Trusting The Braintrust

The love today for RG3 after his performance against the Huskies in last night's Alamo Bowl has been overwhelming, and frankly a bit ludicrous in some circles. 

On ESPN 710-AM today, Mike Salk was literally losing his mind with RG3 infatuation.  To the point that he was suggesting.... no..... demanding that the Seahawks trade 4 first round draft picks to move up and take the Junior Baylor QB. 

That wasn't a typo.  I said 4....... that's FOUR first round picks.  For one player.

Let me first say this.  I love Salk.  I appreciate that he's not a born-and-raised Seattleite.  Not a homer.  Not a Seahawks apologist.  His outside perspective is usually refreshing, and his arguments are typically well-researched and thoughtful. 

Today, I think he was drunk.

I may be going against the grain here, but I am diametrically and adamantly opposed to "selling the farm" to move up and draft anyone, even Andrew Luck.  The idea that the Seahawks are only one player away from being a Super Bowl contender is ridiculous.  I know we need a quarterback, I've written about the subject extensively.  The subject dominates my daily thoughts and conversations with friends and co-workers.  I dream about it.  I've flip-flopped on this subject a number of times, in fact if you look through older posts on this blog you will probably be able to find entries where I advocate being patient and others where I insist that the Hawks have to find "that guy" right now, no matter what the cost. 

But I've settled into a position of patience and perspective over hyperbole.

There was a lot of progress this year.... a LOT.  The Seahawks are younger, bigger, faster, stronger, and most of all much more physical, confident and talented then they have been in a long, long time.  But they are not just a QB away from contention.  There are plently of other holes to be filled.  Two or 3 more players on the front 7, in particular at least two more who have unique pass-rushing skills.  Another O-lineman or two, another receiver who can gain seperation and beat defensive backs deep, and a physical, bigger RB who can complement and back up Lynch without the drop-off in style we see currently. 

And yes, we need a young QB. 

But the idea of dealing four, or even 3 first round picks to get Luck or Griffin is not just risky, it's downright stupid. First of all, let's get this straight; Luck is going first overall, and there's no way we could ever possibly pry that pick away from the Rams or Colts.  So that leaves Griffin.  I'm as impressed as everyone else with his raw skills, but if I'm giving up even two first round picks, I better be getting a player who can start from day one, and Griffin is a MAJOR project.  He has a nice arm, appears accurate, and his athleticism is unquestioned, but has anyone seen him take a snap from center?  Or a 5 step drop?  Or anything other than one simple read?  Anyone?

No, no, no and no. 

But suppose for a second that you love RG3, and you aren't going to be convinced he's anything other than can't-miss no matter what I say, then consider this.  Don't think about what you would be getting by trading multiple first round picks for RG3, but instead, ask yourself what you would be getting IN COMPARISON WITH WHAT YOU COULD GET LATER WITHOUT GIVING UP A THING! In other words, comparison shop.  Are Robert Griffin and Andrew Luck the only QB's in the 2012 draft that are going to be outstanding, long-term starters in the NFL?  Absolutely not.  If you're answer is anything else, you simply don't know anything about the league.  There are a lot of intriguing prospects in this draft who are projected to go anywhere from the late first round to the 4th or even 5th round.  At least one of them, and probably more, will become NFL starters. 

There will be another Andy Dalton in this year's draft, I can promise you that.  You just have to find him. 

Consequently, the question becomes, is it smart to trade 3 or 4 years worth of first round draft picks to get QB-A, when you can take QB-B in the second round and be just as successful in the long run?  If you gamble on that higher pick and lose, you rob yourself of the resources to fix your mistake.  You won't be able to try and find another quarterback in two or three years because you won't have your top picks available to you.  You also won't have the same opportunities to fill other holes in the first round as needed.  As a result, you'll be forced to sign free agents, overpay for veterans, and strap your salary cap, further handcuffing your ability to make moves as you proceed. 

From where I sit, I'm actually starting to think that the best course of action for the Seahawks in 2012 is to trade DOWN.  Accumulate extra picks, add necessary talent to the front-7, and work like hell to identify the QB's you like.  Use a late first or early second round pick on one, and take another one in the middle rounds. 

Desperation has made a lot of NFL GM's look foolish, and ultimately lose their jobs.  The great GM's never panic, and trust their evaluations.  Jon Schneider and Pete Carroll have proven to us that they can uncover talent in the middle and late rounds.  We need to trust their ability to find that next quarterback. 

I'm not saying I wouldn't like to see Andrew Luck on my team, or RG3.  But I want the Seahawks to win EVERY year, not just next year.  Staying the course, and using the draft to add talent year after year is the best way to do that.  And giving up four 1st-rounders in any scenario would sabotage that effort. 

So What's Next?

Now that Matt Barkley and Landry Jones have declared their intentions to remain in school for their senior seasons, the Once-Great-Quarterback-Draft-Of-2012 looks less and less like the panacea Seahawk fans have been hoping for.  No way we have the ammunition to move up and get Andrew Luck, and there's no guarantee that even Robert Griffin III comes out either.  Some mock drafts have the 'Hawks grabbing Ryan Tanneyhill in the middle of the first round, but despite my earlier infatuation with his potential, I've read too many negative reports on him from scouting types.  I still think he's a good prospect, and could be a great get in round 2, but most likely some team desperate for a signal-caller will make him a first rounder after all.  I haven't given up on him, and in fact most of his shortcomings sound like nothing more than developmental issues.  A year sitting behind Tavaris Jackson and he could very well be the guy.  That being said, I'd be OK with that scenario if Tanneyhill is available in the second round, but not the first.

