Assessing Need: Guard

by John Morgan on Apr 5, 2010 4:12 PM PDT

I am going to group guard together because I don't think there is enough difference to warrant two posts.

Guard

Starter: ...Chris Spencer?

Age: Turned 28 March 28.

Health: Average to below average.

Contract: One year remaining.

Performance: Incomplete at guard, average to good at center.

Backup: Mike Gibson

Age: Turns 25 November 18.

Health: Incomplete, but spent 2008 on IR.

Contract: Unknown.

Performance: Incomplete.

Depth: Mansfield Wrotto

Age: Turns 26 October 12.

Health: Incomplete.

Contract: One year remaining, plus RFA.

Performance: Incomplete.

Depth: Steve Vallos

Age: Turns 27 December 28.

Health: Good.

Contract: Two years remaining, plus RFA.

Performance: Mostly terrible.

Position need: Not as bad as I first thought, but rumors are flying that Spencer is on his way out. Gibson and Wrotto are the wildcards. Wrotto is talented but has never made a dent. Gibson is gritty but significantly less talented. I am not so sure any of the above fit what Gibbs wants. Vallos was achingly bad his rookie season, but played better in 2009. Maybe Gibbs can find the animal in the man and turn him into a serviceable regular.

Seattle either needs to add one starter or two. Assuming Spencer is out, it probably needs two. One might be produced internally, but none of the above candidates are favorites that I know of. That is bad, again. Gibson, Wrotto and Vallos seem like depth, and if a starter emerges, cool, but right now Seattle is relying on them. I am not sure any of the three will be on the roster by September, but I am sure a starter capable player or two must be added.

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Comments

Didnt we sign Ben Hamilton?

Or am i making that up haha

by galvinx10 on Apr 5, 2010 5:01 PM PDT reply actions

He has visited, but has not signed.

by John Morgan on Apr 5, 2010 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions

"Mostly terrible." I love it.

The truth has such a nice ring to it.

I’m still hoping Pitts and Hamilton are being considered.

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 5:16 PM PDT reply actions

Remember those words they will make for the perfect overview of next season

I wonder about Gibson, Vallos, and Wrotto being Gibbs ideal starting interior linemen. I wonder if he has them locked up in a room studying and practicing all spring and would it make a difference?

If we are shipping Spencer out, we better at the very least get a 2nd round pick for him or I will seriously loose it. This team has bought a lot of hope because of Gibbs and his track record other places. I have been able to shrug off a lot of bad decisions based solely on that.

At least we aren't the Raiders?

by Generzal Zod on Apr 5, 2010 6:05 PM PDT reply actions

It seemed Spencer was a decent Guard, with broken hand and all...

I wouldn’t question his toughness, anyway. His mediocrity at Center might have had something to do with attempting to learn Knapp’s dysfunctional offensive system after investing his entire previous career in Holmgren’s delicately timed WCO. And then breaking his snapping hand…

And being coached by Solari, who was a master of the smashmouth school, and was attempting to teach the ZBS as per Ruskell and Mora’s instructions. Great idea, that one: find the best coach and then make him teach something he isn’t familiar with…

As for the rest of who’s left, Vallos looked good in preseason, and was improving to less-than-mediocre against regulars, so I am at least a little optimistic as he is still young, same with Wrotto.

I would be perfectly happy if we drafted tackles, Offensive and Defensive, with all 10 picks. The ones who couldn’t crack the lineup at Tackle can play Guard, and DE if they’re too light and quick for DT….Long as we’re rosterbating here.

by bleedshawkblue on Apr 6, 2010 10:33 AM PDT reply actions

Solari started to implement his zone blocking system under Holmgren.

by Nate Dogg on Apr 6, 2010 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I like to hear that.

Really, isn’t that the most obvious way to start rebuilding? If we could get some solid lines on both sides, we wouldn’t have to wonder whether the secondary is playing poorly because the defensive line isn’t getting pressure. We wouldn’t have to see Hasselback desperately trying to scramble on third and 5. Carlson could catch passes again. Housh could develop his routes. Forsett starts breaking off fifteen yard runs regularly. Maybe that fullback from West Virginia has a break out year…

maybe.

by BurtonOerney on Apr 6, 2010 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions