenton. Back in 1974 Tarkenton’s favorite play was to sprint out right and either hit Chuck Foreman coming underneath or John Gilliam on a curl out. It was nearly impossible to stop because all three players were near top of the league at their positions. This of course was fatal in SB9 because the DE on that side of the ball was LC Greenwood, and you had Jack Ham covering the underneath stuff. Blocking for Tarkenton on the right side was a hall of fame RT (Ron Yary) and a perennial all pro RG in Ed White. Mick Tinglehoff I believe made the hall of fame at center.
Tarkenton was frequently harassed and sacked throughout his career. I think with the style we have with RW, we will always be complaining about the oline throughout his career no matter who they draft.
“Tarkenton was frequently harassed and sacked throughout his career. I think with the style we have with RW, we will always be complaining about the oline throughout his career no matter who they draft.”
So, so true.
The waves are looking big. I don’t see us moving on from Cable either but he hasn’t justified the trust that’s been placed in him evaluating talent. If PCJS ask him to take a smaller role in personnel, which there;s no suggestion they will, would he stay in a reduced role? It does look like Russell’s mobility offsets the matador pass blocking in Cable’s linemen.
Thats a good one about the Seahawks “matador pass blocking”. Must be a new style. One or two linemen don’t block their opponent – but Wilson will never know which two won’t block!!!
Seriously though. I am laying the drafting issues squarely on John Schneider and Pete Carroll. Cable isn’t running things. He can give his opinion but the buck stops higher up. The biggest misses have been Harvin and Michael, Cable didn’t pick either one of those players. Michael may turn out to be really good, but they have already wasted two years of his rookie contract. So he isn’t that useful after all. Britt and Richardson still have to prove themselves, I like what I’m seeing but who knows if they will last.
The thing I’m seeing is that the Seahawks started off following the Green Bay model of a few paid veterans helped by a lot of rookies. Somehow that has morphed into the veterans being part of the walking wounded while our rookies get red shirted and we overpay for free agents. Maybe we should focus on getting back to the Green Bay model. At least it is sustainable.
Pete Carroll is on the record saying he wants to be the best scrambling team in the league. They want Wilson scrambling. Most of it is by design or instinct. People don’t realise that an O-line blocking for a QB like Wilson isn’t just squaring up and trying to create a basic pocket. They constantly have no idea where Wilson is going to be. Is he scrambling right? Is he going left? Is he standing up in the pocket? You can’t create a pocket for that and therefore they don’t even try to. They do what they have to do. And this is exactly what Seattle/Carroll wants.
We spend far too much time talking about offensive linemen. The situation people clamor for (this perfect clean pocket for Wilson) will never ever happen. Seattle’s scheme and the QB’s mobility will always lead to a high number of sacks and some pressure. C’est la vie.
He scrambles to the right most of the time. All the teams know that.
So in the context of this conversation, let’s say Seattle’s offensive line presumes he will scramble right on every pass play. They set the pocket to protect that scenario. And then he sits in the pocket. Or he scrambles left. Do you see my point?
Peyton Manning is totally predictable to pass protect for. He never leaves the pocket and has a quick fire release. A lineman can set up the pocket KNOWING where he’s going to be. Russell Wilson is the complete opposite. Even if he does scramble a lot to the right, you don’t know for certain what he will do. You don’t know where he’s going to need his pocket. He is a scrambling QB in an offense set up to be the best scrambling offense in the league. He will take more sacks, he will face more pressure as a consequence. And you know what? This set up won a Super Bowl last year.
Getting back to the Super Bowl will be about upgrading the D-line and giving him more weapons.
When they draft an olineman, I’m hoping they look at a guy like when Chris Gray was in seattle during the Hutch/W Jones heyday. A guy good enough to start at guard – and be avg to above avg at it – but easily flip to center when you need it. The pounding that Unger takes makes such a player more valuable. I guess that player I hope they can find is…another Unger. It would be interesting if they draft another top ranked center, keep Unger, but develop the new guy for LG.
Can we draft their offensive line instead?
I never could agree with the “(coach) didn’t say (player) isn’t going anywhere and therefor he’s not committed to keeping hm around” thing. If this is about negotiation, which it very well could be, whether it’s for next year’s pay or an extension Carroll saying “I’ll give him anything he wants” would not help the front office leverage a deal. And if he went back on such a proclamation, Lynch’s trade value I imagine would drop further.
I for one think teams would give up something for Marshawn, sure it wont be a R1 but there would be offers. He’s the best RB in the NFL and it’s becoming more obvious with every game that we should keep him, but there are limits to the years I’d extend him, the salary and the guaranteed money. Even the front office may not know exactly the kind of numbers Marshawn is looking for.
ANd I imagine there’s something similar going on with Harbaugh. If he stays or if he goes, its not about his ability as a coach, it’s about agreeing on a contract.
I just can’t buy into this media rumors about lynch. Hawks would be stupid to not try to retain lynch. And it’s been proven that this regime is far from that. I see him playing out his deal. I hope they extend him but I’m on the side of lynch being a hawk next year.
I also don’t see them going RB in round 1. In their 4 drafts so far they have drafted 3 lineman 1st. I see them continuing that trend. I think last year they were high on Easley too before pats got him. I see DE/DT in the first unless someone falls to them. They have drafted with well overall so we can’t really fault them to much here.
