SB Nation - Jordan Kent

Arizona Cardinals Fly Around the NFC West and Is It Too Early to Talk Playoffs?

Hawkwind — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:15:09 -0000

Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt loudly proclaims to everyone that if they don't think the Cardinals are playoff bound, then they can go sit in a corner. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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The NFC West went 2-2 over week 10 with wins by the Cardinals and 49ers. The Cardinals are the only team over the .500 mark (6-3) with San Fran currently sitting at 4-5 in second place and the Seahawks (3-6) and Rams (1-8) round out the division. The Niners and Hawks both travel to NFC North opponents this week (Packers and Vikings respectively) while the Cards and Rams will meet for the first time this season.

San Francisco 49ers: The Niners are coming off an uninspiring Thursday night win over the Bears that saw them turn five Jay Cutler picks into just ten points, but a win is a win and it ended a four game losing streak. While a 4-5 record might not inspire a great deal of confidence, the Niners fans aren't giving up on the playoffs just yet. As crazy at that may sound with games remaining against the Packers, Cardinals and Eagles, all of whom are ahead of them in the playoff picture, you could say that they still control their own destiny. Even tougher for the Niners fans to watch right now is the resurgance of the Carolina Panthers, who've won four of their last six after starting 0-3, and with three upcoming games against teams with a combined 9-18 record, that first round pick could get pushed down much further than Niners' fans were hoping. One interesting segment over at Niners' Nation worth checking out is an 'approval rating' on both Mike Singletary and Jimmy Raye (OC). Interestingly enough nearly 90% "approve" of the job being done by Singletary but Raye's "approval" rating is just under 40%.

After the jump we'll look at the Seahawks and Rams, and take a quick look at a premature NFC playoff picture.....

Seattle Seahawks: Obviously Hawks' fans aren't in the best of moods this week after seeing their team squander a two touchdown lead and basically end any hope of competing for anything more than a high draft pick this season. Even though they saw some promising things from thier team, the guys over at Field Gulls are now shifty their focus to key players in the Hawks future and next year's draft. One of the guys they'll focus on over the rest of the season is defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (part I and II) and they're also taking a glance at California's defensive end/tackle Tyson Alualu. The Hawks also made a small roster move yesterday releasing Devin Moore from their practice squad and signing Xavier Omon to take his place.

St. Louis Rams: Despite losing their eighth game of the season the Rams played their best football of the season on Sunday, narrowly losing to the undefeated Saints 28-23. One thing that gives Rams' fans some hope is that this was a game that they coulda/shoulda won, if not for a handful of mistakes, but I'm sure we all know how slipperly that slope can become. The Rams still have more questions than answers right now but hope isn't necessarily a bad thing (unless you ask Red). Right now they're wondering what a better backup running back might mean to the team, whether or not they should be looking at wide recievers in the draft and perhaps most importantly, whether or not their beloved team is disheartened or dangerous. They also made a roster move, placing Keenan Burton on injured reserve and signing Jordan Kent to the active roster.

Ok, so it's probably too early to be talking playoffs but call me an optimist. After so many years of talking prematurely about who we should be taking in the draft, I'm enjoying the flip of of November and December discussion. With that being said, here's what the picture looks like.....

Division Winners:

Wild Card Race:

On Life Support:

Chicago Bears (4-5)
Carolina Panthers (4-5)
San Francisco 49ers (4-5)

I'll leave playoff picture at that for now. Eventually we'll break it down further by looking at each team's upcoming schedule but now it's too much to digest at one time. I will say that the Cardinals remaining schedule is much more managable than the Cowboys so moving into the third seed doesn't seem like a difficult move but moving into the second seed is a much tougher proposition. For the Cards to catch the Vikings you'd have to consider their matchup, at UoP, in three weeks a 'must win' game for the home team.

Meet Jordan Kent, the Rams newest wide receiver

VanRam — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:02:55 -0000

The St. Louis Rams made Jordan Kent the latest receiver to cycle through the roster yesterday. He's a big guy at 6'4" and hasn't played football since last season.

The Seahawks released him before the start of this season because of an ankle injury. Tampa Bay and Cleveland were also interested in Kent, but the Rams made the call yesterday. He'll join the team for practice today as part of the 53-man roster, nabbing that coveted 5th receiver spot...which should come with some sort of voodoo insurance policy since being a Rams receiver is now considered a high risk job.

Interesting tidbit about Kent: he's a former high school classmate of Rams LB David Vobora. Kent didn't play football in HS though.

Here's ESPN's Mike Sando:

The Seahawks spent two seasons working with Kent, a former record-setting track athlete at Oregon who needed considerable polish as a receiver.

Here's the scouting report from SBNation:

A supreme athlete with long frame. Former track star and basketball player who brings elite speed and leaping ability to the field.

A late bloomer. Still very raw in terms of technique. Doesn't have a lot of experience producing big numbers at any level.

That kind of makes him sounds like a real diamond in the rough. We'll see about that. The great thing about a team like the Rams this season is that it's a great place for guys to buff out the rough and let the diamond show through. And, yes, a 5th wide receiver merits more than one post for the Rams. Will he see any playing time? Eventually, but remember Spagnuolo seems strangely committed to keeping just 4 receivers active on Sundays.

Don't forget to tune into Turf Show Radio tonight at 7 p.m. Central, it'll be titillating.

Seattle Seahawks Sack Oakland Raiders 31-21 to Sweep Preseason

John Morgan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:01:02 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

Ben Obomanu ruled Qwest.

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Winners, Losers and Projecting
the Final 53 Man Roster

Winners

Dan Quinn: A great position coach finds hidden talent. It's perhaps the single greatest impact a position coach can have. In one draft, Quinn has found, coached up and scheme matched Nick Reed, Michael Bennett and Derek Walker. Quinn deserves some credit for Cory Redding too. Classes like this put position coaches in line for defensive coordinator positions--and head coaching positions.

Losers

Secondary: The front seven looked terrific throughout the game, but the secondary was sloppy, slow and not opportunistic. Seattle might lean on Jordan Babineaux to play two positions and keep seven defensive backs.

Courtney Taylor: Not sure he's cut, but it's very possible. I'd love to credit him for his sweet RAC on the Morrah moving pick, but we can't be sure he would have been open if not for the penalty. If he is cut, I expect him to make another team. Some receivers coach will see his athleticism and desire and give the kid a call.

Curt Menefee: It takes a special kind of genius to make sideline interviews more awkward and irritating, but Curt Menefee is that genius. Instead of sticking to pleasantries and platitudes, Menefee put on his reporter cap and got controversial. Asking Deon Butler about the poor quarterback play at Penn State or Darryl Tapp about how he feels about not starting does not inspire honest, insightful answers. It causes an athlete to bristle and be more guarded.

Seattle Seahawks 53 Man Roster

Deon Butler

Ben Obomanu

Tight End

John Carlson

John Owens

Joe Newton

Offensive Line

Kyle Williams

Defensive Tackle

Michael Bennett

Defensive End

Patrick Kerney

Cory Redding

Lawrence Jackson

Darryl Tapp

Nick Reed

Baraka Atkins

Linebackers

Leroy Hill

Corners

Kelly Jennings

Ken Lucas

Josh Wilson

(Free Agent or Trade)

Safety

Brian Russell

Deon Grant

Jordan Babineaux

C.J. Wallace

Specialist

Olindo Mare

Jon Ryan

Kevin Houser

PUP: Marcus Trufant

IR: Jordan Kent..Cory Withrow

Practice Squad

Derek Walker

(Acquired)

Winners, Losers and Projecting Seattle's 53 Man Roster

John Morgan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:35:12 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

Ben Obomanu ruled Qwest.

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Winners

Losers

Seattle Seahawks 53 Man Roster

Quarterback

Matt Hasselbeck

Seneca Wallace

Mike Teel

Running Back

Julius Jones

Edgerrin James

Justin Forsett

Fullback

Justin Griffith

Owen Schmitt

Wide Receiver

Deon Butler

Tight End

John Carlson

John Owens

Joe Newton

Offensive Line

Kyle Williams

Defensive Tackle

Michael Bennett

Defensive End

Patrick Kerney

Cory Redding

Lawrence Jackson

Darryl Tapp

Nick Reed

Baraka Atkins

Linebackers

Leroy Hill

Corners

Kelly Jennings

Ken Lucas

Josh Wilson

(Free Agent or Trade)

Safety

Brian Russell

Deon Grant

Jordan Babineaux

C.J. Wallace

Specialist

Olindo Mare

Jon Ryan

Kevin Houser

PUP: Marcus Trufant

IR: Jordan Kent..Cory Withrow

Practice Squad

Derek Walker

(Acquired)

Colts watching the waiver wire?

