I can't help it, I'm a draft junkie

[SalmonBB]

RD,

Nice breakdown. I think your analysis on Peters is good.

One part I absolutely agree on is that we don't know what they will do, but it's fun to guess.

This year, I am not so familiar with the college names ... never really have been ... but what I do like is seeing what went into the thought process of selecting certain guys after the fact. As you pointed out, we like quickness on defense, and big/long corners. On offense, I agree we are "run first," but I don't think they view the passing game as an aberration ... as you've said, I wouldn't be surprised if we take a WR in a high round (although, WRs tend to take some time to mature in the pros ... Richardson did about as good as one could hope for in a "run first" offense in his first year ... I hope he's ready to play this year).

With this said, in my observation, there is one thing they are VERY PREDICTABLE on - and which helps explain the unpredictability of their selections: their primary focus being on competitiveness. This measure is not as easy to make out through a television screen, nor through in-depth analysis of arm lengths and 40 yard sprint speeds. I have a feeling PC - as he did at USC - tells every player they select that they will have a chance to compete for the starting position, and he means it. This would explain why they might take a Safety this year, for example, even though we don't necessarily need one (although we might, with ETs return in the first part of the season not guaranteed). This emphasis on competitive nature explains why they are so unpredictable ... because it is hard to measure if you don't talk to the guys one-on-one, and have access to talk to their coaches. Their approach is certainly 180 degrees out from Mel Kiper and all the analysts. This method of picking player is a strength of this team, because it is rooted in a philosophy upon which this team's success is built. Our success is built around a philosophy of winning, with the central theme of competition. It does not hinge on a certain player or position group.

Yes, I believe we'll be surprised this year. Expect to see us select guys we have no clue about. But the Seahawks have become masters at this thing called the draft ... it is what PC and JS built this team out of. I met John Schneider outside a game in St. Louis a few years back ... his first one with Seattle. I told him I thought he did a great job with the draft, and he told me "we need three more of them." The way he said it, I could tell he wasn't trying to be funny; rather, I could tell he had a calculated plan, and was as certain of it as one could be. And the rest is history, right?

I'm looking forward to this year's draft as well. We'll probably throw a party as we always do.

GO SEAHAWKS!!!

[NorthHawk]

The other quality they like to see is the love of the game.
It's another thing that we can't see on film or really quantify.
As well, I read a report they use psychologists to determine if a player they are interested in can take the ultra competitive nature of our locker room. If it's determined he won't last, they will pass him by and if it's between 2 players, they will side with the shrink as to who is the better fit.

All this information is outside of our view, but we can suggest players that look good to us on film or have the measureables as a good starting point.

If we go CB early, I think it will be Jalen Collins from LSU.
A dark horse early might be Kevin Johnson from Wake Forest.
Perhaps they trade down into the 2nd round and pick one of them up.

[mykc14]

Don't forget about Hip Flexoin.

[NorthHawk]

Who did he play for?

[mykc14]

Who did he play for?

I mean that is a quality PC looks for in a player. And he played for West Virginia.

[NorthHawk]

West Virginia is a goldmine of talent!

[mykc14]

West Virginia is a goldmine of talent!

Yeah it is, just ask Geno Smith (or maybe that would be a COALmine of talent).

[Oly]

The other quality they like to see is the love of the game.
It's another thing that we can't see on film or really quantify.
As well, I read a report they use psychologists to determine if a player they are interested in can take the ultra competitive nature of our locker room. If it's determined he won't last, they will pass him by and if it's between 2 players, they will side with the shrink as to who is the better fit.

All this information is outside of our view, but we can suggest players that look good to us on film or have the measureables as a good starting point.

This is why I've stopped being such a draft junkie; with PC and Schneider, just about none of the pre-draft reading I did prepared me to know anything about what actually happened on draft day, or the players the Hawks selected. I think ObS has identified the best predictors that we can look at, but with such a huge component being hidden by the therapist's door it's hard to know if that player with the freakish athleticism and great tape will actually work here.

[NorthHawk]

I hear you, Oly but it's still interesting to know who the players are and how they are viewed by others with more experience than most of us have in evaluating talent.
It would be a lot easier if we were perennially drafting early where we would have a lot of holes to fill, but that's part of winning.
All in all it's a positive, but it's still fun for some of us.

[obiken]

No way I am draft junkie, right C-bob? C-bob!!

[c_hawkbob]

Whoah Obi, it's too early in the morning to be yelling man ...

[obiken]

Yeah huh!! Winning the title took a lot of that outta me. Run the ball stop the run, its not real hard was it??

[Hawk Sista]

I used to read up and get all excited. Now I kinda look things over, but still get excited. It would be like studying producers/directors before going to a movie to guess the plot.

How many times have we been sitting on the couch, laptop open, only to see that the Hawks have traded down (again) or taken somebody that makes you say "who? Bruce who?" I still love watching the draft and will do it again. I've swapped out my old laptop for an iPad that will likely be needed after we make our selections. I love, in advance, that we will be graded no higher than a C- & then Mel Kiper will say (3 years later) that he was wrong. (Though I have sorta noticed the pendulum swinging and people assuming our picks will be great...because of the success this leadership has had.)

One other thing... John has a long history of taking BPA, regardless of who we have on the roster. He had Aaron Rodgers as the #1 player rated the year he was drafted and john was thrilled to get him at #24 despite having Farve on the roster. We saw that w/ CM two years ago.

I love this thread and the thoughtful commentary. Thanks OBS for starting it. Well done.

[NorthHawk]

It's almost like Christmas and the selections are gifts.
Sometimes you're a little disappointed and other times real excited.
On Draft day it's the waiting that's difficult.