At this point I'm ready to move on from the idea of a first round QB selection and suggest the following:

Take the best available front-7 player in the first round, and target a QB in the second.  Better yet, trade down (as this draft appears balanced and deep in areas we don't need to address) and stockpile picks.  Target a guy that can flat-out help us rush the passer in round 1, be it an OLB or DE, and hope a QB is available in round 2 that can develop into a long-term starter. 

But.... who could that be?  Here are a few options.

1) Tanneyhill, see above.

2) Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State.  I know, I know, he's 28 years old, but he has proven himself in a tough conference on a big stage, has a big arm, really good size, and is mature enough that we wouldn't have to live with some of the typical growing pains of most rookie QB's.  A year under T-Jack and Weeden could be ready to step in as a solid starter in year 2, at 29 years of age, with much more upside than Jackson.  I'm not going to rule him out simply because of his age. 

3) Nick Foles, Arizona.  Hard to find a more polarizing prospect.  Rated as a first rounder by one preseason service and a 7th rounder by another, Foles is either potentially elite or a stiff depending on who you talk to.  Trent Dilfer raved about his anticipation and upside after doing extensive film-study of him last month, while other high-profile draft analysts see him as nothing more than a late round flyer.  He's huge, but apparently doesn't have the arm to match his size.  Some defend him by pointing out that he played on bad teams at Arizona.  I haven't seen enough of him to lean one way or another, but the consensus seems to be growing that his stock could rise with a strong showing in post-season All-Star games and workouts.  Bottom line is he's probably not as athletic and mobile as Carroll likes his QB's to be, but one worth keeping an eye on.

4) Austin Davis, Southern Mississipi.  (Pictured Above)  This guy really intrigues me.  He plays in a spread system, but doesn't everyone not named Luck or Barkley?  He's 6-2, 220 and extremely athletic.  A four year starter, he's broken nearly every one of Brett Favre's records, throwing for almost 11,000 yards, 81 TD's, with 27 INT's, and adding another 1300 yards and 25 TD's rushing.  His reputation is one of a firey leader and exceptional worker.  I've seen two of his games and he looks very mechanically sound, with a quick-enough release and good accuracy in the pocket and on the move.  The arm looks strong enough, and he's really quick.  Can he make the adjustment from college spread to a west-coast NFL offense? 

I do know this, the Seahawks sent their scouting staff to see him in person at Virginia this year, and all he did was go 27-41 for 313 yards, 3 TD's and 0 INT's. 

Set your DVR's for tomorrow's Hawaii Bowl and check him out.  Tuck this name away. 

5) Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois.  No, I didn't just make that name up.  Reknowned "Rogue Scout" Dave Razzone turned me on to this guy last week.  He's another 4 year starter, also 6-2, 220, also a spread QB, but one that Razzone compared to, wait for it....... Tim Tebow, and called one of his big sleepers in this year's draft. 

Check the stats and it's hard to ignore.  62% career passer with nearly 9,000 yards passing and a 3-1 TD-INT ratio, and almost 3,000 yards rushing.  I checked out some video on YouTube and indeed he does remind one of Tim Tebow in most areas except for one.... he's much more mechanically sound and thus extremely accurate. 

So there you go.  There are five potential options for the title of Seahawks Quarterback Of The Future.  Are any of them can't-miss?  Of course not, but most if not all of them could be on the board when the Seahawks select in the second, or third, or maybe even fourth round in some cases. 

Right now I would be in favor or the 'Hawks trading down, stockpiling picks, taking a couple pass-rushers, a physical, bigger RB to more closely resemble Marshawn Lynch while serving as his backup, and grabbing one of these guys in the Friday portion of the 2012 draft.

Isn't it amazing how dramatically things have changed on this front in the last 6 weeks?

It's going to be a fascinating offseason. 

Barkley's Looming Decision Has Huge Implications For Seahawks

Matt Barkley has scheduled a 1:00 PST press conference today to announce whether he is returning to USC for his junior year or entering the 2012 NFL Draft.

His decision could affect the Seahawks in a big way.

To the casual observer this probably seems cut and dried, he's coming out right?  Remember the last USC QB named Matt who was faced with the same option?  If Matt Leinart had come out in 2005 he would have likely been the top overall pick, but he stayed, slipped in the eyes of a number of NFL talent evaluators, and ended up going 10th overall the next year. 

No way Barkley makes the same mistake, right?

Not so fast.

We've heard whispers for weeks that Barkley might be leaning toward another year at 'SC, and I think there are legitimate reasons to listen to them:

1) Barkley didn't declare for the draft right after his left tackle Matt Kalil did, as many thought he would.
2) Luck is entrenched as the consensus #1 pick in April's draft, so Barkley has no shot at it this year, but he would most certainly be a candidate for that honor in 2013, and you only get one shot at that.
3) USC is bowl-eligible next season, and they looked like a BCS-quality team last month.  A Barkley return would give them a great chance at the Pac-12 title, and possibly more.
4) The new NFL CBA has drastically reduced the length and dollars that top draft picks are getting, perhaps minimizing that as a factor for potential top picks.
5) He was a shocking non-factor in this year's Heisman race, not even getting an invite to New York, next year he would be a preseason favorite, probably THE favorite. 
6) All he has to do is look north up I-5 to see that coming back for another year of college football CAN work out, as it did for Andrew Luck.

