Darryl Tapp, Starter: Seahawks or Not

by John Morgan on Aug 24, 2009 5:41 PM PDT

The final drive started and completed in the first quarter was defined by a 15 yard clipping penalty. The Broncos went heavy, with three tights ends and an I formation. Seattle held its ground, in no small part because of Red Bryant. But it was Bryant that Peyton Hill bounced off before breaking into the open field. Brandon Mebane falling after being fell upon by Ryan Clady, contributed to Bryant's broken tackle. Whatever the cause, the play was called back and instead of gaining 29 yards, the Broncos lost 15.

Denver spent the rest of the drive crawling back into field goal range. They got within 53 and Matt Prater nailed it.

Seattle came very close to allowing a first down. The Broncos went to their screen game. The Seahawks couldn't stop it. Consecutive screens, first a tight end screen to Daniel Graham, and second a wide receiver screen to Eddie Royal, were a Darryl Tapp tackle away from disaster.

He was playing right defensive end.

Tapp executed a beautiful edge rush, came free around Clady, saw Brandon Mebane facedown on the turf and Mebane's blocker, left guard Ben Hamilton, pulling towards the right flat, and began sprinting across the field. It was a very impressive display of read, reaction and intelligence. His line to Graham was almost without deviation. He arrived in time to catch a jumping Graham's legs just as Deon Grant buried a shoulder into Graham's torso. Graham was jumping over Brian Russell.

Tapp didn't get as deep into his pass rush on the next play. He read the play and broke towards the left sideline. There, Royal was baiting Josh Wilson inside and into the path of Clady's oncoming pull block. Wilson dodged and maintained containment. Tapp sprang from behind and tackled Royal after a gain of four. Mebane assisted. Seattle had finally solved the screen. Or at least, Darryl Tapp had.

Tapp will start somewhere next year. Seattle will recognize what they have, or another team will turn him into a 3-4 linebacker. He is too good, too athletic and too smart to sit behind taller, inferior players.

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Hope everyone enjoyed the first day of FG/FT

Put out a full page of new content, and that’s roughly what I am shooting for. I have something I am auditioning tomorrow, but won’t be a regular feature until the regular season.

by John Morgan on Aug 24, 2009 5:46 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks for deciding to churn out the goodness more frequently.

We all heart you for it.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 24, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Dude

You are ballin’!!

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Aug 24, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions

It was great.

Every week I’m more and more impressed with this site. It’s tough to believe there is only one John Morgan (there are probably lots of John Morgans, but you know what I mean).

by LantermanC on Aug 24, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Not many know this,

but John Morgan perfected cloning several years back. They do his chores, do research for him, and occasionally run off cliffs chasing a giant donut. This is what allows him to churn out so much work.

by Fear on Aug 24, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Dr. Manhattan envies John Morgan.

Child please...

by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 24, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Wait!

You may be ON to something there…

Glenn Beck likes argument, but has a deap-seated hatred for logic.

by Cheddar28 on Aug 24, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

At least Brian Russell makes a pretty good speed bump

by B.B.Finnegan on Aug 24, 2009 5:48 PM PDT reply actions

He's more of an out-of-control shopping cart

Only danger to things that have already stopped.

Brett Favre is the Kenny Powers of football.

by ninjasocks on Aug 24, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

This is really great stuff.

As a fan, you really don’t see the small things that happen like this. A lot of good efforts go unnoticed, whether it is a good read or whatever it may be. Nice play by Tapp.

by Pessimistic Optimist on Aug 24, 2009 6:12 PM PDT reply actions

I know you mean

But I did notice that almost every play was saved by Darryl Tapp being a good 15-20 yards from the line of scrimmage.

On top of being an excellent football player – he’s also a nice guy!

by fender on Aug 25, 2009 7:26 AM PDT up reply actions

I think we keep him

Kerney’s health being at question, we need as much of a pass rush depth as we get, especially with Lawrence Jackson being moved to left end.

It’d also allow us to line Tapp at left end (use his quickness to beat right tackles), Mebane and Redding and Kerney at right end. Or any pass rush line combination. So unless we get a very good trade package for him, I really can’t see him being in another uni.

by Trepidation on Aug 24, 2009 6:29 PM PDT reply actions

Already worried we didn't extend Tapp.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 24, 2009 6:30 PM PDT reply actions

what about the uncapped season?

doesn’t that prevent him from leaving next year?

by Havik on Aug 24, 2009 6:45 PM PDT reply actions

He'd have 4 years under his belt

I think the current collective bargaining agreement allows for players to enter UFA after 3 years. If the CBA is not renewed, players don’t get UFA until 5 years.

Brett Favre is the Kenny Powers of football.

by ninjasocks on Aug 24, 2009 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I've been in love with this kid since he got here.

He’s still so young and I just don’t understand why he doesn’t get the full-time looks. If he’s not a Seahawk, I will be very disappointed.

by Jo-Jo on Aug 24, 2009 7:12 PM PDT reply actions

Especially if the line of thinking is that Lawrence Jackson is going to step up as his replacement.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 24, 2009 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Seems Mora has different ideas about Jackson

I like what he had to say. He lowered expectations for Jackson and is giving him a role he may be able to accomplish. At least I hope he can.

by ASeahawkfan on Aug 24, 2009 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Being injured and on the bench?

by B.B.Finnegan on Aug 24, 2009 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions

No no no no no no no.

