Northwest Pro Sports 12
Posts tagged Matt Flynn
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
What to watch for? Seahawks second 4 game stretch of the season
Oct 6th
Five things to watch
Before the season started, I would have been more than happy with a 2-2 record. Of course, I would have assumed the Seattle Seahawks beat the Cardinals and the Rams. Instead, Seattle lost those both of those games, but they did defeat the Cowboys and the Packers, at home.
No matter how you slice it, the Seahawks have a record of .500, and last place in the NFC West.
Who would have thought the division, who had a 7-9 Seahawks team win it two years before, would become the best division in football.
Quarterback
So much has been made of the performance of Russell Wilsonthis week. Yes, he is the starting quarterback, there is a certain amount of pressure that comes with the position.
Personally, I think the 12th man has been a little hard on the young man. I am not going to waste everyone’s time by stating the reasons why I believe that in this piece, but if you haven’t seen my opinion, or would like a refresher, click the link to the “Player Spotlight” piece I wrote on Wilson this week.
With all that said, or not said, I do want to see some improvement from him during the next four games.
Pete Carroll is a very tough man to get a good read on.
Far too often, Russell Wilson is missing wide open receivers. As most of you probably know, I was a proponent of letting him sit on the bench, behind Matt Flynn, for a year so that he could learn the pro game.
If he doesn’t start making more correct reads, I think that is exactly where he will end up.
Pete Carroll is a very tough man to get a good read on. On a personal level, I like the guy, but I would never play poker with him.
Honestly, I think Pete is putting himself in position to switch quarterbacks at any time.
It will be interesting to see if Wilson will be able to move the offense well enough to remain the teams starter, or if Pete will decide that it is time to try to “Win with Flynn”.
Offensive Line
Seahawks Week 1 update: 2012 rookies being thrown into the fire…
Sep 6th
Coach likes rookies
“This is a fantastic and improved football team; the impact of the head coach is obvious” - Pete Carroll
We often hear Pete Carroll talk about playing his best players, yet there are always whispers questioning wether he believes in his “always compete” mantra or if he is just blowing smoke. Sunday, in Arizona, Pete Carroll will be starting up to 4 rookies for the Seattle Seahawks, in some of the most important positions on the field.
Three will start for sure.
Chances are, if you are reading this, you have heard the term “It’s a quarterback driven league.” During the offseason the Seattle Seahawks signed top free agent quarterback Matt Flynnin an effort to improve the position.
Pete Carroll named Wilson his starting QB after Wilson’s FINE preseason.
Wisdom?
Conventional wisdom led many, including myself, to assume Matt would be the starting quarterback for the 2012 season. More…
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: Quarterback
Aug 15th
Seahawks quarterback grades
Russell Wilson #3
The Good:
Russell Wilson showed an ability to read/feel pressure and avoid it while continuing to look down the field for someone to throw to. He has enough confidence in his receiver to throw the ball 45 yards in the air and allow them to make a play (Touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards). Russell showed a lot of poise for a rookie and the play that impressed me the most was when he rolled out to avoid pressure but when he saw that no one open he threw the ball out of bounds to avoid a sack or an interception. I was also impressed when he rolled right (again avoiding pressure) and hit Charly Martin over the middle.
Running the ball is a large part of what the Seahawks do on offense and Wilson excelled in that category. He did a nice job on draw plays continuing to sell the draw after he has handed the ball off. When Russell Wilson has the ball in his hands he runs like a running back and does a nice job directing his blockers as well as reading their blocks, yet he is smart enough to slide to avoid big hits.
The Bad:
Wilson appears to struggle to hit his running backs in the flat a little bit. He had one pass tipped that was intended for Kregg Lumpkin because he didn’t get enough air under the ball and another pass where he threw it behind his target instead of leading him. That is all a little nit picky for a 3rd round rookie quarterback but the only major, and I do mean major, mistake was his interception. Russell had made his decision where he was going with the ball before the snap ever took place. The linebacker was with his tight end up the seam step for step yet he threw the ball straight to the defender in the end zone. Giving away points is not acceptable and I’m sure he has been shown his mistake, lets see if he makes it again or learns from it.
The Grade: B
Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson warm up shortly before the game. Photo by Brett Bivens
Matt Flynn #15
The Good:
Matt Flynn showed outstanding accuracy in the first half of Saturdays win over the Titans. Other than the pass to Robert Turbin in the middle of the field all of his passes were on target. He is in a different offense in Seattle than he was Green Bay (they are similar however) but showed he has a pretty good handle on where his outlets are if he needs to dump the ball off to avoid pressure. Matt is quick to find his receivers and make the decision to throw the ball to them or not, much quicker than Tarvaris Jackson (not that it’s saying much). I was impressed watching him go through his progressions like an NFL starting quarterback should.
The Bad:
Flynn is inconsistent with his play action fakes, at times he really sells it and other times it’s easy to tell what he’s doing before the fake ever happens, like on his interception. On that play there was a mix up and the fake was to one side while Robert Turbin was on the other but regardless of that the attempt was not fooling anyone because it was a lazy attempt and it very easy to read that it was a play action pass which allowed the linebacker to drop back into coverage and pick off the pass. I’m not sure what happened on the fumbled shotgun snap but it looked to me like Matt Flynn was not ready for it. The rest of the team looked ready but not him on that play, luckily he was able to recover the ball. He needs to learn that when he’s rolling out away from pressure and no one is open downfield he can throw the ball away and avoid taking a sack or throwing into coverage.
The grade: B-
Seahawks photo blog: Return of the quarterbacks
Aug 12th
Titans at Seahawks photo blog
The 12th Man was on hand to welcome back Matt Hasselbeck. Photo by Brett Bivens
Matt of the past and Matt of the present have a conversation. My guess is they were talking about how much better they like living in Seattle than they did Green Bay. Photo by Brett Bivens
Richard Sherman and Terrell Owens go head to head during pre-game. Photo by Brett Bivens
Golden Tate checking out Terrell Owens? Was he smuggling maple bars on the field? Photo by Brett Bivens
Terrell Owens takes a moment to sign some autographs for fans before leaving the field after warming up. Photo by Brett Bivens
Richard Sherman was ready to go during pre-game introductions. Photo by Brett Bivens
Matt Hasselbeck’s first snap as a Titan at CenturyLink field. Photo by Brett Bivens
Jason Jones drags Chris Johnson down behind the line of scrimmage. Photo by Brett Bivens
The Matt Flynn era has begun. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks rookie Bobby Wagner drags down Chris Johnson behind the line of scrimmage. Photo by Brett Bivens
- Breno Giacomini takes on the Titans defense by himself. Photo by Brett Bivens
Jake Locker can’t believe he’s watching Chris Johnson drop a perfectly placed ball. Johnson blamed the ball and asked for more money after the game. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks 1st round pick Bruce Irvin trying to get to former University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker. Unfortunately he was unsuccessful. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson avoids pressure and delivers a strike to his intended target. The kid looked pretty good Saturday. Photo by Brett Bivens
These guys were busy Saturday with the Seahawks scoring 27 points against the Titans. Photo by Brett bivens
Braylon Edwards makes a man miss to pick of some YAC yards. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks rookie tight end Sean McGrath making the most of his opportunities on Saturday versus Titans. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks 7th round pick Greg Scruggs and Pierre Allen converge to sack Titans quarterback Rusty Smith. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks defense converging to keep the Titans from running out of their own endzone. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks rookie linebacker Kyle Knox makes a nice tackle on Titans rookie DJ Wood. Photo by Brett Bivens
Seahawks 5th round pick Korey Toomer picks up a quarterback hit. Photo by Brett Bivens
- Seahawks linebackers Heath Farwell and Kyle Knox converge to strip the ball for a fourth quarter turnover. Photo by Brett Bivens
Charly Martin blocked Titans rookie Coty Sensabaugh for ten yards leading the way for Russell Wilson’s touchdown run that put the nail in the coffin in the Seahawks 27-17 win over the Titans in the preseason opener. Photo by Brett Bivens
