Mike Morgan make the Squad ?

[Lynch Mob]

I don't think he has the pass rushing ability to really make any significant impact in the SAM/Leo role i think Schofield and Mayowa have more upside as back ups.

Allen Bradford, John lotulelei, and Heath Farwell are my picks to make the squad as backups/special teams players so i don't know where M. Morgan fits.

 

[m0ng0]

this may be the year we have to part ways with Mr. Morgan. The tough decisions are just getting started.

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

Okay, I'm not going to say Morgan will make the team or not because there is a good chance he could be the odd man out but I'll make an argument for Morgan.

#1) From what I remember, every time Morgan has stepped in the past couple of years, he's has done a decent job at LB, imo that always hasn't been the case for a guy like Smith. Morgan, imo, is a guy who can also play all three LBer positions and now you can add LEO end to the mix.

#2) Morgan has been a standout special teamer the past two seasons.

#3) Morgan has all the attributes you'd seek from a backup LBer: Versatility, Smarts, Quickness, Strength, and plenty of Athleticism. Carroll and Quinn both had good things to say about Morgan in recent articles, last week. He also has special physical attributes that the Seahawks love as well being a "lengthy" player at 6 feet 3 inches tall with 34 5/8 arms (2nd among linebackers), length that could eventually maximize his ability has a pass-rusher.

#4) I know he left a lot to be desired with his play vs. the Chargers. But that's to be expected when you take a 6'3, 225 linebacker challenge him to gain 15 pounds to play at a position where his athleticism can be a considerable factor but in a role where he still has to grow into and be comfortable. Note that it was Morgan's first time against a live opponent, in an actually game, playing at his new weight, starting at a new position with a new role.

I think people need give some players some slack around here, not everyone is going to pick up something and just dominate, there are learning curves, and plenty of time and practice to become a better player. Its like with the TEs... we have 1st and 2nd year players, its going to take time and plenty of reps before they start to get comfortable in their roles.

 

[m0ng0]

what is his contract situation? I heard its pretty high for a guy of his skillset?

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

what is his contract situation? I heard its pretty high for a guy of his skillset?

Signed as a UDFA in 2011. So... its probably one of the cheaper contract on the team.

 

[NorthDallas40oz]

Morgan will make the team. He's the most game-ready of the Leo's not named Clemons and Avril (neither of whom are healthy right now anyway), he has the versatility to play both the Sam and Will LB positions as well, and he's also a core ST's player. He's in.

 

[kearly]

For me, I'd rank the LBs:

Wagner, Irvin, Bradford (at the rate he's developing), Wright, Morgan, Smith, Farwell, Lotulelei, Wilkins, etc. Bradford is playing himself into a starting job down the road, IMO.

I think Morgan is semi-safe. He played a lot bigger than his size when he was just 226 and now he's at 241. He's not an ideal LEO by any means- he's just not big enough- but he was an excellent backup linebacker last season and displayed a faint residue of pass rush talent in the Chargers game. I think Morgan's versatility makes him a good bet to make it.

Smith is a quality backup too, but I think he becomes a numbers casualty. Farwell is a really good player, but I think he probably gets the axe in favor of John Lotulelei, who is the definition of a project but has pro-bowl level physical upside.

:twocents:

 

[FlyingGreg]

The 'problem' with all roster projections this year is we have idea how many players at each position they are going to keep - specifically, RB-WR-OL-DL-LB. That more than anything is going to influence who stays.

We get a break initially with (I expect) 2 going on IR (Simon and Scruggs), Irvin being suspended for 4 games, and probabbly 2 on regular season PUP (Harvin and Toomer, although Toomer might be an IR guy as well). That will give some of the fringe guys an initial spot on the 53.

LB is going to be a tough call. I expect we keep 6... Wagner, Wright and Smith are locks, IMO. Then I think Schofield and Bradford are the next most obvious keepers, leaving Farwell, Morgan and Lotulelei scrapping for one final spot. Then when Irvin comes back...something will have to give either at LB or elsewhere on the roster.

I think Morgan makes it ahead of Farwell this year and Lotulelei is on the outside looking in, most likely destined for the P.S.

 

[Ad Hawk]

For me, I'd rank the LBs:

Wagner, Irvin, Bradford (at the rate he's developing), Wright, Morgan, Smith, Farwell, Lotulelei, Wilkins, etc. Bradford is playing himself into a starting job down the road, IMO.

I think Morgan is semi-safe. He played a lot bigger than his size when he was just 226 and now he's at 241. He's not an ideal LEO by any means- he's just not big enough- but he was an excellent backup linebacker last season and displayed a faint residue of pass rush talent in the Chargers game. I think Morgan's versatility makes him a good bet to make it.

Smith is a quality backup too, but I think he becomes a numbers casualty. Farwell is a really good player, but I think he probably gets the axe in favor of John Lotulelei, who is the definition of a project but has pro-bowl level physical upside.

:twocents:

Would you really rate Irvin that high as an LB? I understand we're considering him as a stand-up end, or move him around the line (not a big difference in our LB/DE role). But we have not even seen him fully in that position yet, dropping much into coverage, etc. I'm not convinced he's "all that" if covering the field or in run-defense. We know he has some rush ability... I'll wait and see, and hope for the best.

 

[hawk79]

The 'problem' with all roster projections this year is we have idea how many players at each position they are going to keep - specifically, RB-WR-OL-DL-LB. That more than anything is going to influence who stays.

We get a break initially with (I expect) 2 going on IR (Simon and Scruggs), Irvin being suspended for 4 games, and probabbly 2 on regular season PUP (Harvin and Toomer, although Toomer might be an IR guy as well). That will give some of the fringe guys an initial spot on the 53.

LB is going to be a tough call. I expect we keep 6... Wagner, Wright and Smith are locks, IMO. Then I think Schofield and Bradford are the next most obvious keepers, leaving Farwell, Morgan and Lotulelei scrapping for one final spot. Then when Irvin comes back...something will have to give either at LB or elsewhere on the roster.

I think Morgan makes it ahead of Farwell this year and Lotulelei is on the outside looking in, most likely destined for the P.S.

Totally agree with Lotulelei going to PS. Best situation for him IMO.

 

[Attyla the Hawk]

For me, I'd rank the LBs:

Wagner, Irvin, Bradford (at the rate he's developing), Wright, Morgan, Smith, Farwell, Lotulelei, Wilkins, etc. Bradford is playing himself into a starting job down the road, IMO.

I think Morgan is semi-safe. He played a lot bigger than his size when he was just 226 and now he's at 241. He's not an ideal LEO by any means- he's just not big enough- but he was an excellent backup linebacker last season and displayed a faint residue of pass rush talent in the Chargers game. I think Morgan's versatility makes him a good bet to make it.

Smith is a quality backup too, but I think he becomes a numbers casualty. Farwell is a really good player, but I think he probably gets the axe in favor of John Lotulelei, who is the definition of a project but has pro-bowl level physical upside.

:twocents:

Would you really rate Irvin that high as an LB? I understand we're considering him as a stand-up end, or move him around the line (not a big difference in our LB/DE role). But we have not even seen him fully in that position yet, dropping much into coverage, etc. I'm not convinced he's "all that" if covering the field or in run-defense. We know he has some rush ability... I'll wait and see, and hope for the best.

I believe Irvin is being designated as an OLB -- meaning he's going to take a roster spot from that pool. Relieving the DL pool of one potential slot there.

One thing that Bradford does possess that is unique is his hitting ability. The fact is, we have a lot of light/fast linebackers in this group. I wouldn't think they'll keep a 4th fast linebacker over their one true thumper. Smith/Morgan/Lotulelei/Irvin are all pretty much the same linebacker (Irvin definitely is bigger however). Bradford offers something those 4 LBs don't. And if, iin fact, our hybrid defense is moving more to the 3-4 side than the 4-3 we ran previously -- then size and toughness are going to matter more than speed. Bradford's physical skills align better in that light than a 220 lb speedster.

I could see the legitimate case made that Bradford makes the squad based on his unique talent. I have a hard time seeing Smith and Morgan both making the team -- especially since Irvin has now created a glut of fast LB prototypes.

 

[FlyingGreg]

For me, I'd rank the LBs:

Wagner, Irvin, Bradford (at the rate he's developing), Wright, Morgan, Smith, Farwell, Lotulelei, Wilkins, etc. Bradford is playing himself into a starting job down the road, IMO.

