Hooray for More Fluff
by abender20 on Apr 22, 2009 8:14 AM PDT
in Seahawks News & Rumors
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PrintIf we were to compile every rumor or opinion on the upcoming draft, things would get fairly confusing. In the interest of furthering your confusion, here's one more sprinkle of fairy dust. Jim Mora may have a "Mancrush" on Michael Crabtree.
Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter appeared on ESPN's "First Take" on Tuesday morning, and he discussed how excited Seahawks coach Jim Mora was after watching a game tape of Michael Crabtree's run blocking.
Real worthwhile news is becoming harder and harder to find as get closer to the draft. Since every sports media outlet has now devoted itself fully to draft speculation, let's do the same. Predict the top four picks in the draft and explain succinctly but convincingly why each team will pick the way you say they will.
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I haven't watched First Take / Cold Pizza since college.
And I think I watched it every day back then just because there wasn’t much else to do.
At first I was on the Crabtree bandwagon, like everyone else, then either of the two tackles, then the Stafford bandwagon, then the Sanchez bandwagon, and now I’m back at Crabtree.
1. Stafford.
2. Jason Smith.
3. Aaron Curry.
4. Michael Crabtree.
5. Mark Sanchez (apparently since Cleveland said Sanchez or Crabtree… not sure why they’d say that.)
Forgot the reasoning part.
1. QBs are always taken first, unless there is a stud tackle.
2. Smith has less injury concern than Monroe.
3. KC has needs everywhere, but they have a QB and a LT.
4. BPA, that is Crabtree (though rumors of character concerns trouble me).
5. Just going off what they said.
What character concerns?
Surely you aren’t referring to that BS piece about the most riskiest players floating around the internet that talks about Crabtree’s massive ego?
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Apr 22, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I'll go off the grid a little bit for this one
1. Detroit – Matt Stafford
Isn’t there a rule that if you have the number one pick you automatically get whichever QB has the strongest arm? If not, I guess there’s an outside shot at Curry if he’s willing to take a lowball deal to go number one.
2. St. Louis – Mark Sanchez
I admit Jason Smith makes a lot of sense here in terms of needs, but the top tackles aren’t particularly compelling so I’m picking a surprise instead. Probably the surprise will end up being Crabtree and I’ll end up being upset, but whatever.
3. Kansas City – Everette Brown
KC has one major, gaping need on defense and that’s a freaky pass-rushing defensive end. If you want an impact DE, you have to grab him early in the first round. If they keep the pick, KC will “reach” for the best pass rusher in the draft (it could be Orakpo, I suppose) and shrug off all the pundits because their defense will be much, much better with the missing piece in place.
4. Seattle – The Crabtree
Because this is what I want to happen.
Yeah, that won't happen lol
Brian Orakpo will go before Everette Brown.
Saint Louis doesn’t need a QB and DESPERATELY needs OT. The went /emo last year when the Dolphins beat them to Jake Long.
And I hope we don’t draft Crabtree. He’s too risky, in my mind, and other player positions have more need in my mind. I’d rather take BJ Raji, Curry or Malcom Jenkins at this spot, if we want to talk about unlikely picks @ 4.
by Nick Andron on Apr 22, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions
On the contrary, this is exactly how it will happen
Or not; I have no idea.
Orakpo certainly could go before Everette Brown. And Everette Brown certainly could go before Orakpo. Depends how teams rank them in terms of position/fit/need/durability.
St. Louis probably did want Jake Long, because Jake Long is awesome. Jason Smith is not as awesome.
For various reasons, I think you could argue that BJ Raji or Malcolm Jenkins are just as risky as Crabtree. Curry is certainly the safest pick of the bunch you listed, but 4-3 OLBs don’t impact the game as much as receivers of equivalent talent, so I still think Crabtree has more (predicted) value over the next four or five years.
I just have this strong gut feeling
That Crabtree will bust. He’ll be an exciting pick, but for some reason I think he’s going to suck
by Nick Andron on Apr 23, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I can see why you'd think that.
His large hands. His fantastic body control. His extreme physicality.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Apr 23, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Hmm
1-Stafford: Reports are coming in on the Lions and Stafford being close on a contract. Lions need a future at every position, why not start with the most important?
2: Eugene Monroe: The most polished pass protector since Joe Thomas according to Mike Mayock, the Rams will use a man on scheme, Monroe’s weakness of getting to the second level won’t be as necessary here.
3: Everette Brown: Probably a reach, but the Chiefs NEED a pass rush. They had 10 sacks last year. They need to get a remedy for this
4: Crabtree: The Seahawks need a play maker on offense, there aren’t any elite running backs, and when Deion Branch goes down, Crabtree will be able to fill in a lot better than Courtney Taylor or Logan Payne and especially Keary Colbert. Plus I hate seeing Ruskell draft defensive players in the early round, I need something on offense to watch for.
