Replacing Colin Cole

by John Morgan on Nov 20, 2009 4:56 PM PST

Seattle has shown patience with its players and that patience has rewarded the team. It's easy from afar to endorse canceling the Brandon-Mebane-at-three experiment. He replaced Chuck Darby like a one-tech savant, fixing the run defense and catalyzing an explosion of sacks from Darryl Tapp and Patrick Kerney. Tapp and Kerney had four sacks through six games with Darby starting at left defensive tackle. It had 17.5 in the remaining 10. Mebane became better his sophomore season. He freed sacks and led the team in sacks. Bane would pop at the snap and make a double team look foolish.

He isn't doing that this season. He is more disruptive than ever before. Mebane isn't crushing the pile into a sack, but slicing in, stringing wide and forcing passes. Instead of canceling the experiment, dropping Mebane back to one and searching this offseason for reinforcements at three, the Seahawks could replace the problem piece. Draft Dan Williams at 17 and force Colin Cole to battle Red Bryant for activation on Sunday. Maybe that motivates Bryant and reduces Cole to an obsolete stopgap finishing out the last significant year of his contract on the bench.

Williams is a crusha.

Birthdate: June 1, 1987

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 327

School: Tennessee

Starts and Game Played: 36 and 42

Stats: Five sacks, one assist, 17 hurries, 19 solo loss, seven assist lost and one blocked kick.

Quick take: Huge prototypical one-tech frame. Needs help with his first step, but already has low-level NFL pass rush moves. That's pretty beastly for a college defensive tackle. A natural athlete at the one, he has raw muscle development but a powerful, broad build. Good straight line speed.

Ruskell Sieve: Williams seems like a good kid. In this interview he is soft spoken with good things to say about his coaches. Tennessee plays in the SEC East; Ruskell's old stomping grounds. Gus Bradley has strong ties with Vols defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. Kiffin's son, head coach Lane Kiffin, said: "Our defense starts with Dan. He's a dominant force and making himself a lot of money."

Videos below.

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Comments

Can't we switch Bane and Cole around?

Would that work a little better than the current arrangement?

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!

"I never met a llama I didn't like." - TJ Duckett

All I want for Christmas is Joe Haden, Eric Berry, and Nandamukong Suh in Seahawks blue.

by Wayward Llama on Nov 20, 2009 5:40 PM PST reply actions

Cole couldn't play three if he was hybridized with Warren Sapp.

by John Morgan on Nov 20, 2009 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

Dan Williams at the 14th pick

in the second round, maybe.

by SPENCEMAN on Nov 20, 2009 5:53 PM PST reply actions

I guess if we can't trade up for Suh

I have to say I’m slowly becoming more and more obsessed with pairing Mebane and Suh.

by Gihyou on Nov 20, 2009 5:54 PM PST reply actions

Yep.

Everytime I watch this guy I would love to see him in Seahawk Blue (and next to Mebane). I’m just not sure the Hawks will have a chance to get him.

by JustinWF on Nov 20, 2009 6:50 PM PST up reply actions

Can you imagine how good Mebane becomes with either Williams or Suh next to him?

Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.

by iverson2169 on Nov 20, 2009 6:56 PM PST up reply actions

We can always dream.

I would put a loaf of Wonder Bread next to Mebane at this point. All I know is that putting someone next to Mebane that did his job would make him better. Also can someone please tell me WHY DID RUSKELL THINK COLE WAS THE ANSWER THIS OFFSEASON, I will never get why they gave big money to a career backup DT who couldn’t break into the Packs starting lineup.

by JustinWF on Nov 20, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions

Why blame Ruskell?

You don’t think Mora, Bradley and/or Quinn had any say in the matter?

Perhaps Ruskell thought Cole was the answer because one of these three (or all of them together) said he was?

by Mr Fish on Nov 20, 2009 8:25 PM PST up reply actions

Ya know,

The one thing I can never figure out about these “who’s to blame” arguments, is one person says it’s Ruskell, another Mora, another Holmgren, another is Marshall (a year ago), another is Bradley (this year), another is Knapp (you get the point). So what I don’t get is why can’t it be one or another, and why is one persons “opinon” right and ones wrong? Ruskell is the GM, HIS guys are the scouts (not Moras) , so who scouts the Draft and Free Agents, Ruskell and his Scouts. After that happens he gives his lists to Mora to choose from, then Mora gives his take who he thinks would and wouldn’t work.

With all that said, I can blame whomever I want (just like you choose to think it is Mora or Bradley or even the D-line coach Quinn). I don’t know, you don’t know but at the end of the day someone thought it was a good idea to pay an average DT way to much money. Who knows who it was but after seeing moves like the Hutch and Burleson deals (that were all Ruskell) I tend to think the GM picks his guys are goes for them with or without the head coaches opinion (like the Hutch move).

by JustinWF on Nov 20, 2009 9:13 PM PST up reply actions

As a business owner with over 18,000 employees...

