Does Ruskell think our D-Line is "done"?

by Nick Andron on Apr 27, 2009 12:32 PM PDT Comment 26 comments

Three scary observations:

1. The signing of Colin Cole. However, as John's thorough analysis pointed out, he's NOT a starter due to a number of weaknesses shown while being a BACKUP in Green Bay. I have a hard time believing Ruskell and his staff failed to realize this.

2. We all rejoiced when we signed Redding, but our excitement quickly deflated when the REAL details came to light (only a one year deal, mostly playing DE, DT only on passing downs, etc). It was just a play to dump Julian's contract.

3. We didn't draft any defensive tackles.

Does Ruskell think our D-Line is complete? God I hope not, because honestly, it doesn't look much better than last year. Last year's D-Line's deficiencies helped shed to light our woefully poor secondary.

A place to bury strangers.

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I think the past 2-3 days shows that

we can not predict what Ruskell thinks based off of his actions until something has actually happened. I think he makes whatever decision he thinks is right, and none of us can predict what that might be. But considering the sheer number of DEs and DTs that we have, plus the two late-round/undrafted rookies that are coming into camp, I’m guessing that we are just about full.

by cashless on Apr 27, 2009 12:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ruskell signed the top un-drafted free agent who happens to be a defensive end.

by Wilder. on Apr 27, 2009 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was glad we didn't draft any DTs

Even still, I was intrigued by the thought of Hood (less so than Everette Brown) at 37, before Pittsburgh took him. But I was worried about our other holes, which are more demanding, and didn’t want a 2nd day tackle. The starter opposite Mebane has much room to be upgraded, but our depth can scarcely be upgraded before we have a better idea of Bryant after training camp. So, glad there.

End is in the same situation, except that nearly any draft pick we had would have been well spent on end. We’re not as set at end, especially after 2009.

by jacobstevens on Apr 27, 2009 1:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Certainly puts a lot of pressure on Red Bryant and Brandon Mebane.

I think that Ruskell didn’t see defensive line value in this free agent class or this draft and so decided to let it be. It’s a concern, but again I think this is an average team that could be better with some breaks. Seattle is building towards the future.

by John Morgan on Apr 27, 2009 1:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree, we built for the future.

And I wasn’t impressed with any of the first day tackles.

Our two biggest needs will be addressed next year in the first round.
McCoy McCoy 2010!

McCoy McCoy 2010

by LantermanC on Apr 27, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sam Bradford?

JSWO - Josh Scobey World Order 4 Life!

by Christian on Apr 28, 2009 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'll see how he does this year without

Iglesias, Loadholt, and Duke I guess, though it is Oklahoma… so they’ll always have talent.

McCoy McCoy 2010

by LantermanC on Apr 28, 2009 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Point in case:

They still have Trent Williams, another stud OT.

Sam Bradford, future Seattle Seahawk.

by Carl Shinyama on Apr 28, 2009 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Realistically, what defensive tackle out there do you suggest Ruskell adds to the team?

by B.B.Finnegan on Apr 27, 2009 1:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I concur with asking that question

Not many options so far as I can see. Cole is probably better than Brace from BC who will also see rotational use as a rookie for the Patriots, and he would have taken our pick 37, preventing the trade for Denvers 2010 1st rounder. Unger was a better option and also fills a need. With Redding theoretically moving inside to DT on passing downs, and a rotation that includes Mebane, Bryant and Terrill, who else did you want?

Weak draft for DT’s. It’s early, but odds are next years draft will be better, and we now have two first rounders. Frankly, I hope Hass stays healthy and Teel works out at QB so we don’t have to spend a first rounder next year on QB, rather DT and DB. Tez Jr and Kenny Easley the third, please. At the risk of sounding GREEDY.

I am very psyched to see the FA signing of Bennett. While only about 275 lb now, he’s known as stout against the run with a good bull rush, so I see him in the Redding mold. Perhaps he can develop as such.

by diehard82 on Apr 27, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I miss Tez and Easley.

I hope Curry can rush like Rufus Porter.

by Misfit74 on Apr 27, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And to add to my comments above

We know the Hawks spent significant time with Ziggy Hood at Sr. Bowl, and had he been available at 37 might have pulled that trigger, but Steelers “stole” him at 32. Door closed.

by diehard82 on Apr 27, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd we have plenty of depth on the line

And this is the most important season in terms of development for much of that depth (Jackson, Bryant, Atkins). If we don’t see any development this year and Kerney gets injured, then I’m concerned.

by Ezzra on Apr 27, 2009 3:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it.

I can just about guarantee Tim Ruskell is going to keep his eye out for the waiver wire, just to see if he can get some value from that.

I think, for Ruskell, it will be a perpetual and never-ending cycle with an eye to win now and the other eye towards the future.

I think he’s OK with the current set up, but if he could try and improve it, he most certainly will.

Weez the juice!!

by Carl Shinyama on Apr 27, 2009 4:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm already looking forward to 2010 draft

Ndamukong Suh – DT Nebraska, 6’4" 305 lb, NFLdraftScout top rated DT, 6th overall prospect for 2010 (right now anyway). Had he come out this year would have been 1st round selection, decided to return for his senior season, 2005 grad from Grant H.S. in Portland, OR. Several Ruskell traits right there. Has Tez Jr written all over him.

Taylor Mays – FS USC, 6’3" 230 lb, NFLdraftScout top rated overall prospect for 2010. Also returned for senior season, would have been top fifteen pick in 2009. 4.47 speed in a chiseled linebacker sized body. O’dea H.S in Seattle, Seattle native. Father was NFL player. Lots of Ruskell traits. Has Kenny Easley written all over him.

by diehard82 on Apr 27, 2009 4:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No on Mays.

This topic has been beaten to death more than Helen Kellers vocal chords.

JSWO - Josh Scobey World Order 4 Life!

by Christian on Apr 28, 2009 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Well, we'll have another dozen USC games to watch his performance

and continue the debate. To say that you already are opposed to drafting him next year when he hasn’t even played his senior season yet is perplexing. What precisely do you not like about him? 4 year starter, no off-field issues that we know of, major program playing top talent, consensus top S talent had he come out this year, freakishly big and fast (not unlike Curry). Did not make a ton of plays with few teams throwing deep against USC and playing behind “probably” the best linebacker group in college football history. What’s the knock?

by diehard82 on Apr 28, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I believe that JM’s concerns about gaining more weight, losing more agility, and perhaps lacking agility right now are all valid, however we shall see what he does this season.

by cashless on Apr 28, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No,

you’ll have another dozen USC games to watch his performance. I"ll be watching the Huskies or more likely, spending time with family before tuning in on Sunday.

by Misfit74 on Apr 28, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you are overreacting..

1. Kerney missed most of last year due to injury. He may or may not bounce back to form, but that was a major issue. He did look quite good while he was in there. Bryant also missed most of the year.

2. Jackson has a lot of room to improve, I don’t think you move away from him just yet. If he totally flounders I can live with a Redding/Kerney/Tapp/Atkins rotation.

3. We overpayed Cole, but by what? A few million total? Considering what was out there in FA and the draft I am OK with the signing. Depth at DT is important and we payed a little extra to make sure we didn’t have to throw someone in with no experience or talent.

4. We won’t know really know how they are gonna use Redding until the season begins. They may very well have tole Cole he would start or something so they had to smooth that over and say Redding would start at end.

by michaelfox99 on Apr 28, 2009 4:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs