Are the Seahawks ready for life after Marshawn?

[jammerhawk]

I believe that even on the day we signed ML, PC and JS had a plan to replace him. Heck, average NFL lifespans are short as can be anyways. ML's persona will never be either replaced or replicated. He is indeed unique.

Could it be we wound up where we are today, as a team, simply because PC became used to turning over his entire team every 3-4 years? Did JS buy in to that line of thinking? Considering some of our draft choices, and the rounds they were picked in, looks to me like PC and JS look on the draft and free agency as recruiting season. Is this the reason we seem to lead the league in uncovering UDFA gems and 5th to 7th round wonders?

This above is likely more true on many levels than most of us appreciate. The team certainly has some interesting and solid depth at RB and FB. Is it as good as Marshawn is really the question however?

 

[seedhawk]

I believe that even on the day we signed ML, PC and JS had a plan to replace him. Heck, average NFL lifespans are short as can be anyways. ML's persona will never be either replaced or replicated. He is indeed unique.

Could it be we wound up where we are today, as a team, simply because PC became used to turning over his entire team every 3-4 years? Did JS buy in to that line of thinking? Considering some of our draft choices, and the rounds they were picked in, looks to me like PC and JS look on the draft and free agency as recruiting season. Is this the reason we seem to lead the league in uncovering UDFA gems and 5th to 7th round wonders?

This above is likely more true on many levels than most of us appreciate. The team certainly has some interesting and solid depth at RB and FB. Is it as good as Marshawn is really the question however?

Only time will tell. All kinda sorta relative in that 1 fans definition of very good/elite equates to someone else's average.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

If Pete Carroll and JS needed the RB game to be like Marshawn going forward, then they would have made it so. Instead they chose Christine Michael.

That's all I need to know.

The coach speak about Marshawn being an identity of the team sounds great, but in reality it isn't a big deal if they lose that identity. If PC and JS said tomorrow that the identity of the offense is pure speed and to keep defenses guessing because they can't handle Harvin, Michael, Richardson and Baldwin, would that really change anything?

 

[Sarlacc83]

We'll find out tomorrow, but part of me wonders if Christine got himself in the doghouse by not running through tackles and punishing the other team. While Beast Mode's fearlessness (how did you get this wrong, Tical?) can't be taught, I have no doubt toughness can, especially when faced with it every single day. No one wants to be the soft guy on a tough team, as Roland already alluded to.

Remains to be seen, of course, but even with a combo of Ware, Michael and a nasty offensive line, teams could still very easily get hit in the mouth by our offense, as long as there is a commitment to it.

 

[DavidSeven]

If Pete Carroll and JS needed the RB game to be like Marshawn going forward, then they would have made it so. Instead they chose Christine Michael.

There was no RB in that draft like Marshawn except Lacy, but he was selected ahead of Michael and is Lynch-lite. To be honest, however, I'd love to see Lacy in the blue and green. That dude punishes.

The next closest Lynch comp from that draft may actually be Spencer Ware. And we took him despite burning a 2nd on Michael.

 

[supahawk]

Bring back Tommy guns

 

[hawks4thewin]

I agree with the original post on ware... he looked good in camp..
Michael is bigger, faster, stronger and younger then lynch. we don't know how he will perform at the NFL level for any duration that's the only mark we don't know. He isn't camera shy either.
His 2 preseason starts last year were of 11 and 16 carries, netting in 8.8 and 5.5 ypc per game... that averages to 7.1
But... I do agree lynch is special... how special? well We shall see this year if its rb by committee and he isn't leading the YPC #>

 

[hawk45]

I can see Michael equaling Marshawn's production behind a healthy line. I don't believe we get to the Superbowl behind anyone but Marshawn Lynch this year when injuries struck our OL. Lynch isn't actually the prototypical one-cut-and-go ZBS back, sometimes I actually feel Turbin is that (although even a ZBS back should be able to withstand a fingertip brush to the shoelaces without going down) and Michael might be, but Lynch can drag 5 guys to the LOS and pick up 1 yard instead of losing 3 when the line lets him get swarmed microseconds after the hand-off. Not losing those yards kept drive after drive alive, and we will not have that with any back but Lynch.

Not saying we can't have an effective running game without him, but even if we get similar *yearly* production yardage-wise from Michael, doesn't mean we won't see more stalled drives because we're 2nd and 13.

I also think we'll remain a tough team, but there will be some effect of Lynch leaving. I'm thinking Niners without Gore. He feels like a big part of their offensive personality to me, and Lynch is all that and more for us.

