Week 8: Seahawks on bye, news...

[4XPIPS]

It's reported that the Seahawks have released TE Eric Saubert today. To make room for rookie Robbie Ouzts to rejoin the 53. He was our veteran TE of the group, and went through the entire training camp and played a decent amount of snaps for us. I know Brady Russell, who was originally drafted as a TE, and switched to FB, will probably go back to being the third TE, and Ouzts is back at FB.

There are reports that the Seahawks want to try and sign him back to the PS, and keep him around. However, I wouldn't be shocked if the 49ers sign him, considering all their injuries, and get information from him about our offense.

Other news, Tyler Lockett had asked to be released, and he has. He has stated he wants to compete with a contender, adn isn't looking to retire. I don't see Lockett coming back in any fashion to the Hawks, but it would hurt to see him sign with the 49ers or Rams, as both are still competing, and both teams have injuries in their WR depth.

There has also been a report that Mike Macdonald has pulled the plug on starting Tyrice Knight, and the reason we have seen more of Drake Thomas starting in place of him. He did comment that Drake has done well, but at times was found out of position, and is potentially searching for a savvy veteran to come in and play alongside E Jones and solidify the middle for a deep run in the playoffs. One trade target would be veteran Demario Davis of the Saints, who is 36, but led the team in tackles last year, and is leading the team in tackles currently. The Saints are 1-6, and are one of the worst salary-capped teams for this season and next season, will look to part ways with veterans for late draft capital and clear some money off the books. I guess giving up a day 3 pick for Davis wouldn't be such a bad tilt.

I know Demario Davis has been playing for a bit, but would he be an upgrade from Drake Thomas?

[Aseahawkfan]

My opinion hasn't changed. This not a contending team. I want to keep draft capital and build for the long-term with young, cheap players. I do not expect a "deep" run in the playoffs. This team has too many holes and is playing a weak schedule making them look better than they are. Any ridiculous trades would show me that John Schneider is assessing the team's strength incorrectly like Pete did for so many years. I want to see John Schneider has properly assessed this team, understands we are playing a weak schedule, and will retain draft capital to build a strong, young team on cheap contracts making moves in free agency where we have ability to acquire inexpensive quality talent to shore up weak positions.

When you trade for a player, you give them leverage in free agency because you will look bad trading draft capital then not re-signing the player. They can command a premium contract.

If I'm wrong and this team is a real contender, then they don't need any trades. They're a contender right now and capable of a "deep" playoff run. Teams do not become contenders due to a single midseason trade. They are already strong contenders capable of real playoff contention or they need more drafts that one player won't fix.

I don't think they should make any trades. Just play it out and see where they really are. Assess needs at the end of the season, then move in the draft and free agency to shore up positions where they have leverage and draft capital.

Patience, good drafting, and proper team assessment builds Super Bowl winners and strong teams, not midseason trades.

[NorthHawk]

I like what I saw from Ouzts before he was injured. Maybe he's now perfectly healthy and can really contribute to the run game. Having both him and Barner blocking can't hurt as well with Arroyo seemingly starting to get more trust from Darnold and beginning to produce this Offense just might get a little bit better.

I would give up a late round pick for a solid veteran at this time. He shouldn't cost much and he could help shore up the LB corps.

The biggest test for how good we actually are is when we face the Rams. They are always a pain to play against and have been doing well this year again.
If we beat them we might be in the mix for a run into the playoffs that might be longer than expected. Maybe like 2012 when we just barely lost to the Falcons?
But the main thing is we are getting better as a team and it's fun to watch.

[Aseahawkfan]

I still don't believe in Darnold in a tough game with it all on the line in the playoffs against a quality team. I'm about tired of quality regular season play followed by choking in the playoffs when the opponent can focus on beating your weaknesses because your QB can't overcome them. That's what I view as a Fool's Gold QB.

It will be nice to get Robbie back. He is solid. I hope he can stay healthy. FBs are and were the battering ram of the NFL. A battering ram that can't take the battering part would be a disappointment. The dude is young, so he should be able to bounce back.

[NorthHawk]

Those QBs that can take a team over the hump to a championship are pretty rare but many QBs win SB's if they have a very good Defense. Darnold might not be at the top echelon but I think he can get us to the big game if he just plays his game and the OC doesn't call some high risk plays.

[Aseahawkfan]

Those QBs that can take a team over the hump to a championship are pretty rare but many QBs win SB's if they have a very good Defense. Darnold might not be at the top echelon but I think he can get us to the big game if he just plays his game and the OC doesn't call some high risk plays.

I'm doubtful he can. Darnold looks to me like a guy that racks up most of his stats against weak teams. Then when he runs into a good team in the playoffs, you see his real quality.

Sure, we've seen teams win Super Bowls in off years against weak competition if they have the best defense in the league like Tampa Bay against the Rich Gannon-led Raiders or the Baltimore Ravens record setting defense against the Kerry Collins led Giants. But that's not a wise way to build a team for long-term success.

Right now we don't have the best defense in the league. Our defense has holes in it. And the offense is doing well enough against weak teams, but is hardly being tested against the best in the league in the playoffs.

If Schneider wants to be a great GM, he'll be able to find an upgrade to Sam Darnold to pair with JSN and push the team to the next level while also finding a great MLB to be the leader of the defense. Right now we're missing two big pieces of a great team in leadership positions. One is the QB that will make use a contender and a defensive leader MLB that will QB the defense and make our middle defense strong. I have trouble seeing us contending well even if trying to use the build a great defense and hope for a one off model some are advocating for.

[jshawaii22]

If Tyler would sign for Vets minimum or close to it, with some incentives, why not? I think our #5 receiver got hurt in last weeks game, and its not like he needs to come in and dominate.
Having another possession receiver who gets first downs... I'll take that going forward.

[River Dog]

Those QBs that can take a team over the hump to a championship are pretty rare but many QBs win SB's if they have a very good Defense. Darnold might not be at the top echelon but I think he can get us to the big game if he just plays his game and the OC doesn't call some high risk plays.

I'm with North Hawk on this one. Darnold has done everything right so far this season. He's not a dynamic, dual threat quarterback like a Mahomes or Allen, but he's a veteran who is a definite upgrade over our previous QB. His stat line, while not top 5, is very respectable: 68.2% completion rate, 250 yards per game, 12:4 TD:INT ratio, 109 passer rating, taken just 9 sacks in 7 games. With Darnold under center, we're a top 10 offense measured by yards, top 5 in points scored.

Whatever is holding this team back from not being considered a legitimate SB contender, it isn't the quarterback. Plenty of teams have won Lombardis with lesser QB's than Sam Darnold. He allows us to look at improving other areas of our team until that elusive QBOTF comes into our crosshairs. And who knows? Maybe we'll catch lightening in a bottle.

[Aseahawkfan]

I'm with North Hawk on this one. Darnold has done everything right so far this season. He's not a dynamic, dual threat quarterback like a Mahomes or Allen, but he's a veteran who is a definite upgrade over our previous QB. His stat line, while not top 5, is very respectable: 68.2% completion rate, 250 yards per game, 12:4 TD:INT ratio, 109 passer rating, taken just 9 sacks.

Whatever is holding this team back from not being considered a legitimate SB contender, it isn't the quarterback. Plenty of teams have won Lombardis with lesser QB's than Sam Darnold. He allows us to look at improving other areas of our team until that elusive QBOTF comes into our crosshairs. And who knows? Maybe we'll catch lightening in a bottle.

We'll see what you think come playoff time when Darnold gets shutdown or starts turning the ball over. Darnold is 8 years in to his NFL career. I have no idea why people think after 8 years someone like Darnold is going to become a competitive playoff QB.

About the same as I didn't understand why some fans and the local media suddenly thought Geno was the answer at QB.

I'm not a big believer that QBs in year 8 suddenly become Super Bowl contenders. And lightning in a bottle is not a standard for Super Bowl contention or team building.

[River Dog]

I'm with North Hawk on this one. Darnold has done everything right so far this season. He's not a dynamic, dual threat quarterback like a Mahomes or Allen, but he's a veteran who is a definite upgrade over our previous QB. His stat line, while not top 5, is very respectable: 68.2% completion rate, 250 yards per game, 12:4 TD:INT ratio, 109 passer rating, taken just 9 sacks.

Whatever is holding this team back from not being considered a legitimate SB contender, it isn't the quarterback. Plenty of teams have won Lombardis with lesser QB's than Sam Darnold. He allows us to look at improving other areas of our team until that elusive QBOTF comes into our crosshairs. And who knows? Maybe we'll catch lightening in a bottle.

We'll see what you think come playoff time when Darnold gets shutdown or starts turning the ball over. Darnold is 8 years in to his NFL career. I have no idea why people think after 8 years someone like Darnold is going to become a competitive playoff QB.

About the same as I didn't understand why some fans and the local media suddenly thought Geno was the answer at QB.

I'm not a big believer that QBs in year 8 suddenly become Super Bowl contenders. And lightning in a bottle is not a standard for Super Bowl contention or team building.

At this point, I'm not thinking about the playoffs (queue Jim Mora Sr: Playoffs?!) And I thought that you weren't either, as you keep telling us how this team is not a legitimate SB contender.

My point is that Darnold has done everything right this season. He is not what's holding us back.

[c_hawkbob]

Our playoff probability right now is 72%. Not thinking playoff possibilities at this point is willfully "Debby Downer".

[River Dog]

Our playoff probability right now is 72%. Not thinking playoff possibilities at this point is willfully "Debby Downer".

I certainly don't expect others to adapt my philosophy. but my POV is that no matter how good or bad our team is, I don't start thinking playoffs until after Thanksgiving. Call it Debby Downer if you like, but I've been down this road before and have learned not to count my chickens before they hatch.

The other thing is that simply making the playoffs isn't good enough for me. When 14 out of the 32 teams qualify for them, it's not that big of a deal. I want a team that is a legitimate threat to go to the SB. Whether or not this year's addition is that team remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful that we'll get there sooner than many of us expect.

[NorthHawk]

Players (and QBs in particular) depend upon the situation they land in. Just look at the best QBs in the last 20 years and you see those that succeed are those in situations that fit them be it scheme, or coaching. Would Mahomes be as good without Reid and his Offense? Would Baker Mayfield have done better his first few years if he landed in a place that's just like the Bucs of today and I often wonder what would Tom Brady's career look like if he was drafted into a dysfunctional organization like Cleveland? I'm pretty certain he wouldn't have the SB rings he has now and I doubt he would be talked about as the GOAT.
Darnold was drafted by the Jets - the team where QBs fail at a prodigious rate. He has said he didn't learn how to play QB in the NFL until he got to SF. That system seems to fit him pretty well and he looks comfortable in it. How good could he have been if he was drafted by SF? We will never know and he may never reach the expectations from his draft position but he can be a very good QB if the OC and surrounding players allow him to be. And that's enough to win a championship somewhere down the road.

[Aseahawkfan]

At this point, I'm not thinking about the playoffs (queue Jim Mora Sr: Playoffs?!) And I thought that you weren't either, as you keep telling us how this team is not a legitimate SB contender.

My point is that Darnold has done everything right this season. He is not what's holding us back.

You already know what I think and you just posted the same thing about 14 of 32 teams making the playoffs, thus making the playoffs doesn't make you a contender. It's more like being an undermatch jobber at a pro wrestling show. Sure, you're there, but not to win it all.

Darnold will be part of the problem if we get everything built around him and he stands out as a sore thumb as not able to win in the big games. The team is bad enough right now that Darnold is getting hyped up. Then when the team is built and good, then Darnold suddenly becomes the guy that can't get you over the hump. What then? Spend another 5 to 10 years making the playoffs and losing because the rest of the league is so bad? You gonna be happy with that? Spend your Golden Years watching futility because we got coaches and GMs getting hyped on recycled QBs that the local sports media pushes as "the answer." Screw that.

