SB Nation - Red Bryant

Carlos Dunlap Careens off Big Timmay's Draft Board

John Morgan — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:37:27 -0000

More photos » by Hannah Foslien - AP

Could Darryl Tapp enjoy a Elvis Dumervil-like breakout if Seattle switches to a 3-4?

Sours Grapes Treatment

Carlos Dunlap was arrested Tuesday morning for driving under the Artest. He is a potential top ten pick with the size, scouting profile and upside of a great defensive end. What Dunlap lacks is elite production. Dunlap has 17.5 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss in two seasons starting. Good but not elite production, further downgraded by the Gators dominance. Florida is 25-1 over the past two seasons, and Dunlap plays most snaps ears-pinned-back, protecting a big lead. He had a sack against Florida State and Troy, two teams that rank 48 and 53 nationally in sacks allowed. He had three sacks against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have allowed 1.67 sacks per game, which sounds mediocre at first, but bad when you consider they average 22 pass attempts a game. Mississippi State allows a sack on 7.5% of pass attempts.

Fire Timmay Treatment

Dunlap might bulk up a bit and transition to 3-4 end in the pros. He is listed at 6'6", 290. Dunlap has a good mix of stoutness and playmaking ability against the run, and the height, frame and athleticism required to push the pile, set the edge and keep blockers at bay. Seattle has four linebackers contesting for three spots, and another linebacker, Will Herring, that deserves snaps. Brandon Mebane has proven capable of commanding double teams. His first two seasons, he was bulked up and immovable, yet still agile enough to disrupt. If Seattle re-signed Cory Redding and encouraged Lawrence Jackson to grow into his frame, the pieces are in place to build a 3-4.

That, like drafting Dunlap, only happens if Ruskell is not re-signed. Some teams struggle with the transition to a 3-4, but others, like Green Bay and Denver, have thrived. The key is having the right personnel.

Mebane could be the starting nose tackle. He would rotate with Colin Cole and Red Bryant. Jackson and Redding could play end, with Bryant and Vance Walker in the mix. Nick Reed and Darryl Tapp would be situational pass rushers, and both might benefit from moving off the line. David Hawthorne and Lofa Tatupu would play inside, and Leroy Hill and Aaron Curry on the outside, or Curry inside and Hawthorne outside. The roles could be dynamic. Seattle could move Curry inside on passing downs and sub in Tapp at rush linebacker.

The Seahawks need to improve their pass rush. The team has many good pass rushers, but only two that can consistently work off the line: Patrick Kerney and Tapp. It wants to create pressure without committing additional pass rushers. All teams do. One solution is to add an elite pass rushing lineman. Another is to switch the scheme. Tapp might not benefit as much as Elvis Dumervil, but the two share size and skill sets, and Dumervil has changed from pass rushing specialist, but liability against the run, to pass rush demon--damn the run. Tapp has bulked up to better defend the run. It's worked, but at what cost? He has never looked slower or less disruptive off the edge. Reed is playing his way out of the league. Tackles spring out of their stance and chuck him like so much seventh-round garbage.

This is all food for thought. Seattle doesn't need to draft Dunlap to transition to a 3-4, but his recent arrest is an opportunity to discuss alternative paths for Seattle's young defense. Tim Ruskell does not deserve to be fired, but the move still might be in the best interest of the Seahawks. He has made some shrewd moves in his time and added talent, but like Mike Holmgren, his execution might be masking a flawed plan. Holmgren disliked trick plays, was adverse to the shotgun, and taught a twenty-year old version of the West Coast. It worked when it was perfect, crafted by the master himself, but was resource intense and fragile. I assume Ruskell is building something like to a Tampa 2. He has concerted resources into linebackers and pass rushers. Gus Bradley taught a Tampa 2 in college and broke into the NFL under Monte Kiffin.

