A twitpic of Britt you won't like

[c_hawkbob]

Our 2nd pick is a Kaepernick fan ...

[NorthHawk]

He's not on the DL, so there's no chance he would get the opportunity to sack Kaep.

[Zorn76]

c_bob - I see elsewhere that you didn't seem to like the Britt pick. Is the kid that bad in your opinion? Mayock had him graded as a 5th rounder, but then there was a comment by Cable in an (espn, I think) team blog article (written by Terry Blount) that said he did a nice job against Clowney in a game last year.

Now, if true, that's just one game. But if he handled himself well against the number 1 overall pick, seems like there's something potentially there. Is this another Carpenter type pick you think? You're usually among the more optimistic guys concerning the team's thought process, so I was just curious.

For myself, I like what we've done overall. I also like the fact that, for as many picks as they've had this year, I don't think SF has hit any kind of home run this weekend, either. You and others know much more about the NCAA than I do. But it looks to me that we've done OK overall. It doesn't seem like our divisional rivals have been tearin' it up, despite the drafts spots they had going into the event.

[c_hawkbob]

c_bob - I see elsewhere that you didn't seem to like the Britt pick. Is the kid that bad in your opinion? Mayock had him graded as a 5th rounder, but then there was a comment by Cable in an (espn, I think) team blog article (written by Terry Blount) that said he did a nice job against Clowney in a game last year.

Now, if true, that's just one game. But if he handled himself well against the number 1 overall pick, seems like there's something potentially there. Is this another Carpenter type pick you think? You're usually among the more optimistic guys concerning the team's thought process, so I was just curious.

For myself, I like what we've done overall. I also like the fact that, for as many picks as they've had this year, I don't think SF has hit any kind of home run this weekend, either. You and others know much more about the NCAA than I do. But it looks to me that we've done OK overall. It doesn't seem like our divisional rivals have been tearin' it up, despite the drafts spots they had going into the event.

As with the Carpenter pick, it's less about the player taken than the players at the same position left on the board. That and the fact that I see OL as the chink in Pete & John's player evaluation armor.

[Zorn76]

c_bob - I see elsewhere that you didn't seem to like the Britt pick. Is the kid that bad in your opinion? Mayock had him graded as a 5th rounder, but then there was a comment by Cable in an (espn, I think) team blog article (written by Terry Blount) that said he did a nice job against Clowney in a game last year.

Now, if true, that's just one game. But if he handled himself well against the number 1 overall pick, seems like there's something potentially there. Is this another Carpenter type pick you think? You're usually among the more optimistic guys concerning the team's thought process, so I was just curious.

For myself, I like what we've done overall. I also like the fact that, for as many picks as they've had this year, I don't think SF has hit any kind of home run this weekend, either. You and others know much more about the NCAA than I do. But it looks to me that we've done OK overall. It doesn't seem like our divisional rivals have been tearin' it up, despite the drafts spots they had going into the event.

As with the Carpenter pick, it's less about the player taken than the players at the same position left on the board. That and the fact that I see OL as the chink in Pete & John's player evaluation armor.

Yea - no question there. Until otherwise proven, it's been dicey to say the least with OL picks. Hopin' it's different this time.

[NorthHawk]

It seems the last couple of years they've picked projects on the OL with Sweezy and the late round OL picks.

[c_hawkbob]

It seems the last couple of years they've picked projects on the OL with Sweezy and the late round OL picks.

Hey I think Sweezy was a home run, and Bowie a bases clearing double, as project picks.

[monkey]

As with the Carpenter pick, it's less about the player taken than the players at the same position left on the board. That and the fact that I see OL as the chink in Pete & John's player evaluation armor.

Agreed, but I'd amend that to read, CABLE is the chink in Pete and Johns player evaluation armor.
It's my opinion they need to stop listening to him. I'd prefer they let him coach the line, but leave the scouting to the scouts and to John and Pete.
Whatever, you take the good with the bad, and CLEARLY it's been more good than bad. I have nothing to complain about, the team just won the Super Bowl...CLEARLY they are doing the right things more often than not.

It's the guys still on the board when they took him that gets me...I mean I just find it impossible to agree that he projects better than say, Billy Turner who was still on the board.
Sorry, but I'd bet nearly anything that, Turner goes on to have a better career, as does several other linemen taken after Britt.

[monkey]

It seems the last couple of years they've picked projects on the OL with Sweezy and the late round OL picks.

Hey I think Sweezy was a home run, and Bowie a bases clearing double, as project picks.

Again I agree, but the problem is, you don't take project picks in the second round!!! You take those guys in the fourth/fifth and later.

