Cassius Marsh: The anti Carpenter

[RiverDog]

1. Cassius Marsh's conditioning = phenomenal

After the Seahawks drafted him in the fourth round out of UCLA, Marsh said that before his senior season, he lost 7 pounds participating in a Navy SEAL training course along with his teammates. He never did manage to gain that weight back in college, and he showed up in Seattle at 255 pounds. While he does expect to gain weight as a pro, that's not going to come at the expense of his athleticism and his speed. Marsh was the "most active guy out there" at rookie minicamp, according to coach Pete Carroll, and Michael Bennett last year showed that size isn't everything when it comes to Seattle's defensive line. Marsh has both the conditioning and the technique to make an immediate push for playing time.


http://mynorthwest.com/422/2525758/What ... e-minicamp

Keep an eye on this guy. He could be our biggest rookie surprise and another PC/JS mid to late round steal.

The article is a pretty objective review of our rookie class.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

Mornin' River.

Glad you put this one up; this is a guy I wanted to talk about. I'm really pumped about his comparisons to Bennet, and Carroll and Co. obviously have a plan for him. This guy is a worker and he's hungry. I know nothing has worked out yet, but this looks like another example of our FO getting the right kind of player for the right position. High hopes for this one.

[c_hawkbob]

It'd be more fair to compare him to a player at his same position, or at least the same side of the ball ... anyone but an O-lineman, who need to carry as much weight as they can (within reason).

[RiverDog]

It'd be more fair to compare him to a player at his same position, or at least the same side of the ball ... anyone but an O-lineman, who need to carry as much weight as they can (within reason).

My intent wasn't to compare a DE to an OG, it was to compare a work ethic in one player that is not present in another. But I will admit that my choice of thread titles wasn't entirely appropriate. We've beaten up on Carpenter quite a bit lately, it's probably time for a moratorium.

Besides, the reason I started the thread was to discuss Cassius Marsh, not necessarily to compare him to Carpenter. After doing some research, this guy could be a sleeper.

[NorthHawk]

He's one of the many I didn't know much about.
However, reading about him, he's a high effort guy who just might have the will to be an excellent DL at the NFL level.
If you look at his College career, he might have been regarded higher if he wasn't overshadowed by Barr.
He also improved every year in College - which you would hope, but not every player does between their junior and senior years.

He seems a little light for a DT, is he expected to move outside?

[HumanCockroach]

He's Reed with more talent....LOL...

I really liked this selection when they made it. Guys a warrior and I prefer that in defensive lineman ( hell I like that across the board) solid pick IMHO. One that maybe years from now will be another "steal" for this FO.

[Zorn76]

Love to see Marsh light it up this year as a rook.

Our secondary is lights out no matter what, but any additional pressure up front will be noticed.

It's old news, but I think had we landed Chad Allen, the Seahawks would just about be guaranteed another SB appearance. As it is, if Harvin can put together a full season, it could be just as impactful.

[RiverDog]

Love to see Marsh light it up this year as a rook.

Our secondary is lights out no matter what, but any additional pressure up front will be noticed.

It's old news, but I think had we landed Chad Allen, the Seahawks would just about be guaranteed another SB appearance. As it is, if Harvin can put together a full season, it could be just as impactful.

You mean Jared Allen?

North Hawk, Marsh weighed in at 252. At one time in college, he weighed 300 lbs but described himself at that weight as "sloppy". He says his goal is to be somewhere in the 270 lb region by the time camp opens, and at 6'4", that ought to be a pretty good weight for him.

But I do worry a bit about our overall run stopping ability now that Red is gone. There were times last year that we were really susceptible to the run.

[NorthHawk]

Love to see Marsh light it up this year as a rook.

Our secondary is lights out no matter what, but any additional pressure up front will be noticed.

It's old news, but I think had we landed Chad Allen, the Seahawks would just about be guaranteed another SB appearance. As it is, if Harvin can put together a full season, it could be just as impactful.

You mean Jared Allen?

North Hawk, Marsh weighed in at 252. At one time in college, he weighed 300 lbs but described himself at that weight as "sloppy". He says his goal is to be somewhere in the 270 lb region by the time camp opens, and at 6'4", that ought to be a pretty good weight for him.

But I do worry a bit about our overall run stopping ability now that Red is gone. There were times last year that we were really susceptible to the run.

They want him to play inside at Bennetts position. Isn't 270 a little light for a DT?

[c_hawkbob]

They want him to play inside at Bennetts position. Isn't 270 a little light for a DT?

Not for our NASCAR package.

[HumanCockroach]

How? Bennett weighs in at 274, so I would think that is the right weight range.

( and Bennett isn't a DT, he's a DE who slides in on pass rushing downs, having the ability to have him slide down, and have a similar disruptive force still on the end, should be a boon, or vice versa).

[mykc14]

Love to see Marsh light it up this year as a rook.

Our secondary is lights out no matter what, but any additional pressure up front will be noticed.

It's old news, but I think had we landed Chad Allen, the Seahawks would just about be guaranteed another SB appearance. As it is, if Harvin can put together a full season, it could be just as impactful.

You mean Jared Allen?

North Hawk, Marsh weighed in at 252. At one time in college, he weighed 300 lbs but described himself at that weight as "sloppy". He says his goal is to be somewhere in the 270 lb region by the time camp opens, and at 6'4", that ought to be a pretty good weight for him.

But I do worry a bit about our overall run stopping ability now that Red is gone. There were times last year that we were really susceptible to the run.

They want him to play inside at Bennetts position. Isn't 270 a little light for a DT?

