Charles Cross of Miss state picked 9 at lt

GemCity

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I think he’ll be fine run blocking. You have to remember the offensive style he played in college. If anything, the sample size for pass vs. run in their offense was skewed a bit.

Great pick up imo.
 

AgentDib

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Its just so weird to never pick a pass blocking Tackle in the draft till after they got rid of their HOF QB.
They traded for a pro bowl LT and paid him well instead of drafting a cheap unknown commodity. The only weird thing is you phrasing that as a bad thing
Cross may be an experienced LT, but he‘s not particularly explosive, lengthy, or dominant.
I'm not trying to squash an independent opinion here but Cross was the definition of dominant in college. In his game against Alabama he had 66 pass protection snaps with 0 pressures allowed. PFF ranks based on actual production rather than potential and he was their #3 overall prospect. Of course whether he can translate college dominance to playing well in the pros is an open question.
 

MyrtleHawk

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I feel like, and this might be factually wrong but it's just my opinion, it'll be easier to get a crash course in NFL run-blocking than it would be in NFL pass-blocking. I've heard from a lot of different sources that he's refined in pass-blocking because he was asked to do it so much.
Being a great pass blocker means good feet, good hands, good balance, strong set and anchor etc (against the SEC no less). We have seen how good road graders work out in pass pro. Much easier for a good pass blocker to become good run blocker than vice versa. And he might already be a good run blocker and he just never did it.

Thank you for elaborating the point I was trying to prove. The more I think about it, the more I'm happy with this pick. I'd much rather have a pass-pro LT than a run-pro LT getting drafted in the 1st round. Also though, I haven't just given up and quit on Stone Forsythe. I think he will be a nice surprise.
 

RunDownhill

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They traded for a pro bowl LT and paid him well instead of drafting a cheap unknown commodity. The only weird thing is you phrasing that as a bad thing

I'm not trying to squash an independent opinion here but Cross was the definition of dominant in college. In his game against Alabama he had 66 pass protection snaps with 0 pressures allowed. PFF ranks based on actual production rather than potential and he was their #3 overall prospect. Of course whether he can translate college dominance to playing well in the pros is an open question.
He also looked like a stud vs. LSU.
 

Pandion Haliaetus

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That‘s good analysis on JJ, it’s entirely possible I’ve bought into the hype. Still curious if something off field was at play.

In regards to Cross, you’re supporting my argument a bit…Cross was the best renaming OT, ie they were picking the position, not the player. Hyperbole driven by PTSD, but shades of Collier there.
Sorry but I don’t think you can put Collier and Cross in the same conversation.

Seahawks could have gone a number a different ways at the point of their selection and whose to say the rumors to trade up wasn’t for them to get Cross but didn’t after the draft fell their way after Neal was selected.

Seahawks once upon time traded up for a similarly player that was considered a little raw around the edges in terms of being a complete package, whose athletic testing definitely did not match his film but this player possessed a lot of pass-blocking acumen that made him one of the top prospects at his position. Traits/skills/ability that just hard to coach or teach even with elite athletic profiles especially in this current day and age. That player , of course, was Walter Jones.

Not saying Cross is going to be as successful as Walter Jones. Who knows at this point but it would not surprise me if Jones himself much like he did with George Fant takes Cross under his wing as a mentor/advisor type. Also, let’s not forget Seahawks are paying Steve Hutchison as a consultant and that Damien Lewis is a qualified dominant road grader that will be in Cross’s back pocket moving forward. Not to mention if Duane Brown comes back if they elect to start Cross at RT. Thats a pretty great situation to be coming into if you asked me.

Not worried about Cross one bit, this team definitely got better today and they didn’t do anything dramatic and definitely did not reach or pass on anybody that was big time. I think they got the guy they wanted.
 
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RunDownhill

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Sorry but I don’t think you can put Collier and Cross in the same conversation.

Seahawks could have gone a number a different ways at the point of their selection and whose to say the rumors to trade up wasn’t for them to get Cross but didn’t after the draft fell their way after Neal was selected.

Seahawks once upon time traded up for a similarly player that was considered a little raw around the edges in terms of being a complete package, whose athletic testing definitely did not match his film but this player possessed a lot of pass-blocking acumen that made him one of the top prospects at his position. Traits/skills/ability that just hard to coach or teach even with elite athletic profiles especially in this current day and age. That player , of course, was Walter Jones.

Not saying Cross is going to be as successful as Walter Jones. Who knows at this point but it would not surprise me if Jones himself much like he did with George Fant takes Cross under his wing as a mentor/advisor type. Also, let’s not forget Seahawks are paying Steve Hutchison as a consultant and that Damien Lewis is a qualified dominant road grader that will be in Cross’s back pocket moving forward. Not to mention if Duane Brown comes back if they elect to start Cross at RT. Thats a pretty great situation to be coming into if you asked me.

Not worried about Cross one bit, this team definitely got better today and they didn’t do anything dramatic and definitely did not reach or pass on anybody that was big time. I think they got the guy they wanted.
Good point about Hutchinson and Jones still being close to the Seahawks. Jones can make a quick drive out to the Seahawks facility and spend some time to mentor Cross. Hutch is already in house and can wear his Gold Jacket while coaching up Cross to be a better run blocker. Its nice to have two in house Hall of Fame offensive lineman to mentor Cross.
 
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ElvisInBlue

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Sorry but I don’t think you can put Collier and Cross in the same conversation.

Seahawks could have gone a number a different ways at the point of their selection and whose to say the rumors to trade up wasn’t for them to get Cross but didn’t after the draft fell their way after Neal was selected.

Seahawks once upon time traded up for a similarly player that was considered a little raw around the edges in terms of being a complete package, whose athletic testing definitely did not match his film but this player possessed a lot of pass-blocking acumen that made him one of the top prospects at his position. Traits/skills/ability that just hard to coach or teach even with elite athletic profiles especially in this current day and age. That player , of course, was Walter Jones.

Not saying Cross is going to be as successful as Walter Jones. Who knows at this point but it would not surprise me if Jones himself much like he did with George Fant takes Cross under his wing as a mentor/advisor type. Also, let’s not forget Seahawks are paying Steve Hutchison as a consultant and that Damien Lewis is a qualified dominant road grader that will be in Cross’s back pocket moving forward. Not to mention if Duane Brown comes back if they elect to start Cross at RT. Thats a pretty great situation to be coming into if you asked me.

Not worried about Cross one bit, this team definitely got better today and they didn’t do anything dramatic and definitely did not reach or pass on anybody that was big time. I think they got the guy they wanted.
That’s why I said hyperbole. I’d think someone who’s average post is a novella would be familiar with the term.

You want to put a finesse, physically underdeveloped pass blocking specialist at RT? Prepare for disappointment and a sizable sports therapist bill.

You don’t draft a LT @ 9 just to spend 8-10 million on signing a veteran player to do his job while he plays out of position. The die is cast, let’s hope Cross hits the weight room and is coached up.
 

Spohawks

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Say what you will, I haven't seen feet like his since Walter Jones. I am still a little shocked the Hawks made the right choice in the 1st round.

We are on the brink of my Dream draft. Trade down on one of the 2nds and get the best LG and still pick up Spiller. We would have the Jones, Hutch and Alexander show 2.0.
 

Boohman14

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One of the coolest things I read about Cross is that he struggled in pass protection at first but was able to work and learn technique in one off season and became a cornerstone in pass protection afterwards. The kid will put in the effort and is coachable. I think we did very well with this pick.
(I totally was shocked we didn't trade down, we could have owned the 7th round).
 

HawkRiderFan

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That‘s good analysis on JJ, it’s entirely possible I’ve bought into the hype. Still curious if something off field was at play.

In regards to Cross, you’re supporting my argument a bit…Cross was the best renaming OT, ie they were picking the position, not the player. Hyperbole driven by PTSD, but shades of Collier there.
lol not even close. Seriously, shades of Collier? Cross was a guy that was expected to go in the top 10. Colier was a guy who had everyone scratching their heads because no-one had a first round grade on him. Hawks filled a glaring need with a guy expected to go in the top half of the draft. I don't understand the criticism here
 

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The value in the first round was OT and I am glad the Hawks recognized this as it also aligned with their needs. This is where BAP and needs mesh and the Hawks have improved the team immensely for it. It will make the play action offense come alive now IMO. Need to add another guard, and RB and then address the defense to help with the 34 switch.
 

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i absolutely love this pick, personally I don’t want them to try Cross at anything but LT, let him become an expert don’t mess up his flow like the did with Lewis last year.
 
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Welshers

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i absolutely love this pick, personally I don’t want them to try Cross at anything but LT, let him become an expert don’t mess up his flow like the did with Lewis last year.
Exactly. We need a keystone LT. Let him grow into it and have the position locked down for years to come. He's the guy.
 
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UK_Seahawk

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I was a bit miffed as I wanted one of the top 4 pass rushers so was delighted when JJ was still there after the Falcons pick, clearly those highly paid GMs know more than me and Johnson slipped down the board.

Now I've had chance to digest the pick I'm on board with it, clearly a position of need and for once we seem to have picked a player based on the eye test rather than Underwear Olympic testing numbers. I'm pleased about this but obviously some will say his lack of explosive results mean the guy is a scrub. These are the same people who say we base our picks too much on testing results when they dont like a different pick...

One person I respect is Brett Kollman and he does an excellent review of Offensive line draft eligible players, he rates Cross very highly and compares him to Neal and Ekonwu.

 
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Welshers

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I was a bit miffed as I wanted one of the top 4 pass rushers so was delighted when JJ was still there after the Falcons pick, clearly those highly paid GMs know more than me and Johnson slipped down the board.

Now I've had chance to digest the pick I'm on board with it, clearly a position of need and for once we seem to have picked a player based on the eye test rather than Underwear Olympic testing numbers. I'm pleased about this but obviously some will say his lack of explosive results mean the guy is a scrub. These are the same people who say we base our picks too much on testing results when they dont like a different pick...

One person I respect is Brett Kollman and he does an excellent review of Offensive line draft eligible players, he rates Cross very highly and compares him to Neal and Ekonwu.


Yep, there were people rating him as the #1 LT in the whole draft and as high as the #3 overall prospect. I think we got great value and now we have a cornerstone LT we can build off and be secure at the position for years to come.
 

TwilightError

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One thing I love about this pick is that if the entire front office gets fired after a season or two, this wil still be a great building block for the next regime.
 

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Amazing. We get a top three cornerstone LT who only allowed two sacks in 670 pass attempts, and some people still criticize it, despite the fact this is a deep draft for D players. Oh well. Regardless, we will be singing the glory of this pick for years to come, especially as Cross develops and matures. Rejoice, Hawks fans, rejoice. The next few years are going to be awesome!
 

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