Expected to Produce

by: Michael Steffes

There are several players on this years offense that are going to be looked at to produce this year, despite never playing in an NFL game before. In fact, they are going to be key to the continued success of the Seahawks passing game. Lets check in with two of them.

First off is rookie tight end John Carlson. PFW has a new blurb about the Notre Dame product. They say that insiders still believe that he will overtake the more experienced tight ends to be the starter this year. They list his impressive work ethic as one of the reasons. This article also cites Jeb Putzier as a possible secret weapon this year.

Next on the list is Logan Payne, everyones favorite unknown receiver. The Tampa Tribune covers Logan's time with the Seahawks from his point of view. There are actually some very telling quotes in this article. One which speaks to the organization....

Everything they told me thus far has kind of panned out. They didn't draft any receivers, and one of the starters from last year, D.J. Hackett, he went to he Carolina Panthers.

I like the fact that this organization communicates well with players, despite what some people claim. There seem to be more instances of players knowing exactly where they stand than the other way around. I think that is smart. And here is why the organization likes Logan so much...

"I'm a blue-collar guy," he said. "Whatever they need me to do, I'm gonna do. I'm a hard worker, I'm the first one at the workout, the last one to leave, which is kind of how I was raised.

~END~ Read More!

Jordan Kent is Really Fast

by: Michael Steffes

You know this right. Well, when they say that Jordan Kent is a track star, they mean it. Here is an article from Eugene Register-Guard. Chris Hansen (not that one!), the reporter, obviously had a chance to sit and talk with Jordan yesterday, but their conversation wasn't all about football.

The Olympic Track and Field trials are going on this weekend, on what used to be Kent's home track. He thinks he could have been there, running for a chance to go to the Olympics. He can run a 10.4 in the 100 yard, and 20.8 in the 200. That is borderline Olympic speed, but that is kick returners speed for sure.

Instead of running the track, Jordan is holding a multi-sport camp for the Eugene youth. He should know something about multi-sporting. He lettered in track, basketball, and football.

Anyway, I thought I would open this up. What do you think is JK's ceiling for this year? For the future? Who do you think we will end up comparing him too in the end? END Read More!

Taylor Poised to Make Impact

by: Michael Steffes

Hello loyal readers. I am home and back in business, although throughly exhausted. I think I walked 30 miles or so, and have the sunburn to prove it. Excellent work by Chris and Mike though, thanks again.

One of the things I found that was posted over the weekend, was PFW's news and nuggets in their "whispers" article. There are two things Seahawk related. The first is that Rocky Bernard is back to full strength, which is good news heading into training camp. Knock one more of the medical report. The second is this...

Our Seahawks sources tell us young WRs Jordan Kent and Courtney Taylor are settling in at split end and flanker, respectively, rather than rotating to different WR roles. We’re told Taylor actually looks bigger without his uniform on and has coaches genuinely enthused about his potential as Bobby Engram’s heir apparent.

Courtney Taylor is high on a lot of peoples lists of the young WR expected to emerge this year. The part I like is that he looks bigger without his pads on. Clearly, Tim Ruskell has made a move towards bigger receivers, at least when drafting. This was something they did in Atlanta too. Not sure if Jim Mora likes this, or it is an organizational philosophy, but my assumption is that going forward they envision Deion being the small guy. If you want more, here is an interview that Softy did recently with Courtney Taylor. END Read More!

Veteran Wide Receviers

by: Michael Steffes

There has been a lot of talk about the Seahawks possibly adding a veteran wide receiver. Ruskell and Holmgren both said they would consider this if the right person was available. Well....

Tim Hasselbeck and Adam Schein have an interesting discussion going on Sirius NFL Radio this morning. They are speculating that Terry Glenn will not sign the injury wavier the Cowboys are requiring and may be released. Both Schein and Hasselbeck think that Seattle is the perfect landing spot for Terry Glenn. Ummmmmm.... No.

To see why....

Lets go over some of the reasons. First, Glenn is being asked to sign an injury waiver because he needs microfracture surgery on his knee. He is going to play one more year on it. I will say that the Seahawks are dealing with one WR with a knee injury, if we are going to add a veteran, lets make sure we are going to get something out of him. Why?

Reason two. If they add a vet WR, the Seahawks will lose one of the big four; Payne, Taylor, Obamanu, and Kent. With the quality depth at almost every spot, the team will in no way be able to keep more than 6 wideouts. If Branch isn't on the PUP, then the team may lose one of these players anyway. Adding a player like Glenn, in his last year, does nothing to build this team for the future. Plus, it is not like he is Jerry Rice or something, he is Terry Glenn, on a bum knee.

Finally, Glenn will probably want to make money similar to what he is getting in Dallas, something around 3 million. In the end, he is unlikely to be available. The Cowboys wasted a roster spot all season last year for this guy. I doubt they are going go cut him now. This is all offseason posturing. Just like a WR who holds out looking for more security, the Boys are making threats looking to insure the efforts made to keep this guy around. In the end, do you think Dallas wants Sam Hurd or Isaiah Stanback to be on the field for 60% of the snaps. Not if they want to repeat as NFC East champs and win a playoff game they don't. Read More!

Motivating WRs...The Holmgren Way

by: Michael Steffes

Mike Holmgren is up to his old tricks. He knows that he is going to need significant contributions from the young receivers. That is why he is making it clear very early on that screw ups are unacceptable.

Scott Johnson of the Everett Herald wrote an article about this. Apparently Mike is letting them know he has a little fire left in his belly. "Earlier this week, the Seahawks' intimidating head coach screamed at the mild-mannered Obomanu during a practice drill. A few minutes later, Holmgren barked at Payne."

I am all for making it tough on these guys. If they read the papers, they may be starting to think too highly of themselves. Everyday it is another story about how great the young guys are. Well, if the young guys are really going to be great, it will be because Holmgren rides them all summer and gets them ready for the rigors of a championship run. Go get em' Mike. Get em' ready for the "Big Show"! END Read More!

Fun With Wide Receivers

by: Michael Steffes

It looks like another low news day of the offseason. I wish there was something good to report on, but alas, instead, how bout' something fun to talk about?

There seems to be a lot of discussion on the Seahawks and their wide receivers. We could speculate on which over the hill vet might make an impact. We could talk about which players possibly could get cut during camp. Instead, how about this....

What receiver would you want to add to the 2008 Seahawks if money is no issue and you assume we aren't giving up anything to get him? So who would be your ideal guy to throw out there with the current group? To see my vote....

My vote is Andre Johnson. He is a huge bodied guy who fights for the ball. He also has a knack for breaking a tackle or two and getting some YAC (yards after catch). Also, he seems like a quiet guy. He has been in a fairly crappy situation until recently yet he has handled it very professionally. Also he has established himself on teams that couldn't protect so-so QB's. Can you imagine what he would do in an offense like the Hawks? Plus with that body, you know he can lay a block downfield for the backs as well. Who is your choice? Read More!

Tim Ruskell on Mini Camp

by: Michael Steffes

Tim Ruskell covers all things mini-camp, on his blog, at seahawks.com. Specifically on the wide receivers:

The young receivers (Ben Obomanu, Logan Payne, Courtney Taylor and Jordan Kent) showed it wasn’t too big for them running with the first team offense and getting so many reps. They all responded and had their special moments. It was encouraging for everybody. They had to do a lot more reps than they usually would with the injuries we had. We didn’t bring in that many receivers to begin with, which we may have to rectify for the next camp. But we’re very happy with where they’re at and you can see that their confidence is better. They’re not thinking so much. They’re just doing it and that’s when you really can see their ability to play football.

We feel good about that group. That doesn’t mean we won’t keep looking, we’ll always keep looking, but there’s nobody that disappointed. They took a step last year and it looks to all of us like they just kept growing this week.

Sounds to me like if they add anybody, it will be just to bring the workload of the young guys down. The addition of any veteran who makes the team likely means one of the young guys doesn't. As reader BillT points out, with Jim Zorn lurking in DC, it is highly unlikely the Seahawks can slip any of them to the practice squad. I will let you all discuss..... END Read More!

Wide Receivers Pass First Test

by: Michael Steffes

All of us who follow the Hawks already know that the wide receiver position is going to be one of the most scrutinized positional groups this years. They national media is still trying to figure out why in the world Tim Ruskell didn't draft one. John Clayton has even said he expects the Hawks to try and find a veteran guy once cuts are made. I say it is too early to tell on that, but one thing is clear. The front office feels good about the guys they have. To Continue...

It seems, at least so far, that the young group is right on track. There are have been several promising reports. Yesterday morning, Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times wrote up Logan Payne. Payne got a lot of attention over the weekend for his improved play. He is not the only one though. Aaron Fentress of Oregonian checked in on Jordan Kent. Payne and Kent were on the practice squad together last year and it seems to have paid off. Kent's role will likely be the speed receiver/deep threat if he makes the team, but he will do that by being an ace on special teams.

The Seahawks didn't draft any wide receivers, but they did sign some undrafted guys. It appears they are fitting in nicely too. Scott Johnson of the Everett Herald mentions that both Michael Bumpus and Travis Brown had good weekends. Keith Gilbertson was impressed with both, and the camaraderie among the group is excellent. The veterans are coaching up and cheering for the young guys.

So no matter what you hear over the offseason about the wide receiver situation in Seattle being dire, don't give it too much thought. So far, the young guys have it under control. Read More!