Saturday Scouting Runneth Over

by John Morgan on Oct 23, 2009 4:30 PM PDT Comment 42 comments

More photos » Elaine Thompson - AP

Whatever your feelings about Matt Hasselbeck, his contract ends in 2011. He will be 35, and his body having taken the toll that it has, he would be wise to retire. That quarterback class could be led by Jake Locker, Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen and Case Keenum.

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Football is precious. Today it can seem there is too much for to watch, but come spring I will be putting in DVDs of old games and rewatching Brandon Mebane blow something up. It's the bye week and that is a nice break from wall-to-wall Seahawks. But how better to spend the bye than watching football? And what a week to watch.

Seattle is, maximum, two years from starting over at quarterback. It might be cautious in the offseason, bring in a retread like Jason Campbell, rely on Hasselbeck for contention and have Campbell and Mike Teel battle it out for backup/successor. That would put it out of this year's quarterback class. A once heralded class is now looking shaky, but while 2010 droops, 2011 begins to look legendary.

At 1pm PDT, Jimmy Clausen and Jake Locker take the field. We'll have a gamethread for that. At 1pm PDT, someone named Eric Berry takes the field. Same thread. Actually, the thread might be a bit overstuffed. Seattle fans can watch no less than:

DL

Stephen Paea (Oregon State)

Everson Griffen (USC)

Brandon Deadrick (Alabama)

DB

Taylor Mays (USC)

Eric Berry (Tennessee)

Kareem Jackson (Alabama)

Javier Arenas (Alabama)

Justin Woodall (Alabama)

Josh Pinkard (USC)

OL

Charles Brown (USC)

Matt Tennant (BC)

Kristofer O'Dowd (USC)

Zack Heberer (USC)

Anthony Castonzo (USC)

FB

Stanley Havili (USC)

QB

Jake Locker (Washington)

Jimmy Clausen (ND)

TE

Colin Peek (Alabama)

WR

Golden Tate (ND)

Damian Williams (USC)

LB

Malcolm Smith (USC)

Rico McCoy (Tennessee)

Chris Walker (Tennessee)

P

Will Mahan (Washington)

And that list resulted from a quick survey of NFL Draft Scout. If you're around, I'll be around, watching football while I can.

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Comments

"a gamthread for that"

Whoops-a-doodle.

I already want to see Rodney Hudson again, throughout the course of an entire game this time.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 23, 2009 4:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I would runs a gamthread but where do I find the gams?

Legs seem out.

by John Morgan on Oct 23, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you all like rain

Because I got a ton of it.

You know your punter is bad when we’re actually scouting punters.

How about Ryan for QB and Mahan to punt for us next season?

October 11th, 2009: The day Justin Forsett became loved by Seahawks fans forever.

by SSreporters on Oct 23, 2009 5:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mahan?

BARF BARF BARF

by redwolf75 on Oct 23, 2009 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Why do people keep pushing Locker

While he appears to have (some) talent, he’s not even a good COLLEGE QB.

by mrcoffee1969 on Oct 23, 2009 5:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Okay I'd be willing to debate that

State your case that he isn’t a good college QB.

October 11th, 2009: The day Justin Forsett became loved by Seahawks fans forever.

by SSreporters on Oct 23, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

State your case that he isn’t a good college QB.

What is his record as a starter?

What is his accuracy rating?

Is he not a Kordell Stewart or Mike Vick just waiting to happen? IOW, if you want to beat him, make him throw.

by mrcoffee1969 on Oct 24, 2009 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The burden of proof is on the one who challenges the consensus.

Record as starter is irrelevant. See: Grossman, Rex; Hill, Shaun; our arguments with Niners Nation.

Locker’s completion percentages:
’07: 47.3%
’08: 53.8%
’09: 56.4%

56.4% is respectable. Not great, but not bad. The issue is whether he can continue to improve, whether that means another year in college or on a pro team. Will he be a good pro QB? Dunno. Is he a good college QB? Well, opposing teams have to plan their defensive schemes around him, which is a big indicator. Saying that he isn’t a good college QB doesn’t make sense.

by thebyron on Oct 26, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Completion percentage is a pretty crappy way to judge college QBs, in my opinion. Especially if you ignore context.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 27, 2009 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read one time here that completion rate

is the stat that best correlates with NFL success.

"Its not that I can't read and write, its just that I don't like to read and write."
-Charlie

by ninjasocks on Oct 28, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I absolutely hate people who say this.

Not only are his stats pretty good but, his progression has been amazing.
A few months under Sark and he’s made leaps and bounds.
He’s playing in a pro-style offense as opposed to Bradford, McCoy, and Tebow.
His offensive line is really really bad.
He has the legs of a slightly slower Michael Vick, the Pocket Mobility of Big Ben, and great arm strength. His throws over 20+ yards are getting better and better as well, and he’s making great reads and not locking in on receivers as well.

Anything short of Clausen and/or Locker and I will be disappointed in 2010’s draft.

by LantermanC on Oct 23, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's good

but he definitely needs another season in college.

by Fear on Oct 23, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Getting bashed around behind a bad OL?

I think he’d be better off on our bench.

Not that I know how good he is.

by djafrot on Oct 23, 2009 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's debatable.

And I think if it weren’t then I’d seriously have to question NFL teams and their ability to develop QBs (sans the ‘nothing can replace live game action’ argument).
Is Locker going to learn more facing worse players while having to go to class, or is he going to learn more with a team dedicated to his development learning full-time?

by LantermanC on Oct 23, 2009 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You have more faith in NFL teams developing QB's than I do.

