SB Nation User Blog: diehard82

Who would you like to see Seattle target in free-agency?

diehard82 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:04:17 -0000

And of course, why?

For my part, I'm looking at current needs, and with the understanding (or belief on my part) that rookies don't always (some would say rarely) make an immediate impact by filling a need adequately, I want the Hawks to target an area of immediate need. In my mind that is O-line, D-line and D-backs.

I offer three options:

1. Aaron Kampman-DE Green Bay

Kampman was apprehensive about the switch to 3-4 OLB and based on results thus far, with good reason. He's done an admirable job by most accounts, but only has 3.5 sacks and prefers his hand in the dirt. In 2006-2007 he led the NFL with 23.5 sacks. He'll be 30 next year, so could start to suffer the typical drop-off in DE performance, as has been experienced with Kerney. Still, I have to believe he'd prefer to play in a 4-3, and I think he'd provide the improved QB pressure we need. Clearly, Seattle would have to part with Kerney and his salary if they sign Kampman.

2. Richard Seymour-DT Oakland

Oakland made a mind-boggling trade for Seymour who was reluctant about the move and remains unsigned beyond this season. He has dramatically improved Oakland's D-line play; however, I'd be shocked if he desires to stay in Oakland. He's been one of the premier 4-3 DT's and could seriously upgrade Seattle's D-line, allowing Mebane to move back to 1-tech. The totality of signing Seymour would not only make for a stout run defense, but also improve QB pressure. Cole would be relegated to competing with Bryant for playing time inside, or released or traded.

3. Oshiomogho Atogwe-FS St. Louis

Playing under St. Louis franchise tag, if St. Louis doesn't hammer out a long-term deal with him, Atogwe will command big money in spite of a down year. But then, who besides Steven Jackson hasn't had a down year in St. Louis? I still hope and believe Trufant will return to Pro-Bowl form, and Wilson is steady, so I view Safety as the bigger need. Atogwe has the added benefit of depriving St. Louis of their best defensive player, so ++ in value. At 28, he's getting up there in age, but no reason to believe he doesn't have 4-5 more years of excellent play left in those legs.

Bird-brained idea, or Genius?

diehard82 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:43:49 -0000

Should the Hawks do a deal with the Eagles, sending Wallace to Philly and Kolb to Seattle?

Facts:

Hasselbeck just turned 34, but barring a career ending injury will be the starter in 2010, the last year of his current contract. Provided he stays healthy (which he hasn't done in years) and plays well, Seattle could extend his contract for another year or two.

McNabb is about to turn 33, but but barring a career ending injury will be the starter in 2010, the final year of his current contract (restructured last June for pay increases in 2009-10, but no extension yet). Provided he stays healthy and plays well, Philly would have a tough time not extending his contract.

Kolb was drafted by the Eagles in 2007, early in the 2nd round. He did not play in '07, very limited in '08, and has started several games in '09 when McNabb was injured, playing very well. He is in the 3rd year of 4 year deal, so will be FA in 2011. Philly will either need to release him, make him the starter, or pay him a lot of money for a backup QB. He will have good value as a FA, not unlike Matt Schaub.

Wallace was drafted by the Hawks in 2003, in the 4th round. He has played extensively during the last 5 seasons during injuries to Hasselbeck and for the most part has played fairly well. He will have only fair FA value, despite his experience.

Opinion:

Trading Wallace and the Denver pick (late 1st round) to Philly for Kolb and early 3rd round pick (that we sent to Philly last draft, in other words what would have been our pick anyway) has good value for both franchises.

Value for Seattle:

Kolb has much more upside than Wallace as the future starter, and is a better prospect than Teel. He should be very capable of stepping in if Hass goes down in 2010 and gives Seattle a legitimate option to not extend Hass contract. Teel can continue to develop as the future #2. While signing Kolb to a new contract won't be cheap, it won't be as expensive as a top 15 draft pick. We get value for Wallace before he's a FA and get back our missing 3rd round pick. The deal is somewhat reminiscent of the way we obtained Hass, who was stuck behind Favre, from Green Bay.

Value for Philly:

McNabb is younger than Hass, better and less injury prone. His future has more legs. Wallace represents a cheaper backup than Kolb, he has more experience, and he also brings some of the skills of Vick, who should be released anyway because his optional 2nd year will cost Philly $5.2M. Philly gets another 1st rounder and has two 3rd's, so can afford to give one up. They can use a mid or late round pick on a developmental QB who could be ready 3-4 years down the road and be a cheap #3 in the interim.

Tidbit:

So, what do you think Field Gulls, Genius, or a Bird-brained idea?

Kolb is an avid hunter; it has been reported that the native Texan hunts wild hogs with a couple of dogs and a 12-inch bowie knife. He asserts that controlling the hog population is an essential part of protecting his hometown's crops. "One hog can ruin an entire field of crops in just one night. They dig up and eat the roots. They need to be controlled," says Kolb.[5]

Bad news for the Niners

diehard82 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:12:47 -0000

Bad news for the Niners

Niners lose Staley and Clements. At 3-4 and Seattle at 2-5, a win over Detroit combined with Niners loss to the Titans evens up the record. And thanks to the Panthers dumping the Cards, they are at 4-3 and facing the Bears next week. Is the season really lost? I think not.

