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Can Charbonnet balance out the backfield?
- Thread starter FrodosFinger
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RB room gets an instant infusion of talent...making Geno's job easier. Last year when Rashaad Penny made an early injured exit it left a gaping hole for our RB room. Kenneth Walker went from mentored to featured yet answered the call in a big way...immediately showing that a balanced running attack/ passing attack makes life so much easier for your QB and team overall.
Getting dinged up a bit from heavy use exposed the reality that there was significant drop-off when Walker was out of action. Travis Homer and DJ Dallas played with a lot of heart but becoming feature backs (instead of helping Walker catch his breath) was not "in the cards" and teams didn't have to "stack" the box. Strong O-Line play is almost in synch with clutch RB play...they feed off each others energy.
Addressing this "weakness" especially after Penny and Homer left for greener pastures became a strong need. Opponents rushing attacks only get stronger as negative time of possession takes its toll on our D-Line mid to late second half. Chains need to move.
High percentage running/passing plays keep the chains moving...keeping the other teams offense on the sidelines while establishing the ever important "RHYTHM" that keeps an offense humming.
Replacing Penny and Homer are Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh. Zach and Kenny offer pass pro strengths and soft hands for quick dump-offs with elusive wriggle/power combo to pile up yards after catch (evading initial contact).
Zach has "take it to the bank" burst while McIntosh has quick cut ability with break/evade tackle talent to move the chains even if he lacks the Big Gain Burst of Walker/Charbonnet. DJ Dallas has play tested durability to stay on the 53 man roster and still holds a leg up on Kick-off returns...but McIntosh (Ken Walker has referred to him as "K-Mac") represents a real roster threat in potential. Our 53 man roster faces serious competition/churn ...requiring what can I do NOW...not what have I done already.
Getting dinged up a bit from heavy use exposed the reality that there was significant drop-off when Walker was out of action. Travis Homer and DJ Dallas played with a lot of heart but becoming feature backs (instead of helping Walker catch his breath) was not "in the cards" and teams didn't have to "stack" the box. Strong O-Line play is almost in synch with clutch RB play...they feed off each others energy.
Addressing this "weakness" especially after Penny and Homer left for greener pastures became a strong need. Opponents rushing attacks only get stronger as negative time of possession takes its toll on our D-Line mid to late second half. Chains need to move.
High percentage running/passing plays keep the chains moving...keeping the other teams offense on the sidelines while establishing the ever important "RHYTHM" that keeps an offense humming.
Replacing Penny and Homer are Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh. Zach and Kenny offer pass pro strengths and soft hands for quick dump-offs with elusive wriggle/power combo to pile up yards after catch (evading initial contact).
Zach has "take it to the bank" burst while McIntosh has quick cut ability with break/evade tackle talent to move the chains even if he lacks the Big Gain Burst of Walker/Charbonnet. DJ Dallas has play tested durability to stay on the 53 man roster and still holds a leg up on Kick-off returns...but McIntosh (Ken Walker has referred to him as "K-Mac") represents a real roster threat in potential. Our 53 man roster faces serious competition/churn ...requiring what can I do NOW...not what have I done already.
keasley45
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Great post. What you mentioned about sustained rushing success and the tipping point in TOP is going to be so important this year. It's important every year, but this team has either lacked, or in perplexing cases in 2021 and 2020, ignored the importance of the ground game to the detriment of the offense AND defense.
This year, arguably our only true weakness on defense looks to be our ability to stop the run with big, interior, runs stuffing D tackles. Whether we are better than last year, remains to be seen. But what's undeniable is that our ability to hold the ball and punish opposing teams, particularly late in halves will help our rush defense considerably.
It looks like we have the tools to do just that.
This year, arguably our only true weakness on defense looks to be our ability to stop the run with big, interior, runs stuffing D tackles. Whether we are better than last year, remains to be seen. But what's undeniable is that our ability to hold the ball and punish opposing teams, particularly late in halves will help our rush defense considerably.
It looks like we have the tools to do just that.
Zach Charbonnet will no doubt get shared running time with Kenny McIntosh in our pre season games. The unknown will be how many snaps DJ Dallas gets as well.
I like Zach a lot...but K-Mac is like the "Olu" of our running stable...how did he fall into the 7th rd? ...not complaining...just curious?
The receiving aspect of Kenny McIntosh. A "3rd down back" needs 3 talents ...(1) willing to take on the "uncovered/stunting" blitzer during Pass Pro snaps. (2) Effective running on "draw plays" (3) be an effective "soft hands" receiving threat when "leaked" into flat/curl routes.
Travis Homer excelled in the first two skills. As Homers replacement McIntosh offers all 3 RB3 skills and just like Homer had impact on Special Teams...Kenny offers the full package (swiss army knife) including Kickoff/Punt return skills and he delivers a wallop on contact if he hasn't juked away his first would be tackler...his nickname at Georgia was "Blueprint" and I've heard him referred to as "Jukebox" on other sites.
7th round because of 4.6 speed at combine...but his film tape shows excellent game speed with vision and shiftiness...so a 3rd rounder falling into our laps in the 7th? (Yes Please!)
We had a recent Seahawk interview which revealed our scouting team and those who have influence on our draft input to John Scneider liked what they saw on tape with McIntosh!
Matt Berry Senior Director of Player Personnel
"He's a guy that hit 21.4 miles per hour on tape in the fall and then did not work out well," Berry said. "For whatever reason, his spring from a combine-testing standpoint didn't go well and I think that's what hit him."
I like Zach a lot...but K-Mac is like the "Olu" of our running stable...how did he fall into the 7th rd? ...not complaining...just curious?
The receiving aspect of Kenny McIntosh. A "3rd down back" needs 3 talents ...(1) willing to take on the "uncovered/stunting" blitzer during Pass Pro snaps. (2) Effective running on "draw plays" (3) be an effective "soft hands" receiving threat when "leaked" into flat/curl routes.
Travis Homer excelled in the first two skills. As Homers replacement McIntosh offers all 3 RB3 skills and just like Homer had impact on Special Teams...Kenny offers the full package (swiss army knife) including Kickoff/Punt return skills and he delivers a wallop on contact if he hasn't juked away his first would be tackler...his nickname at Georgia was "Blueprint" and I've heard him referred to as "Jukebox" on other sites.
7th round because of 4.6 speed at combine...but his film tape shows excellent game speed with vision and shiftiness...so a 3rd rounder falling into our laps in the 7th? (Yes Please!)
We had a recent Seahawk interview which revealed our scouting team and those who have influence on our draft input to John Scneider liked what they saw on tape with McIntosh!
Matt Berry Senior Director of Player Personnel
"He's a guy that hit 21.4 miles per hour on tape in the fall and then did not work out well," Berry said. "For whatever reason, his spring from a combine-testing standpoint didn't go well and I think that's what hit him."
BASF
Well-known member
Many of the athletes are advised that they need to lean out to test better at the combine. Some of these athletes get bad advise as to the method of leaning out which hurts their combine performance. It happened to both McIntosh and Mike Morris this year, much to our benefit.
Love your angle on ...being to our advantage. The NFL draft is often referred to as gambling/crap shoot where GMs "soar" or "flame out" as the fan base scrutinizes each selection. Actual outcomes seldom match any mock simulator draft since there are still too many variables at play as the draft unfolds. Good scouting resources coupled with a GM using educated hunches as well as friendships with other GMs all work together. It seems lately many more GMs are wary of "matching" wits...as "trader John" is forced into a more passive role...waiting for nuggets to drop into our own slots. High draft picks help lower the risk...kinda like arriving at Vegas with deep pockets.
Seahawks Guy
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I just hope that having multiple backs that are good enough to see significant snaps will add to the amount of shit opposing defenses have to prepare for, and possibly give the play-calling a little more options as far as mixing things up and running more plays that other teams haven't seen before on film.
Yeah, I've been assuming we haven't seen all of Waldron's playbook yet. We had some good new wrinkles last year. I hope with the 3d year in the system (2d with Geno at the helm) and the new weapons we can really open it up. Let's break out some of that 21st Century offense .
OP
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I couldn’t believe McIntosh was still available in the 7th. Could turn out to be a steal his rookie year if he balls his nutts off in the 3 preseason games leading up to week 1. I mean I doubt he’ll eclipse Charbonnet on the depth chart but it feels good to have this kind of quality depth in the backfield
Maelstrom787
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He's got all the makings of a really good utility back. Can hand it off to him, great target in the passing game, fun personality. I think he'll be a fan favorite and more than return value on his draft slot. I'm spooked if I'm Deejay Dallas right now.
hawkfan68
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Agreed. I think Dallas is safe only because I believe with the injury issues the team has dealt with past few years. They kept 4 rbs + Bellore last season. If that is the case, then Walker, Charbonnet, McIntosh, and Dallas make as rbs.
Maelstrom787
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Yeah, you know how it goes with the Seahawks backfield. End of roster probably ends up with some significant snaps by end of year, especially with the two most talented backs on the roster being young guns (one rookie in Charbonnet, who while savvy coming out will surely have to ramp up over time).
Pre-season will give quick clues as to how Shane Waldron plans on using K-Mac. "Blue Print" is a likely up grade for the loss of Travis Homer who played his heart out for us.
The real question for him getting 3rd down snaps will be how well he settles in as RB3 for Pass Pro sets. He loves contact...watch some of his tape got some "Thomas Rawls" in him.
Also for those thinking Charbonnet was drafted as a replacement...not as a complement...
Ken Walker III has very strong yardage after contact due to having burst and size to create poor tackling angles when contact is made/attempted...Kenneth Walker III led the college nation in broken tackles and both he and Penny (2017) in their final college year had 4+ yards after contact which is "rarefied" air for a running back. Wishing Penny good luck in Philly...until we play them of course.
Late to the party but my first response is, was it unbalanced before we got him?
Personally I don’t think it was, and believe he’s going to add an incredible amount of depth and versatility.
Does that equate to “adding balance” ?
IDK
Personally I don’t think it was, and believe he’s going to add an incredible amount of depth and versatility.
Does that equate to “adding balance” ?
IDK
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With no Penny and just Walker and Dallas I would say so bud. Drafting a contrasting style in Charbonnet, giving us an every down bell cow at the running back position is a contrast to what DJ and Kenneth bring
olyfan63
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Love me some K9 and he is super-strong and breaks many arm tackles, but yes, we needed a bigger-bodied back for those short-yardage move-the-pile situations, and Charbonnet brings that, plus his versatility in the passing game leaves defenses guessing.
Nicely spoken. Having a dynamic RB stable of different "strengths" makes it just a bit harder for our opponent to form an effective "scouting dummy team" for the Defense to play against in practices leading up to the game.
chris98251
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The nice thing about this group of backs other then learning to pass block better, is all of them can catch and run. Some do it better then the others but all can do it. So having a McIntosh in does not mean a pass play nor Walker in just for runs, or any one thing for any of them. Defenses cannot stack the box nor drop in coverage with 8 just based on personnel.
