Yikes.

Jackson, Flynn throwing to ‘hungry, hard-working’ receivers

Maybe that's a bad photo, but man, does BMW ever look out of shape. Obviously it's not easy staying in shape while recovering from a broken ankle, but I was hoping that he had put the weight issues that plagued him in Detroit and Oakland behind him.

I've heard speculation that BMW isn't a lock to make the final roster, but up until now I didn't really believe it. One thing is for sure, this is the wrong year to show up out of shape and hobbled. Rice, Baldwin, and Tate are definitely going to make the team. Pete Carroll just raved about Ricardo Lockette yesterday, and they still appear to be high on Durham's upside. And then there's Ben Obomanu, a guy who always makes the most of his playing time. Where does that leave BMW?

We all hope that the Seahawks will go 16-0 en route to winning the Super Bowl, but few of us actually expect that. In this breakdown I will contrast what I hope for each of our draft picks with what I actually expect of them.

Bruce Irvin

The selection of Bruce Irvin at 15th overall was met with a resounding "Who?" by much of Seahawks nation. The Bruce Irvin pick is one the most controversial in the draft and has been scorned by much of the national media, leading Mel Kiper to give the Seahawks the lowest grade for any team, and Walt at WalterFootball.com to give the pick the worst grade he has ever given any pick in the history of the NFL draft.

I was at first very skeptical of the pick as I drank the Mel Kiper cool-aid, but after reading up more on Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce, and watching some highlight reels I am excited to see him coming off the edge and getting to the QB.

My hope for Bruce is that he is a pass rushing sensation his rookie year, mirroring Aldon Smith's production last year and picking up 12-15 sacks as he plays 3rd downs along with Clemons, and occasionally spells Clemons in the LEO spot on 1st and 2nd downs. I hope that he eventually takes over the LEO spot from Clemons and is a fixture in opponents' backfields for years to come racking up double digits sacks on a consistent basis, and the Bruuuuuuuuuuuce chant becomes as much a part of Sundays at the Clink as the Eddd-gaaaaaaaar chants were at the Kingdome once upon a time.

My Expectations for Bruce are somewhat more tempered. I expect to be a pass rushing threat on obvious passing situations from the get go, but can see him struggling to play against the run, and thus not seeing the field much on 1st and 2nd downs. I do expect him to provide pressure on the QB though. And expect somewhere between 8-10 sacks his rookie year. I expect him to play better at home with the added pressure on offensive linemen provided by the 12th man. I expect this would silence the critics some unless one of the other DE prospects that we passed such as Melvin Ingram, Quinton Coples or Chandler Jones has a monster year.

Bobby Wagner

I hope that Wagner becomes an immediate starter, quickly adjusting to the nuances of and speed of the NFL game and can become a leader of the defense much like another MLB we drafted in the 2nd round in 2005. I hope that Wagner can match Lofa's mental acumen and leadership, while exceeding his athleticism. Wagner crushed Tatupu's combine measurables in nearly every category. If he can match his mind for the game he could be a perennial pro-bowler, I hope this is the case and we don't regret letting David Hawthorne get away.

I expect Wagner to be a starter at some point in the season. I don't expect him to be as good as Lofa was as early as Lofa was. Measureables aren't everything, or Aaron Curry would still be a Seahawk and an All Pro. I don't expect Wagner to match Tatupu's leadership or anticipation but I expect his athleticism to make up for some of this. He was a very productive player in college and I expect that to continue at the next level. I expect him to eventually be an above average starter who could end up in a Pro Bowl or two if he stays healthy and things bounce his way.

Russell Wilson

This is the hardest one for me. I really hope that the Seahawks have found their franchise quarterback, whether it is Wilson or Flynn. If Wilson becomes our franchise QB I hope he proves his doubters wrong. He is less than an inch and a half shorter than Drew Brees after all, and he seems to do alright, and imagine if he could run like Wilson. If Matt Flynn becomes our franchise QB I hope that Wilson can stick around as a capable understudy like Seneca Wallace was to Matt Hasselbeck. If Wilson becomes our franchise QB I hope he can enter the conversation as greatest Seahawk QB of all time, and finally bring us a Superbowl victory.

I expect Wilson to compete. If you watch him play or listen to him in interviews you know that he is a competitor. His stats last year were off the charts, he has a strong arm, he is accurate, and at Wisconsin the offensive line he played behind was taller than the Seahawks' and he seemed to see the field just fine. I expect him to be at least a very solid backup quarterback, who can fill in and give your team a chance to win. I think he expects a lot more of himself, which has me excited but you can't ignore the history that says short QBs don't have much of a chance.

