This weekend I conducted a podcast with Michael Steffes and Chris Sullivan from Seahawk Addicts. We talked in some depth about the upcoming NFL draft and what directions the Seahawks may go. Will Tim Ruskell consider drafting Mark Sanchez? Will he take an impact player like Michael Crabtree, Chris Wells or Aaron Curry?
Feel free to check it out below, via iTunes or download the MP3.
16 comments:
I've always been a Pro-Sanchez guy and obviously agreed with your pick. That said, you really gave some awesome explanation as to why they would go with a QB. The #4 pick is so valuable and can really insure the future of a franchise.
I found it funny how the other guy flipped. The Anti-Sanchez folk love to ride the 16 start train, yet fail to mention anything about his skill set, intangibles, and intelligence. Not to mention, he wouldn't start day 1.
Furthermore, the pick of Beanie Wells would signify to me as a fan that we are completely blowing our load for the next 2 years and will be looking to be like the Detroit Lions because we will have to start from scratch to find an LT, QB, and with Wells' health history, most likely a new RB.
You made great points in regards to the off season moves as the "win now" solution which is much more realistic than drafting to "win now." I fully expect Ruskell to draft for the future and who knows who the player will be. Keep up the good work Rob.
Love the Rob "Crabtree" Staton. It fits well.
It seems to be common "talk," that sanchez should stay at school, and could be the number one pick next year..
Call me stupid? but if seattle has a chance to draft the numer 1 qb in next year draft why wouldn't they this year?
With the Bucs signing Leftwich and KC signing LB Zach Thomas, does your mock change at all, Rob?
I wanted to try some different ideas for the podcast. Essentially, I've been doing a mock draft since the turn of the year, there's only so much you can say before you start to sound repetitive!
The Buccs may have set themselves up to go in a different direction now with Leftwich signed. However, I have to feel this deal would have been done a long time ago if they were totally sold on his ability to lead the team. It doesn't stop them drafting a QB, but they aren't handcuffed into doing so - which they may have been previously.
KC signing Zach Thomas is likely a move to get some experience from a 3-4 defense as they make the transition. I don't see why it would make them any less likely to draft Curry but admittedly - Curry going to KC isn't by any means a lock. They could take an offensive tackle, kick Albert inside to guard and provide solid protection for Matt Cassel.
I enjoyed the podcast although I think it would have been good to go through all of the Seattle picks as well. Lots of interest in the 2nd and 3rd pick especially.
Also interesting Micheal Steffes prefers Wells over Moreno.
Good lord is Sanchez dating Steffes' sister or something? To say he despises Sanchez is a gross understatement.
Excellent podcast, I really enjoyed it. I'm starting to get on the Sanchez train as well. I really don't like the idea of taking one of the LT's given our depth there. I do concur on the plausibility of holding Sanchez as traid bait with Denver, or just keep him and have a QB a continued strenghth for the Hawks for the next dozen years.
What would be a likely trade package that would fit the value Sanchez would command? Would Denver be overpaying if it offered it's first 2 picks? Would the Bears pick next year be a possibility combined with one of Denvers first rounders this year?
That's a good question annonymous. Essentially it comes down to how highly a team wants Sanchez and how big their need is at quarter back. With all due respect to the Aaron Curry's, Michael Crabtree's etc - no position takes on the importance that QB does. With such a weak draft at QB, teams might be more willing to make a deal to move up. I just don't see why they'd trade with Seattle.
Cleveland aren't likely to take Sanchez, and neither are Cincinnati. There's no reason to have that number four pick. That's why I believe the Seahawks have to take Sanchez in order to entertain offers. But as my article earlier this weekend suggested, they won't be so reckless to draft someone on the off chance they can work out a trade. They'd have to feel comfortable that should one not materialise, they're keeping Sanchez.
Although I wouldn't rule anything out, I still think a trade is very unlikely involving the Seahawks fourth overall pick.
There is another side to the "draft QB because it is the most important position" argument. The more important the position, the worse it is for your team if you have a poor player there. Considering the QB friendly offense he played in, Sanchez carries some high bust potential, meaning he might only succeed as a QB when it's easier than the NFL. Not only that, a #4 QB will cost more than any other position, and handicap the cap for years if he's no good. So basically it's the highest risk pick to make and why take such a high risk now when you have at the very least, better than adequate guys there to do the job? Take the high risk when you're actually desperate, not when you think you might be desperate three or four years from now.
Great job Rob. I think #4 is too early to go RB and I believe Knapp feels he can get it done with Duckett and Julius. He has done it before with less than stellar RBs. With that being said, I think Ruskell passes on Sanchez unless he is virtually guaranteed of a trade to gain extra picks. I believe it comes down to Jason Smith, Monroe or Crabtree with Smith being his preferred choice (simply because he is a better candidate to slide into guard for a couple years than Monroe) and Crabtree being choice #2.
Just listening to Bryce Fisher on KJR and he made an interesting point. He said that if the Hawks really like someone in the 12-15 range they should work out a deal before the draft to take that player at 4 but pay him 10 money.
I can envision this Scenario with Moreno. If he is at the top or near the top of the Hawks board at 4, realistically he will not get drafted till the 12-20 range so it is a benefit for both the team and the player to draft him at 4 but pay him 10 money.
Do not know if anything like this has been done but could be a very unconventional way to manipulate the draft board.
Anonymous - you raise an interesting scenario. The problem I see with it, is that Moreno has an agent. Agents use success from the prior years draft as a way to recruite new draft-eligible clients. I can't imagine Moreno's agent allowing him to sign a 10th overall contract from the 4th overall draft position. Just my thoughts, but an interesting point nonetheless.
Nice podcast.
On Sanchez, maybe since I'm from LA and am old enough, I keep getting back to parallels between him and Tommy Maddox. Both were top national recruits out of high school, both had all the tools and good intangibles, both surprisingly left for the NFL after successful sophomore years. Fortunately, Maddox didn't have to play immediately, and was able to learn behind one of the best in an "aging" Elway.
That's why it's hard to get past the 16 games question with Sanchez. I've seen it before and it didn't turn out so well. Sanchez has been saying and doing all the right things the last couple of months, but he kind of started out in a hole from my perspective so he's still a tough sell.
Post a Comment