CHawkTailGator":3kbxj91t said:
Yeah this coach speak is total crap.
Pope was a guy that didn't make the 53 at the beginning of the year when everyone was healthy.
He's slight, doesn't play special teams, and was discarded. If he would've made it through waivers he may have been put on the practice squad. Now I'm supposed to believe that all of a sudden he needs to be on the everyday 53 man roster?
I'm not sure I understand why we're being sold so aggressively. He's like mini Rawls, yet everything the coaches say is that he's totally unique.
Trying to understand the angle.
1. I don't get the "slight" angle, dude is 5'9, 205... there are backs lighter than him in this league that have carved a niche for themselves.
2. The dude returned kicks for the Seahawks in the PS and looked pretty good at it.
3. As the dude said above, Pope got lost in the numbers game, Seahawks wanted to stash him on the P-Squad but he got claimed by the Jets. Once he became available again they went after him.
4. There is no angle, hes not being counted on as a savior. But I wouldn't discount the "hype" that surrounds him either. He's not being called up to replace an injury riddled position. The Seahawks effectively swapped Pope for their most experienced and most productive RB who was just cut. That wasn't without reason, Pope likely competed and earned his promotion through hard work, for showing he can fit in Cable's system both in PS and in recent weeks in practice. Always compete... Popes hard work as well as Rawls returning made CMike expendable.
Whether or not, he sees the field... I cannot say but nonetheless hes grinding his way into the equation.
5. I find it ironic that fans, especially fans of this specific team, continue to underestimate players that don't fit thier prototype or any generic prototype. I'm definately guilty of this as well. But in this system under Carroll we've seen countless "limited"players rise into roles over the years. Size and athleticism isn't everything a football player needs to be successful. Motivation, Constituition, Integrity, Passion amongst other intangibles to take the talent they have and find success with it. There is a label for players who lack elite size and/or athleticism but have all the intangibles to be successful... overachievers... consummate football players.
However, two of the hardest intangibles to coach at this level is toughness and grit. It's not something you can buy at the Professional level. It's not something you can half ass either. It cant just be a a mentality that you can shut on and off, it has to become a lifestyle, you have to own in how you prepare and how you perform.
Pope imo possesses that toughness and grit... not saying hes going to be a diamond in the rough and become an elite RB. No one can predict that.
However, do I believe that he will strive in doing the right things correctly the right way. Toget better in that sense in every rep and in every opportunity..And do so with the willingest to scrap, to fight, to battle for every positive yard he can get?
I think so.. he seems like one of those players... hard-nosed and determined to take this once in a lifetime opportunity and make something out of himself. And as long as he continues to put in the work each and everyday, stay positive in every struggle, learn from his mistakes, and buy into this teams philosophies inside and out... this team under Carroll will give him the opportunity to prove himself.
It's what they've always done unless pressed to play a raw player because of injures. But we've seen it then too... players stepping in and stepping up as a replacement and being rewarded with more opportunity. Fant is a great example of this, this season.
This thinking isnt just on Pope but for everyone that is a Seahawk. Some players are forced into duty because that's the best they got but if you don't meet expectations, if you don't show accountability, if you don't show improvement, understanding, willingest to compete each and everyday... you'll find yourself off this roster very fast.
That is all.