Seahawks Training Camp: Starting Leo End

by John Morgan on Jul 30, 2010 2:23 PM PDT

LEO

2009: N/A

Last season, Patrick Kerney was the Seahawks primary starter at right defensive end. Kerney retired a wealthy man this spring. Despite solid skills and a still-sudden first step, he was a shell of his former greatness.

Early favorite: Chris Clemons

If not for spotty health, Clemons might have this position sewed up. He isn't far and away the best among a crappy bunch, but he is the player Seattle has invested the most into and his place as a starter has never been disputed by Coach Carroll. Clemons flashed potential in ultra-situational use with the Eagles. Modest potential, but modest beats nothing.

The Incumbent: Nick Reed

Apart from Herculean feats of strength and Hannibal-like savagery, Reed is also a family man, having fathered most of the Founding Fathers.

The Rookie: Dexter Davis

Davis has the best long term potential of this group. Since signing with Seattle, he has seen some snaps at Leo end and some snaps at strongside linebacker. He was a capable edge rusher at Arizona State University, but played from a three-point stance. Davis probably starts the season on the practice squad.

The Dark Horse: Ricky Foley

Foley has one number working against him, but it's a big one: 29. That is Foley's age. For plenty of common sense reasons, players do not typically break into the league at 29. He led the CFL in sacks last season, but last season was also his first season starting. Up until 2009, Foley was strictly a situational pass rusher for the BC Lions. Foley has aspirations of being the next Cameron Wake. Seattle is desperate for that kind of production.

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Comments

Ah, yes, I forgot that Nick Reed made Carthage a superpower of antiquity.

Considering this historical fact, it’s unfortunate taxonomy to have rechristened the “War Elephant” position Leo.

by jacobstevens on Jul 30, 2010 2:27 PM PDT reply actions

I litteraly choked on my beer

When I read the father of the founding fathers line.
Classic

by stufr on Jul 30, 2010 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Foley was a great Lion, but benefited from a lot of help.

The Lions have had great defensive line play for years.

by djafrot on Jul 30, 2010 2:43 PM PDT reply actions

The name I haven't heard all season

would be EJ Wilson.

Is he simply too “big” or slow to play the Leo?

by tehbagel on Jul 30, 2010 3:05 PM PDT reply actions

Oops.

“Season” should read, “offseason.”

by tehbagel on Jul 30, 2010 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

He is a left defensive end in this system.

I expect Wilson to rotate with Bryant.

by John Morgan on Jul 30, 2010 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Doesn't sound like you expect a lot from LDE this year.

inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

by shams on Jul 30, 2010 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Bryant

I just hope that, as SeahawksFanInNY mused, Seattle is running a Bum Phillips style 3-4, and that Carroll’s talk about a 4-3 is nothing more than semantic rambling.

by John Morgan on Jul 30, 2010 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Where does that leave Lawrence Jackson?

by MT Olson on Jul 30, 2010 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions

We shall see

the most I’ve heard Carroll say about Jackson is that he needs to put on some weight.

by John Morgan on Jul 30, 2010 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Does that act as more evidence

that we are looking at a 3-4? LoJack isnt exactly small for a 4-3 DE, but with 20ish he would be a well sized 3-4 DE. I’m all for it, I think our talent lies in our LB’s and definitely not our our DL. Running downs could see MeBane and Bryant at ends, With Cole at NT. Passing downs move MeBane inside, with LoJack/Wilson and Bryant at end. Have Curry/Tats/HIll (if he didn’t murder someone) and the best Leo at constant GO on the QB. Have Curry at 50% Blitz rate. That’s the hope for our pass rush, not four down lineman, not with our players.

by Fightfightfight on Jul 30, 2010 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions

It's not more evidence

I would say Red Bryant starting at end is evidence enough, but, then, Seattle did about the same thing last year. It wasn’t a 3-4. It was a mess.

by John Morgan on Jul 30, 2010 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Part of me hopes the Seahawks D evolves into a 3-4 by 2011 or so

Maybe Bryant & Jackson play DE, and Clemons/Reed/Davis/Foley become the new OLB. That would mean turning Mebane into a NT, which is unfortunate, but better than running out guys like Cole.

With all the DEs we have on the roster now, that may be the direction this team is heading.

by J.L. White on Jul 30, 2010 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I like 3-4's

Draft a NT next year and make it happen. Our LB’s are “sick.” I think Curry could be a pro-bowler (bold..I know), If we give them freedom to blitz more and play the ball instinctively. I have all the faith in the world that Curry will become a monster on the field and dominate every team we face.

by bonecruncher on Jul 30, 2010 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Just got an e-mail from the Seahawks newsletter about training camp...

“Conditioning is followed by a team meeting, dinner, special teams meeting, offense/defense meetings and off to bed at 11pm. The first practice is tomorrow at 9am!”

Refresh my memory, does the VMAC have a housing area for the players during training camp? Or do they stay at a nearby hotel or does everyone get to go home after practice each day?

by Culter on Jul 30, 2010 3:43 PM PDT reply actions

I believe they are at a local hotel with curfew, bed checks and the whole nine

by lemonverbena on Jul 30, 2010 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions

If this was all happening one year ago

No doubt Schneider/Carroll would have went hard after Wake, and Wake would have been seriously interested. Wake wasn’t a CFL camp-fodder type of signing, he was a signing bonus roster spot player that was like having a mid 2nd round pick.

by puerto on Jul 31, 2010 12:09 AM PDT reply actions