Saving money at right tackle & Kyle Long

Oregon's Kyle Long could be an option at #56

I was half expecting something to happen this weekend. Kam Chancellor getting a new deal. Tony McDaniel signing. Whatever. It’s been as quiet and slow this week as the previous seven days were explosive and enthralling.

John Schneider’s admittance that the next priority is to extend the contracts of their own players suggested something might be close. Maybe this will take a little longer than expected? Once Chancellor gets his new contract (and it’s probably a formality) they’ll see how much cap room remains and plan from there. We could see further cuts as this things get worked out, especially if they also want to offer new deals to Earl Thomas and Golden Tate too.

Until then I guess everything else is on hold. Seattle’s two greatest needs on paper still seem to be defensive tackle and linebacker. They are the only two positions where they’re potentially losing starters.

There’s every chance they’ve identified two replacements in the draft and have an exceptionally strong feeling they’ll land the players they want. After all, they made such plans for Bruce Irvin and Russell Wilson last year. Perhaps we’ll see many of the defensive tackles falling into the late second, giving the Seahawks a pool of talent to choose from? Maybe they know a mid-to-late linebacker who’s going to come in and compete for (and possibly win) the starting WILL job?

Or perhaps they feel comfortable with this being a deep class until about the mid-third round and appreciate they’ll get a pretty good player whatever the circumstances?

In that scenario, nothing is out of the question. So while defensive tackle and WILL are holes that need to be filled, they aren’t such striking needs that they simply must be addressed without question on day two of the draft.

We’ve discussed the option of drafting a swing guard/tackle prospect at #56 when I mocked Dallas Thomas to Seattle a couple of weeks ago. I still think they feel good enough about their coaching situation and ability to find players to avoid going offensive line early. I think we could see another raw talent added like J.R. Sweezy. Another project for Tom Cable. Overall there’s already quality depth at guard on the roster and getting a veteran backup tackle isn’t exactly difficult.

The other dynamic though is the constant thought process of planning ahead. Cheap labour is vital for Seattle when they’re making all these exciting moves for Percy Harvin, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, Golden Tate, Brandon Browner, Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright (plus others) all earn a relative pittance. Eventually, some will earn the big bucks. So finding ways to make savings elsewhere will be crucial if the plan is to keep the team intact.

Regular visitors will know I’m a fan of Breno Giacomini. I think he gets a raw deal from fans based purely on a laundry list of penalties early in the 2012 season. The perception stuck that Giacomini wasn’t doing his job. The reality, in my view, was very different. Once he’d cut out the mental errors and penalties, he thrived. Watch him perform against a collection of the league’s best pass rushers and you’ll see what I mean. He had a terrific 2012 season on the whole.

However, regular visitors will also know how often we’ve debated the importance of the right tackle position. A right tackle has the benefit of protecting a quarterback’s strong side, he often gets help from a tight end and they’re mostly judged on their ability to create running lanes. There are still teams (like Seattle) who keep their best pass rusher attacking the blind side. Any right tackle coming up against the Seahawks for example has to pass-protect against Red Bryant for the first two downs. It’s not a premium position and it’s the main reason why so few teams put a lot of emphasis on it. Most people would struggle to name more than five right tackles in the NFL. There’s a reason for that.

I firmly believe you can and should be able to plug guys into that role with good coaching. And yet Breno Giacomini is due to earn $4.25m in 2013 in the final year of his contract.

That’s pretty high.

One way around this could be to sign an extension now, giving Giacomini long-term security while spreading out the cost over (let’s say) a three-year deal. As much as a right tackle can be plugged in, consistency is also key. Keeping the same faces together on the offensive line is one of the best ways to create a productive unit. Five guys have to work as one.

If a new contract doesn’t happen, then Giacomini might be one of the players you can make a saving on down the line. Rather than continue to pay him $4.25m (or a similar amount) you could pay a player drafted with the #56 pick a salary worth $1.2m at it’s highest point. Ohio State tackle Mike Adams was the #56 pick last year (taken by Pittsburgh). His cap hit as a rookie was $644K. He will take up $805K in 2013, $966K in 2014 and $1.12m in 2015. That’s a considerable saving compared to the money Giacomini is earning this season.

Even if Giacomini is willing to take a long term contract to lessen the cap hit, he’s not going to accept a salary as low as the one Mike Adams signed. So even as a self-confessed member of the Breno Giacomini fan-club, I understand a situation where he moves on next year.

