Seahawks meeting Crabtree tonight

The Seattle Seahawks are meeting with Michael Crabtree tonight after a day of constant analysis regarding his fractured metatarsal. News of this latest injury and a surprisingly short height measurement (just over 6'1") have led to some predicting he could be in for a fall on draft day. To the Seahawks, tonight's interview will likely have more effect on where they rank Crabtree on their big board.

The injury itself is minor - it's just happened at a time when the world's focus is on deciding whose stock is going up or down. Jason Smith (OT, Baylor) suffered a right MCL sprain in 2007 which slowed him for most of the season. He's getting rave reviews at the moment, but how many careers have been ended by metatarsal fractures and how many due to knee injuries?

The height issue will stop some of the (arguably) unfair comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald. But as Jim Mora points out:

"Well, he was, what was he 6-01.3, but his arms were 34.5 and I believe he had the longest arms of the receivers other than the kid from Cal Poly. So I think that makes up for it a little bit. I wouldn't call 6-1 and a half too short. He's about 214, long arms. Hands I think were 10. That's a pretty good-sized kid." - Jim Mora

When you have that kind of reach, what's a couple of inches in height?

Whether Seattle has Crabtree near the top of their wish list could very easily come down to meeting's like tonight's interview. The double Biletnikoff award winner has the production, he's shown what he's capable of in a game situation. The injury isn't a serious one. The only thing holding him back could be the all important 'character test'.

"He's had tremendous production in college, but I don't know him personally and that's a part of the puzzle. Getting to know him and finding out what makes him tick." - Jim Mora

It's been a long day for Michael Crabtree. Rest assured the Seahawks front office won't be giving him an easy ride. How he performs away from his entourage in a pressure situation will be the real test to see if Crabtree is a logical option on draft day.

More combine links

The NFL Network reports Michael Crabtree will delay surgery until after his pro day in order to work out for teams. The event is scheduled for March 26th, but Crabtree says there's a chance it could be moved forward.

Don Banks says teams dropping Crabtree down their boards, "do so at their own risk, or lack of common sense". He also says there's no chance Michael Vick ends up in Seattle - no big surprise there.

Pete Prisco says today's big news shouldn't affect Crabtree's stock. Only 24 hours ago he was rated by many to be the best prospect in the 2009 draft class.

Clare Farnsworth quotes Love Smith and Scott Pioli on the days big story. He also speaks with Seahawks head coach Jim Mora, who says the Texas Tech receiver's wing span more than makes up for his surprisingly small height (6'1").

Who were the top performing offensive linemen and tight ends? Both Eugene Monroe and Jason Smith received some praise, but could William Beatty make his way into the first round?

Tony Pauline reports that Andre Smith's fortunes continue to flounder. Apparently he performed poorly in interviews to go along with his confusing no show this weekend. What an absolutely disastrous weekend for the Alabama linemen.

D. Orlando Ledbetter says Knowshon Moreno is looking forward to running the 40 yard dash on Sunday. Neither Moreno or Chris 'Beanie' Wells have received much thought amongst the draft's elite prospects, that could certainly change as we get closer to the draft.

Eric Williams had a chance to meet B.J. Raji at the combine. He's flown up draft boards after a solid Senior Bowl. I wrote an article shortly after the event citing why I think he's unlikely to be taken fourth overall by the Seahawks.

John Clayton: "It isn't that bad"

ESPN's John Clayton says in this video clip that Crabtree's injury is a setback, but it isn't as bad as some fear. He suggests the Seahawks may think twice about drafting him, depending on how quickly it heals. Seattle staff are meeting with Crabtree this evening.

Clark Judge & Pete Prisco on Crabtree

CBS Sportsline duo Clark Judge and Pete Prisco filmed this clip from the combine discussing Michael Crabtree's injury issues.


Watch CBS Videos Online

Offensive linemen

Here are the measurements for this year's class of offensive linemen. Thanks to Walter Cherepinsky for pulling it all together.

Offensive tackles
Notable performance: Jason Smith (OT, Baylor)
In a deep group of offensive tackles Smith really staked his claim to be the best of the bunch. Thirty-three reps on the bench press was only beaten by Alex Boone and he ran a solid 5.14 forty yard dash.

Centers
Notable performance: Eric Wood (C, Louisville)
Benched 33 reps and ran a 5.17 forty. Beat the highly rated Max Unger (Oregon) in both categories and potentially put himself in the same bracket as Unger and California's non-participant Alex Mack.