But when was the last time a Tampa 2 defense dominated? And can a Tampa 2 succeed without a Simeon Rice, Jared Allen or Dwight Freeney? The two great Tampa 2 teams of the past are both below average defensively this season: Chicago and Tampa. I do not believe a 3-4 is intrinsically better than a 4-3, but, perhaps by accident, Ruskell has assembled a roster that fits a 3-4 in some ways better than it fits a 4-3. In the past, Seattle's best players, like Kerney and Tatupu, were 4-3 players playing in a 4-3 scheme. It could maybe make a 3-4, but was not going to. We're in flux. Ruskell has not been fired, nor re-signed. Suddenly, anything is possible. Even Seattle drafting Carlos Dunlap.

Replacing Colin Cole

John Morgan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:56:53 -0000

More photos » by LM Otero - AP

Brandon Mebane is only 24. He excelled at the one tech, but has not as quickly or effectively taken to the three tech. Mebane is signed through 2011 for third-round money. The Seahawks can be patient with his development while improving the talent around him.

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Seattle has shown patience with its players and that patience has rewarded the team. It's easy from afar to endorse canceling the Brandon-Mebane-at-three experiment. He replaced Chuck Darby like a one-tech savant, fixing the run defense and catalyzing an explosion of sacks from Darryl Tapp and Patrick Kerney. Tapp and Kerney had four sacks through six games with Darby starting at left defensive tackle. It had 17.5 in the remaining 10. Mebane became better his sophomore season. He freed sacks and led the team in sacks. Bane would pop at the snap and make a double team look foolish.

He isn't doing that this season. He is more disruptive than ever before. Mebane isn't crushing the pile into a sack, but slicing in, stringing wide and forcing passes. Instead of canceling the experiment, dropping Mebane back to one and searching this offseason for reinforcements at three, the Seahawks could replace the problem piece. Draft Dan Williams at 17 and force Colin Cole to battle Red Bryant for activation on Sunday. Maybe that motivates Bryant and reduces Cole to an obsolete stopgap finishing out the last significant year of his contract on the bench.

Williams is a crusha.

Birthdate: June 1, 1987

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 327

School: Tennessee

Starts and Game Played: 36 and 42

Stats: Five sacks, one assist, 17 hurries, 19 solo loss, seven assist lost and one blocked kick.

Quick take: Huge prototypical one-tech frame. Needs help with his first step, but already has low-level NFL pass rush moves. That's pretty beastly for a college defensive tackle. A natural athlete at the one, he has raw muscle development but a powerful, broad build. Good straight line speed.

Ruskell Sieve: Williams seems like a good kid. In this interview he is soft spoken with good things to say about his coaches. Tennessee plays in the SEC East; Ruskell's old stomping grounds. Gus Bradley has strong ties with Vols defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. Kiffin's son, head coach Lane Kiffin, said: "Our defense starts with Dan. He's a dominant force and making himself a lot of money."

Videos below.

Brandon Mebane in the First Quarter and the Optimal Defensive Line, Pt. 1

John Morgan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:05:46 -0000

More photos » by Ross Franklin - AP

Seattle took an early lead and implemented a smart strategy to defend Kurt Warner. The scheme was right, but the personnel wrong. It has the talent to field an above average pass rushing line, but it needs to sit Colin Cole.

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Has Brandon Mebane struggled to transition to the three tech? That is something I will explore deeper this week, but if he hasn't struggled, nor has he proven himself the force he was at the one tech.

Seattle has three players that are nominal three techs: Mebane, Cory Redding and Craig Terrill. Redding plays end, but is very much more a 3-4 end than a traditional 4-3 end. He influences and collapses the pocket rather than disengages and makes plays. He just isn't quick enough to edge rush and though he has been good and great at what he does, he hasn't provided much pass rush. Terrill is the standard organizational soldier type that is in turns under- and overappreciated. Seattle could upgrade but does not have to upgrade.

It has two one-tech types: Colin Cole and Red Bryant. Cole is the most reliable of the two and one of the most active tackles in Seattle's rotation. He can square against most single blocks, but that's his skill set almost in its entirety. Three tech used to be the feature tackle position in a 4-3, but the proliferation of 3-4 schemes has made the nose position in demand and three tech types less popular.