I see this as very clear cut.

Regardless of who I my organization makes a mistake, I (and my partners) must take responsibility for them. Likewise, it may (or may not) be Ruskell’s Fault, but it certainly is his responsibility.

Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.

by iverson2169 on Nov 20, 2009 9:53 PM PST up reply actions

What problem do you have with the Burleson deal ??

and you can hardly blame the Hutch deal on the Seahawk FO, they used the Transition tag on him which SHOULD have given them the chance to match any offer. That didn’t happen because Hutch and his agent gave the Seattle organization and it’s fans the middle finger and Roger Goodell let it happen.

by TrueHawkForLife on Nov 20, 2009 10:28 PM PST up reply actions

Some believe the "reverse poison pill" for Burley...

was way too much of a guarantee. One of the more popular ideas I have read, is that the Hawks were so blind with rage over the Hutch deal that they were hell bent on sticking it to the Vikings at any cost.

Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.

by iverson2169 on Nov 20, 2009 10:31 PM PST up reply actions

Are you saying we overpaid for Burleson?

His contract is four years for $14.5 million total. That’s $3.6 million a year for a quality kick returner and a solid #2 WR. How is that not a good deal?

by Mind of no mind on Nov 21, 2009 2:17 PM PST up reply actions

That begs the question: why aren't we extending him?

He’s played well and is a key part of our passing game. Hate to think what our offense would look like without him. Butler and Branch cannot make up for what he does (Butler may be able in time, though).

by Misfit74 on Nov 21, 2009 11:12 PM PST up reply actions

I am definitely not saying that.... but am saying others have.

Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.

by iverson2169 on Nov 23, 2009 12:52 AM PST up reply actions

If Ruskell is ignoring or not asking for the coaches' input

… then I would agree, it’s time for him to go.

And if he (and Mora) picked a bunch of yes men, it’s time for him to go.

But that’s not the impression I have about the way the Seahawks org works. I think Ruskell values teamwork at all levels — which mean Mora, Bradley and Quinn must at least share part of the blame if the Cole decision was a mistake.

That’s all I’m saying. It wasn’t Ruskell’s mistake, it was the organization’s mistake, and you won’t fix it by firing Ruskell while keeping everything else the same.

by Mr Fish on Nov 20, 2009 10:41 PM PST up reply actions

Cole will be replaced after this season

I thought that when we first signed Cole, I was expecting him to be a backup/ reserve role but when I heard he was going to play the one-tech and Mebane going to the three-tech, what are the coaches thinking!?!?! Cole is a good backup and could be effective in a rotation but that’s about it. We should draft a defensive tackle in the second round this year but not the first round.

by Seahawksfan23 on Nov 20, 2009 6:38 PM PST reply actions

Damn, I was just going to come on here and post something about drafting Williams!

Get off my brain wave dude.

The UT front four has been excellent all season, save last Saturday. And obviously, Williams would be familiar with the scheme.

Williams is mid-first round value—easy.

It’s a testament to how much of a stud Suh is that DT discussion this year practically begins and ends with him.

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

by dcrockett17 on Nov 20, 2009 6:48 PM PST reply actions

John... you had mentioned that Williams could motivate Cole....

Do you think that Cole’s issue may be more “aptitude” based, and not so much “desire” based?

Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.

by iverson2169 on Nov 20, 2009 6:54 PM PST reply actions

Oops.... mis-read... "Motivates Bryant.... obsoletes Cole"... pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.

by iverson2169 on Nov 20, 2009 6:57 PM PST up reply actions

As for the front four..

I really have no idea where the Hawks will go with these three picks in the first two rounds next year. I would think they need to go with offense (or O-line) first. Look at LT’s, with that first pick. Next would be any of these five, QB, RB, DE, DT or FS, then in the second round pick from any of the four that you didn’t pick. Man this team has some holes to fill in the draft and free agency next year.

You also have to love Berry in that video as well.

Lastly I wonder what the D-Line will look like next year. Cole is nothing more than a backup who is paid way to much (thanks again Ruskell), Kerney is at the end of the road (maybe one good year left), and Jackson and Tapp are no better than backups in this league (maybe Jackson breaks out next season, after two years of development). Add in Terrill who needs to go, Bryant who needs to do something in training camp next year to hold a spot on this team, and Reed and Walker are just late round picks just getting their feet wet. Oh, and thank god Ruskell let Bennett go, that guy had no promise (sarcasm if you can’t tell). For a team that was supposed to be built around defense, they sure do have alot of issues at key spots (DT, CB, FS, DE).

by JustinWF on Nov 20, 2009 7:06 PM PST reply actions

Personally I say move Mebane back to 1

I’m not sure there is a big bodied 1 tech DT in this draft who would be as disruptive playing the 1 as Mebane was in 2007 and 2008.