Robert Turbin

I hope that Robert Turbin steps right into a relief role for Marshawn Lynch getting about 5-10 carries a game, wearing out defenses and keeping Beast Mode fresh, healthy, and hungry for Skittles. I hope that he proves to be an adequate blocker (he certainly has the strength) so he can play some on 3rd downs as he has proven to be a dangerous receiver in college. I can see him becoming a fan favorite with aggressive straight line running and the ability to run through arm tackles and defensive backs. I hope we can all agree to call him The Turbinator, and that in a few years he can step into a starting role.

I expect Turbin get reps early in relief of Beast Mode, his injury history suggests that a relief role may be what he is best suited for. I expect a learning curve that is typical of rookie running backs, as he becomes accustomed to the speed and level of competition of the NFL game, I don't expect to average over 6 ypc like he did in college, but do expect him to contribute and most importantly help keep the Beast Mode healthy.

Jaye Howard

I hope Jaye Howard can fill a role as a rotational defensive lineman his rookie season contributing to the pass rush. As the biggest knock on any of his scouting reports is that he has an inconsistent motor and tends to take plays off, hopefully in a rotational role he will provide consistent production while he is in the game, and in a few years can be starter.

I expect Jaye Howard to play in rotation on the defensive line and be victim of roster churn when his rookie contract expires and we replace him with someone cheaper and younger.

Korey Toomer

I hope Carroll and Schneider found a diamond in the rough with Korey Toomer and the small school player can use the athleticism that got him drafted to turn into a starting caliber OLB with the ability to run sideline to sideline, cover RBs and TEs and be a dangerous blitzer.

I expect Toomer to make the team as a special teams contributor, which would be justify his draft pick, perhaps in a few years he will compete for a starting spot, Schneider has done it before in the 4th and 5th rounds.

Jeremy Lane

I hope this small school CB can be another great find like Browner and Sherman were, and that he can make the team his rookie year and eventually be a solid nickel corner.

I have to say my expectations are pretty similar to my hopes for Lane; the front office has done such a good job finding defensive backs late in the draft, or even undrafted that expectations are high for them to do it again.

Winston Guy

I hope that Guy makes the team and can contribute to the defense in various sub-packages. I hope we can find a use for another tweener type of player on our defense, and I hope that he can be a special teams factor right away as well.

I expect Guy to be a special teams player right away, and see the field occasionally as an in the box safety. I don't expect him ever to be a starter, in a large part because our starting safeties are both young and talented, and he doesn't have the size to be a starting linebacker, but I see no reason why he can't contribute on defense much like Atari Bigby did last year.

J.R. Sweezy

Ah, the good old DT convert to OG project with limited production and off the field issues, albeit with one of the best names in the draft. Really the best I can hope for this guy is that he makes the practice squad, cleans up his act and becomes a back up offensive guard.

I expect Sweezy to be cut, and am surprised he was drafted.

Greg Scruggs

If the rest of the Seahawks roster performs like I hope, I guess I hope Scruggs gets cut. After all we already signed a DT in free agency, and added another in the 4th round.

I expect Scruggs to be cut, he could end up on the practice squad, as it is always prudent to have a couple of options on defensive line and he has some versatility having played DE and DT at Louisville.

Since its sunday and I dont seem to see any articles to read. These have kept me going. Enjoy

Anatomy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n90g-LRqggU&feature=related

http://www.seahawks.com/videos-photos/videos/Top-100-Players-of-2012-Marshawn-Lynch/a883e415-5d2c-4224-b9bf-fb3f8aa91599

Beast!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDZA4H14sFs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyh5QoJYJDs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B66GlhMnEqI

Fresh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM9x30k8fOM

Defense? Nah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in9q9Evr7WE

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DK edit: Obviously it's early in the offseason and the roster will change before it's all said and done, but I thought this was an interesting look at the age & experience distribution for the 2012 Seahawks' team.

Pete Carroll and John Schneider have assembled a roster full of young, athletic, aggressive, and hungry (for success) football players. With so much youth, and so little experience, what can we expect in 2012? How close is the team to contending for a title?

Taking a look at the professional development and experience of each player may suggest how well the team will play in 2012.

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I think by far, the consensus vote for most popular draft picks of 2012 are Bruce Irvin and Russel Wilson among Seattle fanatics. If your anything like me, you understand why and accept why the Seahawks chose the guys they wanted in this years draft. Too many people think about the "Best Player Available" aspect in todays draft, where if you go for a certain position that you "should" choose the best consensus player at that position. The truth is, the NFL is a game of schemes and no team grades prospects on the same grading scale as each other. Some prefer speed, some prefer size/athleticism, football IQ, experience, versatility, and much more factors. But in the sense of every team's scheme being everywhere from slightly different to abstract from one another, no one can truly say that is the wrong pick, at that position. Especially when the people who know the most about their team, is the team itself. That may not be the case for some organizations, but I have bought into PC/JS and have strong feelings they have their own reasons and know what they need.

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via www.prointerviews.org/RishawJohnson

I've been here before to share interviews that I have had with numerous Seahawks players from Leon Washington to John Nalbone. I'm a high school senior and I work really hard to interview NFL players. If you wanted to know, I'm heading to LSU next year! I can't wait! Home of Matt FLYNN!

Anyway, I'm here to share my most recent interview with Seattle Seahawks OG, Rishaw Johnson. For some background - Rishaw Johnson lost almost everything because of Hurricane Katrina. He then went on to play at Ole Miss and due to what he calls ‘some big-time mistakes’, he was kicked off the football team in 2010. He then transferred to a DII powerhouse, CalU Pennsylvania. He started all twelve games this past season at Offensive Guard for CalU, earned DII All-American honors and was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. He entered the 2012 NFL Draft, but went undrafted and recently signed a rookie contract with the Seahawks. GM John Schneider recently noted in a radio interview that the team had a fourth-round grade on Johnson.

If you want to, check out our awesome interview, and after the jump you can read an excerpt. Please keep in mind, it was conducted right before the NFL Draft.

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I read that immediately after Seattle had made West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin the 15th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Mel Kiper, on ESPN, called the pick "mind boggling." And didn’t he sound oh so smart at that moment?! Thankfully, I didn’t actually watch it. Admittedly, It’s not as though I had a choice as I didn’t actually have access to ESPN’s Draft coverage, but not having that choice only ruled out the inevitable of not tuning in anyway. I only have access to NFL Network, but don’t read that in the sorry way that it may look. Thank Heavens for NFL Network and not just because it drives me away from Kiper and his inane chatter.

No, the network boasts the anti-Kiper in Mike Mayock. Now, Mayock does have his moments, but on almost every occasion he’s measured and articulate, attributes that should (but won’t, sadly) keep Kiper awake at night. And every Seahawks fan should have a not-so-secret admiration for Mayock anyway after his unforgettable "GET OFF ME!!!" and "...ARE YOU KIDDING ME???" after Marshawn Lynch’s 67 yard TD run versus New Orleans on a barmy Wildcard night at Qwest Field in January 2011.

Long has my disdain for Kiper been hard to shake. Shame on all of those that hang on to his every word and I’m in no doubt he was patting himself heartily on the back at his "mind boggling" quip aimed squarely at coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider. Well, he would’ve patted himself on the back if he’d been able to get his arm over that preposterous hair of his. If there is something laughable about Kiper’s dig (and the humour in it is difficult to track down), it’s that more than a few misguided souls actually believe he has more insight into the Seahawks than Carroll and Schneider.

I have nothing but pure faith in the Irvin pick and the only person I’ve heard speak positively about is Charles Davis, Mayock’s partner in Draft crime. He stated the stupidly obvious, but it’s a point that seems to need a sledgehammer nonetheless; Carroll and Schneider are clearly working to a plan and if they see Irvin as an integral cog, then give them OTAs and training camp and at least one season of unleashing their first round pick on the NFL. Heck, the two of them have established an enviable working relationship and yet it’s something that most of those that follow the NFL appear blind to, even seasoned journalists. Davis, I tip my hat to you.

Most Mock Drafts had the ‘Hawks filling their pass rushing need in the first round and when this worst kept secret kept the company of conventional wisdom, we could look forward to Coples, Ingram or Jones donning Nike’s newest and finest. Should he have been available, my personal choice was Kuechly, but what do I know? Conventional wisdom does not always a good Draft make and we already have an immovable object in Red Bryant at defensive end so was Irvin truly that shocking a pick? Well, yes, but only in as much as the red flags he’d generated for himself off the field.

I could give you stat upon stat or misdemeanour after misdemeanour here, but that’d be wasting all of our time. My Kuechly leanings aside, Irvin is a pure pass rusher and little else. We don’t need him defending the run, we want him to get to the quarterback...and fast. And Irvin has a knack for getting to the quarterback...and fast. Carroll wasn’t coy (naturally) when speaking about Irvin following the conclusion of the first round and of all the quotes, one stood out to me and it’s this: "This is the kind of guy that really puts the fear in the offensive tackles." Now, how good does that make you feel as a Seahawk?

All of a sudden, defensive coordinators (I’ll spare you the thirteen names for this season) are going to be considering the havoc one man will have the ability to wreak and third down at CenturyLink will be the place to be in 2012. Without going through the entire Seahawks 2012 Draft class, the one other pick that’s truly enamoured me is running back Robert Turbin in the fourth round. Smashmouth football on offense and the relentless motors of Irvin, Kam Chancellor and Bobby Wagner on defense. The anticipation is palpable and, without wishing precious time away, September really can’t come quickly enough.