Signing Cole was a mistake. He hasn't proven much as a Seahawk and his ridiculous contract practically forces Seattle to start him. When Seattle needed its front four to provide pressure, it was exposed. Seattle's ends are average. Lawrence Jackson is developing, but is unlikely to ever be a great pass rusher. Darryl Tapp is a good speed rusher, but aside Cole, he isn't getting the one-on-one matchups he thrives against. Patrick Kerney still has burst around the edge, but his spate of injuries have sapped his upper body strength and he is as much a situational pass rusher now as Nick Reed. It's a nice foundation, but it won't strike fear into this season's opponents.

Seattle had a better front four last season, even minus Kerney. Mebane was a better one-tech than Cole, and though Rocky Bernard had little left to give, Mebane and Bernard were better collectively than Mebane and Cole. Mebane is supposed to be making plays and Cole stuffing tacklers, but Cole can't and so Mebane is again doing both. Bane does not get off blocks exceptionally well and his pass rush arsenal isn't developed. He established himself in this league as the type of punishing bull rusher that two blockers struggled to stop.

Anatomically, it's easy to see why: Mebane has an exceptionally low center of gravity, gets lower in his stance than almost anyone and erupts off the snap with such violence that many blockers are beat before they can defend themselves. As a three, a popular way of combating Mebane's explosiveness and exceptional leverage is to fade and draw his weight from over his feet. He gets ahead of himself, so to speak, and can be blocked whence unbalanced.

My notes on Mebane are mostly positive. He ran through a pulling blocker and tackled Beanie Wells for a loss of four at the start of the Cardinals second drive. He then played nose twice in a three man rush and performed ably, but wasn't able to separate. That's the problem for Brandon: He is great off the snap, but he does not consistently separate from blockers. As a one tech, Mebane was able to collapse the pocket into the quarterback and bull rush into sacks. As a three tech, he needs to be able to fight off a single block and show quickness to the ball carrier. That might not be within Mebane's ability.

Final Notes for the Third and Fourth Quarter

John Morgan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:10:59 -0000

by LM Otero - AP

I would be surprised if Matt Hasselbeck makes it through this season without missing further time.

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Here's a final notes roundup for the third quarter and whatever it was that followed.

Max Unger struggled playing from behind. Jason Hatcher ran through him with ease and hit Matt Hasselbeck, producing the image we see above.

I cringe thinking Nate Burleson is Seattle's #1 receiver. He is low motor, struggles with drops and is every bit the receiver DVOA casts him as: -5.2%. When we talk trade candidates and remaking the Seahawks roster, I hope Burleson continues his thousand yard pace and can fetch something fair this spring.

To the bitter end, Greg Knapp got his fullback involved in the pass game. To the bitter end.

Kelly Jennings has worked the futile attempt at the ball into his repertoire. It joins the "fall down", the "where's the ball", the "leapt over" and, of course, the "close but no cigar".

It's not epidemic, but it is weekly. Colin Cole was doubled almost to the first down marker and Marion Barber converted the first on his was to an easy 15.

Cory Redding played extensively at defensive tackle and looked active and disruptive. His presence inside allows Seattle a couple new looks in its rotation: the double three paired with Brandon Mebane and the hands unit paired with Red Bryant.

David Hawthorne blitzed into Mebane but moved with such force that he freed himself and Mebane from his blocker. Mebane delivered a finishing hit on Tony Romo, but Hawthorne tore through for the hit and strip. Hawthorne might be the best in-line blitzer on this roster - better even than Leroy Hill.

Jordan Babineaux continued to play ably against an elite corps of Cowboys skill position players. If he can continue to improve, don't be surprised if Babineaux is Seattle's free safety in 2010 and beyond.

David Hawthorne: Pretty Boy-seeking Missile

John Morgan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:14:04 -0000

More photos » by LM Otero - AP

Jordan Babineaux showed great spacing by consistently hitting his man before the first down marker. Felix Jones was able to spin through for the first.

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Today I finish up with last weekend's game notes. I rewatched the second quarter last night and I had an absolute blast. Here are my notes and highlights.

We left off with Seattle pulling close on one of those Greg Knapp third-down deep passes that drive folks crazy. A block in the back penalty would pin Dallas at their eight to start the next drive. Things looked up. Seattle needed its defense to hold field position and get Matt Hasselbeck the ball back.

