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Seahawks Next Starting Quarterback: Looking Ahead to 2010
Published: June 16, 2009
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In my previous post I predicted that thanks to Denver the Seahawks will have a top four pick in the 2010 draft.
This of course is wildly optimistic, but nobody has disagreed with me yet…
Much of my optimism is based on Denver’s outlook for this year. Their loss(es) are literally the Hawk’s gain.
How will Seattle use Denver’s fairly won draft pick?
If you’ve read my previous post you know—I’m convinced the Hawks will draft a quarterback.
Here are my top prospects
Possibly the guy with the biggest man cannon is Pat Devlin.
This 6’5″ Delaware Junior has Joe Flacco as his spirit animal. This guy is strong, disciplined, and well coached.
Problem is, he hasn’t played much for the past two years.
Devlin started with Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions. As a freshman Devlin saw limited time in a tandem quarterback scheme.
Last year things were worse. Relegated to the bench, Devlin was rarely put in the game. Even when Penn State starter Daryll Clark was injured—Devlin rode the pine.
Securing a transfer to Delaware from Joe Paterno cost Devlin a trip to the Lion’s bowl game last year. I’m sure the sacrifice will be worth it for Devlin.
With a new number, a fresh start, and an almost certain starting role—he couldn’t be happier.
Obviously I’m hopeful for Devlin. Why isn’t he my first choice?
He’ll stay his senior year at Delaware.
With two years as a productive starter Devlin affords himself a substantially larger contract in 2011. (Barring injury) Couple this with the assumption that the 2010 draft will be plentiful in quality quarterbacks?
Devlin will be wise to increase his value buy waiting a year.
Who then, will be the next Seahawks quarterback?
Allow me to throw out a few names…
Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Dan LeFevour, Tim Hiller?
I could write for days about these guys. Their great quarterbacks with some phenomenal stats.
One thing in common: They all play in a college spread offense.(and are haunted by the ghost of Rick Mier)
Seattle coach Jim Mora stated his frustration in evaluating prospects from the spread saying:
“You don’t get to see many of these quarterbacks take snaps from under center. You don’t see the traditional run-blocking schemes out of your offensive linemen and you certainly don’t see as many tight ends in a three-point stance, blocking down on big defensive ends.
“Some of these young men have said we’ll get you practice film, tight ends specifically. We can get you practice film of us doing one-on-one blocking to show you that we can do it, but it does make it tough.”
Coach Mora has been burned in the past by trying out the spread in Atlanta with Michal Vick.
While Mora may be more apt to experiment than Mike Holmgren—he will not abandon the west coast offense any time soon.
For a quarterback reared in a spread system the transition to the pros can be very time intensive. There are far too many examples of these quarterbacks floundering in the NFL. (Kyle Orton?)
The west coast offense is all about timing. The drop back from center requires precise foot work and instinctual rhythm to work properly.
The Hawks lack the luxury of time—this guy must be ready by 2011.
Who fits the bill?
Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State.
At a fit 6’3″, 218 pounds, Robinson is the right size—while showing good mobility rushing for 1553 yards, and averaging 4.9 yards a carry with 18 rushing touchdowns during his three year college career.
Last year, in a game versus Texas Tech Z-Rob (they call him that…I know) passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more. He threw five touchdowns in a blowout verses Iowa State. He passed for three TDs and ran one in against Oklahoma.
Don’t be fooled by his wheels—Zac is not a run-first quarterback. He will camp in the pocket if afforded protection.
At OSU Robinson is the Career record holder in total offense, the second in all-time in passing yards, and is the single-season record holder for completion percentage in 2008.
Oh yeah, did I mention that Robinson is the fifth ranked passer in the nation, with an insane No. 2 ranking in career total offense per play?
And he plays in a pro-style offense?
No college quarterback returning in 2009 has played as many games against high ranked opponents. Fresh off a 9-3 season Z-Rob and OSU are expected to continue to improve this year.
Its east to see why I’m confident Robinson will turn heads this season and earn a nod from the Seahawks in the 2010 draft.
