Russell Okung

[Cave_Johnson]

The losses of Sweezy and Okung are very worrisome. They absolutely need to hit on at least one high round O-line pick now, and I just don't know if they can do it given past history. As some have said O-line issues killed this team in the first half of the season. Home field in the playoffs is HUGE for this team and if bad early season play costs them the division again the Hawks are going to be in a non-ideal situation come December.

 

[LongtimeRamsFan42]

As a Rams fan I HATED having to go against Okung twice a year, year after year...But knowing your orgainzation over the past decade or so, you have someone just as good, if not better ready to plug in his place...

 

[RegentDenali]

Am I the only one whose getting the vibe that the Seahawks had already decided to move on from Okung and didn't really offer him anything that wouldn't of been easily beat by some team like Detroit or Denver?

Let another team grossly overpay for his injury prone services who are desperately trying to plug holes. That's not the Seahawks M.O.. That's not how we built a SB team. Considering how this played out, it now appears the Seahawks didn't present him with any serious offer.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Am I the only one whose getting the vibe that the Seahawks had already decided to move on from Okung and didn't really offer him anything that wouldn't of been easily beat by some team like Detroit or Denver?

Let another team grossly overpay for his injury prone services who are desperately trying to plug holes. That's not the Seahawks M.O.. That's not how we built a SB team. Considering how this played out, it now appears the Seahawks didn't present him with any serious offer.

Yes it appears that they didn't actually want him back. I'm sure they have a plan, but I got a bad feeling I'm not going to like the "plan".

 

[Screamin12th]

Okung was declining people and fast, the injuries have taken a huge toll on his body. The snap count they used to help Okung was a timing thing and would account to all his false starts. They had to do that because he is to slow with his first step and is slow to react to a faked outside rush turned inside. This put a ton of pressure on the guard that played beside him. Okungs level of play last season was poor and don't let all these people saying he is a great LT fool you. They do not see him as much as we do, they just look at who he once was and of course he looked great on this oline. When you pair him with the talent around him it's akin to a girl surrounding herself with ugly friends :P ok that's a joke so don't beat me up for it.

I think replacing Okung wont be as hard as many of you think. Growing pains with out him? yes but why continue to allow the slow bleeding, move on and start a new Era on the left side. It's not like He was ever even 1/10th the LT Walter Jones was anyway. Okung had two good years His Rookie season and his 2nd season even though he was hurt ( played in 27 out of 32 ) for some of those games. What we saw after that is Injuries that slowed him down each and every time he got one. Meaning he returned worse than before. he only played 45 out of 62 games after those first 2 seasons, look for him to play in 8 to 10 games next season and the Broncos won't pick him up on their option.

 

[JMR]

I think replacing Okung wont be as hard as many of you think.

I think this will end up being the case. The key will be to get the new OL in place as early as possible. Last year we shuffled it half-way into camp (Britt to LG) and then also went into the opener with a C that had 0 experience. If we find the 5 guys and set them before camp, it will be a way better start point than last year.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Not as hard as we think? How so?

 

[JMR]

Just saw a report on my facebook newsfeed that indicates we didn't even offer Okung a contract.

 

[MrS]

At this point i think we have to take OT #1 unless a top 10 guy falls to us.

 

[RegentDenali]

It's reported to be a very deep draft for Oline and Dline this year so there are plenty of prospects we can be targeting that could be the right fit for this team and the blocking schemes we run.

This is a draft that works out nicely for this teams current needs.

 

[Uhsplit]

Yes it appears that they didn't actually want him back. I'm sure they have a plan, but I got a bad feeling I'm not going to like the "plan".

The plan is to invest most of our cap on the defensive side.Group wise, the OL will get the least resources on the offense.
If the team changes it's philosophy to a passing offense, then an OL built for pass protection would be in order, but I don't ever see that happening as long as Pete calls the shots.
Another part of the plan to to never sign high priced oft injured players even if they are one of our own.
We will be fine. A quick 1-3 step drop in the pass plays should be involved as the OL gains confidence through the season. Roll outs will also help slow down a pass rush.
Relax everyone. We are in good hands.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

The plan is to invest most of our cap on the defensive side.Group wise, the OL will get the least resources on the offense.
If the team changes it's philosophy to a passing offense, then an OL built for pass protection would be in order, but I don't ever see that happening as long as Pete calls the shots.
Another part of the plan to to never sign high priced oft injured players even if they are one of our own.
We will be fine. A quick 1-3 step drop in the pass plays should be involved as the OL gains confidence through the season. Roll outs will also help slow down a pass rush.
Relax everyone. We are in good hands.

I'm at work right now, but once I get home I' m looking forward to debating this wth you because I couldn't disagree more.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

The plan is to invest most of our cap on the defensive side

I don't think this was the plan so much as the Seahawks have had a easier time finding talent on the defensive side and good players get second contracts. On the offensive side the players that been outstanding over the years like Lynch and Russell Wilson both got well paid. Seahawks have even paid out big money to players that haven't worked out. Percy Harvin for one and Jimmy Graham most likely is going to turn out to be a bit of bad luck also due to his troublesome injury, not sure if any player has come back from a torn patella tendon and be the same player, never the less the Seahawks are paying him $10,000,000 dollars to work his way back. There is no doubt in my mind that if Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson were on the roster and their contracts were up, the Seahawks would be finding a way to pay them.

In short IMO the "plan" is to resign the good to great players and the average or below can move on and the Seahawks will try to find someone better. In most cases they do find a upgrade. I don't think it matters if your a offensive player or a defensive player, quality is what matters.

If the team changes it's philosophy to a passing offense, then an OL built for pass protection would be in order

Possible the single most important thing to a football team is to protect your franchise QB and you don't do that with a crappy pass blocking line. I can't even believe, that you believe the Seahawks don't want a OL that can keep RW safe in the pocket. That's preposterous.

Another part of the plan to to never sign high priced oft injured players even if they are one of our own.

IDK lots of rumors flying around starting with:

1) Seahawks make a strong push to sign Okung before free agency. I think they made a offer that they felt was fair given his history and injury. Most likely better equal or better, or at least in the neighborhood, then the one he signed for. Problem was Okung was dreaming of signing a Trent Williams type contract when he entered the FA market.

2) Seahawks pulled their offer when he started making multiple visits to other teams. Makes sense to me, got to prepare for the worse. Can't wait until all options are off the table.

3) The Seahawks didn't even make him a offer. I don't believe this.

4) The Seahawks offer was weak. Could be or maybe at the time it just seemed weak to someone with dollars signs in his eyes. It certainly wasn't close to Trent Williams contract, I'm sure. However if Webb, who has basically been a band aid for teams looking for a OL ( and not the best kind of band aid) is worth a $3 million guarantee, then Okung surely got a offer worth a couple million more.

We will be fine

Seahawks will recover from this set back as long as RW stays healthy. May not be this year though. Front office is going to have to amaze to fix this mess of a OL.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

It's reported to be a very deep draft for Oline and Dline this year so there are plenty of prospects we can be targeting that could be the right fit for this team and the blocking schemes we run.

This is a draft that works out nicely for this teams current needs.

Your right about the reports , however I'd like to add a couple of buts....

DL are deep, but more so for run stuffers, then pass rushers, so it kind of depends what your looking for.

The pool for players actually good enough to play LT in the NFL is considered to be about 6, who knows if any of them are going to work out. Expect LTs to be a popular position to pick in the first round.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

At this point i think we have to take OT #1 unless a top 10 guy falls to us.

Misread your post first time I read it, but I sure hope your right. Not sure that is what they do though. They like sticking to their board and LT are going to be picked off early in the first round. So if they only really like say 3 LT to be worth a first and they are gone, I could see them taking BPA on their board and ending up with a DL or LB even. The Seahawks are confident enough in their ability to find a player in the rough to perhaps actually ignore need and go BPA. I actually worry they by pass a OL in the first and then reach for a OL like they did with Britt, later in the draft. They don't seem to have the same touch with OL as they do other units, but it hasn't seemed to shake their faith that the next time they'll strike gold with a OL. Here's to hoping a LT in the first round and he turns out to be great.

 

[MrS]

I 100% disagree about the OL being the lowest priority. Maybe if bevell was not a moron we would be able to scheme out of the OL issues. Unfortunately bevell is a moron and WILL let wilson stand in the pocket and get murdered.

 

[chf]

It HAS been the lowest priority. No arguing that. The dollar figures are the dollar figures.

Will it continue to be so? I doubt it. But it's going to take some time to build it up.

Heh, we got Bevell into the Cable aaarghing thread.

Well done sir.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

It HAS been the lowest priority. No arguing that. The dollar figures are the dollar figures.

Will it continue to be so? I doubt it. But it's going to take some time to build it up.

Heh, we got Bevell into the Cable aaarghing thread.

Well done sir.

Not a lot $ or high draft choices invested at the moment, yet the year they won the SuperBowl they had 3 first round picks starting on the OL, that was only3 years ago. Time to start using those first round picks again for the OL and quit trading away first round picks for receivers.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

The plan is to invest most of our cap on the defensive side.Group wise, the OL will get the least resources on the offense.
If the team changes it's philosophy to a passing offense, then an OL built for pass protection would be in order, but I don't ever see that happening as long as Pete calls the shots.
Another part of the plan to to never sign high priced oft injured players even if they are one of our own.
We will be fine. A quick 1-3 step drop in the pass plays should be involved as the OL gains confidence through the season. Roll outs will also help slow down a pass rush.
Relax everyone. We are in good hands.

One more thing about the offense that comes to mind, the Seahawks have traded for Harvin and Graham, also use high draft choices on Richardson and Lockett. Why? If their not planning to air it out more this steep investment would be foolish.

So I'm go to consider this draft a chance to rebuild this OL as a better pass blocking team. I know the recent free agents signings doesn't support this, but then there wasn't any cheap pass blocking OL to be had, so I'm going with this idea until it's proven wrong.

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

Did anybody else see this about Okung's contract where he could still be cut and not earn a single dollar from them.

If he doesn't preform in 90% of off season workouts, he doesn't get his million dollar workout bonus.
A 2.5 million roster bonus if he makes the 53 man roster.
A 2 million base salary.

So basically it sounds like if he gets hurt during off season programs and can't play during preseason games, there's a chance he could get left off the roster and not see any money. I wish him the best but he better wrap himself in bubble plastic. I saw this on PFT.