Despite having just 1 sack, Mebane hasn’t sucked as a 3. However, I think it would be easier to upgrade 3-tech Mebane than 1-tech Mebane in terms of pass rush impact.

by kearly on Nov 20, 2009 7:43 PM PST reply actions

Doesn't the stat sheet on Bryant

read a bit like the sheet on Williams? Red flashes from time to time. I wonder why not more often…

by Hawkdawg on Nov 20, 2009 10:01 PM PST reply actions

i like the Kiffin Comment...

He’s a dominant force, and making himself alot of money"…

It’s a colloquialism usually reserved for sports anchors, commentators, and editorialists. He isn’t really in the process of making money (well… who knows really).

Sounds funny from a head coach.

Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.

by iverson2169 on Nov 20, 2009 10:28 PM PST reply actions

There's no question anymore,

Brandon Mebane is a very good football player. He could even play DE and be disruptive. I’m glad we experimented with him at the 3-tech but I think his most productive position will always be at the nose. The sooner he can get involved in the play the better.

I really liked the idea of moving Redding to the 3-tech and drafting someone to develop behind him. Mebane can be extremely effective at the nose but isn’t big enough to sustain playing every down… good thing we have a solid back-up ready in Cole.

I have nothing against Williams, I just think we’d get more value from a Jared Odrick or Arthur Jones and moving Mebane back to nose.

by Hawkhammer19 on Nov 21, 2009 1:29 AM PST reply actions

Hey, I thought we were all agreed

An OT in the first round. Or did I miss a meeting…?

That said, I think Suh will unfortunately be gone by the time the Seahawks are on the clock, and this Williams kid looks awfully promising. Ruskell seems gun-shy about drafting to the O-line in the first round, but he does love his defensive picks.

by Buster! on Nov 21, 2009 2:37 AM PST reply actions

I think we all agree

That we have far too many holes to fill next year.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!

"I never met a llama I didn't like." - TJ Duckett

All I want for Christmas is Joe Haden, Eric Berry, and Nandamukong Suh in Seahawks blue.

by Wayward Llama on Nov 21, 2009 4:42 AM PST up reply actions

yep

by Mr. Blache III on Nov 21, 2009 10:26 AM PST up reply actions

ugh. how many more drafts?

I’m done supporting defense in round one. Please, give two unique offensive talents to offset the tragedy that is the mid-round D-lone talent. Darby was a mid rounder, as was Mebane.

Enough with the defense.

It is what it is...

by kidder95 on Nov 21, 2009 12:20 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Did anyone see the movie the Blindside?

That’s where John Morgan hits me on sometimes with how fast his thoughts change article to article. That said, this kid is worth a look in round two if he’s there. I look at ruskell’s second round and say let the man go to work, it’s been historically good

Tatupu
Carlson
Unger
Wilson

by Joshua Kasparek on Nov 21, 2009 7:39 PM PST reply actions

What about Terrence Cody?

I think I’m losing faith in the talents of our DEs to generate enough pass rush, even if we can find another DT to team with Mebane.

I really wonder if its time to move to a 3-4 alignment would better utilize the talent we have.

Draft Cody and put him at NT.
Mebane, Redding, and Jackson rotate at DE.
Have Darryl Tapp drop a few pounds and drop back to OLB to stand up and pass rush with Curry.
That might free up Tapp to make more plays and would put four playmaking LBs on the field.
Seems like it would play to the strength of our roster.
If we only had a big NT like Cody.

"Football players are temperamental. That's 90 percent temper and 10 percent mental." - Doug Plank

by Stevo's on Nov 21, 2009 10:28 PM PST reply actions

We are a 4-3 team with a 4-3 coaching staff.

I think Cody may be better suited to a 3-4 and we should pass.

Now, Gerald McCoy is another story and an ideal fit next to Bane, but landing Suh would be out of the world.

by Misfit74 on Nov 21, 2009 11:16 PM PST up reply actions

Cody is a 3-4 NT

Mora has coached the 3-4. There’s nothing magical about it. Coaches should put their players in the best position to win, not force players into a scheme.

Our best players are suited to be 3-4 OLBs – Curry, Hill, and Tapp. They are losing games in their current 4-3 scheme and they may be better suited to a 3-4. If so, its the coaches job is to put them in the positions they can excel at and win.

"Football players are temperamental. That's 90 percent temper and 10 percent mental." - Doug Plank

by Stevo's on Nov 22, 2009 8:39 AM PST reply actions