Last year for Beast in Seattle?

[Irish Greg 2.0]

I'm really starting to get that feeling/sense. I was just watching the Seahawks Town Hall, and Bevell stated they will be going running back by committee this season.

Marshawn is fast approaching the upper limit for NFL RBs (30 years old) - he turns 29 next year. He also has a cap hit of $9 MILLION next season, and we are going to need all the spare pennies we can to extend Russell, who will get $18-20 million I'm sure.

The writing was on the locker room wall when we drafted a RB (Michael) with our first pick last year. The coaching staff has been raving about Michael in OTAs, and we all know how good he looked last pre-season.

Pete on Michael:

“He’s just a million miles ahead of where he was in terms of understanding what we want scheme wise, pass protection wise, route wise, and we know he’s a natural runner,” Carroll said. “He’s got explosive talent and we just want to get him fit in. By the end of preseason he should be just a real comfortable part of this football team.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/04/bevell-seahawks-to-be-more-running-back-by-committee-next-season/

Thoughts?

[mykc14]

Yeah, I've been saying this for awhile, there is no way that he is on the team next year with that cap hit. They save 7+ mil if they let him walk. The only way he comes back is if he signs for a lot less and I don't really see that as an option, especially if Michael has a good year.

[Futureite]

Cannot let that man go. He is the heart and soul of your team and IMO the most important player on it. Michael is not Lynch. Michael's running style is not that of a down hill, pounding 4th qtr demoralizer like Lynch. The man pounds until 2 yd gains turn into 4 and 5 yd gains and eventually, a long TD. He's not even close to done yet either, regardless of what the typical age profile says for RBs.

[Zorn76]

9 million is a high number for 2015, that's for sure. But the only way we'll know if Michael is his eventual replacement, is if he plays a significant amount of time. And if Beast is healthy in 2014, that ain't gonna happen.

The Seahawks don't have time to screw around at the position. ML is an absolute KEY for Seattle returning to the SB. If Marshawn is healthy, he plays, period.

If they want to spell him here and there during games, that's understandable. But in order for Pete to have legit knowledge and faith in CM, he's gotta see him carry around 100-150 times, and that's a small sample size to be banking that you've found your next franchise RB.

Lynch has 1,753 career carries to his name right now. 30 is often the Grim Reaper for RB's, because that's about the time they hit 2,500. Three hundred a season x 8 seasons is the simple math. Marshawn's style is very physical, as we all know, and he does have a recent injury history that's a reasonable concern.

But when your team is in the prime of their Super Bowl years - and that's Exactly where we are now - you don't start experimenting with a position and player who was crucial to winning you a Lombardi in the 1st place. Give Lynch the rest he needs, but I bet Beast still ends up carrying the ball over 250 times for 2014.

Michael, meanwhile, has TONS to prove. The problem is, I'm not sure how much of a real opportunity he'll have to prove it, no matter how glowing Pete was in his recent assessment of him.

At the end of the day, I think ML will agree to a restructure. I doubt he wants to start over anywhere else. He'd still likely be making good money for a 29 yr old RB even after a restructure (for 2015 and beyond), and Seattle remains his best shot at another ring.

[jshawaii22]

I don't know how Marshawn will feel about that, either... shared time to 'save' his body? His M.O. is so over the top. I don't know if he would accept it or shut it down if he didn't feel 'appreciated' any more. If 'appreciated' = 90% of the carries, as it does now.
When I saw Bevell's comment, it did raise an eyebrow with me.

On the subject of contracts. The interesting part of 'Cap Hits' -- Yesterday, PFT published a list of cap space and the 49'ers had about 1.2million. So, 24 hours later they sign Kap to the largest contract in the history of the NFL. How? Did they release 1/2 the team? Restructure? What about the 2 players that are bitching about their contracts?

The question comes up... does the "CAP" really have any meaning any more? Does Marshawn's 9m really prevent us from signing Russell, Bobby W. and the others... KJ, Lane? Maxwell? The cap is supposed to go up 10 -15m again next year, too.

FYI: We have around 10m in cap space right now.

js

[kalibane]

They have to create room to sign Wilson and they didn't draft Michael in the 2nd round to be a back up running back for three years. Writing is on the wall unless Michael just can't figure out how to block.

[RiverDog]

I'm really starting to get that feeling/sense. I was just watching the Seahawks Town Hall, and Bevell stated they will be going running back by committee this season.

Marshawn is fast approaching the upper limit for NFL RBs (30 years old) - he turns 29 next year. He also has a cap hit of $9 MILLION next season, and we are going to need all the spare pennies we can to extend Russell, who will get $18-20 million I'm sure.

The writing was on the locker room wall when we drafted a RB (Michael) with our first pick last year. The coaching staff has been raving about Michael in OTAs, and we all know how good he looked last pre-season.

Pete on Michael:

“He’s just a million miles ahead of where he was in terms of understanding what we want scheme wise, pass protection wise, route wise, and we know he’s a natural runner,” Carroll said. “He’s got explosive talent and we just want to get him fit in. By the end of preseason he should be just a real comfortable part of this football team.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/04/bevell-seahawks-to-be-more-running-back-by-committee-next-season/

Thoughts?

Wow, it's surprising that Pete would say such great things about one of his players, huh? A million miles ahead?

Before Michael can take over for Beast, he has to beat out Turbin, and from my understanding, what's holding him back is his blocking ability, something that on this team there's a premium added as our OL is a weak spot and doesn't look to get much better anytime soon. I haven't seen any evidence of Beast slowing down, but you know it's coming here in the next year or two. At least we're not kidding ourselves about the impending wall nearly all running backs hit when their carriage turns into a pumpkin when the clock strikes 30 like we did with Shaun Alexander.

[Irish Greg 2.0]

Cannot let that man go. He is the heart and soul of your team and IMO the most important player on it. Michael is not Lynch. Michael's running style is not that of a down hill, pounding 4th qtr demoralizer like Lynch. The man pounds until 2 yd gains turn into 4 and 5 yd gains and eventually, a long TD. He's not even close to done yet either, regardless of what the typical age profile says for RBs.

I hear you - but that's a fan approach, not the Head Coach/GM/Cap manager reality. We absolutely CAN let him go and most likely, will have to. It sucks, because I personally agree with everything you say. He is a unique talent and his tenacity and relentless style fits our team perfectly.

But the reality is ... we have to add a MASSIVE cap hit with the Wilson contract, on top of the deals we have already added in the last few years (Harvin, Chancellor, Thomas, Sherman). A new deal for Okung looms as well. Unfortunately, the salary cap business dictates personnel decisions.

Again - you have to ask yourself: Why would they spend a 2nd round pick on Michael last year if he wasn't intended to be the RB of the future, especially when we already had Turbin in place as Beast's back-up?

There is not a clearer case of writing on the wall, IMO. We must brace ourselves for the possibility this will be the last year we get to enjoy Marshawn in Seattle. It is what it is.

[c_hawkbob]

I'm really starting to get that feeling/sense. I was just watching the Seahawks Town Hall, and Bevell stated they will be going running back by committee this season.

Marshawn is fast approaching the upper limit for NFL RBs (30 years old) - he turns 29 next year. He also has a cap hit of $9 MILLION next season, and we are going to need all the spare pennies we can to extend Russell, who will get $18-20 million I'm sure.

The writing was on the locker room wall when we drafted a RB (Michael) with our first pick last year. The coaching staff has been raving about Michael in OTAs, and we all know how good he looked last pre-season.

Pete on Michael:

“He’s just a million miles ahead of where he was in terms of understanding what we want scheme wise, pass protection wise, route wise, and we know he’s a natural runner,” Carroll said. “He’s got explosive talent and we just want to get him fit in. By the end of preseason he should be just a real comfortable part of this football team.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/04/bevell-seahawks-to-be-more-running-back-by-committee-next-season/

Thoughts?

The real "cliff" that RB's run off of, in terms of the precipitous decline in productivity people like to say is their 30th birthday is not a date, it's a stat; 2000 carries is usually about it for a RB and Beast is at 1753.

That's 247 carries from running off the cliff. He's never carried less than 285 as a Seahawk, it'd be downright irresponsible of Pete & John not to be making plans to replace him. Which is exactly why we see on the ticker on NFL AM this Morning that Pete says we are going to a "running back by committee" approach this year.

Wouldn't surprise me a bit to see Christine and Turbo as our "committee" next year.

[NorthHawk]

We discussed this a little last year on the old forum, but it was a short discussion as Lynch seemed to have a lot of tread left.

That 2000 carries does seem to be the magic number and his salary is pretty high next year so unless he re-negotiates a friendlier contract, the writing would appear to be on the wall.
I guess this year will be the year to see if we can get by without Lynch. If Michael can bring that same determination and at least a little of the run after contact then we might be OK.
Turbin needs to get his good runs when the OL isn't holding. He seemed to be snake bit last year when he broke off a good run with the penalties on others.

If it is Lynch's last year, I'll be sorry to see him go, but it's all part of the game, I suppose. We will have to make do without him at some point.

[kalibane]

People are also not factoring in that the passing game SHOULD improve as Wilson does which should balance out what (if anything) is lost by transitioning to Michael as feature back.

[NorthHawk]

If the OL is solid, the passing game should improve. If it takes a step back, the Run game will be even more dominant.

[RiverDog]

People are also not factoring in that the passing game SHOULD improve as Wilson does which should balance out what (if anything) is lost by transitioning to Michael as feature back.

IMO the passing game is not a sure thing to improve. There's still huge question marks concerning our OL, we are missing our most productive receiver from last season, we have two unproven rookies, Miller seems to have been getting injured a lot, there's a question about Michael's blocking, and we have Percy Harvin to wonder about. If all the stars line up, if the OL plays better, if Michael doesn't block like a matador, if Harvin plays a full 16 games, and if the rookie receivers produce, then yes, I could see us moving away from the running game somewhat. But that's a lot of if's.

[kalibane]

I don't think there are that many "ifs".

The only true "if" is: If you believe that Wilson really has just scratched the surface of what he's capable of, the passing game SHOULD be improved 2 years from now. If a RB of Marshawn Lynch's level is absolutely necessary for this team to have any chance of maintaining the current level of competitiveness two years from now then Wilson isn't all that we've cracked him up to be.

[HumanCockroach]

I've said multiple times that I see Wilson's career arc as very similar to Brady's, maybe he doesn't reach that plateau, but I do believe that as time moves forward, we are going to see more, and more passing with the run stepping back some, which IMHO bodes well with the "complimentary" running of a player like Michaels. I doubt in two or three seasons well see a 60/40 split run to pass.Just don't see it. Wilson may fall off, but my guess would be his attempts/yards etc increase incrementaly each and every season moving forward .

[kalibane]

I see the same thing. Can't predict those highs of course but I believe that Russell will improve year to year and slowly the passing game will account for more of the offense, making a bell cow RB less of a priority.

[NorthHawk]

The counter to Wilson and the Offense moving towards a 60/40 pass/run split is Pete's determination to be a run first team that dominates on the ground.
I have to wonder how much he will stick with it if the run game begins to fall off - or will he double down on the OL/TEs to get production on the ground.

[HumanCockroach]

Possibly, just don't think the continued money spent as well as draft picks to continue to build that receiving core, is because he doesn't want to pass the ball more. Would seem to be counter productive to spend that capital on guys you aren't planning on getting more involved. But we'll see...

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

I just wonder if it is telling that we drafted 2 receivers. Depth aside, it seems they recognize that teams were willing to sell out versus the run on us, so they grab one guy that can burn you with speed then another that can run precise routes. I know they are rookies, and the glowing reports from OTA's are normal for this time of year, but I'd see it as good football to increase your pass play percentage from the year before to take some pressure off the running game. That flexibility would be huge; stack the run, we'll ruin your day with the pass; increase your coverage, fine, we'll run it down your throat. I know pretty basic strategy, but not everyone has the horses for it, but we look like we might. With two years under his belt, Wilson should be primed to take his game even further, so why not take advantage of that? It will be interesting to see if any passing increase comes to fruition.

[briwas101]

I think we can definitely win the super bowl without lynch on the team, but if we can work out a more reasonable deal then it would be very nice to keep him another season or two after this.

[Steady_Hawk]

I remember in a video Lynch telling Sherman he was going to retire if they won a SB, then shortly after he said he wanted one more year. This departure may be more Lynch than Seattle. He's a unique spirit to say the least, and one of the most enjoyable personalities I personally have witnessed. Bottom line in my mind, I doubt he's even in the NFL at 30, but not because of slowing down or "mileage", but rather he was never really in it for the money and has climbed the Mt.Everest of the NFL. I'm a bit surprised he wants to go another year, but I'm happy he does and would gladly welcome a couple more years.

