Talking about rooting out talent. Things we should think about.

[top dawg]

It's really surprising to think that the Seahawks won with many guys who were drafted relatively late in the draft, if drafted at all.  Their 53 man roster is composed of later round draft picks and 21 undrafted players, and they are the champions.  

 

 

Richard Sherman: Round 5

Kam Chancellor: Round 5

Byron Maxwell: Round 6

Malcolm Smith: Round 7

Chris Clemons: UDFA

Michael Bennett: UDFA

Doug Baldwin: UDFA

Jermaine Kearse: UDFA

 

These players played key roles for the Seahawks this year. If you look at the PFF grade for Baldwin (and Kearse to some degree) in the Super Bowl, you may be surprised.  

 

 

I mean, guys...we need to let this sink in. Every pick, though perceived as insignificant or not, can reap great rewards. Of course there is more than one way to win it all, but to think that the Seahawks only needed FOUR first round picks on their squad to take it all (Russell Okung, T; Earl Thomas, S; James Carpenter, G; Bruce Irvin, DE). They also had second rounders, Earl Thomas and Golden Tate, and a third rounder in Cliff Avril whom they picked up in FA, but by and large they did damage with overlooked guys like TE Luke Wilson (another fifth rounder).

 

Moreover, look at their receivers. They aren't the tallest or biggest guys in the league, but I will laugh at anyone who says that they aren't smart, tough and effective, particularly during money time.

 

Golden Tate

5'10", ~200

 

Doug Baldwin

5'10", ~190

 

Jermaine Kearse

6'1" ~210

 

Percy harvin

5'11", ~185

 

And to think, their QB has received plenty of "shade" for his lack of size (5'11", ~205), and he's basically bigger than his receivers. But, you know, Wilson is smart as a whip also who plays big during money time.

 

 

All I am saying is that these things are worth thinking about when it comes time for free agency and the draft. I know that many of us are thinking size, size, size, but this doesn't necessarily make champions. Brandin Cooks and Marquise Lee may lead their future teams to the promised land.  Moreover, and probably more importantly, we should not take any player or draft pick for granted. The later round guys and the UDFAs can get it done too. Don't get me wrong, I love a star, but there is something to be said for the guys that most people overlooked---most GMs and coaches overlooked. The good thing is that our GM and coaching staff seems to be on the same road as the Seahawks, but I'm looking for a lot more in the future from our GM who toots his own horn for being able to root out talent, and a coaching staff that teaches its players to maximize their talent (if you listen to G-man).  Thinking about the Seahawks, and what we have, I am guardedly raising my expectations. I also will be paying that much closer attention to what we do on days two and three (including what phone calls we make after the draft is over).  

 

Sure I want potential beasts after it's all said and done, but I am going to put a premium on guys who are cerebral about the game---or at least smart---who play with passion and have a stellar work ethic.  I believe that we did that pretty much last year, but that our cap condition has lead to a certain amount of instability as compared to the Seahawks. So I'll look forward to some key---a little bit longer term--re-signings. I also suspect that the Seahawks coaching staff may be a little more liberal when it comes to getting their potential talent on the field as opposed to sitting on the sidelines out of some conservative sense of loyalty or old school philosophy. I mean, if a guy can get it done, let him get it done. If he can't, don't wait too late to sit him in favor of a guy who may be a little more raw, but may eventually do better. Not saying that the benching has to be abrupt, but gradually increase a player's reps while working things out. But, like I said, I really believe we're onto something, and I'm looking forward to being a consistent top-tier team  within the next couple of years.

 

 

[ajax4132]

Bottom Line:

 

Have a great scouting/personnel department 

[Dex]

Great coaching.

[CelibatePimp]

There really isn't much of a system to the passing game of Seattle, with most of their big plays coming off Russell Wilson scrambling and throwing. I don't know if those WR will be effective in a more systematic passing offense. With that said, u can see the focus of size and strength is on their defense with that big back field.

 

CBs no less than 6ft

SS no less than 6'2"

FS no less than 5'10" but at least 200lbs

 

[SuperJTheGreat]

We need DB O LINE AND WR and we're good to do.

[Lemory]

Amazing what PED's can do...I kid, i kid.

[Davidson Deac II]

Bottom Line:

 

Have a great scouting/personnel department 

 

Helps to have a little bit of luck as well.  Drafting is a crapshoot especiall in the late rounds.  Sometimes it works (as it did with us for Greg Hardy) and many times it doesn't. 

[carolina-chuck]

Bottom line:

Damn good coaches + Players development

[QCkilla]

Getting awesome players in the late rounds is great, but Seattle has so many rookie contracts expiring within a very short amount of time. It will be interesting to see how they handle it and who they let walk and what not.

[Ruff]

The Seahawks have been putting this team together for years. I mean, piecing it together since the day Carroll was hired.

It takes really good coaching which the Seahawks have, really good scouting, and patience by the front office.

[Jangler]

Helps to have a little bit of luck as well.  Drafting is a crapshoot especiall in the late rounds.  Sometimes it works (as it did with us for Greg Hardy) and many times it doesn't. 

 

[Davidson Deac II]

Within the next three years, the Seahawks are going to have to resign Sherman, Thomas, Wilson, Lynch, Baldwin, Tate, Bennett and several others.  They are going to have some serious cap issues before much longer.  They will definitely be the team to beat next year though. 

[doogy]

Carroll is a great talent evaluator as well, along with identifying guys who fit their system, especially on the defensive side. Having ties in the college ranks sure helped him too as he was able to bring in Pac-12 guys like Baldwin and Kearse who weren't even drafted. 

[Jimmy]

I've changed my mind about the direction we go in the draft this year.  I say we go with Best Player Available with every pick. The thing about Seattle is that they have physically freakish athletes who are fast at every position.  Free agency is where we need to go for our "needs" but when it comes to the draft I say pick crazy fast athletic big football players regardless of position.