Understanding the Plan 2009

by Justise on Dec 9, 2008 6:49 PM PST

I love mock drafts, just love to browse them all over the internet and see what they are thinking. This year though, as I went through the different drafts (here's a good list http://dcprosportsreport.com/MockDraft.htm ) they all seem to think the same thing--Crabtree WR, and it seems like a fundimental mis-understanding of the needs of the Seahawks.

If you look at our team now, what are the positions that seem like they need filling?

DT, WR, OG

Other spots that could use an improvment from the outsiders view

CB, FS, DE

So what people seem to be thinking is that we have a hole for WR so lets get Crabtree, he's awesome. But we don't really, not in Ruskell's view. Each of those spots has been addressed in some way already in the past drafts with an eye for the future.

DT: Red Bryant, Lawrence Jackson (In a Hybrid kinda way)

WR: Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent, Obomanu. Even Logan Payne, Bumpus, and Branch from non draft sources.

OG: Sims, Wrotto, Vallos, Pat Murray

CB: Get a clue people

FS: Adams? We'll get back to this.

DE: Jackson, Atkins, Tapp

Our big failing this year with our WR hole is that it happend much faster then anticipated. We though, lets plug an in-experienced under-developed project like Kent into the hole and it'll be good! Yet Ruskell's been drafting high ceiling people in the low rounds knowing they would need a few years to breakout.

So the positions that seem like holes,really already have someone destined for the position, is being groomed and isn't really a hole.

If we were to draft Crabtree, it would be great, we would be adding 1 young stud too a list of 5 young recievers (Taylor, Kent, Obomanu, Payne, Bumpus) that we've been getting experience and already have a leg up on him.

From this we can somewhat deduce the holes that have actually formed and target somewhat what TR's true desires are. Don't count out best available talent in the first round though. While I just argued that drafting Crabtree would create a glut, if he's the best person at the slot its probable that he becomes a seahawk. (In my opinion anyway).

So from that, what holes do we really have?

If your TR, you could say we don't have any.

T: Walters fine, and we got Willis and Lock

S: Adams, CJ Wilson (heh I know), Babs (Yea heh again)

QB: Give Frye a chance! Matt's still good for a while longer.

Realisticly, these 3 positions could really use some elite level talent. Either as kids to groom, or start right away. But the best thing we have going for us is that we really can pick the best available talent. And that will be either a QB, Tackle, or DT.

Call me sentimental but I really think DT is a priority for TR after Tubbs is now MIA.

* I too think Logan Payne is done never to be heard from again.

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Comments

Unless we're adding Asomugha, there's not much else that needs to be done to secure our CBs

Reloading our safeties and fine tuning our pass rush would be a more prudent method of improving our secondary play.

Cut Russel, draft a strong safety, and add a veteran to back up with Adams and the secondary will perform quite well.

Furthermore, I support the idea that’s been thrown around in these parts to cut Kerney and sign Terrel Suggs. This move would ensure that our D end rotation is both young, terrifying, and extremely versatile. All four players seem to have the ability to drop in short zones (im assuming here for Suggs because of his LB experience) and all but Tapp can be moved inside in passing situations.

Finally, DT depth needs to be added through FA and the draft. I haven’t been impressed by Bernard’s pass rushing this year, but if he’s cheap enough, I hope we resign him as I do like his run stopping abilities.

by dlinsley on Dec 9, 2008 7:15 PM PST reply actions

Agree with your comment...

I would add that we do have a need at center, qb, and tackle, and perhaps DE and OLB. Strange as that may sound, we need to draft where we have the the most quality today, for it is also where we have the most age.

Then again, if a damn fine CB or any other darn position is on the board as BPA in round 1… you take him.

It is what it is...

by kidder95 on Dec 9, 2008 8:47 PM PST up reply actions

If Baraka Atkins continues his good progression, I'll be less worried about DE.

Maybe a little more depth at DT would be nice, but I’d like to see the team go after a QB, OT, and Safety in that order.

by BrianL on Dec 9, 2008 9:00 PM PST up reply actions

I like what you have in general,

but you are underestimating the QB learning curve and the talent of Crabtree. Crabtree is a better receiver today than Kent, Obamanu, Taylor, and Payne.

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

by abender20 on Dec 10, 2008 10:57 AM PST reply actions

Crabtree is better today

than those guys will ever be.

