‘Hawk Talk’ highlights: How much better are Seahawks after the draft?
May 18, 2016, 9:51 AM | Updated: 10:58 am
Seahawks RB C.J. Prosise, doubtful for Week 5, had 65 receiving yards in his last start. (AP)
(AP)
Danny O’Neil hosted a live Seahawks chat on Tuesday as “Hawk Talk” continues into the offseason. Here’s the transcript. Highlights are below.
The Ghost inquired about the Seahawks going from 10 to 1 odds to win the Super Bowl before the draft to 8 to 1 after it.
Danny O’Neil: If I’ve said we can’t pronounce a draft a bust two days after it happens, then we can’t proclaim it a home run, either. But here’s what I can tell you: This front office and scouting staff believes that this is the best overall draft class they’ve had. Now, keep in mind that they did draft a Pro Bowl quarterback in the third round as part of a monumental 2012 draft class. But the grades they have on the players they picked this year are higher – overall – than the grades of the players selected in 2012, which is really saying something.
Jim Wilke asked what Danny to expand on the special role the Seahawks have in mind for rookie running back C.J Prosise.
Danny O’Neil: He’s going to be the team’s third-down back, and that usually correlates with being part of the two-minute package as well. I would expect that to be the role as opposed to competing for snaps as the every-down back.
MmmYesQuite asked if there was any news about the SAM line backer spot after Christian French was released and Khairi Fortt signed.
Danny O’Neil: Christian French appeared to injure himself on the final day of the rookie minicamp. He got back on the field, but we’ll have to way and see if he’s healthy. The Fortt dude they signed – a former fouth-round pick out of Cal – is someone who will get a shot. But right now, we should operate on the assumption that Mike Morgan is the starting SAM backer.
John asked for Danny’s take on backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson’s continuing free agency.
Danny O’Neil: It’s the exact same as it was last year. There’s very little incentive for Tarvaris Jackson to sign right now. If the team is not going to pay him a premium to be the veteran safety blanket, why shouldn’t he wait and see if anything else crops up?
Evil Penguin asked if Michael Bennett is trying to downplay unhappiness with his contract or keeping it going in a fun new way by stating he was pleading the Fifth on “Brock and Salk.”
Danny O’Neil: I think that’s a very, very positive approach from Mike B. Here’s why: If he was considering a holdout, I think that he would be hinting in that direction. There’s nothing for him to lose. In fact, he would probably want to let the team know he’s holding out before he plans to hold out. The fact that he’s just not talking about it means that he’s leaving wiggle room for something to be worked out while not conceding that everything is OK.
SeaHokie asked what Bennett’s beef is with Sam Bradford.
Danny O’Neil: Michael Bennett believes that mediocre quarterbacks are the most overpaid players in the league. And he’s not wrong. He looks at how much money guys who are not Pro Bowlers make as starting quarterbacks and wonders how in the heck they get so much. And he’s not alone in that regard.