Take all that into account, and the fact that Barkley seems to be a well-grounded, mature kid who is motivated by a lot of things other than money, and I think it's better than a 50/50 shot he's about to tell us all he's staying at USC.

How does this affect the Seahawks? We all know the Hawks need a young franchise QB, we've talked that one to death.  If Barkley and Robert Griffen III (who has yet to declare HIS intentions for the draft as well) are both available this year, it increases their chances of moving up to finally get that guy.  At worst, it pushes other QB prospects down to where Seattle will be picking in the first or second round. 
In my opinion, Barkley is the perfect guy for us.  If he comes out this year, we have a shot to get him, but if he waits until 2013 and goes #1, no way.  If he AND Griffen stay in school, we could be left looking at the Austin Davis and Ryan Tannehill's of the world in the second round.  Not ideal.

And I haven't even mentioned the fact that a Barkley return makes USC a beast next year in the Pac-12.  I don't think any of us would be broken-hearted if we knew we didn't have to face him next season.

So for selfish reasons, here's hoping he declares for the draft today.  At least we don't have to wait much longer to find out.

Where do we go from here?

This is exactly what I was hoping to avoid... the ultimate dillemma.  Three weeks ago the Hawks were coming off that win over the Giants and suddenly it was easy to envision a playoff run, or at the very least a .500 season where we felt like we had a chance to win every game.  But ohhhhh what a difference a few weeks makes.  Now it's hard to imagine finishing anything more than 5-11.  Which puts us right in that brutally undesirable middle ground where you have a high draft choice, but perhaps not high enough to get one of the elite quarterback prospects available in 2012. 

Here is what I fear the most...... I want Matt Barkley.   I mean, I REALLY want Matt Barkley.  I've written at length here about Matt Flynn and Ryan Tanneyhill, and those would be fine fallback options (and certainly better options than going with Tavarius Jackson long-term) but Barkley is a guy that I have become increasingly sure is a big-time franchise QB.  But he's not going to get out of the top 5, and 5-11ish isn't going to get you in the top 5. 

Here's my biggest fear:

Indianapolis finishes 0-16 and gets the first pick in the draft.
Miami gets the second pick. 

In that scenario, no doubt that Indy takes Andrew Luck.  Forget about whether Peyton Manning's neck is healed or not, the Colts won't pass on Luck even if Manning is healthy.  They will take him and groom him, despite the fact such riches should be OUTLAWED by not only the NFL but the federal government itself. 

Then... Miami is going to take a QB, no question about it, so that leaves Landry Jones or Barkley, and the way Barkley is playing, and given that he plays in a pro system and will be more pro-ready than the spread-oriented Jones, my guess is the 'Phins take the him.  After that it's going to be a bunch of bad teams that already have a commitment to a young QB (Minnesota, Arizona, Jacksonville, Carolina etc.), which means the Seahawk get Jones or Tanneyhill. 

I won't be heartbroken over either of those guys; I maintain that this is the best year in a long time to NEED a franchise quarterback, because it's a deep draft.  But I think the gap between Barkley and the other guys is cavernous, and I would be left feeling empty just like I did in 1991 when we got Rick Mirer instead of Drew Bledsoe. 

Now if Miami gets the top pick, the Hawks could conceivably get Barkley even with a pick in the 8-10 range because in that scenario the Dolphins would take Luck and the Colts may just pass on a QB altogether if Manning's medical reports are good. 

Regardless, here we are, travelling to Dallas with a healthy Jackson and a reasonable chance to win a road game over an inconsistent and beat-up Cowboy team.  As a true fan, I can't help but root for them to win, but part of me is almost hoping they come up short. 

The bottom line is, we need a young, elite-caliber QB, and this is the right draft to get one in.  I truly believe Bakley can be that guy, with a very low bust-factor compared to Jones and Tanneyhill.

I would hate to miss out on him because we win a couple extra games in a year when progress and foundation-building take precedence over our final record.

Road Warriors?

Wow.  It's hard to sum it up with any more words than that.  It was simply one of the best road performances we've seen from the Seahawks in quite some time, and best of all, today's 36-25 win over the Giants in New York was notable as much for opportunities missed as it will be for the final score. 

The Seahawks should have won this won easily, but two early fumbles inside the 5 yard line, a bad interception by Tavaris Jackson that led to 3 points for the Giants just before halftime, and TEN penalties allowed New York to hang around.  That's what makes this win so remarkable.  This wasn't a flukey win.  Time and time again the Hawks faced adversity and they just kept fighting. 

I'll have a lot to say about this one.  First I need to watch the tape again, and focus in a little closer on some individuals I believe deserve to be singled out.  But for now, I'm just going to ignore the doubters and revel in the moment. 

Forget about draft position, I want to win.  This team looks capable of winning more than most experts projected, and there are signs that the foundation of a good team are being put in place.  It's fun to watch this young team grow before our eyes. 

