Which areas need to be addressed post-draft

Any team positions that still need to be addressed post draft, perhaps depth wise?

I think the battle for starting center will be interesting. We have a handful of guys competing. I like the Texans center who was recently released and visited with us as well. He would be an unspectacularly solid signing at the right price I think but he may want more than we value the position.

Offhand I'd say linebacker could stand a review. I love our starters, but with OB gone I'm not sure we've done much to add depth.

MysterMatt":16qpz7bo said:

Offhand I'd say linebacker could stand a review. I love our starters, but with OB gone I'm not sure we've done much to add depth.

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OB played some LB in 2013. In 2014, he was strictly a DE.

Malcolm Smith was the 4th LB.

Mike Morgan is a capable player. He's not anything special but he's solid and vetsatile enough to make spot starts at any of the LB positions.

Croyle is average at best but a mentor like Tatupu could help him overachieve beyond his lack of athleticism.

KPL looked solid altogether and at times like a future star.

I half expect Clark and a slimmer Marsh to see considerable practice reps at SLB as well as Obum Gwachum. They like thier pass-rushers to have a little LBers instinct in them.

Pandion Haliaetus":i1vch8gm said:

MysterMatt":i1vch8gm said:

Offhand I'd say linebacker could stand a review. I love our starters, but with OB gone I'm not sure we've done much to add depth.

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OB played some LB in 2013. In 2014, he was strictly a DE.

Malcolm Smith was the 4th LB.

Mike Morgan is a capable player. He's not anything special but he's solid and vetsatile enough to make spot starts at any of the LB positions.

Croyle is average at best but a mentor like Tatupu could help him overachieve beyond his lack of athleticism.

KPL looked solid altogether and at times like a future star.

I half expect Clark and a slimmer Marsh to see considerable practice reps at SLB as well as Obum Gwachum. They like thier pass-rushers to have a little LBers instinct in them.

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So, in other words, the LB position needs to be addressed now that the draft is over.

I really think Gwachum will end up on the PS or IR, Morgan is utterly replaceable (good guy, though), Croyle is limited, and KPL (who I like) is a big question mark due to health. We didn't see Marsh at LB at all last year, but he doesn't really look like an LB unless he sheds a lot of weight.

This is a spot that could use an FA addition or two, I imagine.

Two deep at LB looks fine:

SLB: Bruce Irvin, Mike Morgan
MLB: Bobby Wagner, Brock Coyle
WLB: K.J. Wright, Kevin Pierre-Louis

If any one starter got hurt, KPL would move into the lineup if healthy.

Wright goes down -- KPL plays WLB.
Irvin goes down -- Wright moves to SLB and KPL plays WLB.
Wagner goes down again -- Wright moves to MLB and KPL plays WLB.

Obum Gwacham is a developmental prospect who will in all likelihood make it to the practice squad, unless he shows some immediate ability as a pass rusher. They may decide to groom him at Sam and LEO while he is on the practice squad.

Unless they find another developmental prospect with a high ceiling, Morgan/Coyle's experience as backups will be hard to beat. They have each started games here before.

Yeah I think with KPL's development this year having an injury like we did with Bobby last season won't hurt us quite as much.

Finding quality ST replacements, drafting Lockett isn't going to magically return our ST to the level it was

We need core players that replace what former ST players ( farwell, robinson, maragos - etc ) contributed

Are they on the team now? Who are these core replacement players?

Last season ST was a disaster, but only partly because of the lack of a true PR/KR specialist - loss of core ST players listed above, as well as injuries had us filling out ST with limited experienced players

Can we improve ST with existing players? or do we need to look at what's available - an experienced leader type?

GoHawks":1eecazk6 said:

Finding quality ST Drreplacements, drafting Lockett isn't going to magically return our ST to the level it was

We need core players that replace what former ST players ( farwell, robinson, maragos - etc ) contributed

Are they on the team now? Who are these core replacement players?

Last season ST was a disaster, but only partly because of the lack of a true PR/KR specialist - loss of core ST players listed above, as well as injuries had us filling out ST with limited experienced players

Can we improve ST with existing players? or do we need to look at what's available - an experienced leader type?

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Small part of the reasons why they re-signed/signed Blackmon, Shead, Lockette, Morgan, and, Tukuafu. And to a lesser extent Kearse, McCoy, and Dobbs. All play Special Teams.

Not to mention all of the draft picks look very athletic and play with the nasty, tough nosed style needed to contribute on ST.

Clark is big and nasty, and runs like a LBers.

Lockett is likely the best STer in the draft. Can play PR, KR, and Gunner.

Poole and Glowinski will likely find thier way onto protection packages. Both defiantly seem like guys who could seek and destroy on the openfield. Put Soloki in this group as well with his elite size and athleticism.

Gwatchum will likely have to develop and contribute on ST to justify making the team based on his raw talent. His size and overall athleticism and experience both at WR and on Defense should help hone his skills.

Both Smith and Murphy seem like they have the athleticism and aggressive nature to turn into potential aces ala Jeremy Lane and Jeron Johnson.

Seahawks also have a laundry list of inexperienced players who were forced into ST duty due to attrition and injury. Those players are likely to improve naturally with experience and those fringe players will likely have to succeed on STs to make the team.

I also feel getting STL in the first game that Pete will put extra practice time and emphasis on ST play in training camp and preseason.

And really with offense and defense set for the most part, both finishing in top 5 in DVOA in 2014 despite the struggles, injuries, and drama. Returning the 19th ranked ST unit in 2014 back to it's 2013 form, looks to be the biggest opportunity to improve. So I think the development in that aspect will get special attention. No pun intended.

The obvious area still needing to be addressed is backup QB. Perhaps we have all become complacent about TJack re-signing after the team has indicated they believe this will happen.

If he doesn't re-up then I can see the team making a roster move or two to get a player at the position they're comfortable with going forward.

Outside WR is still a need area, though if Matthews can prove that the SB was not a total fluke we might just be okay there. Maybe Austin Hill can bounce back from his 2013 knee injury. Hill is 6'3", 212.

We don't have a single player on the roster who can play center and make line calls. It looks like at least for 2015, the team is going to roll with young talent at the position and see how quickly they can learn.

We don't have a single 'plus' blocking TE. Though Miller might end up back on the team, I guess we'll see.

I hope we pick up myers in free agency to address this. I expect them to try.

Re the line calls.

QB seems to be the only position that needs to be addressed.

I expect the Hawks to bring Keith Price in this weekend but who will compete with Daniels for the backup job?

Does TJack come back?

Pandion Haliaetus":2dld5i6j said:

GoHawks":2dld5i6j said:

Finding quality ST Drreplacements, drafting Lockett isn't going to magically return our ST to the level it was

We need core players that replace what former ST players ( farwell, robinson, maragos - etc ) contributed

Are they on the team now? Who are these core replacement players?

Last season ST was a disaster, but only partly because of the lack of a true PR/KR specialist - loss of core ST players listed above, as well as injuries had us filling out ST with limited experienced players

Can we improve ST with existing players? or do we need to look at what's available - an experienced leader type?

Click to expand...

Small part of the reasons why they re-signed/signed Blackmon, Shead, Lockette, Morgan, and, Tukuafu. And to a lesser extent Kearse, McCoy, and Dobbs. All play Special Teams.

Not to mention all of the draft picks look very athletic and play with the nasty, tough nosed style needed to contribute on ST.

Clark is big and nasty, and runs like a LBers.

Lockett is likely the best STer in the draft. Can play PR, KR, and Gunner.

Poole and Glowinski will likely find thier way onto protection packages. Both defiantly seem like guys who could seek and destroy on the openfield. Put Soloki in this group as well with his elite size and athleticism.

Gwatchum will likely have to develop and contribute on ST to justify making the team based on his raw talent. His size and overall athleticism and experience both at WR and on Defense should help hone his skills.

Both Smith and Murphy seem like they have the athleticism and aggressive nature to turn into potential aces ala Jeremy Lane and Jeron Johnson.

Seahawks also have a laundry list of inexperienced players who were forced into ST duty due to attrition and injury. Those players are likely to improve naturally with experience and those fringe players will likely have to succeed on STs to make the team.

I also feel getting STL in the first game that Pete will put extra practice time and emphasis on ST play in training camp and preseason.

And really with offense and defense set for the most part, both finishing in top 5 in DVOA in 2014 despite the struggles, injuries, and drama. Returning the 19th ranked ST unit in 2014 back to it's 2013 form, looks to be the biggest opportunity to improve. So I think the development in that aspect will get special attention. No pun intended.

