K9. Saddle up and pay or not?

[James in PA]

As long as K9 doesn't hire Me3's former BFF Mark Rodgers, I think we'll get a deal done.

 

[RiverDog]

Becomes less of a good guy if he takes a ton of cap. Big running back deals are almost always a mistake, but as mentioned before other circumstances might make the mistake a necessity.

I'm with ya about putting a ton of capital into the running back position. As our own history with running backs has taught us, ie Rashaad Penny, CJ Prosise, Zach Charbonnet, amongst others, the position is the most injury prone in the game. For the past 20 or so years, I've been against spending a #1 pick on a running back, nearly hit the ceiling when we spent one on Penny.

But Mac is striving to be a defense orientated, run-first team, which places a little higher premium on the position than your average NFL team.

 

[Aircrew]

If you don't resign K9, who will babysit drunk John Schneider at the next SB parade?

Can you imagine JS loaded with NO filter?? Sign me up.

 

[Seahawkfan80]

With our line making holes to run thru, I would agree to sign him to a 10m area for 3 years. I also think that Charbs and Holani will make differences in the running game. Mack is also an outlier. I like our rb situation. The stable is pretty unique.

 

[Trackhawk]

Average running backs are replaceable, and should be cheap. K9 is a slightly above average running back, who falls back to average when you consider his lack of blocking and receiving skills.

They should sign him to a 9-10 million APY, 4 year contract with escalators that would push year 3 to 12 million and year 4 to 13 million, and out clauses that kick in after year 2. That nets him around 11 million APY, if he performs and stays healthy.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Wrong, but ok.

 

[GemCity]

He knows the price tag. Eleven million per year and not a dime more. If his agent can get him more than that then cya. Thanks for your services. Personally, my max would come in at ten million per year, but I think the staff wants him back more than I do. Primarily because he is humble, cordial, and appreciative. Indeed, there isn't a single free agent running back that I would pay more than Walker at 10 mil per. Not Breece Hall, nor Travis Etienne jr., nor Javonte Williams, or Rico Dowdle. Walker is a better pure runner than the whole lot of them. The bottom line is that finding a rookie replacement for a back that isn't proficient with pass protection may be the easiest rookie transformation for any given position in the NFL. They can find a reliable, cheap alternative in the draft (I like Kaelon Black projected in the fifth round), and further, I have not given up on Jacardia Wright either.

Wright and Kmac…both have vast potential.

Great post bruddha!

 

[GemCity]

Average running backs are replaceable, and should be cheap. K9 is a slightly above average running back, who falls back to average when you consider his lack of blocking and receiving skills.

They should sign him to a 9-10 million APY, 4 year contract with escalators that would push year 3 to 12 million and year 4 to 13 million, and out clauses that kick in after year 2. That nets him around 11 million APY, if he performs and stays healthy.

Perfect!

 

[GemCity]

Wrong, but ok.

Maybe not the prognosis but, I think the contract #’s are excellent!

I too think K9 is top tier.

 

[warden]

They are not going to tag him as reports out there are indicating. Tagging a RB is 14 million of this years cap.

Signing him to a long term deal means we could substantially manipulate the cap so this years hit on him is relatively low freeing up cash to sign others

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Heard talk of the transition tag too. If someone else wanted him, they would have to give up a high draft pick to the Hawks.

I have no opinion either way on that, but it is a possibility.

 

[GemCity]

Heard talk of the transition tag too. If someone else wanted him, they would have to give up a high draft pick to the Hawks.

I have no opinion either way on that, but it is a possibility.

Damn…I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a transition tag!

Off to Google I go…I like the idea of getting something in return!!

 

[Seahawkfan80]

Damn…I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a transition tag!

Off to Google I go…I like the idea of getting something in return!!

We can call it the Hutchinson Tag. Google that one if you want.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I immediately think of Hutch. But........it is a real possibility. If you're gonna' lose the guy, get something back for him.

 

[Mick063]

Wright and Kmac…both have vast potential.

Great post bruddha!

Walker has been excellent with the screen passes but I think that has more to do with Macdonald chasing edges. The team has historically forsaken the running back screen for nearly three decades (going all the way back to Ricky Watters) because: 1) It is a difficult play to master and taxes the offensive line relative to getting reps in for other plays 2) It requires mobility from offensive linemen and until only recently, has mobility become a requisite attribute for the team's wide zone run scheme 3) Macdonald, as a defensive coordinator, knows that the kryptonite for an aggressive pass rush is the RB screen and demands it as a gameday offensive install as part of his "chasing edges" mantra 4) The Seahawks finally have a really good offensive line coach that is somehow able to teach his position group to competently run the play.

The running back screen is dependent upon the entire offense selling the deep/intermediate throw as well as getting into their required field locations on time. Similar to transition basketball, proper spacing is also extremely important. Further, there is always the element of the "illegal receiver downfield" infraction which is a product of not getting the timing down to a science.

In the end Walker has been extremely impressive with the screen plays but I also believe that other than his open space burst, Walker has had less to do with the consistently good outcomes than the overall timing of the entire offensive unit. I would love to see Jacardia Wright catch one of those screens. I think he would be equally impressive.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Transition Tag would be around 11.5 million. Just an FYI

 

[loafoftatupu]

I think the team should tag him if they can't reach a reasonable deal and I don't even know what that looks like. I also feel like the team should be drafting another back in the first 3 rounds so that the team can split carries as they did this season. The only reason we saw k9 in the playoffs was his preservation throughout the year. Having a fresh RB out of the early rounds will at least give the team the option of balancing the load, especially if Charbs is not ready.

 

[Trackhawk]

Damn…I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a transition tag!

Off to Google I go…I like the idea of getting something in return!!

Transition tag would be pointless. He's definitely not worth the, predicted, 11.7 that it would take for this year, and no team is giving up 2, first round picks, plus the salary, for a back like K9. It would almost guarantee that he walks next year, and he isn't worth 11 plus mil this year.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

That's YOUR opinion, and that's fine. He absolutely IS worth it.
Also, another team is not required to give up TWO 1st round picks for a TRANSITION tag. Totally different than the Franchise tag.

 

[loafoftatupu]

I have long held the opinion that paying a premium for a RB is wasting money and that the position can usually be filled by a draft pick, a pick that contributes immediately and doesn't require a 1st rounder (I would rather Seattle pick a monster RG before a RB unless there isn't one good enough) I wouldn't mind JS trading the 1st round pick for a couple 2nd or 3rd and wouldn't be surprised if JS indeed turned the picks in the first 3 rounds to 5 picks in rounds 2-3.