Today my Hawks played well on the road, against a quality opponent, and it wasn't handed to them. 

In this moment, for this fan, that's enough. 

Progress?

Tavaris Jackson threw for over 300 yards and 3 TD's Sunday in our near-miss against the Falcons, and suddenly many fans are feeling better about #7. 

But let's not overdo it. 

I was pleased with some of what I saw from T-Jack.  He went to his secondary reads more often, threw the ball accurately, and for the most part made good decisions.  The offensive line took another step forward and didn't allow a sack all day.  But I still need to see more from Jackson to believe he can be any more than a placeholder for our next quarterback.  He had open receivers to throw to and he made those throws.  That in iteself is a good sign both for him and Darrell Bevel, but until I see Jackson making difficult throws into tight windows I won't quite be a believer in his long-term viability. I'm still not seeing the anticipation you see from the top-tier NFL signal-callers.  He sees a guy open, and THEN he throws the ball.  Against really good defenses, some of those balls are going to be picked off or batted down.

This week, on the road, against a good (albeit banged-up) New York Giants team could tell us a lot.  If we can see another sign of incremental progress both from Jackson and the offensive line, whether the team wins or not, it would bode well for the not-so-distant future. 

Already it looks like we can write off any chance of Andrew Luck being the Hawks next QB.  With a solid defense, an improving offense, and the NFC West looking as bad as ever, it's looking more and more like this Seahawk team could be a 5 or 6 win team, maybe more.  That not only puts us out of the running for Luck, but for Matt Barkley as well. 

Tavaris Jackson's Best (And Worst) Moment Vs. Cardinals

6:01 remaining in the third quarter, Seahawks trailing the Cardinals and needing a TD to take the lead and punctuate their most promising offensive drive of the season.  Tavaris Jackson runs for an 11 yard score that changed the game in the Hawks favor. 

Great moment, right?
Key to the victory? 

I'm here to tell you it's more of an indictment on how bad Jackson is. 

The result of that play should have been a TD pass to Mike Williams.  An easy TD pass.  A layup.  A play 90% of the quarterbacks in the league would have made.  Not just starting quarterbacks..... ALL OF THEM!!!!

Wiliams is matched up up against rookie corner Patrick Peterson on the left.  It's single coverage.  Peterson was the 7th pick in the draft and may well have a great career, but right now that's a mismatch.  Williams runs a post-corner and Peterson bites so hard on the first cut that it's about as easy a throw as any QB is going to get.  Jackson has ALL DAY to throw, and even looks that way, but for some reason he can't pull the trigger.  Unable to make a decision, Jackson finally feels some pressure and rolls to the left, towards Williams.  Williams is still open, really open.  He has Peterson 3 feet behind him and he's moving toward the pylon.  If Jackson just throws it to the pylon it's a simple score.  Again, for emphasis, I'll just say that I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THAT THROW!  Jackson cocks his arm, but once again can't pull the trigger.  So he runs and scores, and everyone is happy.

I get the fact that you can't pin everything on Jackson at this point, but there were a lot of positive signs out of Sunday's game vs. the Cards; the running game showed some life, and overall the offensive line looks like they are starting to gel.  Bottom line:  he leaves way too many plays on the field, and if this offense continues to progress, it won't be long before it will be plain as day that the only thing holding it back is the present starter at quarterback. 

Hawks vs. Cards, Quick Hits

Sitting in section 330 yesterday, it all seemed like one of the ugliest wins I can remember.  Jackson took sacks he shouldn't have taken, we took horrible penalties at the worst times, and time and again I found myself screaming "What is Darell Bevel thinking!?!?" 

But upon further review......

I watched the game back on DVR today, and it didn't look as bad as I thought it was.

There are definitely signs of growth, small as they may be.

Keep an eye on the offensive line.  You can definitely tell that James Carpenter has lost a bunch of weight.  He is really athletic for a guy his size.  He not only got off the ball quick, but there were a few times you could see him get to the second level and obliterate his guy.  He still gets beat in pass protection too much, but his improvement in the last two weeks is one of the most exciting signs we've seen so far.  Moffit did some good things too, and Paul McQuistan was a more-than-adequate replacement for Robert Gallery.  This offensive line could be awfully good if it continues to grow as it has in the first 3 weeks.  There were some big holes for Lynch to run through yesterday, and if we can sustain at least a league-average running attack, it will make the offense better as a whole. 

Our wide receiver group looks really good when Rice is on the field.  He's as good as advertised, our most legitimate downfield threat in a long time.  Baldwin and Tate are nice pieces in the slot, and we all know what Mike Williams can do.  Now... if only Jackson would look Williams way.  T-Jack's disinterest in looking for Williams may be the most baffling and frustrating development so far.

Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas are establishing themselves as the best young combo of safties in the league.  Chancellor's pick to seal the game with 1:04 left was the kind of play a seasoned veteran would make.  He baited Kolb and played it perfectly.  Thomas is simply all over the field.  Overall the defense looks capable of keeping us in games. 

If you were hoping for Andrew Luck, you may be out of Luck.... sorry for the pun.  No way we end up with the first pick in the draft.  I still don't see us winning more than 4 or 5 games right now, but if the offensive line continues to get better, and as long as we're still in the NFC West, anything is possible. 

