He guns down the field blowing by the LB snags Matt Hasselbeck's pass, does a juke move on the CB, then stiff arms the Safety as he scampers into the End Zone. Ahhh yes, one of Seattle's young guns.
Setting the stage: in 2007 the Seahawks traded away their leading receiver Darrell Jackson to San Francisco, next in 2008 they let DJ Hackett leave via free agency to Carolina. What happened in 2007-2008 to make these two solid wide outs expendable?> The answer is fourfold: Logan Payne, Courtney Taylor, Ben Obomanu, and Jordan Kent. Obomanu was drafted in 2006, Taylor and Kent were drafted in 2007, and Payne was signed as an un-drafted free agent in 2007. They are Seattle’s new young guns and a perfect fit for Holmgren’s West Coast Offense.
First off, they all have height (all over 6’) making them large targets for Hasselbeck. Secondly, they all have size (all are over 200lbs) making them durable and hard to bring down after the catch. Thirdly, they all are excellent blockers. Finally, they all have exceptional hands, which is critical in Coach Mike’s system. (Jackson and Hackett were both part of the 2004 Seahawk receiving corp that continually dropped 3rd down passes killing drives. Ouch!)
Due to Deion Branch’s absence with an injury until September (possibly mid-season) an opening at the wide-out position is setting up a training camp shootout between these young guns. It started heating up during mini-camp when Bobby Engram sat out in a contract protest giving the youngsters more opportunities. With Nate Burleson and Engram entrenched as the #1 and #2 receivers, expect the bullets to be flying all through training camp as the young guns elevate their game a notch or two for the third wide-out spot. Even the coaches have no idea which one will win out in the end. It all adds up to an exciting pre-season for Seahawk fans.
Below are a few college highlights of these stars in waiting:
Logan Payne
At 6-2, he has been described as a taller Steve Largent. His senior year at the University of Minnesota he led the team in catches, yards, and touchdowns.
Courtney Taylor
At 6-1, he set school records at Auburn for receptions and is fourth all time in receiving yards.
Ben Obomanu
At 6-0, he is second all-time at Auburn in touchdowns, and led the team in receptions and touchdowns his senior year.
Jordan Kent
At 6-4 he was a three sport athlete at the University of Oregon, All-American in track, All-Pac 10 in Basketball, his senior year he ranked second in receptions and yards in football.
yes i remember jordan kent, at oregon, super star in track, great hoopster, one of those guys you really dont find to often who can excel at 3 sports.... kents dad is ernie kent who just signed another 5 year deal to coach basketball at oregon and father like son ernie also played at oregon (basketball)
hawkwiz if you put the music in one of your comments, it won't conflict with other posts you have written in your blog. You'll see in my blog, each post has different music, because I put it in the first comment of each post.
Nice! If only the rest of the nation would look at things like you do. They would then get off of Seattle's back about not having enough wide outs. I personally think that Seattle will do fine. Pre-season is the key though and I really hope all of the pieces start to fit together and gel quickly. Good take on things Hawkwiz!!
Seahawksown9ers,
That's what training camp is about. All we know for sure is Bobby and Nate are the only experienced vets and will see the the bulk of playing time. The young guns well be fighting it out for the 3rd wr spot. Holmgren could use Bobby in the slot and one of the kids as a flanker, or visa versa. It'll get clearer who goes where are training camp proceeds.
Thx man ... you helped me out a bit flushing my fantasy draft QB/WR combo's ... as I have said before I have NP getting "stuck" with Matt ... its how I would flush out a hook up WR .. gotta like those same team combo's!
any chance Nate adds to his fantasy value as a returner or is he going to be to prized at WR to expose to injury as a returner?
If even one of these receivers can take some of the pressure off of Engram and Burleson, that'd be great. The Hawks are counting on a lot of young guys to fill the void of Deion Branch. Holmgren has knack for spreading the ball around effectively though.
It's awesome that there are this many Hawks fans on this site. We're going to have a great season.
WestSeattle,
I think I fixed the music conflict. Thanks.
Most of the talking heads think Ben Obomanu has the edge, but this is the kinda stuff that makes training camp fun.
This is what happens, Manny Lawson f's up Nate Burleson going through the middle, Manny, retrieves the fumble and takes it to the HOUSE!!!
Next ####. Matt Hasnobackbone, goes back to throw, WAIT Pat Willis comes in SMASH ohhh ahhh crunch, FUMBLE! 49ers recover! Matt, still down, Ohh no, he might be out for the year! And the 49ers say, " Pay backs a ####" !!!
lAWSON AND WILLIS WILL BE THE NFC STARTING DEFENSIVE PLAYERS FOR THE PRO BOWL NEXT YEAR!
Your defense looks impressive on the payroll but they are ineffective. Your team has ZERO pass rush, so i'm not worried about Hasselbeck getting injuried.
here's the deal vegas likes your team, and you guys got scewed in the SB the fix was on ceptin' steeler fan the rest of the world could see the fix....
i know you people are in love with math-hugh and he has been pretty darn good but, for the Seahawks to get to an elite status this guy must take charge and step his game up a notch. he can do it with your young w.o.s and bobby and nate ain't bums and branch is a champ.....I BLEED PURPLE AND WE GOT HUTCH ,BUT YOUR LINE IS STILL AWESOME.
HOPE YOU TAKE THE WEST AND PLAY THE VIKS FOR THE NFC CHAMPS......
tigervidmar:
Id rather reply to your input rather than ... the delusional Frisco fan above:
Thanksgiving day will be a big deal regarding the NFC playoff picture.
I have previously picked the Vikes as the NFC 3 seed ... qualified on how the QB situation flushed out up there ... imo the Vikes make the playoffs with no QB at all ... jus direct snap it to Peterson. Ya the Vikes got us on the Hutch deal no doubt ... in the long run that probably hurt more than the yellow and black zebras in the XL ... As much as I despise the Cowboys they will be a force in the NFC ... hope to see you .. IN SEATTLE mid January
With the extra time (improved line)and the option actually being an option now. Who knows which of these future "Stars" shine this season, hey maybe all of them.
GO Hwaks
Atrain you been diddlin the Caboose. Your fanasies are a right of the human condition, and have been added to the pile of mindless predictions I keep for later in the season.
seahawks fans are delusional. they only think their team has improve but nobody elses has. i said it once and ill say it again,the seahawks will not make the playoffs in 2008.49ers will win div
I have been a Seahawk and Mariner Fan since they were established. I have coached and managed youth sports for many years. As a kid my favorite sports to play was football and basketball. One of my first jobs out of college was a sports correspondent , I guess I never really got this out of system, which has led me sports blogging. I have adopted the Trialblazers for my basketball team since the Sonics have been stolen by a rich Oakkee. Maybe Starbucks will pull a rabbit out the hat and I can go back to rooting for Sonics: yeah, I know I am a dreamer too. I have a wonderful family that supports my sports addiction.