The best way to maximise the cap saving would be to draft a rookie next year as a direct replacement. However, this also means a rookie would have to start immediately and that comes with its own pitfalls. Drafting a player this year and using 2013 as preparation could be useful. And it’s the main reason why I’m identifying Kyle Long in this piece.

Most people are aware of his back-story, but here’s a quick summary. He’s the son of Howie and brother of Chris, but actually went to Florida State to play baseball. It’s a little bit odd that he didn’t play football until his sophomore year at High School given his bloodlines, but I’ve not been able to find any information as to why that was. He failed out at FSU and was arrested for a DUI in 2009. Apparently Howie gave him a few home truths during this time and after a year away from sport, he went down the JUCO route and eventually ended up at Oregon where he played tackle and guard.

On tape he looks like a guy with limited football experience. There are occasions where he very clearly struggles to identify what a defense is going to do and this is more evident, perhaps worryingly, against the run. Strangely for a guy with his size and attitude, he’s better in pass protection. Guys like that often get labelled as ‘finesse’ but he’s not what you’d call ‘a technician’. I think he just needs more coaching and more time on the field.

And yet physically he has so much potential and absolutely looks the part at 6-6 and 313lbs. The Seahawks seem to want size not just at defensive tackle, but also on the offensive line. James Carpenter is massive while Giacomini is 6-7. None of the other guys are ‘small’ either. Long could theoretically work as a guard or tackle in Seattle’s scheme. He’s agile and sinks his hips well to get leverage on pass plays. His hand use is relatively good but could still use some improvement. He’s relaxed and confident when defending the edge and does a good job mirroring rushers. One look at his frame and he appears made to play in the NFL — and he has the upper body power to eventually excel against the run. He’s an athlete playing on the offensive line and these days, those guys are rare. It’s why he could still work his way into the early second round.

Given all his issues at Florida State, his lack of experience and the fact he was concentrating on baseball just a few years ago, his rise to prominence is fairly spectacular. If the upward curve continues, you could be looking at a high-value pick — especially for a team that has one of the best in the business working the offensive line.

He seems tailor-made to spend a year with Cable enhancing his skills. The Seahawks were happy to spell Sweezy with John Moffitt last year to give the rookie needed time on the field. Why wouldn’t they do the same between Long and Giacomini? Then in 2014 you have a well prepared athletic specimen to come in at right tackle who is earning $800k instead of $4.2m.

I also get the sense Pete Carroll would buy into the NFL pedigree and ‘name’ value of Long, plus the potential. The only thing that might be holding them back is the evidence they are prepared to search for diamonds in the rough such as Sweezy, lessening the desire to go for offensive lineman early. Yet in many ways drafting Long is a move that makes a lot of sense — especially when it comes to cap room and finances going forward.

65 Comments

  1. Brandon O.

    Great read Rob. It’d be awesome seeing the Long bros. go head to head twice a year.

    Unbelievable how wide open this draft is.

  2. Nolan

    I don’t really know how to phrase what I am about to say with out being condescending but trust me that I am absoultly not trying to do that….

    Why are Longs Character concerns draftable? I am curious to the rational because he had a DUI which to me means he has a substance abuse problem, and a Legal problem, not to mention that he is lucky he didn’t kill someone or himself. Why is he draftable for this front office when others with aruably less character concerns considered to risky in your view.

    Again I am really not trying to be a dick or be condesending I am just trying to understand your thinking.

    • Brandon O.

      It’s got to be because of his name right? He has a pedigree.

      • Rob Staton

        Not at all Brandon.

    • Kenny Sloth

      Watch the tape. Long will pancake guys and then help them up. In interviews he seems like a hard working, respectful, articulate individual.

      • williambryan

        Really like that about him. I wanted to feel sorry for the ASU DE in the tape but Long kept helping him back up so I couldn’t feel too bad for him.

    • Rob Staton

      He has one DUI (in 2009) and has had no issues since. It could be argued he’s turned his life and career around and has proven he’s no longer a problem off the field.

      The two players I’ve argued against — Tyrann Mathieu and Da’Rick Rogers — have not been able to make such assurances. Mathieu was arrested for drug possession only a matter of months ago after being kicked out of LSU and recently admitted he is still battling to stay clean. Reports recently suggested the coaching staff at Tennessee Tech weren’t overly impressed with Rogers in a season where all he had to do was work his backside off for a few months to wrestle back some positive momentum. These two cases really aren’t comparable to Long’s problems which took place 3-4 years ago.

      • Nolan

        fair enough.

    • Beanhawk

      As an Oregon fan and with some connections to the program, let me just say that the Oregon staff and program thought incredibly highly of Kyle Long. He was a favorite teammate and widely considered one of the more mature guys on the roster. I don’t foresee character problems being an issue at all here (for any team).

      I would not at all be surprised to see him picked up by Chip Kelly and the Eagles in the early second round. This guy is loads of untapped potential. If he is there at #56, I think he has to be under consideration- I don’t think he’ll be there though.

    • CHawk Talker Eric

      Nolan, the devil is in the details of the incident:

      Kyle was pulled over at 2am for driving the wrong way down a side street on Charlottesville, VA. He blew a 0.10 – state limit in VA is 0.08 (same as in all states). According to the incident report, Kyle claimed he was moving his car from a would-be tow zone to a parking space where he could leave it overnight.

      Now, I am NOT advocating for Kyle, or for buzz driving AT ALL. But hey, a 300+lb guy blowing a 0.10 isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever heard of. Plus, if you believe his explanation for being behind the wheel in the first place, it’s not like he was going for a drive. He just wanted to move his car.

      Also, from what I’ve read, his version of what happened fits the facts – he’d been at a party, had parked his car in a space that would be a tow zone in the morning, didn’t want it towed, decided to move it to a parking space at the end of the street, and chose to go directly to the spot instead of circling around the corner. Maybe that last part is the worst thing he did – driving the wrong way down the street. Then again, it was 2am and there wasn’t any other traffic on the road. Except for the UVA police that made the stop.

      That was 4 years ago. I don’t think he’s had a single incident since.

    • SHawn

      Marshawn had a DUI just last year or the year before, should we have cut him because of it?

    • Wycon76

      It’s probably because you don’t have any problems. Lynch had a DUI, Golden Tate robbed a doughnut shop (or something to that effect), Avril had a weed “problem”… Dude, people do stupid things and it can take a while to get it right. I’m not trying to be condescending either, but people who’ve never had any problems don’t seem to understand that MOST people do. We learn and grow and it ADDS character. It doesn’t diminish it.

      • Wycon76

        Wait, I think I’m wrong about Avril and the weed. I was blending two people somehow, it’s Mathiau. Anyway, I’m not worried about the weed with Mathiau either simply because he’s gonna be so busy working his a$$ off not to mention the $$$ he’ll lose out on if he can’t keep it together. I actually wish we’d pick him up. Looks like a great slot CB.

        • Rob Staton

          Personally I think Mathieu will struggle like crazy in the slot. Like most slot corners to be fair, it’s a thankless task. There’s no simple solution there and how many great slot corners are there in the NFL?

          For me, Mathieu’s future lies at free safety. That’s where he’ll do most of his damage, as a roaming centre-fielder.

          • CHawk Talker Eric

            And in blitzing packages.

        • A. Simmons

          How hard was he working in college? How much money did he lose by screwing up his college career? You’re engaging in a delusion that doesn’t even fit your own parameters. Tyrann didn’t work hard enough in college to keep him from screwing up with drugs multiple times. It isn’t like the he had one chance and blew it. He had multiple chances and blew it. He lost a bunch of money by doing so. He would have probably been drafted in the 1st or 2nd round without the drug issues. That is millions of dollars he gave up because he couldn’t kick his drug habit.

          So give me good reasons why you think this will change in the NFL? You would be a great guy to bet with. You would make a lousy GM wasting your owner’s money on high risk prospects like Tyrann Mathieu. I hope John and Pete stay far away from a guy that lacks that much self control.

  3. tom page

    I would be shocked if they picked an offensive lineman in round 2, I think they will wait to address the position. With so many mid round picks, I’m sure Schneider has several guys he will be targeting in day three of the draft. Based on comparing need to the inventory of players, I think they will go DT, TE, or WR with the second round pick.

    • Rob Staton

      I wouldn’t be shocked by whoever they draft to be fair.

