BTSC Mock Draft - Pick #24 by Seattle Seahawks: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

by cgolden on Apr 18, 2008 1:51 PM EDT in News

We're up to draft pick #25 and it brings us the Seattle Seahawks represented by vherub. On a team otherwise devoid of a true superstar, a dynamic playmaker would be a welcome site. Next up the Jacksonville Jaguars represented by schnifin.

To understand the Seattle Seahawks is to understand Tim Ruskell. Ruskell was brought into the fold after the 04 season. In 2005, Seattle posted a 13-3 record and was beaten by the Steelers in the Super Bowl. In Ruskell's first draft, he found a gem and immediate contributor in Lofa Tatupu in the second round. His mantra is often best available player, and this year, that player is Kenny Phillips.

There are pundits clamoring for a tight end or wide receiver- the departure of Hackett, age of Engram, injuries and the lack of a playmaker at TE are easy talking points. But there is no consensus pass catching AND blocking TE. Dustin Keller is poor at blocking and they already signed Putzier. On the WR side, they used the 3rd round pick in 06 for Burleson and their first pick last year for Branch. And while neither has been spectacular and there were durability issues all season, has it mattered? Last year Hasselbeck had one of his best years as a pro with a 28/12 TD to INT ratio, 62% completion rate and a 91.4 QB rating. Not bad at all considering teams were facing the sad remains of Shaun Alexander or career backup Maurice Morris. The Seahawks addressed RB by adding Duckett and Julius Jones, whether they will be good free agent additions is uncertain, but unless a RB beast is still on the board, Seattle would skip this position as well. In fact, there are some who think Seattle skips this draft slot entirely. If both Brohm and Matt Ryan were still free, there is a good chance a team makes a deal. Some have pointed to the Falcons giving both 2nd round picks for the Seahawks first. Tempting, but there are no trades in this mock and those guys might fall completely out of round 1 in this draft.

What about OT? Seeing as how Maurice Morris had a 4.5 ypc vs Alexander's 3.5 ypc last year, I don't think it so dire as to reach for players that might be gambles in the first round. Round 2 or Day 2, definitely, but not at this slot.

Which brings Kenny Phillips back to the picture.

Seattle has little depth at safety and more importantly, the starter, Brian Russell was very poor in 2007, especially at stopping the run- and you need to stop the run when playing Gore, Jackson and Edge six times a year.

Kenny Phillips should immediately challenge Russell for starting time, and if he performs as expected, will replace him by mid-season. I see Phillips as a Bob Sanders type, with the player intelligence and ferocity Sanders brings. He is a smart, team leader type and will round out one of the league's best secondaries.

In final consideration, I think the recent rule change regarding force-outs is going to have a serious impact. It will further hurt the development of division youths, Leinart and Alex Smith and take away a lot of sideline passes, forcing passes towards the middle. In Phillips, Seattle gets a hard-hitting, run-stopping ball hawker out there who can intelligently adapt and gets a rule-narrowed field on which to roam.

BTSC Mock Draft Team Selections

#1 - Miami Dolphins, Darren Mcfadden
#2 - St. Louis Rams, Chris Long
#3 - Atlanta Falcons, Sedrick Ellis
#4 - Oakland Raiders, Vernon Gholston
#5 - Kansas City Chiefs, Jake Long
#6 - New York Jets, Glen Dorsey
#7 - New England Patriots, Dominique Rodger-Cromartie
#8 - Baltimore Ravens, Jerod Mayo
#9 - Cincinnati Bengals, Keith Rivers
#10 - New Orleans Saints, Aqib Talib
#11 - Buffalo Bills, Malcom Kelly
#12 - Denver Broncos, Ryan Clady
#13 - Carolina Panthers, Chris Williams
#14 - Chicago Bears, Brandon Albert
#15 - Detroit Lions, Leodis McKelvin
#16 - Arizona Cardinals, Jeff Otah
#17 - Minnesota Vikings, Derrick Harvey
#18 - Houston Texans, Rashard Mendenhall
#19 - Philadelphia Eagles, Jonathan Stewart
#20 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Limas Sweed
#21 - Washington Redskins, Mike Jenkins
#22 - Dallas Cowboys, Felix Jones
#23 - Pittsburgh, Kentwan Balmer
#24 - Tennessee, Devin Thomas

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Comments

Phillips

If he is anything like Bob Sanders, they'll be getting a steal here, unless he is injury prone like Sanders.

Nice write-up.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 18, 2008 2:29 PM EDT 0 recs

yup

good writeup.

Seems like a nasty player. Hadn't heard much about him before this.

by Blitzburgh on Apr 18, 2008 2:33 PM EDT 0 recs

Are you Kidding.. A safety ??????

Hello, first off I am not trying to attack you, and trust me, as a Safety I believe Phillips is a tremendous player. However there are a few thing in your article that are incorrect. I grew up in Seattle, live in seattle and follow the HAWKS like no other.

My big issue is with you "Brian Russel had a poor 2007 season" thats simply not true. B Russ was not only a studious leader and hard worker, but had a terrific season. I can not account for really any long passes or plays getting behind him. hers the misconception for people WHO HAVENT played football. Its NOT a good thing when the safetys have a lot of tackles!!! Russell played his spot excellent and was always where he needed to be, and YES he was a force against the run. Watch the film, there is no debate. He is a intelligent safety and one of the best in the leauge. Allso the entire reason Russel and grant where signed was to shore up the safety spot. Hamlin was faster and more athletic than brain Russel..however Hamlin wasn't were he was supposed to be on allot of plays. Brian knows the safety position, and plays it how its supposed to be played.
Seahawks have "no depth" a safety. Again,thats is not accurate. in fact they have quality depth.

Deon Grant and B Russ start. Then Jordan Babineuxe (who can play 4 DB spots)and Mike Green (former starter in Chicago) and C.J Wallace (who I use to train with) was a dominant player at UW and is rising.
There are 2 safetys who start with 3 additional quality backups. So I cannot understand how you say?!?!?!?!?!

additionally, If..IF.. the Hawks were to select a Safety in the draft it would be a likely a second day pick (6th or 6th round IF) such as "Ruskell character guy" Jamie Silva. (great player).

Again as a player, I just have a hard time reading a post like this. Do you have any examples of Brian Russel having any poor plays, cuss I go to games and D don't recall very many.

Branden

by branden19 on Apr 18, 2008 2:36 PM EDT 0 recs

force-outs?

I'm not so sure that the new rule regarding force-outs will have a serious impact. How often was the rule called in an average game?

According to Rich McKay, it was about 15 times total (across the league) last year. So, about once every 16 games. That doesn't strike me as having a serious impact.

by zacharai on Apr 18, 2008 2:41 PM EDT 0 recs

I didn't know it would get that strong a reaction

I agree it is not about tackles, but I see Russell playing way too soft. He is standing 20+ yards back in a deep zone and very rarely is working on the middle of the field.

I really do think the force outs changes the dynamic of the game, taking away long sideline passes and creating a more muddled middle. True, there are not a lot of force outs called each year, but that is also because the defense can't hit a guy on the sideline because the risk of a comp. is so great. Maybe I am completely wrong, but I think this could be a major rule change for smart, hard-hitting players and lessened options for QBs.

Babs is definitely not a quality backup, very very poor in coverage. Blown coverage assignments had him torched in Browns and Cards games last year among others. Wallace is a question mark and Green I don't know what a Lisfranc injury does to a player. These three guys I consider suspect depth.

In this particular mock draft, which player would you guys have the Hawks taking?

by vherub on Apr 18, 2008 3:19 PM EDT 0 recs

on the draft

Hey again, you know i am really not sure...ahaha I just gave my 2 cents from someone who plays that position. Now I am trying to remember my sports management class at WSU as to be in the mind frame of a GM lol ;). Id have to say that I was pretty shocked (not in a bad way) when we drafted Josh Willson for the reason that we had Kelly and Tru, and to take a backup that high was ..well..I didnt expect it. But I defiantly wasnt mad, especially now that I really think about it, teams are passing alot more, and they have quality slot receivers. I would much rather have a good cover corner in Willson, matching up in our Nickel and Dime packages to cover a 3rd receiver than a LB or a SS.

ohhh Its hard to say. I can most likely assume that these positions are covered and might be adrssed (depth and backups) in the latter rounds. Linebacker, Defensive End, Corner, Safety, O line, quarterback.

The reason I dont see O line a huge need now is for a few reasons..ALL GOOD. The signing of former Panther, and pro bowl veteran Mike Wahle. The emergence (but then got injured) of mammoth ray Willis who if is healthy will push for a starting RG, OR RT spot. (I say Right tackle because hes a little tall for guard at 6'6, and has played tackle. The Walter Jones heir might just be current RT Sean Locklear (move to LT??)..so Ray Willis could be the starting RT. ) either way Ray Willis is a promising player with potential. Chris gray is old yes, but hes very experienced and can play center or either guard spot (and be a mentor, and teacher for the other line) Rob simms..oh rob simms. i think hes got alot of upside and was the whipping boy due to Alexander the the lack of running game. I can almost assure everyone if hes moved to RG and has another season to mature and develop he will be fine. So I dont think line is a priority however I would not object for a first day T or G in the 2nd, 3rd round. Remember ray Willis is young (but knows the system) and I personally saw Mansfeild Wrotto in a practice (wow, he caught my attention in how he can power run block). The misnomer with the O line is we get a high pick guy and he will somehow start and fix the run game...ehhhhh..not really true. Spencer was a 1st rounder and hes still learning. I see the starting 08 line as: LT W Jones, LG M Wahle, C C Spencer, RG (Ray Willis,Rob Simms, Chris Gray, Mansfield Wrotto)RT S Locklear. (think about it, not bad)
I allso Do not see the wide receiver pos as a huge need. For the fact that alot of people are un aware of the coaches love (they see them everyday at practice) and skills of the yound talent. Courtney taylor is going to be GREAT. Ben obomanu is solid and a decent deep threat. Jordan kent is well..fast. and Logan Payne is doing somthign right because he wasnt cut and the coaches see alot of potential. Thats 4 good young guys. plus we have the Bobby E, Nate B, and (yes Deion B is injured) so let one of the young guys step up. I odnt care how good a receiver is, hes got to learn the plays and the system. First round, or undrafted it dosnt matter..you not going to get the production in the first season at a WR rookie.

lol so on that note, they will most likly adress a DT (who fits our need and system) rocky Bernard is more of a pass rush DT..So were not just goign to grab the 1st DT we see. IF Tubbs is healthy he provides the size. Mebane is more of that run stuffer. Allso the DT we need is a 4-3 DT.
TE..well, I like Will Heller however thats the no brainer we need a guy who is smart and can come in and play. We must realize that he has to have the maturity to play (becasue were litterly needing him to not only start, but be a major part of the offense) alot for a roookie. I dont care how fast he is, hes got to be mature, responsible, smart and capable. thats a lot to ask of a young guy. esspecially becasue the offesne has a lot to learn. Its so much more than just geting a fast tight end. (now if we had more depth) you can grap a stud athlete and let him get aclimated to the system. unfortunatly we dont thave that option.
but I am happy because in all we are pretty covered at most positions.

Branden

by branden19 on Apr 18, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

DT

Yeah, the most common name I've heard associated with the Seahawks is Balmer.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 19, 2008 10:17 AM EDT up 0 recs

on Balmer

Id bet my BMW that the Hawks will NOT take balmer.

We have the pass rush in Rocky Bernard, the run stopping load of stout Brandon Mebane, the high motor somewhat athletic Craig terril, and a hopefully healthy giant Marcus Tubbs, we have former LSU Howard Green (whos 320lbs)...Kelly Talavou R out of Utah whos over 330lbs, and Jonathan Lewis(VTech) whos more of a rush DT.
SO we have a solid rotation, in Bernard and Mebane, and Terrill and Tubbs. With Green ,Talavou and Lewis .
Heres the thing, the question to ask. Do we feel comfortable Brandon Mebane can be the starting DT next to Rocky Bernard??? The coaches seem to, as do I. He visibly got better in each game. .and he has the off season to grow (mentally and physically) plus he a short, stout, hard to move guy witch complements the taller, quicker Rocky Bernard. IF we draft a high round DT great..great. but We have the rush DT in Bernard, and the stuffer in Mebane. So what kind of DT to we go after???...
NOT K Balmer, he neither the quick pass rushing, get sacks DT or a big body, works the middle DT. He didnt have many sacks, or tackles for loss, and he isnt a huge DT (about 300lbs), additionally you really didnt see improvement between 2, 3, and senior year. He was extreamly inconsistent, with his best year his senior year. What I checked was his poor games game against teams with good interior line man (possible NFL Guards) and he was more dominant against poor lines.
This dosent transition well for a guy whos expected to be a stud DT for the hawks. If Balmer had a hard time coming into college from high school, and disappeared in games with good O line in college, how do you think hell do going into the pros. His best season was senor year...so one would have to believe Balmer wouldn't really contribute much at all his first few seasons.
So why is balmer ranked so high..well hes a hit or miss type player. I could eat my words and he could be tremendous. BUT he had a great workouts (no pads) he finally became consistent when he realized that millions of $$$ were at stake. Just cus he focused on training for a 40 yard dash, bench and other combine specific exercises not not transcend to how he really prepares, and his true ability. My personal opinion is that (as a current player, I play semi pro)that its far easier to go from High school to college then college to NFL. Balmer had a very difficult time adjusting from high school to college.
To be honest I see the first 3 hawks picks going any where. I hope they address the TE need, because we DO NEED IT. All the other positions that people are crying about, O line, D Tackle, Running Back ,Wide Receiver...we have people there who (may not be super stars) but can play fine. TE we really only have 2 guys who are good backups but that is a position we actually need.

Branden

by branden19 on Apr 19, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

This'll suck for Manning

I love watching Manning's passes to the sidelines.

I also think the loss of the force-out rule will hurt the passing game, some more than others. I'm picturing a corner picking up little ol Marvin and tossing out of bounds before he lands with the ball.

by betelgeuse on Apr 18, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

also on russell

He had a good game against the packers in the playoffs even though the team lost, you could knock him on not always wrapping up players- which isn't easy in the open field and taking poor angles. And yes, both skills can be improved upon.
Seattle seems to want a player who can stand back and provide a soft shell. Russell has been asked to do that, but I see Phillips handling that roll and then some. At the very least, it pushes Russell and I think in this mock, Phillips is the best available.

by vherub on Apr 18, 2008 3:36 PM EDT 0 recs

more...

again i dont want to come off like a d bag, I just played as a free and strong safety, and now play semi pro. The thing about Russel playing "20 yards back" is just simply based on the D coverage calls. Simply put he was assigned deep middle, keep everything in front of him.
When I first played college ball I wanted to make the tackle and be aggressive..BUT in that coverage its not my job. Deon Grant and Brian Russel were asked to keep plays in front, come down hill and dont get beat deep. As a safety you must be deeper then the deepest man.
The reason you see Russel lined up so deep is a few things. We have 7 other guys that are concerned with stopping the run. Anything behind the line backers are the secondary s responsibility. (and both russell and grant were solid in run support) allso, in many running plays, the out side receivers dont run block..what they do is run sprint decoy routs deep down feild as to keep the corners and safeties playing the pass honest. So you say russell wasnt as aggressive in run supports but isnt that the whole reason why Michale Boulware and ken hamlin arnt here anymore???? plus Lofa, Leroy, and Juilian are responsible for the run.
Now in a Cover 1, or 0.(big base call) Russel and grant did great. This Defense plays afainst the run, and I am positive russell sniffed out some running plays before they even started and made a few tackeles for loss.

Branden

by branden19 on Apr 18, 2008 6:59 PM EDT 0 recs

Matt Ryan

I can't believe he's fallen this far in the draft. Personally I don't think he's that great, but there is no way he falls this far. Is there? I think he'll go 8 to the Ravens.

Tony S. -Steelers fan in Raleigh, NC.

by Tshaff on Apr 18, 2008 8:01 PM EDT 0 recs

hehe

Yeah, you can blame me for the Matt Ryan development. Totally not realistic that he wouldnt get selected by now, but too other people's credit, they're using their selections based on the team needs theyve researched. I think that one team would probably nix their plans if Ryan was still avaialbe in the teens like Quinn was last year.

But you never know.

As for where he'll likely go, I think you nailed it: Baltimore. Very fitting with McNair retiring before the draft.

by Blitzburgh on Apr 18, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up 0 recs