Northwest Pro Sports 12
Posts tagged John Schneider
Seahawks 2012 Draft Class, not liked in April
Jan 4th
Talking heads rolled their eyes at the 2012 Seahawks draft class
The 2012 Seattle Seahawks Draft Class produced a 1st-round pick that scouts called a reach for the pick.
Rookie Bruce Irvin, the look says it all. Photo by Brett Bivens
Bruce Irvin may have been a reach in late April, but now that it is early January 2013 he’s far from a reach. Having played in all 16-games for the Seahawks this year Irvin has flown under the radar, but don’t let that effect the way you view him. In those 16-games he’s piled up 8 sacks, which is a team record for a rookie defensive player in the category, and forced one fumble.
I’ll be the first to admit when I’m wrong, and I was wrong on Draft night in April. When the pick of Irvin flashed my initial reaction was “WHAT?!” I wanted a guy by the name of Chandler Jones. Someone I had watched over the past 3-years in college and knew his potential, but I didn’t factor in the truth and that’s Irvin fits Seattle’s defensive scheme, Jones on the other hand wouldn’t have. I was wrong to have second guessed Pete Carroll and John Schneider and that’s the reason I’m a member of the 12th Man and not the Front Office.
The 2nd-round selection in Bobby Wagner reminded me of another MLB selected by the Seahawks a few years back-Lofa Tatupu a small guy, but has the ability to guide his teammates and contribute to their success. He’s proven his case with 140 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 interceptions as well as his name being thrown around as a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Hopefully unlike Tatupu his success in Seattle lasts longer than his six-years with the team in which he appeared in three Pro Bowls-all in his first three-years in the league.
Just like Lofa, Wagner has a young core of Linebackers near him in KJ Wright, Malcolm Smith and Mike Morgan. Tatupu came in with one of Wagner’s teammates in 2005-Leroy Hill.
The Seahawks 3rd-round pick was a Quarterback by the name of Russell Wilson, a QB that scouts called “too small to be able to start in the NFL.”
Wilson can’t hide his 5’11 frame, but he hasn’t let it get to him. To open the season Wilson was named starting QB for the Seahawks over free-agent signee Matt Flynn. Jon Gruden compared him to Drew Brees and stated throughout the pick if he was still a head coach he would have been selected way before his selection in the 3rd-round.
The Jaguars, Bills and Chiefs all passed on Wilson as the Jaguars selected a Punter with their pick in the 3rd-round and since then Wilson has started every game for the Seahawks completing 64% of his passes for 3,118-yards and 26 Touchdowns-tying the NFL Rookie Record for touchdown passes by a quarterback by the name of Peyton Manning. He’s led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and four game-winning drives (defeated the Chicago Bears in OT). Did I mention he can scramble as well? Wilson rushed for 489-yards and scored on the ground four times for the Seahawks.
His selection in the 3rd-round is the reason he’s being overlooked by some as a Rookie of the Year underdog behind his opponent he’ll take on Sunday in Washington-Robert Griffin III.
Wilson has shown he will be playing for years to come as a starting QB in the NFL and hopefully will be a cornerstone for the Seahawks as they continue their success with such a young team in the NFL.
Robert Turbin was selected in the 4th-round and viewed as a workhorse that down the road should be able to lessen the load on Marshawn Lynch in the backfield and he’s proven just that. In 16-games he rushed for 354-yards averaging 4.4 per carry, while also having 181-yards receiving. He’s shown at times his hands aren’t the best when he’s receiving, but through the season has shown he’s improving in that category and will be a vital part as teams try to wear out Lynch in the playoffs-something easier said than done.
Breno Giocomini teaches rookie JR Sweezy during training camp. Photo by Brett Bivens
The Seahawks final six-picks in rounds 4-7 have all contributed in role situations, but each one has shown he has potential to develop. CB Jeremy Lane (6th-round pick) and OG JR Sweezy (7th-round pick) have each started 3 games apiece and appeared in 13-games with the Seahawks.
Lane has piled up 15 tackles and Sweezy has shown he has done a nice job of transitioning from defensive line in college to the offensive line in the pro’s.
Jaye Howard watching Clinton McDonald during drills at training camp. Photo by Brett Bivens
DT Jaye Howard (4th-round pick) has appeared in two-games for the Seahawks-not accumulating any stats.
LB Korey Toomer (5th-round pick) is currently on the Practice Squad/Injury designation and hasn’t played a game for the Seahawks.
SS Winston Guy (6th-round pick) appeared in two-games for the Seahawks and recently just got activated after being suspended four-games for violating the NFL Substance Policy.
DE Greg Scruggs (7th-round pick) has played in 11-games for the Seahawks piling up 6 total tackles-5 of them himself as well as 2 sacks and a pass deflection for the Seahawks. He’s shown he can get involved in a core that already consists of Chris Clemons, Red Bryant and Irvin.
After the NFL Draft the Seahawks were awarded many negative reviews, some even called them the loser of the Draft, but as the Seahawks suit up Sunday in Washington it’s easy to argue that they’re far from the losers of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Very few teams have their top picks contribute right off the bat let alone throughout their career, but the Seahawks have found players that fill roles and blossom off of them. To have only 1 player not appear in a single game for the team that drafted them their rookie year is something you don’t see often and if you do it’s unusual to see a successful team.
That’s not the case with the Seahawks and if these players keep progressing as they have through their rookie year who knows where they will end up once their careers dwindle down. For the Seahawks however they’ve proven to have been more successful than a majority of the teams in the 2012 Draft and each one of their selections has shown they will contribute.
They’ve also shown that I shouldn’t question Carroll and Schneider’s decisions in the future as well as the rest of the world.
Written by Zach Bellerdine
Seahawks photo blog: Packers at Seahawks
Sep 26th
A great defensive battle tarnished
John Schneider pre-game. Remember, you can like us too, on Facebook. Photo by Brett Bivens
Russell Wilson signed a mini-helmet before the game. Photo by Brett Bivens
The 12th Man was rocking CenturyLink Fieldon Monday Night Football. Photo by Brett Bivens
- This may have been the last game James Carpenter spends watching from the sidelines. He could replace Paul McQuistan this week t left guard. Photo by Brett Bivens
These guys stole the show during Monday Night Football. One thing everyone can agree on, we need the regular officials back soon. Photo by Brett Bivens
Charly Martin fully extends to make this reception. Photo by Brett Bivens
Marshawn Lynch had 98-yards rushing on Monday. Lynch also had this 1-yard reception. Photo by Brett Bivens
Bruce Irvin may have had three sacks Monday, instead of two. If Bryan Bulaga had not been holding him on this play. The Packers may be crying foul now, but I didn’t see any of them gripe about all the holding their offensive line got away with, especially during the second half. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seattle Seahawks receiver Golden Tate scored two touchdowns Monday. There was no doubt about this one. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons had 4 sacks in the first half of Monday Night’s game. This is the first one. Photo by Brett Bivens
Chris Clemons’ second sack of the first half. Photo by Brett Bivens
Chris Clemons’ third sack of the first half. Photo by Brett Bivens
Chris Clemons’ fourth sack of the first half. Photo by Brett Bivens
The Seahawks defense played an outstanding game. In this picture Richard Sherman is about to hit Packers’ receiver James Jones as the ball arrives. Photo by Brett Bivens
At least the refs got this call right, after a replay. Greg Jennings’ toe is clearly out of bounds long before he attempts to reach the ball across the goal line. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks player grades vs Broncos: Offensive line
Aug 23rd
Seahawks offensive line grades
This is part 5 of the Seahawks player grades against the Broncos. The quarterback, running back, linebacker and defensive line grades have already been posted.
Max Unger #60
Last week: A-
Max Unger continues to prove why he got his new contract during the offseason. Last week he was the best offensive lineman on the Seahawks, and he backed that up by doing it again.
the good:
- Ability to consistently get to the second level, and deliver solid blocks.
- Ability to seal the running lanes up the middle and give the running back a large hole to run through.
the bad:
- Max was pushed into the face of Matt Flynn and gave up a sack.
the grade: A+
Breno Giacomini #68
Last week: C-
After struggling a bit last week Breno Giacomini responded in week 2 of the preseason. His aggression is a positive, but he needs to learn how to turn it off before he makes stupid mistakes. That said, a stupid penalty couldn’t take away from the outstanding job Breno was doing out there on Saturday.
the good:
- 3 pancake blocks in pass protection.
- 1 pancake while run blocking.
- Push in the running game, including on a 4th and 1 play.
- Cut block, took out 2 defenders and created a big hole for the running back.
the bad:
- Missed a cut block attempt while pass blocking.
- Fell while trying to run block.
- Got pushed back into Matt Flynn, while in pass protection.
- He got baited into his 2nd unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in 2 weeks, when he head-butted a Broncos player.
- Holding penalty.
the grade: A
JR Sweezy #64
Last week: C+
I didn’t think JR Sweezy could impress me more than he had last week, but thats exactly what he did. When the Seahawks drafted him and switched him to the offensive side of the ball I expected him to compete for a practice squad position. Now, he is definitely competing for a roster spot.
the good:
- Strength to push defensive tackles out of the lanes, and open big holes to run through.