      • Nolan

        yep not to many people could have predicted any of there picks outside of Okung

        • AlaskaHawk

          I wouldn’t be shocked either for these reasons. DT will have been picked over by our turn, and we got one in free agency. WR would be great (Swopes or Wheaton ? If available) but we just got in free agency, and WR is prestty deep this year. LB we already got three competing for one spot. Slot CB yes if there’s a good one but PC usually picks this position later. And finally right side offensive line, maybe it’s just a case of the right guy being available. I think we could upgrade the right side pretty easily. Our guys are okay but usually make a few bone head plays per game. In Giacominni case it was either penalties or not picking up a blitzer and turning to watch Russel Wilson get pancaked.

    • Ben2

      In your post Tom I think you could scramble those positions around….I think the Hawks could go DT, WR (everything the article said about the Big Russian I believe to be true about Rice too!),OL, whatever in rd.2. We’re in a position to draft BPA and “I’d be surprised” in some form is going to come out of my mouth after Schneider makes the pick – but I’ll probably think on it for a while and be like,”damn, that was a good pick!”

      • Snoop Dogg

        Correction: I’m sure you all would be surprised if they drafted a long-snapper in round 2.

  4. Ben2

    Robs post came through faster-probably a better typist!

  5. Ben2

    I do like the idea of a guy like Long (superior athleticism) because in year 2 when you expect him to play RT if Okung got hurt he could slide over and play the more crucial position without the precipitous drop off in talent

    • CHawk Talker Eric

      For sure. That’s what makes him a VERY tantalizing pick at 56. He can play just about any spot on the OLine except center. That kind of versatility is worth a lot, even if there isn’t an acute need for any particular OL position.

  6. Josh

    What are your thoughts on Brennan Williams UNC and Jordan Mills LA Tech? And what rounds are they likely to be taken in

    • Rob Staton

      I’ve not seen enough of Mills to pass comment. Williams I liked last year but it was very noticeable how often he was being coached by Jonathan Cooper at left guard. I think he has the kind of potential to play tackle in the NFL but he might need some work before he gets there.

  7. Kip Earlywine

    In theory Kyle Long makes a lot of sense. Pac-12 connection. Height/weight/athleticism/effort that matches Tom Cable’s preferences. Is experienced playing both guard and tackle. Seattle does not need the logjam at guard to be any worse, but they do favor flexibility especially once McQuistan moves on next year.

    I see problems with Long though when I scout him at both tackle and guard. As a tackle, he doesn’t have a quick lateral slide (despite possessing very good straight line speed). He has poor waste bend (indicating he might only be able to play guard in the NFL). And he has short arms, just 33 3/8″. Granted- his arms are slightly longer than Giacomini’s or McQuistan’s, but I thought the whole point of looking for a tackle was to upgrade. Saving money from not paying Giacomini is nice, but he’s hardly in line for a huge payday.

    Long is tall (6’6″) and plays too high. He has good core strength and can win run blocks even with bad leverage against defensive ends, but when kicked inside (vs. USC) he really struggled to get movement in the run game against DTs who ALWAYS won leverage. Max Unger is a pretty tall guy himself (6’5″) but he has the talent to get low and stay low. So even at guard, I see things that worry me with Long.

    On the positive side, Long is a high effort player. He is quick to the second level and throws a mean cut block. He has the measurables Cable would like. I wouldn’t be shocked if Seattle drafted Kyle Long, but there are other options I like more that might go in the 3-5 range, so I wouldn’t be thrilled about burning the #56 on a guy who has some pretty big question marks in my opinion, especially since I don’t think he’s going to make it at tackle in the NFL (an opinion shared by many).

    • Kip Earlywine

      And if we spent a #56 on Long and he just became another guard, that would suck. It would mean we spent a 1st, a 2nd, and 3rd on one guard spot (I think Sweezy has the RG spot locked down as his potential is very high and he’s well on his way to realizing it.)

      • Rob Staton

        Long compares well physically to Nate Solder… a player we’re led to believe Seattle liked in 2011.

        • Bobby Cink

          Solder was so much more polished, though… wasn’t he?

          • Rob Staton

            Yes, but that’s why he was a mid-first rounder and why a guy like Long might last until round two or three.

            • Bobby Cink

              If he were there in R3, would you pull the trigger?

              • Rob Staton

                Kyle Long? I’d certainly consider it depending on who else was available.

                • Bobby Cink

                  Whom would you select over Kyle long that has a somewhat realistic shot of being there?

