Assessing Need: Running Back

by John Morgan on Apr 5, 2010 3:31 PM PDT

Running back

Starter: Julius Jones

Age: Turns 29 August 14.

Health: Missed games each of last two seasons, but mostly good.

Contract: Two years remaining.

Performance: Ok, but very capable of being improved upon.

Backup: Justin Forsett

Age: Turns 25 October 14.

Health: Good, but untested.

Contract: Two years remaining, plus RFA.

Performance: Good.

Depth: Louis Rankin

Age: Turns 25 May 4.

Health: Good, but untested.

Contract: Etc.

Position need: Relatively, this is not a need, but if we assume Jones is nothing special, Forsett should share carries and Rankin is best cut, this is a pretty big need too. Jones suffered a bit from bad blocking, but 29 is old for a back, and he doesn't have a lot to lose before he's bad. Seattle could survive without adding another back, but this position would then be a weakness and thin to boot.

Running back seemed like a need entering the offseason, but a luxury now. The best case scenario is that Forsett comes into his own in a major way and thrives carrying most of the load.

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Comments

My own opinion: wait until next year to address RB

I really, really like Forsett. I think we need to see what he can do given more carries, see if he can progress as a pass blocker and receiver (both of which he’s showing signs of improving in).

Also, RB is a position in which you can pretty much draft someone and they can contribute right away. Assuming this team isn’t contending this season, to draft an RB high would in a way be a waste. Use Jones and Forsett for now, grab an RB next season. Focus on positions that need more time to develop.

by djafrot on Apr 5, 2010 4:03 PM PDT reply actions

Other than him being cheap, I don't really see the purpose of keeping Jones.

I like him, but it doesn’t really make sense to squeeze one more year out of him before he hits the 30 peak.

Then again, I have tunnel vision on wanting Spiller at #14 so that may be helping to cloud my opinion…

Sig bet record: 1-0.

by SSreporters on Apr 5, 2010 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions

The point to keeping Jones is this:

He’s cheap and is just enough not to be a liability as a runner. He can pass block and receive, so he’ll help out in the passing game to keep Charlie/whomever upright.

If we draft an RB this year, we pretty much waste a year of that RB’s prime.

I don’t know about Spiller. He does sound special, so I think grabbing him at 14 would be good value. Plus, he’d sell tickets and his versatility would scare defenses.

by djafrot on Apr 5, 2010 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions

If the line is good and ZBS theory holds true even J.J. can be a 1,000 yard rusher

If not let he him take the pounding that waits for RB’s in this league.

Is Seattle really to the point where we have to draft young talented players to fill seats? RB and WR seem like luxury picks after your nucleus is in place.

At least we aren't the Raiders?

by Generzal Zod on Apr 5, 2010 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions

My thoughts exactly

i would love spiller with the 14th pick.

by cthunder on Apr 5, 2010 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Where does Quinton Ganther fit in?

by bp42810 on Apr 5, 2010 4:14 PM PDT reply actions

Special teams?

by John Morgan on Apr 5, 2010 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Ugh.

The best case scenario is that Forsett comes into his own in a major way and thrives carrying most of the load.

That might be the best-case scenario for Forsett (and his agent), but I think is unrealistic, if not far-fetched, for the team.

The best-case scenario for the team in my view is Forsett being little more than a 3rd-down and/or part-time, complimentary back and not counted on for anything beyond that.

Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Sam Bradford, OT Ciron Black*, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling**, RB Jonathan Dwyer

by Misfit74 on Apr 5, 2010 5:13 PM PDT reply actions

don't believe in his durability, or talent?

by paul2 on Apr 5, 2010 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Forsett but I don't think he will be an every down back

he’s the perfect change of pace RB, like a Leon Washington. Jones Drew is so thick his body is a little more suited for the abuse.

At least we aren't the Raiders?

by Generzal Zod on Apr 5, 2010 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions

And that was

the same knock coming out of UCLA. But look at what Jones Drew has done.

by cthunder on Apr 5, 2010 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions

that's true - but how many years will Jones-Drew hold us as the guy?

Does it end a career a season early or three or four? He could do it, but for how long?

At least we aren't the Raiders?

by Generzal Zod on Apr 5, 2010 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Could be better.

Just like alot of the Seahawks on this roster, they could be better. I’m just not sure RB should be used with one of the teams first three picks. I like some of the upper end talent in the draft, but the team might be able to use one of their 4th round picks on a RB and get good value.

I also think Forsett is set to have a good year, after two years of getting his sea legs under him. I’m not a fan of Jones, but he is an ok change of pace back. I would just like the team to draft a mid-round RB to push Jones and Forsett and go from there THIS YEAR, then look at what you have at the end of the season and look harder at a RB (and QB) in next years draft (after addressing some of their other needs this year in the first two rounds like LT, SS, DE or DT).

You know I’m not sure if your going to do a write up about the Seahawks FB situation, but I’m starting to wonder what kind of role the FB plays in a Bates offense. At this time we only have one FB (Owen) and he has yet to do anything (outside of beating himself up with a helmet). Just something else for the team to look at.

by JustinWF on Apr 5, 2010 6:54 PM PDT reply actions

It is one of the positions where this draft is really really deep in.

given what we need as far as holes that have been made after the season I’d be pissed if we took Spiller.

At least we aren't the Raiders?

by Generzal Zod on Apr 5, 2010 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I completely agree

Spiller would be a waiste of a pick. The odds of him still contributing 3 years from now when we might be contributing are not great, based on his size and injury history. He isn’t that special that we can’t find someone like him next year when we are closer to competing.

by stufr on Apr 6, 2010 3:53 AM PDT up reply actions

there are always good running backs and receivers to be had.

At least we aren't the Raiders?

by Generzal Zod on Apr 6, 2010 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Spiller

is far from a wasted pick. Not only does he excel at running back, but he excels at receiving and also blocking. Plus he could play special teams, returning kickoffs and punts. So think of him as the next Percy Harvin. Lastly, since Spiller isn’t or won’t be a every down back or 300yd back. He would be able to contribute 3 years from now and beyond.

by cthunder on Apr 6, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I like the guy but if doesn't have any holes to run through

He will be a good player in the league for a long time, but when we have so many needs to fill.

At least we aren't the Raiders?

by Generzal Zod on Apr 7, 2010 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions

by Generzal Zod on Apr 6, 2010 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions

A good line will let the janitor get yards.

A bad one will make Alexander the Great into Shaunette.

Get some widebodies that can open holes, and keep whoever is tossing the rock on their feet long enough, and we can draft the janitor at QB and the janitor’s helper at RB and succeed.

by bleedshawkblue on Apr 6, 2010 9:22 AM PDT reply actions