The Running game

[HawkMeat]

Not sure I have seen any posts condemning the pick, but some including myself stated not a huge fan of the pick. That thought is regarding the position, and not the player drafted. The year Lynch had in 2012 the FB was used in 35% of plays, average. Not having a quality FB would be missed for sure, but all of Lynch ' success is not because of the FB either. Lynch is a beast.

This is an interesting article from last year looking at ypc and percentage of FB usage. Brings up interesting conversation. FB usage doesn't equate to Lynch ' success. A dynamic FB is also uncommon.

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks ... s-rushing/


It would be very cool if Smalls develops into awesomeness, even better if Coleman does (for me).

 

[SouthSoundHawk]

How in the hell can you condemn a draft pick before mini camp?

Cuz Mel Kiper said it was ok

+1 to both of these.

 

[ManBunts]

Wow. Of all the fan followings condemning a player for his size, I kinda thought we'd be the last. So he's short? He's 240!! He's shaped like the boulder from Indiana Jones! Imagine you're a linebacker watching Lynch, tracing him to a gap, but right as you square up to hit, this guy pops out from behind Okung and wham! He's too low, stands you up, Lynch dashes by, Bob's your uncle.

I'm not saying it's gonna work out that way, but from a run blocking perspective, he's great. Not easily visible behind the line, so he can't be avoided, low center of gravity, reads gaps well. I'm okay with this guy competing for the team.

 

[JaiSeaSea]

True, he may not even make the 53, but I'm excited for preseason. More so than I have been for awhile. I want to see these guys give it their best shot. I can't f@&king wait. Richardson, Norwood, Small, Jeffcoat... Omg I need some Hawk football.

 

[Goodwin Seahawk]

His job is a relief valve nothing more, you are not putting him out there to be a primary target, he pass blocks as well so splitting Michaels out after an initial line up gives the TE chance to get in the pattern also.

Sorry, I don't see the good pass blocking. He can get manhandled or beaten to the outside due to his lack of power and length. Turbin looks like a better pass blocker to me. Small gets knocked back at the line of scrimmage more times than he knocks the other player back. He's a solid cut blocker; I will give him that. And again, it's a feel good story that someone with such physical limitations could grow into a starting fullback for a major college program. I just don't see him as a successful NFL fullback. I will be surprised if he blocks well.

You don't see the good pass blocking ?

They routinely put him on the edge against DE's and blitzing OLB's with no help at all. He's blocking guys 6" taller than him and in some cases 15 + lbs heavier than him, who have a head start off the edge. And all he does is mirror them and wash them to the outside. Sure he gets beat sometimes, but even elite OT's get beat sometimes.

He'll help the run game, IMO. But what helps the run game even more is Harvin staying healthy and Richardson pulling Safeties off the top of the defense. We won't be seeing a lot of 8 man boxes with Richardson and Harvin on the field.

Not to turn this into a hawknation vs. the world thread but I have to agree with the general consensus here. Height is a non issue considering Small has the muscle and it's much easier to blow a guy up if you get underneath them. From the video I've seen, he looks reliable and wants to hit. There were a handful of times he initially appeared to miss his block but after rewatching, often times the HB failed to follow him into the hole or the QB moved way outside the pocket. He wasn't perfect everytime but he well the majority of the time.

I hope he makes the cut. Sippin' the Kool-Aid... :179422:

 

[EastCoastHawksFan]

after watching those highlights I was impressed , This guy seems like the real deal . I love how good he looks in running game . He really gets in front of the linebacker and shields them off .

As for his size - I don't think his height defines his skillset.

 

[bbsplitter]

It really comes down to that I trust the FO. There is no way, as calculating as they are, that they would "waste" a pick, on anyone. Obviously they are less then optimistic about fullback situation, maybe they don't think Coleman has progressed far enough to fully trust him, or they are looking to put themselves in a situation where they don't have to beg MRob back in the middle of the season. No disrespect to MRob but he isn't getting any younger, and from what I can tell by the tape, Small is much more athletic than Mrob is in this stage of his career. I wouldn't be against MRob coming back mind you, but even if this is simply a pick for higher quality camp competition, knowing last years fullback situation, I fully approve of spending a 7th rounder to do it.

 

[hawknation2014]

Not to turn this into a hawknation vs. the world thread but I have to agree with the general consensus here. Height is a non issue considering Small has the muscle and it's much easier to blow a guy up if you get underneath them. From the video I've seen, he looks reliable and wants to hit. There were a handful of times he initially appeared to miss his block but after rewatching, often times the HB failed to follow him into the hole or the QB moved way outside the pocket. He wasn't perfect everytime but he well the majority of the time.

I hope he makes the cut. Sippin' the Kool-Aid... :179422:

Generally, people don't like to stick their necks out there when they disagree with a decision by the FO.

Overall, the FO did a good job selecting players will a high ceiling to develop into productive players. For whatever reason, this looks like it was a throwaway pick because Small's physical limitations are unlikely to translate well to this level where the defensive players are all bigger, stronger, and faster. I also thought the decision to trade their original 7th Rounder for one year of Pryor was somewhat of a throwaway decision. I think there's a good reason there have not been 5'8 fullbacks in this league. But, of course, I hope he exceeds expectations and turns into a productive player; he could be the shortest fullback in league history.

 

[DavidSeven]

Not sure I have seen any posts condemning the pick, but some including myself stated not a huge fan of the pick. That thought is regarding the position, and not the player drafted. The year Lynch had in 2012 the FB was used in 35% of plays, average. Not having a quality FB would be missed for sure, but all of Lynch ' success is not because of the FB either. Lynch is a beast.

This is an interesting article from last year looking at ypc and percentage of FB usage. Brings up interesting conversation. FB usage doesn't equate to Lynch ' success. A dynamic FB is also uncommon.

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks ... s-rushing/


It would be very cool if Smalls develops into awesomeness, even better if Coleman does (for me).

Talking about positional needs for the 7th round is pointless, unless there are holes you can't fill through UDFA. The 7th round is strictly about getting guys who you don't think you can sign as UDFAs. Oh, you think they should have drafted a safety, OLB/DE, or LB instead? Well, they got three highly touted players at those positions as UDFAs, so what difference does it make?

 

[bbsplitter]

Not sure I have seen any posts condemning the pick, but some including myself stated not a huge fan of the pick. That thought is regarding the position, and not the player drafted. The year Lynch had in 2012 the FB was used in 35% of plays, average. Not having a quality FB would be missed for sure, but all of Lynch ' success is not because of the FB either. Lynch is a beast.

This is an interesting article from last year looking at ypc and percentage of FB usage. Brings up interesting conversation. FB usage doesn't equate to Lynch ' success. A dynamic FB is also uncommon.

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks ... s-rushing/


It would be very cool if Smalls develops into awesomeness, even better if Coleman does (for me).

Talking about positional needs for the 7th round is pointless, unless there are holes you can't fill through UDFA. The 7th round is strictly about getting guys who you don't think you can sign as UDFAs. Oh, you think they should have drafted a safety, OLB/DE, or LB instead? Well, they got three highly touted players at those positions as UDFAs, so what difference does it make?

This.

 

[MastrMeatWad]

Not sure I have seen any posts condemning the pick, but some including myself stated not a huge fan of the pick. That thought is regarding the position, and not the player drafted. The year Lynch had in 2012 the FB was used in 35% of plays, average. Not having a quality FB would be missed for sure, but all of Lynch ' success is not because of the FB either. Lynch is a beast.

This is an interesting article from last year looking at ypc and percentage of FB usage. Brings up interesting conversation. FB usage doesn't equate to Lynch ' success. A dynamic FB is also uncommon.

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks ... s-rushing/


It would be very cool if Smalls develops into awesomeness, even better if Coleman does (for me).

Talking about positional needs for the 7th round is pointless, unless there are holes you can't fill through UDFA. The 7th round is strictly about getting guys who you don't think you can sign as UDFAs. Oh, you think they should have drafted a safety, OLB/DE, or LB instead? Well, they got three highly touted players at those positions as UDFAs, so what difference does it make?

This.

Not this.
To use "it was the 7th round" argument is flawed in my opinion. Plenty of great players and positions to target in late rounds. I agree the player is intriguing, but felt the pick for a FB was meh considering other positions prove more valuable, and could use more competition. Arguing the round is goofy especially with this front office.

The article posted is interesting. Lynch I. 2012 did better without a FB.

 

[sam1313]

The guy broke 26 facemasks in college! How can you not love that? I think he beats out Coleman for the job myself. I was very impressed by the tape. The guy is left one on one with much larger D linemen and rarely gets beat. He also drops the hammer quite often in the run game. I think he will benefit this team, and at least make the practice squad.

Go Hawks!

 

[DavidSeven]

Not sure I have seen any posts condemning the pick, but some including myself stated not a huge fan of the pick. That thought is regarding the position, and not the player drafted. The year Lynch had in 2012 the FB was used in 35% of plays, average. Not having a quality FB would be missed for sure, but all of Lynch ' success is not because of the FB either. Lynch is a beast.

This is an interesting article from last year looking at ypc and percentage of FB usage. Brings up interesting conversation. FB usage doesn't equate to Lynch ' success. A dynamic FB is also uncommon.

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks ... s-rushing/


It would be very cool if Smalls develops into awesomeness, even better if Coleman does (for me).

Talking about positional needs for the 7th round is pointless, unless there are holes you can't fill through UDFA. The 7th round is strictly about getting guys who you don't think you can sign as UDFAs. Oh, you think they should have drafted a safety, OLB/DE, or LB instead? Well, they got three highly touted players at those positions as UDFAs, so what difference does it make?