I was reading through the comments on the fanpost discussing who the Seahawks starting QB will be next year, and noticed a commenter arguing that PC and JS should be fired following what he considered a woeful draft (I would like to point out at this stage that this post is not up to discuss, or in any way draw negative attention to that commenter. Everyone is entitled to an opinion). The responses were unanimously in favor of the current regime, but it did get me thinking, is year three of this front office the year when it should be expected that “Always Compete” should translate to “Always Compete for the Superbowl?”

I’m a huge fan of both John Schneider and Pete Carroll, and feel that the way that this roster has been reconstructed since their arrival has been nothing short of exceptional. Watching Jim Mora’s disinterested and, by NFL standards, largely untalented troops stumble their way through an inept 2009 had led many of us to believe that we were entering a phase in Seahawks football that would be characterized by multiple losing seasons and numerous high draft picks. We’d had our period atop the NFC West, now was the time to slowly rebuild.

Although it’s impossible to say with certainty, I’m sure most of us would agree that this rebuild wouldn’t have achieved the same success had we not brought in PC and JS to administer it. A cursory glance at our revamped secondary paints a picture of the unique vision they had in mind, a combination of genetic mutants with Stretch Armstrong-like limbs, and speedy ballhawks with an eye for the ball. From the off, this front office was going to do it their way, with little or no regard to the accepted prototypes and conventions of the NFL.

Looking back on this draft, it’s my opinion that roster construction is complete. On defence, we have our oversized line, pass rushers, speedy backers, press corners and “little and large” safeties. On offence, we’ve previously brought in (and paid top dollar to) Sidney Rice, Zach Miller and Marshawn Lynch as well as drafting two 1st round bookend tackles. This year, Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson have been acquired to compete with T-Jax. To get to my point, there’s no area on the roster that doesn’t have PC / JS’s stamp on it, this is a team fully comprised of talent that they evaluated and invested in.

So, after three off-seasons (a lifetime in the NFL) at what point does liking the direction that the franchise is going in transform to expecting the Seahawks to legitimately contend for a championship? We all expect, and hope for, improvement, but what are our true expectations for this year? The NFC West is getting steadily stronger, but is still one of the lesser divisions in the NFL. So, at this point, should we as fans consider an 8-8 season cause to question Schneider and Carroll’s respective positions?

via www.seahawks.com

Here is Part 1 of my write-up. I originally included both of these articles as one writeup, but decided to break it down because it's nearly 7000 words. Here, I will go over the 2012 draft and what we can expect out of the players selected; but it's important to read the first part, so you can understand the train of thought. My initial thoughts on the Seahawks draft class is that the team will net one defensive starter, two impact situational players on defense, a backup running back, and a quarterback of the future.

2012

OK, now a draft that's fresh in my mind. Carroll made it known that he wanted to add pass rush and speed to the defense this offseason. He also said he wanted a touchdown maker (wide receiver or running back) on offense. Schneider noted that this class had many intriguing quarterback prospects and a lot of us felt the need for a quarterback of the future, despite signing Matt Flynn in free agency and holding on to undrafted free agent Josh Portis. A lot of us felt the need to go after a pass rusher in the first round, however not many players looked to have the build to play on in our hybrid defense. Letting Hawthorne sign elsewhere proved that we liked a dozen linebackers in this class. It was undecided who and where we would look for a quarterback, especially with the signing of Matt Flynn.

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via prod.images.seahawks.clubs.nflcdn.com

The Seahawks' front office had the media and a fair amount of Seahawk fans scratching their heads after Day 1 and 2 of the 2012 NFL Draft. It’s difficult for many to grade Day 3 picks because there are many unknown names that carry little background information. In total, the Seahawks drafted 10 players, with seven on defense and three on offense (counting a converted guard). The run on defensive picks gives me the initial impression that we’ll have very good depth at every position on defense, though I’ll examine that closer. The offensive picks have given us an intriguing QB prospect and hopefully a backup running back.

Before I want to break down this year’s draft, I thought it would be useful to take a look back at Pete Carroll and John Schneider’s first two drafts, and how the picks have panned out so far. By explaining previous picks and their impact on the team so far, I hope to break down my thinking to help explain how this year’s picks will fit on the team and what to expect out of them going forward.

2010

Going into their first draft with the Seattle Seahawks, Pete Carroll and John Schneider knew they had a lot of work to do. They inherited an aging roster that was starting to rely more on stop gap players than core of the team from their Super Bowl run. Some of the biggest needs included a left tackle to take over for All-Pro Walter Jones and a safety to lead the secondary. Although they picked up the unknown Charlie Whitehurst and had Matt Hasselbeck heading into his final season under contract, finding a quarterback of the future also seemed to be a major need.

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