Miles Austin responded with a beautiful catch on the right sideline. He was double covered and reached out nearly out of bounds to grab the ball. It's worth noting that Austin looked every bit the real deal, exploding out of the blocks and running tight routes.

That got Dallas out of jail. On the next play, Dallas pulled out its left side and directed fullback Deon Anderson at right end Darryl Tapp. Tapp has to win this, but doesn't and that allows Felix Jones a clean release through the hole -- Flozell Adams and Kyle Kosier blocking into the second level. Adams destroyed Aaron Curry and Jones was picked his way towards the third level. Jordan Babineaux hit him before the marker but Jones twisted for the first. It could have been worse. It should have been worse.

Brandon Mebane pressured up the middle and Leroy Hill was in position and aware of the pass on a high floater that overshot Martellus Bennett.

Dallas again targeted the Seahawks right side and doubled to stampede through Colin Cole. Deon Grant was controlling the right end and made contact with Jones at the line, but Jones spun right through Grant's tackle and reminded me again why I've stumped so vehemently for him to be positioned at free safety. Ken Lucas made a saving tackle that forced third down after a gain of nine.

Marion Barber converted the first. He was the up back.

Seattle overloads the right and Curry comes free around right end forcing Tony Romo up into the pocket. Seattle struggled with getting edge rush but failing to establish interior pressure, but this time Red Bryant plows through the right guard and forces and incomplete pass. Babineaux can be seen covering Jason Witten streaking up the right hash mark. However Seattle did it, the Seahawks shut down Witten.

Well, mostly. Patrick Kerney was taken down and that tripped Bryant and eliminated much of Seattle's rush. Cory Redding got a parting shot, but the pass was accurate and Witten received for 18.

David Hawthorne is an excellent blitzer, a stand out blitzer from the mike position. Seattle dropped its right end and overloaded the offensive right, but it wasn't a team effort that felled Romo. The goal was to free Hawthorne. Curry and Redding attempted to engage and force the Cowboy interior offensive line left. That plan was for Hawthorne to rush unabated between right guard and right tackle. Instead, Marc Colombo was squatting in Hawthorne's rush lane and Heater had to power through the giant right tackle to sack Romo. He did. That is a big league sack and Heater a major addition to Seattle's pass rush.

Romo scrambled for ten to put Dallas back into a manageable third down. Nick Reed was pwned.

The drive concluded when Lawrence Jackson pressured Romo and forced an incomplete attempt to Patrick Crayton. The resulting missed field goal put Seattle in business at their 38. Grand opening. Grand closing.

Virginia Tech at North Carolina - Game Thread: Scouting Kam Chancellor, Sergio Render, Cam Thomas, Etc

John Morgan — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:29:05 -0000

It's Thursday and that means Field Gulls long football weekend begins. Tonight's North Carolina at Virginia Tech matchup lacks the preeminent talent that last week's Florida State game had, but both teams have talent that could contribute to the Seahawks future. Here's a brief rundown and then we'll turn this post into a game thread.

VT

Kam Chancellor: I was pondering Taylor Mays yesterday. Mays shows up poorly in game film. His tendency to bring the boom but forget the brain has earned comparisons to Roy Williams. Williams was a feared run defender in his time. He was a sideline to sideline force in the box that could break down on a rusher in space and bullet backs into the turf. Ideally, Mays could be that, but not around the line like Williams, but twenty yards deep, and not blowing up rushers, but breaking up passes by blowing up receivers.

The Taylor Mays-Eric Berry dilemma ignores an important fact: Tim Ruskell has always built his safeties through developing late round picks. It isn't set in stone, but has been consistent. Jordan Babineaux is the latest, but he looks temporary. Chancellor is a hulking free safety that could be Mays lite. He is 6'4", 230 and benched 355 as a freshman. Seattle seems intent on running a cover one and keeping Deon Grant in the box. A player that could sweep the deep middle and punish receivers who challenge him would be an asset. Chancellor must first improve his cover instincts and quickness to the ball carrier. If he shows something in the next few weeks, don't be surprised if Seattle drafts him and develops him on the roster for future employment.

