Why Hawks think ‘something special’ is happening again

[CanHawksFan]

That graphic really puts it in perspective.

Who is the second best QB in the NFC? Cousins? Stafford? Dak maybe? None of those guys are really scary, and Geno fits in pretty well with that second tier of NFC QBs after Hurts.

 

[Chukarhawk]

Comrades, we seem to be headed on an upward trajectory again. The last 2 drafts have been very solid IMHO. I’ve been following the hawks for many years and it’s been a while since we have had a diverse young group this talented in the building. I think we are still another decent draft away from being absolutely loaded but we are getting close again. I guess I’m a homer but so what-been a homer since 1976. Geno might not get us there, but he could get us there with the right pieces in place. Anyone remember Doug Williams? Yeah lightning could strike again and it’s overdo.

Geno needs a top 5 defense to get us there.

 

[olyfan63]

Geno needs a top 5 defense to get us there.

Just following the 2005 Seahawks example, a dominant, balanced offense along with an average, young, and improving defense can get you to the big game. A 2023 top 5 offense that can move the ball on anyone, along with a middle-of-the-pack, but improving defense could go deep into the playoffs, just depends on matchups.

I like our chances for the 2023 Hawks being able to move the ball and score on any team, like the Holmgren years, with a capable power running game and a passing offense that thrives on play action. JSN and Charbonnet were amazing gets in the draft for this offense, along with the LSU guard and Michigan center. If the Hawks offense gives the D a lead, where opponents need to throw, our DBs and pass-rushers will be creating a lot of turnovers.

 

[LeveeBreak]

...like the Holmgren years, with a capable power running game and a passing offense that thrives on play action...

Agreed. I think our improved OLine and killer backfield will force D's to respect the run. Play actions will become Genos best friend and weapons @ WR will take advantage.

Opposite of the Walsh 49'ers who used the pass to open the running game...in our world, run will open the passing game.

 

[WarHawks]

^One can only hope.

 

[hawkfan68]

That graphic really puts it in perspective.

Who is the second best QB in the NFC? Cousins? Stafford? Dak maybe? None of those guys are really scary, and Geno fits in pretty well with that second tier of NFC QBs after Hurts.

I'm not sold on Hurts being the best QB in the NFC. Hurts was an an afterthought prior to last season. There isn't a clear "best" QB in the NFC. Anyone can be that good or be that bad.

 

[LeveeBreak]

I'm not sold on Hurts being the best QB in the NFC. Hurts was an an afterthought prior to last season. There isn't a clear "best" QB in the NFC. Anyone can be that good or be that bad.

I disagree. Hurts plays really good football.

 

[pmedic920]

thing is, the Hawks and Niners could combine their rosters and that resultant team may not be enough to beat Mahomes in the big game.
AFC has a nice fat batch of qb’s that can go god mode on you, it’s a problem.

Well if that’s our thinking, we need a team that can get past the Eagles before they worry about the AFC in the SB.

I personally don’t think any QBs will be going “God mode” on us, if anyone does it will be a RB.

IMO/ymmv

 

[themunn]

The whole "you need a superstar QB to win the SB" line is vastly overstated. Several times it has been won by journeymen guys - Trent Dilfer anybody? And there have been several "super QBs" who got beat. Hell, Elway was the "best QB" in the league and got curb-stomped 4 times in the big game. How about Jim Kelly?

Realistically, the best bet is to build a great TEAM, with a smart QB that has accuracy, elusiveness, and a touch of luck. That will win a lot of games, and hopefully a SB or two along the way.

It's not really vastly overstated though is it? Dilfer was over 20 years ago and all it took was the team having a defense considered one of if not THE greatest defense of all time (and a top-tier running back who later managed a 2000 yard season, one of 8, and the 4 who all did it before him made the HoF).

Apart from that, the only teams to have won a superbowl with a QB who is not likely to make the HoF are the Ravens with Flacco (who had one of the best single-season post-seasons from a QB ever that year), Eagles with Wentz/Foles (a former #2 overall pick and a guy who has an inimitable ability to be amazing for just a few games every year), and Matt Stafford (a former #1 overall pick).

So while it's possible to do it with a HoF QB, 80% of the time you need a HoF QB, the rest of the time you need a HoF rest of team.

 

[hawkfan68]

I disagree. Hurts plays really good football.

His stats were very average at best prior to last season - https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HurtJa00.htm.
The Eagles acquired AJ Brown last offseason. Then Hurts numbers popped up. This is the AJ Brown effect.

 

[scutterhawk]

With a good enough supporting cast the QB (Geno) doesn’t have to be top 10 caliber.
We just need him to play well/smart and protect the turnover ratio.

Those that claim Geno can’t get us there are correct if it was him we were counting on but we’re not, we’re counting on the supporting cast.

IMHO/YMMV

Yep, neither Geno, nor ANY OTHER Quarterback by themselves are capable of taking ANY team "THERE" without having "The Supporting Cast" there to help make those connections, it's a TEAM sport.