[RiverDog]

c_bob - I see elsewhere that you didn't seem to like the Britt pick. Is the kid that bad in your opinion? Mayock had him graded as a 5th rounder, but then there was a comment by Cable in an (espn, I think) team blog article (written by Terry Blount) that said he did a nice job against Clowney in a game last year.

Now, if true, that's just one game. But if he handled himself well against the number 1 overall pick, seems like there's something potentially there. Is this another Carpenter type pick you think? You're usually among the more optimistic guys concerning the team's thought process, so I was just curious.

For myself, I like what we've done overall. I also like the fact that, for as many picks as they've had this year, I don't think SF has hit any kind of home run this weekend, either. You and others know much more about the NCAA than I do. But it looks to me that we've done OK overall. It doesn't seem like our divisional rivals have been tearin' it up, despite the drafts spots they had going into the event.

As with the Carpenter pick, it's less about the player taken than the players at the same position left on the board. That and the fact that I see OL as the chink in Pete & John's player evaluation armor.

Pete and John? What about Cable? Why does he get a free pass?

[HumanCockroach]

It seems the last couple of years they've picked projects on the OL with Sweezy and the late round OL picks.

Hey I think Sweezy was a home run, and Bowie a bases clearing double, as project picks.

Again I agree, but the problem is, you don't take project picks in the second round!!! You take those guys in the fourth/fifth and later.

I don't know that they ever view them the way we do. I doubt they are drafting guys with the thought that they are going to just develop them for other teams, I doubt they view Richardson as a "project", the guy has been productive, is lightning fast, and according to many scouts and sites is the BEST route runner in the entire draft. His knock has always been durability, and weight, not performance. Desean Jackson was also viewed as an "injury risk" because of his slight build, if Richardson is even CLOSE to that, I'm sold. The guy is one of the top 3 fastest men in the draft ( and probably top 5 in the NFL. 4.33 Or the 4.24 Range is crazy fast), but he can catch, and run routes as well. Pairing him with Harvin makes it almost impossible to dedicate a safety over the top to one of them ( not to mention Baldwin, Kearse and Miller and Willson and whomever wins the fifth receiver spot in the middle of the field having field days with LB's).

Nah, Richardson isn't a project, he's one of those 'play makers' PC is all about.As one of the few that loved the idea of pairing Jackson with Harvin ( granted at the price it was unrealistic) I see VALUE in this choice ( well in terms of the player, not necessarily where they picked him, as more than likely they could have drafted a good lineman, and STILL come back and got him later in the second, but who knows, it has been confirmed that the name at 32 that was submitted was the SAME name they selected in the second round). Seems to me, they select "explosive" players based on their grading system, and stick to their guns, later they select".gritty" players that are going to battle. Irvin, Thomas,Tate,Michaels,Okung,Harvin etc were all either early picks or cost early picks, the only time they didn't adhere to that, we got Carpenter and Moffitt ( both "gritty" players") as opposed to "explosive" athletes......

[HumanCockroach]

Just a tiny follow up, I'm about the player not the number, so I understand why many get upset with where's and when's,just know when TC opens, that number is irrelevant to whether it was a "good" or "bad" pick. What the players do matters, the rest is simply window dressing.

[monkey]

I wasn't talking about Richardson, who I am extremely high on.
I was talking about Britt.
IMO Britt was a HUGE reach.
He may turn out to be a stud, I certainly will be pulling for that, but there were SO MANY good O-Linemen still on the board when we took him.
I'd bet a king's ransom that Billy Turner, for example, goes on to have a better career than Britt.
Just saying...I'm really not getting that pick. I get picking a tackle there, and I get picking a guy who will fit our system etc...I just don't see the value with that pick.

The Richardson pick I have no problems with because I think the media just screwed up with him. They badly over-estimated the impact his weight would have on how teams view him.
I love the Richardson pick though!

[HumanCockroach]

I wasn't talking about Richardson, who I am extremely high on.
I was talking about Britt.
IMO Britt was a HUGE reach.
He may turn out to be a stud, I certainly will be pulling for that, but there were SO MANY good O-Linemen still on the board when we took him.
I'd bet a king's ransom that Billy Turner, for example, goes on to have a better career than Britt.
Just saying...I'm really not getting that pick. I get picking a tackle there, and I get picking a guy who will fit our system etc...I just don't see the value with that pick.

The Richardson pick I have no problems with because I think the media just screwed up with him. They badly over-estimated the impact his weight would have on how teams view him.
I love the Richardson pick though!

I don't get it either, though he fits that "grit" roll to a tee. It's pretty obvious Cable prefers competitive spirit, toughness and grit, along with versatility far more heavily than actual talent. So far that hasn't panned out IMHO, but they consistently lean that way in regards to offensive lineman, and Britt is the embodiment of that. Not sure why they continue to stick with that, draft in and draft out, but at this point no one should be surprised by it.