[kalibane]

I don't ever think there will be a 60/40 split in favor of the Pass while Pete Carroll is here, but if RW is what we believe he is then they won't be the 2nd most run heavy team in the league either.

[obiken]

I agree his shelf life is almost over. We cant run him like last year. Tuna once said that RB's come in all shapes and sizes, but you need them to win.

[HumanCockroach]

The counter to Wilson and the Offense moving towards a 60/40 pass/run split is Pete's determination to be a run first team that dominates on the ground.
I have to wonder how much he will stick with it if the run game begins to fall off - or will he double down on the OL/TEs to get production on the ground.

I didn't say it would move that far ( though once PC leaves I could see it shifting that drastically) but in the next two years, I wouldn't be in the least surprised to see it become 55%/45% pass to run, and this season I would expect that while still very high in RB carries they won't lead the league, or be in the top 2-3. Kind of expecting a 50/50 split this season, with incremental increased balance as the season goes. That isn't to say they won't pound the ball at opponents, just that Wilson won't be dead last in the league in attempts again, and Seattle will rise in the passing statistics across the board. If it doesn't happen and they still win, you won't hear a complaint coming from me, but I just don't buy into the idea that they do things in this FO just because, and they are indeed investing a huge amount in the passing game.

[NorthHawk]

The counter to Wilson and the Offense moving towards a 60/40 pass/run split is Pete's determination to be a run first team that dominates on the ground.
I have to wonder how much he will stick with it if the run game begins to fall off - or will he double down on the OL/TEs to get production on the ground.

I didn't say it would move that far ( though once PC leaves I could see it shifting that drastically) but in the next two years, I wouldn't be in the least surprised to see it become 55%/45% pass to run, and this season I would expect that while still very high in RB carries they won't lead the league, or be in the top 2-3. Kind of expecting a 50/50 split this season, with incremental increased balance as the season goes. That isn't to say they won't pound the ball at opponents, just that Wilson won't be dead last in the league in attempts again, and Seattle will rise in the passing statistics across the board. If it doesn't happen and they still win, you won't hear a complaint coming from me, but I just don't buy into the idea that they do things in this FO just because, and they are indeed investing a huge amount in the passing game.

I understand what you are saying and could easily agree with that statement except for Pete's often stated, re-stated and demonstrated commitment to be a run first team.
It's what he really wants to do on Offense so it would seem to me the highest pass ratio might be 50/50.
I think he might be one of those guys who deep down has a bit of the old school idea that when you throw the ball 3 things can happen and 2 are bad.
Maybe not fully believing in it, but enough to want to minimize the pass game to the point where it is used to loosen up the Defense to run the ball effectively.

[HumanCockroach]

The counter to Wilson and the Offense moving towards a 60/40 pass/run split is Pete's determination to be a run first team that dominates on the ground.
I have to wonder how much he will stick with it if the run game begins to fall off - or will he double down on the OL/TEs to get production on the ground.

I didn't say it would move that far ( though once PC leaves I could see it shifting that drastically) but in the next two years, I wouldn't be in the least surprised to see it become 55%/45% pass to run, and this season I would expect that while still very high in RB carries they won't lead the league, or be in the top 2-3. Kind of expecting a 50/50 split this season, with incremental increased balance as the season goes. That isn't to say they won't pound the ball at opponents, just that Wilson won't be dead last in the league in attempts again, and Seattle will rise in the passing statistics across the board. If it doesn't happen and they still win, you won't hear a complaint coming from me, but I just don't buy into the idea that they do things in this FO just because, and they are indeed investing a huge amount in the passing game.

I understand what you are saying and could easily agree with that statement except for Pete's often stated, re-stated and demonstrated commitment to be a run first team.
It's what he really wants to do on Offense so it would seem to me the highest pass ratio might be 50/50.
I think he might be one of those guys who deep down has a bit of the old school idea that when you throw the ball 3 things can happen and 2 are bad.
Maybe not fully believing in it, but enough to want to minimize the pass game to the point where it is used to loosen up the Defense to run the ball effectively.