Bennett is 6'4" 274.

[NorthHawk]

Not many have that slipperiness that allows Bennett to get penetration - I hope Marsh has it.
How many DTs play in the mid 270s these days? That's more like a DE weight.

I remember Alan Page in his last years got lighter every year. His theory was he was quicker off the snap and could be more disruptive that way.
It worked for him, but he had developed the techniques and leverages to be able to use the lighter weight to his advantage.
I think Bennett is similar - he showed flashes early in his career, but as he perfected his technique he was able to use it to his advantage.

Imagine the NASCAR package with 2 Bennetts creating pressure up the middle and the ends pressing from the edges.
This could be fun to watch if it works out.

[HumanCockroach]

Not many have that slipperiness that allows Bennett to get penetration - I hope Marsh has it.
How many DTs play in the mid 270s these days? That's more like a DE weight.

I remember Alan Page in his last years got lighter every year. His theory was he was quicker off the snap and could be more disruptive that way.
It worked for him, but he had developed the techniques and leverages to be able to use the lighter weight to his advantage.
I think Bennett is similar - he showed flashes early in his career, but as he perfected his technique he was able to use it to his advantage.

Imagine the NASCAR package with 2 Bennetts creating pressure up the middle and the ends pressing from the edges.
This could be fun to watch if it works out.

Almost all of the successful pass rushing DT's sit in that range. ( Aaron Donald was a first round pick, and is definitely not close to 300) they didn't bring Clay in to stuff the inside run ( that's what guys like Mebane and McDaniel and Williams are for) whther he can do what Bennett does remains to be seen, but that is the roll and the way they want to use him.

[NorthHawk]

Donald is said to be 285 - 288 so he's a good 10 lbs heavier and only 6-1.
Marsh will be someone for us to watch in pre-season, for sure.

If we use both Bennett and Marsh in the middle, won't teams want to run up the middle using their 300+ lb OL?
I'm thinking particularly of the 49ers who have been known to gash us for big runs right up the middle when we have big guys there.

[HumanCockroach]

Donald is said to be 285 - 288 so he's a good 10 lbs heavier and only 6-1.
Marsh will be someone for us to watch in pre-season, for sure.

If we use both Bennett and Marsh in the middle, won't teams want to run up the middle using their 300+ lb OL?
I'm thinking particularly of the 49ers who have been known to gash us for big runs right up the middle when we have big guys there.

North, why do you keep going back to Bennett being a D tackle? He isn't, so with Marsh and Bennett on the field, one would be a pass rushing DT and one would be on the end. They aren't playing either,exclusively at DT, I have no idea where you came up with that honestly.

Bennett is the starting DE that slides inside on passing downs ( mostly), Clay will be used in much the same way. Neither is a DT ( that's those listed previously Mebane, McDaniel, Williams etc) ALL the lineman move on that D-line ( notice last year Red moved inside, depending on groupings, situations, while he didn't the year before etc). Scruggs, Mayowa etc are guys they want to move around as well.

[NorthHawk]

Donald is said to be 285 - 288 so he's a good 10 lbs heavier and only 6-1.
Marsh will be someone for us to watch in pre-season, for sure.

If we use both Bennett and Marsh in the middle, won't teams want to run up the middle using their 300+ lb OL?
I'm thinking particularly of the 49ers who have been known to gash us for big runs right up the middle when we have big guys there.

North, why do you keep going back to Bennett being a D tackle? He isn't, so with Marsh and Bennett on the field, one would be a pass rushing DT and one would be on the end. They aren't playing either,exclusively at DT, I have no idea where you came up with that honestly.

Bennett is the starting DE that slides inside on passing downs ( mostly), Clay will be used in much the same way. Neither is a DT ( that's those listed previously Mebane, McDaniel, Williams etc) ALL the lineman move on that D-line ( notice last year Red moved inside, depending on groupings, situations, while he didn't the year before etc). Scruggs, Mayowa etc are guys they want to move around as well.

I believe I heard PC say he will be playing inside in the Bennett role.
So if you move him inside, he becomes a DT, doesn't he?
Wouldn't a team like the 49ers want to put their big OL on him and open a huge hole?
It creates a physical mismatch for teams that can take advantage of it.
Bennett is unusual in that he can disrupt a run play from the inside, Marsh hasn't yet shown us he has that ability.
That's why it'll be interesting to see him in pre-season playing inside at DT.

[HumanCockroach]

I heard PC say he is "going to play the Bennett" role on the defense, haven't heard him call him a DT. I have heard him say he is also interested in using him on the offensive side of the ball as well but to date, haven't heard an exclusive position listed for him.

[kalibane]

If he was going to be playing inside as a penetrating DT the whole time I'm sure Pete Carroll would have said he'd be playing the Clinton McDonald role, not the Michael Bennett Role.

Bennett is a DE with the ability to slide inside situationally. That's how they see Marsh. He won't be playing snaps at DT on running downs.

Not to mention since Bennett just resigned a big time extension, Marsh is only going to be on the field in a limited capacity as it is and will have plenty of time to bulk up.

[NorthHawk]

If he was going to be playing inside as a penetrating DT the whole time I'm sure Pete Carroll would have said he'd be playing the Clinton McDonald role, not the Michael Bennett Role.

Bennett is a DE with the ability to slide inside situationally. That's how they see Marsh. He won't be playing snaps at DT on running downs.

Not to mention since Bennett just resigned a big time extension, Marsh is only going to be on the field in a limited capacity as it is and will have plenty of time to bulk up.

That makes sense.
I am excited to see how well he plays, though.