tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post5245892652995298223..comments2024-01-31T17:34:09.607-08:00Comments on Seahawks Draft Blog: POTD: CJ Spiller, RB, ClemsonRob Statonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16481945325907207562noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-7019335277327787072010-02-17T17:07:07.428-08:002010-02-17T17:07:07.428-08:00G,
The way I feel is this. I think Spiller is go...G,<br /><br />The way I feel is this. I think Spiller is going to be Reggie Bush 2.0. They aren't exactly the same- Bush is probably a little better and Spiller will probably get more carries and less grabs, but they are very similar prospects.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of Reggie Bush. His DYAR per touch last year was better than even Chris Johnson's. The only problem is, he had only 117 total touches (runs+catches).<br /><br />So despite being really awesome when he does touch the ball, and despite being a meaningful part of a superbowl winning team, there is talk this offseason that Bush could be released by the Saints. Because as nice of a player as he is, paying a guy with so few reps $8+ million over the next two years is not a good investment of resources.<br /><br />If we drafted Spiller at #6, we'd be in a similar situation. Even if Spiller works pretty well, his contract will be a burden, not an asset, to the team. To me, taking him at #6 is pretty much unthinkable.<br /><br />At #14, his value is a lot better. However, if his inside running is as bad as Kyle or Matt McGuire from Walterfootball reports, I might stay away from him completely. For reasons already mentioned, good interior running skill is a huge requirement for a successfully revived running game.Kip Earlywinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07226256849167085207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-4869951493311752932010-02-17T16:58:07.962-08:002010-02-17T16:58:07.962-08:00We need this man. There's usually only one guy...We need this man. There's usually only one guy per draft that has this kind of freakish speed and evasiveness, if they want a playmaker(which is nonexistent on this roster) they better take Spiller over Bryant. <br />If the downside on Spiller is Reggie Bush, then the upside is Chris Johnson, LT or Warrick Dunn. That's a gamble I'll take every day!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16855452479802633284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-43836300259387440952010-02-17T16:35:02.452-08:002010-02-17T16:35:02.452-08:00One more thought (and just to clarify, I'm not...One more thought (and just to clarify, I'm not of the "C.J. or bust camp", if there is such a thing). Kip, in the original post you ask<br /><br />"Is <20 touches a game worth $8-9 million per year?"<br /><br />To which I would say, it can be:<br /><br />"Career 1 TD per ~20 carries, most of them big plays"<br /><br />I'm assuming the above stat is carries, as you state, and not touches that woudl factor in kick/punt returns or receptions. <br /><br />I would like him a lot at 14 (at 6 I think, not so much). But I think if you're talking purely in terms of value per carry, some one like Darren Sproles or Felix Jones is worth a lot more in 10-15 carries than someone like, say, Matt Forte or a power back.G'd Upnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-22016203719893541152010-02-16T23:27:46.116-08:002010-02-16T23:27:46.116-08:00I feel that after the combine, Charles Brown out o...I feel that after the combine, Charles Brown out of USC might not seem much of a reach at #14, and he definitely wont be available at #40. I see Brown as an extreme value, an all around solid left tackle, plus fits perfect with the zone blocking scheme. Seems like a no brainer at #14. It would be a plus to trade back a couple of spots to pick him up maybe at #20, but he wont last long after that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-50935538811775143822010-02-16T23:22:22.998-08:002010-02-16T23:22:22.998-08:00I keep coming back to value. At #6, we should be ...I keep coming back to value. At #6, we should be focused on QB, OT, CB and pass-rushing D-lineman. For me that means Clausen, Okung/Davis, Haden/Berry or Suh/McCoy/Morgan. Realistically, Haden, Berry or Morgan, since I don't think the others will be available, or in the case of the tackles don't really fit the ZBS that well. No way should it be Spiller. At 14, maybe, although I'd argue the difference between Spiller and RB's who should be there well past 40 is much smaller than the difference between Price and other DT's who will still be there at 40. Unless McCoy or Clausen (I don't love the guy, but you can't argue with his numbers behind a terrible Irish O-line)falls to us, my money would be on Haden or Berry at 6 and Morgan or Price at 14. Perfect world we trade down from 14 and 40 and still get Price, Nate Allen and a couple of 3rd round picks to use on McKnight and Jordan Shipley. All 5 not only make the team but either start or contribute greatly. I know everyone is all about the O-line, but with Gibbs I could definitely see us waiting to the mid rounds for guys like Saffold, Capers and Calloway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-87944665617776651032010-02-16T21:38:51.800-08:002010-02-16T21:38:51.800-08:00Check out this article. Do you guys think our 40th...Check out this article. Do you guys think our 40th pick is worthy of Cromartie? <br /><br />http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4920302Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-38332536044535225472010-02-16T21:34:45.660-08:002010-02-16T21:34:45.660-08:00Regarding Spiller playing and producing while inju...Regarding Spiller playing and producing while injured...<br /><br />Spiller was playing with turf toe since week 1.Mr. Chrisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016455349971115464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-41786965933570544812010-02-16T21:31:07.874-08:002010-02-16T21:31:07.874-08:00Kip - our tackle situation in 2009 was a royal mes...Kip - our tackle situation in 2009 was a royal mess. I'm hoping we can downgrade that to colossal mess.G'd Upnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-38770633432241790312010-02-16T20:33:56.918-08:002010-02-16T20:33:56.918-08:00My post earlier should of had Jahvid best's na...My post earlier should of had Jahvid best's name in it. If he grades out similar to Spiller wouldn't using the 40th pick on him make more sense than using the 14th on Spiller? <br /><br />Also great info as usual from you guys. Keep up the good work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-36360721784767039192010-02-16T18:41:37.865-08:002010-02-16T18:41:37.865-08:00Injuries effect RBs so much, that I'm extra im...Injuries effect RBs so much, that I'm extra impressed when they have big games playing hurt. I don't think I'll soon forget what a horrible mess Alexander became once he finally started suffering some injuries. Spiller left the 1st game with a hamstring injury and had only 4 carries, but had over 150 KR yards and a TD.<br /><br />In Spiller's final three games, he had some injury problems and it held him back. However, he more than made up for it with his epic performance against then #10 GT, gaining 233 yards (11.7 ypc) and scoring repeatedly, doing so without his top gear. To even be capable of such a performance when playing at 80% against a quality opponent is pretty amazing.<br /><br />As far as Spiller's inside running, yeah it probably does suck. I noticed very few of Spiller's highlights came up the middle.<br /><br />G'd Up- I don't see any reason why our outside rushing game would improve. In the first place, ZBS is built around running between the tackles. And secondly, our tackle situation is a royal mess, that probably won't be fixed in one offseason.Kip Earlywinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07226256849167085207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-5051305636056144882010-02-16T17:58:15.150-08:002010-02-16T17:58:15.150-08:00G- The spread zone allow flow to the sideline and ...G- The spread zone allow flow to the sideline and creates opportunities for cutback lanes. One cut and go. You may be confusing this with the standard toss sweep type play. <br /><br />Good comment Kyle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-38456649309331712732010-02-16T17:28:04.023-08:002010-02-16T17:28:04.023-08:00I HATE to throw the Chris Johnson comparison out t...I HATE to throw the Chris Johnson comparison out there because it's so overplayed, but from a height/weight perspective they are pretty similar. Not sure how similarly they are built/carry that weight though.<br /><br />I'd quibble with two other points:<br />1) that we should be wary about Spiller because he excels most running outside, which was a weakness for the 09 Hawks. Both portions of the statement are true, but don't we expect/hope/dream that many facets of the blocking scheme will improve in 2010, including on running plays to the edge?