[monkey]

I agree HC, and the thing we all know is, four years from now, chances are pretty good that if the Seahawks recent draft history is any indicator of future success, most of these picks will have turned out pretty good, and a few will be insanely awesome.
So it's pretty hard for me to be talking about "value", when it's such a relative term, and when once training camp starts, that "value" won't mean bupkis.

BTW I really liked the second half of our draft a LOT. I think they nailed it today.

I'm really going to be looking forward to seeing how many of the undrafted free agents turn out as well. As deep as this draft was, (am I right in that Brandon Coleman went undrafted?!? If that's right, it's mind boggling!), there are going to be multiple undrafted free agents we pick up, that make the team, or else eventually make it with another team after we cut them.

[Eaglehawk]

I wasn't talking about Richardson, who I am extremely high on.
I was talking about Britt.
IMO Britt was a HUGE reach.
He may turn out to be a stud, I certainly will be pulling for that, but there were SO MANY good O-Linemen still on the board when we took him.
I'd bet a king's ransom that Billy Turner, for example, goes on to have a better career than Britt.
Just saying...I'm really not getting that pick. I get picking a tackle there, and I get picking a guy who will fit our system etc...I just don't see the value with that pick.

The Richardson pick I have no problems with because I think the media just screwed up with him. They badly over-estimated the impact his weight would have on how teams view him.
I love the Richardson pick though!

I don't get it either, though he fits that "grit" roll to a tee. It's pretty obvious Cable prefers competitive spirit, toughness and grit, along with versatility far more heavily than actual talent. So far that hasn't panned out IMHO, but they consistently lean that way in regards to offensive lineman, and Britt is the embodiment of that. Not sure why they continue to stick with that, draft in and draft out, but at this point no one should be surprised by it.

Im not a fan of Cable, and I don't know to what extent he has imput on these decisions other than saying yes or maybe.
I think though that Britt is a beast. What is he 6'5? That alone means little, but he seems to be a fairly big body on OL with a big wingspan, he'll have to ramp up quick. Any idea on his football iq? Wonderlic? This may be another area they were looking at.

[monkey]

Again Eaglehawk, he may very well turn out to be a stud, I have no idea...I just was unimpressed with taking someone who NO ONE thought would go ahead of the fourth round, in the second.
There were more people who thought he'd go in the last two rounds, or undrafted than there were people thinking he'd go higher.

Just saying, there is something to be said for making the best use of the draft that you can value wise, while still getting the guys you want. Britt would have been available later.

I certainly think there's every chance he turns out to be a stud though! Cable obviously was enamored with him for a reason, and probably for a lot more than just that he had a good game against Clowney.

[HumanCockroach]

Yeah those UDFA pickups have been absolutely amazing. I think I posted some stat that 13 of them were on the roster last season ( or about 20%) of the SB winning team, crazy high number. I'm not a "this pick has to be this guy" kind of person, I tend to look at drafts as a whole only 2 to 3 years down the road..... Numbers are irrelevant to me. I'll take a draft with a couple whiffs in round one or two with three pro bowl all pro's in the later rrounds each an every draft without batting an eye, I care about production and talent, not some irrelevant number.

Must be because I got picked last so much as a kid or something......

[Zorn76]

c_bob - I see elsewhere that you didn't seem to like the Britt pick. Is the kid that bad in your opinion? Mayock had him graded as a 5th rounder, but then there was a comment by Cable in an (espn, I think) team blog article (written by Terry Blount) that said he did a nice job against Clowney in a game last year.

Now, if true, that's just one game. But if he handled himself well against the number 1 overall pick, seems like there's something potentially there. Is this another Carpenter type pick you think? You're usually among the more optimistic guys concerning the team's thought process, so I was just curious.

For myself, I like what we've done overall. I also like the fact that, for as many picks as they've had this year, I don't think SF has hit any kind of home run this weekend, either. You and others know much more about the NCAA than I do. But it looks to me that we've done OK overall. It doesn't seem like our divisional rivals have been tearin' it up, despite the drafts spots they had going into the event.

As with the Carpenter pick, it's less about the player taken than the players at the same position left on the board. That and the fact that I see OL as the chink in Pete & John's player evaluation armor.

Pete and John? What about Cable? Why does he get a free pass?

Because Pete and John outrank Tom:)

But, really, I think it is Pete and John's call on the final (OL) decision. And I'm not sure Cable has as much influence as we're either lead to believe or feel on our own.

Either that or he's "selling" his reasons in order to get what he wants. And if that's the case, he really didn't have that much credibility going into this weekend, based on how other 1st round line picks have turned out. I'd be surprised if he has that much influence in the war room, especially now.

