tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post1128504337667914595..comments2024-01-31T17:34:09.607-08:00Comments on Seahawks Draft Blog: Understanding zone blocking and the future of the running game part 3: Zone scheme running backsRob Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481945325907207562noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-11383165592625962942010-01-29T15:55:18.053-08:002010-01-29T15:55:18.053-08:00Thanks Playstead.
Thanks anon. I'd heard abo...Thanks Playstead.<br /><br />Thanks anon. I'd heard about the brittleness, but not the fumbles. If I do some real scouting on him later, I'll be sure to look for that. I'm not as big on durability as some others are. Injuries can sometimes be total flukes. Marcus Tubbs was totally healthy in college for example. Adrian Peterson was a walking injury machine. Plus, we saw how Tim Ruskell's "safe" drafting philosophy that avoided risk still resulted in a ridiculous number of injuries in '08 and '09. <br /><br />If Seattle figures to splitting carries very well (150-200 carries max per back), that would mean less chance for injury to a RB and less impact if a RB is injured. But still, I can't say its not a concern. I'll have to look into it. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.Kip Earlywinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07226256849167085207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-38404629224471235502010-01-29T00:35:55.218-08:002010-01-29T00:35:55.218-08:00Old Seattlite down in LA for years. Joe Mcknight ...Old Seattlite down in LA for years. Joe Mcknight is a Pete Carroll blind spot. Blessed with great talent, brittleness was less a problem then his propensity to fumble. Late-round flyer, sure. Before that, wasted pick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-33237763601552766962010-01-28T23:18:58.528-08:002010-01-28T23:18:58.528-08:00What a great write-up. Interesting that you picked...What a great write-up. Interesting that you picked out McKnight. We definately need to pick one if not two RBs this year. The cupboard is so bare.Playsteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16885437167597881026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-16697497288880232112010-01-28T16:11:28.364-08:002010-01-28T16:11:28.364-08:00dude*dude*Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855452479802633284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-18587405996875990262010-01-28T16:10:19.704-08:002010-01-28T16:10:19.704-08:00Aside from me liking Gerhart I brought it up becau...Aside from me liking Gerhart I brought it up because Gibbs has a history of working in a larger back to change pace and or help in short yardage: TJ Duckett (in his young prime) with Warrick Dunn, Mike Anderson with ______ in Denver, Chris Brown with Steve Slaton in Houston.<br /><br />Like it or not you have to look at the possibility and likelihood of Gibbs wanting a bigger due in the mix, especially since we already have Forsett. Dig?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855452479802633284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-20848377716933412642010-01-28T15:27:12.994-08:002010-01-28T15:27:12.994-08:00We didn't use Leonard Weaver to his full poten...We didn't use Leonard Weaver to his full potential and I would hate to see Owen schmit or Justin Griffith's roster spots wasted because we don't want to use them in short yardage. Both are big burly guys that should be able to punch through a hole for a couple of yards.<br /><br />And Kip I agree, two or three solid backs without the super star is fine with me. Plus your offense isn't reliant on one back and majorly hindered if he goes down.Vince Mulcahynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-10589043108172107352010-01-28T14:52:02.121-08:002010-01-28T14:52:02.121-08:00As far as Gerhart et al, I'm trying to avoid g...As far as Gerhart et al, I'm trying to avoid giving an opinion because I haven't really seen much of them to go off of. Its true that in zone scheme you don't have to have a thunder and lightning duo- you could just have 3 good, similar backs and do very well. So I tend to agree with what Vince is saying, you want to make sure you stockpile RB who fit the system as best as possible, and if they happen to be big or fast, that's just a bonus.<br /><br />That said, I would like the Seahawks to add a guy who has talent in short yardage. Maybe Toby Gerhart, Charles Scott, or Stefan Johnson, or someone else. A back doesn't need to be big to be a short yardage back, so I'd prefer a guy with as wide a skill base as possible that can still be solid in short-yardage. Even though I think TJ Duckett was good for us in 2008, I don't want another back who only gets used once or twice a game. Ideally, I'd like backfield where all 3 RBs split the load fairly evenly, so as to keep each one healthy and fresh.<br /><br />I haven't formed an opinion of Blount yet, but from what I've read, he isn't especially suited for zone scheme. I don't consider Blount a character concern though. He lost his cool in a game once, not a big deal, IMO.Kip Earlywinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07226256849167085207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-42325159991016491382010-01-28T13:36:46.095-08:002010-01-28T13:36:46.095-08:00McKnight looks like Reggie Bush minus some speed. ...McKnight looks like Reggie Bush minus some speed. They both have the shiftiness and acceleration, but they both run high and exposed. Both would rather jump into the endzone than lower their shoulder and take on would-be tacklers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-64608488393696988612010-01-28T10:26:52.331-08:002010-01-28T10:26:52.331-08:00Has anyone considered LeGarrette Blount for the Ha...Has anyone considered LeGarrette Blount for the Hawks? He's obviously not a TR type prospect, given his severe character concerns. Is he someone the new regime could possibly take a look at? Obviously he's a later round prospect, given the risk associated with his character. <br /><br />It seems like he could have a massive upside though, with good quickness and power. He'd compliment Forsett well as a power back. Looking at his highlights, he looks like the decisive 1-cut runner that's been discussed for ZBS. Decent risk/reward in late rounds?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-88428167896817721052010-01-28T08:56:52.401-08:002010-01-28T08:56:52.401-08:00Great write-up Kip, this series has been a great l...Great write-up Kip, this series has been a great learning experience. I'm also really high on Joe McKnight, especially if he falls in the 4th round. Having watched him a lot this year, I felt like he is an elite back when he's on. Unfortunately, he's injury prone, but I think him splitting carries with Forsett would be a good look for the Hawks in 2010.<br />Our return game was woeful last year as well, and as such, I wouldn't mind getting a McCluster type to play KR/PR with a bit of RB and WR in there as well.CLantermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06447309416733687861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-64283992475075328512010-01-28T08:25:55.538-08:002010-01-28T08:25:55.538-08:00From Texashawk,
Kip,
Thanks for the the great hi...From Texashawk,<br /><br />Kip,<br /><br />Thanks for the the great highlight reel. I have watched highlights of many players and have to say I am most impressed with Mcknight and he is now my favorite back to get in the draft. I know spiller has the speed but he seemed to bounce outside too much and I worry about this translating to the next level. <br /><br />What impressed me about Mcknight is his vision he seems to instictivly know when to switch directionand does so with quickness and decisiveness. <br /><br />What are his measurables he seemed to be good sized as well? If we picked him up in the second round would that be a strech in your mind? Do you really believe that he will last until the Third?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-46833313829832495982010-01-28T08:25:25.803-08:002010-01-28T08:25:25.803-08:00@Vince
Its not true to say the ZBS can't use ...@Vince<br /><br />Its not true to say the ZBS can't use big backs. The key qualities in a ZBS RB are that they are decisive getting to the hole (they can only make one cut and may have to commit before the hole appears) and have the speed or the size to avoid arm tackles while getting through the first level. I wouldn't say that Gerhart or Jacobs are great fits for the scheme but you don't just have to play Forsett-type RBs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-8774266429485102022010-01-28T07:14:55.720-08:002010-01-28T07:14:55.720-08:00I think that the contrasting rbs doesn't play ...I think that the contrasting rbs doesn't play to the strengths of the zbs. Someone like a Gerhart, Brandon Jacobs type of player isn't well suited because of their inability to change direction. You need multiple backs, but I would rather have two zbs rbs and for short yardage use our fullbacks. <br /><br />Reggie bush would be an interesting placement but I don't see us going after him. You are still going to pay him more than his value and he has already stated that he values himself in the 8 mil per year range. Not worth it. He fades from games a lot, with little to no production. I would like to see what Gibbs can do with our 2nd or 4th (I don't believe Spiller is the best option) whether it is McKnight, Dwyer or someone else. No point in grabbing a first round rb with the track record of out coaching staff when we have a lack of playmakers at every other position on our team.Vince Mulcahynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-9785418586683455712010-01-28T05:22:47.696-08:002010-01-28T05:22:47.696-08:00Given the Gibbs track record of backfield personne...Given the Gibbs track record of backfield personnel: smallish guy with good vision etc. and a bigger guy as the change of pace, does Toby Gerhart stack up as that physical back in contrast to a Justin Forsett?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855452479802633284noreply@blogger.com