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In Profile: Seahawks’ Gus Bradley and Dan Quinn
Published: May 18, 2009
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In 2008, the Seattle Seahawks ranked 28th in yards per-game, 25th in points conceded, and 29th in passing yards per-game.
That’s just not going to cut it on Jim Mora’s watch.
He’ll need some help though—step forward two key additions to the team’s coaching staff.
“J.L., listen to me. I have got a guy here in Tampa that is one of, if not, the finest football coaches I have ever worked with. He’s an A-plus. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime coach. You need to talk to him.”
-Jim Mora, paraphrasing Monte Kiffin
Shortly after this conversation, Jim Mora appointed Casey Bradley as defensive coordinator.
Bradley stands to be Mora’s wingman.
He may not call plays and may be watching from a booth upstairs, but his impact on the training field and ability to suggest the right adjustment at the key moment could be just as important.
The guy nicknamed “Gus” has certainly earned his stripes.
After a four year career as a safety and punter at North Dakota State, he rejoined the team in 1990 as a graduate assistant coach.
A short stint at Fort Lewis was followed by a return to NDSU, where he combined defensive coordinator duties with a role as assistant head coach.
In his final season, the Bison led the Great West Conference in scoring, pass, and total defense whilst registering the greatest turnover margin. It was enough to catch the attention of Tampa Bay and after fifteen years learning his trade, Bradley was in the NFL.
There’s plenty of method involved in Seattle’s appointment.
Bradley is well schooled in the Cover-Two and Tampa-Two systems, as you’d expect from anyone that has worked closely with Mote Kiffin.
One of his tasks will be to ensure the system becomes an art form, much in the way Kiffin molded his Buccaneers defense.
In Cover-Two, the safeties split the deep half of the field whilst linebackers take the short zone. Tampa Two, is the same, except Lofa Tatupu as the Mike drops into a deep zone to take some pressure off the safeties.
Of course being a coverage scheme, it doesn’t affect the defensive line. One other coaching appointment, however, most certainly will.
Step forward Dan Quinn, newly appointed defensive line coach and assistant head coach.
Quinn started his career guiding the defensive line at Hofstra between 1996 and 2000. His first advances into the NFL saw a move to San Francisco where he first worked alongside Jim Mora.
He spent the last two seasons with the Jets and was credited with the rejuvenation of Kris Jenkins’ career after his move from Carolina.
He’ll no doubt be looking forward to working with Cory Redding—a lineman in a similar juxtaposition to Jenkins previously.
The Jets ranked seventh in the league for sacks (41 total) and seventh in run defense in 2008 under Quinn’s tutelage.
In Mora’s new scheme, a greater reliance is to be placed on pressure from the front, freeing the linebackers up to make plays.
Quinn could be one of Seattle’s most inspired moves during the offseason.
“A lot of people would say that I coach with a lot of energy. I’m assertive and aggressive.”
The unit struggled badly in 2008 when it lost Patrick Kerney after just seven games. Quinn will not just oversee the important task of getting greater production in general, but also developing young players like Lawrence Jackson and Darryl Tapp.
Quinn could also have a positive effect on Brandon Mebane, who looks set for a break out year in 2009 having moved to the three technique now that the Seahawks own 330lbs Colin Cole.
Mora’s defense will no doubt have a different look to it next season. If it proves successful, the additions of Bradley and Quinn are likely to be part of the catalyst.
Portrait of a Zone Blocking System
Published: May 13, 2009
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The Seattle Seahawks will be using a predominantly zone blocking scheme when running the ball in 2009. Firstly, let’s look at an example run play and some of the duties expected from the offensive line.
Offensive line: LT, LG, C, RG, RT, TE
4-3 defense: DE, NT, UT, DE / Will, Mike, Sam
For this example the play call is a run to the right. The center and right guard will block the UT and the right tackle and tight end will block the strong side defensive end.
When the ball is snapped the two defensive tackles are being double teamed which should move them backwards. The focus on this initial push through the middle could bring the linebackers into play. On a run to the right the Will LB is unlikely to have much impact unless the running back breaks into the second level.
The center and right guard would have to read the Mike LB together and decide who is going to break off up field and who stays with the UT. It’s fair to assume the Mike will make the correct read and stretch outside making the guard the most likely option to cover.
He would need to perform a scoop block, a speciality of the zone blocking scheme that values athleticism over big heavies.
The Sam linebacker will shoot outside forcing the tight end to take him. If the defense has sufficient safety support, he could plug the inside gap.
If the play was changed at the line to run up the gut instead, the left guard and center would block the NT with the right guard and right tackle taking the UT.
As with most examples, it’s dependant on personnel. In this situation the tight end may need help blocking the edge as even a first class blocking TE would struggle against Julius Peppers.
Running through the middle, both DT’s are again double teamed but less attention is paid to the defensive ends. This could bring the linebackers into play so a good seal block on the Mike would be needed to potentially wall off the Will and Mike.
In both situations the running back will be expected to find the hole that develops, make one cut and break into the secondary. The zone blocking scheme in general is less restrictive to backs and allows them to play with greater instinct, allowing blocks to develop.
There are different variations of the zone blocking scheme though, so what can we expect to see in Seattle?
New offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is more a proponent of the type of system seen in Denver over recent years. This places greater emphasis on smaller offensive lineman with superior athleticism, with a lot more cut blocking. The center is often key because the guards don’t have the size to move opponents on their own.
Offensive line coach Mike Solari has predominantly favoured a slightly different variation. It could be described as a “power ZBS” in that the guards are usually bigger and do most of the heavy work load.
Unlike Knapp’s ZBS, they are the primary movers with the center more likely to progress to the second level and attack linebackers due to directional drive blocking.
The advantage of Solari’s system is that if a defense goes run blitz, the linebackers can be driven out of the play creating huge gaps.
It’s possible the Seahawks could combine the two. Looking at the current roster, the potential is certainly there to be flexible.
Guards Mike Wahle and Rob Sims are athletic enough to fill Knapp’s ZBS. Wahle in particular has good technique and should be able to execute well as a starting left guard. Neither are the big power types that would usually be used in Solari’s scheme.
Mansfield Wrotto, however, stands at 320lbs—the perfect kind of weight to fit the power ZBS. He’s also a good athlete, so he could excel in this system. The downside is he’s still a little raw even approaching his third year in the league. The mental side of the Solari version is less demanding which could help Wrotto get on the field.
The center position is a point of contention. Chris Spencer has the freaky athleticism and solid strength which would make a good fit at guard in either system. His issue has always been execution and technique, which would be a problem at center in either scenario.
Recently drafted Max Unger is a little more predictable. He is an obvious guard in Knapp’s ZBS background and a center in Solari’s. I have to believe the Seahawks won’t be willing to flex between the two at center, but they may have to in certain circumstances.
Unger does tend to struggle with leverage which may put him at a disadvantage. Taking this into account, it wouldn’t surprise me if the starting offensive line in 2009 consisted of Walter Jones (LT), Mike Wahle (LG), Chris Spencer (C), Rob Sims (RG) and Sean Locklear (RT).
Wrotto could spell at right guard in a more power driven ZBS, with Spencer and Unger possibly fitting into the line to replace Wahle in that situation.
Deron Butler’s Rookie Role Underestimated in Seattle?
Published: May 12, 2009
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A few eye brows raised when Seattle made an aggressive trade with Philadelphia to grab Deon Butler.
The price was downplayed by the Seahawks’ front office, but it did involve coughing up a valuable third-round pick in 2010 alongside fifth- and seventh-round picks this year.
Clearly the team felt comfortable not only with the bounty they’d picked up for next year (getting Denver’s first-rounder) but also the potential Butler has to help the team immediately as a rookie.
Wide receiver is a notoriously difficult position to master in your first year.There are a few exceptions, most notably Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson, who both had excellent introductions into the NFL.
But there’s usually some teething problems, and Butler will be no different as he adjusts to the pro game. But could help the team right away.
Seattle offensive coordinator Greg Knapp offensive coordinator Greg Knapp showed a tendency to go down field a lot while with the Falcons and Raiders. The quarterbacks available may have had some influence—Matt Hasselbeck doesn’t own the kind of rocket arm associated with Michael Vick or JaMarcus Russell.
Yet too often in 2008 teams simply didn’t fear Seattle’s passing game, helping opposition defenses to stack the box, blitz freely, and shut down the running game.
Butler’s raw speed (he was clocked at 4.38 at the Combine) will—if anything—help keep the defense honest. His ability to get deep and stretch the field is something the Seahawks didn’t have with current starters T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, and Nate Burleson.
For the passing game to receive greater attention, having that long threat could generate a much more balanced Seattle offense in 2009.
But it’s not just the threat of Butler that could cause a surprisingly good rookie season.
Butler explodes in and out of his breaks and shows a real ability to get open. There’s a reason he broke Bobby Engram’s Penn State receptions record (179 catches). He also racked up 2,771 yards and 22 TDs.
He flashes the ability to make great catches but shows occasional inconsistency—nothing out of the ordinary for a young receiver.
For a relatively small man (5’10”), he’s combative in his blocks and shows the desire you want to see from a wideout coming into the league.
You’re not going to see a 1,000-yard season from Butler, but his presence will be felt in 2009. His signing was as much of a “win-now” as Seattle’s choice of Max Unger in round two. And he’ll have a role to play in Seattle’s attempt to bounce back in the Jim Mora Jr. era.
It wouldn’t surprise me if other more productive players on the Seahawks roster are praising Butler by the end of the year for his overall contribution, even if he’ll have to wait until later in his career to follow in the footsteps of former Nittany Lions like Engram.
Seahawk’s Offseason Review: Ruskell Aggressive To Mend Seattle’s Holes
Published: May 9, 2009
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Coming off a 4-12 season in 2008, the Seahawks had various holes to fill during the offseason. Tim Ruskell has been busy during free agency and the draft trying to solve Seattle’s problems, so how’s he done?
Need areas coming into the offseason: OL, WR, DL, DB
Offensive Line
The Seahawks re-signed Ray Willis for needed depth at tackle.
Walter Jones is recovering from micro-fracture surgery, and if he suffers a relapse in 2009, Sean Locklear and Willis will start.
Ruskell drafted Max Unger at No. 49 overall to add flexibility to the interior. The former Oregon Duck can play center or guard and could feature as a rookie.
Wide receiver
T.J. Houshmandzadeh was the best available free agent receiver and chose Seattle over Minnesota. Housh’s sure hands and precise routes will replace Matt Hasselbeck’s former Mr. Reliable (Bobby Engram) who departed for Kansas City.
The Seahawks needed some pure speed to stretch the field and drafted Deon Butler in the third round. He ran a 4.38 at the scouting combine.
Defensive line
Patrick Kerney recorded five sacks in seven starts in 2008, but the Seahawks lost all pressure from the front when Kerney was placed on injured reserve.
Ruskell traded Julian Peterson to sign Cory Redding in what could prove to be an inspired move.
Drafting Aaron Curry compensates the loss of Pro-Bowler Peterson, but Redding has a point to prove and, on a reworked one year deal, has incentives to perform.
Colin Cole joined from Green Bay to add beef at defensive tackle (6’1”, 315 lbs).
Defensive backs
Seattle’s secondary suffered from a lack of pass rush in the trenches but also struggled mightily against the NFL’s best receivers.
Ken Lucas was a wise choice after the draft to add some experience at cornerback, taking the pressure off the younger Josh Wilson.
The Seahawks were unable to upgrade at safety and will continue with Deon Grant and Brian Russell, although they could find a diamond in the rough with seventh round pick Courtney Greene.
During his tenure as GM, Tim Ruskell has consistently shown aggression when attempting to fix weaknesses on the roster.
This year was no different, and the amount of money invested in veterans like Houshmandzadeh (who will be 32 this year) points to a ‘win-now’ mentality.
Some questions do remain. Do the Seahawks have enough weapons on offense?
They’re relying a lot on Matt Hasselbeck to remain healthy after back problems ravaged his ’08 season.
Can Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett provide enough threat in the running game? Will Deion Branch and Nate Burleson return from serious knee injuries?
Can the team generate more pressure on the defensive line to keep blockers away from their expensive linebacker corps?
Patrick Kerney is crucial to the team’s success in 2009, but more is expected from youngsters Lawrence Jackson and Darryl Tapp.
The team finished dead last in passing yards per-game last year, has enough attention been paid to the under performing secondary?
Overall, Ruskell hasn’t sat on his laurels—he’s provided a solid canvas for new head coach Jim Mora to paint a recovery. Staying healthy remains a priority, but the key additions of Houshmandzadeh and Redding could help send Seattle back to the postseason.
