Deon Butler at Training Camp

by John Morgan on Aug 11, 2009 1:32 PM PDT Comment 70 comments

More photos » Elaine Thompson - AP

Deion Branch has hands like mitts. Deon Butler has hands like mittens.

Today's practice viewing was canceled to the public and though the Seahawks have promptly offered me other dates to attend, I think I will head home and await the preseason. Camp is fun. The journey is fun. Sometime in the next few days I'll publish a notes piece about all the stuff that surrounds camp and creates the atmosphere and journey, but for now what matters: football.

Deon Butler deserved a chance to redeem himself after yesterday. I hope he is privately doing so today, because yesterday was a live-action confirmation of my fears.

It was a wet day and even Seattle's best set of hands, Deion Branch, dropped an easy pass. Branch's drop was preceded by an effortless behind the back snag. Butler's set of drops was preceded by a pass that ate him up, got in his body and was caught because a defender wasn't around to bump Butler or swat the ball away.

Butler looked smooth and showed a good redirect on a later pass. I like the idea of "smooth" when it comes to receivers, because to me it represents a lack of wasted motion. Butler is smooth, not as smooth as Branch, but pretty clean about his lines and clearly an athlete.

On the next pass I saw Butler attempt to receive, the ball soared a bit and crossed him a little above his shoulder height. It was easy to notice. Butler outstretched his hands and then comically whiffed as the pass spiraled through his arms and towards the turf ten yards behind him. Butler mis-tracked another ball, but managed to drop it.

Butler slipped on a route and then later missed a pass that was a little underthrown on a route he was a little slow to come out of his break. I split the blame.

Butler fell again. Before that he was matched against C.J. Wallace on a deep route. Wallace recorded a 4.83 forty at University of Washington's pro day, but Butler couldn't overtake him and didn't make the reception.

You never know if you're seeing a player's best day or their worst day. You can guess it's in between, but not where in between. I wouldn't lower expectations because of his Monday performance, but take it as a progress report. Butler has a lot of potential, but still a long ways to go.

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I think we can afford him that time

With Housh/Branch/Burly I doubt Butler will see much playing time. I wonder though where they see him in the future. If you figure we have 3 years of Housh does Butler replace Branch this year(Branch’s contract is up I believe?).

by Hancock.Brett on Aug 11, 2009 1:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Preseason will be a huge indicator

It wouldn’t shock me if Courtney Taylor becomes the #4 and Butler becomes the number five. Taylor’s had an additional year and more on-field experience. Also:

/crosses fingers that Kent makes the team

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Aug 11, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It would shock me if Courtney Taylor made the team.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 11, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um, maybe.

I could see Taylor making the team (after some of the reports I have heard about him), but it should end up between him, Obo, Kent and Payne for those final two spots (I still think Bumpus goes to the PS one more year). It will all come down to preseason games, and how these four play.

As for Butler, I would guess he goes into the season as the 5th or 6th WR (not the 4th, like way to many people thought). The guy is a 3rd round rookie, and the team has some guys that have been around a while and they will look to fill the 4th and 5th spots this year. Give Butler some time, the guy is young and talented.

by JustinWF on Aug 11, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why is that?

Taylor is talented, played better towards the end of the year, was a very good gunner and Ruskell spent a draft pick on him. Seattle tended to keep 6 receivers so Housh, Branch, Burelson, Butler, Obo and Taylor would seem to be the most likely to make up the receiving corps.

by Nate Dogg on Aug 11, 2009 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts exactly

He’s impressed at camp last year and has NFL experience. The chances of Obamanu, Kent or Bumpus making the team ahead of him would shock me.

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Aug 11, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not me.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Kent and Obomanu make it, even if it were at the expense of Taylor. Obomanu just seems solid and capable – workmanlike, while Kent has most the tools to become an very good, if not elite WR. His upside is still huge. Taylor has looked promising at times, terrible at others. I’m not sure what to make of him after being excited about him start of last season only to see him play like a stiff.

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 Aug 11, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At this point I'd bet on Taylor and Kent

Taylor is our best gunner and pretty athletic. We’d maybe let him go if Courtney Greene proves to be a monster gunner but we’ll probably keep him one more year.

Kent has a ton of athletic potential and is no longer eligible for the practice squad. He’s shown enough improvement to give him another spot.

Payne, Bumpus, and Hass are all eligible for the practice squad.