Sure he wants to be a run dominant team, every team does, or at least every coach says he does. I'm not saying they turn into the Cowboys, and as I said, I won't be dissapointed to see them continue as long as they are winning. Just see the same kind of thing being said by the Pats when Brady took over. Wilson will get better, the receivers will get better, and no matter how much Carroll WANTS to be a run dominant team, any coach worth his salt, plays to his teams strengths, as he has done since arriving. Isn't much of a stretch for me to summise that he will adjust, should the strength become something other than a power run game.

[NorthHawk]

I'll buy that.

[RiverDog]

I don't think there are that many "ifs".

The only true "if" is: If you believe that Wilson really has just scratched the surface of what he's capable of, the passing game SHOULD be improved 2 years from now. If a RB of Marshawn Lynch's level is absolutely necessary for this team to have any chance of maintaining the current level of competitiveness two years from now then Wilson isn't all that we've cracked him up to be.

Is Russell Okung an 'if'? I think so. He's had one full, injury free seasons in his first four. Heck, even when he was healthy, the Rams made him look like a revolving door. Or how about Percy Harvin? How comfortable are you that he can play a full 16 games, or even 12 games? Or the rookie receivers? How comfortable are you with James Carpenter? Can Christine Michael block? That seems like quite a few 'if's' to me.

I'm not trying to be glass half empty or Debbie Downer. I just think that we're ignoring some dark storm clouds if we don't recognize the challenges this offense is going to face if the expectations are that they will be improved over last season when we had a relatively weak schedule compared to this season.

At the very least, I want to see how this team shapes up in the preseason. Our schedule is a bit front loaded this year, with our first three games coming against playoff teams. I'll be happy if the offense simply treads water, at least early on. This is still a defense orientated team, and so long as our offense can keep from putting the defense in bad spots and takes advantage of the opportunities given, I think they'll be fine. But I'm not expecting any miracles.

[HumanCockroach]

Worrying about how "tough" the schedule is, is pretty much a pointless endeavor at this point, the same was said last year with teams like Atlanta, Houston, Giants, Rams, Cardinals, etc all being major concerns. Thing is that from year to year, teams no one expects to be "tough" are, and teams people fret about, fall apart. Seasons change, injuries happen, players age, signees don't pan out, it is a churning cycle.

I do worry about the early buy, and the 5 divisional games at the end ( could they have f'ld that up any more completely?) But who they are playing, in early June? Nah.

Harvin is pretty close to a guarantee to contribute more than he did last season, Kearse, Baldwin received critical significant experience, as did the o-line, Willson. Just don't see one real reason to not to be optomistic that this offense will be better than it was last season. Every team has "If's" they have to deal with, Seattle is no different, fretting about it makes zero sense at this point. Wilson, Willson, Kearse, Baldwin, Bowie, Harvin, Hunger, Sweezy, Okung, hell Carpenter, Michaels should all improve,either because of how little they contributed, or experience gained. Doesn't mean they all will be, just that improvement is what is reasonable to expect from young players that have yet to reach a ceiling, or that are getting healthy.

It's possible they take steps back, doesn't mean they will....

Enjoy the ride, once again, they can't all turn out like last season, but heading into the season, there isn't a good reason to start looking for regression, or injuries.

[RiverDog]

Worrying about how "tough" the schedule is, is pretty much a pointless endeavor at this point, the same was said last year with teams like Atlanta, Houston, Giants, Rams, Cardinals, etc all being major concerns. Thing is that from year to year, teams no one expects to be "tough" are, and teams people fret about, fall apart. Seasons change, injuries happen, players age, signees don't pan out, it is a churning cycle.

I do worry about the early buy, and the 5 divisional games at the end ( could they have f'ld that up any more completely?) But who they are playing, in early June? Nah.

Harvin is pretty close to a guarantee to contribute more than he did last season, Kearse, Baldwin received critical significant experience, as did the o-line, Willson. Just don't see one real reason to not to be optomistic that this offense will be better than it was last season. Every team has "If's" they have to deal with, Seattle is no different, fretting about it makes zero sense at this point. Wilson, Willson, Kearse, Baldwin, Bowie, Harvin, Hunger, Sweezy, Okung, hell Carpenter, Michaels should all improve,either because of how little they contributed, or experience gained. Doesn't mean they all will be, just that improvement is what is reasonable to expect from young players that have yet to reach a ceiling, or that are getting healthy.

