2008 Season Retrospective: Brian Russell
by John Morgan on Jul 13, 2009 2:55 PM PDT
37 comments
Overview: Brian Russell started 16 games in 2008. He did not appear on the injury report and missed only one snap all season. His statistics were in line with his career numbers: 72 tackles, one sack and three passes defended. It was his fourth season in six seasons starting he had three or fewer passes defended. He turned 31 on February 5, 2009.
What went right: Russell had a couple good stops against Philadelphia and headed off a couple long plays.
What went wrong: Russell is a bad player, perhaps below replacement level, that's schematic use has negative utility in the modern NFL. He ensures swearing is present and persistent at Field Gulls, because swearing is a healthy release from extreme physical pain.
Outlook: Negative utility is the operative phrase there. Russell is played to reduce the greatest amount of harm, neglecting the fact that a team can prevent scoring passes without being a successful pass defense. Russell sometimes stops a 30 yard play from going for 50 and the score. That leaves the opposing team in the red zone with a new set of downs. In 2007, Seattle parlayed that strategy into an improbable mix of a high number of opposing pass attempts, a below average number of yards allowed, but the league's best touchdown's allowed*. At the time, I accepted it as the hallmark of a bend but don't break defense, but I've become ever more skeptical of the bend but don't break phenomenon. Seattle flexed the other way in 2008, allowing more relative attempts - an extraordinarily high number of pass attempts for a 4-12 team - the worst pass yards in football, and the 27th ranked touchdown passes allowed.
Opponents provided compelling evidence that neither the strategy nor Russell work. Seattle allowed ten touchdown passes of ten or fewer yards. Proving the Seahawks couldn't cede field position and then toughen in the red zone. It also allowed ten touchdowns of 20 or more yards. Proving that as a deep cover safety, Russell wasn't covering shit.
Seattle didn't draft a safety until the seventh and Courtney Greene is a project Seattle hopes to develop. Jamar Adams hasn't received much pub. However cringeworthy, Russell is the presumptive and almost uncontested starter at free safety. Seattle could mitigate that some by making Russell just a safety. That is, a cover 2 safety and therefore not truly a strong or free safety. It absolutely must avoid putting Russell on an island and hoping his savvy and field marshalship overcomes his broken wheels, bad compass, terrible technique and leather-helmet athleticism.
*25th, 19th and 1st.
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Overview: Brian Russell started 16 games in 2009.
Here’s praying that’s not prescient
by jacobstevens on Jul 13, 2009 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
That’s the mistake of a frustrated man.
by John Morgan on Jul 13, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Following your tweets now, too
Quite a dashing pic you have on there, younger looking than I expected
by jacobstevens on Jul 13, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've always looked young.
Cashiers tend to give me an epic stare down and scrutinize my ID like the NSA would. My favorite is when they quiz me.
by John Morgan on Jul 13, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting.
When I was around 15 people at parties used to think I was the token older guy who was old enough to buy beer.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 13, 2009 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bian Russell... oye
The only way not drafting a replacement for Russell makes any sense to me is because TR loves the guys in next year’s class. This year was a weak safety class but next year will be exceptionally strong. Mays (USC) and Berry (Tennessee) will be top 10 picks and we’ll probably have a good shot at one of them with the Denver pick. Reshad Jones (Georgia) and Earl Thomas (Texas) will also probably first rounders which we could take with our other first round pick. Myron Lewis (Vanderbilt) and Major Wright (Florida) are also strong looking first or second round prospects.
Keeping Russell in cover 2 should help mask his deficiencies but chances are I’ll be “face-palming” more often than not… sigh. I think the plan for Courtney Greene is to hopefully become the replacement for Deon Grant to play opposite of whoever we draft next year.
by Hawkhammer19 on Jul 13, 2009 3:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Greg Knapp is our hope
Gameplan boilerplate will be inserted with a goal to keep the offense on the field on long, clock eating drives. Not to keep the other offense off the field. To keep Brian Russell off the field.
by jacobstevens on Jul 13, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
not to nitpick,
but two safeties taken in the top ten? or 4-6 in the first round? unlikely.
by cro-mag! on Jul 13, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well Mays and Berry are virtual locks for the top 12 at this point
As for the other guys, a lot can change in a year so I guess we’ll see. The point is there’s a ton of talent at safety in next year’s class. It’s gonna be hard to stomach another year of Brian Russell but from a personnel stand point, it makes more sense to wait one year for a better stock of safeties than force the issue this year and end up with another Michael Boulware.
Believe me, I hate Brian Russell as much as the next guy (probably more). But I see TR’s logic in waiting.
by Hawkhammer19 on Jul 14, 2009 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Restraint
Like many Field Gullers, I’ve been looking forward to this retrospective. To an outside observer, unacquainted with the play of Russell or the unmatched* vitriol spewed at FG and elsewhere in reaction to said play, the retrospective probably seems a harsh rebuke. To those of us who have followed the comment string on game days, we know the retrospective is in fact a startling display of restraint. Well done.
- With the possible exception of a certain former MVP.
by jeager on Jul 13, 2009 3:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Understatement can be good
Besides, I’m souring on blogging as format for anonymous personal attacks.
by John Morgan on Jul 13, 2009 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Less is more
Michael Bay could stand to learn this
by jacobstevens on Jul 13, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, to anyone not familiar with the blog, the Outlook reads as if
It is implying that Russell is directly responsible for all the Seahawks’ TD woes. Kudos on stating how Russell can fill a role in the D positively, but it seems like this is more an analysis of the secondary than it is of Russell specifically.
by Groundhog on Jul 13, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a pretty good point.
I was hoping for a little more in depth look at Russell himself, not that I haven’t heard it here before.
by djafrot on Jul 13, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you're saying...
2007 Seahawk pass defense was a fluke? That we had masked the problem that is B.Russ? Can J.Adams please start over him???
by PoolNinja on Jul 13, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure I understand why Babineaux would be worse.
Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Jevon Snead, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer
by Misfit74 on Jul 13, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Although it may be more complicated, I still believe that Ruseell's continued employment here
stems from some kind of overreaction by Ruskell and/or Holmgren, after we got rid of Michael Boulware and Ken Hamelin a few years ago. In a sense, Russell is the antithesis of those two; cerebral instead of athletic, dependable rather than overly aggressive.
I liken it more to the difference between Dwayne Wade and J.J. Redick; there’s a reason one is an all-pro and the other is a bench warmer. No matter how smart or “gritty” or whatever other adjective you can throw out, there HAS to be a minimal amount of athletic talent and ability required to start regularly in the NFL. It has gone beyond an embarrassment or a joke; this is a serious mental block that the Seahawks apparently don’t even realize, and in a way I’m thankful that it hasn’t spread to other personnel moves on this team.
I simply don’t understand it, and it’s almost like the Seahawks don’t even bother in explaining it; are they trying to say that there is absolutely NO ONE ELSE ON THE PLANET that can play Free Safety for this team but Brian Russell? It’s almost like they don’t even BOTHER looking! Everything else but this has made sense to me, and I hope someday Ruskell or Holmgren or Paul Allen will reveal to us what The Brian Russell Experience was really about, other than some kind of sick joke on us die-hard Seahawk fans.
In 2007, Russell made some sense; I’m still sick about Hamelin practically gift-wrapping Chester Taylor’s 90-yard TD run against us. Now he’s just a cruel joke.
Sorry for the long comment.
by J.L. White on Jul 13, 2009 5:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No need to apologize for the long comment
Now if you said something like “The coaches and staff clearly see something in him watching the tape” with no substantiative evidence a la VBJohnson then you’d have to apologize.
Russell has never been historically bad. I mean, 8 INTs in 1 season when he was with the Vikings is impressive no matter how you look at it. But that was then and this is now. Right now he’s a liability in every aspect of Seattle’s defense.
There is not really much analysis needed on Russell. Even the common fan would know that he plays terribly and shouldn’t even be starting. The final straw for me was when he screened out Trufant on a double coverage which was initially played well on Ted Ginn Jr. That was his cerebral power and grit combining to create a fustercluck towards 7 points for the Dolphins.
BrianL’s GIFs can tell the story a lot better than any of us can.
Naturally one of the poorest performers on the team gets to play nearly every down of an injury-plagued season.
"And Joe for Matt Hughes, dislike may not be a strong enough adjective!" - Mike Goldberg
by SSreporters on Jul 13, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if Lucas could play any Safety?
Of course, this year that would mean fixing one problem with questions about how well, and creating a repeat of ‘Mr.Trip-And-Fall Swiveless-Head I’m-A-Target Jennings’ having to play a vital role.
It’s disgusting to see teams like Philly, Jacksonville, New England, and others fortify their Safety positions this off-season while we will rely on either a proven turd or practice squad players.
Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Jevon Snead, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer
by Misfit74 on Jul 13, 2009 7:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
the following would be roster improvements over russell:
a traffic cone
a speed bump
a stop sign
an evergreen tree
a rhinoceros
a seattle mist player
kenny easley, at age 50
a set of free weights (30 lbs each)
a bedspread
a giant mural of eugene robinson
my aunt
i think wilson would be a solid safety on lucas’ side. he doesnt need to be a hitter with grant next to him. he’s got solid cover and ball-hawking skills. if not him, than babs, adams or greene should get the nod.
by dmrudy42 on Jul 13, 2009 7:38 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Kill Brian Russell!!! (just joking)
I always see Russell getting killed on blogs and other websites and I don’t see why. Russell had one GREAT year (2003) and a bunch of ok to good years, nothing less nothing more. He was never a savior, but a lot of people thought he was when the front seven was getting pressure on the QB in 2007. Then in 2008 when the front seven couldn’t sniff the QB’s for long periods of time he looked bad. He’s 31 now and to think he will get better as more seasons go by is insane, he is a solid backup at this point and would be a great mentor for one of the young guys(he has a very good NFL mind), but he is not a starter (but he will start).