I think Morgan is semi-safe. He played a lot bigger than his size when he was just 226 and now he's at 241. He's not an ideal LEO by any means- he's just not big enough- but he was an excellent backup linebacker last season and displayed a faint residue of pass rush talent in the Chargers game. I think Morgan's versatility makes him a good bet to make it.

Smith is a quality backup too, but I think he becomes a numbers casualty. Farwell is a really good player, but I think he probably gets the axe in favor of John Lotulelei, who is the definition of a project but has pro-bowl level physical upside.

:twocents:

Would you really rate Irvin that high as an LB? I understand we're considering him as a stand-up end, or move him around the line (not a big difference in our LB/DE role). But we have not even seen him fully in that position yet, dropping much into coverage, etc. I'm not convinced he's "all that" if covering the field or in run-defense. We know he has some rush ability... I'll wait and see, and hope for the best.

I believe Irvin is being designated as an OLB -- meaning he's going to take a roster spot from that pool. Relieving the DL pool of one potential slot there.

One thing that Bradford does possess that is unique is his hitting ability. The fact is, we have a lot of light/fast linebackers in this group. I wouldn't think they'll keep a 4th fast linebacker over their one true thumper. Smith/Morgan/Lotulelei/Irvin are all pretty much the same linebacker (Irvin definitely is bigger however). Bradford offers something those 4 LBs don't. And if, iin fact, our hybrid defense is moving more to the 3-4 side than the 4-3 we ran previously -- then size and toughness are going to matter more than speed. Bradford's physical skills align better in that light than a 220 lb speedster.

I could see the legitimate case made that Bradford makes the squad based on his unique talent. I have a hard time seeing Smith and Morgan both making the team -- especially since Irvin has now created a glut of fast LB prototypes.

He won't take a roster spot for the first 4 games...

 

[Ad Hawk]

I believe Irvin is being designated as an OLB -- meaning he's going to take a roster spot from that pool. Relieving the DL pool of one potential slot there.

I think I get that part; it's Kip's ranking that I'm questioning. We've really never seen Irvin in an OLB role. Is he better in that position than KJ, even if playing the opposite side of the field? Someone can educate me; I'm open to it. I'm just not convinced we have enough information yet.

:229031_shrug:

 

[kearly]

Would you really rate Irvin that high as an LB? I understand we're considering him as a stand-up end, or move him around the line (not a big difference in our LB/DE role). But we have not even seen him fully in that position yet, dropping much into coverage, etc. I'm not convinced he's "all that" if covering the field or in run-defense. We know he has some rush ability... I'll wait and see, and hope for the best.

I don't know anything about Irvin as a LB. But what I do know is that Pete Carroll is moving KJ Wright from an area of strength to an area of weakness just to accommodate Irvin, which to me suggests that Carroll views Irvin as a very important piece of the LB corps, more important that Wright, at least.

Also, Irvin at his current weight has Aaron Curry type measurables, and unlike Curry, actually has quite a bit of pass rush talent. When Carroll first came to Seattle he identified Aaron Curry as the inherited player he was most excited to coach. Carroll bent over backwards during his first 1.5 seasons to put Curry in position to succeed as a pass rusher, you could tell that it was something Pete wanted badly. Curry is a bum, of course, but he had the kind of profile that gets Pete excited. I see Irvin as a continuation of that ultra SAM LB experiment. I don't think Irvin is likely to be another Von Miller, but if he's even a poor man's Von Miller (IMO a reasonable projection) that makes him at least our 2nd best LB. And whether he works out at SAM or not, I do think that Pete probably views Irvin as carrying more value than KJ Wright during this current snapshot in time.

Totally agree with Lotulelei going to PS. Best situation for him IMO.

I agree that Lotulelei isn't quite worth a roster spot just yet, and would benefit from a season on the PS. That said, I'd give him close to a 0% chance of clearing waivers. 31 other NFL teams are going through our garbage right now, and Lotulelei has been hyped to the moon in the media. He's also got very good physical upside, and very few teams are as deep at LB as us. If we want to keep Lotulelei, unfortunately that will almost certainly mean being forced to use a roster spot on him.