If we had only drafted Michael Crabtree with our #4 pick this year he could be not playing WR OR LT OR QB for us instead of the '69ers.
The time to draft the "next walter jones" was last spring, and while I agree with most that taking Aaron Curry was the best move to make, I am NOT convinced we could not have dropped down a spot of 2 south of Baltimore and taken Michael Oher, who btw, did exactly what I predicted he would do. Started playing RT for the Ravens and moved over when their LT went down, he is doing admirably at the position. The question really becomes would you trade Unger and Butler and Denver's 1st rounder next year for Oher?
because I would be amazed if our 2, 3, 4 and 5 would not have gotten #18-22.

But then I was certainly down with those who said Big Walt would be good to go for at least another 100 years.

Can anyone honestly see us winning more than 6 games anyway?

I think that we are facing a MAJOR rebuild of the offense. Unfortunately, our defense continues to be filled with holes too. I would like each of our top 3 picks to be used for offensive players, but honestly believe that one of our 1st round picks will be used on either a DT or a safety - becuase it appears that there will be a lot of talent at those positions. We could certainly use multiple OL, a RB, and a QB-of-the-future.

My question is this, will Ruskell run this upcoming draft? I think that he is in the last year of his contract, and has not been offered an extention yet. If we continue to struggle this year, do you think Paul Allen will decide to move in a different direction? I am not asking this question as an invitation to bash Ruskell, I am asking because I think it is worth asking. While Ruskell has made some good moves, he has also made some questionable ones and left several position groups very thin and undermanned. Is Ruskell, a very defensive-minded GM, capable of rebuilding an offense? Food for thought.

We have a new LT in Locklear. Starting OLine of Lock, Sims, Spencer, Unger and Willis with Wrotto and Vallos for depth - the Hawks can contend and win with that lineup.

Next year draft a QB and a CB with the #1 picks, draft OLine help with #2 pick.

man i hope the broncos suck the rest of the season.

I think we could make some serious moves in free agency with all the money we are spending on older players who can't stay healthy.
I'm no cap expert, but according to the some 2009 cap figures off ESPN.com and Fox Sports, Kerney is making $10 million (but I believe he restructured to save cap space), Deion Branch is making 7.5 million Walter Jones is making over 5 million, and Hasselback is making 9.5 million. I still think Hass is worth the investment, but I don't know if the rest of these guys are worth the money.

Radem

Wow - if only the Seahawks had "Phil N De Blanc" and his copy of Madden 09 in the war room last year, working out a trade for Michael Oher. We'd be in the playoffs now.

Twenty-two teams passed on Michael Oher, including the Detroit Lions who despite drastically needing a LT... took a TE instead. Yet Phil's ready to crown the guy 'the next Walter Jones'. The team who did take him, Baltimore, had just made the AFC Championship game and had a solid foundation. In other words, they were willing to take on the risk that twenty odd teams had passed on.

As for Phil's claim that he's 'doing an admirable job' at LT having 'moved over from RT'... that must have been a damn impressive half of football when the Ravens lost to the Pats. Michael Oher has played a grand total of one half of pro-football at LT and is very much pencilled in at RT where his frequent lapses in concentration are less likely to see Joe Flacco end up on IR.

I read this article this morning and loved it! I was going to mention it here when I had time to log back in, so I'm glad you brought it up, Chris. It's very interesting, but depressing. I can't imagine the Hawks passing on a QB with one of their first rounders. From there, it's anyone's guess.

As far as Ruskell is concerned, it's not surprising that he hasn't gotten an extention. Hawks coaches and management don't get extentions. That's not Paul Allen's policy, so it seems. I think he'll be back, though...unless someone much more attractive and proven becomes available.

Oher is gonna be good no doubt, but I didn't hear anyone complaining over Unger and Butler either. I also think trading up to the 20th pick would have cost us an arm and a leg. While Lock is no Walt, but honestly who is, he can still be a solid LT in the league. Hes probably better than a lot of LTs out there now. I think we can still be a competive team with a healthy Lock in there for a season or two.

To me guard, defense back, and QB of the future are the biggest needs. Guard gains importance if we don't resign Spencer, who is a better player than most credit him for, and while he may not be great losing him would definitly hurt. This year is a big year for DL and I would not be shocked if we drafted one if they were the BPA.

Running back should not be a huge need. We run a ZBS now and one of the assets of it is its ability to make a decent system RB a very good one. Look no further than Ryan Grant, Ahman Green, Steve Slaton or anyone of the 20 running backs Denver has started the last 10 years.

I'm not convinced on picking up a QB of the future in the draft. Look for a promising back up existing in the NFL and trade for him. That was how we got Hass. If we can solve the O-line problem, I see Hass playing for a few more years of which we can let the "chosen one" study behind Hass. The reason for this move would be financially based and I think worthwhile. We can have him learn our system etc.

If next year's class is deep in good D players, we gotta go with the best player available. I think Kerney is done after this year. By dumping Kerney's, Branch's, and potentially Walt's contracts, we will have a lot of money available. Our center position looks strong with Spencer and Unger. Sims has shown some strong play and if he can stay healthy, we are in good shape. Lets see what Wrotto can do now that he has a chance to play. Lock/Willis should play right guard/right tackle. We need a dominant LT with some meanness in him.

A QB of the future is just that - of the future. Hass still has a lot left in him as long as he stays healthy and is not making stupid dives like he did in SF. Seneca should be Branch's replacement. Our WRs look good, our TE looks good, our running back situation isn't that bad. Fix the line with truly a dominant LT.

On the defensive side, we need a line dominating tackle or end. Jackson has come alive and if we can keep Mebane, Redding, Cole, and Bryant in place. I like our middle. Speed rushers are required. We also need some another shut down corner along with a good safety.

All of this should be achievable in the upcoming draft.

TIM TEBOW!!!

Look, the first 3 drafted should be a:
Tackle
RB
QB
in an order where we can take the BPA in those positions. It will pan out. Then, a Safety, CB
and do what you will with the rest.

Hawkdude - the QB of the future is an ongoing debate on this site. I personally believe that if you have a chance at a very good QB in the draft, you take him. I'm not saying that this draft will have a Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, or John Elway, but the position is too important to trust to someone else's castoff if you can avoid going that route.

If a prospect has something special (like Bradford's pinpoint accuracy, or Locker's amazing natural ability) you get that player onto your roster. I understand those who look at Hasselbeck and Brady and see 6th round picks who beat expectations. However, those players are the RARE exception.

I also respectfully disagree with your statement that Hasselbeck has a lot left in him. The problem isn't his ability, it is his durability. He has missed significant time each of the past several seasons. To me, that is too risky. That is why we are in the position we are in right now. I love Hasselbeck and hope he continues to play at a high level for us, but if Bradford and Locker (or whoever the top rated guys are this April) are both available to Seattle and the FO passes them up to draft a safety, RB, DT, etc., I will be very upset - unless, like this year with Curry, the player is clearly the best available regardless of position.

Green Bay looks brilliant for drafting Aaron Rogers and letting him sit behind Favre. They are one of the few teams who have made a smooth transition at the most important position on the field. Like Seattle, the Packers need a better offensive line for Rogers to really play to his ability. That is why OL should also be addressed early. I don't think we should count on anyone holding their starting positions next year on that line. An infusion of young talent will either lead the existing players to pick of their play, or to a better player taking their spot. Guard was not a huge need in '01, but Hutch was the best player available when Seattle was on the clock. He came in and took the starting job by force.

The last paragraph of my previous post should have said "pick UP their play" not pick OF their play. My proofreader is so fired!

if we draft Tebow I will puke.

This is not a joke, this guy will make Ryan Leaf look like Johnny Unitas. It will be worse than the Boz, Mirer, Leaf and Alex Smith all together.

Guys, neither Tebow nor Locker will be great NFL qb's. They arent NFL quality. Get over it allready.

On not needing a good RB: when was the last time Denver won ANYTHING?!! They have sucked for years, in part because they did not value the RB position adequately.

I will say it: I never liked the idea of a doofus-simple passing offense and a run-first, wear-down the defense running game, and I HATE the idea now. I dont think you can win it all in the NFL that way anymore, certainly not with a "character-first" defense.

I want an attacking defense like I saw from Indy: they even lacked Sanders and still Bethea looked like a total stud. I want an attacking offense like we had under Holmy, before Ruskells meddling turned it to crap.

Is anyone else tired of having a high priced, middle of the pack defense and one of the bottom 5 offenses in the NFL?!