It's possible they take steps back, doesn't mean they will....

Enjoy the ride, once again, they can't all turn out like last season, but heading into the season, there isn't a good reason to start looking for regression, or injuries.

Understood and agreed about the difficulty of handicapping schedules in June. I've always said, and will continue to say, that you have to wait until at least Week 4 to make a reasonable SOS determination.

But that doesn't mean we are excused from overlooking some of the challenges we face. Heck, the odds of a team repeating are pretty long to begin with. I am merely pointing out some of those challenges. And yes, I'm sure I'll enjoy the ride. I just made airline reservations to make a road trip to Arizona in December, so that's tangible proof of my optimism. Who in their right mind would spend close to $1000 to go watch a flop?

[HumanCockroach]

Worrying about how "tough" the schedule is, is pretty much a pointless endeavor at this point, the same was said last year with teams like Atlanta, Houston, Giants, Rams, Cardinals, etc all being major concerns. Thing is that from year to year, teams no one expects to be "tough" are, and teams people fret about, fall apart. Seasons change, injuries happen, players age, signees don't pan out, it is a churning cycle.

I do worry about the early buy, and the 5 divisional games at the end ( could they have f'ld that up any more completely?) But who they are playing, in early June? Nah.

Harvin is pretty close to a guarantee to contribute more than he did last season, Kearse, Baldwin received critical significant experience, as did the o-line, Willson. Just don't see one real reason to not to be optomistic that this offense will be better than it was last season. Every team has "If's" they have to deal with, Seattle is no different, fretting about it makes zero sense at this point. Wilson, Willson, Kearse, Baldwin, Bowie, Harvin, Hunger, Sweezy, Okung, hell Carpenter, Michaels should all improve,either because of how little they contributed, or experience gained. Doesn't mean they all will be, just that improvement is what is reasonable to expect from young players that have yet to reach a ceiling, or that are getting healthy.

It's possible they take steps back, doesn't mean they will....

Enjoy the ride, once again, they can't all turn out like last season, but heading into the season, there isn't a good reason to start looking for regression, or injuries.

Understood and agreed about the difficulty of handicapping schedules in June. I've always said, and will continue to say, that you have to wait until at least Week 4 to make a reasonable SOS determination.

But that doesn't mean we are excused from overlooking some of the challenges we face. Heck, the odds of a team repeating are pretty long to begin with. I am merely pointing out some of those challenges. And yes, I'm sure I'll enjoy the ride. I just made airline reservations to make a road trip to Arizona in December, so that's tangible proof of my optimism. Who in their right mind would spend close to $1000 to go watch a flop?

Bronco's fans? ( sorry I couldn't resist )

[Zorn76]

IMO, I think Pete still brings in another RB to compete for the franchise back title when Lynch is done. He had kind words for Michael, but I doubt very much he's banking on him to be Beastmode 2.0.

I'm not talking about another version of Robert Turbin, either, but rather a guy similar in calibre and upside to Carlos Hyde. We're a great rushing team offensively. I think it'd be a mistake to force the issue and have RW pass appreciably more, just because we have a (hopefully) healthy Percy Harvin and other WR/TE talent available.

We're a better run blocking team now, anyway, and the pass protection will be a work in progress with new guys up front. For the first few weeks, perhaps longer, I expect us to run as much as we did last season, until we know that we can protect Wilson better than a year ago.

Our defense will still be solid. Burning the clock, moving the chains, and forcing 3 and outs defensively was a good formula in 2013. No real reason to change it unless we're forced to. I also think the OL will be better than last season. The bar wasn't raised, and it can only go up. The measuring stick is over/under 44 sacks. I think we'll cut that number down by 10, all things being equal.

[Futureite]

Re: Last year for Beast in Seattletureite"]Cannot let that man go. He is the heart and soul of your team and IMO the most important player on it. Michael is not Lynch. Michael's running style is not that of a down hill, pounding 4th qtr demoralizer like Lynch. The man pounds until 2 yd gains turn into 4 and 5 yd gains and eventually, a long TD. He's not even close to done yet either, regardless of what the typical age profile says for RBs.[/quote]

I hear you - but that's a fan approach, not the Head Coach/GM/Cap manager reality. We absolutely CAN let him go and most likely, will have to. It sucks, because I personally agree with everything you say. He is a unique talent and his tenacity and relentless style fits our team perfectly.

But the reality is ... we have to add a MASSIVE cap hit with the Wilson contract, on top of the deals we have already added in the last few years (Harvin, Chancellor, Thomas, Sherman). A new deal for Okung looms as well. Unfortunately, the salary cap business dictates personnel decisions.

Again - you have to ask yourself: Why would they spend a 2nd round pick on Michael last year if he wasn't intended to be the RB of the future, especially when we already had Turbin in place as Beast's back-up?

There is not a clearer case of writing on the wall, IMO. We must brace ourselves for the possibility this will be the last year we get to enjoy Marshawn in Seattle. It is what it is.[/quote]

I will give you my opinion on why Carroll drafted Michael. In 2012 the team lacked two elements which prevented them.from winning; a pass rush, and O speed on the perimeter. Carroll fixed that on D with Avril and Bwnnett, and tried to on O with Harvin and Michael. As it turned out, your D and ST put up historical seasons and the extra pop on O was not needed.

That said, Harvin was obviously in IR and IMO Michael did not develop. One thing I've noticed that nobody brings up is the size of the splits that Cable has for your O-linemen. It spreads the entire D-line out and creates a lot of room for a downhill runner like Lynch. Of course this is what the zone blocking technique is intended to do. If you add a speed back together with a mobile QB it stretches the perimeter even further. It becomes a nightmare to defend, as so much room is left on the inside for a punishing runner like Lynch. IMO, he is the best RB in the league. I think Carrol drafted Michael because he really wanted to push the edge.

Now I believe what happened is simply that Michael did not develop as planned. Blocking was an issue, maybe the playbook too. Who knows. But he is not a downhill power back (from highlights I have seen). He has incredible burst and cutting ability. I would say he is more a "compliment" than an heir apparent. If you look at the drafting of Richardson, I am guessing Carroll is taking the approach this yr that he wanted to last yr. I really believe you will see a different Seattle O in 2014.

[kalibane]

It's funny that people are so scared of change. No one is talking about forcing Wilson to pass more. If Wilson is the guy we were all holding up as better than Luck, why wouldn't you allow him to pass more as his game develops? if he's one of the top 5 QBs in the league why would it be a mistake to let him throw the ball? If you're against him passing the ball 5 more times per game I'd say you don't really believe what you're saying when you post about how awesome he is. It's called natural progression.

And Future... you sound like a lot of these people trying to act like Kaep is noting but an uber athlete with a 10 cent head almost trying to delude themselves into not having to worry about what he's capable of. Michael didn't plaly because they had a 2nd team all-pro running back on the team already and he needs to be a more consistant blocker. That's the the only reason. Michael has special talent. (He only fell into the 2nd to begin with because of character) He was definitely drafted to succeed Lynch as the feature RB. And if he can learn how block he actually has the potential to be just as good, if not better, than Lynch. He may not run quite as powerfully as Lynch but who does?

[Futureite]

It's funny that people are so scared of change. No one is talking about forcing Wilson to pass more. If Wilson is the guy we were all holding up as better than Luck, why wouldn't you allow him to pass more as his game develops? if he's one of the top 5 QBs in the league why would it be a mistake to let him throw the ball? If you're against him passing the ball 5 more times per game I'd say you don't really believe what you're saying when you post about how awesome he is. It's called natural progression.

And Future... you sound like a lot of these people trying to act like Kaep is noting but an uber athlete with a 10 cent head almost trying to delude themselves into not having to worry about what he's capable of. Michael didn't plaly because they had a 2nd team all-pro running back on the team already and he needs to be a more consistant blocker. That's the the only reason. Michael has special talent. (He only fell into the 2nd to begin with because of character) He was definitely drafted to succeed Lynch as the feature RB. And if he can learn how block he actually has the potential to be just as good, if not better, than Lynch. He may not run quite as powerfully as Lynch but who does?

I agree Michael is very talented. Good vision, explosive. You could be right about him as a longterm replacement. But IMO that was not the 'specific' reason he was drafted. I think Carroll saw him as part of the SB winning puzxle last yr. Carroll is a gambler and a guy that goes all out to win now. It is one of the things I like about him. I do beliebe he was thinking immefiate impact with that pick. Maybe Michael will make that impact in 2014. He has the talent.

