Okung out for "a week or so"

[burrrton]

Bruised lung:

http://mynorthwest.com/422/2668891/Pete ... uised-lung

I hate saying it, but I'm actually not convinced we're that much worse with Okung out. He's a false-start/holding machine this year.

[Zorn76]

He's an above avg LT, and we'll miss him, but I think we'll be OK there.

[NorthHawk]

From what I understand, he's been playing with a torn Labrum, so in my book he gets a bit of reprieve.
It's hard enough playing healthy but if you're only 80%, you need to get a good start at the snap and maybe hold when you otherwise wouldn't.

I'm just glad it isn't a torn pectoral muscle as that would be the end of the year.

[Hawktawk]

Hes been disappointing.Between the nagging injuries and the stupid penalties hes really making Seattle have to reconsider making an extended investment in him. I think his compromised physical condition makes him commit penalties trying to gain an advantage.If he has a labrum issue its very painful. His potential makes you drool but just when it seems hes over the hump its another injury.

The frustrating thing about this injury is that it is on PETE CARROLL. It was an inexcusable game management error that cost Seattle a likely 3 points and offensive tackle. I wouldn't be surprised if that was part of Okung's anger. And it could have gotten Wilson injured as well.

That was the only cool thing about that play, watching Wilson knock a linebacker on his ass and stop that int from getting to the end zone.Horrible coaching decision, terrible throw, great defensive play. It was one of the most amazing things Ive seen Russell do.You wont see Manning or Brady make that play, probably not Luck either.

Still that coaching decision at the half was inexcusable and reminds me of PCs first few years here,burning timeouts, questionable replay challenges etc. He has been a lot better lately so i hope that is out of his system. There will be a game where it will cost us a victory if it isn't and we cant afford to lose again this year.

[burrrton]

From what I understand, he's been playing with a torn Labrum, so in my book he gets a bit of reprieve.

Probably fair.

[monkey]

Tough injury, yet again to an oft injured player in a contract season.

It's tough because we can see his determination to play through this stuff, (the shove of the trainer due to frustration).

I wrote about this earlier this year, he should get some real credit for playing through a tough injury...heck multiple injuries actually, he's really shown some toughness this season, but as for a long term investment past this year, I'm not convinced, I'm torn really. It's NOT a reflection of his character though, or his work ethic.

The injuries he keeps dealing with, are they just bad luck? I would guess that they are, and the fact that he's played through the labrum injury makes me less concerned with possible future injuries. At the same time, the false starts and other silly penalties he keeps racking up (especially in the red zone), are a real annoyance that seems to be an ongoing problem.

In the end, the team will have to weigh the cost of extending him vs. the cost of using a high draft pick to replace him.
Given the way that Cable drafts....

[Zorn76]

I'll be curious to see what Okung (er, his agent) asks for.

He is a decent LT, and it's tough to find a good one, but he is replaceable.

If he demands a prohibitive contract (in our F.O.'s eyes), then they should let him walk.

We've whiffed too much on picks at this position. We're due to find somebody who shows immediate upside. I hope that's next spring. Without RW's ability to scramble and extend plays, we'd be an 9-7 team, at best, with somebody else at QB.

[Agent 86]

If I remember correctly, there was more buzz about Russell Okung than there was about Trent Williams pre draft. Both were expected to go high, but I think the consensus out there amongst pundits was Okung was graded better.

No doubt if the 'Skins had of taken Okung, we probably would have taken Williams.

From what I have seen of Williams, he has had a better (healthier?) career than Okung.

For sure, the FO will have a big decision to make about the future of Okung in Seattle. Great talent, but health has always been an issue with him, and I am thinking he will be asking for more money than what the 'Hawks might be willing to pay.

[mykc14]

Tough injury, yet again to an oft injured player in a contract season.

It's tough because we can see his determination to play through this stuff, (the shove of the trainer due to frustration).

I wrote about this earlier this year, he should get some real credit for playing through a tough injury...heck multiple injuries actually, he's really shown some toughness this season, but as for a long term investment past this year, I'm not convinced, I'm torn really. It's NOT a reflection of his character though, or his work ethic.

The injuries he keeps dealing with, are they just bad luck? I would guess that they are, and the fact that he's played through the labrum injury makes me less concerned with possible future injuries. At the same time, the false starts and other silly penalties he keeps racking up (especially in the red zone), are a real annoyance that seems to be an ongoing problem.

In the end, the team will have to weigh the cost of extending him vs. the cost of using a high draft pick to replace him.
Given the way that Cable drafts....

This actually isn't a contract year for him, he is signed through next season and actually his cap number goes way down next year (from 11.2 to 7.2 mil) so we are in a good position. We can either resign him this offseason, after another injury filled year, for less money or if we want to wait and see or he wants to wait we can do just that and have him actually play out his contract year next year and then decide what we want to do with him.

[RiverDog]

From what I understand, he's been playing with a torn Labrum, so in my book he gets a bit of reprieve.
It's hard enough playing healthy but if you're only 80%, you need to get a good start at the snap and maybe hold when you otherwise wouldn't.

I'm just glad it isn't a torn pectoral muscle as that would be the end of the year.

I get a little tired of the injury excuse. Even when he's supposed to be healthy, he's either getting spun around like a revolving door, jumping offsides, or gets caught holding. IMO we need to be in the market for another LT, although the reality is that he's probably the best we can do as the really good ones are as hard to come by as a franchise QB.

[kalibane]

If I remember correctly, there was more buzz about Russell Okung than there was about Trent Williams pre draft. Both were expected to go high, but I think the consensus out there amongst pundits was Okung was graded better.

It was a Classic situation where one was more established, better technician (Okung), one was a little more raw with more physical potential (Williams). I remember a lot of people talking about the incredible flexibility Williams had. Going into the off season Okung was seemingly the Consensus top OT in the draft but by the time the draft rolled around they were pretty much even. It just depended on what coaching preferences were.

[monkey]

This actually isn't a contract year for him, he is signed through next season and actually his cap number goes way down next year (from 11.2 to 7.2 mil) so we are in a good position. We can either resign him this offseason, after another injury filled year, for less money or if we want to wait and see or he wants to wait we can do just that and have him actually play out his contract year next year and then decide what we want to do with him.

I stand corrected, you're right. That actually makes it a lot easier to swallow the idea of extending him this off season, since we could probably do it cheaply.

[NorthHawk]

I read the Okung has a bruised lung from a block he got during that bad play.
He should be ready for the playoffs should we make it.

[HumanCockroach]

Even when he's supposed to be healthy

Interesting statement, IMO no one is ever ( much less "supposed" to be) healthy during the course of a season, no one.

( and just out of curiosity, when was he "supposed" to be healthy anyway? He came into this season out of shape and off of surgery, the previous season he was also beat up coming into the year, are you talking about three seasons ago? I honestly can't remember if he was holding and jumping offsides that season, was he??)

[NorthHawk]

I read "supposed to be healthy" as being in a state that most OL are with no injuries that seriously impact performance, not perfectly healthy.
His torn Labrum is limiting, but it leaves him as a LT that would beat out most, if not all backup LTs.

[youdoit22]

If Dangeruss dont throw that stupid pick at the end of the half we are not having this convo. Okung start over Bailey for a reason. With the Rams & Cards coming up I would rather have the best pass blocker.

[HumanCockroach]

I read "supposed to be healthy" as being in a state that most OL are with no injuries that seriously impact performance, not perfectly healthy.
His torn Labrum is limiting, but it leaves him as a LT that would beat out most, if not all backup LTs.

Kind of attempting to emphasis that he can't stay healthy. Playing injured as he has throughout most of his career has a bunch of ramifications, one is a loss of technique ( something he was excellent at coming out of college) or jumping to get the angle he needs etc. I'm not saying he should get a pass, what I am saying, is that the injuries can't be dismissed so easily and that, it is hard to tell based on the last two seasons where or what he can do, if he could stay healthy. Doesn't mean I think they should pony up insane money, just that, they have to decide if he CAN stay healthy, and WHAT he brings if they think he can.

[NorthHawk]

"Kind of attempting to emphasis that he can't stay healthy. Playing injured as he has throughout most of his career has a bunch of ramifications, one is a loss of technique ( something he was excellent at coming out of college) or jumping to get the angle he needs etc. I'm not saying he should get a pass, what I am saying, is that the injuries can't be dismissed so easily and that, it is hard to tell based on the last two seasons where or what he can do, if he could stay healthy. Doesn't mean I think they should pony up insane money, just that, they have to decide if he CAN stay healthy, and WHAT he brings if they think he can."

I'm in total agreement. It's why I think they have to look at LT's this off season if only to play at a high level when Okung gets hurt.
It's too bad as he's a very good LT, but the bottom line is (whether bad luck or not) he has trouble staying healthy enough to play at the highest level.

We were so spoiled for more than a decade with Walt it's now apparent how important a LT who can play years without being injured enough to miss games, let alone at an All Pro level, is to a team.

[Hawktawk]

If Pete Carroll doesn't have a hormonal moment there is no opportunity for RW to make a bad decision and Okung to get blindsided.

Once the ball to Baldwin was thrown behind him, causing him to have to break up an INT and surely running out the clock had he caught it knew it was FG time. There were 8 seconds left, no timeouts, a QB whose instinct is to extend plays,a ferocious pass rush,a HC with a reputation of leaving 3 points on the field at halftime and a money kicker getting you to 7-6 with momentum going in the locker room in a tight divisional game.

Instead we are going to the desert to face the coach of the year and a scrappy bunch of winners without our starting LT. Pete(and RW) need to get this stuff out of their system. This isn't the time.

If Dangeruss dont throw that stupid pick at the end of the half we are not having this convo. Okung start over Bailey for a reason. With the Rams & Cards coming up I would rather have the best pass blocker.

[RiverDog]

If Pete Carroll doesn't have a hormonal moment there is no opportunity for RW to make a bad decision and Okung to get blindsided.

Once the ball to Baldwin was thrown behind him, causing him to have to break up an INT and surely running out the clock had he caught it knew it was FG time. There were 8 seconds left, no timeouts, a QB whose instinct is to extend plays,a ferocious pass rush,a HC with a reputation of leaving 3 points on the field at halftime and a money kicker getting you to 7-6 with momentum going in the locker room in a tight divisional game.

Instead we are going to the desert to face the coach of the year and a scrappy bunch of winners without our starting LT. Pete(and RW) need to get this stuff out of their system. This isn't the time.

Pete's decision to forgo a 47 yd FG attempt was horrible as was Russell's decision to make the throw, but it was not the root cause of Okung's injury.

I look at Okung in the same manner I look at Jake Locker. He seems to be in good shape and there isn't anything a person can put their finger on that would indicate their being injury prone, but there has to be something that's causing him to get hurt all the time. It happens so often that it can't be simple bad luck.

[NorthHawk]

A couple of Okung's injuries have been bad luck - being thrown to the ground by Dockett and this block causing a bruised lung are just 2 of them. The toe issue and torn labrum seem to me are from playing.
Either way, he's getting beat up every year.

I wonder if he wants to continue playing after all the injuries as he got a lot of money from his first contract, been to the Pro Bowl, and has a Super Bowl Championship ring. I have no evidence, but wonder if maybe he might think he's achieved all his goals and wants to be able to get out while he is still young and after healing able to do other things.

[youdoit22]

A couple of Okung's injuries have been bad luck - being thrown to the ground by Dockett and this block causing a bruised lung are just 2 of them. The toe issue and torn labrum seem to me are from playing.
Either way, he's getting beat up every year.

I wonder if he wants to continue playing after all the injuries as he got a lot of money from his first contract, been to the Pro Bowl, and has a Super Bowl Championship ring. I have no evidence, but wonder if maybe he might think he's achieved all his goals and wants to be able to get out while he is still young and after healing able to do other things.

Right, the bruised lung isnt common to a sports injury. Remember Trent Cole chep shot him with that hip toss & I think it tore his labrum. I know he was a pro bowler but, didnt he make All-pro one year?

[NorthHawk]

Pete is now saying Okung might play on Sunday as he worked out a little today. It depends on how he progresses.

[RiverDog]

Sweezy didn't practice yesterday, either. Our OL situation is going from bad to worse.

[NorthHawk]

Sweezy was playing part of the game on a bum ankle which got rolled up on during the 49ers game.
The last I heard is he is day to day.