Michael Lombardi on Barkevious Mingo and Earl Thomas
Mar 16, 2018, 12:11 PM | Updated: 1:00 pm
Would the Seahawks be willing to trade one of their best players? (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks’ haven’t made many major moves to kick off free agency – which is not out of the norm for general manager John Schneider – but rumors are still flying about potential signings and trades.
Report: Seahawks sign TE Ed Dickson
NFL analyst and former Cleveland Browns general manager Michael Lombardi joined Danny, Dave and Moore on 710 ESPN Seattle to talk about a potential trade of All-Pro safety Earl Thomas and how the Seahawks’ newest linebacker fits into Pete Carroll’s defense.
• Are the Seahawks really looking to trade Earl Thomas? “I think it’s a broader picture than just Earl. I think what you’re seeing in Seattle is they have to get their team back in shape. And I think it’s going to be an ongoing process. They’ve been very successful, won a Super Bowl, came one yard away from winning another Super Bowl, and competed at the highest level. And some of those wins come at a cost. When you look back on it, the great drafts that they had earlier… really propelled this. And when you’re picking as low as you’ve been picking, and you kind of don’t hit with the Percy Harvin trade, and you kind of don’t hit with the Jimmy Graham trade, next thing you know, your team lacks some real true talent. I think the only way you can get that talent base back up is to try to find a way to get more picks; especially with the guys who are higher in salary, and you know they’re going to be towards the end and they want more money.”
“They need to get back to where they put all their resources back in the defensive front seven. And they had so much money in the back end that it kind of cost them.”
Salk: Would I trade Earl Thomas for a 1st and a 3rd? It’s time
• Tell us a bit about OLB Barkevious Mingo. Is he a good fit for the Seahawks’ defense? “Mingo’s an interesting player, because Mingo has to be in the right scheme. He and (Seahawks restricted free agent) Dion Jordan came out in the same draft. And Mingo can get up the field. Nobody’s faster in the front seven, and he can fly… I think sometimes guys take some time to develop. Mingo’s not always been the best fourth rusher, sometimes he’s better as the fifth rusher. I think it helps them a little bit, gives them some depth, and it also gives them another front seven guy that can rush the passer.
“He’s gotten versatile. When he was in Cleveland they were running a 3-4 defense, then they went to a 4-3. He’s really not a 4-3 end. He’s not big enough to play against the bigger tackles on a consistent basis. In Indianapolis … it was really like a nickel rusher … he can cover a little bit with the backs and he can attack the pocket from a two-point stance or from off the edge. Plus, he’s really good in the kicking game. So it gives them a chance to improve their overall team speed. I think Dion Jordan’s coming along, so it gives them another guy to go with. I mean, they have two of the top five players in that draft. Now you could say ‘Well, both of them are busts,’ (but) both of them have circumstances why they haven’t played as much.”
Listen to Lombardi’s entire conversation with Danny, Dave and Moore.