Ed Wang and Sergio Render: Two tech linemen that could play guard for Seattle. Wang is a slight tackle that used to be a tight end. Render is a preseason All-ACC recipient that was once considered among the best guard prospects in college football.

Jason Worilds: He isn't likely part of this coming class, but the junior end fits the Ruskell mold and is worth watching. Worlids is short but powerful.

NC

Cam Thomas: Seattle has added Colin Cole and Red Bryant, but if it intends to get keep getting bigger in the middle, allowing its ends and linebacker to run free, it should upgrade Cole and ensure against Bryant never developing. Thomas is 6'3", 330 space eater that can create a little rush. That makes him like a younger Cole, but with better upside.

The Tar Heels are little younger than the Hokies and have fewer pro prospects, but make sure to check out their linebackers. One could replace Leroy Hill someday soon. Credit to NFL Draft Scout for much of the above information. It's a peerless resource.

Seattle Seahawks Trap, Kill and Skin Jaguars 41 - 0

John Morgan — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:08:10 -0000

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP

Take a bow, Mr. Mora.

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There's a moment when you're walking at night; your shadow shifts suddenly and your lizard brain thinks: Someone's behind me. That's the Seahawks, Gold Diggers, and their armed, talented and sanguinary with revenge.

Every win can feel like the season, but something special happened today. It wasn't just Matt Hasselbeck, but the difference a competent quarterback makes is startling. It wasn't just a passing game beginning to overwhelm with its weapons, but even the Jaguars suck is not enough to discredit the way Seattle played. It was the defense. It didn't turn fluky picks into points, but the turnovers where there. It stopped Jacksonville on every single drive, every single play, every single assignment. It ruled Qwest. It tore the Jags throat out.

There isn't words for the high I'm feeling now. If this is a turning point for Seattle's D, or the turning points was last week when Gus Bradley went off in Indy, it only matters that they turned into something new, something young and dynamic and special, and God help us it never turns back.

It's realistic it never does.

Yes.

22: Nick Reed.

23: Aaron Curry,

24: Brandon Mebane, Lawrence Jackson, Josh Wilson.

25: Darryl Tapp, Red Bryant.

26: Will Herring

27: Lofa Tatupu.

That's a core to build around; a core that gets better each game.

I think Tim Ruskell has a job.

Game Ball: I'm sure I'll see it better in the coming week, but I do not think Kyle Williams was dominant or even good today. It helps a ton that the Jaguars have very little pass rush. But there's no such thing as a fourth string left tackle. Williams is officially replacement level. And Seattle won with a replacement level left tackle. How?

It's complicated but it's simple. No single player other than the quarterback makes an offense and no single player but a quarterback can ruin it. That's been true for at least ten years. Williams took a modicum of experience and turned it into a performance that kept Seattle's busted-ribs quarterback and still-learning offense clean and driving. Do I sing of Kyle Williams, no, I sing of Mike Solari.

Mike Solari has kept this line functioning. Jim Mora may not master a press conference and he's no genius, but he identifies coaching talent like few others. Solari, Greg Knapp, Gus Bradely, Dan Quinn, Tim Lewis and Zerrick Rollins, take a bow. You too, Mr. Mora.

Red Bryant Shoots into Backfield, Attempts Strip While Stopping Garrett Wolfe for a Loss of One; Bears: Three and Out

John Morgan — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:47:05 -0000

More photos » by John Froschauer - AP

This was a fumble. Then it wasn't. Will it matter?

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Lovie Smith's Garrett Wolfe package worked as well as one would expect a Garrett Wolfe package to work. Seattle forced a quick three and out punctuated by Red Bryant exploding into the backfield and tackling Wolfe for a loss. Seahawks ball.

A Little of that Old Greg Knapp Magic; A Dash of that Old John Marshall Impotence

John Morgan — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:30:32 -0000

More photos » by Marcio Sanchez - AP

Meaningful football was coming to an end, but before Frank Gore could do this, Seattle conducted a wobbly two minute drill that left its quarterback and fans red-faced.