I would bet my money that Crabtree’s rookie year will be better than any of those guys best year.

I am not saying that none of those guys will ever be useful. Still, all of those guys are a ways away from being a 50 catch / 500 yard consistent 3rd receiver. Crabtree will be more like a 65 catch / 800 yarder #2 in his rookie year. He’ll be (barring injury) a consistent 1000+ yard 75+ catches a year #1 thereafter.

The way Branch has returned to form has me feeling a lot better about the receiver situation for next year. There are usually several good receivers in every draft. This year was supposedly a very weak receiver class after Ginn, Johnson, Bowe, etc. came out the previous year. No receivers selected in the first round but Royal and Jackson have been strong. Burleson and Branch are a good couple of starters (thats what we had figured for this year, remember). Robinson has emerged as a good #3 / backup #2. I would guess that Robinson sticks around seeing as he has been well behaved (which was the only real issue in the first place). He has also put in several key blocks downfield, demonstrating the attitude of a winner. Carlson is looking sensational as a pass catching TE. Obomanu, Taylor, Kent, and Payne all have another offseason/camp/preseason to grow and hopefully show. Ideally we would only need whoever emerges as the best of that bunch to be the #4 guy…

Injuries to our receivers forced us to throw in Taylor as a #1 in our first regular season game. He wasn’t ready for that and the fact he couldn’t hack it doesn’t mean he won’t be a competent #2/#3 next year and maybe more down the road. Kent was always a project and he may still mature into a competent #3/#4 next year. Obomanu gets a do-over because he missed the whole season. He wasn’t spectacular in 07 but did enough to not horrify me with him as a #4.

The point of all this. If even two of Burleson/Engram/Branch can stay healthy next year, one of these guys emerging as a mere #3/#4 caliber guy and we have a decent crew. Anybody doing more means we look pretty good. I am not saying this group is going to rival Boldin/Fitzgerald/Breaston but it’s decent.

I agree with what John said earlier as well about stud LT’s. I think it is more important to address the weakest links in the line then to worry about missing on the stud LT of the future. Modern defenses send blitzes from everywhere so the importance of the LT relative to other positions on the line (and blocking by backs for that matter) has diminished. In our situation, the interior is the clear weak link. Spencer has shown improvement this year but continues to struggle with injuries. Wahle didn’t play as well as people had hoped this past year and is hurt as well. I think a guy who can play all the interior OL positions well would be a very nice pickup. That is something we could get in round 2-3.

Bottom line: it all depends on where we pick and who is there when we come up. I would be very happy to see us come out with a Qb tough.

by michaelfox99 on Dec 11, 2008 7:42 AM PST reply actions

Crabtree Rulez

Yea I agree Crabtree is awesome. Infact, I’m pretty sure he’ll have one of those awesome combines and be that guy you have to take at 1 or 2 otherwise the first losing season you have everyone will point to the Crabtree decision and think your a moron.

I really do think he won’t be available. I could even see the Raiders doing something stupid like trading ahead of us just to make sure they draft the in-vouge player of the draft.

As a side note, what are we hoping to happen as far as who’s drafting where and our final position? Do we want to be 3rd? 6th? I thought I remember reading that nobody wants to trade into 1-5. So would we want 6-10 so we could have a real possibility at trading to a pick that works for us and picking up others?

by Justise on Dec 11, 2008 4:29 PM PST reply actions

It depends on who Ruskell wants.

From what I gather, most people are split between Bradford and Oher with a smaller group for Crabtree. Since the Lions are definitely getting the first pick and they need a QB, Bradford’s going to be gone by our pick. So I would say 3rd would be terrible for us, because that’s probably a couple of picks too high for Oher maybe even Crabtree. I think Crabtree is going to have a less than stellar combine seeing as he’s such a big guy and doesn’t have blazing speed. I think we could get either of those guys at 5-6. It doesn’t sound that different from 3-4, but thats a difference of millions of dollars.

My hope is that Tebow tears apart the Combine and some team wants to trade up to our pick to make sure they get him. That way, maybe we could get Duke Robinson and another second or third rounder.

I want a QB of the future, but I want it to be Bradford or McCoy (who’s staying in school).

by SeaTownBlueDevil on Dec 11, 2008 11:39 PM PST up reply actions