Scruggs as a replacement for Big Red?

SE174

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Was just reading Sando's Insider piece about the Hawks' offseason priorities. In it, he mentioned "Scruggs has beefed up to 312 pounds since recovering from a torn ACL. That puts him in position to help fill the void created by Bryant’s release."

I figured Big Jesse Williams was Red's replacement, as I know he's had no problems with his knees in 7 months, having gotten the "Kobe Treatment" in Australia. Scruggs is/was more of the Michael Bennett type DE/DT hybrid. What are your thoughts?
 

Lady Talon

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I believe it will be Scruggs' position to lose, from what I understood Red was mentoring Scruggs to replace him at 5T. IMO Williams gets a shot to be the next Tony McDaniel.
 

Jville

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Well yeah ...... they are both candidates to fill in for Big Red's role.
 

DavidSeven

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I've seen some mention today that they plan to play Bennett more on early downs at the 5-tech spot. Carroll said today that they wanted to play him more than they did last year. I think it's possible that they transition away from the "Big Red" role. With Bennett, you have a guy who's pretty stout vs. the run but can also create pressure on early downs.

I think the "Big Red" position evolved more out identifying something unique in Red and using that effectively in the scheme. I'm not so sure that it's fundamental to what Seattle does. However, I definitely expect Jesse Williams and potentially Scruggs to get some opps there.
 

hawknation2014

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It's hard to know because both Scruggs and Williams are coming off of ACL surgery. Red was gargantuan (6'4, 323) and powerful off the ball. At times, he could physically dominate elite OTs and guards in double teams.

Most likely, Bennett will see his snap count rise exponentially. Scruggs, Williams, and at least one rookie (i.e. Stephen Tuitt, Ra'Shede Hageman, Ego Ferguson, Brent Urban, Ed Stinson, DeAndre Coleman, Jeoffrey Pagan, Shamar Stephen, Jeffrey Whitaker, DaQuan Jones, Daniel McCullers, etc.) will be competing for that role.
 

Jville

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SE174":1k9o7e7s said:
Was just reading Sando's Insider piece about the Hawks' offseason priorities. In it, he mentioned "Scruggs has beefed up to 312 pounds since recovering from a torn ACL. That puts him in position to help fill the void created by Bryant’s release."

I figured Big Jesse Williams was Red's replacement, as I know he's had no problems with his knees in 7 months, having gotten the "Kobe Treatment" in Australia. Scruggs is/was more of the Michael Bennett type DE/DT hybrid. What are your thoughts?

A possible Michael Bennett type DE/DT hybrid understudy to look for might be someone like a Kenneth Boatright ...... if he has adjusted to the additional 15 to 20 pounds over the off season.
 

HawkFan72

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They may have a competition for the spot, with Williams and Scruggs being two of the main competitors.
 

sutz

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HawkFan72":2uuh0uoo said:
They may have a competition for the spot, with Williams and Scruggs being two of the main competitors.
This, plus they really strive for a solid rotation, where it doesn't matter which players are in there on which down, they can do most of what they want to do with whoever is out there. The days where guys like Clem and Red dominated the snap counts may be behind us. I'm all for the players sharing the position to keep everyone fresh.
 

TDOTSEAHAWK

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Yeah, truth is - it isn't a hard spot to replace. They don't have to pass rush and only play on obvious running downs. we can probably also look at a later round draft pick (who drops because of one-dimensionality.)
 

lukerguy

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I thought he may be a better fit as the Clinton McDonald pass rush specialist spot.
 

TDOTSEAHAWK

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lukerguy":1ormdixx said:
I thought he may be a better fit as the Clinton McDonald pass rush specialist spot.

Yeah Scruggs projects to the 3-tech on passing downs but you can basically stick any big dude as the 5 tech and play him there.

McDaniel could play it too as he has the size and length.

McDonald is a little small and too short.

The upside compared to Red for Scruggs is that he actually may get some pass rush from that position though first and foremost he must be able to take a double team.

I definitely expect us to draft this position this year.
 

lukerguy

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TDOTSEAHAWK":j5j3au14 said:
lukerguy":j5j3au14 said:
I thought he may be a better fit as the Clinton McDonald pass rush specialist spot.

Yeah Scruggs projects to the 3-tech on passing downs but you can basically stick any big dude as the 5 tech and play him there.

McDaniel could play it too as he has the size and length.

McDonald is a little small and too short.

The upside compared to Red for Scruggs is that he actually may get some pass rush from that position though first and foremost he must be able to take a double team.

I definitely expect us to draft this position this year.

Red was great as an emotional leader, but when was the last time you saw Red break through consistently with penetration? He was never as good as he was in his contract year.
 

vin.couve12

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Hawks will add another DT in the draft. I can't foresee them spending money on the McDs to bring them back at 3 mil or more per season. We're looking for a starter at 3 tech, whether that be on the team, or someone like Hageman in the draft at 32 even if we sign a FA prosepect, who really won't be a headliner a la McDaniel last year and McDonald the year before.

In case you're wondering, Bennett playing in the mid to upper 280 pound range is fine playing 5 tech. He did it plenty during the season and he'll start there. No worries. We need one starter and depth.

Unless we trade up for a pick like Donald then plan on Scruggs being in on 3rd downs inside at tackle along with Bennett. Bennett will start, but he'll also need to be rotated out. Complete player, but he'll need a breather. Scruggs should be a really nice rotation player both inside and out.
 

Snakeeyes007

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Scruggs said in a recent interview that Red told him he was grooming him as his replacement. Red regularly talked of helping him prepare for his opportunity to be 'the man' when Red's time here was finished. If Scruggs does step into Red's position, I would love to see him change his number to 79 out of respect for his mentor and for the poetry of it all. He has bulked up for the position, and where his quickness puts him in the Bennett mold, the coaching staff had wanted more pressure/sack productivity out of Red for years, but it just wasn't his skill set. It is Scruggs' however. Add his quickness and backfield penetration abilities to the role, and it becomes move dangerous for opposing offenses.

The interview I and others have alluded to was posted on this forum a while back, and those who haven't listened to it should get right on that. Scruggs will get you fired up!!
 

Hawks46

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DavidSeven":9a2wd2ow said:
I've seen some mention today that they plan to play Bennett more on early downs at the 5-tech spot. Carroll said today that they wanted to play him more than they did last year. I think it's possible that they transition away from the "Big Red" role. With Bennett, you have a guy who's pretty stout vs. the run but can also create pressure on early downs.

I think the "Big Red" position evolved more out identifying something unique in Red and using that effectively in the scheme. I'm not so sure that it's fundamental to what Seattle does. However, I definitely expect Jesse Williams and potentially Scruggs to get some opps there.

I was honestly thinking the same thing. Bennett provides a lot of versatility, but the thing is, you don't have to have a huge guy like Bryant at the 5 tech. ScSis could probably correct me on this, but from what I remember from Carroll's Trojans, they didn't have a huge guy as a DE on one side; I remember a more typical 4-3 end on that side.

Bennett grades out almost as well against the run as Bryant did; Bennett got more penetration while Bryant absorbed double teams better and would blow up plays by pushing the Tackle back into the play. We could still play Bennett at DE, move him inside, or keep him at the 5 tech and play a guy like Scruggs, Williams or Brooks there.

With what they just paid Bennett, I could see them wanting to play him more. It's not out of line with a lot of the other DT/DE contracts out there: Miller and Johnson both signed for 8 mil/year and they were higher rated FA's.
 

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