My hope is John already knows Darnold is another bridge QB to provide a minimal level of quality play until John finds the right young QB to be "the man." John Schneider is from Green Bay. Green Bay has not gone without a top performing QB for 30 plus years. Favre 1992 to 2007. Then Rodgers from 2008 to 2022. Then Jordan Love 2022 to current. That is 33 years of having a top QB.

John Schneider is from Green Bay. He knows what a great QB looks like. He should be able to pick one. I hope he picks one sooner than later, though the draft also has to cooperate.

So are other teams lucky? Or is there some ability to pick and develop a quality QB that most don't have. How did Green Bay get one of the best QBs of all time in Aaron Rodgers with the 24th pick? How did Kansas City end up with Patrick Mahomes at pick 10? How did San Francisco find Joe Montana in the third round? How is Kyle Shanahan making Mr. Irrelevant look like a Super Bowl capable QB? Seems some coaches and GMs know how to pick and develop a QB. I'm wondering why it's so hard for most teams, but Green Bay is on great QB number 3 in the past 30 years while we're recycling Sam Darnold.

I'm hoping that John Schneider has something in mind. Why can't we pick a better QB talent?

[NorthHawk]

It’s not like Darnold is on a long term deal. If they should draft a surprisingly better QB, it wouldn’t cost much to move on.

the key to winning championships without a top QB is a dominating defense and we are well on our way to having that.

[River Dog]

It’s not like Darnold is on a long term deal. If they should draft a surprisingly better QB, it wouldn’t cost much to move on.

the key to winning championships without a top QB is a dominating defense and we are well on our way to having that.

Exactly. In signing Sam Darnold, we have not compromised our position one iota when it comes to drafting or trading for a QBOTF if we can identify one.

I'm comfortable with the strategy. And with Darnold, we have at the minimum a very good bridge quarterback, at least at this point in the season, and an undeniable upgrade from what we've had the past couple of seasons. Will the wheels fall off the wagon once we get to the playoffs assuming that we get that far? Very possible, maybe even likely. But let's cross that bridge when we come to it. Sam Darnold is playing extremely well so far. I'm not sure why it's so difficult to acknowledge that by adding qualifiers that have yet to occur.

[burrrton]

Sam Darnold is playing extremely well so far. I'm not sure why it's so difficult to acknowledge that by adding qualifiers that have yet to occur.

This is about where I'm coming down as well. I know all about the "ifs and buts..." stuff, but the glass half full view is we're two plays from being 7-0 (Purdy TD to beat us was a fluke, and the Darnold INT against TB was a mistake he doesn't make very often, wasn't it?).

Darnold certainly has a longer track record of mediocrity, but the change in systems seems to be suiting him well. Let it play out.

[River Dog]

Sam Darnold is playing extremely well so far. I'm not sure why it's so difficult to acknowledge that by adding qualifiers that have yet to occur.

This is about where I'm coming down as well. I know all about the "ifs and buts..." stuff, but the glass half full view is we're two plays from being 7-0 (Purdy TD to beat us was a fluke, and the Darnold INT against TB was a mistake he doesn't make very often, wasn't it?).

Darnold certainly has a longer track record of mediocrity, but the change in systems seems to be suiting him well. Let it play out.

Your point is well taken. The only two games we've lost were both very winnable if we catch a break or two. The Niners game in particular irritated the hell out of me when Macdonald not only chose to kick a medium range FG on 4th and one but did so without so much as lining up to see if they could draw the defense offside. I still haven't gotten over that.

Darnold had the best season of his career last year playing for a very mediocre Vikings team that went 13-4 with Darnold yet is currently just 3-4, so what he's doing so far this season can't be considered an anomaly. And speaking of the Vikings, I wonder how many of their fans wish they had Darnold back. Their QBOTF isn't looking so hot.