Ray Willis and Seattle's First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft

by John Morgan on Feb 26, 2009 2:07 PM PST

The free agent signing period is only hours away and while the Seahawks insist they're not big players, Seattle has never faced a bigger offseason.

Does Seattle re-sign Ray Willis?

Seattle either has no depth at offensive tackle or is outright down a man. There's needs and then there are needs so crystal not filling them is insanity. That's what Seattle faces if they let Willis walk. Walter Jones is on the mend after undergoing microfracture knee surgery. Sean Locklear ended the season on IR and has failed to start 11 games in the last three seasons because of injury. Kyle Williams wasn't outright embarrassed, but was bad enough that Seattle game planned to protect him.

If Willis walks, the team will be forced to add a starter capable offensive tackle. It's not going to find a better value on the open market than Willis. If Willis walks, expect Seattle to draft the best available offensive tackle at four.

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Weird how Eugene Monroe is still a mystery at this point.

I haven’t heard a positive or a negative about him except for the fact that Brendan Albert, his teammate last year played LT this past year in the NFL.

Jason Smith is on the rise, Andre Smith can’t do anything right, and Oher is a mixed bag, but no one seems to care about Monroe.

by LantermanC on Feb 26, 2009 2:26 PM PST reply actions

The assessment I've read

is that he’s the best pass protector of the bunch. Which to me, means he’s the best tackle of the bunch. Jason Smith is more balanced. We won’t see Jason Smith, I’m fairly certain. First two picks. And, D’Brickashaw Ferguson joins Brenden Albert as Cavalier tackle first rounders. Probably most highly touted of them all, hasn’t yet realized the expectations that were on him from day 1.

by jacobstevens on Feb 26, 2009 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

Taking another look

I can’t imagine why Jason Smith is so thoroughly considered the top tackle prospect over Monroe. Read the positives and negatives, and Monroe’s negatives are all of very modest concern, IMO, while a lot of Smith’s positives are of fringe value at the position:

Jason Smith
Positives: Tall, athletic left tackle prospect. … Excellent straight-line speed and hustle, getting downfield on screens and long runs. … Can pull and trap, running smoothly and adjusting to oncoming defenders. … Moves to the second level quickly, using good angles to keep linebackers out of the play. … Should work well in zone-blocking schemes with his ability to lock onto defenders and move. … Gets down quickly to cut block despite his height. … Adjusts well to outside blitzers. … Willing to throw his man to the ground and keep him there. … Has made significant improvement in terms of technique and strength over the past two years at left tackle.

Negatives: Typically operates out of a two-point stance for Baylor. … Raw in his pass-set technique, standing a bit upright and backpedaling instead of sliding to mirror his man. … Locks onto his man at first, but eventually loses his balance and grip due to his average upper-body strength and footwork. … Does not have much of a punch in pass protection. … Can lose the hands battle on the line. … Could use a bit more bulk in the lower body to be more effective as a drive blocker. … Could be moved inside to left guard for a zone-blocking team.

————

Eugene Monroe:
Positives: Prototypical left tackle build — good height, long arms and a thick lower body. … Good feet, and keeps them moving in pass protection to mirror his man. … Rarely gets beat, handling bull rushes as well as most inside and outside moves with ease. … Keeps his balance very well. … Blocks down inside often to take defensive tackles out of the play. … Able to neutralize linebackers at the second level. … Shifts to tight end on some strong-side run plays in order to use his strength and athleticism. … Blocks through the whistle, often blocking two or three jerseys on one play when on the move.

Negatives: A bit bigger in the middle than you’d like. … Tends to catch ends as they rush in instead of using his punch to keep them off balance. … Must improve his awareness of inside blitzers or late rushers when plays break down. … Could get to second level or moving targets a little more quickly and sustain blocks better in the open field.

by jacobstevens on Feb 26, 2009 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

It's probably the worst way to scout a player

but I’m sold on Monroe if only because he forced Brandon Albert inside. Theres probably 10 good reasons why that would happen without Monroe being the better player but it impresses me none the less.

by Nate Dogg on Feb 26, 2009 4:37 PM PST up reply actions

Willis better not leave.

We should have given him the opportunity to get on the field ages ago, now that he’s an FA some team will likely lure him away promising a starting job after watching his work this season.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Feb 26, 2009 2:27 PM PST reply actions