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Regarding ST Contributors: Some comments from Davis Hsu via twiiter tonight

DAVIS HSU @DavisHsuSeattle · 22m 22 minutes ago
Pretty sure Carroll wants to be #1 Special Teams in the NFL, traded up for a returner- has a roster full of athletes, defensive minded etc.
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DAVIS HSU @DavisHsuSeattle · 25m 25 minutes ago
SEA lost Jeron & Malcolm & Obie- special teams big part of their role- gotta fill those.
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DAVIS HSU @DavisHsuSeattle · 27m 27 minutes ago
Kam Chancellor started on special teams- 2010- stripped the ball on a kick return I believe- old Uniforms. #startinMailRoom
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DAVIS HSU @DavisHsuSeattle · 28m 28 minutes ago
Smith never ran as fast as Maxwell or Lane, not sure what position on ST he will play- but again- will be key in 2015.
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DAVIS HSU @DavisHsuSeattle · 29m 29 minutes ago
Before Byron Maxwell was a $10M man or a starter he was a special teams gunner- that could be Tye Smith.
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DAVIS HSU @DavisHsuSeattle · 30m 30 minutes ago
Mike Morgan has length and ran a 4.4- that's what you want on special teams.
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Jeremy Damen @hMJem · 33m 33 minutes ago
@DavisHsuSeattle Mike Morgan's ability to continue to make the roster basically proves this.. Nothing against the guy.
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DAVIS HSU @DavisHsuSeattle · 32m 32 minutes ago
Ryan Murphy can play special teams- he ran faster than Jeron Johnson or Dion Bailey and he can return kicks I believe-
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DAVIS HSU @DavisHsuSeattle · 34m 34 minutes ago
Carroll talked about Obum playing special teams- I think that is what 2015 will be all about for him.
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DAVIS HSU @DavisHsuSeattle · 35m 35 minutes ago
All the last LB does on the SEA roster usually is (2) not get activated or more likely (1) play special teams- UNLESS series of injuries.

Someone to catch the go routes on the outside.

I don't worry too much about line calls. Not the most difficult thing to do, especially since we run a pretty simplistic system.

kearly":1wlt1my3 said:

Outside WR is still a need area, though if Matthews can prove that the SB was not a total fluke we might just be okay there. Maybe Austin Hill can bounce back from his 2013 knee injury. Hill is 6'3", 212.

We don't have a single player on the roster who can play center and make line calls. It looks like at least for 2015, the team is going to roll with young talent at the position and see how quickly they can learn.

We don't have a single 'plus' blocking TE. Though Miller might end up back on the team, I guess we'll see.

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Precisely why I was pulling for the Hawks to draft Ben Koyack. I can't believe he fell all the way down to the 7th Round -- that was a steal.

Would have been nice to have had a couple of more late round picks, as this team could have used Andy Gallik (went the pick right before Obum Gwatchum) ... or any number of guys who went in the 6th and 7th Rounds: Michael Bennett, Tre McBride, or maybe even a Gerod Holliman.

Austin Hill -- his Pro Day was really encouraging. Usually it takes players a couple of years to come back from that kind of injury. If he can come close to the player that he once was, the Hawks will have themselves a serious steal on their hands.

I'm looking forward to Training Camp and to seeing what it is that we actually have.

netskier":3e3we99t said:

I hope we pick up myers in free agency to address this. I expect them to try.

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With Kearse signing the tender today for 2.35, I'm curious who people think would be more valuable to the team if you could only pick one to fit under the cap.....a vet C like Chris Myers or Kearse?

massari":1ddy4afl said:

netskier":1ddy4afl said:

I hope we pick up myers in free agency to address this. I expect them to try.

Click to expand...

With Kearse signing the tender today for 2.35, I'm curious who people think would be more valuable to the team if you could only pick one to fit under the cap.....a vet C like Chris Myers or Kearse?

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Easy decision in my opinion, Kearse.

If Jake Long decides to keep playing and passes a physical, would you want him at the vet minimum of 870k?

I don't know much about most other free agents but the ones I do that could be a good fit are OT-Jake Long, C-Chris Myers, TE- Zach Miller, WR-Mike Williams.

Yes Long and Williams are both injury prone (to say the least) but bringing them in to compete for jobs at a low salary is a low risk high reward situation.