 

[v1rotv2]

JS, "we have a plan". That's all I needed to hear. It will be detailed, complete and timely.

 

[fridayfrenzy]

If Pete Carroll and JS needed the RB game to be like Marshawn going forward, then they would have made it so. Instead they chose Christine Michael.

There was no RB in that draft like Marshawn except Lacy, but he was selected ahead of Michael and is Lynch-lite. To be honest, however, I'd love to see Lacy in the blue and green. That dude punishes.

The next closest Lynch comp from that draft may actually be Spencer Ware. And we took him despite burning a 2nd on Michael.

I am not just speaking about that draft though.

A good comparison for me would be Jerome Bettis and the Steelers. Bettis was their team's identity as a bruising back and what the Steelers encompassed. When Bettis was basically done, it was a small and fast RB (Fast Willie Parker) who actually was the feature RB for four years and their two Superbowls wins.

 

[Casino Blitz]

Wasn't Browner at least as important as Beast Mode when it comes to our team mentality? I don't recall Sherman ever saying Beast Mode yelled at him for taking it easy on somebody like Browner did.

I'm not worried about it because it has truly become a team mentality at this point, to be tough as nails.

There's the team mentality then there is the battering ram that is Marshawn Lynch not an easy guy to replace. I have a ton of confidence in CM tough and I think we'll be just fine with him when the time comes.

 

[Blitzer88]

They could be preparing for life after Marshawn and it seems pretty apparent that they are, but I do not want to think about that right now.....I can't get enough BEASTMODE right now.

 

[The Radish]

If he is willing to work with them on touches I'd wager he could extend his career another 3-4 years. If not, he will be gone soon and we will all miss his toughness.

:les:

 

[pmedic920]

Aside from winning 48, the chemistry of THIS team is one of the things I love most. #24 plays a huge role in that.
Having said that, I trust the FO. I truly believe that they have a plan for many different scenarios.
I think of PC/JS as chess masters, thinking 8-10 moves ahead.
Of all the years I've been a fan, I've never had the piece of mind that I do now.
It's great.
For me Kip, the answer to your question, is yes.
Not sure what the plan is but I'm in. Least till they give me reason not to be.
:{)

 

[seedhawk]

Is Wilsons growth and developement the "plan" for life after Lynch?

 

[Anthony!]

Is Wilsons growth and developement the "plan" for life after Lynch?

Given the rule changes I think it was going to happen with or without ML.

 

[chris98251]

Pete will change up how the running game is implemented if we don't have a power back, but will not bank on a QB's arm to control the offense, as you have seen it's pretty easy to take it away.

 

[Anthony!]

Pete will change up how the running game is implemented if we don't have a power back, but will not bank on a QB's arm to control the offense, as you have seen it's pretty easy to take it away.

He may not have a choice, I am not saying go 70% Pass but 50-55% pass I can see it. With the rule changes, yeah I can see it.

 

[chris98251]

Pete will change up how the running game is implemented if we don't have a power back, but will not bank on a QB's arm to control the offense, as you have seen it's pretty easy to take it away.

He may not have a choice, I am not saying go 70% Pass but 50-55% pass I can see it. With the rule changes, yeah I can see it.

There is always a choice, Pete and John made the trade for Lynch, they would make another, Pete is about control and exploiting situations. Wilson exploits situations when they have to overcompensate for our run game, he did it at USC as well, it's how he operates. That will not change as much as so many people want fantasy stats and high scores we won't do it thru the air. It will be on the ground and short fields given to us by the defense and exploiting those situations.

 

[HawkWow]

Excellent OP, Kearly. I've said all of this repeatedly over the past 10 months. It will be interesting to see how much longer the "we are saving him" Michael crowd continues with that mantra. We haven't been saving Michael. He's not been ready, let alone able to challenge Marshawn for significant playing time. And if he was / is...then Pete has been lying to us about putting the "best players on the field". If Pete has been truthful, and I believe he has, then CM's lack of playing time speaks volumes.

In fairness to CM, there are just a few backs in the league that could replace Lynch, but paying Lynch 6 x more than Michael, even after a threatened hold out, says a lot about our situation at RB. That drop off was Lynch's leverage. The good news is for at least 2014, we have Lynch, so our current situation looks VERY good at RB. Not as sure about that when the post Lynch era rears it's ugly head.

I'd be fine if we threw the ball just 30% of the time this pre-season. Russ needs little work, imo, and our (healthy) WRs should be just fine. I'd like to see Michael, Turbin, Ware, etc get all the reps they can handle cuz the winner of that race is obviously our likely starter in '15. But IF Lynch starts in 15, well...you know.