I’ve always felt a QB is much better served playing his senior year then coming out. It just gives them that much better of a playing level to start from in the NFL. And the NFL seems to grind through college QB’s. If they don’t develop fast enough, they get given up on and a new QB is drafted. Meanwhile the developing QB’s confidence is shot and he’s screwed as far as playing anyways.

by Fear on Oct 24, 2009 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know why I put and/or.

I just meant or.

by LantermanC on Oct 23, 2009 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Screw it.

Get both of them!

I actually bought a Betancourt t-shirt.

by Hopefulmsfan on Oct 24, 2009 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe that Jake Locker as a pro could be

the second coming of Rick Mirer.

by mrcoffee1969 on Oct 24, 2009 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jimmy Clausen

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 24, 2009 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please keep in mind,

Locker was stuck in an offense that basically had four plays in it, and two of them were, “Jake, run like hell.” He’s only been operating in something more advanced than your average high school program for half a season. Not to mention the awful surrounding talent for most of his career, his first read being just fielding the shotgun center snap, etc. Like many others I expect to see him come back for his senior season, and we’ll see what some real coaching has turned him into.

by Santolina chamaecyparissus on Oct 23, 2009 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope as well

that he returns for his senior season, he will need the time to show that he is a QB first, RB second.

by mrcoffee1969 on Oct 24, 2009 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

...Really, have you seen Jake Locker play this season?

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 24, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wat

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 23, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mike Iupati

Guard, Idaho is playing his way towards the first round of the draft. Didn’t really know much about him, but he’s playing at Nevada. Spokane people I think get his game and it’s also on ESPN360.

He’s a character guy, with a motor. Could be a Ruskell guy.

by mkries on Oct 23, 2009 5:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw Iupati

but didn’t think he fit the system. 330 in college doesn’t usually round into a zone blocker.

by John Morgan on Oct 23, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, he's a beastly mauler.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 23, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Out here in the sunny South East

I’ll be watching the under the radar Woodall blowin up plays against Tennessee. Big dude who plays in a complex defensive system. Not fast, but perhaps Roy Williams with fresh legs. At one point Williams was decent, right?

Has anyone seen Keenum play?

Is my love for LG Michael Johnson from Bama trend based?

Why do I love Charles Brown?

If we draft Charles Brown and Rodney Hudson, Seattle’s left side would be under 300lbs. Not sure I like that.

It is what it is...

by kidder95 on Oct 23, 2009 6:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't about weight so much unless it's under 285

just as long as they’re not injury prone.

by LantermanC on Oct 23, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Taylor Mays baby!

by Mr. Blache III on Oct 23, 2009 10:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Child please.

Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer, Sam Bradford*.

by Misfit74 on Oct 23, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But he sucks at playing Safety and we don't need a linebacker

by BrettJMiller on Oct 24, 2009 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This guy is a Safety!

CB like speed and hits like a LB. I want him and we can use him. If he came out this year we would’ve taken him instead of Curry. Why did we not take Crabtree! He looked good today in his debut.

by Mr. Blache III on Oct 25, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you are vastly overstating Mr. Mays' "abilities"

by BrettJMiller on Oct 27, 2009 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He whiffs like Brian Russell, too.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 27, 2009 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Something I heard Jon Gruden on MNF

A couple of weeks ago, he was mentioning a GM (forgot who it was) and he said that you should only draft a QB who’s a 4-year starter that’s won at least 30 games. While I don’t think Gruden’s a great QB-developing coach (one reason why I wouldn’t want him here), I think there’s something to be said for being conservative in your choice of a QB.

I’m too lazy to go through Ruskell’s draft history right now, but I’ve gotta think that Ruskell’s going to want the next QB to be a four-year starter. I can’t see him drafting Locker and I think he’d be really hesitant to pull the trigger (at least with a high pick) if Bradford came out this year. Ruskell is just too conservative to make a risky bet on he most important position in the game.

"Its not that I can't read and write, its just that I don't like to read and write."
-Charlie

by ninjasocks on Oct 24, 2009 1:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Quick link to Ruskell's draft history (Rounds 1-3)

Here

Not gonna pour through each QB’s history, but it seems to match up with the 4-year starter theory. He might have ignored that rule with Bradford, except for the shoulder.

I hope that Locker and Claussen stay in. We could use next year to reload on the O-line – I just don’t Berry getting to us.

Also, learning how to link properly is a pain.

by jwolf0 on Oct 24, 2009 6:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

*don't see Berry

Ugh.

by jwolf0 on Oct 24, 2009 6:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Parcells.

"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 24, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup, that was it

Gruden was talking about Parcell’s theory of drafting QBs.

"Its not that I can't read and write, its just that I don't like to read and write."
-Charlie

by ninjasocks on Oct 25, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How can we be sure

that he doesn’t recognize that sometimes you can’t afford to be conservative? So far as GM he’s always had an established franchise QB. Arguably, he could have decided last year was the year. He obviously didn’t let the issue force his hand, and for whatever reason didn’t take a QB. As is mentioned above, it’s inevitable, and undoubtedly he knows that.

But since the only sample size we have to pull on Ruskell is all of one: first stint, with holdover Holmgren and holdover Hasselbeck — how can we be sure that he will be conservative to a fault with picking the next QB? I think his tactics were guided by more macro level strategy. If he does indeed intend to wait until he’s got a chance to draft a 4-year starter with 30 wins, he may never get the chance. They don’t have a strong tendency to fall through draft boards.

by jacobstevens on Oct 26, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if there's a magic # of starts with college QBs

but you probably want enough starts to see a guy progress through the cycle of moves and countermoves by defensive coordinators.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Oct 24, 2009 8:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Minnesota @ Ohio State and USF @ Pitt

I’m at a conference in Pittsburgh stuck in my hotel room sick as a dog. Guess I’’ll check out some ball and see if there are any players worth watching in these two games.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Oct 24, 2009 9:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs