Walking in the Shoes of the Seahawks Brass
By Rob Shumate
Mar 24, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA: Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider stands at the top of a staircase during the NFL Annual Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
How would it be to play the part of the Seahawks GM for a day? We will never know…and thats a good thing. But it would be fun to play around with it. Analyzing depth charts. Watching hours of game film starring up and coming players. Rolling the dice on a future player. What wouldn’t be fun is trying to negotiate contracts for star players that are going to command a lot…nay, astronomical salaries. This is why both Pete and John get paid the big bucks.
The Seahawks find themself in an enviable position. Yes, I am talking about that same position that finds them losing several starters and holding onto their money like a miser. But for all of the things that have been seen as a negative they also have been able to retain the services of Pete Carroll for a few additional years. They were able to re-sign Michael Bennett, hold on to Doug Baldwin and corral the services of Steven Hauschka (never underestimate the power of the ‘Hausch’). Additionally they have been able to bring in few players from the rosters of other teams, like the 6-5, 220 pound Chris Matthews, from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Yep. You heard me correctly. Nothing excites me more than a player I have never heard of that has been tagged by Schneider a potential star.
So what does Seattle need to do next? Tough question with about a million and one different opinions. There really isn’t much that can be done at this moment in time apart from player research.
As for the upcoming draft Seattle has two major needs along with a few minor ones. We absolutely need two offensive lineman that can compete for a starting job. As we saw last year our offensive line was serviceable but not noteworthy. And of our ‘serviceable’ four linemen we have lost two. The Seahawks have to protect Wilson, and part of that will have to come through the draft. Thank goodness this year’s draft is replete with offensive lineman that can start and make a difference. Our other major need is securing a big and fast wide receiver, with an emphasis on ‘big’.
We have quality wide receivers but most of them are of the shorter variety. I will be honest, I love Golden Tate, his big play ability, his timely catches, his ability to high point the ball, his swagger…but he is another one of our mid-sized receivers. To see him go hurts, but I also feel that he can be replaced with a different body type, one that brings a uniqueness to our receiving corps. Where do we find this guy? In the draft. Thank goodness this year’s draft is replete with big and fast wide receivers (I think I have read a similar sentiment somewhere recently).
Granted, the re-signing of Sidney Rice does potentially change the equation for the Seahawks, but given his history of injuries, it may still be wise to draft a tall receiver.
And don’t forget we have a few players from last year’s draft that haven’t made much of an impact yet. They were drafted with a redshirt sort of mentality, told to get healthy and work on their skill set, and see what you can do next year. Well, this is next year and it’s time to get acquainted with Jordan Hill (four games), Jesse Williams, Tharold Simon, Spencer Ware (two games) and Jared Smith.
Who will Schneider take this year? Goodness only knows…but that is what makes it exciting. I honestly can’t wait for May 10th, deep into round 7, when I can say to my television, “Who the heck is that?”…because that means our front office brass has done their due diligence and the 12’s get to start a whole new love affair with more unknown players. Go Hawks!