| 01 December 2009
Last year, as the Seahawks season got out of hand and the curtain was closing, we introduced "2009 Tuesdays," a day to stop dwelling in the suck of the Hawks and look forward to all the pretty possibilities of the Draft, free agency, and so forth. Right around January, of course, that becomes the whole aim of the blog, but until then, one day a week ain't too shabby. Inaugural edition of 2010 Tuesdays: Running Backs.
Depth Chart: Julius Jones, Justin Forsett, Louis Rankin, Justin Griffith, Owen Schmitt
Julius Jones is not the answer. He hasn't been given a fair shot behind this offensive line, but he was never great and probably never will be. The Seahawks need someone who can compliment their current #2, Justin Forsett. Jones will almost certainly be cut unless he really shines in the next few weeks, but I don't see that happening with a bruised lung and cracked rib.
Justin Forsett will be a Seahawk for awhile. He is impressive everytime he gets a chance to impress. Forsett is a shifty back and he is arguably the most powerful small guy in the league this side of Maurice Jones-Drew. He breaks tackles and runs hard. He's a piece to build around, but not as the every down back. 15-25 touches a game is right for Forsett, probably closer to 15 than 25.
Louis Rankin needs to flash in a big way to stay on this team. He had a terrible game on Sunday, losing a fumble, dropping a pass, blowing a play-action pass up (to save Hasselbeck's butt, but still), and didn't get anything going in the return game.
The fullback position is set for at least another year with Griffith and Schmitt. We're not concerned about the fullbacks.
Free Agents of Interest [read more]
Now, it's really too early to say who will be free agents and who won't be due to the franchise tag, voidable years, and the potential for an uncapped year and some players becoming restricted FAs rather than UFAs. Still, there aren't really any free agent RBs that are going to jump off the page at you: Chris Brown, Kevin Faulk, Ahman Green, Edgerrin James, Aaron Stecker, Chester Taylor, Willie Parker. Darren Sproles was franchised this year, and could be again next year. The problem with FA running backs is that their prime years are usually already behind them, and if they aren't, they get re-signed. In other words: fail.
The 2010 NFL Draft
Now we're talking! There is a slew of potential star running backs who will come out for the 2010 NFL Draft.
C.J. Spiller (Clemson): he may be the running back prize of the draft. Spiller has good size (5'11", 195 lbs) and is probably the fastest RB in the draft. He's a track star as well as a potential Heisman winner, and has done nothing but produce at Clemson. Spiller has all sorts of ridiculous stats, and figures to be a mix between Chris Johnson and Reggie Bush in the NFL. Whether he's more Johnsonian or Bushesque remains to be seen. He's likely too high a pick for the Hawks to consider, unless he just blows us away. I think he's worth it, as Spiller would instantly aid the running game and fix the return game.
Jahvid Best (California): Best is excellent, but his super season has hit a snag due to a) his team stinking up the joint and b) his injury a few weeks ago. Best is an underclassman and could opt to return for the 2010 season, but as a lock to go in the first round, it seems unlikely.
Toby Gerhart (Stanford): Gerhart is huge, he's fast, and he creates big holes when his O-Line can't. He's an absolute beast, and would have a fun time bruising up and beating down opponents all day. Same size as Miss State's Anthony Dixon, but Gerhart ran for a few hundred more yards and TDs and showed up in a big way for every big game the Cardinal had.
Anthony Dixon (Mississippi State): At 6'1", 235, Dixon is big, powerful, and pretty fast -- 4.59 projected 40-yard dash. He would be the thunder to Forsett's lightning, but the Hawks would remain without a legit speed threat.
Mark Ingram (Alabama): Just kidding, he's a sophomore, but he's damn good. If we somehow pass on a running back in 2010, maybe we'll suck enough to be in position to take Ingram in 2011.
written by hawksfanmsvl, December 01, 2009
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written by Evan C, December 01, 2009
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written by TheRealist, December 01, 2009
2 other backs that would be there possibly, though I'm not sure what grade they are, would be Joe McNight and Noel Divine. There are quite a few of the smaller, speedster type backs this year.
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written by hurbynseahawk, December 01, 2009
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written by tam, December 01, 2009
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written by omar little, December 01, 2009
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written by omar little, December 01, 2009
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written by Steve S., December 01, 2009
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written by Louis Phan, December 01, 2009
Looking at numbers, who wouldnt want him, but the experts there at ESPN know a lot more than we would so I wouldnt be so sure with Gerhart as most of the people commenting above me are
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written by Louis Phan, December 01, 2009
Im thinking that out of our first 3 picks, 1-2 should be on Oline (hopefully 2). The other pick might be used to find a QB of the future, or possibly a safety? Im not sure, but I think we can live with Forsett as our main back for another year
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written by Hawkdude, December 01, 2009
Go Hawks 2010.
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written by jhileman, December 01, 2009
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/300018-turn-around-or-go-down-the-hawks-2010-draft
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written by Seahawk Addicts, December 01, 2009
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written by Steve S., December 01, 2009
It's true that he is taller and bigger and runs more upright than the prototypical NFL back. What's hard to ignore are his eye-popping numbers against top-tier college competition, when he himself has been mostly surrounded by second-tier talent. That can't be said about Tebow/Bradford/McCoy, for instance.
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written by Louis Phan, December 01, 2009
and Rob Slaton at seahawksdraft.blogspot.com also had a piece about Gerhart where he expects him not to translate well into the NFL.
I've only watched 1 of his games (against UW) and he looked extremely good in that game, so im not really sure why experts dont like his chances in the NFL
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written by eohawk fan, December 02, 2009
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written by eohawk fan, December 02, 2009
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written by kidder95, December 02, 2009
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written by TacomaHawk, December 02, 2009
I love Toby Gerhart, he definitely deserves the Heisman this year, hands down.
The only reason I can come up with for not drafting him would be the overwhelming needs at other positions. His running style is fine, he has adequate speed, and looks surprisingly nimble in traffic. I could see taking him in the 2nd round possibly, assuming there have been significant upgrades to the O line.
C J Spiller's speed is very tempting, but I agree that he is too similar to Forsett to make him a logical high 1st round pick for the Hawks. Too many other needs. As far as his size, he's listed as 3 inches taller than J-Force at the same weight, so not significantly bigger.
Either way, it's hard to get excited about any RBs when the Hawks need at LEAST 1 O lineman and possibly a D lineman, safety, and/or CB.
I'm still at a loss for why they didn't snag Rashad Jennings late in last year's draft.
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written by CougFan, December 02, 2009
We should have taken a dominant left tackle last year with the first pick and I expect the new GM to immediately make a name for themselves by remedying that mistake. There are 10 to 12 prospects that would be ideal for us with our first pick.
The only RB prospect I am excited about in this draft is Jonathan Dwyer from GT. Three years from now he will be the steal of the draft. I also believe three years from now the bust of the draft will be Dez Bryant.
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written by diehard82, December 02, 2009
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