Word is the Seahawks have already talked to him (from Doug Farrar, Seattlite Football Outsiders writer). The DT's just checked in today. Tim Ruskell is a big believer in the Auburn football program, see Obamanu-Taylor-Herring. The real question is where is Sims going to go? Late first probably. If he tests well, maybe before the Hawks pick. He did leave the team at one point for personal issues, so that is something he probably needed to clarify.
UPDATE-- Sims was measured in at 6'1'', 310 lbs
I am hoping to have a comprehensive list of who the Hawks have interviewed by tonight. For those of you who don't know, each team is allowed to interview 30 players. Each interview lasts 15 minutes. Last night was the first big night of interveiws, so who talked to who should be leaking out this afternoon. We'll see. There was word the Seahawks talked to several TE's already as well, Stevens and Carlson for sure. They also have interviewed Anthony Collins, a tackle from Kansas.
I'd have to say that Pat Sims could be a Seahawk. This is the scenario that would lead to him getting drafted by the Hawks: Mendenhall and Stewart are both selected before pick 25, the top TE's have a bad showing at the combine (which just happenned) which leads the Hawks to get a TE in round 2, and look for a RB in round 3. Their draft could go something like: Pat Sims, Davis/Keller/Carlson, Choice/Forte.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they could even then draft a guy like Heath Benedict in the 4th, he went to a no-name division II school so he hasn't generated the hype that a guy of his similar atributes would have had he gone to a division I school. The guy is a total mauler in run blocking, and he can run so he could get out in space. The guy just looks great, here is a link to his draft dog player profile: http://www.nfldraftdog.com/2008_NFL_Draft/heath_benedict.htm
Sorry, forgot one thing, if we had Pat Sims, Mebane, and Tubbs stayed healthy, other teams would have like 75 yds rushing on us a game.
ReplyDeleteBut I am also still secretly hoping that we draft the above mentioned player, Benedict.
-Griffin
I think a good DT would be great but I think we need it improve our RB, TE, and OL positions before getting another DT.
ReplyDeleteWho knows? Maybe an OT.
ReplyDelete"The 2008 offensive tackle class was characterized by Pittsburgh Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert as the "best group I've seen in 24 years." Rob Rang, Scout.com.
Best bet is to pick best player available.
Major Hit
Pat Sims, Davis/Keller/Carlson, Choice/Forte, Benedict would be a draft I'd be very happy with.
ReplyDeleteI'd add Cottam in the TE mix, too. He's the biggest guy there, as fast as the others, and has decent hands and can block, by most accounts.
I really liked Craig Stevens out of the TE group at the combine today
ReplyDeleteI want Roy Schuening in the 3rd round if he's available even though "he's just a guard."
ReplyDeleteTwo problems,
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Stevens looked good today, but what I've heard is that while in games, he didn't produce. His lack of production was not due to not playing either, he just wouldn't get open, or wouldn't catch it.
As to guard Roy Schuening, I like him, but if we use our 3rd on him, that means we have to wait until the 4th to draft a RB. Do you really want to wait that long? As to the Guard position, I think they will let Solari evaluate what they have already. If he says one of Sims/Wrotto/Willis can play, then they won't draft a Guard until at least the 4th, and then only if Benedict :) is around. I don't actually know if they like Benedict, but I do, and so I hope he turns out to be a good player...FOR THE HAWKS. But once again, another question I think they will let Solari decide.
-Griffin
In a perfect world, we trade out of the first round and get a pick relatively early in the second round and an additional third round pick...
ReplyDelete2 Pat Sims, DT
2 John Carlson, TE
3 Roy Schuening, OG
3 Best available RB
4 Owen Schmitt, FB
I still think Timmy is going to use free agency to take a position that is currently a weakness and turn it into a strength (one less need going into the draft). Perhaps signing Alge (possibly) for TE, Micheal Turner (doubtful) for RB, etc.
If we can do something positive with Trufant (trade him for something of value or sign him to a long term and more cap friendly contract) and use FA to go into the draft with a relatively solid overall team...
I wonder if Timmy would consider trading some picks in this draft for extras next season? That way a rookie wouldn't have one coach this year and then another next year... the guys coming in next year would only be Mora players and many times that easier for a player/coach no matter how many people talk about a "seemless transition." Whenever Timmy uses the word "transition" I start to worry.
I know it's a hit now, but so is signing aging players like Crumpler with respect to the cap in future years.
We could easily trade our #2 this year to some team for a #2 in '09 AND a #2 in '10. Remember, our pick is late in the second round. In this scenario it would be great for the future of the franchise, while signing a Crumpler now isn't great for the long term benefit of the team. Basically, we could do both in this scenario... improve for '08 AND get healthier in future drafts with youth and players who cost less.
It would be good for Holmgren in '08 and it would be good for the new regime that takes over in '09.
Any thoughts?
bobbyk
I have an idea that I find quite interesting, if we lose Hackett, I would not be surprised to see a 6'2"+ reciever with speed get drafted by the Hawks in round 5 or 6. Maybe a Marques Colston type (I know you can't just make a player super great, but there are a lot of big, physical recievers who are not slated to be drafted until the later rounds, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Hawks pick one up.) Although, I would also imagine that the Hawks would want some Defensive role players to fill the spots vacated by our defensive FA's that we are not going to resign.
ReplyDelete-Griffin
I like the idea of leaving the 1st round, but only if no one we want (who has 1st round talent) is there. I would expect us to try and get Mendenhall or Stewart if either is available, if not then a nice DT like Pat Sims, and if he isn't there either, maybe an OL, but maybe we trade down. I don't think ANY of the TE are worth our 25th pick. The only problem with this scenario is we want to get better NOW because we want to send Holmgren out with a new SB ring.