[NorthHawk]

As with the Carpenter pick, it's less about the player taken than the players at the same position left on the board. That and the fact that I see OL as the chink in Pete & John's player evaluation armor.

Agreed, but I'd amend that to read, CABLE is the chink in Pete and Johns player evaluation armor.
It's my opinion they need to stop listening to him. I'd prefer they let him coach the line, but leave the scouting to the scouts and to John and Pete.
Whatever, you take the good with the bad, and CLEARLY it's been more good than bad. I have nothing to complain about, the team just won the Super Bowl...CLEARLY they are doing the right things more often than not.

It's the guys still on the board when they took him that gets me...I mean I just find it impossible to agree that he projects better than say, Billy Turner who was still on the board.
Sorry, but I'd bet nearly anything that, Turner goes on to have a better career, as does several other linemen taken after Britt.

I totally agree with that.
Out of curiosity, what do you think is our Offensive Identity?
The 49ers are a smash mouth run team with big bodies up front that will try to grind you down. That's their identity.
We say we are a run first Offense, but it seems the players on the OL are interchangeable instead of masters of one position. I think his versatility having played all 5 positions up front is what made Cable want Britt and he values it high enough to push a player up the board more than other teams might. As an Assistant Head Coach, I think his opinion at the draft board carries a lot of weight for OL selections.

It's good to have options for injuries, but are they supposed to be physically dominant or quick and athletic?

I think that's the crux of my issue with the Offense. I'm not sure what they want to be.

[RiverDog]

Because Pete and John outrank Tom:)

But, really, I think it is Pete and John's call on the final (OL) decision. And I'm not sure Cable has as much influence as we're either lead to believe or feel on our own.

Either that or he's "selling" his reasons in order to get what he wants. And if that's the case, he really didn't have that much credibility going into this weekend, based on how other 1st round line picks have turned out. I'd be surprised if he has that much influence in the war room, especially now.

None of us know who gets credit/blame for the final call on some of these OL decisions. As the man at the top, the final responsibility is Pete's. But there's no question that Tom Cable has some serious input into these decisions. Pete's not going to hire a guy that was a former head coach with a reputation of building good running teams and tell him all he's to do is hold up the tackling dummies. Pete is a consensus builder, and I doubt very seriously that he'd go forward on a first round pick like Carpenter if Cable wasn't not only fully behind, but rather in front and leading the charge.

So I agree that the chink in Pete's armor is not his OL judgment per se, it's his judgment about his coaches, or at least this one particular coach.

[monkey]

Out of curiosity, what do you think is our Offensive Identity?
I think that's the crux of my issue with the Offense. I'm not sure what they want to be.

It's all about creating "explosive plays". That is our offensive identity.

I think Pete is still trying to do EXACTLY the same thing he did at USC....nothing at all has changed. He is still using a power back to set the tempo, control the clock, and to ratchet up the physicality.
He's still using speed to stretch the defenses both horizontally and vertically, and make those explosive plays Pete is so enamored with. He is still using receivers who control the sidelines well, jump well, and make things happen in the open field. Lynch = Lendale White, Harvin = Reggie Bush etc...

I think they are still trying to find that big, red zone monster, Mike Williams clone who Pete covets, but apparently none of the ones available in this years drafted appealed to him.

I personally think of it like a boxer. They go body, body, body, with the run until the defense drops it's gloves a bit, then WHAM, they go uppercut to the jaw with a big pass play.

[NorthHawk]

Out of curiosity, what do you think is our Offensive Identity?
I think that's the crux of my issue with the Offense. I'm not sure what they want to be.

It's all about creating "explosive plays". That is our offensive identity.

I think Pete is still trying to do EXACTLY the same thing he did at USC....nothing at all has changed. He is still using a power back to set the tempo, control the clock, and to ratchet up the physicality.
He's still using speed to stretch the defenses both horizontally and vertically, and make those explosive plays Pete is so enamored with. He is still using receivers who control the sidelines well, jump well, and make things happen in the open field. Lynch = Lendale White, Harvin = Reggie Bush etc...

I think they are still trying to find that big, red zone monster, Mike Williams clone who Pete covets, but apparently none of the ones available in this years drafted appealed to him.

I personally think of it like a boxer. They go body, body, body, with the run until the defense drops it's gloves a bit, then WHAM, they go uppercut to the jaw with a big pass play.

That makes sense with the Michael pick last year and Richardson pick this year.
I also think that Norwood will surprise us. I hope expect him to as the last couple of years he made the big plays at Alabama when they really needed it.