Obomanu is the odd man out. He’s not much of a special teamer and not eligible for the practice squad. We have plenty of depth so his steady hands probably won’t be of much use on the 53 man roster.

by Hawkhammer19 on Aug 11, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe you are mistaken about Hass

He spent two years on the PS in Chicago.

by shams on Aug 11, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right you are

Well he’s better step up in a big way this pre-season if he hopes to beat out Kent.

This is an interesting article comparing the two.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/nfl/2009/08/making_a_cantmiss_receiver.html

by Hawkhammer19 on Aug 11, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree on Obomanu.

I think he has great potential. I’m not impressed with Taylor at all, and Kent is awful. He is a good athlete, but I would certainly rather have a guy like Hass on the field who will actually catch the ball.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!

by Wayward Llama on Aug 12, 2009 3:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Taylor is talented"

Whatever definition it is that includes Taylor as talented also applies to the other WRs as well.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 11, 2009 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hass, Payne and Bumpus are not talented

by Nate Dogg on Aug 12, 2009 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How you figure?

And even if we disagree on this matter, it doesn’t change the fact that Taylor was horrendous last season and he did a total of absolutely one noteworthy thing, which in retrospect wasn’t that great at all.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 12, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I might be wrong on Bumpus but physically those guys are not NFL players

It doesn’t matter how good your hands are or how well you run your routes when you can’t get seperation. Bumpus for as well as he played couldn’t keep his roster spot amongst guys like McMullen, Robinson and Taylor. Theres a reason why Taylor keeps getting opportunities while Bumpus loses his job to him, Hass can’t get off the Bears PS, and Payne.. well I don’t really know what Payne was doing besides suck.

Taylor was spectacularly bad on a big stage, I get that, but lets not throw a guy out over one game. Taylor, a 6th round draft pick, earned a roster spot for half the season in his rookie year and caught a couple balls. He landed a starting spot in the opening game of last year before the receiving corps had been completely and in all ways demolished. He sucked but as the year went on he progressed some and flashed the ability to be a very good gunner.

I don’t want to see the guy crack the top of the depth chart again but for a 6th receiver, assuming the team even keeps that many, he’s decent.

by Nate Dogg on Aug 12, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right, but wouldn't the opposite hold true as well?

It doesn’t matter how good your routes, speed, separation skills are if you can’t catch the ball consistently. And I suppose you’re saying his roster spot would justified because of special teams prowess, which I can agree with, but I still don’t think he’s going to ever become an NFL caliber receiver, which someone like Jordan Kent still has an off-chance to become.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 12, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The NFL tends to be more tolerant of bad hands than an inability to get seperation

But ya I think the two people in the running for the 6th receiver spot are Taylor and Bumpus because of special teams ability, gunner and punt returner respectively. Hass is the only player I’d be shocked to see make the team.

by Nate Dogg on Aug 12, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bad hands lead to dropped passes.

No separation leads to INTs or sacks. As frustrating as it is to see a WR drop one, it beats either of those by a mile.

by thebyron on Aug 12, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jerramy Stevens

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Aug 13, 2009 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The two R's are in case he drops one.

Sorry, that joke never gets old for me.

by jteckmann on Aug 13, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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 Aug 13, 2009 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Braylon Edwards

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 Aug 13, 2009 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just to stoke this fire a little bit

I don’t think Taylor has bad hands. I do think he needs a lot of help with his routes. What looked deceptive in college isn’t fooling starting NFL cornerbacks. Maybe that’s why he needs to be a third or fourth option.

by John Morgan on Aug 13, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I'm not mistaken, Taylor wasn't really productive in college either.

And if he’s not really bursting with any tools, I don’t see why anyone would try to develop him as a receiver and rather just keep him for special teams value.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 13, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is Auburn's all-time leader in receptions.

Top 5 in every other category. And he missed most his Junior year with injuries.

With the exception of Kent, Taylor is probably the most toolsy of all the young guys. 6’1.5", 205lbs, ran in 4.4-4.5 range. He was rated a 3rd-4th round prospect, fell to the 6th because it was a relatively deep WR class and he didn’t have great stats coming out of a run-heavy school with QB issues (a 700yd season breaks records at Auburn)

IMO, Taylor is a guy we should all want to see succeed, because as a prospect he falls more on the Red Bryant side of the spectrum – lots of natural skill, occasional flashes, just hasn’t put it together consistently. He’s not a “try hard” guy who’s on the roster ’cause Ruskell has a boner for his work ethic.

by jteckmann on Aug 14, 2009 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just can't root for Taylor any longer

After last season I don’t trust Taylor’s hands, and I don’t see what Taylor would bring that Obomanu can’t do.. After Housh, Branch, Burleson, the guys that seem to bring something extra to the WR corps are Butler with his speed, Jordan Kent with his height and speed, and Payne with his good hands and guts on crossing routes.

by Stevo's on Aug 11, 2009 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I keep waiting for somebody to mention Mike Hass

the poor man’s Wes Welker and a perfect underneath threat. I guess he really is a longshot.

by shams on Aug 11, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Silly question

But how many running backs and receivers will a team usually take into the season?

by rex92 on Aug 11, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Danny O'Neil has a break down of past Seahawk rosters

here. Who knows what will chance with Mora though.

by Nate Dogg on Aug 11, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

Hmm, the roster cuts must be tougher than usual this year, what with the platoon of receivers and young guys like Devin Moore, Cameron Morrah and Nick Reed

by rex92 on Aug 11, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They also have the 8 practice squad spots

I think some of the receivers are out of options for the PS though.

by Nate Dogg on Aug 11, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I like Housh, Branch, Burleson, Butler, Kent and Payne too. Haas is a stud but like everyone knows, it’s a long shot. Has anybody heard how Payne’s rehab went?

by jmass33 on Aug 11, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He looks quick and agile out there.

I haven’t seen any limitations, and I think I better understand his appeal. Wide receiver is a position that must be evaluated during the preseason, though. Training camp is the wrong environment.

by John Morgan on Aug 11, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I just haven’t heard to much about him. I guess when you sign a guy like Housh and both Branch and Burleson are rehabbing as well…it would be hard for someone like Payne to get much publicity.

by jmass33 on Aug 11, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think fans suffered Payne burnout

He was the toast of training camp last year.

by John Morgan on Aug 11, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd buy that

But John, are you buying that he has a chance to make the roster with everyone healthy? I know we’ll find out more once preseason starts, but maybe a few have a leg up on the others.

by jmass33 on Aug 11, 2009 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Payne is down the list.

Even Holmgren was cognizant of Payne’s limitations. To paraphrase, some receivers are technically sound and can rule practice, but when competition stiffens they lack the ability to get separation and disappear. I’m not sure Payne will suffer that fate, but that’s been the knock on him for a while. I definitely think he is behind Obomanu, Taylor, Kent and maybe even Bumpus.

by John Morgan on Aug 11, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's to Taylor not making the team!

Taylor is always showing up in camp and practices. It’s the same with Kent…but Kent is big and fast and I think (or hope) this is the year he really puts it together. It took Vincent Jackson from San Diego 4 years to really have a break out year. So here’s to Kent, or maybe even Taylor putting it together and showing up when it counts (not saying they have Jackson’s ability, I was just stating sometimes it will take a few years for raw WR to develope). But personally, I still really like Logan Payne. If it wasn’t for the cheap shot on him against the 49ers, he would have been our most productive WR last year. Since it would have been him or Billy McMullen.

by jmass33 on Aug 11, 2009 2:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping our WRs shake out like this:

In order of depth: Housh, Branch, Burleson, Taylor, Butler, Kent

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Aug 11, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll go:

Housh, Branch, Burleson, Obomanu, Butler, Kent

Though I’m still unconvinced of Obomanu as of yet. I’m interested to see more of him in preseason action.

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 Aug 11, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Word

I could care if Santa Clause makes the team, as long as he’s productive and reliable.

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Aug 11, 2009 3:59 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Santa is a Left Tackle

His elvish training regimen keeps him spry.

RLTW!

by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 11, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bad, easy mistake to make

Thanks for the correction.

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Aug 12, 2009 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You should see his game film.

He put a Rudolph on his ass during a safety blitz.

RLTW!

by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 12, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but...

…it’s not hard to pick up the blitz when the guy (er, reindeer) coming at you has a glowing red nose.

by thebyron on Aug 12, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rudolph doesn't wear a helmet

And likes to tackle head first. Trust me, people get out of the way

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Aug 12, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, Please. No one takes Rudolph seriously.

They laugh and call him names. He’s lucky to be playing the game at all.

by Groundhog on Aug 12, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yea but without Rudolph,

the defense would never be able to find their way to the QB. He lights their way.

by Fear on Aug 12, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't beleive no one made a Blitz-en joke. For shame.

The Yankees suck-a-doodle-doo!

by JamMasterJesus on Aug 12, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

After last year's tragedy?

Dude, have some respect for the dead.

(Sorry.)

by thebyron on Aug 12, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bah, that was next.

Blitzen easily trumps Rudolph. Though Dancer wouldn’t look as good without Santa to run behind.

by Groundhog on Aug 12, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blitzen called Rudolph a pussy.

Hilarity ensued.

Child please...

by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 12, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahem.

“Blitzen ‘gleefully’ called Rudolph a pussy.”

by Groundhog on Aug 13, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

I believe only Bumpus has practice squad eligibility, which is were he’ll go. Obomanu won the receiving battle last year, and from the seasons Kent and Taylor had, I don’t see them surpassing him even with the year off. The battle between Kent,Taylor and Payne (again) could be a good one (or turn out just like last years), and I think it’ll most likely come down to how well Kent’s progressed. If it’s a draw, I think he’s got too much upside to give away. Whomever loses, I’m fine with letting go. It’s been three years already. Not sure if Payne is PS eligible.

It’s nice to think they’re all going to become great receivers one day, but I get the feeling whomever we cut will go the way of Taco Wallace.

by B.B.Finnegan on Aug 11, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts exactly.

It’s been three years. If these guys can’t step it up and get cut, then good riddance. When Taylor and Kent were on the PS and no one went after them, it was pretty telling.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!

by Wayward Llama on Aug 12, 2009 3:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Payne sucked against Buffalo.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 11, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hell, he wasn't even that great in the preseason.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 11, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boy, that'd be a sight

“He’s past the 30, the 20, the 10, Touchdown Santa Claus!”

by rex92 on Aug 11, 2009 4:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Then he whips out a Sharpie

autographs an elf and hands it to someone in the crowd

by shams on Aug 11, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seahawks Schedule

Has anybody noticed that according to the Hawks game schedule on the left hand side of the FieldGulls home page that the Hawks play at TEN in the 5th game then again at Qwest in the last regular season game? I think Hawks play JAX at Qwest the week after they play Indy.

by 008klm on Aug 11, 2009 5:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think John has already tried to get it taken care of.

It’s out of his hands, though.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!

by Wayward Llama on Aug 12, 2009 3:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Courtney Taylor

He was physically able to get off pressure at the line, but sometimes seemed to forget where his routes were supposed to be. It looked like Hasselbeck and Taylor weren’t on the same page at times in the Holmgren offense, so what now with the More offense? How is Hasselbeck gonna know where to throw to Taylor when Taylor is given encouragement to seek advantages against the defense and change his route accordingly? Taylor is a good special teamer and good at blocking downfield vs run defenders, but how is he gonna help Hasselbeck develop some sense of where to expect his route to go so he can throw completions vs picks?

by 008klm on Aug 11, 2009 6:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

"good at blocking downfield vs run defenders"

That’s false.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 11, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a question for anyone that's interested:

Is there a WR that particularly benefits, or suffers, because of the switch away from Holmgren’s offense to Knapp’s?

by djafrot on Aug 11, 2009 6:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

McMullen?

by shams on Aug 11, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good thing he's no longer on the team then! ;)

A Mariners fan in Seattle

by Coach Owens on Aug 11, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My point. :)

by shams on Aug 11, 2009 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the switch to Knapp's zone blocking will help the O line more than any one else

Which is of course good for everyone else on the offense,I get the sense that he is more of a tailor the plan around the strength’s of the player’s you have than the cram the square peg in the round hole Holmgren style

by southern oregon on Aug 11, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

good question

I heard an interview with Hasselbeck on 710am a few days ago, and he touched on some of the differences. Basically said that Holmgren’s system was very strict and exacting on the WRs, and demanded total precision on their routes (i.e, run 12 yards, break at 45 degree angle towards the pylon, no matter what) Knapp’s system sounds a little more flexible, and the WRs have rules about when to adjust their route (i.e., run about 10-12 yards, show the defender a move, angle towards the pylon, but if coverage is tight, flatten it out towards the sideline) Stuff like that.

Just based from what I’ve read, I have a feeling that might benefit the Auburn guys – Obo & Taylor. They’re supposedly the natural athletes of the bunch (not counting Kent – who’s a raw project) – and they’ve showed flashes of being able to get open. But they’ve both struggled with running sharp routes. Maybe freed up from Holmgren’s structure, it will suit them better. But it sounds like it doesn’t do any favors for a guy like Payne, who’s one big advantage has been his precise route running.

by jteckmann on Aug 11, 2009 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs