Bruce Irvin excelling as pass rush specialist

Seattle Seahawks 1st-round pick Bruce Irvin recorded his first career sack on Sunday against the Cowboys and is developing into an asset as a pass rush specialist.

Through two games Irvin has been used as a pass rusher on 53 of his 64 snaps (82.8%).

While Irvin has done a nice job in this role (he’s recorded a sack, hit or pressure on 9.1% of his pass rush plays), their use of him in this role begs the question: is it worth drafting a pass-rush specialist in the 1st round?

No matter how well Irvin performs in this role, the fact remains he’s a part-time player. He certainly hasn’t looked like a bust, but until he develops into a a true three-down lineman it will be hard to give the Seahawks a strong grade for their selection.

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Rookie Notes, Seahawks 1 Comment

Bruce Irvin

Robert Turbin may start opener

Seattle Seahawks rookie Robert Turbin may be forced into a starting role for his NFL debut as Marshawn Lynch is reportedly questionable for their opener against the Cardinals.

Turbin may start on Sunday

The Seahawks also have Leon Washington and Kregg Lumpkin on the roster, but Tubrin would be the best fit in terms of replacing Lynch. He’s a physical runner with a similar build to Lynch and should be able to step in fairly seamlessly - at least for one game.

This could prove to be a critical division showdown, so it will be disappointing if Lynch is out, but it could also be a great opportunity to give Turbin some valuable playing time early in the season.

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Rookie Notes, Seahawks 2 Comments

Robert Turbin

Bobby Wagner set to start for Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks 2nd-round pick Bobby Wagner is expected to take over the starting role at middle linebacker. He had been in a close competition with veteran Barrett Ruud, but the Seahawks dealt Ruud to New Orleans on Tuesday. Wagner’s backup will be veterans Heath Farwell and/or Matt McCoy.

Wagner was a four-year starter at Utah State and a team captain during his junior and senior years. Pete Carroll has reportedly been impressed with his work ethic and it sounds as though he’s at the beginning of a promising career in Seattle.

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Rookie Notes, Seahawks 1 Comment

Bobby Wagner

Russell Wilson favorite to win job in Seattle?

Seattle Seahawks 3rd-round pick Russell Wilson has been named the starter of their third preseason game. Typically this game is reserved for the starting quarterback to see significant playing time, but the Seahawks will be giving it to Wilson to make his first start. Matt Flynn started Seattle’s first two games.

So does this make Wilson the favorite to start the regular season?

Not necessarily. Pete Carroll hasn’t handled this quarterback competition by the books, so it’s possible he just wants to give Wilson a shot with the first-team offense. Through the first two weeks Carrall had been giving one day of first-team reps to Tarvaris Jackson and the rest to Flynn. However, Jackson has yet to appear in a preseason game.

Everything about this competition has been strange, so it’s tough to assume anything at this point. Despite Wilson getting the call this weekend, it could very well still be Flynn’s job to lose.

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Rookie Notes, Seahawks Leave a comment

Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson still a long shot to win starting job

The Seattle Seahawks have a heated quarterback battle on their hands. But, despite many reports to the contrary, Russell Wilson doesn’t appear to be a part of it.

According to Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times, Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson continue to share the majority of the first-team reps in practice. Meanwhile, Wilson continues to work with the second team, and isn’t expected to receive any playing time until the 2nd half of the Seahawks next preseason game.

Pete Carroll insists he is considering all three of his quarterbacks, but evidence points to the contrary. Even if Carroll handed the job to Wilson effective immediately, he would only have three weeks to work with the first unit. That’s not a realistic timetable for a rookie quarterback.

It won’t come as a surprise if Wilson starts at some point this season, but it doesn’t appear as though he’s a realistic option for opening weekend.

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Seahawks Leave a comment

Russell Wilson

Bobby Wagner in mix to start for Seahawks

The Seahawks Seahawks took a lot of heat for the 1st-round selection, but they may have hit a home run with Bobby Wagner in the 2nd round.

Wagner is expected to compete with free agent acquisition Barrett Ruud and journeyman Matt McCoy for the starting job at inside linebacker, according to the Seattle Times.

Inside linebacker can be a difficult position for a rookie, as it is often treated as the quarterback off the defense. But should Wagner win the job, second-year strong-side linebacker K.J. Wright is expected to take over the defensive calls.

With that pressure off of Wagner, he just may be the favorite for the job. Ruud is coming off a year in which he ranked 47th out of 50 qualifying inside linebackers on Pro Football Focus, and McCoy has started just three games in the league since 2006.

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Seahawks Leave a comment

Bobby Wagner

Draft Grades: Seattle Seahawks

For the second consecutive year, the Seattle Seahawks whiffed in the 1st round and demonstrated a complete lack of understanding as to how to effectively use the draft to rebuild a franchise. While the Seahawks have some talent, they’re headed in the wrong direction.

I thought the selection of James Carpenter was bad last year, but Bruce Irvin may be worse. Not only was Irvin a fringe 1st-round prospect at best, but he’s a developmental prospect with serious character concerns. If the Seahawks wanted to gamble they should have selected Janoris Jenkins, who is at least NFL-ready in terms of his talent. Irvin will be effective as a situational pass rusher, but that’s not the type of player you target with the 15th selection.

Bobby Wagner was a nice 2nd-round value. He’ll likely back up Barrett Ruud in 2012 with a chance to take over the starting job in the future.

I like Russell Wilson a lot, but I’m not sure the 3rd round was the right place for the Seahawks to select him. He has all the tools necessary to have a long career as a backup, but his upside is somewhat limited. Considering the just signed Matt Flynn, the move is even more questionable.

I love the selection of Robert Turbin. His health is a concern, but if he can stay on the field he can push Marshawn Lynch for carries. In the 4th round he was a safe gamble.

Jaye Howard adds some depth to the defensive line, but was a reach in the 4th round. He’ll compete for a backup job and should make the final roster cuts.

Korey Toomer is a decent developmental prospect, but he’ll have plenty of competition at linebacker in Seattle. He definitely does not have a guaranteed roster spot.

Jeremy Lane is a nice developmental prospect. The Seahawks needed to add depth to the secondary and he had value in the 6th round.

I like the selection of Winston Guy. He’ll probably never develop into a starter, but he’ll back up Kam Chancellor at strong safety and immediately make a difference on special teams.

J.R. Sweezy played defensive tackle at N.C. State but will be converted to guard in Seattle. It’s tough to judge a player switching positions, but in the 7th round there’s no risk involved.

Greg Scruggs will compete with Jaye Howard and others for a backup job, but it’s tough to imagine both rookies surviving the final roster cuts.

Just like last year, the Seahawks whiffed in the 1st round but rebounded with some solid mid and late-round picks. They continue to add depth, but they won’t turn things around until the start to find the elite prospects in the early rounds.

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Ryan McCrystal in Draft Grades - 2012, Seahawks Leave a comment