[HumanCockroach]

Because Pete and John outrank Tom:)

But, really, I think it is Pete and John's call on the final (OL) decision. And I'm not sure Cable has as much influence as we're either lead to believe or feel on our own.

Either that or he's "selling" his reasons in order to get what he wants. And if that's the case, he really didn't have that much credibility going into this weekend, based on how other 1st round line picks have turned out. I'd be surprised if he has that much influence in the war room, especially now.

None of us know who gets credit/blame for the final call on some of these OL decisions. As the man at the top, the final responsibility is Pete's. But there's no question that Tom Cable has some serious input into these decisions. Pete's not going to hire a guy that was a former head coach with a reputation of building good running teams and tell him all he's to do is hold up the tackling dummies. Pete is a consensus builder, and I doubt very seriously that he'd go forward on a first round pick like Carpenter if Cable wasn't not only fully behind, but rather in front and leading the charge.

So I agree that the chink in Pete's armor is not his OL judgment per se, it's his judgment about his coaches, or at least this one particular coach.

Doesn't that speak loudly to you ( and others) about Pete's philosophy? Seems to me that even though people continue to freak out about pass protection, Seattle has INDEED built a powerful running game and blocking offensive line. All I mean by that is , based on the running game, they have "hit" on their offensive line selections and choices, based on their pass protection they haven't. People are upset with protecting Wilson ( and I'm not saying it doesn't concern me either) but based on what I have seen, or at least what can be ascertained from the last two seasons, Pete does NOT worry about the pass protection as much as the ability to physically dominate the line of scrimmage in the running game..... When looked at ffrom that perspective, Carpenter, might be viewed as someone they can work with, and might not be graded as low as many here want to grade him ( again don't get me wrong, I grade him low myself).

the BEST way to protect a QB is to provide him with explosive weapons that can take a bubble screen or 5 yard pass 70 yards for a TD, and that is exactly what Harvin and now Robertson bring, or provide great pass protection, maybe they felt the physical run game was a higher priority, and so went with the explosive, quick options, or maybe they preferred to plug and play run blockers so they went that route, maybe they couldn't FIND lineman that could do both, so they "specialised" the line ( I mean is that so farfetched? They did it on the defensive side of the ball with MULTIPLE players)....

I don't know, just speculating, but your post made me start thinking about it, and it seems LIKELY to me that that may be the case from the word go. Cable NEVER had a great pass protect package, at ANY stop along the way, but his team was ALWAYS able to run the football, successfully, which looking back over the last few seasons, and the way they draft FITS in with that philoshy (run greater than pass).. Just pointing out what I see, not what I want. Of course they still try to improve it, but the priority isn't what it is to people on this board, or the people that watch the team. 

[RiverDog]

Doesn't that speak loudly to you ( and others) about Pete's philosophy? Seems to me that even though people continue to freak out about pass protection, Seattle has INDEED built a powerful running game and blocking offensive line. All I mean by that is , based on the running game, they have "hit" on their offensive line selections and choices, based on their pass protection they haven't. People are upset with protecting Wilson ( and I'm not saying it doesn't concern me either) but based on what I have seen, or at least what can be ascertained from the last two seasons, Pete does NOT worry about the pass protection as much as the ability to physically dominate the line of scrimmage in the running game..... When looked at ffrom that perspective, Carpenter, might be viewed as someone they can work with, and might not be graded as low as many here want to grade him ( again don't get me wrong, I grade him low myself).

the BEST way to protect a QB is to provide him with explosive weapons that can take a bubble screen or 5 yard pass 70 yards for a TD, and that is exactly what Harvin and now Robertson bring, or provide great pass protection, maybe they felt the physical run game was a higher priority, and so went with the explosive, quick options, or maybe they preferred to plug and play run blockers so they went that route, maybe they couldn't FIND lineman that could do both, so they "specialised" the line ( I mean is that so farfetched? They did it on the defensive side of the ball with MULTIPLE players)....

I don't know, just speculating, but your post made me start thinking about it, and it seems LIKELY to me that that may be the case from the word go. Cable NEVER had a great pass protect package, at ANY stop along the way, but his team was ALWAYS able to run the football, successfully, which looking back over the last few seasons, and the way they draft FITS in with that philoshy (run greater than pass).. Just pointing out what I see, not what I want. Of course they still try to improve it, but the priority isn't what it is to people on this board, or the people that watch the team. 

I gotta admit to something. When I first saw that you had replied to a post of mine, I went "oh, geez, here we go again!" and started bracing for another grouping of caustic remarks. You made me flinch.