Guards
Notable performance: Louis Vasquez (G, Texas Tech)
Benched an incredible 39 reps - no other offensive linemen got close to that. Didn't run the 40 yard dash but showed he's worth a mid-late round flier and could be useful under the guidance of an experienced line coach.

Crabtree's injury - the analysis

It's been revealed this weekend that Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech) will require surgery to repair a stress fracture on his fifth metatarsal. The medical experts are saying he'll need a ten week layoff, whilst the draft experts are suggesting this could affect his stock. Does this change an awful lot?

Everyone knew Crabtree wasn't 100% coming into the combine and that's why he's chosen not to work out. But this isn't a serious career threatening injury. In soccer, a broken metatarsal is a notoriously common injury. David Beckham (L.A. Galaxy, currently on loan with A.C. Milan) suffered the same injury just before the 2002 soccer world cup and actually played during the tournament with the problem.

If this was another injury to his ankle it would be a big talking point. This fracture is easily fixable and not the kind of problem that is likely to re-occur regularly. In fact a more pressing concern for Crabtree's stock is surely his height measurement. He's previously been listed at around the 6'3" mark but came in at just over 6'1" in Indianapolis. Aaron Weingburg at Next Season Sports shows that all the receivers taken in the top five in the last five drafts have been at least a couple of inches taller.

I think we can forget those comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald, at least physically.

Going back to the injury though, it's easy to assume this will dramatically affect his stock. At a time when pundits are looking for reasons to push people up or down a mock draft this is the perfect story. In reality I think if a team such as the Seattle Seahawks were considering drafting Crabtree this won't have eliminated him from their thoughts. After all, Tim Ruskell gave Patrick Kerney a $39.5m contract just after he'd missed seven games with a torn pectoral muscle.

However, it's not to say it couldn't be a deal breaker. If, on draft day, Crabtree is at the top of their hit list alongside a prospect they rate equally - a clean bill of health could make the difference with large amounts of money on offer. Ruskell has spoken this weekend of getting an impact player but he's also talked about getting good value.

Combine - big links update

I've just got home from my working road trip. Fortunately the game I was reporting on was absolutely first class and certainly took the edge off what turned out to be a nine hour drive. A lot has happened in Indianapolis, perhaps most notably the news on Michael Crabtree's need for surgery. I'll post a separate article on that in a moment, in the mean time here's some links as we play 'catchup' over the last 24 hours.

Walter Cherepinsky has an extensive data list which tracks how the prospects have performed so far. This includes weigh ins, reps on the bench press and 40 yard dash times.

Andre Smith decided not to work out and there's some confusion as to why he didn't make this known earlier. There were already concerns after a gaff cost Smith the chance to play in the Sugar Bowl - this doesn't help at all.

Aaron Wilson adds to the debate, saying Smith went AWOL and a search party was sent for him. Mike Mayock has criticised the prospect, whilst his agent has taken the blame. It's a complete mess and the Alabama offensive linemen will have to hope time is a healer. With nearly two months until the draft, his stock took a big hit this weekend.

Danny O'Neil has published a full transcript of an interview with head coach Jim Mora. According to Mora, the team will interview Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech) tonight.

Crabtree himself talks to the press and discusses his decision to turn pro after just two years with the Red Raiders. There wasn't really anything for him to prove in Texas after winning consecutive Biletnikoff Awards.

Tom Kowalski, a Lions beat reporter, believes Detroit will likely choose between Jason Smith (OT, Baylor) and Aaron Curry (LB, Wake Forest) with the first overall pick. I would have to disagree, it's almost a shoe in that Matt Stafford is taken with the first pick.

Chris 'Beanie' Wells (RB, Ohio State) speaks to the NFL Network. Wells has a vibrant personality and always comes across well in his interviews. If he can eliminate fears about his durability he could be a surprise top ten pick.

Also from the NFL Network - a panel including former Buccs coach John Gruden discuss their favourite wide receivers and running backs. Regarding the backs, Knowshon Moren (RB, Georgia) weighed in at an impressive 217 lbs. If he can run a quick 40 yard dash time he's another prospect whose stock could dramatically improve.

Jeff Richards looks at the performances so far of the offensive tackles. He thinks Jason Smith put in the most impressive display.

On the road...

