Seahawks to Host QB G.J. Kinne For Workout

According to Jets' beat writer Manish Mehta, and confirmed by Curtis Crabtree, the Seahawks will host former Tulsa QB G.J. Kinne for a workout on Wednesday. Kinne went undrafted and was signed by the Jets after a very nice senior season where he threw for 3,090 yards with a 63% completion rate, 28 TD to 12 interceptions. He's known for his toughness, mobility, and ability to throw on the run, and at his Pro Day back in March, which the Seahawks did attend, he measured in at 6'1, 223, ran as quickly as 4.59 in the 40 with a 9'7" broad jump and 33" vert. According to scouting reports, he doesn't have the strongest arm, projects as a ceiling No. 2 QB with a lot of toughness and athleticism.

Our own Derek Stephens (TWITTER) closely scouted Kinne during the offseason and put together the following scouting report (Derek also put together a series of Seahawks Rookie Reports during and after the season that are very good reads):

Positives -- Thick, physical QB who doesn't mind tucking and engaging defenders at the second level with his body. Showed drastic improvement with his pocket presence in his Senior year, displaying a solid base, setting his feet consistently and following through in the face of pressure. Possesses plenty of arm strength despite lacking ideal height for the position (6'1), and can put the ball outside the numbers with plenty of zip. Possesses a tight spiral and quick release. Buys time with his feet but doesn't drop his eyes and revert to the run without surveying and eliminating aerial options first. Anticipates and leads his receiver well on timing routes, and doesn't seem to drop off in accuracy when asked to do it while on the move. Displays toughness willingness to lower the shoulder on would be tacklers. Good at improvising with his feet and extending plays. Has overcome quite a bit of personal adversity to establish himself as legitimate NFL prospect.

Negatives -- Will occasionally look lost in the pocket, as if his vision is limited. Will hold the ball too long and miss opportunities by hesitating on crossing routes and quick slants. Doesn't always appear to have a strong sense of what is going on around him in the pocket, and at times, won't flush when he should. Will lock on, as almost if to wait for his primary target to get open, and delay in progressing through other options. Plenty of arm to make the bucket throw to either side, but often throws it late or puts a bit too much loft under it, allowing the defender to get set.

Summary -- Kinne is a raw, athletic prospect with an upside that could earn him a spot as a regular number two QB at the next level. He's being compared by some scouts to Bruce Gradkowski, but possesses better raw athleticism and a stronger arm. The improvement he's shown is encouraging, but there are questions about his ability to consistently sit in the pocket and make good decisions with the football. In todays NFL where athletic QBs are being featured and used in unconventional ways, he could get onto the field relatively early in his career, but the physical tools and marked improvement would indicate that with good coaching, he could develop into a legit long-term NFL QB who, at his highest point, could compete for a starting role someday.

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The Seahawks, though they are already in the midst of a three-way QB competition for starter and also possess a nice developmental project in fourth-string QB Josh Portis, are continuing on with the 'leave-no-stone-unturned' modus operandi to roster building and depth development. This tryout, though, is likely just a way to get a closer look at a backup type guy in the case the Seahawks need to add an arm in training camp or during the season. I wouldn't put too much stock into this tryout at this point, though it's interesting nonetheless.