 

[LeveeBreak]

His stats were very average at best prior to last season - https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HurtJa00.htm.
The Eagles acquired AJ Brown last offseason. Then Hurts numbers popped up. This is the AJ Brown effect.

Last I checked, AJ does not QB the Eagles. Is he an added weapon, sure. Just like all other WR1. I watched many Eagle games last year and can confirm he is a very good QB.

 

[hawkfan68]

Last I checked, AJ does not QB the Eagles. Is he an added weapon, sure. Just like all other WR1. I watched many Eagle games last year and can confirm he is a very good QB.

No Brown is not a QB. That doesn't mean that a great WR can't help their QB. Which he did. Brown also helped Tannehill look better when Brown was with the Titans. Rodgers looked worse without Davante Adams as an example.
I'm not debating that Hurts isn't good. He is. I just don't believe he's the best QB in the NFC.

 

[LeveeBreak]

No Brown is not a QB. That doesn't mean that a great WR can't help their QB. Which he did. Brown also helped Tannehill look better when Brown was with the Titans. Rodgers looked worse without Davante Adams as an example. I'm not debating that Hurts isn't good. He is. I just don't believe he's the best QB in the NFC.

Fair enough.

 

[WarHawks]

It's not really vastly overstated though is it? Dilfer was over 20 years ago and all it took was the team having a defense considered one of if not THE greatest defense of all time (and a top-tier running back who later managed a 2000 yard season, one of 8, and the 4 who all did it before him made the HoF).

Apart from that, the only teams to have won a superbowl with a QB who is not likely to make the HoF are the Ravens with Flacco (who had one of the best single-season post-seasons from a QB ever that year), Eagles with Wentz/Foles (a former #2 overall pick and a guy who has an inimitable ability to be amazing for just a few games every year), and Matt Stafford (a former #1 overall pick).

So while it's possible to do it with a HoF QB, 80% of the time you need a HoF QB, the rest of the time you need a HoF rest of team.

Bingo.

 

[Year of The Hawk]

It's not really vastly overstated though is it? Dilfer was over 20 years ago and all it took was the team having a defense considered one of if not THE greatest defense of all time (and a top-tier running back who later managed a 2000 yard season, one of 8, and the 4 who all did it before him made the HoF).

Apart from that, the only teams to have won a superbowl with a QB who is not likely to make the HoF are the Ravens with Flacco (who had one of the best single-season post-seasons from a QB ever that year), Eagles with Wentz/Foles (a former #2 overall pick and a guy who has an inimitable ability to be amazing for just a few games every year), and Matt Stafford (a former #1 overall pick).

So while it's possible to do it with a HoF QB, 80% of the time you need a HoF QB, the rest of the time you need a HoF rest of team.

Not sure where a player is drafted makes any difference if they are any good or not??? 80% sound like a made up number as well. Here is the last 20 years of Super Bowl winning QB’s. I have highlighted in red the HOF (or at least a reasonable potential).
You can make up any reason you want to show that those who did win without a HOF QB did so but the fact remains a HOF QB is not a requirement to win it all. Brady does dominate this list so that really skews things IMHO.

Super Bowl 37. Brad Johnson (Dexter Jackson), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 38. Tom Brady (MVP), 3 TDs
Super Bowl 39. Tom Brady, 2 TDs
Super Bowl 40. Ben Roethlisberger, 0 TDs * (we know the truth here)
Super Bowl 41. Peyton Manning (MVP), 1 TD
Super Bowl 42. Eli Manning (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 43: Ben Roethlisberger, 1 TD
Super Bowl 44: Drew Brees (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 45: Aaron Rogers (MVP), 3TDs
Super Bowl 46: Eli Manning (MVP), 1 TD
Super Bowl 47: Joe Flacco (MVP), 3TDs
Super Bowl 48: Russell Wilson, 2TDs
Super Bowl 49: Tom Brady (MVP), 4TDs
Super Bowl 50: Peyton Manning, 0TDs
Super Bowl 51: Tom Brady (MVP), 2TDs
Super Bowl 52: Nick Foles (MVP), 3 TDs
Super Bowl 53: Tom Brady, 0TDs
Super Bowl 54: Patrick Mahomes (MVP), 2 TDs
Super Bowl 55: Tom Brady (MVP), 3 TDs
Super Bowl 56: Matthew Stafford, 3 TDs
Super Bowl 57: Patrick Mahomes (MVP), 3 TDs

 

[Okieseahawk]

Geno needs a top 5 defense to get us there.

Top 10 defense might do it. I’m starting to really like what we have done to address the holes. Of course the off-season is when optimism abounds. If we start giving up chunks of Josh Jacobs type runs again it will be different. This defense made my blood pressure boil and occasionally throw shite at the TV. The run has to stopped first and foremost for everyone’s sanity. Still don’t believe Carter at 5 would help solve it.