Man, that definitely is fluff to the nth degree.
I’ll give it a go:
Detroit Lions – Matt Stafford QB: Ahh, to go back to weeks where it seemed we had the luxury to choose between Stafford and Crabtree…
St. Louis Rams – Eugene Monroe OT: Word on the street (or internet highways) is that the Rams are enamored with Monroe as a complete prospect over Jason Smith’s athletic potential. They try to replace Pace and save Bulger’s career.
Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry OLB: I think Curry is overrated to hell and back and that KC would be better off with a pure pass-rusher, but there isn’t anyone on their defense who inspires any confidence in general. Well, except maybe the small, white, and decrepit Zach Thomas.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
Seahawks - Michael Crabtree WR: Jason Smith is tempting but I don't think Ruskell was kidding
about Locklear the LT and Ray Willis the RT of the future, and that zone-blocking would allow linemen later on the draft to contribute.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Apr 22, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Passing on Smith?
Granted I’m not as big on Crabtree as others but Smith would be a heck of a LG with Walt on the outside for a year or so and Lock at RT with Willis at RG. Trade Wahle for whatever you can to get out of the contract and draft a center to compete with or replace Spencer. Not only is that one hell of a line but they can all play multiple positions in case of injuries. I know it would be expensive until Walt was gone but I don’t see much of anybody getting pressure on Hasselbeck or stopping runs for a loss on that line.
I think Seattle takes Sanchez as trade bait
Several teams are hoping Sanchez will drop by Seattle, and Seattle may have to actually take him to cause them to pick up the phone and call with offers.
Detroit-Stafford, because to not take him means they’ll be looking for a franchise QB next year. They won’t get Freeman at 20 and nobody else is any better than a longshot.
St. Louis-Crabtree, because he’s the best player available, they have need and can get a tackle at 34. WILL take a tackle at 34 I mean.
KC-Monroe, because they just won’t be able to resist a bookend to Albert to protect Cassell, and while Curry and Orakpo are tempting, the value of OT is higher and the draft is pretty deep in DE and rush linebackers.
Seattle-Sanchez, because until we take him, teams will be reluctant to trade up for him. If not Sanchez, then Curry, because he’s the safest, most talented Ruskell type guy in the draft, and there are no guarantees we have Hill beyond 2009. He hasn’t even signed his offer sheet yet to my knowledge, or participated in anything. If we sign Curry, Hill may have to be traded or allowed to hit free agency next year, so we’ll still likely look for a guy like Jason Williams in round 4 as a future replacement for Hill.
Drop the tag?
Not that they would or should but is it possible for the Hawks to withdraw the francise tag and release since at this point Hill ( as far as I know ) hasn’t signed it?
Just a thought because that saves 8+ mil against the cap if TR is worried about how much is vested into the LB’s.
This wouldn't be my ideal draft (I'm hoping for Sanchez or Crabtree) but I could see this happening:
Lions: Stafford
Rams: Monroe
Chiefs: Trade to ’Skins, Sanchez picked
Seahawks: J. Smith
Browns: Crabtree
Stafford is almost a lead pipe cinch to be drafted by the Lions.
The rams need an immediate LT and Monroe is the most NFL ready tackle in the draft. He has the best pass pro skills and that matters when your QB is as frail as Marc Bulger. He is a “safer” pick than Smith, and since the Rams are a drive blocking team, Smith’s zone blocking prowess isn’t a factor to them. Smith could be risky if immediately plugged in as an NFL LT and should probably go somewhere where he could play RT or LG in his rookie season.
Chiefs are desperate for help on defense, but either Orakpo or Brown would be reaches at #3 and Curry would do nothing to help their pass rush. All 3 of those guys would be very overpaid for the money the #3 slot gets. KC trades down with the ’Skins on the cheap (#13 and 2010 2nd rounder) and drafts Orakpo or Brown at #13 for a lot less money. Washington of course picks Sanchez.
Ruskell claims his phone has been very quiet this week so the trade scenario in #3 may not happen. If it doesn’t, I expect Seattle to draft Sanchez and attempt to trade him. Ruskell has said that Lock is the LT of the future, but J. Smith is a good fit and could have an immediate impact at LG. I’d rather have Crabtree but J. Smith (along with Curry) strike me as the purest Ruskell types at the top of this draft, and I don’t think Seattle takes Curry because its essentially forces out Hill next year and would be kind of a waste of a rare pick.
Cleveland takes Crabtree
Because they said it’s gonna be “Sanchez or Crabtree” earlier this week, and given their well publicized unhappiness and trade attempts with Edwards and Quinn, it checks out with needing a QB or a WR in this draft.
Regarding Smith at #4, I don’t think he’d be a permanent LG, I just think he’d start there and move to LT when Walt steps down. I personally want Crabtree and Sanchez both ahead of Smith, but I think he’s such a good fit for what Seattle wants on their line and such a Ruskell type that TR won’t be able to say no.