I'm currently on the road traveling to report on a different kind of football (English soccer), so won't be able to update the blog today. I'll be back on Saturday for extensive coverage on the combine, including news of those all important 40 yard dash times.

Ruskell on the draft: breaking it down

Eric Williams from Seahawks Insider has published a full transcript of Tim Ruskell's meeting with the media today. He discusses a lot of topics regarding this week's combine and the draft in general. So what can we make of the information?

For starters, there are big hints that could conceivably suggest what the 'Hawks front office are planning. You have to decide for yourself how much can be taken from this, team's don't usually 'show their hand' this early in the process. Ruskell actively remarks that the defensive line is an area of need.

"We try to stay true to our grading system. “Okay, he’s gone. Here’s the next five. Put those guys up there Get ‘em right. Now let’s take the next guy. And I think at four, our strategy is – and I talked to you guys about this the last time we were together – you’ve got to get the most impact guy for your football team. You can’t get focused on the darn need, that’s when you make a mistake. Now, when they sync up that’s great. But it’s too tempting to say, “Well, we need a defensive lineman. Oh, look at that, he just happens to be right here.” You have to fight that urge and make sure is that the most impactful player at four? Is that the next best player?" - Tim Ruskell
For a full break down, click here to read the analysis.

Conceivably the defensive line is an area of need. The pass rush became stagnant in 2008 after Patrick Kerney was put on injured reserve. The Seahawks are also unlikely to retain Rocky Bernard leaving a space in their defensive tackle rotation. There is some truth in what Ruskell states. No defensive line prospect, at least suited for a 4-3 defense, is expected to go in the top five picks. It would be a reach to take someone such as B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College) a player touted in mock drafts for Seattle (most notably by ESPN's Todd McShay) but in all likelihood given his off (and on) the field issues - he isn't likely to be drafted by the Seahawks.

Ruskell also talks of finding a player who can present an almost immediate impact. This is perhaps a little cloudy depending on your definition of what constitutes an 'impact' player. You could argue such a perspective, if truly believable, would rule out drafting a quarter back or left tackle as a long term solution to ageing veterans Matt Hasselbeck and Walter Jones. Surely an 'impact' player would need to come in and perform within a comparable timescale to that which John Carlson managed?

The prospects most likely to come in and have an immediate impact are usually running backs. If the Seahawks want an immediate injection of talent (and a much needed offensive playmaker) would the team consider drafting Chris 'Beanie' Wells or Knowshon Moreno? It wouldn't be the 'need' Ruskell is talking of avoiding and would provide that ability to plug them in from day one. After all, the team have spoken of a greater emphasis in the running game. It would be a bit of a reach and a heavy investment, but Ruskell has shown he is willing to take a prospect he rates highly even if the consensus opinion is that the move was bad value.

Of course, this is mere speculation and such a move still seems incredibly unlikely - but when have Ruskell's Seahawks ever been predictable? On the flip side, whose to say that a more predictable selection (Michael Crabtree, Malcolm Jenkins etc) couldn't come in and have an impact from day one. John Carlson certainly learnt the difficult Holmgren playbook quickly and we saw Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie have an excellent rookie season for NFC West rivals Arizona.

Speaking of Crabtree...

"We certainly don’t want to get into the position we had last year with the receivers. That was scary in that a couple injuries then boom! We couldn’t function." - Tim Ruskell

On the surface, as with the defensive line comment, this is all perfectly true. The Seahawks, as with other teams picking in the top ten this year, could certainly use a play maker of Crabtree's calibre. He ticks the boxes of potentially having the kind of impact Ruskell hopes for whilst not representing a 'reach'. Even though Ruskell is essentially 'showing his hand' again here by stating an obvious need, it's nothing that most team's didn't know anyway. Even if Seattle don't select Crabtree (or don't have the opportunity to do so) getting a young, talented receiver has to be on their list at some point in the draft.

The comment about being unable to function is a telling remark. Too many times last year the team's offense was completely shut down due to a lack of threat at receiver. This was especially true when the Seahawks were using Keary Colbert, Billy McMullen and Courtney Taylor as their starting wide outs. Opposition teams were able to play a lot of run defense and blitz consistently, restricting the running game and consistently pressuring the quarter back. With a greater threat at wide receiver the team will get the balance they crave. Getting a guy like Michael Crabtree in the draft will release the pressure on the offensive line, opening up the running game and potentially affording Matt Hasselbeck greater time to throw. Getting a receiver is even more crucial if Bobby Engram departs in free agency - with still lingering doubts about Deion Branch's ability to feature for a whole season and Nate Burleson returning from a serious knee injury.