Ratliff will start after all...Damn...Start licking those wounds Spencer

diehard82 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:53:30 -0000

Ratliff will start after all...Damn...Start licking those wounds Spencer

Ex-Seahawk Koren Robinson suspended...again...this time from that other league

diehard82 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:49:15 -0000

Ex-Seahawk Koren Robinson suspended...again...this time from that other league

What's Bugging Me

diehard82 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:19:20 -0000

Several things keep bugging me, so this is a bit of a venting exercise, but I'd love to know if I'm alone or if the same things are bugging you.

First, hearing people say that you have to build through the draft and not free-agency. Frequently, those same people point to the Steelers as an example franchise. In my mind it's like a bicycle wheel. Once you have it spinning fast, it doesn't take as much effort to keep it spinning. Once you have a successful NFL team stocked with talent, it's easy to keep re-stocking through the draft, filling free-ageny losses with depth you already had on the roster and backfilling depth through the draft. And when you re-load with extra 2nd and 3rd round picks every year, like the Patriots seem to be able to do, it helps. Very little reliance on rookies in a starting role. For all the other teams who have so many holes that they can't fill them in one or two drafts, playing the free-agent market seems not only logical, but necessary. And you have to pay. Free agents have choices (mostly). It's about the money, but not just the money. Where to raise your family. Which team gets TV time and improves the opportunity for pro-bowl and MVP bonuses, etc... Seattle is at a disadvantage. Therefore, if we want a specific FA, we'll have to pay them and woo them away from what may be more favorable situations. Like we did Burleson, Kearney and Housh. We overpaid, because if we hadn't we wouldn't have been successful. Once we start winning more, we'll get more National coverage and that will make recruiting easier. We have to find a way to get over the hump and then keep the wheel spinning.

Cut blocking. I keep hearing about Greg Knapps zone blocking system and reliance on small quick guys who cut block. As an ex-lineman, I can tell you it's no different than the pass/run ratio. If you don't keep it balanced the defenses stack against your tendencies. If an O-lineman is predictable, cut blocking too often, it makes it easier for the D-lineman to beat you. It's only effective when they don't know it's coming. If you are so small that you can't overpower or hold the point of attack about half the time, and they know you must rely on cut-blocking, they'll beat you more than they should. There are no short-cuts. We need a big, nasty O-line if we want to run the ball with authority. Zone blocking is just a system for determining who will be assigned to who. In theory it makes the O-line job less complicated. Cut blocking is just a technique. If your RB can and will hit the hole quickly, it can be effective in freezing the D-line long enough for the RB to get to the second level. If the RB hesitates or dances too much it's not effective. Relying on it too much makes as much sense as running the option or passing 90% of the time. When I hear that we want small, nimble lineman who will cut-block in our zone blocking system, it makes me think we've already given up on the idea that we will have a dominant running game. Being able to get push on the 1 yard line is not something I'd willingly sacrifice.

So, what do you think? Is it just me? Am I not understanding something? Does it seem that we're trying to use a gimmick to make up for lack of talent?

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that Deion Branch is being shopped

diehard82 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:08:01 -0000

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that Deion Branch is being shopped

Is this a surprise? Will there be any interest?

Mark Lewis - OG Oregon added to practice squad

diehard82 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:48:40 -0000

Mark Lewis - OG Oregon added to practice squad

Miami signed undrafted OG Mark Lewis hours after the draft. They tried to make a Center out of him but he was plagued with high snaps in pre-season. He was cut Sep 6th, and picked up by the Hawks two days ago. Obviously, we don't need him to play Center, just add depth to an injury riddled O-line. Lewis (6-4, 300) played in 35 games for the Ducks over four seasons, initially playing offensive tackle before sliding into guard. Could he develop into a solid starting guard?

O.J.Atogwe dating Singletary's daughter and why that would work to Seattle's favor

diehard82 — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:28:45 -0000

O.J.Atogwe dating Singletary's daughter and why that would work to Seattle's favor

The link is to a PFT article about O.J.Atogwe, St. Louis Safety dating Mike Singletary's daughter. Fluff, except that could work in Seattle's favor. Atogwe was slapped with the franchise tag this year, and will be UFA after this season. St. Louis could franchise him again, but they also have other UFA's to protect, including QB Kyle Boller, OT Alex Barron, OG Richie Ingognito (snicker!), 3 DE's, 3 TE's, DT Clifton Ryan, etc...

Let me cut to the chase. Jill Singletary is attending the Academy of Arts in San Fran where she also plays volleyball. O.J. won't want to play for future father in law, even if San Fran could use Safety help, and I don't know that they do. Seattle would be a short flight away in the same time zone, and we DO need Safety help. Rather than burn a 1st or 2nd round pick on a rookie, I'd say make Atogwe our one high profile FA acquisition, and focus on QB, RB, O-line and D-line in the first half of the draft. All predicated of course, on St. Louis NOT franchising him again.

Locker tops National Football Post SUPER 30!

diehard82 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:08:25 -0000

Locker tops National Football Post SUPER 30!

While I'm high on Locker, I think he would be better served to play another year under Sark. Having said that, Bradford may be wishing he'd followed Sanchez's lead, and Locker may feel that a year behind Hasselbeck (wishful thinking on my part) may serve him better.

UPDATE: ESPN's Scout's Inc still has Bradford as #1 in their top 32 draft prospects, but Locker is moved up to #7. There is a lot of love for Locker right now, and his performance against Notre Dame tomorrow may go a long way to determining whether he is viewed as the next great franchise QB prospect ala Sanchez, Stafford and a lock for a top 5 pick next April.