Hawthorne is a Hero
by John Morgan on Oct 30, 2009 9:04 PM PDT
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PrintJust now watching the game. Jubelale by my side.
Seattle ran a very nice looking blitz out of a 3-1-1-6 look. I notate it that way because the second level was Darryl Tapp and David Hawthorne. Both end up blitzing, but it seems obtuse to group a linebacker and defensive a lineman together.
The first thing I like is the personnel on the defensive line. Lawrence Jackson is playing strongside defensive end. Me!Bane! is playing nose. Patrick Kerney is playing weakside defensive end. This is a vision. John Marshall would stack his line strong to weak: Rocky Bernard - Craig Terrill - Patrick Kerney. Terrill. At nose. Terrill.
Gus Bradley proves a blitz of five can cause disruption, pressure, incompletes, sacks, interceptions and, oh yes, fumbles returned 70 yards to the end zone. Seattle forces pressure by isolating every lineman and awaiting for one to fail. Both ends edge rush. Mebane charges. Hawthorne stunts underneath attempting to draw the left guard.
In practice, this is where Tapp swoops into the left guard gap and destroys Mike Teel playing Kurt Warner.
Reggie Wells doesn't bite.
Now it looks like a failed blitz. By that I mean: the scheme itself is not working. It's up to the talent.
Seattle has a win at right tackle. Kerney is more than enough edge rusher to rush Levi Brown. Jackson does his job, but this is not a sure win, and he doesn't win. That puts an end on a guard and three on a guard. Mebane is good, but so is Deuce Lutui. Lutui wins this round. Wells wasn't surprised and is simply outsizing Tapp on the inside.
Then David Hawthorne separates from Lyle Sendlein and flying tackles Kurt Warner. Kerney has turned and traumatized Brown. Again. The two combine for a strip sack Tapp recovers.
It's good to see Kerney doing work.
The story here is Hawthorne.
Tim Ruskell knows linebackers. Look at TCU. Kicking ass again. Grabbing their star middle linebacker wasn't some blunder of luck. This is what Ruskell does. This is the skill that got him here.
Hawthorne gets to play out the season at the dot. I fully expect him to succeed. This will ignite a Hawthorne versus Lofa Tatupu debate. This debate will be laborious, irrational and tax my patience.
Seattle has committed big dollars to Leroy Hill. Did I say committed? Sorry baby, you better read the prenup. Seattle can get the hell out of Hill's contract very soon. Leroy Hill is a badass. He costs too much. Seattle's linebackers cost too much.
Hill played inside at Clemson. I see no reason Hawthorne can't make the transition. Beating a single block by an offensive lineman and Mexican-wrestling Kurt Warner is already more than we've seen from Hill in about 10 months.
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"Seattle's linebackers cost too much."
Yes. Yes, they do.
"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."
Why is Levi Brown so horrible?
He hasn’t developed at all since his rookie season.
"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."
by Fearless Frog on Oct 30, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions
He's a very charitable man, I hear.
"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."
by Fearless Frog on Oct 30, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions
How easy is it to get inside on Kelly Jennings?
It’s like passing through reeds.
Breaston with the position and the touchdown.
Blind nat coverage.
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*.
"Dansberry"
“Calias Brown”
and then “uh uh uh”
“Dansberry” again.
This is the job Billick is being paid thousands to work.
Well, hopefully Leroy reads this and plays pissed off, forcing fumbles and body-slamming Romo.
However, I’m not expecting much of anything to be different from last year. What have we really done to be better than that (Thanksgiving) team other than add TJ, Unger, a healthy Burleson, and coaching changes? Look at this and tell me that either team is much different: http://espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=281127006 We need a zillion turnovers to win this game. I think both their lines will dominate ours for the most part. I’d love to crush them, but I don’t see it.
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*.
Spencer will be at center
And if ratliff doesn’t play …
The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.
by Nick Andron on Oct 30, 2009 11:27 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Spencer is maddeningly inconsistent.
"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."
by Fearless Frog on Oct 31, 2009 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Yet still much better than Vallos.
I actually bought a Betancourt t-shirt.
by Hopefulmsfan on Oct 31, 2009 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Curry, Lucas,
Mebane impressing, LoJack producing, Russell gone.
Just to name a few.
And all the land was in ruin, and burnination had forsaken the countryside.
Aaron Curry covering Roy Williams instead!
Although considering Roy Williams is a bum, maybe Curry would win that matchup.
"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."
by Fearless Frog on Oct 31, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
I think at this point Colin Cole could cover Williams.
I actually bought a Betancourt t-shirt.
by Hopefulmsfan on Oct 31, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Can't be much worse than having Cory Redding drop back into coverage against Greg Olsen in the endzone.
"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."
by Fearless Frog on Oct 31, 2009 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Add Curry, subtract Tatupu...
Mebane impressed last season. Russell duly noted. LoJack is a nice surprise. 1 DE in our rotation that included the same people save for Redding last season. Lucas counts, yes. Our O-line is going to get worked. Our D-line probably will. As good as it has been at times, I still give the edge to Dallas’ offensive line. Games are won/lost where?
I do think we’re underrated vs. the run but the Dallas offensive line should have its way with us. If Tru and Lucas can play well vs. the WRs, hopefully Curry can cover the TE routes in part. I wonder if we’ll use bracket coverage on Witten or how we’ll play him. We have to stop the swing-passes to RBs out of the backfield.
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*.
Depends on the contract
but he fits. I would pursue it.
by John Morgan on Oct 30, 2009 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Good god, yes.
"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."
by Fearless Frog on Oct 31, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Have to give the team credit for playing their hearts out.
Nothing can be more depressing than being down 17-0 and having only run 3 offensive plays.
Would have been easily shut out for the first time at Qwest had it not been for Jon Ryan to John Carlson on the fake-punt
"Mayhap a hidden door lurks nigh. Let us search the environs."
by Fearless Frog on Oct 31, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
Jubelale! 6.7% of beery goodness to wash (some of) the shame away
I had a sour for the first time last night. Those are crazy, crazy beers. Crazy.
"Its not that I can't read and write, its just that I don't like to read and write."
-Charlie
I agree
That Hawthorne will be pretty good, especially as a backup. He’s always been impressive when he’s played. I’m bummed about Tatupu being out, but having a guy like Hawthorne soothes the pain.
Let’s not forget that in that game he started against Chicago he should have had a forced fumble in addition to the INT and tackles.
I havn't seen the fine print on Hill's contract
when can they get out of it? Is it just low on guarantees, or are there specific clauses?
The first two years are guarunteed
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_contract.aspx?sport=nfl&id=3304
5/1/2009: Signed a six-year, $36 million contract. The deal contains $11 million guaranteed — Hill’s salaries in years one and two. Another $2 million is available through incentives. 2009: $5 million, 2010: $6 million (+ $2.5 million roster bonus), 2011: $4.5 million, 2012: $5 million, 2013-2014: $5.5 million, 2015: Free Agent
"Its not that I can't read and write, its just that I don't like to read and write."
-Charlie
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