As much as I would love to see Luck play quarterback for the Hawks for the next 10 years, I simply can't pull for them to lose.  Wishing for Luck is probably wasted energy at this point.  More likely we will be picking in the 5-10 range.  In the meantime, I'm encouraged by what I saw yesterday. 

It's a small step forward.  But the Atlanta Falcons are coming to town, and they're pissed.  This Sunday will be a better barometer of where this team is. 

Whitehurst warming up. Please yes!!!

Indecisive, slow release, refuses to make a play with his feet.

This just in: Tavarius Jackson sucks.

Walking into Qwes..... Er.... Century Link Field. Home opener.... Can't wait. Go Hawks!!!!!

Best Non-Luck QBs: My New Favorite

The consensus seems to be that the next-best QB prospects after Andrew Luck in the 2012 draft are, in some order, Matt Barkley and Landry Jones. 

After looking a little closer at Texas A&M senior Ryan Tannehill, however, I think he might be better than both of them. 

He's bigger than Barkley, and about the same size as Jones at 6-4 222 lbs.  The advantage he has over Jones is the system he plays in.  The head coach at A&M is former Packers coach Mike Sherman, which means he's running an NFL-style offense.  Take a look at his highlights against SMU this year.

http://youtu.be/yNcKHOJP-NQ

This isn't your typical highlight package only showing the big plays and completions.  It essentially shows every throw he made in that game.  Early on it's a lot of rollouts and bubble screens, but just when you think to yourself "I wonder if this guy can make NFL throws".... at about the 3:00 mark it starts.  He hits a skinny post over the middle to a diving receiver, and then drills a perfect seam route to his tight end for a score.  A couple of things stand out to me about Tannehill:

• He's working from under center, a lot.  I'd say 75% of the time.  This gives him a huge edge over Jones and other spread-system QB's.  
• His throwing motion looks nearly flawless; quick, mechanically sound, he really spins a nice spiral and he's accurate all over the field.  His arm also appears to be strong.  Maybe not Matt Stafford strong, but at least slightly above NFL average.
• He's athletic.  This is a guy who was the Aggies leading RECEIVER as a freshman and sophomore before winning the full-time starting QB job.  He really moves well in the pocket, rolls well, and throws accurately on the run. 

Look a little closer at his history, and there's even more to like about Tannehill.  He turned down multiple scholarship offers to walk on at A&M because he wanted so badly to be an Aggie.  After losing the starting QB job to Stephen McGee (now with the Dallas Cowboys) and Jerrod Johnson, he willingly made the switch to receiver and excelled, but he kept battling to play QB, and when he got his chance halfway through last season he made the most of it, leading his team to an upset over #11 Oklahoma and displacing Jerrod Johnson to the bench for good.

Oh, and another thing... he's smart.  His ultimate goal outside of football is to be an orthopedic surgeon.

I've seen Tannehill listed as a potential first-round pick, but the word "project" is used a lot.  I disagree.  I believe his combination of size, athletic ability, intelligence, arm talent and NFL coaching makes him an intriguing draft target.  I wouldn't be surprised it he ends up being the first QB taken after Andrew Luck in April, ahead of Barkley and Jones.  Also, his potential connection to Seattle shouldn't be ignored here, Seahawks G.M. Jon Schneider was in the Green Bay front office while Sherman was head coach. 

His Aggies are playing Oklahoma State on ESPN tomorrow.  I would suggest you check it out.  You might be looking at the next Seahawks QB.

Hard To Watch

The Seahawks lost to the Steelers today 24-0.

It was ugly.

Let me start by saying that I'm a big proponent of the current rebuilding process, and I'm the first to preach patience.  The choice to completely remake the offensive line was the right one to make, but it's going to take time and it's going to be a furstrating process.  But today, the offensive line was not the problem.

Defensively, the same issues remain.  No pass rush.  No corners who can cover.  Poor tackling.  But... defense was not the problem today either. 

The problem was at quarterback, plain and simple.  Some will look at Tavaris Jackson's 20-for-29 statline and say he wasn't that bad.  But he was. 

There were throws all over the field that he didn't make, and I'm beginning to think it's because he CAN'T make them.  He was given time to throw but couldn't make any plays downfield. 

On the ball that Polumalu almost intercepted in the third quarter, Jackson had all day to throw.  Yet, instead of planting his foot and striding into the throw, he two-footed it, like a basketball player shooting a jump shot.  On other plays he took sacks when he had all day to throw the ball away, or failed to be decisive.  When he did complete passes, they were often too high or behind the receiver. 

I've seen all I need to see to conclude that he's terrible.

The bigger concern is the continued support he's getting from Pete Carroll.  After the game, coach said the loss had "nothing to do" with the QB position.  If he breaks down the film of this game and still feels that way, then for the first time since he was hired I'm going to have to seriously doubt his ability to evaluate talent and lead this organization. 

Furthermore, I need to see more from Darrell Bevel.  He hasn't shown me any ability yet to game plan for the talent that he does have.  Not a single target for Mike Williams in the first half, no attempts to get the ball to Tate or Miller in the short passing game, or to involve Leon Washington despite an impressive preseason and promises to get him the ball more. 

I'm okay with rebuilding... hell I'm in favor of it.  But I need to see progress, and today showed us almost none. 