ReplyDeleteHey Bobby,
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention, that the idea of trading our picks for future picks has another possible flaw, many people believe we have a small window of going to the SB, if not this year, then quite possibly next year. So we would want our players to contribute, if not immediately, definitely by next season.
-Griffin
I really don't think the Hawks will consider WRs... I know the guys we have are unproven, but there's some talent although I kind of cringe at the thought of Burleson possibly being a "number one" receiver.
ReplyDeleteBurleson (solid)
Engram (reliable)
The Jedi Knight (should be ready to contribute in '08)
Payne (I really think he can/will develop into a poor mans Jurevicius)
Taylor (has potential to be good, I think he can/will contribute in '08)
Kent (the coaches like this rookie too)
Taylor is 6'1, Payne 6'2, and Kent 6'4 so there's some guys with size waiting in the wings to go with our undersized midgets in Engram and teeny-tiny Branch.
This is already a very young position (minus Engram).
Griffin,
ReplyDeleteThat's why I was thinking about signing a stop gap guy like Crumpler. He will help us in this window of opportunity we have. He will be much better at TE for '08 or '09 than any rookie we will draft this year. Good things cost money though but if we want to win, sometimes you've got to bite the bullet.
The trading a second this year for a few seconds in the following two drafts just helps ensure that we're really not selling out for one last run in '08/'09.
I think Matt has 5 good years left so I don't totally buy the future is this year or next year and then it's time to revamp. I'd like to also have long term success.
We've got some guys with plenty of years ahead of them like Lofa, Jennings, Spencer, Lock, all of our WRs (minus Engram), Hill, Mebane, etc.
to anonymous,
ReplyDeleteBut that is not why our 'window' is small. Matt is getting older, which won't be a problem is Walter Jones is protecting him, but he won't be around forever; in the last two years he has had 2 shoulder surgeries, which would lead me to believe that he's got 2-3 years left, at least at his high level of play. His high level of play is what leads to Matt having time to operate, and consequently having his high level of play.
Also, as to Crumpler, I agree with you that he would be more likely to produce than anybody we draft, but I would still expect us to draft a TE even if we get Crumpler, because this year's crop is so good.
As to our recievers in the wings, I knew we had those guys, but I didn't know they were tall. That is interesting, but I still wouldn't be surprised to see them draft a tall guy with a big frame to go with those inches. I don't believe any of our guys have large frames.
-Griffin
i think that branden albert would be a good choice at the 25th pick he's a hutch type player and they say he can play tackle as well.then go tight end in the second round
ReplyDeleteAlso, one thing about Kent, he is more of a project guy because he has, in his entire life, only played two years of college ball. He is a great physical specimen, but he doesn't know football yet. Which is why Obamanu, Payne, and Taylor are on the roster and he isn't.
ReplyDeleteGriffin
If we get a OL in round 1 he would have to be a tackle, not a guard. And the liklihood of the Hawks drafting either, I think, is low in the 1st round. We have other needs, and we would be better off trading our 1st round this year to some team for their 1st round pick next year, if we want a guard; his name is Duke Robinson, and many think he is the best guard prospect since Hutchinson.
ReplyDelete-Griffin
It would both sicken and sadden me if we didn't go after a RB that was ready to play from day 1. I'm sorry to those I offend but I'm not the slightest bit confident in number 37. YeeHawks
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about the RB, but if all of the 1st RD talent is gone by our 25th pick, would you be happy with them if they totally reached? I think we can get a great RB in the 1st, but if not, then wait until the 3rd. We wouldn't be getting choped liver either, there just aren't many, 2nd rd RB talents out there. I can only think of two, and they are Felix Jones, and Chris Johnson. Neither of them are a type of back we need, they are quite comparable to Maurice Morris. In the 3rd we could get a guy like Kevin Smith, Ray Rice, etc.
ReplyDelete-Griffin
I was watching the TE work out at the combine. I must say, I was not impressed by Fred Davis, at all. Hope we go for anyone other than him.
ReplyDeleteYou know who put in a great days work at the combine, Dustin Keller, a TE out of Purdue. He ran a 4.56 forty, caught a lot of balls, and looked really tough. He caught the ball with his hands, not his body, and looked like a massive recieving TE. I don't know if he can block, but I know he can catch, and that he can run. He was also productive in college. I share your sentiments of Davis, he didn't look good, but I still think he will do well in the nfl. The guy is a gamer, which is more important than how you do in drills, but that doesn't make him worthy of OUR 1st round pick.
ReplyDelete-Griffin
Cottam sucks people. Dont just look at a TE for his size.
ReplyDeleteCheck his College Stats.
Who cares if he did good in the senior bowl. Its one game......
I'm not all that familiar with Dustin Keller so I did some searching. He seems like a Ruskell guy too. One of my main concerns is also getting a TE that can block. Here's a good article on him AND HE CAN BLOCK!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071224/SPORTS0203/712240374/1133
bobbyk03
Man.........did you see the Holmgren's interview on NFL network?
ReplyDeleteI sure am going to miss that guy after he retires.
Just for the record....Jim Mora is a huge step backwrd. Are you kidding me, Jim Mora to replace the great Mike Holmgren???????
I don't know about you guys, but the suspense is killing me. It is really still over 60 days till the draft. Ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteAny coach, short of a cheater (bill belichick), a retired general (Bill Parcells), a semi-retired enemy (Bill Cower), is going to pale in comparison to the Mighty Holmgren!
ReplyDeleteWhat's up with all the Bill's?
I liked Cottam from the combine. He's big and has great speed. From what I heard, he can also play in-line which should indicate his ability to block.
ReplyDelete