Whatever, until we manage to field a quality NFL offensive line, no scheme will work and we will continue to lose games.

Im still in shock that with all this talent and spent Allen Bucks, we still look like early season Bad News Bears.

ya you know your screwed when your talking draft after four games reminds me of the 80s

Dude for all of Denver's ineptness since Elway left, except for the 05 season when they were one of the best, one thing Denver was always good at was running the football. You can't deny that. It didn't matter if it was Travis Henry, Mike Bell, Tatum Bell, Selvin Young, Mike Anderson or who ever they took 4-6th round picks and because they fit the ZBS they always were toward the top of the league at rushing. You could plug in any of these system backs in and still have success. If we stick with the ZBS and draft our linemen to fit this system we can do the same thing. Its a waste to spend a first round pick on a running back for a ZBS team, why do you think Houston passed on Reggie Bush? Remember when Denver drafted Clinton Portis? They didn't hesitate to trade him away because they knew they could replace him in a heart beat. RB is not an issue in this upcoming draft.

S.TTBM - I'm just making a point with Locker, not saying he will be a 1st round pick. It is way too early to know who will be rated where. There is 2/3 of a college season and a combine remaining.

OT prospects, gleaned from a list at NFL.COM
who published the comments. I am going to be
watching these and a few other LT prospects
this year. Frankly I expect that if we are looking
to draft an almost immediate starter at LT we
will need to have the 1st or 2nd pick overall.
Any others taken next spring will be a year or
2 away from starting.


------------
Russell Okung

College: Oklahoma State
Height/Weight: 6-41/2, 300

Okung will be a four-year starter for Oklahoma State.
He has started 35 games in three years, moving from right to left tackle in 2008.
He is strong, athletic and has good feet.
He was first-team All-Big 12 last season.
He will start and play a lot of years in the NFL. Okung is a first-round pick.

(one of maybe 2 top 10 LT prospects available next April)

------------
Trent Williams

College: Oklahoma
Height/Weight: 6-4, 305

Williams started in 2007 and 2008 at right tackle, but will play left tackle in 2009.
He started six games as a true freshman in 2006.
He has good speed and athletic ability.
He has been well-coached and is a good, but not great, worker.
Williams will be a first-round pick and can be a long-time starter in the NFL.
(I have not watched him at LT, but he was a very very good RT, and may be the pick
of this litter)

------------
Ciron Black

College: LSU
Height/Weight: 6-4, 325

Black is a fifth-year player who has started 40 straight games at left tackle.
He played a school-record 1,031 snaps in 2007. He is a better run blocker than
pass protector. He is a good, but not great, worker.
When you watch tape, you expect more than you see.

(lets watch him develop)

------------
Tony Washington

College: Abilene Christian
Height/Weight: 6-6, 305

Washington is a second-year player at the school after transferring from Trinity Valley
Junior College in Texas. He played high school football in New Orleans. He is tall, moves
well and looks above average in everything he does.
A lot of scouts will visit this school in the fall to watch Washington. The big question
about him is why he went to junior college out of high school.

(Likely a guy I would tap late in round 2 or early in round 3..)


------------
Ed Wang

College: Virginia Tech
Height/Weight: 6-4 5/8, 300

Wang is a fifth-year player who started his career at Tech as a tight end (Duane Brown,
a first-round pick out of Virginia Tech in 2008, did the same). He moved to tackle
during the 2006 season and has started at both right and left tackle. He is an athletic
player with good feet and speed who is getting stronger. Wang's mother and father were
members of the Chinese Olympic squad during the 1970s. He has good upside.

(Have not watched him play, at least that I recall, will see if I can find him over the
next few weeks.)
------------

And nary a one of them is in Madden of any year. To be clear I am NOT pimping any of these guys yet, but I am starting to watch them play and see if I like what I see.

TJ,

Thanks for your feedback. I agree with you if there is a true hitter out there for a QB that we should take him. My concerns, and I'm not expert on this, but the upcoming class of QBs do not look that GREAT. Maybe our FO is aware of the future prospects, but I haven't heard anything about a "can't miss" QB in this upcoming class.


Our O-line needs a meanness of a Hutch and the leadership of a Tobeck. Our defense needs a good safety and a complimentary shut down corner. Our D line needs a game breaker, and if we can find a QB to sit behind Matt for a couple of years, we have a pretty darn good team.