[RiverDog]

It's funny that people are so scared of change. No one is talking about forcing Wilson to pass more. If Wilson is the guy we were all holding up as better than Luck, why wouldn't you allow him to pass more as his game develops? if he's one of the top 5 QBs in the league why would it be a mistake to let him throw the ball? If you're against him passing the ball 5 more times per game I'd say you don't really believe what you're saying when you post about how awesome he is. It's called natural progression.

And Future... you sound like a lot of these people trying to act like Kaep is noting but an uber athlete with a 10 cent head almost trying to delude themselves into not having to worry about what he's capable of. Michael didn't plaly because they had a 2nd team all-pro running back on the team already and he needs to be a more consistant blocker. That's the the only reason. Michael has special talent. (He only fell into the 2nd to begin with because of character) He was definitely drafted to succeed Lynch as the feature RB. And if he can learn how block he actually has the potential to be just as good, if not better, than Lynch. He may not run quite as powerfully as Lynch but who does?

Two words: Pass protection.

This might have already been posted, but here's an article ranking our OL at #25 in pass blocking. Personally I am not comfortable with our franchise quarterback, perhaps the best quarterback we've ever had in 39 years, is going to be dropping back more often behind a sieve of an offensive line.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2 ... -rankings/

[NorthHawk]

I'm not so sure people are scared of change - it's inevitable in the NFL, but rather how will we adapt to life without a runner that can get so many yards after contact.
Some think that we will rely on pass more than run while others think Pete will stick to the run until it produces like it has the last year or 2.

The key is the OL and like RD says a lousy one will risk our Franchise QB. To me it's especially telling from that link that showed most of Russ's sacks from poor blocking came with the 5 OL playing against 4 DL. A guy will get beat once in a while, but that has to get cleaned up if we want to win it all again.

[kalibane]

I don't believe that at all Future. It's the same reason that the Niners took Lattimore and Hyde even thought Gore isn't done. They structured Lynch's extension such that there is almost zero chance that he remains on the team after this coming season. Michael was drafted as the heir apparent and if he wasn't they would have taken another RB this year.

They never meant Michael to play a huge role in the offense last year. If he was ready (read: able to be trusted in pass protection) to supplant Turbin, great... if not, no big deal. Harvin was the "win now" piece. Michael was insuring the future of the running game.

[Futureite]

I don't believe that at all Future. It's the same reason that the Niners took Lattimore and Hyde even thought Gore isn't done. They structured Lynch's extension such that there is almost zero chance that he remains on the team after this coming season. Michael was drafted as the heir apparent and if he wasn't they would have taken another RB this year.

They never meant Michael to play a huge role in the offense last year. If he was ready (read: able to be trusted in pass protection) to supplant Turbin, great... if not, no big deal. Harvin was the "win now" piece. Michael was insuring the future of the running game.

Fair enough. I watched a good 20 min of Michael highlights last night and the man has a great burst. He runs with good pad level at the point of contact. Looks like a very talented back. Time will tell if he (and our young backs) are true workhorse #1's. Either way we'll have to worry about him too, in 2014.

[RiverDog]

I'm not so sure people are scared of change - it's inevitable in the NFL, but rather how will we adapt to life without a runner that can get so many yards after contact.
Some think that we will rely on pass more than run while others think Pete will stick to the run until it produces like it has the last year or 2.

The key is the OL and like RD says a lousy one will risk our Franchise QB. To me it's especially telling from that link that showed most of Russ's sacks from poor blocking came with the 5 OL playing against 4 DL. A guy will get beat once in a while, but that has to get cleaned up if we want to win it all again.

I'm not scared of change. Sometimes I don't anticipate change, like the way Pete has changed the paradigm that defense once again wins championships. I wasn't afraid of that change, I just wasn't convinced that was the best way of going about winning a SB. I was dead wrong about that one. Now Pete has a good portion of the league trying to copy his blueprint.

What I am scared of is subjecting Russell Wilson to a higher risk of serious injury before we've fixed our problems along the O-line. Maybe Bailee and Bowie will blossom, maybe we see a new Carpenter, maybe Okung stays healthy all year, and maybe this Britt guy is the real deal. But until our OL stabilizes, I don't want to be sending Russell out in front of that shooting gallery any more than we have to. Feed the Beast!