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:50:37 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

6 months ago: Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch pulls in a catch during drills, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at a NFL football minicamp at Seahawks headquarters in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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Contrary to popular myth, Bill Polian does indeed sign free agents. He just doesn't do so in March, when supposedly "marquee" players are looking for big paydays, like Albert Haynesworth did recently. No, the time when Bill Polian typically signs free agents is early September. This is when Big Bill looks over the waiver wire, finds someone a team probably should not have cut, and snatches the players up faster than a rabid hawk can snare a blind field mouse.

We've seen Bill Polian pluck up players like Dan Klecko, Rocky Boiman, Daniel Muir, Justin Forsett, and Ryan Lilja in year's past. These guys might not be household names, but they are the kinds of players that can help a team win football games. In the case of Klecko, Boiman, and Lilja, these guys helped the Colts win a Super Bowl. Muir currently is a primary reserve on the defensive line, and Forsett was claimed last season only to be cut again because of injuries to other players. Forsett is back with the Seahawks, and is a significant part of their running back rotation and special teams.

With the economy in the crapper and the prospect of an uncapped year looming, clubs are less and less likely to retain high priced veteran players unless they are marquee players. This means there is the potential for somewhat well-known players, like Seattle's Deion Branch, to find themselves cut from their clubs. In Branch's case, check out this article from The News Tribune:

So far, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and Deon Butler are likely in, with Courtney Taylor, Ben Obomanu and Jordan Kent fighting for the last couple of spots.

Or perhaps Branch could be on his way out.

The veteran will make $5 million this season to be Seattle’s third receiver and the Seahawks have a lot of depth at the position. So they may live with five receivers and let Branch go to keep a player at a different position.

You all might recall that Branch was the MVP of Super Bowl 39 back when he played for the Patriots. He left New England via free agency in 2006, and has struggled to stay healthy while he has played for the Seahawks.

It's somewhat shocking that Branch has lost his starting job to the "immortal" Nate Burleson, and $5 million is an awful lot to spend on a third WR. While I doubt the Colts would make a play for Branch (even though he bought a home recently in Indiana), it gives you a bit of an idea as to the caliber of players who might get cut in the comes days and weeks.

Seattle Seahawks Beat the Preseason

John Morgan — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:01:53 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

This is what a bad preseason looks like.

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The first three games of the preseason are practice. The fourth is an exhibition. This Thursday will be fun. I might just stock the beer cooler and take the game in with long, languid sips of MacTarnahan's Lip Stinger - a surprisingly-good local saison. Watching the kids play is always relaxing. Seattle has negotiated the preseason and succeeded. Its starters survived, its scheme looks functional and executable, some fringe talent stepped up and the draft picks that matter are all healthy and producing; whatever drama the season brings, this team is in a good place right now.

This time last year, Seahawks fans were taking exaggerated, desperate breaths after learning Lofa Tatupu had suffered only a bad bone bruise to his right knee. Matt Hasselbeck had not participated in preseason games against San Diego or Chicago and would not participate against Oakland. Chris Spencer had a bad back and Seattle's depth at center had retired. Mike Holmgren was comparing his back to his long snapper's. Deion Branch was on the PUP list and no where near ready. Bobby Engram was out with a broken shoulder. Seahawks fans were picking sides between Logan Payne, Ben Obomanu, Jordan Kent and Courtney Taylor. Seattle had terminated the contract of Marcus Tubbs. Sean Locklear was out and likely to miss the start of the regular season. Jordan Babineaux and Rocky Bernard were staring down suspensions. The Seahawks were nearing a season lost to a historically bad run of injuries.

If you need the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl to be happy, find your Yankees cap and your "fast" Willie Parker jersey. Seattle has long odds of winning the Super Bowl. Something like: 1 in 32. The part of the preseason that matters is over, and I'm not furiously reloading Seahawks Insider for injury updates. I'm not bombarded with emails about every hack writer's two cents on Holmgren's impending retirement and its implications to Seattle's season. Instead, I am wondering how Seattle will keep all of its promising depth, Nick Reed's ceiling, if Justin Griffith may have wrestled starting fullback from Owen Schmitt, who will kick and return kicks for Seattle and how good this team can be when things start clicking. It's August 30, 2009. The Seahawks season starts in two weeks. It's a good time to be optimistic. It's a good time to be a fan.