I think you might have hit on something re Cable and how it relates to our current ball club. He does seem to procure better run blocking lines than he does pass blocking, which plays into Pete's general philosophy of a tough defense and smash mouth running game. Perhaps that's what drew Pete to him. But even after thinking about your observation, I still think Cable is a weak link in our coaching staff. We absouletly cannot continue to give Russell this fig leaf of an offensive line to cover himself with. One hit on him and everything will come tumbling down, and the more times he's put under pressure, the higher the odds go that he suffers a career ending injury.

[HumanCockroach]

When was the last time you witnessed a "career ending" injury to a QB in the NFL? Come on RD, this isn't the "worst" line in NFL history, he isn't being sacked 100 times a season, has no running game and is being left to the wolves. Statements like those make me cringe, because there is judgement, and there is hyperbole, and that statement is the latter IMHO.

[NorthHawk]

I wonder how good the Run game would be without Lynch?
He's one of the best RBs for yards after contact so how good would the run game be if more of his runs were clear until the 2nd level. (Rhetorical question)

Career ending injury is a remote possibility, but Russell missing 2 games in our Division might mean the difference in winning the penant and missing the playoffs.

[HumanCockroach]

Fair enough, it might, but no more so than Brady missing them, or Rodgers or Bree's or anyone else in the NFL. All I mean by that is there isn't a whole lot of QB's in the NFL that haven't missed any time due to injuries, Wilson has played all 32 games he has been available, so sometimes I feel like people are creating a built in excuse should he be.Also, I'm not convinced should he miss a couple games it is automatic doom for the team. Jackson CAN win games, I don't want him as the starter, or for an extended period of time, however, that is WHY teams attempt to have quality backups right? So if a guy goes down, they can still adequately compete? That's my understanding of it.

Don't get me wrong I don't want him to go down, but for a game or three, I do believe Jackson can get the job done. Plenty of teams cope with that ( look at Brady going down, or Rothlisberger or any other number of QB's that went down and still not only won, but went to the playoffs, a few even still won SB's). Just pointing it out, not saying it's a preference or anything. I personally believe this team is good enough to succeed at least for a short time, and don't adhere to the without Wilson they are the Texans from last year theory.

[Hawktawk]

Seattle succeeds in spite of a mediocre line in all phases. RW and lynch are why. Lynch makes holes, packs people etc. He could get yards on any team. RW same deal. Scanning the various 2014 tribute compilations to the season is ever clearer that RW and Marshawn made many of their own plays. Id love to see the situation improve but they won with it being that way last year and they sure could again.

[HumanCockroach]

And it is only going to get better across the board ( not just for Lynch and Wilson, but the offensive line as well) with a healthy Percy, and a second speed demon in Richardson, the days of packing everyone close to the line are numbered. Far to often the plan was 8 In the box, blitz if they pass last season, not going to be able to do that any longer, or a coordinator runs the risk of giving up a long TD each and every time... I could be off base on that of course, but I don't think I am based on my experience. Adding that kind of speed ( which includes BOTH of those guys, not just one) simply doesn't happen often at that level. Everyone benefits, including the line, cuts down on the time needed in pass protect, cuts down on men to block in the running game, etc...

We'll see.... should be fun

[RiverDog]

When was the last time you witnessed a "career ending" injury to a QB in the NFL? Come on RD, this isn't the "worst" line in NFL history, he isn't being sacked 100 times a season, has no running game and is being left to the wolves. Statements like those make me cringe, because there is judgement, and there is hyperbole, and that statement is the latter IMHO.

Maybe not career ending, but certainly career changing. RG3 was not the same quarterback this season after his injury than he was last year before he went down.

And speaking of hyperbole, where was it that I said that our OL was the "worst line in NFL history" or that RW was being sacked "100 times"? Pot calling the kettle black.

[monkey]

I also think that Norwood will surprise us. I hope expect him to as the last couple of years he made the big plays at Alabama when they really needed it.

I hope Norwood doesn't "surprise" me, because for him to do that, he'll have to be a flop.
I FULLY expect him to be as close to the perfect fit for our offense as any receiver we have on the team. Seriously.

Every single thing that Norwood does best, is EXACTLY the things that our passing game is built around; controlling the red line (working the sidelines), getting himself open after things break down for the QB, (scramble drills), high pointing jump balls in the air (winning one on one's) etc...those are all of his strengths, and those are EXACTLY the things we ask our receivers to do.

I expect Norwood, (who really worked to develop chemistry between himself and the QB in college) to come in and be an immediate favorite target of Wilson's. I'll only be surprised if that doesn't happen.

[HumanCockroach]

When was the last time you witnessed a "career ending" injury to a QB in the NFL? Come on RD, this isn't the "worst" line in NFL history, he isn't being sacked 100 times a season, has no running game and is being left to the wolves. Statements like those make me cringe, because there is judgement, and there is hyperbole, and that statement is the latter IMHO.

Maybe not career ending, but certainly career changing. RG3 was not the same quarterback this season after his injury than he was last year before he went down.

And speaking of hyperbole, where was it that I said that our OL was the "worst line in NFL history" or that RW was being sacked "100 times"? Pot calling the kettle black.

That would be explained with the first two words of that sentence which said "this isn't" ie, pretending like it is so bad as to jeapordise Wilson to the point of expressing career ending injury concerns makes no sense, is an extreme exageration. I didn't say you said it, I said that this isn't the worst line in NFL history.

[HumanCockroach]

When was the last time you witnessed a "career ending" injury to a QB in the NFL? Come on RD, this isn't the "worst" line in NFL history, he isn't being sacked 100 times a season, has no running game and is being left to the wolves. Statements like those make me cringe, because there is judgement, and there is hyperbole, and that statement is the latter IMHO.

Maybe not career ending, but certainly career changing. RG3 was not the same quarterback this season after his injury than he was last year before he went down.

And speaking of hyperbole, where was it that I said that our OL was the "worst line in NFL history" or that RW was being sacked "100 times"? Pot calling the kettle black.

Ah, the Jim Zorn syndrome. Doubtful, but we'll see, RGIII was injured because a run, not because of pass protection. Hit's behind the line can be brutal, but those incurred while running the ball are typically much worse, that said, RGIII incurred one that was more bad luck than anything else, which can happen on every play in the NFL.

[RiverDog]

When was the last time you witnessed a "career ending" injury to a QB in the NFL? Come on RD, this isn't the "worst" line in NFL history, he isn't being sacked 100 times a season, has no running game and is being left to the wolves. Statements like those make me cringe, because there is judgement, and there is hyperbole, and that statement is the latter IMHO.

Maybe not career ending, but certainly career changing. RG3 was not the same quarterback this season after his injury than he was last year before he went down.

And speaking of hyperbole, where was it that I said that our OL was the "worst line in NFL history" or that RW was being sacked "100 times"? Pot calling the kettle black.

That would be explained with the first two words of that sentence which said "this isn't" ie, pretending like it is so bad as to jeapordise Wilson to the point of expressing career ending injury concerns makes no sense, is an extreme exageration. I didn't say you said it, I said that this isn't the worst line in NFL history.

Oh, come on, HC. You exaggerated just as I did. You were trying to make my comment look extreme and used terms in your reply that I never said or implied.

[NorthHawk]

I also think that Norwood will surprise us. I hope expect him to as the last couple of years he made the big plays at Alabama when they really needed it.

I hope Norwood doesn't "surprise" me, because for him to do that, he'll have to be a flop.
I FULLY expect him to be as close to the perfect fit for our offense as any receiver we have on the team. Seriously.

Every single thing that Norwood does best, is EXACTLY the things that our passing game is built around; controlling the red line (working the sidelines), getting himself open after things break down for the QB, (scramble drills), high pointing jump balls in the air (winning one on one's) etc...those are all of his strengths, and those are EXACTLY the things we ask our receivers to do.

I expect Norwood, (who really worked to develop chemistry between himself and the QB in college) to come in and be an immediate favorite target of Wilson's. I'll only be surprised if that doesn't happen.

I meant surprise in a good way for the benefit of those who don't think much of the pick. He talks about preparation and I see him on the same page as Russell so I fully expect them to be effective when the play breaks down.
Watching him the last 2 years (as often as they were on national TV), I consistently saw a player that just got the job done but was overshadowed by others or the success of the team. He was McCarrons go to guy when they needed a big play or to move the chains.
Norwood came up with some big plays, was always consistent, and never seemed to let the gravity of the game overwhelm him. I believe he's also a little faster than many think - the same kind of speed that I thought of when I saw Jerry Rice - from a speed PoV. For background Rice ran an official 4.6 at his combine but played much faster and Norwood ran a 4.48. That's plenty fast enough to be effective.

As with all draft picks we never know who will succeed at the NFL level or on our team. All we really know at this point is how we fans perceive their rank relative to their draft class and how teams perceived them by where they were drafted.

[Futureite]

c_bob - I see elsewhere that you didn't seem to like the Britt pick. Is the kid that bad in your opinion? Mayock had him graded as a 5th rounder, but then there was a comment by Cable in an (espn, I think) team blog article (written by Terry Blount) that said he did a nice job against Clowney in a game last year.

Now, if true, that's just one game. But if he handled himself well against the number 1 overall pick, seems like there's something potentially there. Is this another Carpenter type pick you think? You're usually among the more optimistic guys concerning the team's thought process, so I was just curious.

For myself, I like what we've done overall. I also like the fact that, for as many picks as they've had this year, I don't think SF has hit any kind of home run this weekend, either. You and others know much more about the NCAA than I do. But it looks to me that we've done OK overall. It doesn't seem like our divisional rivals have been tearin' it up, despite the drafts spots they had going into the event.

That was not a homerun. It was a grand slam. Marcus Martin and Hyde alone would have made me happy. My friend texted me this morning and said "I still have an erection over this draft". I think you did well with Richardson and I don't know much about Britt. It is almost impossible to grade Seahwks' drafts now because none of us really know what they see in any player or where they project them to be. No one ever knows if a homerun was hit until the season starts. But on paper, our draft was an A+.

[HumanCockroach]

Call it what you like it RD, you made another "fire" in the theatre statement, and I don't like them, funny how an exaggeration like that creates a stir in you, when it is response to your extreme over the top statement. I'm tired of them, so maybe I didn't need to take it to the "extreme" as you did, but after reading all the "extreme" statements regarding this line, Wilson's protection, and the over the top critism of the FO on the heels of the most successful stretch in Seahawks history, I feel OK with throwing a little back from time to time.

[RiverDog]

I meant surprise in a good way for the benefit of those who don't think much of the pick. He talks about preparation and I see him on the same page as Russell so I fully expect them to be effective when the play breaks down.
Watching him the last 2 years (as often as they were on national TV), I consistently saw a player that just got the job done but was overshadowed by others or the success of the team. He was McCarrons go to guy when they needed a big play or to move the chains.
Norwood came up with some big plays, was always consistent, and never seemed to let the gravity of the game overwhelm him. I believe he's also a little faster than many think - the same kind of speed that I thought of when I saw Jerry Rice - from a speed PoV. For background Rice ran an official 4.6 at his combine but played much faster and Norwood ran a 4.48. That's plenty fast enough to be effective.

As with all draft picks we never know who will succeed at the NFL level or on our team. All we really know at this point is how we fans perceive their rank relative to their draft class and how teams perceived them by where they were drafted.

I haven't had a chance to research all of our picks yet, but of those I have, I like Norwood the best, at least in terms of value and addressing team needs. It's ironic that last year, it was another Alabama grad that I thought our best value or best gamble in Jesse Williams.

[monkey]

c_bob - I see elsewhere that you didn't seem to like the Britt pick. Is the kid that bad in your opinion? Mayock had him graded as a 5th rounder, but then there was a comment by Cable in an (espn, I think) team blog article (written by Terry Blount) that said he did a nice job against Clowney in a game last year.

Now, if true, that's just one game. But if he handled himself well against the number 1 overall pick, seems like there's something potentially there. Is this another Carpenter type pick you think? You're usually among the more optimistic guys concerning the team's thought process, so I was just curious.

For myself, I like what we've done overall. I also like the fact that, for as many picks as they've had this year, I don't think SF has hit any kind of home run this weekend, either. You and others know much more about the NCAA than I do. But it looks to me that we've done OK overall. It doesn't seem like our divisional rivals have been tearin' it up, despite the drafts spots they had going into the event.

That was not a homerun. It was a grand slam. Marcus Martin and Hyde alone would have made me happy. My friend texted me this morning and said "I still have an erection over this draft". I think you did well with Richardson and I don't know much about Britt. It is almost impossible to grade Seahwks' drafts now because none of us really know what they see in any player or where they project them to be. No one ever knows if a homerun was hit until the season starts. But on paper, our draft was an A+.

I'd grade it this way for the NFC West: (I grade tough)
St. Louis- A+ Solid A+ and the only one of any team. I think that they had THE BEST draft of every team in the entire NFL. I'd say they hit home runs with at least two or three of their picks, but that would be underselling it...they hit grand slams! I was blown away by their draft.

Santa Clara- B- A few reaches, and not one truly special, or scary player in the bunch. Still they accumulated a lot of solid looking players, and a lot of depth. Overall a solid draft, key for depth and beginning to replace some of the players on what is a rapidly aging defense, and potentially a couple of nice situational starters.

Seattle B- Too many value reaches to rank any higher, though four years from now, we'll likely be talking about what a brilliant draft it was yet again. Still, just like with the Niners draft, most of these guys will probably be depth, or situational starters, though Britt will at least compete to start right away at RT. Richardson will likely factor in as the deep threat/#4 WR, and next year our new LB will have a good shot at replacing Malcolm Smith if he leaves for money.

Arizona C+ (Provisional because if itturns out that they just drafted their franchise QB, then they get a MUCH higher grade). I really liked their first round pick, and liked that they keep beefing up their secondary, but a couple of those players I'm not impressed at all with, and I have very little hope for the QB to pan out personally.