Sign Selvin Young

by John Morgan on Aug 17, 2009 11:53 AM PDT

...or at least bring him in for a physical.

Michael Lombardi speculates Seattle is interested in adding another running back. Without a named source, under the line "things I heard around the NFL last week" and phrased as it was -

"had internal discussions about possibly being interested in adding another running back"

- speculate is the right verb there. However, whatever the validity, it makes for an interesting discussion. Most of the available free agents are an entirely different player than their name would suggest: Edgerrin James, Warrick Dunn, Deuce McAllister, Ahman Green...and then there's Selvin Young.

Young is a former seventh round pick that played last season for Denver before being cut by the blighted Josh McDaniels regime. Young is in the Justin Forsett mold. A highly productive college rusher without the size or speed to impress NFL scouts. He was an effective rusher and receiver at Texas and most importantly, a dangerous return man. He retired his return shoes after an injury kept him out for most of the 2004 season, but in 2002 and 2003, he returned seven punts for 147 yards and two touchdowns. He hasn't returned as a professional, but he's worth a look.

That phrase defines Young. He has averaged over 5 yards per carry, adds something as a receiver, can compete with Justin Forsett for third downs, could dramatically improve Seattle's ailing punt return team, is not a pure boom or bust back, is experienced in a zone system and doesn't appear anywhere in the sports tabloids. He was cut by the Broncos because of a herniated disc in his neck. Young has earned an injury prone tag, but played 49 games at Texas, and at a salary approaching the league minimum, is minimally risky.

Young might not pass his physical, but bring him, talk to him, make the connection, and if he passes sign him and drop an extraneous linebacker, wide receiver, defensive back etc. If he doesn't, keep him on tabs should he ever. He's a young player with upside that can be had for nothing and should improve an immediate need at punt returner.

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The punt return angle elevates this story beyond the ether of NFL rumors.

At first glance, I didn’t give Lombardi much credibility due to the lack of grumblings regarding the running game. We do lack stars in the skill positions but, I didn’t pick up on any dire straits from training camp reports or otherwise. However, the punt return context gives this story life. As JM clearly articulated, what do we have to lose?

Child please...

by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 17, 2009 12:26 PM PDT reply actions

I heard around the league this week that had the Bronco's not cut Young Ruskell would have gladly flipped them a 5th round pick for him

Everything changed once he became available for free.

by Nate Dogg on Aug 17, 2009 12:31 PM PDT reply actions

What's the downside to Edge?

He showed he still has it during the playoffs last year. Would he command too much money for the likely value he’d provide?

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

by Nick Andron on Aug 17, 2009 12:37 PM PDT reply actions

He complained about his limited role with Arizona last year, he probably won't want to compete for the 3rd spot here

by Nate Dogg on Aug 17, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions

He can't return punts

although that would be funny to watch

by B.B.Finnegan on Aug 17, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Ah true. Thanks

Durrr. I’m retarded.

Butler was downright embarassing ‘receiving punts’ against San Diego.

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

by Nick Andron on Aug 17, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

He's old

Turning 31 this year and wants a starting job.

by ninjasocks on Aug 17, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd take Young over Forsett in a second.

This kid is dynamite, and I would give my left nut for the Seahawks to have a valid threat at punt and kick return (though I’d prefer that Burleson return punts, all things considered).

by djafrot on Aug 17, 2009 1:04 PM PDT reply actions

Wilson is pretty good on kick returns

I’ve been a fan of Selvin Young since his Texas days.

If he can stay healthy he’ll be a valuable asset to this team guaranteed.

Beverly Hills 90210.......Denver Broncos 7.

by SSreporters on Aug 17, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Wilson scares the crap out of me on kick returns.

I mean, he puts up some good numbers, but he appears to think he’s super-tough and stays up when he really should get his ass on the ground before half the kick-cover team slams into him.

by djafrot on Aug 17, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Wilson was second in the NFL with 8 returns of 40+ yards.

Granted, he had more returns than anyone, thanks to their defense. But that many returns without injury and / or dip in production should put to rest those concerns.

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Aug 17, 2009 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Injuries on kick returns are flukey

That’s why you don’t see very many teams use players who start on O or D on kick returns. It’s just not worth the risk. Just because he didn’t get hurt last year doesn’t mean he won’t this year.

If Josh Wilson was still debateable in terms of his talent at CB, I’d say go for it. But he’s a quality CB, and it’s not a position at which we have a lot of depth (especially with Trufant injured), so I’d rather he only play defense.

And it’s not just injury… when you stand up and get hit like that, you tend to fumble more. I’d rather we have someone safe in there who gets a little less yardage production but is “safer”.

by djafrot on Aug 17, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I hear you and tend to agree with that.

That’s why they are reluctant to put Burleson back to return punts again, after the knee. I though you were suggesting it was his size that should keep him away from returns. That I don’t agree with.

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Aug 17, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, though I am big on Burly returning punts.

I think we have the depth at WR to afford that, and Burleson is just ridiculously dangerous at returning punts. Won’t happen, though.

by djafrot on Aug 17, 2009 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions

He'd probably have more TDs

If he had the gas to perform after initial acceleration. Once the burst of speed is used up he just fades rapidly.

Beverly Hills 90210.......Denver Broncos 7.

by SSreporters on Aug 17, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Frankly though

I’m having a hard time believing Denver would cut a young promising player without a very good reason

*cough

by B.B.Finnegan on Aug 17, 2009 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, that new regime in Denver is good about retaining quality talent

by vanrijn on Aug 17, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

BURN

die broncos die.

by cro-mag! on Aug 17, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Brad Briggs also reported per a "league source"

that, “the New York Jets are gauging trade interest in running back Thomas Jones and have placed a call to an NFC West club”. I have a hard time believing he is talking about Seattle…. Arizona makes the most sense to me.

by Seahawka 12th on Aug 17, 2009 1:20 PM PDT reply actions

Doesn't seem likely being that he's the starter.

