The recipe: how should the Hawks draft?

by abender20 on Dec 1, 2008 11:10 AM PST Comment 21 comments

Look at the successful teams in the NFL this year. The model for success for several of them is quite clear. The Giants, Titans, Jets (you can argue the degree of their success), Panthers, Ravens, and Steelers all have a pretty similar makeup, varying mostly in degrees of talent.

Run Game

Each team has a solid or spectacular run game, indicating a good offensive line for the most part. The Steelers apparently run block reasonably, although they clearly don't pass protect well. Giants and Titans headline this category with both depth and talent. The Ravens have an oddball running game in that the most consistent contributor is built like Red Bryant, but they are getting the job done for the most part.

Stout, stout defense

All of these teams, with the exception of the Jets, are in the top 11 in YPG allowed. The Jets are 4th in run defense, however. Look at the D Lines of these teams though. Haynesworth, Jenkins, the entire Balty and NYG lines, and you find dominance at the line of scrimmage. 5 of these teams are in the top 8 in DVOA.

Competence at QB

No one here will put up Warner numbers, as their offenses are predicated on running the ball and executing when they need. Each of the guys here, although Flacco is still without a sample size, can lead a good drive.

So how does this stack up for Seattle?

Competent but aging and unspectacular running game. Adding an impact rookie to replace Morris' carries would be helpful. However, adding dominance along the O-Line is way more important.

Solid D- line, but in need more dominance. Giving Red and Mebane a year of development / health may be enough to start that process. We all recognize the need for a safety.

Hasselbeck is competent. He is also aging. Adding another wideout will help.

The verdict:

Draft early on big time O-lineman. Nab a safety on the first day and running back to boot. Then get the developmental QB for the future. Find a good route running wideout that isn't getting big time press due to a poor offense. You can always sign a guy like Antonio Bryant. Sign T. Suggs or draft some late round pash rush help. Win.

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I like what you've got here for the most part.

Not sure if I’d be overly worried about nabbing a running back on the first day, though.

by BrianL on Dec 1, 2008 3:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If the hawks could get a guy like Javon Ringer...

I’d be all for it in the 3rd round or 4th round. He may not fall that far. As I have watched too much Big 10 football in my last 4 years as an undergrad, I’d wouldnt mind a late round flier on Kory Sheets. The homer pick would be Tyrell Sutton, who while undersized, is a powerful back with good vision and ability to break tackles. He is not fast. If you ever think you are faster than NFL players, I ended up guarding him once or twice playing basketball and he is ELECTRIC. I can’t imagine what would happen if he wasn’t “slow”.

Can't wait for Ruskell to knock this one out of the park.

by abender20 on Dec 1, 2008 3:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If good talent falls down that far, perhaps.

I’m just saying that I wouldn’t try too hard to take a back on the first day.

by BrianL on Dec 1, 2008 3:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

no argument hear.

I would be happy to see a big time OT + Duke Robinson + Ramses Barden + a safety.

Can't wait for Ruskell to knock this one out of the park.

by abender20 on Dec 1, 2008 3:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

of course I mean "no argument here"

drove a friend to LAX at 4:00 this morning and I’m a bit loopy.

Can't wait for Ruskell to knock this one out of the park.

by abender20 on Dec 1, 2008 3:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

CJ Spiller I would love to get in the 2nd or later rounds...Chris Johnson type with good hands and great speed.

by Misfit74 on Dec 3, 2008 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and Ramses Barden me please.

Can't wait for Ruskell to knock this one out of the park.

by abender20 on Dec 1, 2008 3:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Anyone taller than 5'8, please.

Dick Dastardly and Muttley with sick laughter

by Wayward Llama on Dec 1, 2008 3:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

?

Who do you have in mind that’s shorter than 5’8"? Sproles? Garett Wolfe?

by LantermanC on Dec 1, 2008 10:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It would be nice to see some players that can physically dominate opponents.

Seattle is too small. Small recievers. Small corners. Small d-line. It’s not working, folks.

Dick Dastardly and Muttley with sick laughter

by Wayward Llama on Dec 2, 2008 7:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know, seeing as how it got us to, you know, the playoffs every year (except this one) since Ruskell's been here.

by Coach Owens on Dec 2, 2008 11:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In our division

Getting to the playoffs has not been a feat worth reveling in….especially when we consistently get smacked around by the bruisers as soon as we go on the road in the playoffs

Dick Dastardly and Muttley with sick laughter

by Wayward Llama on Dec 6, 2008 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Seattle's defensive line is small

It’s about average. Other than Deion Branch, Ruskell isn’t responsible for Seattle’s only other small receiver, Bobby Engram. John Carlson is large. As is Chris Spencer, Lawrence Jackson, Red Bryant, Mansfield Wrotto and Baraka Atkins. The shorter of Ruskell’s two cornerback picks has also played better, Josh Wilson. And the only other real small players he’s drafted, Leroy Hill and Lofa Tatupu, are among his best picks. Brandon Mebane was a touch short, but is 310+. That worked out pretty well. Same story Darryl Tapp, who is a little short but 270+—and no matter what people think, Tapp has played very well for his age. I think this oft-repeated canard lacks validity. Ruskell targets talent, not a specific size.

by John Morgan on Dec 2, 2008 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, but the training staff is all under 5'5".

Can't wait for Ruskell to knock this one out of the park.

by abender20 on Dec 2, 2008 12:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Can't blame Paul Allen for that. He's a shrewd businessman.

Those Oompaloompahs work for candy.

by LantermanC on Dec 2, 2008 3:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he meant that all of our corners are kind of smallish.

And Tatupu and Hill are smallish?
Sure, you always draft the better player, but theoretically, a team with TO, Witten, and Roy Williams should dominate us? ( I don’t really think they dominated us that much, well at least not more than any other team).

by LantermanC on Dec 2, 2008 3:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Presumably

The smaller player is more talented, making up for the fact that they are giving up 3 inches of height and 20lbs of weight. Presumably.

by UW Alex on Dec 3, 2008 11:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't mention Ruskell

But our small corners get manhandled by bigger receivers. Our small receivers get smothered by larger corners. Our d-line has needed a Red Bryant for three years now.

Dick Dastardly and Muttley with sick laughter

by Wayward Llama on Dec 6, 2008 5:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

new

Ive been checking out this site everyday since the start of the season (Recommended by friend) and I really like the discussions going on here. I share many of the same views as alot of people on here. Anyways, I agree with us being undersized and what not and feel we should start looking for bigger players. I realize the height usually isn’t that much of an issue but if you got a 6 foot 5 wideout against Josh Wilson, how do you guard that? Im not really too big on players height but on some positions, size does matter. That said, I hope the Seahawks get a top O-line talent with their pick and then maybe trade up and get Duke Robinson in the mid-late first round possibly?

by Seahawks CHS on Dec 4, 2008 1:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs