The Shadow Season and the Convoluted Race for the Seahawks Quarterback of the Future
by John Morgan on May 1, 2010 1:46 PM PDT
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PrintLast season, Seahawks fans were blessed with not only a team to root for, but when that went tits up, a team to root against. Rooting against the Broncos never got old, held a dramatic thread all the way into week 17 and helped some of us younger fans get back in touch with our roots. Well, residual and hard-fought historical hate is always welcome at Field Gulls, but the incentive is gone. Seattle will not again be able to turn Alphonso Smith into Earl Thomas.
A different, more complex tale of hate, pessimism and self-serving sadism begins in 2010. I don't want to write off Charlie Whitehurst. Not completely. But Seattle was targeting Jimmy Clausen at 14. The FO knows that it needs more talent at quarterback. Best case scenario: Whitehurst takes the reigns and Seattle is set. I've challenged myself again and again to write up how and why Whitehurst can succeed, but it seems dishonest. I don't like selling something I myself do not believe. Instead, Seattle is more likely to enjoy a partly successful but uneven season and spend its first-round selection in 2011 on a quarterback. That should be a completing piece, and by 2012, Seattle could be an up-and-coming contender again.
Some think Seattle is the worst team in the NFL. I think that's preposterous. I mean, the Rams. The Broncos. The Bills. The Jaguars. It's about time the Cardinals fell apart. And lest we forget, injury and decline alters every season. Seattle has fought both for years, but is finally peaking through to the other end. It has a good base of young talent, an effective when healthy quarterback and a weak schedule. I think this is the season Seattle bounces back, sort of. Seattle was a good coach from finishing 7-9 last season and I think will finish 7-9 this season. 7-9 is always a safe prediction, because it's awfully close to 8-8, and all records gravitate towards 8-8.
A 7-9 record would put Seattle just outside the top ten. It might be able to maneuver up, but I do not think that is Schneider's style. Seattle needs a repeat of 2010. It needs for many of the worst teams in the NFL to have their quarterback of the future in place. Here's how that can happen.
NFL Quarterbacks Worth Rooting For:
Jason Campbell: If Campbell can show any spark at all, I think the Raiders will be thrilled to stick with him and thereby avoid drafting another quarterback early. JaMarcus Russell has left them, how do you say, butt hurt.
Kevin Kolb: The Eagles extended Kolb for one season suggesting they are not yet sold on Kolb. They shouldn't be. It's easy to see how this could be a disappointing season in Philadelphia. Kolb could suffer some growing pains, they're young at a lot of positions, and they don't have Jim Johnson anymore, R.I.P. Kolb needs to show something to persuade the Eagles into buying in long term.
Donovan McNabb: I think McNabb could age well, but like any 33 year-old quarterback, the cliff could be around any bend. Short of injury, I think he'll be ok. Injury, decline, and Red Oni and his owner will target youth.
Vince Young: Young is in his make or break season, and assuming regression from Chris Johnson, will be counted on to shoulder more of the offense. Can he? I hope he can. If he falters, the Titans are a worse team than Seattle, playing in a tougher division, and could be looking for a new quarterback.
David Garrard: Garrard turned 32 in February. Jacksonville is overdue for a successor, but then again, they might just be killing the franchise. Middle-tier quarterbacks can decline rapidly.
Matt Cassel: Cassel sucked in his first season, but not so much to destroy hope. Teams like to avoid young quarterbacks when they can and I think Cassel must prove himself only competent to stick. Be competent, Cassel. Please.
Colt McCoy-Jake Delhomme: Cleveland is my guess for first overall selection: Tough division, no quarterback, no pass rush. It's not hard to see how this ship could sink. I have a hard time seeing McCoy showing enough as a rookie to dissuade Mike Holmgren from selecting a quarterback in 2011, but I could see McCoy showing enough to dissuade Holmgren from selecting a quarterback early in 2011.
Levi Brown-Brian Brohm: Buffalo could finish 0-16 and still not draft a quarterback. It's that bleak for Bills fans. However, you never know. A sudden change of heart could complicate things. Or a sudden change of location. It'll be easier if someone can show some potential. Edwards and Fitzpatrick have had their shot and are not going to suddenly figure it out now. One of Brown or Brohm is Seattle's best hope to lock down this position.
Alex Smith: I hope Smith shows just enough to stick while the rest of the 49ers suffer various, horrendous deaths.
Matt Leinart: See: Alex Smith.
Teams Worth Rooting For*:
Steelers: It will be awkward, even impossible for some, but it's probably in the Seahawks best interest that Pittsburgh finishes ahead in the standings. It's no secret that Ben Roethlisberger is on the outs. I hope Dennis Dixon and the Steelers defense adds up to an improbable and short-lived playoff run.
Vikings: Awaiting Brett Favre's decision is tolerable when Favre just led your team to the NFC Championship, but this game will prove tiresome eventually. I could see Favre in Cleveland by 2011. It's not like he has the sense to retire. Minnesota needs a new quarterback, and if the wheels come off in 2010, Brad Childress could be in the market.
Browns: Cleveland selected need picks in the first two rounds and corroborated why that's an often criticized strategy. Joe Haden ran a slow forty. It mattered for Malcolm Jenkins. It matters for Haden. It won't upend him. It won't force him to safety, probably. It does mean he lacks elite speed at one of the most speed dependent positions on the football field. The Browns pass rush won't bail him out. McCoy might impress and stick, but I'd rather Delhomme leads them to an improbable record and takes them out of the discussion. I don't see. I don't like their draft class and I don't like their chances in 2010.
Teams Worth Rooting Against**:
Rams: Sam Bradford.
Broncos: Tim Tebow.
Falcons: Matt Ryan.
Bubble Teams***:
Bengals: Carson Palmer looked, well, pretty lousy last time I watched him, and though he's only 30, he's had reconstructive surgery on one of his knees and his throwing elbow. Teams always take too long to release a "sure thing". If Palmer is good enough, Cincinnati will procrastinate.
Panthers: A second-round pick is a sizable investment and I don't think the Panthers will give up early on Jimmy Clausen, but the situation is volatile. For one, Clausen might be a total POS. It's part of the disadvantage of being an outsider. I tend to give dislikable players the benefit of the doubt, but it's entirely possible Clausen has career altering personality problems. I'm more concerned about John Fox. Fox is in the last year of his contract and considered a lame duck. Coaching change means uncertainty and Clausen could be squeezed out in the process. It would be better for the Seahawks if the Panthers play well and perhaps secure an extension for Fox. Or, at least, keep themselves out of the quarterback hunt.
The Final Ingredient****:
Jake Locker: Short of total collapse, Locker will receive a first round grade. There's not a lot of drama here. The question is: will Locker be the first quarterback selected? If so, Seattle is probably SOL. Not to say I root for a bad season, and not to say a bad season would instill confidence in me about a prospect I'm on the fence about, but a good if not spellbinding season might be the best chance Seattle has of landing Locker.
Ryan Mallett: The formula for Mallett is simple: Play well enough in 2010 to be selected in the first round. If there's any doubt, Mallett will benefit from returning for 2011 and declaring in a less contested class. Kick ass and he could go first overall.
Pat Devlin: Devlin is treading a fine line. Right now, his tools and the success of Joe Flacco have made him a top prospect despite playing for Delaware. A good season could make him a first round pick. A bad season could force him to return for 2011.
Andrew Luck: Luck has time. He is only a sophomore. He redshirted his freshman season and will be eligible for the 2011 draft. I don't think Luck is any hurry, but like any prospect, if 2010 is a slam dunk, he would be foolish not strike while the iron is hot.
Blaine Gabbert: Same story. I won't keep listing names, but the premise is clear: The more prospects that earn a first round grade, the better the chance Seattle can draft one. At the same time, if too many players shoot up the boards, prospects like Mallett, Devlin, Gabbert and Luck might return and await a less crowded class. As long as three worthy players earn a first round grade, Seattle is in good position.
Others include: Christian Ponder, Case Keenum, Jerrod Johnson and Terrell Pryor.
It's complicated, and not as easy to follow, but I will track the situation all season, because it's as, no, more important than Denver losing in 2009. Seattle will most likely need a quarterback of the future and will probably be best served drafting that quarterback in 2011, but achieving the right mix of fit and availability is by no means guaranteed. The best possible scenario is for young quarterbacks to achieve, older quarterbacks to hold up, teams without quarterbacks to somehow play well and enough college quarterbacks of interest to play well that Seattle will have its shot without tanking its season.
*Teams likely looking for a quarterback of the future regardless of their record.
**Teams with a realistic shot at finishing worse than Seattle but are locked into young quarterbacks.
***Teams with uncertain futures and uncertain quarterback situations.
****Quarterbacks seeking a first round grade.
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Whenever we're needing a QB
the market is weak or we seem to always be floating around 500. So we end up with Hass or Mirer. Dave Kreig or Dan McGwire.
It seems our destiny to suck in the wrong years. (Another reason I wasn’t sold on Clausen)
You'll have to excuse me if I don't root for the Minnesota Favres
And some of the others will be tough too. I don’t think I could ever root for the Titans, even with the likeable rookies they added in Rolle and Staffon.
Same for Leinart and Smith obv.
Also is Broth a guaranteed out? That’s news to me, and it seems a beyond stupid PR move. I really dislike the events surrounding Broth anyway, not that I love the jerkface, but to get convicted in the court of public opinion and then suspended without a court sentence sets a very, very bad precedent. Basically a precedent of the media deciding on certain players getting suspended. No thanks.
Hmmm. Even though it’s more important, it won’t be as unambiguous as rooting against the Broncos, which was just plain fun.
Still, a good piece even if reality will probably have flipped upside down by the 2011 Draft. I mean, if not a lot of QBs declare and it ends up a shallow clase, would it surprise anyone if the Seahawks draft a DE in a class that, if I’m hearing correctly, is much better than this year’s class was.
In this division, with this schedule, I absolutely think so.
This team is suddenly without major holes. If Matt can come back to mediocre football, if all of the top 3 picks contribute, and we develop some semblance of a pass rush, I really think the Seahawks could win the division. They might do it with 8-8, but hey, whatever.
It's certainly possible, but I think I'd have to see it to believe it.
Golden!
by Carl Shinyama on May 1, 2010 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't we all
But our division sucks like a two dollar W&*(e
If we are lucky with injuries, we could definitely be a 7 win team.
maybe 10 wins
1 Sep 12 SF @ SEA W
2 Sep 19 SEA @ DEN W
3 Sep 26 SD @ SEA L
4 Oct 03 SEA @ STL W
5 Bye
6 Oct 17 SEA @ CHI W
7 Oct 24 ARI @ SEA W
8 Oct 31 SEA @ OAK W
9 Nov 07 NYG @ SEA W/L
10 Nov 14 SEA @ ARI L
11 Nov 21 SEA @ NO L
12 Nov 28 KC @ SEA W
13 Dec 05 CAR @ SEA W/L
14 Dec 12 SEA @ SF L
15 Dec 19 ATL @ SEA W/L
16 Dec 26 SEA @ TB W
17 Jan 02 STL @ SEA W
Here it is. With splitting at SF & Arizona.
I like our chances.
I think we beat AZ twice, but will probably lose at Denver and at TB.
But neither 12-4 nor 4-12 would shock me.
I really think PC will have these guys playing way better than last year.
Actually, the travel and time shift at Denver shouldn’t be that bad, so maybe we win that one. But you never know…
There are more potentially first round QBs - we can get one if we don't make the playoffs.
I really don’t see it happening.
Good bye Big Walt.
Hass is healthy (for now)
New O-line + Gibbs coaching
New secondary
New running game
New management
Healthy LB corps + Ken Norton coaching
So-So D-line.
Weak schedule
I see between 9-12 wins.
And I’m not drinking the kool-aid. I’m snortin’ that shit.
It could happen
New coaches typically do well their first few weeks because people can’t do as a good of a job studying for them. Making the playoffs would be a nice way to send off Matt. It could also be the perfect role for a rookie or Whitey to step into. Momentum is a very real factor in the NFL, if Hass does get hurt or just retires, maybe Whitehurst is at least good enough. Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton have both been the best QBs in the league from week to week a few times.
If we have to pay a Kings Ransom for an elite QB then so be it.
Good bye Big Walt.
Wow.. I'm usually very optimistic.
I always see the glass as half full. But even I’m having hard time picturing more than 6 or 7 wins.
Golden!
by Carl Shinyama on May 2, 2010 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I cannot see us winning against Chicago but I can see us beating SD at home
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul - Invictus
I can see Earl
breaking the single game interception record that game. They were terr i ble last season and didn’t much to get any better in the draft. Peppers is no savior.
4-12
01 H SF L 13-17
02 A DEN L 20-21
03 H SD L 23-31
04 A STL W 15-12
05 BYE
06 A CHI L 24-27
07 H AZ L 21-24
08 A OAK W 16-15
09 H NYG L 27-38
10 A AZ L 17-31
11 A NO L 14-33
12 H KC W 17-14
13 H CAR L 20-21
14 A SF L 21-27
15 H ATL L 24-27
16 A TB L 17-18
17 H STL W 27-24
Anything can happen
But I certainly wouldn’t bet on it. We’re rebuilding. 3rd place seems fitting, unless Leinart or Smith is JaMarcus-esque horrible.
by Thomas Beekers on May 1, 2010 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Holes: pass rush, O Line until proven otherwise, #1 WR, durable / reliable QB
Probably could go on, but you get my point of view. I see another 5 win season ahead. Always happy to be pleasantly proven wrong, but a good draft doesn’t erase an overall sub-par level of talent on this team IMHO.
by swamp_fox on May 2, 2010 10:14 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Our division is not as poor as it used to be, but there is a chance for you to win it.
49ers, Cards, and seahawks can win this division.
"Singletary Football". To me, Singletary Football isn’t whether it’s on the ground or in the air. It’s about execution, discipline, and the mental toughness that will help predicate success.
I was not convinced that the Bengals had any chance to win the AFC North last year
but they did. There is only a 2-game difference between 5-11 and 7-9; do you honestly think such an improvement — or even a regression to the mean, at the very least — is so unlikely? Barring catastrophic injury/injuries, I’d say it’s more likely we finish with a better record in 2010, not worse.
Key term here is "Barring Injuries"
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul - Invictus
Or "catastrophic"
It’s very likely a few (or more) players get hurt this year, but they might not be out long, or they’re not terribly vital to our success.
This is such a great article, thanks.
But, at the same time, I am going to try and go into (and through) this upcoming season without too much thought.
On the one hand, probably the most interesting story for me this year is going to be Whitehurst. Is he going to get on the field? How much is he going to be able to show in that time?
On the other hand, I don’t think I want to waste time cheering against certain teams, or in favour of other teams, just so that Seattle has better draft position. Denver in 2009, sure, but that’s only one team. If we’re taking practically the entire league into consideration, that’s just too many factors, so many of them relatively insignificant, and I’d rather be able to watch a given game and cheer the team I “like” than cheer out of some hope that the one win could be the one that lands Locker in Seattle.
Fantasy football is bad enough. I almost want to go back to the time when I could watch football and just get to like various teams because I LIKE them. Like back in the day when I loved the Broncos because listening to Elway’s comeback against the Oilers (on the radio) solidified my love for the NFL. There was an emotional connection there, something beyond naked statistics and quantified hopes.
Sorry for the rambling. Too much caffeine this morning, too much avoidance of essays.
I love football and I love the Seattle Seahawks but I do not love or like any other team but the Seattle Seahawks
and this, personally, gives me a team to root for in any given contest. I’m a one team guy. I don’t even have preferences, other than division rivals.
The Texans are my "AFC team"...
for a multitude of reasons, one of which is that we’ve never had a rivalry with them.
However, they are a far cry from the hawks on my appreciation/love scale. I’d say I like them, but it might just be that I hate them less than the other teams.
Bird Law in this country isn't governed by reason.
by Tyler Jorgensen on May 2, 2010 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Sometimes I root for players I like or fomer Seahawks
But mostly, in non-Seahawks games, I just root for a good ol down to the wire competitive game.
I'm with you on that one, except the team is SF, but I can't have an AFC team, I have one.
I do like to see good games regardless of who’s playing.
"Singletary Football". To me, Singletary Football isn’t whether it’s on the ground or in the air. It’s about execution, discipline, and the mental toughness that will help predicate success.
No one is saying you must root for other teams
But we all at least pay passive attention to games not directly involving the Seattle Seahawks during the season, and most people choose a team to root for (or against) while doing so. It doesn’t mean they’ll start buying Vince Young’s jersey or flying out to Cleveland to root for Delhomme or McCoy; many fans find some reason to wish one team will win during a game. It’s not unlike rooting against the Rams and Cards and 49ers, since their loss gives the Seahawks a slightly better chance at a division crown.
We are esentially rooting for a somewhat-random series of events to play out in a way that benefits the Seattle Seahawks the most. I don’t there’s anything wrong about that.
I didn't want to say there was anything "wrong" about it.
And I don’t think it says so. It’s just how I want to watch football, that’s all. Wasn’t a slight to anyone… people can watch football as they wish.
What I’m saying is that to me there are much more personally substantial reasons for wanting a given team to win a game. For example, in the list above it mentions two teams to root against as the Packers and Jets. Now, I happen to like both teams. I like the Packers because of their organization, and I love Aaron as a quarterback. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Jets, and now I enjoy watching them even more because of that defense… and I admit to wanting to see Sanchez succeed too. So if they’re playing in a given game, I’d prefer to cheer for them against whomever rather than worry about the single-game results’ effect on the season record and/or need for a quarterback.
For the SEASON, that’s a different matter, I guess. But I’d still feel shitty cheering for the Packers to bomb out just so Seattle is one step closer to a QB.
Maybe I’m just not as delirious Seahawk fan as I thought… sobering.
Hey dude, diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks
It’s perfectly cool to watch football however you choose. I guess you can look at this more like fantasy football: a team could lose but one of the QBs listed in the article could throw for over 300 yards a a pair of TDs. Plenty of QBs are retained even if their team played poorly; that’s one reasons why only one QB was drafted in the first 20-odd picks in the first round this year.
Interesting concept
But a little too calculating and joyless for my tastes.
My penny-ante football pool, which costs me less than $2 per week but can net $500 for the winner at the end of the season (inc playoffs and Superbowl) provides me a rooting interest in every game with a certainly irrational and strong emotional response attached to the outcome. Wow, I really care about the outcome of this Pats/Bills game…
The scenarios in the article above have way too many variables and permutations to make for 9 hours of enjoyable football on a Sunday.
it seems to me that there are other scenarios to root for as well: lets cut the crap and just end up with the first overall pick in the draft. One way to acheive this is by finishing 7-9 and having all the other teams finishing 8-8 (with one finishing 9-7). Another way is by having the Seahawks play really well in most facets of the game, expept for atrocious QB play. This way we can feel optimistic for the future, with a stout defense and good running game, and just plug in a new QB.
Unrealistic? Sure, but there are many ways to skin a cat.
I also plan to invest a decent amount of ‘fan energy’ on cheering against Mark Sanchez and Jimmy Clausen (especially Sanchez). These are the guys we most obviously had a shot at and took a pass. Seahawk fans cannot stand idly and watch Mark Sanchez become the next Joe Montana.
I think you could add Nathan Enderle as a QB seeking a first round grade
Stats are not a euphemism for tits
Great article. But I'm still not rooting for Pittsburgh, ever.
Uhm, in the Kolb/Philly note, you use their, not they’re.
Bird Law in this country isn't governed by reason.
I'm not sure why people are writing their own personal rooting interests.
This has nothing to do with that. It’s about what needs to happen for Seattle to have its best shot at a franchise quarterback. It’s common among Seahawks fans. No one expects anyone to turn against their second favorite team or whatever, but, yes, the Packers sucking helps Seattle draft a top quarterback.
To be honest John, most of us was just following your lead :)
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul - Invictus
Maybe (gasp) people didn't bother reading to the bottom?
Synopsis: Teams with established QBs need to suck a metric shit-ton of testicle, and teams with a great need for a QB have to kick dick. PS. The Browns just became our second team, and everyone start hating the Lions.
I don't see how sucking testicle will affect our draft position
Although teams with good, young QBs losing a whole lot sure would help.
I like the way you phrased that:
“More poorly.” I feel the same way about the upcoming season. I’ve been snakebitten by these last two seasons.
I was just giving you a hard time, I understood what you said.
What?
Your whole post is full of “rooting” terminology.
Yes, as in, a Seahawks fan should root for x if they want y
I am certainly not telling people which teams they should be a fan of.
Can anyone think of the last time when a players preseason performance will be as anticipated
and dissected as Whitehurst’s will be this year? At least for the Seahawks? I was curious to see Seneca when he was drafted but no one thought he was an eventual starter.
by Big E-Z on May 1, 2010 4:05 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
True but no one was very critical of him during the preseason.
If Chaz looks terrible in the preseason than he and the Hawks brass will come under fire. At least he doesn’t have to worry about a crafty Nick Reed picking him off this year.
by Big E-Z on May 1, 2010 6:51 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I know this is water under the bridge...
“But Seattle was targeting Jimmy Clausen at 14.” In the day one press conference, Schneider said we had a trade offer at 14 and Earl Thomas was the cut-off player. Who knows if it’s true but it just doesn’t sound like we regarded this QB class very highly. Next year’s stock looks much better.
Clausen was a not on our wish list.
we had every opportunity to trade back in and take him. If he had stayed around for his senior year he’d maybe be the 10th QB taken. And he knew it.
It was released that he was their highest rated player left in the 2nd round
along with Tate. So if he dropped down to us at 60, there’s a good chance we were taking Clausen.
Now with more lemon bars!
Sure, but:
Everyone knew he wouldn’t last beyond Carolina, and if we thought that highly of him as a QB we would have traded up at minimal cost to get him. He kept sliding and nobody made a move to get him.
It’s now his opportunity to go out and prove everyone wrong.
Uh what?
I was quite surprised he was taken by Carolina. At that point in the draft, no one knew where he was going to free fall too. And it wasn’t a minimal cost: trading up to get him probably would have cost us at least a 4th. Waiting was probably the right choice by the front office.
Now with more lemon bars!
Then they must not have felt he was worthy of being considered a "franchise QB"
He may do well in Carolina. They have an established run game and decent WR. I don’t think that he has the talent to make any team better just from plugging him in.
by Big E-Z on May 1, 2010 8:17 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I guess what I am trying to say is that we can watch games that he has played in,
but we don’t get to interview him and put him up on the board. Or hold private workouts for him or interview his past teammates and coaches. Most NFL teams passed on him twice. And this isn’t a case like Brady where he fell off the radar. This is a kid who teams wanted to believe in and when doing their due diligence, decided he wasn’t worthy. Does that mean he won’t have a succesfull career? No. But I wouldn’t want to pay the kind of money he would have been due for a QB with his questionmarks.
You're saying he's questionable because he fell
by that logic, if the Eagles traded up for Earl Thomas instead of Graham and Seattle selected Clausen at 14, he would have been less questionable. That’s circular reasoning.
Its more questionable why Bills didn't take him @ 9 or Vikings @ 30
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul - Invictus
Go back to any Clausen related post on here.
John wanted him. Go back to the draft day threads. Many is not most commenters on here wanted him over Thomas
Not really.
The Bills’ front office is full of morons that don’t know how to build a football team, and the Vikings were scared that selecting a quarterback would anger his Favreliness. Wait, now I get it, you meant that they made bad decisions not taking Clausen. It seems we agree then.
No, I am saying he is questionable because I feel like there are many holes in his game.
From what I have seen of Clausen he takes terrible sacks, his bad throws are high and lucky not to be picked, he has bad clock management, the ball gets very far from his body during his motion, and I feel like it won’t be long into his career when his arm strength dwindles and becomes an issue. I didn’t feel like he would be a high pick but was willing to accept it if he was. I was very much in the minority on this site.
The funny thing is, we won't know for awhile who is right.
By then you might be on your third book tour. But don’t think I won’t show up at a signing to tell you!
We have all kind of agreed he is a little bit of a prick
I feel like he is closer to the Ryan Leaf kind of prick than the Phillip Rivers kind of prick
Did Schneider straight up say they were interested
And wanted to trade back from the 14th and nab him?
Hard to believe anything they say.
If they wanted him they had plenty of ammo to go get him.
by Big E-Z on May 1, 2010 11:15 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I believe he said he had Tate and Clausen ranked far and above anyone else when sitting and waiting at #60
Then Clausen went off the board and they were all “fuuuuck” (and that’s a direct quote). And then “fuuuuuck yeah” when Tate dropped all the way to 60.
Your assuming that we would have taken him at 14
If that is the case then yet it would be a circular argument. He is saying that he we wouldn’t have taken him at 14, which is more likely since we wouldn’t trade up in the second to get him either.
I thnk Carrol wants the USC kid he last worked with........Enter Whitehurst.
"Singletary Football". To me, Singletary Football isn’t whether it’s on the ground or in the air. It’s about execution, discipline, and the mental toughness that will help predicate success.
I think we do need to root for the Raiders (YUCK!) and Jason Campbell but,
They traded away their 2011 1st round draft pick to the Patriots for Richard Seymour. This concerns me a little, because Brady is getting to the age where the Pats just might decide it’s time to get his replacement on the team. They could probably use Brady for a couple more years, then sell him high and plug in their new QB. At least that’s what I’m afraid of. Enough at least that I’ll force myself to root for Oakland to have a better record than Seattle (except when we play them head to head).
I'm rooting for Jason Campbell
He and Zorn got a raw deal with the skins, and he’s a decent QB who works hard and has the respect of his team mates. I hope he does well.
Patriots will get into the top 10 this year for sure...
But selecting a QB next year? Nah, not really, considering that Brady is only 32 and the fact that backups out of nowhere seems to strive in a Patriots offense (See Cassel, Matt) as well as selecting a sleeper in Robinson this year makes this more than unlikely. I see the Pats going OL next year; Between Matt Light, Nick Kazcur and Stephen Neal they are in their decline years and they will need to keep the foundation going.
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul - Invictus
You're probably right.
Maybe we need to root for the Raiders to go 3-14 (wins against our division rivals), and maybe give the Patriots the #1 pick in the draft. Because if there is one thing you can count on the Patriots to do, it’s to try and trade down. They might be willing to take less value than a lot of other teams to trade back.
by Mind of no mind on May 2, 2010 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Trading down from #1 is a bit extreme.
And I think Oakland might actually tough out 5-6 wins this year
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul - Invictus
You don't have to root for anyone other than the Hawks
You just have to root for those other teams to suck and the teams that we need to finish higher will. Don’t put your morals in question. Just root for teams with QBs to suck.
I only like the Texans
Because their SBN fans are rad, and because Andre the Giant is one of my favorite players to watch.
I like the Texans because they beat Dallas in their first ever regular season game.
Because of that, they will forever hold a soft spot in my heart forever.
Golden!
by Carl Shinyama on May 2, 2010 2:31 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't like the Colts.
But I love watching the Colts quarterback. So I often end up rooting for them when I watch them. Especially when I dislike the Patriots and Steelers far more than I dislike the Colts, without redeeming players on either of those teams.
I don't blame Schneider/Carroll for passing on Clausen
if they felt like Thomas was the better bet, then it’s a move they need to make. Getting a QB of the future would be nice, but you need to be completely sold if you’re drafting a QB in first round. Otherwise you risk setting your franchise back 5 years, , and you’ll have spent tens of millions of dollars for a bust.
Of course, Clausen could go on to have a good pro career, but I’d rather they drafted a guy they were 100% sold on. And I’m pretty sure they weren’t exactly sure Clausen was a good pick for the first round, considering in the live chat, he said had Thomas gone they would’ve moved down, but couldn’t answer if Clausen would’ve been the pick.
So in short, would rather they wait and draft a guy they absolutely love and believe in 100%, the Seahawks had ample opportunity to draft Clausen, makes me think they had some questions about him. That makes me think it was a good idea to pass on him. But I could be eating my words in a couple years. Will be fun to see how things end up!
I agree
But Clausens success in Carolina would not mean he would have had success here. Different schemes, different coaches, who knows.
by Big E-Z on May 1, 2010 11:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Carolina does have a good O-line, excellent running game, and Steve Smith
It’s a pretty decent environment for a QB to succeed (though obviously you’d prefer more good receivers).
5 years from now we can judge whether it was wise to pass on Sanchez and Clausen, with of course the performance of Curry and Thomas having some bearing on the consideration.
Also worth noting that the Seahawks weren’t the only team with need at QB who passed on Clausen. For all intents and purposes, they all did (interesting to wonder if Carolina would’ve taken him with their 1st round pick if they’d had one). Sanchez, on the other hand, was gone in a flash after the Hawks passed on him.
Personally, for what it’s worth, on their respective draft days, I really wanted the Hawks to select Sanchez and was disappointed when they didn’t, but didn’t mind them passing on Clauen.
I don't know why you guys think that Sanchez would have succeded here anyway
The Jets had a solid O-Line, a great running game in Jones/Washington, a great 1-2 combo in Edwards and Cotchery, there was hardly any pressure. If he would have played here last year, our injuries would probably have decimated him anyways.
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul - Invictus
Whether he would have been good last year is not a reflection on his value as a pick
The ‘quarterback of the future’ isn’t judged after his first year on a bad team. Peyton Manning stunk in his first year…
The question is whether Sanchez will develop into a good/great QB over time. Lets see how good he is when he’s 30, if he’s still playing.
Even the people who desperately wanted the Seahawks to draft Clausen probably don’t think he would prove himself in his first year.
The team sucked but Manning showed flashes his rookie year.
Manning has an incredible work ethic and the team continued to draft well around him.
Good bye Big Walt.
and didn't have to deal with new system changes every year.
I think that is one of the leading causes for young QBs to fail. It is already hard enough to adjust to the NFL, much less a new system every year added to a few shitty drafts.
Good bye Big Walt.
Define "stunk"
Because Manning also set a TD record for rookies.
Golden!
by Carl Shinyama on May 2, 2010 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions
John, when you say "Clausen could be squeezed out in the process" what do you mean by squeezed out?
Do you think they would unload him?
I only ask this in the vein possibility that Carolina unloads Clausen and we somehow still end up with him. Probably a slim slim chance, but maybe something to root for.
I get that people still like him even though he dropped in the draft
But if he gets cut by Carolina you have to admit that he isn’t a franchise QB, or even a passable backup. Why in the world would you still appologize for him at that point?
Why would I apologize for anybody I don't know at any point?
I don’t get what you mean there at all.
Clausen wouldn’t be cut by Carolina, he’d be traded. He’d be traded because if Fox got fired a whole new coaching staff would come in and possibly clean house and want their own guy to head their team. That’s not apologizing, that’s possiblizing.
Probably not the best choice of words
I meant appologizing for an underwellming career and performance. More accurate would be failing to recognize that if they are going to trade him then they are saying that he isn’t a franchise QB. Why would we want another underwelming stop gap QB?
The post was about this upcoming season.
If Clausen somehow isn’t still on the Panthers after his rookie season I don’t think you can say he’d be an underwhelming stop gap QB.
Favre is the exception and he was traded into the perfect situation
Where he was groomed by someone knows something about developing QBs. I just think given the oppourtunity, if we are looking for a QB next year, and we probably will be, we should look to the draft for better and higher ceiling options.
Brees?
If Clausen gets traded because Fox loses his job and the new coach wants a different type of player I wouldn’t be too concerned about his potential/ability. How down can you really get on a player after one season?
This is kind of a silly hypothetical though, I doubt the Panthers trade him away after one season.
Brees is more like the Panthers trading Moore after a good season this year
If Moore works out like he did at the end of last year. I actually expect that they will trade Clausen in a year or two. Someone will pay at least a 2nd for him and it will have been a good gamble for the Panthers. They get a draft pick back and they had some decent insurance at the position.
If that's what he is then we wouldn't, clearly
But that’s just one possibility of many. Teams trade young franchise QBs, often times without knowing what they are: Favre, Shaub, Hasselbeck, Cutler, maybe even Whitehurst. It happens. Even getting cut by Carolina doesn’t mean he isn’t a franchise QB. Warner was cut by the Rams and Giants, yet became a franchise QB. It’s not out of the question that Carolina does terrible next year and drafts Locker, thus making Clausen expendable. Expendable and valuable on the trading block. Some teams also fail gloriously at evaluating talent, just because one team doesn’t like a player doesn’t mean he’s a terrible player.
I would just rather have our own true number one QB
We will most likely be in the top half of the draft which means that somebody with better potential will be availble in the first.
I think the Eagles extended Kolb for one year due to the 30% rule.
The gave him huge cash up front to make him paid as a starter, and will negotiate a long-term extension next year (or when the new CBA is in place). They are sold on him. Sold enough to trade McNabb away and give Kolb plenty of spending money.
Big Walt: thanks for the smile. Thanks for your Hall of Fame career.
And what happens if he busts? Do they go full time with Vick?
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul - Invictus
I was wondering when you'd come around on Jenkins.
It seem like you were holding out hope for him and his speed to not be a problem. I always believed it would be a problem, and that coming to fruition makes me feel good about one player eval. Fortunately, you have about 1,000 other players nailed down that I can only guess at or glean from your reports. It was fun about Jenkins, anyway.
Joe Haden ran a slow forty. It mattered for Malcolm Jenkins. It matters for Haden. It won’t upend him. It won’t force him to safety, probably. It does mean he lacks elite speed at one of the most speed dependent positions on the football field.
Big Walt: thanks for the smile. Thanks for your Hall of Fame career.
I am curious to see how Pryor does next year
Oregon thought if they made him throw the ball, they would win the Rose Bowl. It turns out he can throw. Before Pac – 10 rivalries come into play here, go look at Locker’s stats against last year’s Oregon defense. Everyone was amazed he could throw like that and no one expected that. I suppose the question is can he carry that performance into next year.
Good bye Big Walt.
So what you are saying
is that everyone carves up OU’s secondary like a roasted duck. 45-41 seems like a routine ball game score for them.
Are you talking about Arizona or Stanford?
Stoops just has our number for some reason. Stanford just pounded the hell out of us on the ground.
Good bye Big Walt.
Hmm
Alex Smith: I hope Smith shows just enough to stick while the rest of the 49ers suffer various, horrendous deaths.
You bastard.
I still think Seattle could finish in the bottom 3 (meaning top 3 for the draft). A couple teams, the Rams, Bills, and Browns, look worse, but some of the teams you mentioned (the Broncos, Cards, and Jags) I think still have more talent than the Hawks. I’d say 5-11 to 7- is a good likely range though.
The teams you mentioned that I think you won’t have to worry about are the Eagles, Steelers, and Panthers. Kolb’s contract is guaranteed for 2011 and I just can’t see them giving up on him barring complete failure, which I don’t think will happen with the Eagles talented offense. I think that BIg Ben will stay with the Steelers, they simply don’t have an option nearly as good as him. And at 29 years old, they won’t be ready to draft his replacement yet. And I don’t see the Panthers taking a QB after their draft this year. I also think the Titans will stick with VY barring regression from last year.
The Niners, Cards, and Chiefs seem like the biggest wildcards, teams that could be desperate for a 1st round QB or not in the market for one at all depending on how their guys play this year.
I think with teams like the Vikings, Bills, and Jags you’d be wasting your time rooting for them, they’ll be in the market for a QB regardless of what happens next year. No matter how good Favre is this year if any team views him as an option beyond 2011, well, I pity them.
Charlie Whitehurst resents that remark.
Big Walt: thanks for the smile. Thanks for your Hall of Fame career.
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