Seattle Seahawks 14 - Kansas City Chiefs 10 (Winners and Losers)

John Morgan — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:13:49 -0000

More photos » by Ed Zurga - AP

Corey Mays is forgiven for his foul. John Carlson deemed no flag shall be thrown.

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Winners

Seattle Seahawks: Won at Arrowhead. Won with their starters and won with their depth. The Seahawks showed something passing, rushing, defending the pass and in coverage teams.

Matt Hasselbeck: Has developed #1-receiver like chemistry with T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Hasselbeck showed confidence in the system and decisiveness in his reads. Spread the ball well. Better poise in the pocket and near flawless decision making.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh: Fulfilling potential of stronger, more athletic Bobby Engram.

John Carlson: Better as a blocker, and taking his receiving game to the heights of ‘game-changing'.

Julius Jones: Productive, undemanding, reliable and fearsome as a pass blocker.

Courtney Taylor: Played with the first team and contributed. Put a sizable gap between himself and Ben Obomanu.

Ray Willis: His pass protection has grown in bounds.

Nate Burleson: Freed from Holmgren's exacting offense.

Aaron Curry: Still a rookie, but fans needed to see the athleticism and power. See the athleticism and power.

Will Herring: Herring entered the league a tweener with a legitimate chance to never make it. His light build and cover-only instincts threatened his chance to ever become an NFL linebacker. Tonight, he survived in the scrum and showed what it's like to have a linebacker with DB zone skills.

Darryl Tapp: Disruptive.

Josh Wilson: Incredible awareness. Wilson adjusted to an underthrown ball as it passed over the linebackers and broke for an impressive near-pick before defending the ball from his back.

Derek Walker: Made impressive plays in garbage time to protect him from the cut to 75.

Losers

Devin Moore: Cut is a lock, but does Seattle bother with the practice squad?

Logan Payne, Jordan Kent, Mike Hass and Michael Bumpus: Will, short of injury, not make the roster.

Jeff Rowe: Camp days coming to an end.

Steve Vallos: Enough of a problem at center that Seattle will entertain free agents.

Seneca Wallace: That grimace and sullen look says: "the dreaded groin."

Olindo Mare: Unable to make up ground.

Kevin Hobbs: Picked on and playing his way out of the league.

Ken Lucas: Another so-so game.

Lofa Tatupu: Have we reached the point where Tatupu is too bulked up? I think he'd have trouble hugging me.

Cameron Morrah: Now well behind Joe Newton.

Hasselbeck, Houshmandzadeh, Hurry-up and Taylor Keep Seahawks Alive

John Morgan — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:41:00 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

The Seahawks convert the first. The Seahawks score the touchdown. And not one on the field less responsible than the other.

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It's third and fifteen after Matt Hasselbeck was sacked. He is rolling on his back, signaling time out. Whatever the outcome, the starters are not retaking the field. This is game time.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh motions from the left slot to just outside and behind Deion Branch's right shoulder. Branch is in the right slot. Jordan Kent is playing right split end and Courtney Taylor is playing flanker. Matt Hasselbeck is in shotgun with Justin Forsett at his right hip.

Denver is in a 3-4, with Robert Ayers again showing blitz opposite Ray Willis. D.J. Williams and Denver's two inside linebackers are shaded middle-deep in an arch-shaped array over the offensive right. The secondary is backed off deep, with only right cornerback Andre Goodman visible in the upper left.

Snap.

Ayers and Elvis Dumervil speed rush the outside. Both get deep penetration, but neither gets by their blocker. Forsett escapes into the right flat. Branch drags underneath. Kent and Taylor go deep. Denver's three linebackers fan out into three underneath zones. T.J. Houshmandzadeh clears Branch, finds the soft spot and begins slanting left.

The key, the three players that make this pass work, is Seattle's interior offensive line. In the last play they struggled, collapsed and left Hasselbeck without a pocket to step into. This time, with Ayers and Dumervil pushing in from the outside, Hasselbeck steps up, neutralizes the edge rush and finds Houshmandzadeh for thirteen.

Seattle then converted the first on fourth and three. The Seahawks ran a hurry up and Hasselbeck found Taylor, covered by Champ Bailey, with separation on the right. Taylor ran a simple out route, but Bailey was still thinking deep cover. The drive was alive.

Broncos at Seahawks: The Defining Drive 1: Houshmandzadeh Loses Bailey

John Morgan — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:26:00 -0000

One thing I am working towards in a better integration of graphics. I can write 2WR (left) WR...or I can show you. The key is getting a portfolio of common formations.

This was the defining drive of the Seattle Seahawks game against Denver. I will now break it down, play by play, in loving detail*.

2-10-SEA 20 (2:31) 8-M.Hasselbeck pass short right to 84-T.Houshmandzadeh to SEA 27 for 7 yards (24-C.Bailey).

Denver is pressuring the outside gaps. This is the first sign it might be blitzing. Champ Bailey walks up to press T.J. Houshmandzadeh. That's the second sign Denver might be blitzing.

Snap.

Denver Blitzes five. Sean Locklear stays inside and it's up to T.J. Duckett to block Elvis Dumervil rushing from the outside left. He does. Owen Schmitt, playing half back, releases into the left flat. John Carlson runs a quick in. Jordan Kent runs a post.

On the right, Houshmandzadeh is baiting and weaving to avoid the press and confuse Bailey. He does. Housh cuts into a shallow slant. Bailey bites deep and loses cover. Matt Hasselbeck lightnings one into Houshmandzadeh, Housh receives and Bailey breaks on him. Houshmandzadeh's angle and separation allow him to catch, cut up field and drag Bailey for an additional two. He falls forward for seven.

*I am working towards improving the spacing, but the above is not perfectly accurate.

Seahawks 27 - Broncos 13: Winners and Losers

John Morgan — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 05:48:56 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

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Grand Champion

Nick Reed

He's not tall. He's not heavy. He doesn't look great with his shirt off. But, at football, he's Mozart at the composition table. God bless Seattle for being in the Pacific Northwest. Yes it's the preseason, but there's no bluffing mad skills like Reed's. In whatever capacity, this guy is a player. He's going to contribute on special teams. He'll excite in nickel packages. Oh yeah, that means he's making the roster.

Winners

Michael Bennett: Not as dominant as before, but another step towards making the team. Or making a team.

Deon Butler: One good return on a broke play doesn't mean all that much, but his receiving was excellent. Owner of the most impressive play on offense.

Justin Forsett: Catching in the flat and redirecting is something he can do. Proving it's a valuable addition to the playbook, and therefore he's a valuable addition to the offense is a preseason win.

Will Herring: Showing the tackle prowess he had heretofore lacked.

Baraka Atkins: Consistently disruptive. Played the straight man to Reed's half sack.

Heater: Cover ability? Yes.

C.J. Wallace: Proving he adds attack to the special teams.

Brandon Coutu: Long field goal improves his trade value.

Jordan Babineaux: Better than Brian Russell. So. So. So much better than Brian Russell. Also, BIG PLAY!

Losers

Sean Locklear: Handled. Bull-rushed by Elvis Dumervil. Looked bad throughout and bad at everything you fear he's bad at.

Ben Obomanu: Did not make a catch and did not look good on returns.

Seattle WRs: Seattle must keep Atkins and Reed. Who does it cut?

Josh Wilson: Reinforcing he is, in fact, a nickelback.

Jordan Kent: Looking more and more like he'll never get it.

SB Nation - Jordan Kent

Arizona Cardinals Fly Around the NFC West and Is It Too Early to Talk Playoffs?

Meet Jordan Kent, the Rams newest wide receiver

Seattle Seahawks Sack Oakland Raiders 31-21 to Sweep Preseason

Winners, Losers and Projecting the Final 53 Man Roster

Winners

Losers

Seattle Seahawks 53 Man Roster

Quarterback

Running Back

Fullback

Wide Receiver

Tight End

Offensive Line

Defensive Tackle

Defensive End

Linebackers

Corners

Safety

Specialist

Practice Squad

Winners, Losers and Projecting Seattle's 53 Man Roster

Winners

Losers

Seattle Seahawks 53 Man Roster

Quarterback

Running Back

Fullback

Wide Receiver

Tight End

Offensive Line

Defensive Tackle

Defensive End

Linebackers

Corners

Safety

Specialist

Practice Squad

Colts watching the waiver wire?

Seattle Seahawks Beat the Preseason

Seattle Seahawks 14 - Kansas City Chiefs 10 (Winners and Losers)

Winners

Losers

Hasselbeck, Houshmandzadeh, Hurry-up and Taylor Keep Seahawks Alive

Broncos at Seahawks: The Defining Drive 1: Houshmandzadeh Loses Bailey

Seahawks 27 - Broncos 13: Winners and Losers

Grand Champion

Winners

Losers

Winners, Losers and Projecting
the Final 53 Man Roster