Welp, we're paying Walker

[Aircrew]

Up early and I just rewatched the highlights and there's no doubt K9 is getting a bag. I heard someone in the media recently talking about how these playoffs were going to be huge for Ken's future in Seattle and boy oh boy did he answer that call. I hope this is the version of him we get from now on and with as well as the O line is coming together I think it will be.

 

[Sprfunk]

 

[Sprfunk]

 

[Sprfunk]

Amazing runner, amazing game!

 

[Trackhawk]

He has a chance to really build that bag if Charbs is unable to make it back. No more letting Charbs finish his drives

 

[Smellyman]

could just tag him too, if he hits FA somebody will overpay and the Hawks shouldn't overpay

 

[Ruminator]

Not to take anything away from K9, but there were times when I saw linemen and other positions working like absolute dogs, toiling and grinding away and enduring plenty of abuse in the process, to block, redirect, and open up lanes. These guys were as key as any in the domination of the 49ers.

 

[Rat]

Tagging him makes sense if we can't get good value on like a three year deal. It's not a huge number for a RB, and then we're not locked in long term if he's not able to stay healthy.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

It got mentioned on here before but the difference since firing the rb coach is huge.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

It got mentioned on here before but the difference since firing the rb coach is huge.

That does seem odd.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

That does seem odd.

They said initially he left for personal reasons but hawkblogger said last night he was fired as MM wasn't happy with some of the stuff being done

 

[DTiempo81]

That does seem odd.

I think it is a coincidence. I think it just happened to occur at the same time as defenses started to adjust to Seattle's heavy look passing offense.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

I think it is a coincidence. I think it just happened to occur at the same time as defenses started to adjust to Seattle's heavy look passing offense.

Ehh, that happened earlier in the season. Walker's explosion has just been the last four games.

You could say, though, that the last four games have been weak defenses in general.

 

[Sperrydogg]

Up early and I just rewatched the highlights and there's no doubt K9 is getting a bag. I heard someone in the media recently talking about how these playoffs were going to be huge for Ken's future in Seattle and boy oh boy did he answer that call. I hope this is the version of him we get from now on and with as well as the O line is coming together I think it will be.

Honestly if he stays healthy I expect him to keep getting better

 

[DTiempo81]

Ehh, that happened earlier in the season. Walker's explosion has just been the last four games.

The running game in general has really stepped up, not just Walker alone.

You could say, though, that the last four games have been weak defenses in general.

Since week 4, Hawks have really kicked up the rushing yards with only 3 games under 100 yards at that point. Texans, Rams x 2*, Vikings, Falcons, Carolina, etc, all of them have good to great run defenses

 

[MontanaHawk05]

The running game in general has really stepped up, not just Walker alone.



Since week 4, Hawks have really kicked up the rushing yards with only 3 games under 100 yards at that point. Texans, Rams x 2*, Vikings, Falcons, Carolina, etc, all of them have good to great run defenses

You're cherry-picking pretty hard to arrive at that conclusion. They had multiple sub-100 games after Week 4 as well, and TOTAL rushing yards aren't as good a metric anyway, as they include QB scrambles, one-off end-arounds, etc..

I will say that the Rams have a better run defense than I thought season DVOA-wise, but they definitely forgot how to tackle during our last game. The Panthers and 49ers definitely do not have a "good to great" run defense. The 49ers have no defense at all, LOL.

 

[DTiempo81]

You're cherry-picking pretty hard to arrive at that conclusion. They had multiple sub-100 games after Week 4 as well, and TOTAL rushing yards aren't as good a metric anyway, as they include QB scrambles, one-off end-arounds, etc..

I called out the 3 games that they didn't have 100 yards rushing. Sam Darnold hasn't scrambled much this year, and all of those games that they cleared 100 yards, they would have without Darnold's rushing stats if my math is correct. I am just pointing out that the run game has performed much better than people think as a whole, and the only thing that has stopped the team from having a good amount of games with solo 100 yard rushers is the splits they have been giving the backs this year.

I will say that the Rams have a better run defense than I thought season DVOA-wise, but they definitely forgot how to tackle during our last game. The Panthers and 49ers definitely do not have a "good to great" run defense. The 49ers have no defense at all, LOL.

I didn't mention the 49ers. Panthers finished middle of the pack in yards per game, which I would consider good. Maybe you have a different definition.

Either way, back to the original point, I don't think any of this has to do with Ken Polamalu leaving, and is more about how defense adjusted to the Hawks passing game over time. That was always the gambit the Hawks were trying to run from day one. It's just teams didn't respect the passing game for the first handful of weeks, so they took advantage of it.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Middle of the pack is not "good".

I'm using DVOA.

And again...the adjustment by opponents started way earlier than Week 15, around the first Rams game.

 

[Polk738]

This may be a hot take but I don't think they pay Walker, not because I don't think he deserves it but mostly because from what I have seen this season the offensive scheme isn't really built around a single back carrying the run game, it's always been Charbs and Walker together to limit the wear and tear, yes it worked last night but that was a one off. I just don't see the team paying Walker just to continue to split carries with Charbs throughout the season.

 

[DTiempo81]

Middle of the pack is not "good".

What is the scale for good in your opinion?

I'm using DVOA.

DVOA has it's drawbacks, but it is a decent measure.

And again...the adjustment by opponents started way earlier than Week 15, around the first Rams game.

That was my point?