the all encompassing 'discuss all things offseason' thread sponsored by Paintrain

[Lotus]

The Seahawks defense is driven by the Legion of Boom, who allow the front 7 to gamble and blitz more. And the Legion of Boom is made up primarily of lower round draft picks.

The point is that the Seahawks have done something we haven't done: develop players. Coach 'em up. Make them better than they should be on paper.

The Seahawks teach us that player development is more important than draft vs. free agency.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Lotus

The Seahawks defense is driven by the Legion of Boom, who allow the front 7 to gamble and blitz more. And the Legion of Boom is made up primarily of lower round draft picks.

The point is that the Seahawks have done something we haven't done: develop players. Coach 'em up. Make them better than they should be on paper.

The Seahawks teach us that player development is more important than draft vs. free agency.

This is the key. How we get a player is rather irrelevant, it's what we do when they get here that's the key. That's one ding on bringing back so many position coaches. We have done a terrible job of developing players for a long, long time. I think players like Kerrigan, Amerson, Rak, Williams, Hankerson, Helu, even Morris and of course RG3 have a lot more upside that we've yet to see.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

This is the key. How we get a player is rather irrelevant, it's what we do when they get here that's the key. That's one ding on bringing back so many position coaches. We have done a terrible job of developing players for a long, long time. I think players like Kerrigan, Amerson, Rak, Williams, Hankerson, Helu, even Morris and of course RG3 have a lot more upside that we've yet to see.

One problem I've found about the Skins in recent years is always a catch-22 with player development.

On one hand, we'll push someone into a starting role far before they're early, and they fizzle out after a few games (anyone remember Chris Horton?)

On the other hand, we stash people on the bench where they get zero live game reps until they fade into obscurity OR fame (Clemons/Rinehart/etc.) Not saying that Compton or Gettis or McRib are the answer, but damn it would have been nice to see them get some game reps. At least we could have properly evaluated them. If Rib would have come back in shape after the playoff loss, I think he would have been starting, so there's that.

Alfred Morris is the only "developmental" player that has really worked out for us, at least that I can remember. And if it wasn't for injuries, we might not have ever known his name.

[WillH]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

One problem I've found about the Skins in recent years is always a catch-22 with player development.

On one hand, we'll push someone into a starting role far before they're early, and they fizzle out after a few games (anyone remember Chris Horton?)

On the other hand, we stash people on the bench where they get zero live game reps until they fade into obscurity OR fame (Clemons/Rinehart/etc.) Not saying that Compton or Gettis or McRib are the answer, but damn it would have been nice to see them get some game reps. At least we could have properly evaluated them. If Rib would have come back in shape after the playoff loss, I think he would have been starting, so there's that.

Alfred Morris is the only "developmental" player that has really worked out for us, at least that I can remember. And if it wasn't for injuries, we might not have ever known his name.

I think they have done a good job developing Perry Reily, then again, the LB coaches have been replaced, and perhaps Fletcher had more to do with that than the coaches.

Jordan Reed and Rob Jackson are two others that might be considered well developed talent, and I think Paul and Paulsen have developed into good depth TE's at least.

Overall though, I see what you're saying.

[jamf]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

One problem I've found about the Skins in recent years is always a catch-22 with player development.

On one hand, we'll push someone into a starting role far before they're early, and they fizzle out after a few games (anyone remember Chris Horton?)

On the other hand, we stash people on the bench where they get zero live game reps until they fade into obscurity OR fame (Clemons/Rinehart/etc.) Not saying that Compton or Gettis or McRib are the answer, but damn it would have been nice to see them get some game reps. At least we could have properly evaluated them. If Rib would have come back in shape after the playoff loss, I think he would have been starting, so there's that.

Alfred Morris is the only "developmental" player that has really worked out for us, at least that I can remember. And if it wasn't for injuries, we might not have ever known his name.

Are you implying that Horton washed out because he played too much as a rookie?
I don't buy that argument. Nothing is more valuable than playing time for rookies.

It's all about coaching and talent evaluation.
The good teams can take an unknown player that fits their system and coach them up so they can play solid football. Patriots toss new people in the starting line up every week and they play pretty well.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by jamf

Are you implying that Horton washed out because he played too much as a rookie?
I don't buy that argument. Nothing is more valuable than playing time for rookies.

It's all about coaching and talent evaluation.
The good teams can take an unknown player that fits their system and coach them up so they can play solid football. Patriots toss new people in the starting line up every week and they play pretty well.

This.

Player development is key.