<br /><br />2) That Spiller is an ineffective inside runner. Admittedly, I've been looking at clips packages to so that's a non scientific sample, but given that limitation, I see a guy who on inside runs will look for a way to get outside if it's there. That can lead to trouble if a RB is always trying to bounce outside when it isn't there, but I see some one-cut potential in CJ<br /><br />That said, I'm trying to not to fall in love with any one player. Home run threats are always "sexiest", just like the girl at the end of the bar who may or may not be more trouble than she's worth.G'd Upnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-13661560708933219532010-02-16T17:10:42.358-08:002010-02-16T17:10:42.358-08:00A lot of Johnson's success is actually up the...A lot of Johnson's success is actually up the middle, both in college and in the NFL. He has such great north/south speed and quick cuts which makes him so dangerous in between the tackles. He is obviously great at outsides runs as well but his ability to turn up field as quickly as he does is what gets him all his yards. This year he has also proven to effectively break tackles around the line of scrimmage.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-43932874837849694272010-02-16T16:54:45.276-08:002010-02-16T16:54:45.276-08:00Look Clemson's O-line was about as good as the...Look Clemson's O-line was about as good as the hawks and this kid flat out produced. This is a good write up Kip but let me ask you this. Do you want a RB who can run the ball 20 plus carries a game, or take a chance on a guy like Spiller at 14 who could be very effective with 14 carries or less and post over 100 yards and 1 or more td's a game Also remember we have Forsett so he really would only need to carrie 8-14 times. Also I would like to point this out when Chris Johnson came out he was not viewed as an every down back and as we saw this year he could, so I guess what i'm saying is don't count this kid out as an every down back. A more fair comparison of Spiller would be between Bush and Johnson with me leaning more towards Johnson.HawkCityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08325163919912571637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-75393313027654314742010-02-16T16:50:09.353-08:002010-02-16T16:50:09.353-08:00I have a few quibbles with a couple of your points...I have a few quibbles with a couple of your points, Kip.<br /><br />IMO, when Spiller got knicked up (2 of the 4 or 5 games I've done on him he picked up a minor injury late) he was severely limited. Now, he gets some points for toughing it out, clearly he isn't afraid to play with pain (in fact, toughness/leadership are two areas where I think Spiller excels). However, he was much slower and since speed is the main thing Spiller brings to the table as a runner, his effectiveness plummeted. It didn't help that he was also stepping out of bounds rather than extending the play, but I'm willing to cut some slack since he was playing hurt.<br /><br />I'd also argue that he's not even a good inside runner. I'm not sure what he offers inside, other than the ability to run fast when there is a hole. He's not terribly good changing directions, obviously isn't going to blow up tacklers and (though debatable) I don't think he'll break arm tackles at the NFL level like he did in college. Maybe if he had better balance. But I don't really see Spiller offering anything as an inside runner that we can't get elsewhere. He's willing and fast, but that's really it. And he doesn't use his speed inside (only turns on the jets when he has green in front of him).<br /><br />I've heard, from a source more experienced than I, that Spiller can get to the 210 range. Of course, that same source later admitted such claims are usually unreliable and that the NFL isn't terribly good at predicting who will and will not add weight. I tend to agree with you, his body certainly looks maxed out (which suggests he is a very hard worker, as Spiller is downright ripped. Unfortunately, RBs tend to be more bulky than ripped because of all the pounding). Who knows.<br /><br />That said, I think he's a pretty effective blocker, especially for a smaller back. He's not perfect, and he's not as good as Knowshon Moreno last year, but few are. He's better than most guys coming out.Kyle Rotahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852143812226605646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-20329621153577635932010-02-16T16:42:50.982-08:002010-02-16T16:42:50.982-08:00I'm on board with Seattle drafting a running b...I'm on board with Seattle drafting a running back. I love Forsett but I think Seattle needs someone special at the position and they have to find an explosive option on offense this year. Instead of drafting Spiller at 14 why not get a player with an almost identical skillset who avg. 8+ yards per carry at 40? Just seems like better value to me. Am I way off base here? Also thought it was interesting what Mcshay said about Anthony Dixon and how is game fits a zone blocking scheme to a tee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-68931175980483384612010-02-16T16:31:09.543-08:002010-02-16T16:31:09.543-08:00Have you heard anything about Charles Scott out of...Have you heard anything about Charles Scott out of LSU? I heard he might be pretty effective in a zone scheme and will probably be available in the 4th or 5th round.