With the recent talk around here not only draft related but also concerned about the balanced offense, I came across an interesting piece in the PI about Knapp and the system he will try to institute in Seattle. Some of Knapp's quotes may also help pare down the possible candidates for the #4 pick, assuming of course that Ruskell doesn't trade it.
Greg Knapp plans to keep the West Coast offensive system in Seattle, but the new Seahawks coordinator intends to introduce some twists from the pass-happy Mike Holmgren era.
We already know there won't be immediate wholesale change, which is no real surprise.
He spoke of implementing more zone-blocking techniques in the offensive line, a style that promotes a power run game instead of dancing and decision-making by the running backs and has succeeded in putting up big ground attacks in Denver, Atlanta and more recently Houston, under zone-blocking guru Alex Gibbs.
Once again, this news is nothing new, however the next quote from Knapp may give some insight into how the coaches want to approach the draft:
"One of the strengths of the zone run game is that its history has proven, as the parts have changed -- whether the runner or linemen -- it's still been pretty productive," Knapp said. "There's so much turnover now with free agency and coaches, this is a system that maybe lends better to that environment. It provides a quicker learning curve to get on target to have success."
Knapp professed confidence that the current Seahawks line can fill the bill without major overhaul, given his history of immediate success at new coaching stops.
Knapp goes on to mention using a running back-by-committee approach and specifically mentions Duckett, who he had in Atlanta.
It's safe to say that, barring something crazy, Duckett will not be cut. If Knapp's comments about the advantages of zone blocking mean anything, don't expect the Hawks to be spending big money on backs or O-lineman (Denver, anyone?).
Let's say the Hawks do go the way of Denver and start working with backs and lineman that fit the system but aren't necessarily top prospects. This would theoretically allow the Hawks to get some good defensive talent early then fill the offense out in later rounds. Does that make you more or less excited about the upcoming draft?