Why would Cleveland tip their hat to whom they're drafting?
they probably only said that cos they’re looking to trade down, and those are two very attractive prospects to trade up for. Teams lie a lot around the draft.
by B.B.Finnegan on Apr 23, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
This has been a hard draft to project
1. Detroit: Stafford – I guess their fans are gaga over Curry but Schwartz seems like a smart guy. They’ve got two quarterbacks in place so they’ll be able to build the team up wile Stafford sits and learns.
2. St. Louis: Smith – Helps fill their biggest need.
3. Kansas City: Orakpo – Kansas City has no pass rush, their 2.9% adj. sack rate sets them significantly behind the second to last Rams (who weren’t that close to the 30th ranked team). Curry isn’t going to solve that problem for them, Orakpo could. He also claims to be able to stand up and play OLB, but that’d just be a bonus.
4. Seattle: Crabtree – I agree that Ruskell really wasn’t bluffing about the tackle situation, it’s written into Locklears contract that they have expectations for him to take over for Walt. I do have a weird hunch that they might be seriously looking at Sanchez, and really why not?
Let my Inner Mc-Kiper Flow
1. Detroit: Jason Smith- There is some pretty heavy speculation from several sources saying Detroit will sign the first pick prior to draft day and it WILL NOT be Stafford. Detroit’s new GM needs a safe, yeoman-like draft to ease fears he’ll be the next Millen. Jason Smith is a good pick, and a team with needs at every position cant go wrong with a franchise Tackle.
2. St Louis: Matt Stafford- I think St. Louis is surprised to see stafford sitting here and does what nobody expected them to do (draft QB). Tackle is very deep in this draft and I could see SL thinking: franchise QB (round one), solid tackle (round 2) is better than – Franchise tackle Monroe (with injury concerns) – PBA.
3. Kansas City: Curry- By far the best player available relative to team needs.
4. Seattle: Sanchez- Franchise QB’s come form the top of the draft and Seattle may not have a chance like this for years to come.
Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.
They have a franchise QB.
His name is Marc Bulger.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Apr 22, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm just torn
I still remember Rick Mirer and with only 16 games of experience I would hate to see that again. Now is the time (@4) to get a prospect and God willing Hasselbeck stays healthy. He wouldn’t see the field for 2 years and then hopefully look like Rivers but if he got out there and crumbled, man. Unfortunately I live in Oregon and also remember Sam Bouy, so yeah.
Funny stuff
First, I hope when you read these speculative articles that instantly a fart sound comes to mind. Because it is all crap. With everything that has been said by TR and Co, the chances are we are skipping on the #4 pick because there are no “franchise players.”
Last thing that has been bothering me. Can we stop arguing that Crabtree is an immediate impact player and he’s not going to scare any Defensive Coordinators until he proves it. DC game plan for players that are mismatches on the field. What part of a 6’1" 215 lb WR with average at best speed screams mismatch? Andre, Fitz, Boldin, Calvin Johnson are all mismatches because of height, speed, or superior strength. Yes, Boldin and Crabs are similar speed. However, before we start throwing around comparisons, just take a quick little peek at Boldin and Crabs. Do they look anything alike? Crabtree manhandling DBs in the Big XII is not the same as manhandling an NFL DB. Boldin is built like a brick house.
I like Crabtree a lot, but can we make realistic arguments for the guy? If you want immediate impact, start arguing for Curry or a RB. Crabtree would be #4 on the depth chart at the beginning of the season and will have to learn an entirely new offense and prove he can run NFL routes and deal with press coverage and be able to seperate from NFL DBs.
Curry would have almost no impact whatsoever playing alongside Hill and Tatupu, let alone his rookie season.
RB is considered a need but obviously we aren’t drafting one at #4.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Apr 23, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Nobody in here is claiming that Crabtree will be an "immediate impact player"
It would be nice, sure, but whoever they pick at #4 is going to be under contract for 5-6 years. Picking the guy who can help the most on Opening Day 2009 isn’t necessarily the same guy who’s going to help the most over the next five years.
Yeah, I liked how Mora put it.
They’re looking for the guy who can make the most impact on the Seahawks for the longest time.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Apr 23, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions
An RB would be down the depth chart as well.
We already have Jones, Duckett, Schmitt and Forsett. Anyone we draft is going to be sharing carries and/or practice time with all those guys.
And if our line doesn’t improve, even Barry Sanders circa 1992 won’t help.
I think Crabtree has as much potential to be a star in his first year as anyone in the first round.
Ruskell kinda has to say that
if he said there were two, or even worse only one, franchise player, everyone’s going to be trying to figure out who. When the draft is over he’s probably going to come out and say “this was the one true franchise player we were targeting”
by B.B.Finnegan on Apr 23, 2009 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
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