Ruskell also talked about potentially trading down:

"That depends on how big our impact player list is. If it’s eight, if it’s 10, if it’s 12 and rate out impact players in the six’s at each level. So how many impact guys are there? If you start out with a list of 15 of those guys, by the time you’re meetings are over, that thing’s down to eight. And if you eliminate some of those guys on their intangibles or off the field, it can go to four or six. That’s the normal course."

"So yes, you would be reluctant to trade out. It’s doesn’t mean you’re not going to get a good player at 10. So you have to weigh what is your offer. If I’m going to go to 10, and I’m out of my impact player pool, and I’m into my good player, good starter, Pro Bowl possibility, what am I getting for that?" - Tim Ruskell

It's become increasingly difficult to trade out of the top five picks in the draft due to the cost not only in picks to trade up, but the monetary value of the contracts also. I could only envisage a scenario where Seattle trades down where they have seen the top guys go in the first three picks and the prospect now top of their list will still very likely be around in 1-2 picks time. Then, and it's still a big reach to suggest this is possible, they may be willing to move down a couple of spots in order to try and save some dollars in contract and recoup a small prize (for example, the 5th round pick they lost trading for Keary Colbert).

Of course, this will only be possible if there's a willing trade partner. One of the most striking obstacles in the way of any trade is the lack of obvious scenarios in which a trade would be appealing to the teams directly following Seattle - Cleveland, Cincinnati and Oakland.

Ruskell on looking for a long term replacement for Matt Hasselbeck:

"Yeah, we’re in that zone where we have to consider every time there’s a free agency period, a draft. So we’re in that zone. Whether it happens this year or not, it just depends. But we’re in that zone.

We’re not just going to do it because we know we’re in the zone. That’s not how we’re going to do it. We’re going to do it because everyone has been evaluated, the quarterback coach and the coordinator feel good about the future, and then as an organization we say “You know what, we’re all on board let’s do it.” Not just because we’re in the zone.”" - Tim Ruskell

Well one thing is clear - Seattle is 'in the zone'. That essentially means the Seahawks are thinking about the long term future at the most important position in football - not exactly a surprise. Even though both Ruskell and Jim Mora have publicly stated Hasselbeck is the team's starter they will be fully aware of both his age (34) and injury record (bad back throughout 2008). You have to believe that should a prospect such as Georgia's Matt Stafford fall to them with the fourth overall pick - he'd warrant serious consideration. Then it would be a question of when does 'long term' replacement become 'starter'? Probably not that long considering the money involved.

Finally he talked about prospects not working out at the combine (see potentially Crabtree / Stafford /Andre Smith):

"It p****s you off (laughs). You know, we’ll all here. Why can’t we just all get along? You know, there’s another 2,000-mile trip. I’m pretty excited (laughs). No, you’d like to get them here because it’s the same environment so everybody’s working under the same conditions. So it’s great for us."

"Now, these guys have good excuses as well. If you’re not 100 percent you’re going to be reluctant because you feel like you’re not going to give you’re best. And it’s very important. Money is involved. But in a perfect world we would like them all, and there has been a trend in the last few years (for more guys working out at the combine), the percent has gone up and up and up, and we’re hoping that continues. We’ll see." - Tim Ruskell

I think this shows that Ruskell isn't going to really hold it against anyone who chooses not to do a full work out in Indianapolis. He understands the situation - the money involved, the potential to injure yourself when you're already not 100%. In reality the combine is a better opportunity for those on the fringes of the top 10 picks and beyond as opposed to the really top guys (where Seattle are selecting). Matt Stafford is almost exclusively considered the number one overall pick. What does he have to gain by attending the combine?

On the other hands, it's a chance for someone perhaps only considered an early second rounder to really put in a performance and shoot up the board. We always see the 'work out' warrior types who garner so much attention at these events. Vernon Gholston lit up the combine last year yet struggled painfully as a rookie for the New York Jets. You can't envisage the Seahawks making a similar mistake and you can bet they've watched plenty of game tape already for the prospects they are seriously considering.

And after all - it's their on the field ability in the heat of battle where they impress the most.