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Seahawks Video Preview: Combine Primer

Nothing substantial, just a few players worth keeping an eye on starting Wednesday.

Star-divide

Seattle has four defensive tackles on roster and two are Craig Terrill and Colin Cole. Another is enigma Red Bryant. Bryant was unrefined at A&M and turns 26 April 18. Red isn't much of a prospect anymore. His future in the league is uncertain. Maybe the talent asserts itself this season, but it's beyond risky for Seattle to count on that. Which is to say, Seattle needs a defensive tackle. Arthur (Art?) Jones is another tackle worth a damn in this fantastic class. Witness.

I personally wouldn't mind if Seattle drafted two defensive tackles. I would hate for Seattle to enter the draft with fixed needs, but after losing Michael Bennett and Derek Walker, and without free agency, the Seahawks are in a terrible bind. Tackle is less need than impending crisis.

Speaking of which, if Seattle misses out on Ndamokung Suh, Gerald McCoy, Eric Berry, Jimmy Clausen and Sam Bradford, it could do worse than Russell Okung. Okung is a gifted athlete, has no substantial injury history and is built exactly like a left tackle should be: Like Walter Jones.

I think after the Combine he will have secured his status as a top ten pick. Fact is, Seattle might miss out on a franchise quarterback, but it can still contribute to the future of its offense by drafting smart.

Taylor Price is someone Seahawks fans should know about. I think John Schneider will target Midwest talent, and I think he has a bit of a taste for smaller school players. Price is very talented and as you will see was a bit hidden by some terrible quarterback play.

Kyle Williams is another kid with terrific athleticism that was buried on a bad program and hidden by bad quarterback play. One would guess Pete Carroll knows a little bit about this Sun Devil.

Finally, since small school prospects will finally, mercifully be in play, and since Schneider has Midwest roots, and since Seattle needs a corner but can't overspend, I introduce Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. Akwasi means "born on Sunday".

Owusu had ten interceptions in 20 games including eight just this season, and would contribute both as corner depth and as a returner. He's absurdly athletic, but also a huge project. Seattle needs to take some big swings. Expect him to be called this draft's DRC about ten million times. If the shoe fits...

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Okung is probably the safest bet

Of the players you mentioned I suspect he has the highest “floor” with the highest probability of playing at least to that level (least injury history) at a prime position. Eric Berry may be the most talented, but safeties are easier to be schemed out of impact than offensive tackles.

I am more ambivalent about Sam Bradford than any other player in this draft. I love the kid, but am petrified at the thought of selecting him. He reads defense extremely well. He has the kind of accuracy and anticipation that could make him an early pro-Bowler. His athleticism is very undersold (better than a young Hass in my opinion). But, he might very well have Rob Johnson’s pocket presence—a death sentence in the NFL. And there is very little on tape that will allow you to tease that out. So, whoever drafts him simply won’t know.

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

by dcrockett17 on Feb 22, 2010 10:58 AM PST reply actions  

Ansah is built like a running back.

I was really impressed with that highlight video of Price. He makes really nice cuts, he looks very abrupt.

by Nate Dogg on Feb 22, 2010 11:10 AM PST reply actions  

Freshly released and on the market

Former Seahawks safety Kerry Joseph and UW QB Cody Pickett just got released by the Toronto Argonauts yesterday. They’re available. Just sayin’.

by Kevaru on Feb 22, 2010 11:27 AM PST reply actions  

Who's Your Mama and AOA on the same team!?

Those commentators may need to study for correct pronunciation for the Seahawks games…

I wouldn’t have a problem with any of those picks. AOA is, what, a 4th or 5th round pick? Okung would need to be at pick 6. I don’t know where Price or Williams are “valued.” If the team misses out on the best QB prospects, their first rounders could be just about anywhere. Because of the ZBS, I keep thinking the team will ignore OT until the second first rounder or later, but if Okung impresses, there’s no reason to skip out on that sort of talent and reliability.

by Chirp on Feb 22, 2010 12:29 PM PST reply actions  

Arthur Jones?

I’ve heard about his “value” being all over the place. At one point, draftknicks were calling him a first rounder. Then, he was a “steal” of a second rounder. Now, it seems like 3rd might be appropriate. I realize this is before the combine, and before teams have really had a chance to complete their talent evaluations, but what range does Arthur Jones seem to be in for the draft?

by Chirp on Feb 22, 2010 12:31 PM PST up reply actions  

I agree with your assessment of DT 100%.

I’ve been arguing this same thing with friends who feel DE is the greater need. And when I see mock drafts that have them taking a DE with one of the 1st rounders with no mention of the desperate need for a NT (assuming Mebane stays at the 3 tech moving to the weak side in the under) it reaffirms how little I regard mocks in the first place.

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Feb 22, 2010 12:43 PM PST reply actions  

My thoughts on QB is this

This team has put this all-too-important task of finding a QB off for so long that the options are all but gone. The team really can’t afford to wait any longer, so if Bradford or Clausen show up at our first pick I would hope that the team has done their homework on them and, should they like what they see, take a gamble on one.

by BrianL on Feb 22, 2010 3:14 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

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