Hawks sign another Guard

[NorthHawk]

2012 Pro Bowl guard Wade Smith signed with the Hawks.
He is from Texas.
It makes some sense considering the Texans used to be a ZBS Offense.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ade-smith/

[Bird Droppings]

He's and oldie but goodie.

Why am I feeling my hunch about Carpenter, unfortunately not ready for game 1, is on the money.

Roster turnover looks like same old Seahawks signing and declining on revolving door basis.

It's worked up til now, why quit?

Pre-season games promise some intense football.

Best print out your offense and defense in large type, arranged in numerical order because your eyes will be busy.

zoom

[RiverDog]

"Another" guard? We have brought in that many?

Picking over the scrap heap. This OL situation still has me scratching my head.

[jshawaii22]

His Bio says he's played all 5 positions on the line, not just Guard, but it looks like his best year was a PB year in 2011 at that position.

We got 5 players back today + Kam and Okung are back, at least on the field. Worried about any position? Try LB... 6 out right now...

js

[RiverDog]

His Bio says he's played all 5 positions on the line, not just Guard, but it looks like his best year was a PB year in 2011 at that position.

We got 5 players back today + Kam and Okung are back, at least on the field. Worried about any position? Try LB... 6 out right now...

js

I'm not too concerned about the injury list. It's pretty hard to tell how genuine those injuries are early in the training camp.

My concern continues to be the OL. Some of you attempted to soothe my soul by noting the presence of Michael Bowie, that the coaching staff was drooling over his performance as a rookie. What say you now? Winston? Britt?

[Futureite]

His Bio says he's played all 5 positions on the line, not just Guard, but it looks like his best year was a PB year in 2011 at that position.

We got 5 players back today + Kam and Okung are back, at least on the field. Worried about any position? Try LB... 6 out right now...

js

I'm not too concerned about the injury list. It's pretty hard to tell how genuine those injuries are early in the training camp.

My concern continues to be the OL. Some of you attempted to soothe my soul by noting the presence of Michael Bowie, that the coaching staff was drooling over his performance as a rookie. What say you now? Winston? Britt?

Hell, I think Cable could teach me how to zone block. Whatever he does in the run game seens to work yr after yr wherever he goes, no matter who is on the line. Considering run/beast is your bread and butter, I'd not be 'that' concerned.

[NorthHawk]

It's the poor pass blocking that has some of us worried.
Considering the DLs in our Division, not to mention the rest of the NFL, Wilson can't continue to take such a pounding if we want him to play largely injury free.

[Vegaseahawk]

It's the poor pass blocking that has some of us worried.
Considering the DLs in our Division, not to mention the rest of the NFL, Wilson can't continue to take such a pounding if we want him to play largely injury free.

RW was sacked 44 times in the regular season last year. Tied for 3rd most.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/sacks

[NorthHawk]

It's the poor pass blocking that has some of us worried.
Considering the DLs in our Division, not to mention the rest of the NFL, Wilson can't continue to take such a pounding if we want him to play largely injury free.

RW was sacked 44 times in the regular season last year. Tied for 3rd most.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/sacks

Way too much for a Super Bowl winning team.
I wonder if there are statistics for QB hits because it's not just sacks that are important.

[HumanCockroach]

Agree way to many hits are coming Wilson's way, but when all you got is ground beef, the odds your going to be preparing filet mignon are pretty damn slim. Seattle doesn't have the fillet line, but they can make a pretty damn good hamburger that will fill you up and taste damn good on the way down. Until that juicy steak shows up ( and IMHO it hasn't yet) best to make do with what you've got. They haven't remained status quo no matter what people are saying, and I personally fully expect with the added lineman, and the weapons on the outside, plus an additional year for Wilson to read and distribute faster throws that number to plummet substantially.

[Anthony]

It's the poor pass blocking that has some of us worried.
Considering the DLs in our Division, not to mention the rest of the NFL, Wilson can't continue to take such a pounding if we want him to play largely injury free.

RW was sacked 44 times in the regular season last year. Tied for 3rd most.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/sacks

Yeah then add in hits, and hurries and he was #1, or that we allowed more sacks per pass play then any other team

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/seahawks/ ... crambling/

[Futureite]

It's the poor pass blocking that has some of us worried.
Considering the DLs in our Division, not to mention the rest of the NFL, Wilson can't continue to take such a pounding if we want him to play largely injury free.

I hear ya. I just think when you look at the bread and butter of what the Hawks are, it is D, run game, STs. Of course you want to protect your franchise QB, but what got them to the SB is not really in flux. They should be really good again in those 3 phases

[RiverDog]

It's the poor pass blocking that has some of us worried.
Considering the DLs in our Division, not to mention the rest of the NFL, Wilson can't continue to take such a pounding if we want him to play largely injury free.

10-4. Especially now that we finally have our QBOTF. The last thing we want to do is expose him to a career ending injury.

[HumanCockroach]

Fire, fire! Everyone flee for your lives.... SMH.

[Bird Droppings]

Flees, flees, faser than fleas to a lazy dog's back.

The ++ OL guys usually come from atop the draft. That's why OT's are right behind QB's on filling priority lists ... and that's why OT's earn so much.

The dichotomy is that OG's are seldom a priority, yet they can be nearly as valuable.

Would Mr. Jones have made the HOF if Hutch had not been beside him?

When the Carpenter pick went nowhere, it could have soured The Schneid and PC on so using their first pick for an OL.

The Cable is constantly out pre-draft at workouts, the Combine, and pro days ... and the suggestion is that he is the one with the deciding vote on these guys ... but do we know that? Maybe he is just the talent scout.

No question the biggest fall-off on the team at any position from first string to back-up is QB.

The OLine, on the other hand, is always made up of "hamburger" ... but there are lots of ways to make it a desireable dish.

Injuries to Okung, and Unger, stretch the limits of the cook's imagination ... but, as long as there is enough fresh ground beef you will keep the diners from walking out after the meal hits their plate.

The additions of Winston and Smith were ineresting in that Winston got lots of PR from the Hawks press room ... particularly considering he came in after camp was open, while Smith got little more than a one paragraph blurb ... even though he was an all pro a couple years ago.

Now I see one prognostiator has already written that Smith will not make the final 53.

Yes, there were obviously reasons no one else had picked him up (although I haven't seen those spelled out).

But, the Hawks didn't sign him because of his ability to take guys out on the second level.

Besides helping Sweazy (who has not been getting near as much pub lately as he did entering mini-camp) it's just another indication the Hawks can still spot worthwhile pieces hiding under rocks.

An offensive line is a team in itself, and someday this team might have some continuity there.

Until then, Will will flee, protect his knees, and seem to master that timing is everything.

zoom