Jermaine Phillips Can Be the Strong Safety that Transforms Seattle's Defense
by John Morgan on Mar 4, 2009 4:05 PM PST
130 comments
It's fitting that shortly after signing another high-character liability, Seattle is attempting to replace its last high character liability. Jermaine Phillips would go a long way to erasing some of the stain of signing Colin Cole. Seattle has needed a safety that throttles long runs and provides steady backside containment since Tim Ruskell began constructing his light, fast and aggressive defense. Light means gang tackles and the occasional free rusher into the second level. Fast and aggressive means attacking the ball carrier and exposing the cutback lane. At its best, Seattle has balanced the occasional long run with enough tackles for a loss to be a good run defense. To be anything more, it must reduce those long runs.
Phillips can do that, and so doing allow Seattle to move Deon Grant to free safety. We've talked moving Grant to free safety to death, but it's less said that Grant himself has been a bit of a disappointment. His talent is real. He's not a strong safety. Seattle kept Grant in the box way too much. He wasn't strong against the run: often picking the wrong lane to defend, taking the wrong angle to the ball carrier, or losing the tackle. The position subtracted from his cover ability, too. Grant was never a natural at retreating into deep cover, and he's not skilled in man coverage. He should be kept back, allowed to see routes develop and trusted to make the right read and cover the right receiver. As a free safety, Grant is a decent run defender. He breaks on the ball carrier well and tackles well moving downhill, but isn't strong in space or traffic or tackling lateral moving players.
Cole creates two problems. The first, and hopefully the smaller problem is that Seattle will become more susceptible to "successful" runs. These are the meat and potato runs that move a team into better down and distance, and help sustain drives. Seattle's been pretty good at preventing successful runs, and, purely from a run stopping perspective, Cole should be stouter than Bernard. The second, and likely larger problem is that Seattle will become more susceptible to long runs. The type were the blockers move free into the second level and Seattle's light and fast defense suddenly looks light and fast disintegrating. Think Divisional Round in Lambeau or Frank Gore circa 2006. This is where Seattle needs Phillips. Phillips can get a body on a body, minimum, and let Seattle's remaining defenders swarm and minimize the damage. At his best, Phillips can explode cutbacks and become a rusher antipode. The bullet entering the barrel. The bullet blowing the marksman's hand off. Phillips is a start. Patrick Chung is a solution.
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Good writeup, JM.
I hope we get him.
If we miss out on him (with TB and SD being other suitors, from what I’ve read), what other FA options do you like, if any?
by Misfit74 on Mar 4, 2009 4:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm aware of Chung being a favorite (for awhile now, actually)
And there are other nice prospects. But I was asking about free agents.
by Misfit74 on Mar 4, 2009 4:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
There's this kid out of Oregon I really like.
by John Morgan on Mar 4, 2009 4:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Chunger can stop the run
and cure cancer.
by John Morgan on Mar 4, 2009 4:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
From the comments on that link, Bucs fans are horrified to lose him
Therefore, I’m really hoping Ruskell works his magic.
Take him on the Octopus, Ruskell!
"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09
by Wayward Llama on Mar 4, 2009 4:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Jesus Christ that son of a bitch is so cool.
I wish I was rich.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Mar 5, 2009 10:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I tell you what, if I were that rich, I wouldn't waste it on a giant boat with a bunch of smaller boats on it.
And I certainly wouldn’t get it with balls on the top. Just think of an x-wing comes by and shoots them, the ship would be useless.
by LantermanC on Mar 5, 2009 11:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If Paul had a Star Destroyer, I'm sure we could sign anyone in town.
Though I’m partial to the Millennium Falcon.
by djafrot on Mar 5, 2009 12:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So if we sign him, which becomes more important draft targetof the two?
Getting a DT or S?
by Ezzra on Mar 4, 2009 4:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I think we should just pay Chung to skip the draft and come directly to Seattle
"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09
by Wayward Llama on Mar 4, 2009 4:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I want Ziggy Hood!