The worst part is, there were actually signs today that the offensive line is improving.  But until changes are made at the quarterback position, it may not matter. 

Charlie Whitehurst may not be much of an upgrade, but unless T-Jack looks markedly better in the home opener next week, Carroll is going to have a hard time justifying why he isn't at least taking a look at his second QB.

To Draft or Not To Draft

Much has been said about the potential bumper crop of college QB's expected to be available in next year's NFL draft.  As many as six quarterbacks have been rated as potential first-rounders in 2012:

• Andrew Luck, Stanford
• Matt Barkley, USC
• Landry Jones, Oklahoma
• Ryan Tanneyhill, Texas A&M
• Ryan Lindley, San Diego State
• Nick Foles, Arizona

Certainly the stock of some of these guys will fall, and others not on this list will rise, but the bottom line is that 2012 could offer a remarkable bounty of opportunities for teams looking for their next franchise QB.  What makes this list so impressive is the fact that 3 of these 6 play in legitimate NFL-style offenses (Luck, Barkley and Tanneyhill) so the dreaded learning curve associated with all the spread offense signal-callers is mitigated. 

This fact has led most observers of the Seahawks to speculate, and in some cases guarantee, that the
Hawks next quarterback will come from this group, and it's entirely possible that they're right, but what if we could get a franchise QB to build around, who was ready to start right away, and wouldn't cost us a single draft pick? 

In my August 15th post I made the case for Matt Flynn, and I still think he's the favorite, but upon reviewing details of the new CBA a little closer, I've discovered there may be options... four of them, in fact.

In addition to Flynn, I've identified 3 other QB's who will qualify as unrestricted free agents at the end of this season:

• Chase Daniel, New Orleans
• Brian Hoyer, New England
• Josh Johnson, Tampa Bay

What makes these four guys so interesting is they're all 25 or younger, have all earned backup status on their respective teams, and are all stuck behind elite QB's (Rodgers, Brady, Brees) or in Johnson's case a soon-to-be-elite QB (Freeman.) 

The new CBA forbids a team from using a franchise and transition tag in the same season, so the availability of these guys is going to come down to whether or not the Packers, Saints, Pats and Bucs end up using their franchise tags on other players.  Any of them who do will immediately lose the opportunity to transition their backup QB. 

Chances are slim that all four of these players will be available, but if the right one is, it would make a ton of sense for the Hawks to go in that direction.  As I've said before, the ideal situation would be to find a long-term starting QB without having to surrender a first round pick that could be used to pick up an elite player at another position of great need such as CB or DE. 

I still favor Flynn, and his connections to Schneider are undeniable, but the other 3 are intriguing possiblities as well. 

Testing from my phone

Our next QB?

MATT FLYNN

Everyone seems to be focused less on who our current quarterbacks are, and more on who the next one will be..... myself included.  The prevailing opinion is that our QB Of The Future is in next year's potentially bountiful NFL Draft.  It's an opinion I shared..... until now. 

I've considered the possibility that we could trade for our next QB instead of drafting him, with Brian Hoyer of the Patriots and Green Bay's Matt Flynn among the potential targets.  But that was before I heard this little nugget while watching the replay of the Packers preseason game against Cleveland;

Flynn is a free agent in 2012. 

Let me repeat that, and allow it to sink in.........

Matt Flynn can be had next offseason without giving up a single draft pick. 

With the elite Aaron Rodgers there, no way the Packers place the franchise tender on Flynn next year, and my understanding of the new CBA is that the less expensive restricted tenders no longer exist for fourth year players who arrive at the end of their contracts, which is what Flynn will be. 

Am I sure Flynn is the answer?  Absolutely not, who can be with such a limited sample size....but there are a LOT of people who think he's the next Kevin Kolb, a young, starting-caliber QB stuck in a backup role with no change in sight.  One of those who thinks Flynn is going to be an NFL starter is his current head coach Mike McCarthy, and while it's fair to suggest he may just be trying to bolster his trade value, Flynn has backed that up with strong showings in his only NFL start (in NE during the thick of a playoff hunt) and in his preseason opportunities. 

He JUST turned 26, is big enough (6-2, 225), mobile, and has spent 3 years in McCarthy's system.  Oh... and John Schneider was in Green Bay when he was drafted.

Maybe the reason we didn't want to commit to Matt Hasselbeck beyond this season wasn't that we were eyeing next year's draft, but Flynn instead.

Imagine if we could get him as a FA, freeing us to use our first round pick on other needs. 

Food for thought... just remember you heard it here first.

Quick Thoughts: Seahawks vs. Chargers

It's happening again.  I can hear it already.... "Josh Portis should be our starting quarterback!!!!"

Two words.  Mike Teel.  Let's reserve judgement about an undrafted rookie who was playing against UDFA's and third-stringers.  I like the tools.... and in fact he could be the most interesting rookie QB we've had since Jon Kitna, but let's not jump the gun.

Besides that, I was really pleased with what I saw from Charlie Whitenhurst.  He looked decisive, willing to throw the ball downfield into tight windows, and he was more accurate than we've seen.  This could yet be a very intriguing QB competition.

We should know more this week.  I'm hoping Jackson plays at least the first half so we can get an extended look.  He needs the work, and we need to see him!

Am I freaking out about Russel Okung?  Of course I am.  It's impossible not to think this ankle thing may be a chronic impediment to his development, but again... let's not overreact.  I feel good about Polumbus as a pass blocker.  He played well in Okung's place last year, and I'm sure that the possibility of us bringing in another tackle (Langston Walker anyone?) increases dramatically if Okung ends up on the PUP list or out for an extended time. 

QUICK HITS:  Other things I liked, in no particular order.....

• Saw enough from Moffitt and Carpenter to think they are going to grow into a devestating run combo.  The pass pro will come. 

• Thought the young DB's looked good as a whole.   Much bigger, stronger, more athletic than in the past.  Legree, Browner, Sherman, Chancellor, Maxwell and Johnson give us some thump back there, and give us a chance to match up better against the Larry Fitzgerald's of the world.

• K.J. Wright look solid in the middle.   I still think he ultimately settles in on the outside, but he held up well at the Mike position.... he covers a lot of ground.

Concerns?  Not really... it's the first preseason game.   I expected slop, and we got a lot of that.  I'm just looking for upside and talent right now, and I saw more of that against the Chargers then I've seen in a preseason opener in a long time.  The next two weeks will tell us a whole lot more. 

What if?

Can anyone ever remember a more significant, impactful, "wow" offseason week in Seahawk history? 

Accoring to espn.com's ranking, we signed 4 of the top 32 free agents available in Rice, Miller, Gallery and (re-signing) Mebane.  That doesn't even include some of the other moves that could prove just as important for obvious (T. Jackson) and not-so-obvious (Branch, Wilkerson) reasons.  Thanks to what the Eagles have done over the same period, the South Alaskan Seahawks have still gone largely unnoticed by mainstream national media, but not COMPLETELY unnoticed.  The guys at NFL Network seem to have a much higher opinion of the Seahawks moves than the braintrust at ESPN.  Both Skip Bayless and Mark Schlereth left the Hawks out of their Top 5 Best Free Agent Moves lists.  But Sterling Sharp at NFL Net spent 5 minutes yesterday praising our offseason, and the signing of Tavarius Jackson in particular. 

Which brings me to this.....

A week ago, the prevailing opinion (and one I shared) was that the Seahawks had upgraded a number of key positions at O-Line and WR, while signing up T. Jack as a placeholder at QB.... with all sights set on the potentially bountiful quarterback draft of 2012 as the final piece to this rebuilding puzzle.  I figured we had the potential to be a better overall team, much more competitive week-in and week-out than last year while losing more games and setting ourselves up for a shot at Luck, Barkley, Jones etc.  But now I ask you....... who says we can't win THIS year?  Why not?  Let's do a quick breakdown.

Defensively, there may be questions about our young corners and the lack of pass-rushers outside of Chris Clemons, but does anyone see a huge decline?  Last year the D played well in spurts, but were simply on the field too often and for too long because of our complete lack of a running game.  The offense couldn't start or sustain drives.  Often, our defense would look great in the 1st and 2nd quarters, only to wear down in the second half and end up on the wrong end of a lopsided loss.  This year we are much bigger up front, our safeties will be much more athletic, and I think the play of our young linebackers is going to surprise some people.  I'm not saying we're going to look anything like the Ravens, but I believe we will be good enough to force some 3-and-outs, and actually have time to grab some Gatorade and a breather because.....

Offensively, we will be able to control the clock and piece together long drives.  It's not going to happen overnight.  We're going to start two rookies and essentially two second-year players on the offenseive line.  But while young, there is a ton of talent, size, and run-blocking ability there, not to mention the tutelage of Tom Cable.  I think it's reasonable to think that we will have much more success running to the left behind Okung and Gallery early in the season, but you're going to see this unit get better as the year moves forward, and by November I can see this group being a dominant run-blocking team. 

As for the quarterback, at what point did it become set in stone that Tevarius Jackson can't play?  His last 5 starts he threw for 9 TD's and only 2 INT's, and then along came Favre.  Nobody questions that he has the tools, and he certainly did struggle early in his career, but who hasn't?  How quickly we forget not just how bad Matt Hasselbeck was in his first couple of years, but also how bad he was in stretches the last two seasons.  How can so many people say that Jackson will fail even with DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED skill position players and a revamped offensive line, when just a few months ago the prevailing opinion was that Hasselbeck would play better if only he had better blockers and receivers?! 

The Seahawks have put themselves in a position now where Jackson doesn't have to be a star, or anything close to a Pro Bowl player for them to succeed in the NFC West.  To borrow a baseball term, if he can just perform at a "replacement player" or league average level, the Hawks have a chance to win the West if they can run the ball, make plays in the passing game when they are there, and be good enough defensively to keep games close. 

I'll leave you with one final thought.  Imagine for a second if Jackson develops into a solid starter.  The Hawks have now set themselves up for years on the offensive side of the ball.  They could win the NFC West, get a home playoff game, and concentrate solely on defense in the early rounds of next years draft.  Doesn't that sound better than having to break in a rookie QB, and experiencing the growing pains that go along with that?

What if?

Fiscal Responsibility

Details are trickling in....

• $21 million over 3 years for Hasselbeck from the Titans.  Now you see why the Seahawks walked away.  That's way too much for a rebuilding team to give to a 36 year old QB.  I would argue that it's even too much for the Titans, although I doubt Matt will ever see all that money (no word yet on the guarantees).  At some point Locker will take over the reigns and Matt will once again move on. 