Lets just hope Green, Wallace or Adams can make a jump in camp and can steal some snaps from Russell come the start of the season, but I’m not holding my breath.
by JustinWF on Jul 13, 2009 7:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What went right:
I do recall Brian Russell making a shoestring tackle on a rampaging Brandon Jacobs, preventing him from the long TD run.
Also, question. Who’s better/worse, Brian Russell or San Francisco’s Mark Roman? Apparently, the only other person the good folks at Niners Nation despise besides JT O’Sullivan and Mike Martz is Roman. I’m not really sure how bad he is, but he seems to be their version of Russell. Difference being that they seem to realize he’s a problem and tried trading him, and likely won’t let him start next season.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 13, 2009 11:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Their second Lewis might be why
I expected Keith Lewis to start next to Michael, he was a playmaker in a couple games against Hasselbeck and a young developing guy, but it seems the team’s concluded he’ll only ever be depth.
by jacobstevens on Jul 14, 2009 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I propose Josh Wilson to safety
Severely undersized for the position but thick, elite speed/athleticism and ball skills for the position, good tackler with good pop, good blitzer, competetive when the balls in the air, swagger and smack talk.Give the dude 3 inches and the 10 pounds that comes with it and he makes and outstanding safety.
In obvious passing downs I’d tinker with the idea of taking Russell off the field, sliding Wilson or Lucas to safety and putting Jennings or Babs in the game.
All in all I believe the continued employment of Brian Russell is just to make the Eric Berry pick look that much better by comparison.
And why the hell is Derek Pegues unemployed, one heck of a cover 2 FS IMO.
by puerto on Jul 13, 2009 11:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No.
Wilson can be an excellent nickle corner but be wasted at Safety. That would be like moving Maurice Jones-Drew to fullback.
Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Jevon Snead, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer
by Misfit74 on Jul 14, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What the hell?
Nobody picked up Pegues as an UDFA?
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 14, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
The Giants and Bears both had him try out at minicamps. No contract tho’, AFAIK.
by Vasilii on Jul 15, 2009 2:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow.
And here I was hoping we could draft him in the 4th if we missed out on Chung.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Jul 15, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should not be that hard to replace.
Safeties, like running backs often have short careers in the NFL because they lose their jobs to younger players in training camp once they start to lose a step. I would expect that a decent replacement safety or two might be made available by other teams during the August roster cuts.
I think what has kept Russell on the team until now is his reported ‘leadership’ in the clubhouse and on the field. There is now a pretty good argument that the Seahawks have plenty of this with Grant, Lucas, Tatupu, etc. I would look for a new safety to be available as a free agent before the season opens. Point being that even though GM Ruskell didn’t see fit to draft a safety early in this year’s draft, he may still want to upgrade the position before the season starts.
by Stevo's on Jul 14, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
"[Ruskell] may still want to upgrade the position before the season starts."
*crosses fingers
by thebyron on Jul 14, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
*Crosses fingers and...
sacrifices a geoduck.
by Airborne Hawk Guy on Jul 14, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like a plan
but do we have the cap room to afford an upgrade or would we just cut Russell to make room? This might be a good situation to sign someone to another one year contract like Lucas. If they were cut then they’ll probably not want anything longer so they can come in on a team that should contend (where he’ll get noticed), we’ll see his best to show other teams he can still play, then follow the money after this year. I like it.
by Hawkhammer19 on Jul 14, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Proving that as a deep cover safety, Russell wasn't covering shit.
Could have been the entire article and I doubt anyone would have complained.
If Denver’s pick lands anywhere in the 8-15 range is there anyway in hell we pass on Berry? SEC, 4 year starter(I believe?), measurables, stats. I have to think that Ruskell would be excited beyond Aaron Curry levels if we had the chance to draft Berry.
by Hancock.Brett on Jul 15, 2009 12:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He's a junior
But your point is taken, nonetheless. I just don’t know, we could go QB, RB, OT, CB, DE, DT or S with those picks. Just too uncertain this far ahead.
by jacobstevens on Jul 15, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Berry?
Yes, please.
I know some who believe Berry is the best player in the SEC (including Tebow) and the best safety prospect since Sean Taylor. Berry is 5’11, 205 and runs between a 4.39-4.40 and can really lay the wood. One of those people I know said (regarding the Taylor comparison): “I think he hits just as hard, but covers better, I think hes a mix of Taylor and Reed”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk7Oj8wmRLQ <—Berry absolutely pounds Moreno at :38 of this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMI4qj0pj3E&NR=1
Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Jevon Snead, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer
by Misfit74 on Jul 16, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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