As teams look toward free agency as the March 5th deadline is fast approaching other teams are looking toward the NFL’s scouting combine where teams get a chance to look at the majority of the top players in the upcoming draft.Now in this case it’s taking a look at the top five players the Seahawks need to keep both eyes on when Carroll and his staff head to Indianapolis on February 24th when the scouting combine takes place. The combine goes from February 24th to March 2nd 2010.
The two names that officially will not be at the combine are Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford (who is currently projected No. 6 to Seattle in Mel Kiper Jr’s and my mock draft) who is still rehabbing from a season ending shoulder injury.
Also not attending the combine is Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen.
The five players I have listed are not necessarily first round projections but the topic is five players the Seahawks scout staff, including Pete Carroll and John Schneider need to have both eyes on so some players will be first round projections but some will also be third, fourth and later round projections as well.
Now before I give my list of five players I would like to share my Seahawks educated draft rules/philosophy that people really need to pay attention to when they address what the Seahawks should do in the 2010 draft, especially with the No. 6 and No. 14 overall picks. These rules and philosophy are following the same ones that the current coaching staff follow.
* Alex Gibbs and his zone blocking scheme are built on late round (3rd,4th 5th) picks not first round picks like some people have Russell Okung, Anthony Davis and Bruce Campbell going to the Seahawks with the No. 6 overall pick. It won’t happen so look for Seattle to scout deep with this exceptional class of offensive tackles.
* Matt Hasselbeck, at his current stage in his career doesn’t bod well in new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates scheme which is built around a pocket quarterback with great accuracy and someone who can throw at least 30-40 times a game.
* John Schneider, in his time in Green Bay drafts tall corner backs and none of the corners on the Packers roster were under six feet. So keep that in mind if you want to scout corners for the Seahawks.
* Pete Carroll believes strongly in starting a rookie at quarterback, which signals that Sam Bradford his the likely pick at No. 6 overall for the Seahawks because it gives him a chance right off the bat to start.
So while keeping those rules/philosophy in mind here’s a list of the top five players the Seahawks need to keep their eyes on at the combine.
1) Ciron Black, OT LSU
Examination: Here’s an obvious sign of the new coaching philosophy at work. Coming into the 2009 college campaign Black was considered a first round talent but after a disappointing senior season his stock dropped from a first round pick to a third or fourth round pick.
Now Black has a lot of upside having started 53 consecutive games in his career at LSU. Black’s other upsides would be his great technique, quickness, awareness, very durable and has great size. Black can play at either left or right tackle, most likely left tackle.
Ciron Black has almost no drawbacks other than not having elite agility and getting too high in his stance. Other than that he’s a steal of a pick in the third or fourth round and would become a great, low cost fit in Alex Gibbs offensive line.
2) Sergio Kindle, DE Texas
Examination: Sergio Kindle, another outstanding product of Mack Brown’s system at Texas. Kindle is the 2010 version of Brian Orakpo, another former Texas Longhorn who was selected 13th overall in the 2009 draft by the Washington Redskins.
However Kindle has dropped from his first round projection he still is valued in the early to mid second round where the Seahawks hold the No. 40 overall pick in the 2010 draft.
Kindle is by far one of if not the most gifted defensive player in the draft but just like Ciron Black, Kindle only recorded six sacks in his senior season so he’ll take a short fall to the second round and will be an excellent steal to whichever team selects him, possibly the Seahawks.
Sergio Kindle is a pass rushing defensive end/outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense so Kindle would fit in as a defensive end in the Seahawks 4-3 defense.
So look for the Seahawks to have their eyes on defensive end Sergio Kindle at the combine.
3) Myron Rolle, S FSU
Examination: Rolle is the first college athlete in a long time to chose academics over athletics so his decision to take a year off of football and head to Oxford hurt his draft stock but it’s been rapidly increasing from the Senior Bowl and should he have a good showing at the combine in late February he could be as high as a second round pick.
Myron Rolle was an outstanding safety in his three years at Florida State and the only question teams will have for Rolle is “are you fully committed to football?”
Teams will shy away from Myron if they feel he’s not committed to the NFL and his football future. No team wants to have him retire three years down the road if things are not working out.
4) Mike Johnson, G Alabama
Examination: Here’s another prime example of Alex Gibbs philosophy on the offensive line at work. Mike Johnson, a former late first round projection is now in the same area as OT Ciron Black who is listed number one on this list.
Johnson is a perfect fit in the zone blocking scheme and is a very talented and durable offensive lineman, something that will be key for the Seahawks on draft day. I don’t think they will draft any player that hasn’t been durable, and I do list Sam Bradford as being durable.
The Seahawks need an upgrade at the starting left/right guard and Mike Johnson can play either position.
5) Ryan Mathews, RB Fresno State
Examination: Another example of why the Seahawks hired Pete Carroll, he can recognize the best college talent and how any player fits into his philosophy and schemes. Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews is a perfect fit in a zone blocking scheme.
The Seahawks don’t need a first round flashy running back like people think because Pete Carroll is going to give that to Justin Forsett but don’t be surprise if Ryan Mathews name is called when the Seahawks have their second round pick.
If the Seahawks take a running back in the 2010 draft it’s only going to be Ryan Mathews.
NOTE: In a couple of weeks I will be coming out with an indepth review of how the Seahawks should look at the 2010 draft class, the players they should target and the players who fans and other writers need to forget about. Hint being running back CJ Spiller.
Now as you can tell from my list that I stuck with the Seahawks rules and coaching philosophy when I compile my five players that Carroll and his staff should keep both eyes on at the combine because it’s not about the highest rated player its based on need, value and how well that player fits into the Seahawks coaching schemes.
That is why you don’t see a high offensive tackle like Russell Okung, Anthony Davis, Bryan Bulaga, Trent Williams etc because the Seahawks won’t draft an offensive tackle in the first round.
You can follow Lars at Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson
Check out Lars’ sports blog: http://hansonsportsblog.blogspot.com/
* Pete Carroll believes strongly in starting a rookie at quarterback, which signals that Sam Bradford his the likely pick at No. 6 overall for the Seahawks because it gives him a chance right off the bat to start.
So while keeping those rules/philosophy in mind here’s a list of the top five players the Seahawks need to keep their eyes on at the combine.
1) Ciron Black, OT LSU
Examination: Here’s an obvious sign of the new coaching philosophy at work. Coming into the 2009 college campaign Black was considered a first round talent but after a disappointing senior season his stock dropped from a first round pick to a third or fourth round pick.
Now Black has a lot of upside having started 53 consecutive games in his career at LSU. Black’s other upsides would be his great technique, quickness, awareness, very durable and has great size. Black can play at either left or right tackle, most likely left tackle.
Ciron Black has almost no drawbacks other than not having elite agility and getting too high in his stance. Other than that he’s a steal of a pick in the third or fourth round and would become a great, low cost fit in Alex Gibbs offensive line.
2) Sergio Kindle, DE Texas
Examination: Sergio Kindle, another outstanding product of Mack Brown’s system at Texas. Kindle is the 2010 version of Brian Orakpo, another former Texas Longhorn who was selected 13th overall in the 2009 draft by the Washington Redskins.
However Kindle has dropped from his first round projection he still is valued in the early to mid second round where the Seahawks hold the No. 40 overall pick in the 2010 draft.
Kindle is by far one of if not the most gifted defensive player in the draft but just like Ciron Black, Kindle only recorded six sacks in his senior season so he’ll take a short fall to the second round and will be an excellent steal to whichever team selects him, possibly the Seahawks.
Sergio Kindle is a pass rushing defensive end/outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense so Kindle would fit in as a defensive end in the Seahawks 4-3 defense.
So look for the Seahawks to have their eyes on defensive end Sergio Kindle at the combine.
3) Myron Rolle, S FSU
Examination: Rolle is the first college athlete in a long time to chose academics over athletics so his decision to take a year off of football and head to Oxford hurt his draft stock but it’s been rapidly increasing from the Senior Bowl and should he have a good showing at the combine in late February he could be as high as a second round pick.
Myron Rolle was an outstanding safety in his three years at Florida State and the only question teams will have for Rolle is “are you fully committed to football?”
Teams will shy away from Myron if they feel he’s not committed to the NFL and his football future. No team wants to have him retire three years down the road if things are not working out.
4) Mike Johnson, G Alabama
Examination: Here’s another prime example of Alex Gibbs philosophy on the offensive line at work. Mike Johnson, a former late first round projection is now in the same area as OT Ciron Black who is listed number one on this list.
Johnson is a perfect fit in the zone blocking scheme and is a very talented and durable offensive lineman, something that will be key for the Seahawks on draft day. I don’t think they will draft any player that hasn’t been durable, and I do list Sam Bradford as being durable.
The Seahawks need an upgrade at the starting left/right guard and Mike Johnson can play either position.
5) Ryan Mathews, RB Fresno State
Examination: Another example of why the Seahawks hired Pete Carroll, he can recognize the best college talent and how any player fits into his philosophy and schemes. Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews is a perfect fit in a zone blocking scheme.
The Seahawks don’t need a first round flashy running back like people think because Pete Carroll is going to give that to Justin Forsett but don’t be surprise if Ryan Mathews name is called when the Seahawks have their second round pick.
If the Seahawks take a running back in the 2010 draft it’s only going to be Ryan Mathews.
NOTE: In a couple of weeks I will be coming out with an indepth review of how the Seahawks should look at the 2010 draft class, the players they should target and the players who fans and other writers need to forget about. Hint being running back CJ Spiller.
Now as you can tell from my list that I stuck with the Seahawks rules and coaching philosophy when I compile my five players that Carroll and his staff should keep both eyes on at the combine because it’s not about the highest rated player its based on need, value and how well that player fits into the Seahawks coaching schemes.
That is why you don’t see a high offensive tackle like Russell Okung, Anthony Davis, Bryan Bulaga, Trent Williams etc because the Seahawks won’t draft an offensive tackle in the first round.
You can follow Lars at Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson
Check out Lars’ sports blog: http://hansonsportsblog.blogspot.com/
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