“Mora recast expectations for defensive end Lawrence Jackson by saying the 2008 first-round choice might never become a dynamic player. Jackson plays left end, which Mora described as a position lending itself more to setting the edge against the run than making flashy plays. Mora also sympathized with fans who expect to see more from a first-round choice.” link

by Trepidation on Aug 24, 2009 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I never understood starting Jackson over Tapp last year

by dpghawk43 on Aug 24, 2009 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Not certain

But it’s probably what everyone thinks they’re going to do with Redding. They have a strong guy on the d-line to help stop the run, then on 3rd down they would move him inside to hopefully get some speed and strength advantage over a guard/center, then have Tapp at RE and Kerney at LE and Mebane in there as well to collaspe the pocket.

Or, I also expect it may have to do with Marshall not knowing how to utilize defensive players where they should be played, and Holmgren not really knowing anything about defense/defensive coaching, so John Marshall being in control..well, not a lot of room for optimism.

by Trepidation on Aug 24, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions

My thoughts too:

In an ideal world the team wants out of Jackson what they are getting (or hope to get) from Redding now.

Andrew Raycroft for backup? Does not compute.

by Woodinville_12thMan on Aug 24, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Lo-Jack's scouting report

indicates this is exactly the type of player he is. He was not considered a flashy, overpowered DE in college. He was considerd a solid, dependable DE who did his job within the scheme of a good defense. He was considerd to have enough size and strength to switch to the three tech. So Mora seems to realize Lo-Jack’s strengths and plans to use him more for what Lo-Jack is suited for.

I hope taking that strain off Lo-Jack gives him some confidence back and takes the strain off to produce a high number of sacks. Now he can just play his game and get sacks as they come. That seems to be more what he’s suited for.

I hope it works out for us. I don’t need Lo-Jack to be a superman DE as long as he is able to do the job expected of him and it helps our defense.

by ASeahawkfan on Aug 25, 2009 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions

he was a first rounder though

at least he doesn’t have a bum foot this year, that should help his cause.

by Hancock.Brett on Aug 25, 2009 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Sounds to me like they signed Redding to be everything they want Jackson to be.

So now what?

And this description: “He was considerd a solid, dependable DE (or CB in this comparison) who did his job within the scheme of a good defense,” sounds a lot like what people said of Jennings on draft day. Pattern, anyone?

by Jo-Jo on Aug 25, 2009 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, that made me so happy when I heard him say that

I’m very pleased with coach Mora to this point. It might have been a little too honest. But I’m very glad to see the perspective, and he’s optimistic enough that he’ll still work to find a way to use him effectively. Dunno if even that will happen.

by jacobstevens on Aug 25, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Great breakdown...

I’d hate to give you game tape of my life… lol.

by PoolNinja on Aug 24, 2009 8:35 PM PDT reply actions

PFT is reporting that the Seahawks just cut TJ Duckett.

What a waste of money.

by Culter on Aug 24, 2009 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

Seriously?

That’s a shocker… I liked the guy.

by LantermanC on Aug 24, 2009 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I liked him too.

He’s a one trick pony, but there a very few guys in the league better in short yardage than he is.

Edge certainly isn’t one of them.

by Culter on Aug 24, 2009 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Also the Knapp Mora connection with Duckett made me think that preseason wasn't really going to affect

his playing time or carries in the regular season. Him having a chance of being cut wasn’t even a possibility in my mind.

by LantermanC on Aug 24, 2009 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow.

by BrianL on Aug 24, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow

Link here.

That must be the reason why the Seahawks didn’t want to talk about the Edge signing at today’s press conference. In an interview on KJR today, Mora was a little disappointed in Duckett’s performance.

Brett Favre is the Kenny Powers of football.

by ninjasocks on Aug 24, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow.

Terrible move. Absolutely terrible.

Andrew Raycroft for backup? Does not compute.

by Woodinville_12thMan on Aug 24, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Fanshot on the front page.

by BrianL on Aug 24, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions

And Duckett wasn't Holmgren's guy, he was Ruskell/Mora's

Holmgren didn’t know what do with Duckett for a long time.

Brett Favre is the Kenny Powers of football.

by ninjasocks on Aug 24, 2009 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions

duckett cut.

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 24, 2009 8:44 PM PDT reply actions

link:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/24/seahawks-dump-duckett/

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 24, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Does Redding's expiring contract open the door for Tapp to stay, I wonder?

Though, at this point keeping both would be a coup.

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 24, 2009 10:01 PM PDT reply actions

Or is it Kerney vs. Tapp?

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 24, 2009 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Not in a million years do we keep Kerney over Tapp...

…unless Tapp is ultra-expensive.

That said, he certainly could be ultra-expensive.

by djafrot on Aug 24, 2009 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with you.

And also think Tapp will be ultra-expensive. Only dumping Kerney’s contract would allow such a signing at first glance.

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 24, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions

It wouldn't shock me if the team did it

if Kerney sucks this year.

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

by Nick Andron on Aug 25, 2009 8:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Anyone have a cap # for Kerney next year?

I’m betting it’s pretty high.

by djafrot on Aug 25, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

That Clady cut on Mebane

was a very good call. I know we are going to utilize cutting on the backside of runs, and I don’t like it at all. But I see its effectiveness. Mebane woulda had him for a loss of one without that Clady cut.

by jacobstevens on Aug 25, 2009 10:43 AM PDT reply actions