Derrick Coleman: Progressing or Regressing?

[bbsplitter]

Last week against the Titans he looked to have some pretty good blocks, yet Lynch would either run away from them, or cut back all together. I am guessing that either Coleman is blowing his assignment, or by this point Lynch is just so used to not trusting Coleman's blocking that he avoids that read even when a proper block is made. Either way, I think that Coleman's actual blocking technique is improving, missed assignments or not. At the beginning of the season he was often choosing the wrong man AND failing to block him. At least now the actual blocking part is becoming less an issue, IMO.

 

[kearly]

I would say progressing. But if Lynch doesn't trust his blocks, it won't matter.

And by "progressing", I don't mean "good." He has progressed from truly awful to eyesore to sporadic competence, all the while sprinkling in a rare nice play from time to time.

That said, I've ALWAYS liked Coleman as a receiver out of the backfield. I think even in the first preseason game he was a better receiver than Mike Rob ever was, and that's saying quite a bit. I think it's a shame the team has kind of gotten away from fullback passing. Maybe Scott knows, but I'm guessing the reason for it is because we typically only pass to FBs out of I-formation, which the team is using less and less (as a consequence of Coleman's inconsistency / incapability as a lead blocker).

 

[MontanaHawk05]

It's been only six games, so I suppose we have to put up with him for the time being.

 

[lukerguy]

Last year Lynch rushed for 1590 yards and 11 TDs.
This year he is on pace for 1300 yards and 13 TDs.
Given that there hasn't been a full game with a healthy oline (Okung, Giac, Carp, Unger), I don't think we need to worry that much. He's 3rd in the league in rushing.

 

[jammerhawk]

Tough crowd, he's progressing slowly but the blocking has come a very long way. His ST play is superior but he's just OK as a FB. Still think Robinson was better but the kid costs less than 1/4 as much. In the end he's a trade off.

 

[Evil_Shenanigans]

I would love to see more from both Coleman and Willson. We desperately need the added blocking ability and both have already shown that they can catch. What will it take for Lynch to trust that blocking???

 

[Ruminator]

I look forward to watching Coleman's improvement in 2014 and beyond -- as long as he's a Seahawk.

 

[hawks4thewin]

I thought Coleman did $1,100,000 ish reasons why I think he did fine too

 

[minormillikin]

What?

 

[SeeHawkRun]

I really miss Mike Rob. His play was superior, and he was a true locker room leader type guy. That said, I think Coleman has talent and can develop into a gifted player. He's already shown some nice pass catching ability. He needs to improve his blocking big time, (like everyone knows), and he hasn't had the chance to show that clutch 3rd down hot route ability that we all know Michael Robinson possessed.

I have faith Coleman will get there tho. And, as others have mentioned, he cost a lot less. I don't think the organization even realized how much blocking talent they were giving up when they made the decision to go with Coleman over Robinson...But, that's the decision that was made, and overall I think Coleman is improving.

He'll be good, I'm almost certain.

 

[Axx]

I thought Coleman did $1,100,000 ish reasons why I think he did fine too

 

[hawks4thewin]

I thought Coleman did $1,100,000 ish reasons why I think he did fine too

Mike rob was set to make 1.5 mil... coleman set to make like rookie min.. thus I was guestimating 1.1 million.

 

[Scottemojo]

Coleman is seeing the field less and less.

When Harvin gets back, his reps will be very limited.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Coleman is seeing the field less and less.

When Harvin gets back, his reps will be very limited.

And THAT is why we didn't keep Mike Rob. Its a change in how we are doing things. I have been trying to convey this same message.....people still just say "I want Mike Rob, I miss RRR". Im guessing if the RRR still was happening every week the majority would be ok without Mike Rob.

 

[Scottemojo]

Coleman is seeing the field less and less.

When Harvin gets back, his reps will be very limited.

And THAT is why we didn't keep Mike Rob. Its a change in how we are doing things. I have been trying to convey this same message.....people still just say "I want Mike Rob, I miss RRR". Im guessing if the RRR still was happening every week the majority would be ok without Mike Rob.

I think I can separate RRR from the play of Robinson, thank you.
You talk like this team doesn't need a fullback. You know there is a place for a full back in this offense. Robinson(of last year, not the sick guy) is far better than Coleman, and would have played a major role so far in this offense(if not sick). In addition to his excellent special teams.

You can diminish the role of FB all you want, Robinson was better than what we are seeing from Coleman.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Coleman is seeing the field less and less.

When Harvin gets back, his reps will be very limited.

And THAT is why we didn't keep Mike Rob. Its a change in how we are doing things. I have been trying to convey this same message.....people still just say "I want Mike Rob, I miss RRR". Im guessing if the RRR still was happening every week the majority would be ok without Mike Rob.

I think I can separate RRR from the play of Robinson, thank you.
You talk like this team doesn't need a fullback. You know there is a place for a full back in this offense. Robinson(of last year, not the sick guy) is far better than Coleman, and would have played a major role so far in this offense(if not sick). In addition to his excellent special teams.

You can diminish the role of FB all you want, Robinson was better than what we are seeing from Coleman.

I agree he was better than what we are seeing from Coleman. Once Harvin is back though how much are you really going to see of the FB? Currently we are probably around 20-30%. A lot of teams don't have a traditional FB anymore. Wave of the future mi amigo.

 

[Scottemojo]

Coleman is seeing the field less and less.

When Harvin gets back, his reps will be very limited.

And THAT is why we didn't keep Mike Rob. Its a change in how we are doing things. I have been trying to convey this same message.....people still just say "I want Mike Rob, I miss RRR". Im guessing if the RRR still was happening every week the majority would be ok without Mike Rob.

I think I can separate RRR from the play of Robinson, thank you.
You talk like this team doesn't need a fullback. You know there is a place for a full back in this offense. Robinson(of last year, not the sick guy) is far better than Coleman, and would have played a major role so far in this offense(if not sick). In addition to his excellent special teams.

You can diminish the role of FB all you want, Robinson was better than what we are seeing from Coleman.

I agree he was better than what we are seeing from Coleman. Once Harvin is back though how much are you really going to see of the FB? Currently we are probably around 20-30%. A lot of teams don't have a traditional FB anymore. Wave of the future mi amigo.

Maybe. But the FB has also been a key part of our red zone identity. Which is suffering right now. I can see us not using the FB much anymore between the 20's, but I can't see Pete ever reducing his ability to run at critical moments by carrying a below average player just because the position is infrequently used. Sean Payton doesn't use the full back very often at all, but he still values the position as a valuable weapon in the RZ and dedicates a roster spot to a good one every year.

 

[McGruff]

Robinson was an average blocker at best when he got here,and that was after five years in the league. Coleman is progressing nicely, and like the rest of our blocking, he needs time to form chemistry.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

If it's becoming the norm to NOT have a fullback, then I would expect Pete to go back to keeping one.