- Aggressiveness, always plays through the whistle and looks for someone to hit.
- Solid pass protection.
the bad:
- Struggled getting to the 2nd level to make blocks.
- Struggled to get outside and set up block on screen pass.
the grade: B+
Paul McQuistan #67
Last week: b+
Paul McQuistan has really improved his pass blocking ability this season. Every snap Paul was in pass protection he was solid. McQuistan struggled a couple times while run blocking.
the grade: B+
Russell Okung #76
Last week: b-
Russell Okung has had a career marred by injury. Every game he makes it through without being carted off I feel is a success.
the good:
- Pass protection, at times he is a complete wall at left tackle.
- Pancake while run blocking.
the bad:
- Russell missed a couple run blocks.
- Missed 2 pass blocks, one he was forced to hold to save Matt Flynn, and the other led to a quarterback pressure.
- Should have been called for a false start, but the officials missed it.
the grade: b+
Rishaw Johnson #63
last week: B
For the second week in a row, Rishaw Johnson looked good when he had a chance to play. I hope that he gets an opportunity to play against better competition in the game against Kansas City this week. If not, I think the Seahawks might try to sneak him onto the practice squad.
the good:
- Good job holding the pocket.
- Getting push in the running game.
the bad:
- Rishaw plays near the end of games which means he’s playing against end of the roster type players at best.
the grade: b
Allen Barbre #78
last week: B-
Though Allen Barbre was not quite as good this week as he was last, he still had a very solid game.
the good:
- Threw defender to the ground like a rag doll.
- Ran defender out of the play on a running play.
- Solid pass protection when left on an island
- Cleaned the linebacker out of the hole on Russell Wilson’s quarterback sneak. (That was the key block that allowed the Seahawks to move the chains.)
the bad:
- Pushed into the backfield on a running play.
- Missed a run block.
- Allowed a sack.
the grade: C+
Edawn Coughman #70
Edawn Coughman may wear Michael Sinclair’s old number, but he sure isn’t doing it justice.
the good:
- He isn’t expected to make the roster.
the bad:
- Lost a run block.
the grade: c-
Lemuel Jeanpierre #61
last week: A-
I don’t have to pick a player who disappointed me the most along the offensive line. Then again, Lemuel Jeanpierre didn’t have to go out and play like an undrafted rookie free agent.
the good:
- Held the pocket strong.
the bad:
- Knocked to the ground at the second level while run blocking.
- Slow getting to the second level while run blocking.
- Completely missed a run block.
the grade: D+
Alex Barron #73
Last week: D+
Pete Carroll, John Schneider and Tom Cable have got to be extremely disappointed in the job Alex Barron has done since joining the Seahawks.
the good:
- He can’t be the worst on the line, as long as Duce Lutui is lined up next to him.
- Monday is a cutdown day so, he might not be around by the end of that day.
the bad:
- His play on the field.
the grade: D-
Duce Lutui #72
last week: D-
Is there something to be said for consistency?
the good:
- He plays nasty football.
the bad:
- He plays nasty bad football.
the grade: d-
Seahawks player grades vs Titans: Running backs
Aug 16th
Seahawks running back line grades
This is part three of the Seahawks player grades from the Titans game. Previously I posted quarterbacks and defensive lineman.
Running back
Kregg Lumpkin fighting off a would be tackler. Photo by Brett Bivens
Kregg Lumpkin #20
THe Good:
Kregg Lumpkin may have been the best player the Seahawks had on the field Saturday. He was doing everything and making the most of his reps. After the Seahawks drafted Robert Turbin his chances of making the final roster were reduced significantly. Showing he can contribute as a blocker, a pass catcher and a runner against the Titans is a step in the right direction if he is going to make this squad.
The Bad:
Roster numbers might force the Seahawks to cut him.
THe Grade: A-
Leon Washington #33
The Good:
Leon Washington was doing a nice job gaining yards after initial contact against the Titans. He was able to break some tackles and when he wan’t doing that he was reading his blockers and finding open holes.
The bad:
The most a running back can ever ask for is to be put in a position where he only has one man to beat, on Saturday Leon was in that situation with a linebacker and was unable to win the battle.
The Grade: B
Robert Turbin #22
Robert Turbin earned a C against the Titans. I don’t get into players who grade at average but you can see what I had to say about his performance during the game here if you are interested.
Tyrell Sutton running so fast he’s the only thing in focus. Photo By Brett Bivens
Tyrell Sutton #30
If the Seahawks keep 4 half backs on their roster (which I think they will) Tyrell Sutton is in a direct battle with Kregg Lumpkin for a roster spot. In a game where Kregg Lumpkin was near perfect,t against better competition, the only thing Tyrell Sutton did to leave an impact was get his feet out from under him and slip after making a catch. He definitely has some major ground to make up now.
fullback
Via Taua #40
Via Taua make a catch against the Titans. Photo by Brett Bivens
The Good:
After Via Taua settled down he showed that he has a lot of ability as both a blocker and a pass catcher. If he plays like he did later in the game during the rest of the preseason he could be in a battle with Kregg Lumpkin for a roster spot and force Pete Carroll and John Schneider to choose between having 4 halfbacks and 1 fullback or have 3 halfbacks and 2 fullbacks. It’s a very good problem to have and I would give the inside track to keeping an extra halfback.
THe Bad:
When he first came into the game he struggled mightily. Via Taua missed a couple block early, one leading to a tackle for a loss and another one where he passed a free tackler and went up to block someone on the next level. Sometimes as a blocker you need to improvise because blocking someone at the next level doesn’t mean anything if the back can’t get past the first one. All he needed to do was chip the defender and the back would have been able to get to the second level.
The Grade: B-
Michael Robinson #26
Michael Robinson joins KJ Wright and Jason Jones as team captains for Saturdays Titans game. Photo by Brett Bivens
The GOOd:
Wow has he grown since this time last year. I would have to say he is the most improved player on a team full of players who have made major strides. This time last year I was worried that the Seahawks would struggle at the fullback position and need to limp through the year until they could add an adequate player to the position during the offseason. All he did was prove he could learn the position and become one of the best at it (proven by his Pro Bowl appearance). He has really shown an ability to seal running lanes and hold his block long enough for the running back to get through. Robinson become a hard nose blocker at the fullback position and I’m very glad he’s back.
THe bad:
I think he lost concentration a couple times and got beat on his blocks. The defenders didn’t seem to beat him as much as he seemed to beat himself. The dog days of camp might be getting to him.
The Grade: C+
Next up will be the linebackers. I should have them up in a before 7:00 local time and then have the offensive line up later tonight.
NWSB: Richard Sherman Profile
Dec 7th
Here is a piece I wrote on Richard Sherman for Northwest Sports Beat:
Heading into the 2011 NFL draft most draft analysts had a middle to late round grade on Richard Sherman(4th-6th round). The Seahawks drafted him with the 23rd pick of the 5th round.
Pete Carroll and Richard Sherman were not strangers going into the draft, in fact Carroll recruited Sherman out of high school.
In a strange twist Sherman thought….(more)
Football Is Finally Here
Aug 11th
Image designed and provided by Ryan Gray
Several months ago there was no certainty that we would be playing this or any other game in 2011. The safer bet was that the owners and players would figure something out and make sure the season wasn’t lost. Now here we are today knowing that this game will in fact take place along with every other game for the next ten years.
As soon as an agreement was reached things got pretty crazy, well actually the first day teams were allowed to contact players was pretty slow but after that it picked up and was crazy for the next several days. Teams had very little time to prepare for this game and play will most likely be more sloppy then we are used to.
The Seahawks have completely revamped the offense that ranked 28th in the NFL last season.
During the offseason they added Tom Cable as the new offensive line/assistant head coach. They used the draft to add RT James Carpenter and RG John Miffitt both of whom are know for being aggressive offensive lineman who excel in run blocking and have a streak of nasty in them and picked up LG Robert Gallery (who played for Cable in Oakland) in free agency. Words I have heard used to describe him: Aggressive, mean, nasty, tough. Landing Gallery was a big move in free agency because he is able to add some experience to a very young line. The other four guys have a combine 27 games in the NFL and most of those are from Max Unger playing RG not his current position at Center. These moves were made to improve the leagues 31st ranked rushing offense.
Pete Carroll and John Schneider weren’t happy just changing the running game they knew much more needed to be fix. They fired Offensive Coordinator Jeremy Bates and hired former Vikings OC Darrell Bevell to replace him. After the lockout the front office decided to part ways with FA Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and sign former Viking QB Tarvaris Jackson. Those were not the only things Seattle would take from the Vikings because a few days later the Seahawks Signed former Vikings Pro Bowl Receiver Sidney Rice. Adding one Pro Bowl caliber Receiver in his prime can really bolster a teams but how about adding a Pro Bowl Tight End to the mix? Thats what they did when they signed Raiders Free Agent TE Zach Miller. These moves should improve the leagues 19th ranked passing offense.
The majority of the starting players on Defense will be familiar faces from a year ago. Some have changed positions like Brandon Mebane and Davide Hawthorne and some will be new to the starting lineup like Kam Chancellor and possible Walt Thurmond if he can beat out Kelly Jennings for CB#2.
Here is a Guide of Rookies and additions to the team
Offense Defense
#75 RT James Carpenter (1st team) Rookie #99 DT Alan Branch (1st team)
#74 RG John Moffitt (1st team) Rookie #65 DE Jimmy Wilkerson (2nd team)
#72 LG Robert Gallery (1st team) #53 OLB Malcolm Smith (2nd team) Rookie
#86 TE Zach Miller (1st team) #50 KJ Wright (2nd team) Rookie
#18 WR Sidney Rice (1st team) #25 CB Richard Sherman (2nd team) Rookie
#7 QB Tarvaris Jackson (1st team) #37 CB Brandon Browner (2nd team)
#67 LG Paul McQuistan (2nd team) #30 FS Mark Legree (2nd team) Rookie
#68 RT Breno Giacomini (2nd team) #97 DT Ryan Sims (2nd team)
#48 FB Ryan Travis (2nd team) Rookie #69 DT Jay Alford (3rd team)
#84 WR Kris Durham (3rd team) Rookie #96 DE Pierre Allen (3rd team) Rookie
#62 C Brent Osborne (3rd team) Rookie #42 OLB Neal Howey (3rd team) Rookie
#77 RG Zach Hurd (3rd team) Rookie #55 OLB Mike Morgan (3rd team) Rookie
#69 RT Caz Piurowski (3rd team) #35 SS Jeron Johnson (3rd team) Rookie
#15 WR Doug Baldwin (3rd team) Rookie #38 FS Ricky Thenarse (3rd team) Rookie
#13 QB Josh Portis (3rd team) Rookie #41 CB Byron Maxwell Rookie
#43 Dorson Boyce (3rd team) Rookie #93 DE Lazerius Levingston Rookie
#2 Ricardo Lockette Rookie #44 Jesse Hoffman Rookie
#40 RB Chase Reynolds Rookie
What I’m watching for in this game
I want to see power out of the O-line in the running game. I don’t need to see perfection just ability.
Tarvaris Jackson and Max Unger making clean exchanges.
Tarvaris Making good decisions and keeping the ball down.
Seeing what Josh Portis looks like in action.
Seeing if Ricardo Lockette can really use that speed to stretch the field how he uses the speed in Special Teams duties.
To see what Alan Branch and Brandon Mebane can do in the middle of the D-line
Improvement in young DB’s Thomas, Chancellor, and Thurmond
Position Battles
WR
DE
LB
CB
K
Notes for 2/26/11
Mar 3rd
I will be kicking off my annual Free Agency tradition by calling in a friend of mine’s radio show The Mud Show tonight at 9:05 Western Time. For those wanting to listen to the show here’s the link:
www.talkshoe.com/tc/68815
We will be discussing the expiring CBA and Free Agency and what everything means for the Seahawks and the NFL. Should be a good listen and hoping to get a nice turnout!
Follow my Twitter for the most-up-to-date news and information on the show.
Notes for 2/26/11
Feb 26th
John Schneider made some announcements Friday that will begin to answer a few big questions many Seahawks fans have this off season.
The biggest question has got to be ‘what are they going to do at quarterback?’ and more specifically what is going to happen with Matt Hasselbeck? On Friday John made it clear that the organization and Matt’s camp have been communicating and that talks are “Going well”. This is truly a case where both sides want the relationship to continue and both parties are better off staying together so, it is just a matter of reaching a contract that works for both. I would not be surprised to see something done before the March 3rd deadline. If a deal is not reached he would become a Free agent and could sign with any other team when free agency starts (date dependent upon the new CBA).
Schneider also let it be known that he has contacted the representatives for soon to be free agent DT Brandon Mebane. He is a player many Seahawks fans wanted to see the franchise tag placed on and he is a good young player but certainly not worth top 5 money. This one could go either way and he is certain to be a hot commodity when free agency begins if he reaches the open market.
The Seahawks will not be looking at the WR position any differently despite the switch from Jeremy Bates to Darrell Bevell at Offensive Coordinator, but with Tom Cable becoming the new Offensive Line Coach the team would be willing to add bigger offensive lineman. I can think of one ‘bigger’ offensive lineman who is a soon to be free agent and would make a nice addition to the line who has a strong connection to Tom, Robert Gallery.
