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.
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.