There is a real void at wr/te. I do think they get a big target this year. The Percy saga was a setback. But they tried something that had potential to be game breaking. it didn’t work and I see them going back to what worked before. They’ll focus on defense and the lines. They’ll use there sparq ratings and find athletes late. Trust there coaching to teach. And stay competitive in every game going forward.
So what I’d like to know is who are some potential gems can we possibly see us getting in mid to late rounds. I don’t think they change there draft style. It has netted them as championship.
Every now and then I have said to myself “…whatever happened to that Jaye Howard guy? I wonder if he’ll ever see the light of day?”
Thus I was somewhat surprised to discover that he was a starting defensive lineman for Kansas City. And looked pretty darn good too.
How did he get away?
Fool’s gold. He might have looked good against us, but he really hasn’t been as impressive as you’re imagining. He only played in 4 games last year. This year he’s played in every game averaging 26 snaps yet has only averaged one qb pressure and one defensive stop a game. He had his best game of the season against us with 4 defensive stops but most times he doesn’t come up with any.
…which kind of makes you wonder about the OL who was blocking him….
Yep. There were at least 3 KC (had been Hawks at one time) players that balled on Sunday. Players that we get rid of are playing better than our keepers.
That’s how Michael Bennett became good, while playing for Tampa Bay.
Gordon could stand to hold to the ball better. He’s had five lost fumbles this year. That’s… not so good.
Fair comment.
I prefer Mark Ingram as a FA target over spending a high pick on Gordon. He’s been on fire this year when Sean Payton has decided to use him properly by giving him enough carries a game. He’s barely been used over his four year rookie contract and is finally looking like the player it was thought he could be out of the draft. He had the kind of physical running style that has worked so well for Carroll’s offensive philosophy.
The more I think about the draft options (and do you really want to risk one of your needed high picks on Gurley when you NEED that pick to pan out), the more I’m coming around to the idea of Ingram. Use the draft for needs other than rb.
If it was a choice of Ingram or sticking with what we’ve got — I’d probably rather go with Michael/Turbin and a rookie such as Tevin Coleman. Ingram isn’t going to be cheap and he’s timed it right to have his first meaningful season in the NFL — in a contract year.
Is Adrian Peterson an option for a short term contract? I can see Seattle being a good place to reestablish his value.
Only if the Vikings release him. If they do, then sure I guess he would be an option. There’d be a lot of competition though.
Ben Tate was a prospect we talked about a bit for a zone blocking one cut fit. A good back with proven prodution and a perfect fit scheme wise. I don’t think he’s a problem in the locker room just super hungry to prove him self after being Adrian Fosters back up for years. Blount of course became available yesterday but what a head case. I don’t see him here after Percy and Marshawn cancerous behavior. Tate is no Marshawn but might allow us to address our enemic passing game this draft and add some depth on the d line. We lack a two gap d lineman to run a 4/3 under. Read a great article about Carrolls philosophy highlighting being a one gap defense along the dline exempt one 2 gap dl to even out the number of defenders in the box to gaps. Ill try to find that link again, really great read about how the scheme developed. Wide receiver is such a huge need and free agents won’t come here without being over payed. Losing Golden has been in my eyes the biggest gaf of the Carroll/Snider era. I have to think they thought Odell B or Benjamin would slide to them, big gamble and a huge mistake in retrospect but they got Wilson with a third round pick.
Tate might very well be a good fit and I think you present a good case. The only thing frustrating for me is that Michael is more talented than any back listed above. Thats what makes him so frustrating. I think he is better than Gordon. Michael and Turbin in theory would do great at the position allowing us to go after other areas of need. But like Rob said the light bulb has to go on. I’m still not convinved that some of this is on the coaches. Sometimes they make mistakes and don’t play players they should. It happens to every coach. I can’t see any scenario where you don’t get him more touches. Lynch is beat up, Turbin while solid isn’t going to break a game open and you’re 6-4. Get Michael out there.
I’m surprised I’m not reading anything about trading for Adrian Peterson. I don’t know anything about his contract status, but how about swapping Marshawn for Peterson as a short-time (next year) solution?
I’m not advocating this move — I’m just surprised that it’s not being discussed.
I thought about Peterson too, but as a father and given the fact its an established pattern of behavior, I couldn’t root for the team the same way. He had another child die from abuse a year or two ago, if that wasn’t a wake up that he needed to change the limits of acceptible behavior nothing is. His ex wife was responsible for the first but this is a pattern and much like Michael Vick would rather see a lifetime ban from the NFL. I don’t see him being welcome here, our guys may not be church boys but they are decent human beings that you can root for. I’d dream of getting Blackmon or a Gordan if I was willing to take a risk on a character concern. But those are young men with poor judgment. Peterson is just kind of a POS.
When we first traded Harvin my first thought was well we would for sure keep Lynch now, silly me as the talks of this being his last year have just increased. He must really be a head case if they do move on, because you dont get tagged with beast mode for being average. So fun to watch him ball, will be a big whole to fill.
Also how disappointing has it been to watch all of these WR we discussed for monthes doing so well, while 2 guys that were never mentioned, still are not worth mentioning. I can only hope they develope as Tate did.
Heard through the grapevine that gronk might not be with the patriots in 2015… Good Lord please make him a seahawk!
another guy who is on the bench 1/2 the time and eats up cap space