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We left off with Seattle hiccupping its way through a two minute drill. As seamless as Seattle was against the Rams, the Seahawks were equally rough against the 49ers. Even this drive, its lone scoring drive, was all fits and starts. It had the brevity and timing of a bad joke by your drunken uncle. The payoff was red-faced nausea. It was the last meaningful drive of the game.

Frank Gore took the ball on the first play of second half and ran away Seattle's slim hopes of a come back. I will encapsulate the third and fourth quarter in a couple notes pieces. It wasn't meaningful or representative football, one can debate if it was even competitive football, but it was developmental football. Players like Aaron Curry, Will Herring and Red Bryant, players that are important to Seattle's future, played and displayed their polish and progress. That deserves attention even in the least competitive environment. For a half, it was preseason all over again.

Seattle ran a wide receiver screen on its next play. Seattle set in trips left, with Deon Butler, John Carlson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh forming the left, top and right angles of the triangle. This is the kind of designed play I love. Get the ball in a receiver's hands and attack the cornerback's cushion. Housh ran behind a couple determined blocks for six and the first. Say what you will about his long speed, Housh hasn't lost much quickness or agility.

The next two plays resulted from that conservative, but efficient screen pass and especially the hurry up offense. Seattle split three wide, with Carlson at left tight end. San Francisco set in its basic 4-2 nickel and sent its back seven in a cover-3 zone defense. Houshmandzadeh was in the slot and Deon Butler and Nate Burleson manned the outside. Carlson and Housh ran ten yards and hooked in, drawing underneath coverage. Butler and Burleson went fifteen yards and hooked out, between the safety, outside linebacker and cornerback zones. It's a classic cover 3 buster, and kudos to Matt Hasselbeck and Burleson for teaming to find the soft spot. Burleson settled in and then faded back on Hasselbeck's perfectly placed floater.

Seattle was driving with a mix of quick hitters and zone splitters. The 49ers front four couldn't pressure in time, and man and zone coverage had failed. Mike Singletary ordered a stampede. A stampede formation involves no down linemen. The front seven mills around like cattle. The goal is to confuse offensive line assignments and disguise the blitz. It's a solid formation, rather avant-garde for the NFL, but can't overcome the seven man blitz. Deon Butler was single covered on the outside left and Shawntae Spencer too concerned about being beat deep to react to Butler's short curl. Such is the power of speed. Such is the power of complimentary play calls. Such is the impotence of the seven-man blitz.

Aaron Curry Requests an Apology

John Morgan — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:17:35 -0000

More photos » by Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP

Allowing Old Man Norris to rush for fifteen yards is angering, but don't direct your anger at Aaron Curry.

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The defender closest to the play is blamed. The player closest to the play is rarely at fault.

San Francisco started their drive with an inside hand off to Moran Norris for fifteen. Seahawks fans might do it begrudgingly, but instead of blaming Aaron Curry, we should credit Jimmy Raye. Raye mercilessly attacked Seattle's inexperienced linebackers. After twice running a misdirection pitch left on the preceding drive, this rush was the payoff. Gore motioned pitch out left, but Hill handed off to Norris. Curry read the play and positioned himself, but he was isolated and out of luck. Joe Staley pulled across the line and into the hole. Curry did what he could to stop Staley. Jordan Babineaux stopped Norris after fifteen.

The player most at fault is David Hawthorne. Will Herring and Deon Grant were over the offensive left, but Hawthorne started beside Curry over offensive right. Hawthorne was too aggressive and pursued the fake, taking himself out of the play. If Hawthorne was more disciplined, Curry cuts down Staley and Hawthorne tackles Norris after a minimal gain.

The rest of the drive can be summed up in a few lines.

Second play: Red Bryant stuffs the line and Curry wraps around left end to finish a staggering Frank Gore.
Seattle puts in its double over tackle package and Bryant's presence allows Cole to isolate left guard David Baas. Cole bullies Baas into the pocket and tips Shaun Hill's pass.
Patrick Kerney reads the shovel pass and tackles Frank Gore before the play can start.
Field goal.