Unless Shonn Greene is showing out and Leon Washington can handle more carries.

Child please...

by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 17, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Coach Ryan loves Washington

he can handle more carries, and Jones & Washington both are complaining for more money. One of them is going to be shown the door, and it ain’t going to be Leon.

St. Louis makes sense, too, but less so than Arizona. I think they just lost one of their primary backups to Jackson. But either way, the interesting dynamic of the Jones brothers competing against each other in one division must provide some incentive to either team.

by jacobstevens on Aug 17, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Arizona would make the most sense

Which would be surreal.

Beverly Hills 90210.......Denver Broncos 7.

by SSreporters on Aug 17, 2009 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions

more surreal than say....

Big brother supplementing little brother? Briggs goes on to say, "The Jets have another running back looking to be paid in Leon Washington. He’s having a strong camp and is reportedly seeking a deal that will pay him an average of $6 million per season. He’ll make $535,000 this year, but the sides are talking and New York wants to reward its own with him.
He also mentioned Jones’ exodus from Chicago, “Jones got an agreement from General Manager Jerry Angelo that if he worked hard and was a good team player, he would do what he could to accommodate Jones’ wishes after the season. Jones rushes for 1,335 yards, the Bears went to the Super Bowl and, although Angelo wound up giving him away, Jones got free of the Bears with one year remaining on his deal. The Jets gave him the new contract he was seeking.”

by Seahawka 12th on Aug 17, 2009 1:46 PM PDT reply actions

There is no point in trading for him

I have been aware of this rumor for months.

We have Orange Julius, Duckett, Forsett, and Moore at our expense. I would be pissed if Forsett winds up getting the shaft again.

I want to see what he’s made of as an RB in the regular season, not returning kicks. Heck if Moore continues to impress keep him on the first team too.

I like Thomas Jones. But he’s 31 and on the tail-end of his career. Julius is 28 as of this past Friday and still has a few good years left in him.

Beverly Hills 90210.......Denver Broncos 7.

by SSreporters on Aug 17, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions

One of the main reasons I am not buying this either

is because I believe the Jets would want Branch or Burelson. Where as the Cards have Boldin to dangle in front New York.

by Seahawka 12th on Aug 17, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions

In which case

The Cards can go make that trade. Whatever will weaken their squad is fine to me.

Beverly Hills 90210.......Denver Broncos 7.

by SSreporters on Aug 17, 2009 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Seriously. Boldin for Thomas Jones?

and they’re looking to lessen the count of players complaining about money, not maintain.

by jacobstevens on Aug 17, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Lombardi has been regurgitating similar 'Seattle needs a RB' hype for weeks now.

First it was how we needed to trade Branch to the Jets for Jones. Now, it’s that ’we’ve had internal discussions’. Translation: our guys talked about the rumor started about Thomas Jones by saying: ain’t happening, further adding fuel to the Lombardi ‘look at me I’m just like Chris Mortenson’ writing. I was enjoying that guy for awhile, but the change to Vick-Favre-Jets-Pats-Vick-Favre-Vick everyday content blows and I can’t stand it.

That said, much of Selvin Young’s YPC (5.0) can be attributed to a fantastic line. Young is nothing special, and I think I’d just assume roll w/ Moore and Forsett than sign the oft-injured scat-back recently from Denver.

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 17, 2009 2:12 PM PDT reply actions

Cannot stand Mort!

by Seahawka 12th on Aug 17, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

To the point where I was gleeful when the Titans cut his son!

I’m kidding, of course.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 17, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions

the Raiders and Justin Fargas

I remember reading somewhere about how Michael Bush seemed to really impress at camp and that Fargas might want out. Anybody care to weigh in?

by Seahawka 12th on Aug 17, 2009 2:33 PM PDT reply actions

I don't buy this at all.

Lombardi wrote a few months ago that he thought the Seahawks should trade Deion Branch to the Jets for Thomas Jones and other blogs picked up the story and ran with it like it was real news.

And last week he wrote that the Jets had been shopping Thomas Jones to an NFC West team. It seems to me that he’s making up anonymous sources to try and promote his own trade ideas.

by Culter on Aug 17, 2009 2:57 PM PDT reply actions

I've been telling people this for a loooong time

Julius has shown throughout his career that he’s much better as the primary back. Trading for Thomas Jones or signing an FA like Edge or Dunn we would be puting Julius right back into a split back-field. That’s FO herasy in my eyes.

I wouldn’t be opposed to Selvin Young but I don’t see him being much better than what we have in Moore and Forsett.

by Hawkhammer19 on Aug 17, 2009 3:47 PM PDT reply actions

I find it odd that this news coincides with the release of Ryan Torain.

Young’s been available for a while now, wouldn’t it been have more prudent to try him out earlier in the offseason, or at least before training camp started? While he probably doesn’t need to adjust to the system, I would think it’s more optimal to be on the same page with the rest of the team.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 17, 2009 9:36 PM PDT reply actions

I agree.

I think if we were going to bring in Young, we would have already done so.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!

by Wayward Llama on Aug 18, 2009 6:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Young

That said, much of Selvin Young’s YPC (5.0) can be attributed to a fantastic line. Young is nothing special

Finally, something true. Broncos fan here, no hate to the Seahawks, but Young’s YPC is vastly inflated because of a few long runs and the way he was used, i.e. in a rotation. He loses it quickly.

by Remember Keith Kartz! on Aug 20, 2009 4:53 PM PDT reply actions