I feel like Philips is gonna help us more than Cole anyway
by Ezzra on Mar 4, 2009 4:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Johns Favorite chinese Food is
Chung Pow Chicken
by diehard82 on Mar 4, 2009 4:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
His favorite singer
Is William Chung.
by SoCalHawksFan on Mar 4, 2009 6:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Favorite o-lineman: Eugene Chung
Yes, there was another ‘Chung’ who played NFL.
by aerozeppelin on Mar 4, 2009 7:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The good thing about getting Jermaine, or Chung
It’s like we upgrade two positions at once, with one signing/drafting.
by SPENCEMAN on Mar 4, 2009 4:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Did you just Chung your own comment?
That’s like “That’s what she said”-ing your own innuendo.
by SeaTownBlueDevil on Mar 4, 2009 6:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
A question is...
would we rather sign Phillips and keep the high 2nd rounder or draft Chung?
I’d think Ruskell is thinking the former.
by djafrot on Mar 4, 2009 4:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Get Phillips
Russell is a bum and this would allow Grant to be more successful, this pick up makes a lot of sense. Hopefully the seaplane and facilites work their magic again.
by gohawks89 on Mar 4, 2009 4:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
So if we signed Phillips
then we’d have addressed all of our ‘concerns’ except OT. We got a DT (sort of), franchised Leroy, signed TJ, and might get our safety. So with the draft we really can draft for depth and BPA, though I wouldn’t complain if we somehow got an OT in the first and Chung and Hood in the 2nd/3rd?
by LantermanC on Mar 4, 2009 4:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
This is shaping up for a suspenseful draft.
Just the was TR likes it. I wish I knew. Now.
by Misfit74 on Mar 4, 2009 4:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No kidding.
I really have no idea what to expect. I know that we’ll want an OT somewhere, but who knows whether that actually will be in the first or whether Ruskell will see value with Crabtree/Stafford/Jenkins/Brown/Sanchez and jump at it hoping that an OT will be around at the top of the 2nd or 3rd.
by djafrot on Mar 4, 2009 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Needs vs. Wants
We could really go with anybody, Ruskell always talks about going with the best player available, addressing needs like wideout and safety in the offseason allow him to do this.
by gohawks89 on Mar 4, 2009 4:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Hold on...
If Cole should be stouter against the run than Bernard, and that’s the only defensive line change, then why is our run defense getting worse? Confused.
by sev79 on Mar 4, 2009 4:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Because Cole is much less stout against the run than Mebane
and Mebane is switching positions.
by John Morgan on Mar 4, 2009 4:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, so previously Mebane held the double team at the point of attack...
…and now you’re expecting Cole to get thrown through the uprights by the double team and provide a lane through the fat space he previously occupied.
by sev79 on Mar 4, 2009 5:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Something like that
and Mebane will be attacking.
by John Morgan on Mar 4, 2009 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I should stop saying Patrick Chung
Seattle never drafts the guy I want. DeSean Jackson, Trevor Outlaw, Justin Blalock, Michael Bush…
by John Morgan on Mar 4, 2009 5:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I have beer on my mind
and nasty beer. Widmer’s Belgian Style Ale tastes half piss, half Red Hook and I don’t drink Red Hook.
by John Morgan on Mar 4, 2009 6:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't like the Widmer either
Only Belgian White from these parts that is half decent is Shock Top, and only draft, it’s on Blue Moon levels in the bottle. Sam Adams did a Belgian White, and it was also half decent, but I think it was seasonal.
When it comes down to it, there is just no replacement for Hoegaarden.
by jacobstevens on Mar 5, 2009 10:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wheres everybody going to get breaking FA signing info?
And no, Patrick Chung is not going to let me know when Phillips signs.
by Nate Dogg on Mar 4, 2009 5:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
PFT is comprehensive if you can stomach Florio
by John Morgan on Mar 4, 2009 5:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Best safety in the draft or best safety for Seattle?
by Nate Dogg on Mar 4, 2009 5:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Moore will be 24 before Chung is 22
by John Morgan on Mar 5, 2009 11:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I...didn't know that.
But I think the point is moot, Moore is been dropping on the draft boards from what I’ve heard so that just benefits Chung as possibly a late first round pick.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Mar 5, 2009 11:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Rotoworld.com
Often has it first.
http://rotoworld.com/content/Home_NFL.aspx
Florio is hard to stomach, yet I still have PFT bookmarked. sigh
by Misfit74 on Mar 4, 2009 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
NEWS PLEASE!
The day is over, I say. Are we gonna let the guy skip town without a contract?
Where the heck are we getting all this money, anyhow?
by djafrot on Mar 4, 2009 6:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I think the cap bump was bigger than expected
Clayton said on the radio the other day that the Hawks have 17-18 million in cap space depending on how the Housh contract was structures.
by Nate Dogg on Mar 4, 2009 6:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, that's much more than what ATC and Sando thought it would be.
by BrianL on Mar 4, 2009 6:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I was surprised too
for all I know he could be full of it. Maybe it includes the rookie alotment?
by Nate Dogg on Mar 4, 2009 6:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How is Chung in coverage?
I have heard mixed reports, and he played more of a rover role at Oregon right? I could see him being a Boulware-esque pro which isn’t bad but isn’t exactly what I’d imagine the team will be looking for. Why such a strong preference for him over someone like Hamlin?
by t.hast12 on Mar 4, 2009 6:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Getting Chung would be great.
And probably the seahawks top priority after the 1st round, if they don’t sign Phillips or another notable FA safety. However, if the Seahawks do nab Phillips (and I honestly have a hunch they will), then does Chung really represent a more urgent need than a quality DT?
Phillips is 30 and as such is probably 1-3 year solution- but Cole is a potential disaster and should he fail and Mebane moved back to the 1, who becomes the 3? Right now, the Seahawks do not possess both a starting caliber DT who is a true 3 tech. Instead, we have a great 1 tech (Mebane), a potentially good 1 tech if healthy (Bryant), a probably terrible 1 tech who should be a backup (Cole), and a mediocre, backup caliber 3 tech (Terrill). Its clear to me, (and hopefully Ruskell too) that a real 3 tech needs to be added in this draft and he needs to be NFL ready. Even if you believe in Cole, the Seahawks are still extremely thin at the 3. If the Seahawks complete the 4th round without a rookie DT on board, this off-season will be a miserable failure regarding the D-line.
For that reason, I see a good pass rushing DT as a higher priority than Chung. Doesn’t mean you have to draft DT before S, (going 3rd round for DT is ok), but I think its more critically important, especially in the short term.
by kearly on Mar 4, 2009 7:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Keep in mind that
the team clearly doesn’t see Cole as a poor pick up. So they probably perceive there to be far less need at DT than you or I do. And ultimately, that’s all that matters. We may need a DT more, but the team is less likely to pick one if they don’t think they need one
by Fear on Mar 4, 2009 7:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That's not really an appeal to authority
I think he’s more trying to figure out the move the team is most likely to make.
by Ezzra on Mar 4, 2009 7:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, not an appeal to authority at all.
From the team’s perspective, it was not a poor pickup. Thus they would be less likely to take DT. His argument makes sense.
by redwolf75 on Mar 4, 2009 7:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Marks declared early.
Doesn’t that make Ruskell less likely to pick him?
by redwolf75 on Mar 4, 2009 7:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
3 year starter in the SEC
coming out as a junior shouldn’t hurt him with Ruskell too much.
by Nate Dogg on Mar 4, 2009 7:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't know that.
I agree, it shouldn’t be a problem then.
by redwolf75 on Mar 4, 2009 8:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Question: if we sign Phillips, doesn't that negatively impact our chances of drafting Chung?
According to Tampa fans I know, Phillips is great (though freak injury prone), but I’d rather have Chung, honestly.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Mar 4, 2009 7:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Signing Phillips would leave very few needs
freeing up Ruskell to draft based on BPA. If he sees Chung as the best player available theres nothing stopping him. Also, Phillips is 30 so a long term solution wouldn’t be out of the question.
by Nate Dogg on Mar 4, 2009 8:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That's correct, but does Chung sit?
Because I’m not sure if safety is a position that takes an especially long time to develop like DE, WR, QB, etc.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Mar 4, 2009 8:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, why not let him improve the special teams while he gets his feet wet in year one?
And then start the 4-6 games that Phillips would probably miss due to injury. If he’s good enough to force his way into the starting lineup, then great, you picked the right guy.
by busplunger on Mar 4, 2009 8:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I was exaggerating slightly to illustrate the point. Generally speaking, starters tend to miss a few games (or plays) here and there, so I just meant that Chung would likely see plenty of scrimmage action even if he’s not listed as the starter on the opening day depth chart.
Specific to Phillips, he’s averaged around 13 games per season in his career, so it’s not like he’s been healthy every year and then just suffered freak injuries last year (16, 14, 9, 13, 16, 15, 11). I don’t know the reasons for the sick days but statistically speaking, I wouldn’t count on him to start all 16 games in 2009. If he does, great, consider that a bonus.
by busplunger on Mar 4, 2009 8:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Phillips has missed a lot of games in his career due to other injuries.
He definitely deserves the injury prone label.
by redwolf75 on Mar 4, 2009 9:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Especially when we compare him to Grant, who has never missed
1 game in the same timespan.
by redwolf75 on Mar 4, 2009 9:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He's broken his arm twice, thats hardly worrisome
And I’m pretty sure Grant is more exception than rule. Most football players miss games from time to time, Phillips hardly seems to have missed an excessive amount outside of two freak injuries.
by Nate Dogg on Mar 4, 2009 9:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe next year we can target Major Wright to backup and then replace Grant
A Chung/Wright backfield would be sex in blue and neon green.
"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09
by Wayward Llama on Mar 4, 2009 8:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Roy Williams should have a big year now.
I like that guy, but they still overpaid for TO’s replacement.
by Misfit74 on Mar 4, 2009 9:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Koren Robinson > Roy Williams.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Mar 4, 2009 9:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Or Oakland
"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09
by Wayward Llama on Mar 4, 2009 9:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Good call.
I’m sure we will see within the next couple of days.
by SoCalHawksFan on Mar 4, 2009 9:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Either way, Team Destroyer will certainly create chaos and confusion for the team that takes him
and hilarity for the rest of us
"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09
by Wayward Llama on Mar 4, 2009 10:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Personally, if he retired I'd be thrilled. Then I'd have to hear no more about him.
National media wouldn’t know what to do with itself, though.
by Misfit74 on Mar 4, 2009 10:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
O_O Serious?!
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Mar 4, 2009 9:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm falling out of my seat laughing right now.
This is priceless.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Mar 4, 2009 9:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm loving it, too.
I relish any kind of Cowboy failure. This is king.
by Misfit74 on Mar 4, 2009 9:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Cowboy failure makes me smile.
"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09
by Wayward Llama on Mar 4, 2009 10:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Cowboys failure makes me smile too, but I'm a T.O. fan.
I know he’s the worst possible fit in terms of character and even for the WCO, but I want to see him in blue and neon green, no matter the price.
by SeaTownBlueDevil on Mar 5, 2009 4:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He's not too bad for the WCO
He played in a WCO Frisco for years. And Philly was a WCO as well. He has the ability to take a slant and break it big and is hard to jam off the line. But his hands aren’t that great and he’d probably bitch about not getting enough deep balls and call Matt Hasslebeck gay or something. Either way I want no piece of him. I wonder what he will do now that he no longer has “25 million reasons to live”?
"I call the big one Bitey."-Homer J. Simpson
by Willie Mays Haze on Mar 5, 2009 12:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Correction: he WAS hard to jam off the line.
Now, not so much.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Mar 5, 2009 3:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ed Werder says that a (small) part of the reason
is concern over a decline in performance? No offense, but the guy got 1000 yards and almost 10 TDs with great blocking and with several games with Brad Johnson at the helm.
That being said if I were a GM, the only way I give him a contract is have lots of incentives. $2 million for 1000 yards, $2 million for 10 TDs, $5 million base, with 10% off for every negative national news conference about him complaining, either in the locker room, on the side lines, or while doing sit ups in at his house.
by LantermanC on Mar 4, 2009 10:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think teams have to at least try and pretend cuts are for performance/salary reasons
Because the CBA requires them to act in good faith. It’s like any other labor contract, if they just gave “we think he’s a jerk” as the sole reason he was cut, T.O. could file a grievance
by jteckmann on Mar 4, 2009 11:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
For a guy who pisses so many people off
he never seems to get into trouble with the law or do anything else stupid that jeopardizes his playing time. It’s crazy.
by Fear on Mar 5, 2009 12:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It is sort of sad.
That a guy can be a complete wack job and have multiple incidents that directly compromised his commitment to playing in the league.. but since he never brandished a gun in a night club people are wondering why he never got in trouble..
by michaelfox99 on Mar 5, 2009 4:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No
it’s probably because he rarely misses games.
Besides 2005 (where he was injured halfway through the season and still came back to play in the playoffs) he has never missed more than 2 games in a season. In 11 years (again, I’m disregarding the “fluke” season of 2005), he’s missed 10 games. So out of 192 games, he’s played 182.
Granted, probably around 95% of players are able to avoid much in the way of off the field incidents. I was just surprised that for a guy who seems to pick so many fights, he hasn’t gotten himself into a bar fight or something else that would get him suspended for half the season or into any kind of trouble with the law.
He’s just an attention whore, whether it’s negative or positive.
by Fear on Mar 5, 2009 11:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Roy Williams
If we want a safety to help in run support, what about Roy Williams. He’s a liability in pass protection, but he basically adds another linebacker to the field. And I think he’s only 28.
by HawksFan on Mar 5, 2009 9:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather just add another linebacker
A safety that can’t cover is without value.
by John Morgan on Mar 5, 2009 9:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
apparently he's beyond a "liability" in coverage
He’s more like a giant void in the field. At least, to hear Cowboys fans tell it.
by djafrot on Mar 5, 2009 12:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Michael Boulware
"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09
by Wayward Llama on Mar 5, 2009 2:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Worse.
Boulware had a good nose for the ball, at times.
by Misfit74 on Mar 5, 2009 3:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
and wasn't a dirty player and all-around d-bag.
"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09
by Wayward Llama on Mar 5, 2009 9:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Sado chat
I asked Sando for an update, etc:
*Allen (Vancouver, WA): Mike, have you heard anything about our chances to sign Jermaine Phillips? Is he still in Seattle, possibly working out a deal?
*SportsNation Mike Sando (12:13 PM ET ) The Seahawks approached free agency without thinking Phillips would be a real possibility. They did not know Tampa would release all those defensive players. Those moves have probably led Phillips to consider other options more strongly. Seattle has a chance. The Seahawks like him. Phillips’ ties to Gus Bradley would seem to help. This would be a real bonus signing for Seattle if the team could pull it off.
by Misfit74 on Mar 5, 2009 9:55 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Nice, thanks for sharing this Misfit.
by LantermanC on Mar 5, 2009 10:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
totally, thanks man.
I forgot about Bradley!
by djafrot on Mar 5, 2009 12:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Mel Kiper on where Chung will go
“…may push him into the third or fourth round. Chung figures in that same general area.”
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/insider/columns/story?columnist=kiper_jr_mel&id=3954518
I’d be happy if we took him in the 2nd, delighted if we took him in the 3rd, and if we managed to take him in the 4th I’d have to have a quick lie down.
by JamesMurphy on Mar 5, 2009 1:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
It's like Red Bryant all over again!
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Mar 5, 2009 3:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
His loss.
Have fun in white trash town, pencil-arms.
"It's just one big guy against another big guy, both teams know what's at stake. The one of them comes out on top and it feels good."
-Chris Collinsworth, Madden 09
by Wayward Llama on Mar 5, 2009 9:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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