• $12 million over 4 years (with $4 million guaranteed) from the Panthers to pry Olindo Mara away.  That's a TON of money to give to a kicker, especially for a team like the Panthers who are going to struggle just to get in the red zone.  I guess this is an early example of what teams can do with the extra dough they don't have to pay their top picks anymore (sorry Cam Newton.)

• Robert Gallery gets a 3 year deal from the Hawks.  No money figures yet, but the shorter term of the deal would suggest it's not as lucrative as some had suggested Gallery was seeking.  This looks like it could be a great deal for the Hawks. 

• Sounds like Sidney Rice is going down to the wire.  Some reports indicate we are in the lead but have to wait until Friday to meet with him face-to-face (and do a physical... check that hip!).  Again, I would love to get Rice, but if someone outbids us I'm not going to shed any tears over it. 

What a crazy day it's been! 2 big trades in baseball, a NO-HITTER, madness in NFL free agency, and the Mariners scored some runs!  Am I dreaming?

Reality check... off to work.

Is anyone reading this?

Go Hawks!

What's The Plan?

Following the roller coaster of free agency rumors today, one thing jumps out....... where's the defense?

Depending on who you follow/believe.... the Seahawks are close to finalizing deals with OG Robert Gallery and WR Sidney Rice.  These are players who would provide big upgrades at positions of need for the Hawks, but it begs the question, what's the plan?  Why aren't we linked to any defensive players? 

In my mind, the answer is twofold:

A)  Offensively, next year shapes up as one of the best QB drafts in many years, and you can bank on the Hawks taking one of those guys with their first pick.  Kolb wasn't worth dealing a 1st rounder for, and Carroll/Schneider didn't see a franchise guy in the 2011 draft, so the plan is to set up our next franchise QB for long-term success by taking care of things on the offensive side of the ball.  We have devoted the top of our last two drafts to building a nasty, tough, young O-line, and now it looks like Tom Cable-favorite Gallery will be joining the pack.  These guys will open much bigger holes for Lynch, Forsett and Washington to run through.  Rice is the kind of game-breaking, young, #1 receiver we have been seeking for years, and together with Mike Williams gives us an exciting pair of weapons on the outside.  Two years from now, when our starting QB is named Barkley or Luck or Jones or Lindley, he'll be playing behind a big, cohesive line, with a dominant running game to support him, and a couple of big-play receivers to throw to.  This is how you build a successful offense.

B)  Carroll can scheme on defense, and he's shown an afinity for, and an ability to find, undervalued, hungry defensive players (Clemons, Brock, Lewis, Siavii, Brock).  With the glut of free agents available this year, bargains and steals are there to be had.  Carroll also knows that an improved ground game makes the defense better.... keeps them off the field... and shortens the game.  

It's still VERY early, and I'm not predicting that we won't sign any recognizable defensive players.  In fact, word is we are working hard to keep Brandon Mebane, and that's a good start.  We were linked to Ray Edwards earlier this week, but I haven't heard any buzz since then.  It may simply be that The Plan is to set the offense up first, fix the running game, and build a unit that will be conducive to welcoming a young QB in a year or two....... while piecing together what you can on defense, and then throwing all your resources at that side of the ball next offseason. 

Is it the perfect plan?  Only time will tell.  But on the record right now I just want to cast my vote.

I like it. 

End Of An Era

We all knew this day was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier.  Matt Hasselbeck is no longer a Seahawk.  He has reportedly signed a multi-year deal with the Tennessee Titans where he will mentor Jake Locker. 

One cannot understate the significance of this day.  Simply put, Matt is the best QB in Seahawks history.  He led us to our only Super Bowl.  He won more playoff games in his career here (5) then the franchise had won in it's entirety before he arrived (3).  Over the last couple of seasons he has been a polarizing figure, hailed concurrently as our saving grace or a washed-up has-been, but there is no denying the historical context of his tenure in Seattle. 

I've been wanting to start my own Seahawks blog for awhile.  What better time than now.  The hiring of Pete Carroll and all the personnel moves that came with it last year was the beginning of a monumental transition for the team, that was plain to see, but Matt's exit makes it official.  We are in full rebuild mode.  Every position is in flux, every player faces competition for his spot.  Competition is the mantra of the day and youth is the overwhelming trend.  Over the next few days and weeks this roster is going to take shape in ways that right now, some of us can't even envision. 

So I figured, what better time to start blogging about it? 

What I hope this blog will provide is a blend of informed insight and impassioned opinion.  Whether anyone ever reads it or not is really inconsequential.  It's as much a therapeautic and creative outlet for me as it is an actual attempt to be widely published.  That being said, I do hope to attract a few contributors.  Healthy debate is one of my favorite aspects of being a sports fan.  Hopefully you will come with an opinion, some passion, and at least a little bit of common sense and reason. 

For now though, this day is about the transition.  You'll notice I haven't even mentioned the names of the QB's that have been (reportedly) acquired to try and fill the shoes of Number 8.  That's a subject for a later post.  This is about saying thanks for all the memories Matt.  You were a great leader, competitor, and citizen over the last ten years.  You will be missed. 

This already feels really weird.