Young players
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:13 pm
The upcoming season is something of a crossroads for the Seahawks. They have young talent, and if their young players step up, then the team will remain as a Super Bowl contender that also has a solid young nucleus (which includes players who are not on this list because they're already established starters: Tatupu, Hill, Locklear, Trufant, Josh Brown). If the youngsters don't step up, suddenly we look like a declining, aging team. Here are ten young, unproven players I'd like to see step up this year:
10. Josh Wilson, CB. You never want to rely too heavily on a rookie cornerback, but Wilson will be thrown into the fire in the NFC West, at least as part of dime packages. He should also add to the return game. How well he holds up could make a big difference for this team.
9. Ryan Plackemeier, P. It would be great to see this position finally stabilized. Super Bowl XL taught us what can happen if you dominate on offense and dominate on defense, but have an iffy punting game.
8. Brandon Mebane, DT. His immediate development is actually something of a luxury, as the team has a deep rotation without him. But if Mebane is as good as reports from camp have indicated, and Marcus Tubbs is healthy, then the team will have improved from "workmanlike" to "dominant" at the DT position. Who wouldn't love that? Also, if Mebane emerges, the team might be able to save money they'd otherwise have to pay Rocky Bernard and/or Russell Davis.
7. Ray Willis, RG. There are others fighting for this starting job, but Willis is the one I want to see winning it. As we've learned, an offensive line gets better and better by playing together as a unit for many years. Willis should be here long enough to make that happen.
6. Rob Sims, LG. Feedback from his rookie season was positive; now he has to step up as a top starter. The left side of the line might never be as dominant as it was in 2005 -- come to think of it, no team's left side might ever be that dominant -- but the team still likes to run to the left and should have a steady blocker out in front.
5. Darryl Tapp, DE. Bryce Fisher has done a solid job as a starter for two years, but make no mistake: if Tapp is as good as he's looked in camp and can be an impact player, I'd happily relegate Fisher to backup duty.
4. D.J. Hackett, WR. If Hackett steps up as a starter, everyone else falls into what looks like a solid role: Burleson as a #3, Engram as a #4 possession guy, Obamanu and Taylor as developmental types, Kent for the practice squad.
3. Chris Spencer, C. When he was a first-round pick two years ago, people said he had Pro Bowl talent. Now is the time. He'll be flanked by a couple of guards who are also on this list, so Spencer is going to have to emerge as a leader. Right now.
2. Kelly Jennings, CB. If he emerges as a capable starter, the overhauled secondary is looking pretty good. If he struggles, it will be a huge question mark.
1. Marcus Tubbs, DT. It all starts up front on the defense. A healthy Tubbs, playing up to his potential, will engulf blockers and allow the linebackers to run free. That will have a huge effect on the team's ability to stop big plays.
10. Josh Wilson, CB. You never want to rely too heavily on a rookie cornerback, but Wilson will be thrown into the fire in the NFC West, at least as part of dime packages. He should also add to the return game. How well he holds up could make a big difference for this team.
9. Ryan Plackemeier, P. It would be great to see this position finally stabilized. Super Bowl XL taught us what can happen if you dominate on offense and dominate on defense, but have an iffy punting game.
8. Brandon Mebane, DT. His immediate development is actually something of a luxury, as the team has a deep rotation without him. But if Mebane is as good as reports from camp have indicated, and Marcus Tubbs is healthy, then the team will have improved from "workmanlike" to "dominant" at the DT position. Who wouldn't love that? Also, if Mebane emerges, the team might be able to save money they'd otherwise have to pay Rocky Bernard and/or Russell Davis.
7. Ray Willis, RG. There are others fighting for this starting job, but Willis is the one I want to see winning it. As we've learned, an offensive line gets better and better by playing together as a unit for many years. Willis should be here long enough to make that happen.
6. Rob Sims, LG. Feedback from his rookie season was positive; now he has to step up as a top starter. The left side of the line might never be as dominant as it was in 2005 -- come to think of it, no team's left side might ever be that dominant -- but the team still likes to run to the left and should have a steady blocker out in front.
5. Darryl Tapp, DE. Bryce Fisher has done a solid job as a starter for two years, but make no mistake: if Tapp is as good as he's looked in camp and can be an impact player, I'd happily relegate Fisher to backup duty.
4. D.J. Hackett, WR. If Hackett steps up as a starter, everyone else falls into what looks like a solid role: Burleson as a #3, Engram as a #4 possession guy, Obamanu and Taylor as developmental types, Kent for the practice squad.
3. Chris Spencer, C. When he was a first-round pick two years ago, people said he had Pro Bowl talent. Now is the time. He'll be flanked by a couple of guards who are also on this list, so Spencer is going to have to emerge as a leader. Right now.
2. Kelly Jennings, CB. If he emerges as a capable starter, the overhauled secondary is looking pretty good. If he struggles, it will be a huge question mark.
1. Marcus Tubbs, DT. It all starts up front on the defense. A healthy Tubbs, playing up to his potential, will engulf blockers and allow the linebackers to run free. That will have a huge effect on the team's ability to stop big plays.