                  • Belgaron

                    Armstead might be there and would be another Sweezy-type (fast & quick but still needs to learn the position) granted it would be a risk to take a project in the 2nd round unless they view him as a short-term (1 year) project (he is smart and driven). The other possibility for OT at #56 is Menelik Watson, who many expected to dominate the combine the way Armstead did. When you consider PC’s aggressive nature to take risks both in games and in the draft and the fact that Seahawks will be drafting “next guys” in the foreseeable future as opposed to “start right now” guys, riskier picks might become more likely choices. It is clear that high ceilings make a difference on their draft board which makes sense coming from recruiting for USC.

                • Kip Earlywine

                  If we weren’t so jammed at guard, I’d probably agree. I think if we drafted Long and he proved incapable at tackle, it’s basically a wasted pick, because I honestly don’t think he’d be an upgrade at guard over what we already have. And I think there is a very strong chance that could happen- that he could bomb at tackle in pass pro. There are a lot of warning signs. I’d rather not risk it on a high pick.

                  I think to a team that truly needs help at both guard and tackle, Long is a good pick. I don’t think that team is us. I think we need a player that is clearly capable at tackle, beyond any doubt. If he can flex to guard (most tackles can), that’s a nice bonus but to me that’s insignificant compared to assuring that he can handle playing tackle in the first place.

                  • Kip Earlywine

                    To be fair, I think Long could be a great pick if they can turn him into an adequate pass protector at tackle. I’m highly skeptical Long will pull it off, but I won’t underestimate Tom Cable’s magic. Long does have some untapped upside and I really like his 2nd level ability and intangibles.

                    I just think that it’s probably not going to happen, and it’s too big a risk given some excellent alternatives that I feel are safer with similar upside.

          • Kip Earlywine

            Actually he was pretty raw, I think more raw than Long is. He converted from TE. He went 1st round purely because of his outstanding tools and killer tape as a run blocker.

        • Kip Earlywine

          Nah. Maybe measurements wise, but Solder was a facemelter in the run game. He was equally extreme in pass protection (in a bad way). At first I wanted him badly for Seattle, then I studied his pass pro and did a 180. Turns out, I should have stuck with my first instinct. I’ll let you know when I see another Nate Solder. He was a very rare kind of prospect in his extreme nature.

          Actually, their measurables aren’t that close. Nate Solder was a little more than 2 inches taller, and had 35.5 inch arms compared to 33.36 inch arms for Long. I don’t remember Solder being a waste bender either, although he was still really awful in pass protection because of his feet- that part is probably similar. Huge props to New England for turning him into a good pass protector.

          • Rob Staton

            Measurements are what I was referring to. And while arm length is different, overall wingspan I believe is very similar.

            • Snoop Dogg

              If we drafted Terron Armstead in the second round, we would have the fastest right side of the Offensive line in NFL history!

              • Snoop Dogg

                (Assuming 4.85 speed J.R. Sweezy takes the starter spot)

            • Kip Earlywine

              I would not make that comparison, personally. I think he’s closer to a more athletic Paul McQuistan than Nate Solder.

  8. nick

    Of offensive linemen I have watched. Him and Cooper impress me the most. Physically they are both special in different ways and the end result domination of their blocks.

  9. Colin

    I’ve pretty well convinced myself that any upgrades we make on the offense line will be welcome, but not immediately necessary. I don’t think McQuistan or Moffitt/Breno are particularly talented, but they are a well coached, and well versed group. Tom Cable makes this thing go, and it’s going to be exciting to see how JR Sweezy turns out.

  10. Rock

    A swing tackle is what we are looking for. That is a tackle that can play either tackle position not someone that plays tackle and guard. We have plenty of guards but need a backup at LT. Omiyale was the backup last year but at 30 years old he is not the future. Chris Faulk would be my choice in round 2. Unlike Long, he is actually pretty good and has experience playing tackle rather than guard. Dallas Thomas is another guy that does not fit the bill since he is most likely going to be a guard in the NFL.

    Faulk is coming off an ACL sustained in September, 2012. He should be 100% ready by June. His Pro Day is March 27 at LSU. The Seahawks will certainly have representatives there. If he is healthy he could be the Hawks choice should they decide to go O Line on day 2.

    • Rob Staton

      What a thoroughly dismissive contribution. Thanks for that.

    • Kip Earlywine

      I agree that LT depth is a priority. Whoever they draft has to at least be viable as a left tackle in emergencies. If Omiyale leaves, and he probably will, that means McQuistan is our LT depth next year and he’s probably gone next year too.

    • Belgaron

      Here are the NFL site grades at OT (they list Long OG but I included him). Faulk more likely to go late 3rd to 4th round. He wasn’t in great shape before, carrying too much around the middle. He is expected to be out of shape when he recovers from the ACL. More likely to slide lower in the draft.

      1st Rounders
      94.3 Joeckel (1)
      93.3 Fischer (2)
      92.9 Lane Johnson (3)
      85.5 Fluker (4)

      2nd Rounders
      85.0 Menelik Watson (5)
      84.0 Armstead (6)
      82.7 Dallas Thomas (7)
      78.1 Oday Aboushi (8)
      77.0 Reid Fragel (9)
      77.0 Kyle Long (10)

      3rd Rounders
      73.0 Justin Pugh (11)
      71.0 Brennan Williams (12)
      70.5 David Bakhtiari (13)
      69.2 David Quessenberry (14)
      .
      .
      .
      64.0 Chris Faulk (21)
      (http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/tracker#dt-tabs:dt-by-position/dt-by-position-input:ol)

      • SHawn

        I would like to see us look later in the draft for OL depth. Emmett Cleary is a little underrated IMO, and he has the size Cable loves from his lineman. He should be available at 158, leaving 4 picks ahead of him to address more pressing needs or to grab a great talent that falls simply too far for his skills to be looked over (138-Matheau).

        Any opinions on Cleary? NFL has him graded at 57.3, but says “but Cleary’s talent should make him a mid- to late-round selection as a valued swing reserve”. Isnt a swing reserve exactly what we need right away?

        Side question: How has Anthony Castonzo done in the pros so far? He was Cleary’s predecessor and roommate at BC.

  11. Kenny Sloth

    I like Long. You could say I’m beginning to Long for him. But only if he’s there in the third. The other players in the second are too tempting to spend on such a project. That said. He has very strong hands and arms. His arms aren’t anything insane, a respectable 33.5″, but his hands are a ridiculous 11″ long. He ran a good fourty at 4.93. One of the best of the OL group. I love his ability to block on the second level. That’s something this team is looking for in a RT. He seems to catch defenders off the line sometimes, but other times he comes off explosively and hits the opposing player with great leverage and initial punch. I really like the prospect. But only if the value presents itself.

  12. Aaron

    For what it’s worth, I thought Long played well in the Senior Bowl. I was focusing on Cornelius Washington because he had caught my attention in an earlier viewing of the game. Washington pretty much dominated Justin Pugh the entire time he was out there at left tackle. When they brought in Kyle Long to replace him at that position, Long pretty much shut down Washington’s rush off the edge, and Washington wasn’t able to get an pressure on the quarterback after that point. I know it’s a small sample size, but that’s how Long first crossed onto my radar screen personally.

    (I believe Pugh is generally projected to go in the 2nd round.)

  13. Carl

    What I liked:

    – He loves getting the defender’s face.
    – Knifes into the second level very quickly, which is important in a ZBS.
    – Moves his feet, mirrors well
    – Lots of hand use.
    – He loves to run during the whole play. Good, so does Russell Wilson. I can see this being beneficial since Russell Wilson usually takes off to the right.
    – He’s conditioned well late into the game. (Another byproduct of playing at Oregon).
    – He can play any of the four non-Center positions.
    – Good upper and lower body strength, strong base.
    – Quick and smooth off the snap.
    – Doesn’t overpower opponents, but he defeats them by sponging their contact and redirecting them without giving up ground.
    – Willing cut blocker

    What I don’t like:
    – Pad level is a little too at tackle high for my liking. This gives up some leverage. It is compensated for a little bit with Oregon’s speed. The play is already past him before something like this can hurt him in slower developing play. However, when he’s at guard, his pads are lower.
    – He doesn’t have a natural knee bend, something that I like to see in OT’s. Not necessarily a negative, but it is definitely helpful.
    – Not a knock against him, but I’d love to see more film of him on the move when a play breaks down, and it will a lot if he’s a Seahawk.
    – Though it’s a rare issue when he lines up at guard, he appears to have have had some assignment issues at tackle in the ASU game.

    On a different but related subject: If the Seahawks let Giacomini go, they already have a capable RT in James Carpenter.

  14. Maz

    I would like Cable to take a close look at Terron Armstead. I would think they have already with all his hype coming out of the combine. If he checks out, they may select to go that route @ 56 if he’s available. Also may take a look at UDFA options like a Vincent Painter T, VT.

    • Belgaron

      You can bet Cable would love the challenge of turning his raw talents into an All Pro, but he might be gone by 56 and Seahawks may have some other ace up their sleeve for that pick. He’ll be long gone by their pick in the 3rd.

      • Maz

        Yeah, he may be gone. Reid Fragel RT, Ohio St. would be another option later in the draft. Former 4 star TE out of high school.

        • SHawn

          NFL.com has Fragel rated the exact same as Long. Prob wouldnt be available too much later.

          • Maz

            Yeah, personally I like Fragel better @ RT. If you are just looking at NFL score, you have to remember these two players, are rated at different positions. Long, as an OG, and Fragel as a T. This year is very deep at T, and a lot will come off the board early in the draft. G are not quite as deep, and with the last name Long, you get a lot of attention either way. Long is also viewed as being more versatile. Fragel will last longer in this draft than Long will. I could see him going in rounds 4-6 rounds. Long will most likely be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd.

  15. JC

    I’ve advocated this move myself, especially since I’m not on the Breno bandwagon. I guess his salary isn’t way out of whack if Andre Smith gets the $9m he wants, but I did think there was a lot of protection breakdowns on the right side when you account for the sacks and pressures per pass thrown and Russell’s elusiveness. A stiffer QB who passed more often likely would’ve been among the lead leaders in getting sacked. The more raw and talented OT’s that should go in round 2 included Long and Menelik Watson, though I’m seeing Watson occasionally mocked late round 1 lately.

    • Turp

      Watson is moving up since he has the attributes to stick at LT.

  16. drewdawg11

    I can’t believe that Faulk entered the draft. We dedinitt need to take a long look at this guy. He could be the future at right tackle, and he can swing to left in a pinch. If the knee checks out, get this man. If he were there in round three or four, total steal.

  17. Ray graham

    I like the idea of a o lineman as a developmental player this year but just not sold on one at #56. What about Ricky Wagner? Here’s a guy who was in a lot of mocks as a first rounder after his jr year. He struggled a bit as a sr but some of that was due to injuries and I wonder how much was due to not having Russell as his QB? He’s versatile enough to provide depth at either tackle spot and knows how to block for RW. He’s dropped a ways and could probably be picked up in the 6-7 range. I’m sure we could get a pretty insider scouting report on him? Any thoughts on him Rob?

    • SHawn

      Im a fan of anyone who can say they have blocked for Russell Wilson. Including Breno, but his salary has to come down to reality. RT just isnt that valued. I hope he signs an extension at around $3mil a year and we can stop all this talk of finding his replacement. We need to find him a backup first. I like Wagner in the 4th or CLeary on the 5th. Both seem capable of being coached up a bit and becoming a viable swing tackle.

  18. Attyla the Hawk

    If we’re looking at Long through the ‘ability to compete’ lens, then we’d necessarily be trying to view his ability to compete with Giacomini.

    I’m not sure that Long currently compares favorably to Breno. There are some considerable rough edges that need smoothing. I don’t see him having the natural flexibility to really be attractive for us. And if he’s not flexible, he kind of needs to be a monster — something he isn’t either.

    I just don’t see a guy who fits what we’ve sought after for OT. We don’t really have much in the way of room to kick failed OT prospects inside any longer. I’d expect our criteria for project OTs would be more restrictive now.

    I would expect that his competition score/grade amongst our scouts would be pretty low. Taking him would have to depend on whether they think he can be a lot more than he is, that we can get that out of him, and that we don’t expect Breno to be retained. I just have a hard time seeing him as a good enough raw prospect to warrant a day 2 selection. He’s a ‘name’ that we all know — but I would be shocked if we weren’t eying a few late day 3 raw prospects with more suitable tools and similar question marks.

    I don’t see him as someone we have to take this year. He’s almost indistinguishable from any 2nd/3rd round OT from any other year. He’s a project OT that stands very little chance of competing this year. That puts him in rounds 4 through 7 for me. Realistically, the RT position is one that generally can be acceptably filled pretty easily. Why waste a full year of a rookie deal stashing a guy on the depth chart, when next year we might be able to get a guy who could compete in his first year?

    If you take Long in round 3, you’re basically not getting a guy who should be able to make the field in 2013. We have come to expect more from our third round picks than that.

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