This.

Not this.
To use "it was the 7th round" argument is flawed in my opinion. Plenty of great players and positions to target in late rounds. I agree the player is intriguing, but felt the pick for a FB was meh considering other positions prove more valuable, and could use more competition. Arguing the round is goofy especially with this front office.

The article posted is interesting. Lynch I. 2012 did better without a FB.

This front office has already spoken at length about choosing players in the 7th round based almost exclusively on what they were planning to do in UDFA and who they expected to be available. Like I said, they picked up several highly touted players at other positions during UDFA.

Please look at the following scenarios, and tell me which is a bigger "waste":

Scenario A: Seattle drafts DE Jackson Jeffcoat in the 7th round. Everyone loves the pick because they "addressed" the LEO position. Keiro Small signs elsewhere in UDFA or is drafted by Baltimore in the 7th.

Scenario B: Seattle drafts Keiro Small & gets Jackson Jeffcoat in UDFA. Everyone starts wringing their hands over taking an FB in the 7th.

In Scenario A, you land one targeted player. In Scenario B, you land two and yet this is the one people cry and moan about. Think about it.

 

[hawknation2014]

Please look at the following scenarios, and tell me which is a bigger "waste":

Scenario A: Seattle drafts DE Jackson Jeffcoat in the 7th round. Everyone loves the pick because they "addressed" the LEO position. Keiro Small signs elsewhere in UDFA or is drafted by Baltimore in the 7th.

Scenario B: Seattle drafts Keiro Small & gets Jackson Jeffcoat in UDFA. Everyone starts wringing their hands over taking an FB in the 7th.

In Scenario A, you land one targeted player. In Scenario B, you land two and yet this is the one people cry and moan about. Think about it.

I proposed a third scenario in another thread: the Seahawks draft a SLB who was likely to sign elsewhere if he hit free agency (i.e. Shayne Skov). Or how about a different fullback prospect with the dimensions to play the position at this level?

 

[DavidSeven]

I proposed a third scenario in another thread: the Seahawks draft a SLB who was likely to sign elsewhere if he hit free agency (i.e. Shayne Skov). Or how about a different fullback prospect with the dimensions the play the position at this level?

Drafting him could have cost you Coyle, who I think is a much better fit for Seattle. If Coyle saw that Seattle took another LB, then he'd much less likely to sign. These guys are strategically deciding where to sign based on depth charts.

That is another benefit of taking a FB in the 7th. You don't scare away any of your UDFA targets.

 

[brimsalabim]

The film linked from his Bama game does not impress. I don't care how tall he is as long as he can move that lb out of the running backs way. Against bama he could not.

 

[HawkWow]

I proposed a third scenario in another thread: the Seahawks draft a SLB who was likely to sign elsewhere if he hit free agency (i.e. Shayne Skov). Or how about a different fullback prospect with the dimensions the play the position at this level?

Drafting him could have cost you Coyle, who I think is a much better fit for Seattle. If Coyle saw that Seattle took another LB, then he'd much less likely to sign. These guys are strategically deciding where to sign based on depth charts.

That is another benefit of taking a FB in the 7th. You don't scare away any of your UDFA targets.

I'd not considered this. Great observation.

 

[brimsalabim]

Your "scenario A" is incomplete. What UDFA's do we sign and how would using the pick on Jeffcoat prevent any other players from signing UDFA anyway?

 

[DavidSeven]

Your "scenario A" is incomplete. What UDFA's do we sign and how would using the pick on Jeffcoat prevent any other players from signing UDFA anyway?

Since SEA obviously wanted more competition at FB, they probably sign a FB in Jeffcoat's place. Schneider confirmed that Keiro was their #1 rated fullback. Assuming he signs elsewhere, they are left with their 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice at the position instead. The alternative is that they do exactly what they did and land their #1 FB AND Jeffcoat.

If you think they shouldn't have even bothered with FB at all in this draft/UDFA, then fine. That's obviously not the direction Seattle is going in. They had an area scout specifically assigned to evaluating every FB prospect in this draft (per JS on Brock & Danny).

And again, if you go down the list of Seattle's UDFA signings, you will see they landed some players that were on a lot of radars. If you draft a Safety, maybe you don't get Bailey. If you draft a different DE, maybe Jeffcoat goes elsewhere. There's strategy involved here, and these transactions don't occur in a vacuum. Last year, Pete and John specifically said they avoided drafting LBs late, so they could better market themselves to UDFA LBs.

 

[chris98251]

I see the arguement abouty Lynch getting more yards with no fullback, but he wasn't getting good yds then either. I think they pulled the FB and added a receiver because the FB position wasn't producing. Good FB play Lynch runs and the clock is controlled like Pete wants. We don't know how healthy Mike Rob really was, but he was even mid season coming back from a serious illness producing better then Coleman and had Lynchs confidence.