Peculiar. Now they bring in a 3-4 guy, which Seattle is in NO position to employ next year. It looks (I'm hoping) like they are just bringing in a slew of people in hopes that someone better will emerge. I'm also beginning to think that we won't see anyone hired as DC until the Giants, Panthers and Titans staffs have been combed over.

We certainly don't have the players to fit a 3-4 schedule.

Who knows what Ruskell thinks or even if he legitimately thinks at all. The gerble may be running on the wheel in his head but it certainly seems not to be going anywhere!

Perhaps if we're looking for a new defensive coordinator should tell our current DC that he's out of a job?

Talk about character in what Ruskell looks for in a player; perhaps he should try to model it in real life.

oops "3-4 defense." not schedule

If what PFT is saying about Mora having full control over the defensive play calling is true then I am not really sure it matters much who gets the job. I would think it would be one of the more inexperience candidates that would be favored in that case.

I don't necessarily see us converting to a 3-4 either, but if Mora's going to take most of the control over the defense then we cannot be completely sure. Such a switch would officially push us into rebuild mode. I thought I knew for certain what Ruskell and Mora had planned, but after reading this latest report... I am not so sure.

So much for the "only Ruskell cronies" are being interviewed theory. Looks some people decided to "ass/u/me" that, even though Marinelli is the only true past associate of Ruskell yet brought in. (Bradley joined Tampa after Ruskell left.)

Yes, it nice to see that Mora does indeed have some say in the process. And not to be confused, Mora call the defensive signals does not make the DC job less important. It actually becomes more important that Mora gets the coach of his choosing. He has to know that whatever play he calls, they are prepared to run. Not unlike the Holmgren / Haskell relationship.

Is even the idea of going to a 3 - 4 defense indicate the #4 draft selection will be a "monster pass rusher?"

With the smaller DE/DT's 'currently on the roster' how in the world would a 3 - 4 defense work?

Nnaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!

Go Hawks!

I just checked the Seahawks home page to see what players were DE and DT's and noticed Patrick Kearny isn't listed now.

Is this a simple omission or has something changed?

Go Hawks

When you look at the team the roster defaults to "active". You can edit it to IR or the PUP list or whatever you want. He's still a Seahawk. lol

Phew almost gave me a heart attack.
He's a favorite :) :)

Bringing in some guy from one of the worst defenses in the league (twice now counting Marinelli) for some pro forma interview doesn't mean didley. Unless you ass/u/me Numbskull has a clue (and he didn't "leave" Tampa, he got fired, and became an "assistant" GM at Atlanta). Me, I don't assume anything. If he brings in someone like Sean McDermott from Philly to interview, then I'll be impressed.

BobbyK, I agree. Sando said in his ESPN NFC West blog that several coaches have been notified they may not be back in the same capacity, if at all, and given permission to look elsewhere for a job. Three of those several are John Marshall, Keith Gilbertson and Dwaine Board.

BobbyK, how do you know if John Marshall has been informed or not?

It seems like a lot of you guys are assuming things just to make Ruskell look bad...

I think it's quite safe to assume that if they are bringing in coaches to interview that changes are coming, and the current staff has been put on notice regardless if we, the fans, have been informed. That said, Sando's information is nearly always spot on. If he reported it, it's so.

Tucker coming in make zero sense. So that fits Ruskell's profile.

nighthawk2 - McDermott would be a great fit, on the surface.

Apparently Greg Knapp has been hired as OC for the Seahawks. Gil Haskell is retiring.

This according to Seattlepi

Apparently Greg Knapp has been hired as OC for the Seahawks. Gil Haskell is retiring.


This according to Seattlepi.com

Disappointing.

Yup, he has.
Not surprising. We all knew it was a comin'. Just not when.

Well, Atl led the league in each of his 3 years there. In fact, as OC his offenses (SF, ATL, OAK) have never finished out of the top 10 in rushing. 8 years, pretty impressive. I'll give him that.

i think i mentioned this under another post - we don't really know much about what knapp can do (an "unknown-unknown") with a pro bowl calibre quarterback. all he's had to work with was coach killer vick and whatever nonsense al davis has going on in chokeland.

however, i did like the idea of now-former bc coach jeff jagodzinski... maybe bill lazor's having to look for a new job, too.

I've said all along that I'm okay with Mora (and Knapp if that were Mora's choice - which we've pretty much known since last off-season). I am willing to give Mora the benefit of the doubt with Knapp.

Now that we know who our OC is going to be, it's time to start analyzing our players and how they fit with what Knapp will want to do (run the ball in his version of the WCO).

If we are going to become a smash mouth running team, then resigning Willis is a must. I firmly believe Willis is one of the better run blocking offensive linemen in the NFL. He's a nasty kick ass run blocker. The exact run blocker an offense like Knapp needs to be successful. In my opinion, resigning him is a MUST. If Ruskell doesn't resign one of his own original draft picks --- lets just say I'll totally lose what little respect I have for him.

If Walt doesn't fully come back - then Lock can play LT and Willis RT. If Walt is fully healthy, then Willis can play RG - with Lock at his RT position (or vice versa depending on what the new coaching staff wants). Either way, there must be an opening for Willis - as he is, by far, our best run blocking offensive lineman (including Walt).

So shoring up a dominant run blocking offensive line is obviously needed --- but so is needing another RB. Lets face it, J.Jones isn't special. He's okay, but that's it. "Okay" players at too many positions stink of mediocrity and I want to win a dang Super Bowl! I don't see a Jones/Forsett RB duo striking fear into opposing defenses (even with dominant offensive line play - which we don't have yet).

I am fine with Branch, Payne, and Burleson at WR for '09. In a Knapp offense, I think those 3 will be fine (although Branch sucks as a run blocker).

I know we have been critical of Marshall not using his defensive players properly --- but now it's time for Timmay! to get Knapp the players he needs to run his system (not that we're about to see a drastic change). I believe many of the pieces are already in place with Hasselbeck, Weaver (& Schmitt at FB), Carlson, and Walt. But now is the time to resign Willis (and Weaver) and add another powerful offensive lineman in FA or the draft. I can only hope we are able to find a trading parter and get in position to add Duke Robinson.

I agree that this bodes well for resigning Willis. I would also be even more surprised if Engram now walks. I like Payne too but Engram is still a better slot receiver than Payne, right now. Going into 2010, I may feel differently. I'll tell you one player that should be very excited, John Carlson. Knapp loves using TEs. Eric Johnson in SF and Clumpler in Atl. I'll look into farther, but I can't think of a dominant RB he's ever had. Unless you include Vick into that, and a case could certainly be made. I don't see them addressing RB this year, for good or ill.

Thanks Duke!! Had me nervous there for awhile! =!)

I think the Hawks would need at least 1, probably 2 new O line players if they really want to stop other teams putting 7 - 8 guys in the box and saying, "Ok, we've got your run game, beat us with your pass!"

Go Hawks