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-32648417960482852612010-02-16T16:19:30.591-08:002010-02-16T16:19:30.591-08:00BTW- I definitely plan on making a Gerhart post, b...BTW- I definitely plan on making a Gerhart post, but he's about 15 names down on the list. So it could be a little while. I do look forward to it as Gerhart potentially fits a short yardage need and has an outside shot at making the 4th round.<br /><br />Just from what others have told me, Gerhart is a very 1 dimensional back (think TJ Duckett). If that's true, I definitely wouldn't spend #40 on him, even if his tape is mind-blowing.Kip Earlywinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07226256849167085207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-26111816873173678852010-02-16T15:23:13.799-08:002010-02-16T15:23:13.799-08:00Wow. Thanks for sharing that video link. I'd...Wow. Thanks for sharing that video link. I'd prefer Joe McKnight, but Gerhart certainly is a best. He's big, he's surprisingly fast, he has great vision, he's impossible to knock down, he has great balance in general, and he knows how to make people miss. I definitely would not mind spending a 3rd or 4th rounder on him.CLantermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06447309416733687861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-8019140321268231322010-02-16T14:23:58.515-08:002010-02-16T14:23:58.515-08:00I know this post is not about Gerhardt, but people...I know this post is not about Gerhardt, but people should check this out. At 3:14 in this clip of Gerhart highlights, shows his 2009 game vs. USC. This shows two things, how successful Gerhart was against a stout USC defense with our own defensive minded Carrol in charge, and the other thing is how bad Taylor Mays actually is in run support. <br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXyTCJ2yTP8Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-92005162230283159732010-02-16T13:59:07.340-08:002010-02-16T13:59:07.340-08:00By thumper's I don't mean a running back -...By thumper's I don't mean a running back - I mean non-"skill" positionsBrendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05353126701852958359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-79388562780405848222010-02-16T13:57:55.333-08:002010-02-16T13:57:55.333-08:00no question Spiller has great value especially if ...no question Spiller has great value especially if his hands are as good as bush's. However, his skills would unfortunately be wasted on a team as talented as Seattle's is. Spiller is the type of guy that could really get a team over the edge in a two back system. He is a great threat but he is not going to come in and turn-around our franchise and in the process of trying may become too beat up. Get the skill people last, bring the thumper's in first.Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05353126701852958359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-78162002852209965372010-02-16T13:31:19.153-08:002010-02-16T13:31:19.153-08:00Well... at around 3 mil a year if we can get him a...Well... at around 3 mil a year if we can get him at 14, you're getting someone who can return punts, kicks, is an upgrade at running back, and can be used very effectively on screens and checkdowns... I mean - I don't see where people don't see the value.Mr. Chrisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016455349971115464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-28157087535174970942010-02-16T13:26:20.391-08:002010-02-16T13:26:20.391-08:00Can you do a POTD on Toby Gerhart? He looks like a...Can you do a POTD on Toby Gerhart? He looks like a really intriguing in between the tackles runner. He also looks to have adequate speed and an obvious nose for the endzone. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053006193215777292.post-33725948681333610642010-02-16T11:59:41.124-08:002010-02-16T11:59:41.124-08:00One thing that gets overlooked regarding draft pos...One thing that gets overlooked regarding draft position is how talent is viewed. What I mean is traditional vs scheme specific talent. Guys that don't fit the traditional mold of a player, often drop. <br /><br />As far as Spiller, I like him in a lot of areas -Speed, toughness and leadership. But for reasons you've already pointed out, he's probably a situational back and return man. <br /><br />The only way I want my 1st rounder returning kicks is if he's so limited I have to use him there (Ted Ginn or Nate Burleson's 1st Hawk year). Otherwise, I want a 1st round pick to be a full time starter and anything top 10 needs to hopefully pan out to be a Pro Bowler at some point. BTW -I'm not saying Spiller won't be a PB.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com