Golden Tate
Titans vs Seahawks: What to Watch
The Seahawks open the 2010 exhibition season tonight against the Tennessee Titans at Qwest Field.
If we learned anything from last season, it is that exhibition games don’t mean much in terms of wins and losses. The Seahawks were undefeated in the preseason last year, but finished the regular season with only five wins.
Rather than stay focused on the scoreboard, fans should take advantage of an excellent opportunity to observe fringe players, backups, and rookies showcase their talents and attempt to impress coaches. A lot of jobs are won and lost in August; the preseason gives fans a chance to evaluate prospects before they ever make an impact in September.
Tonight will be the first exhibition game for Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks. There will be a lot to focus on during the game, but here is a quick list of what should be watched:
Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst
Last March, the Seahawks acquired Whitehurst from the San Diego Chargers. The unproven quarterback cost Seattle twenty slots in the second round of the NFL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2011 draft. Seattle also gave Whitehurst a new two-year deal worth $8 million – before he has ever thrown a pass in the regular season.
Whitehurst seems like a promising prospect, but no one knows if he is capable of successfully running an offense in the National Football League. The physical tools are definitely there, but how competent Whitehurst is above his shoulders is to be determined.
It could be argued that no one has had a more up-and-down offseason than Charlie Whitehurst. At times, Whitehurst has looked like the next starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks; at others, he looked like a third-string quarterback who will never develop into a good starter in the league.
Wide receiver Mike Williams
At Southern Cal, Williams had established himself as a can’t-miss prospect and obvious pro-caliber wide receiver. In the National Football League, immaturity and a poor work ethic have led to Williams being labeled a bust.
At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Williams is the big, physical target that offenses in the National Football League crave. His physique alone presents matchup problems for opposing defenses; with exceptional ball skills and soft hands, Williams looks like the next Pro Bowl wideout.
Surprisingly, even with his physical tools, Williams is not a lock to make the roster. Pete Carroll, who coached Williams at Southern Cal, could find a way to motivate the former first-round pick, but Williams needs to prove his worth on the field.
Offensive tackle Russell Okung
In April, the Seahawks invested a top-ten selection on Okung. Not only is Okung expected to improve an offensive line that struggled in 2009, but he also needs to replace a first-ballot Hall of Famer in Walter Jones.
Not even two weeks ago, Okung agreed to a six-year contract worth up to $58 million. Despite only being in training camp for about a week, Okung should see lots of playing time against the Titans. Expect to see him play with both the first and second units.
Russell Okung was arguably the best offensive line prospect available in last April’s draft. Now we get to see if he was worth the investment.
The “Leo” position
It is obvious the Seattle Seahawks need help rushing the passer. Last season, the Seahawks ranked twenty-sixth in the National Football League with only 28.0 sacks. A mediocre pass rush makes it very difficult to stop opposing offenses and win football games – the five teams with less sacks than Seattle (Tampa Bay, Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Jacksonville) combined for only seventeen wins.
Pete Carroll, a defensive-minded head coach, has brought a new strategy with him from Southern Cal: the “Leo” or “Elephant” position.
This position is a hybrid-style defensive end who lines up in a two-point stance on the defensive line. To the casual observer, it will look like Seattle is in a traditional 3-4 defense – there are only three down linemen, but principles and gap responsibilities from a 4-3 defense remain the same.
Players like Chris Clemons, Nick Reed, Rickey Foley, and others will probably have an opportunity to play the new Leo position tonight. Keep an eye out for it and see what sort of tricks the new coaching staff has to generate pressure.
Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, Chris Clemons, exhibition, football, Golden Tate, Leo position, Mike Williams, National Football League, nfl, Nick Reed, Pete Carroll, preseason, Qwest field, Ricky Foley, rookie, Russell Okung, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans
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Training Camp Tweets, Part Two
Tags: Colin Cole, Earl Thomas, football, Golden Tate, Justin Forsett, Kam Chancellor, nfl, Pete Carroll, Russell Okung, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, training camp, Twitter, VMAC
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Training Camp Tweets
Tags: Ben Hamilton, Chester Pitts, E.J. Wilson, Earl Thomas, football, Golden Tate, Justin Forsett, Kam Chancellor, Matt Hasselbeck, nfl, Other, Pete Carroll, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, training camp, Twitter
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Golden Tate Signs Contract
Praise God!!! Terms and conditions have been reached for the seattle seahawks! Let’s play ball!
Thanks to Golden Tate via Twitter, we have learned the rookie wide receiver has been signed to a four-year deal and will be present on the first day of training camp.
According to sources, Tate’s contract is worth $3.261 million, and includes a $1 million signing bonus. Overall, $1.471 million of the deal is guaranteed.
I suppose a maple bar joke is appropriate here ($3.261 million can buy X amount of donuts), but I’m just happy to hear Tate has been signed.
Russell Okung and Earl Thomas, Seattle’s two first-round selections, remain unsigned.
Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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Tags: contract details, football, Golden Tate, News, nfl, rookie, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, training camp, wide receiver
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San Diego Chargers Willing to Trade Vincent Jackson
It could be time to start thinking about Vincent Jackson again.
While I don’t think it will – or should – happen, the Seahawks have shown interest in acquiring Jackson this offseason. And the Chargers, who were originally opposed to dealing their productive receiver, have apparently opened up to the idea of a trade.
The Chargers are facing tough personnel decisions with offensive tackle Marcus McNeil, Jackson, and perhaps linebacker Shawne Merriman becoming holdouts. Merriman should be a little easier to deal with, but McNeil and Jackson could become ugly holdouts that last well into the regular season.
Chargers general manager A.J. Smith recently said he might be willing to trade Vincent Jackson, but Marcus McNeil probably isn’t going anywhere.
It is definitely a situation worth keeping an eye on; the rumor mill identifies Seattle as one of San Diego’s likely trading partners (probably because of an admitted interest in acquiring Jackson). But what franchise, if the price is right, wouldn’t want to add a Pro Bowl talent to its roster?
The Seahawks were interested in trading for Brandon Marshall earlier this offseason. They were linked to T.O. rumors before head coach Pete Carroll abruptly shot them down. They invested a second-round pick in the NFL Draft on Golden Tate, a talented prospect out of Notre Dame.
It seems obvious the franchise would like to upgrade its group of wide receivers. But at what cost?
To acquire Brandon Marshall, the Miami Dolphins sent two second-round picks to Denver and rewarded the disgruntled wide receiver a huge, new contract. But Miami is a possible contender, and the Seahawks are clearly rebuilding.
Parting with second-round picks in consecutive years would be counterproductive for a rebuilding team; spending cash on skilled positions is pointless when you’re thin in the trenches. A rebuilding team needs to focus on acquiring as much young talent as possible, and in my opinion, should build from the inside-out.
I don’t think the San Diego Chargers want to get rid of their Pro Bowl talent. They’d probably prefer to retain Vincent Jackson and other potential holdouts.
But if A.J. Smith is willing to deal Jackson, don’t expect the price tag to be any cheaper than Brandon Marshall’s.
If Smith was able to play the market and receive compensation greater than the tender for Charlie Whitehurst, do you really think he’ll except anything less than what Jackson is worth? Jackson isn’t as productive as Marshall, but their value should be similar in a trade.
If Vincent Jackson is available, would you want the Seattle Seahawks to pursue him? And at what cost?
Now that the Chargers are reportedly willing to at least consider trading Jackson, expect the rumors to pick up steam again. And for no other reason than previous interest, the Seahawks will probably be the first team mentioned.
Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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Tags: Brandon Marshall, Charlie Whitehurst, football, Golden Tate, holdout, Marcus McNeil, Miami Dolphins, nfl, Pete Carroll, Pro Bowl, Rumors, San Diego Chargers, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, Terrell Owens, trade, vincent jackson, wide receiver
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Golden Tate is Marketing Gold
Remember the scandal earlier this month involving Top Pot Doughnuts and Golden Tate?
If you recall, the “crime” didn’t quite seem real. There was even speculation the entire transgression was a hoax.
The incentive: guerilla marketing.
Although Top Pot adamantly denies the scandal was planned, they’re definitely benefiting from the new-found attention. The day after Golden Tate sneaked in for a late-night craving, the so-called irresistible doughnut shop sold out of maple bars.
Top Pot would be foolish not to exploit this attention, right?
Check out this image of a new Top Pot Doughnuts advertisement:
Source: deadspin.com
Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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Tags: crime, football, Golden Tate, Maple Bar, marketing, nfl, Other, Pete Carroll, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, Top Pot Doughnuts
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Wildcat in Seattle?
There was an interesting bit the other day on the rumor mill – courtesy of ESPN.com – about the Seattle Seahawks becoming the next team to employ the Wildcat formation on a regular basis. The Wildcat rumor was derived from an article featured in the News Tribune that profiled new Seahawk Isaiah Stanback.
The article, written by Dave Boling, explores the possibility of Isaiah Stanback as the quarterback in the Wildcat formation. This scenario became more than just a possibility when head coach Pete Carroll commented on Stanback’s versatility and ability as a passer:
“He can offer some help to do some things if we needed it at the quarterback spot to salvage a few situations,” Carroll said, adding that he was “anxious to see what he offers us.”
The Hawks already have three quarterbacks on the depth chart, but Carroll’s comment suggests that he might see Stanback as a possible “Wildcat” quarterback on occasion.
I love Stanback’s athleticism and versatility too, but didn’t we already go through this experiment with Seneca Wallace?
If you remember, Wallace spent more time running out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage than making a positive play with his feet or arm. A few of Mora’s trick plays – most specifically designed to exploit Wallace’s talents – resulted in positive gains, but the Wildcat formation was never regularly used during the regular season.
Maybe it was a result of poor play on the offensive line, but I thought Wallace in a “Wildcat” role was rather unimpressive. Why should we expect more from Stanback, who is far less proven in the National Football League than Wallace?
Despite hesitant support for Stanback in the Wildcat, I do like the idea of the Seahawks implementing the formation on a somewhat-regular basis. I wouldn’t mind developing the next Ronnie Brown in Seattle to run the Wildcat formation. I just don’t think Isaiah Stanback is the best option.
What about Golden Tate?
I know Golden Tate doesn’t have the passing experience that Isaiah Stanback has, but he is a better playmaker with the ball in his hands. Ronnie Brown would never excel as a quarterback, but he is more than effective in Miami’s Wildcat.
Golden Tate is an extraordinary player with a unique set of skills. He may not be the fastest receiver or possess the best hands, but his ball skills are above average and he excels after the catch.
Tate is similar to a player like Percy Harvin, who excels at multiple skill-positions despite a smaller frame (around 5-foot-11, 200 pounds). Like Harvin, Tate has played at both running back and wide receiver. Both players have exceptional abilities when they have the ball, but neither player is a traditional NFL-receiver.
Following the NFL draft, SI.com’s Peter King wrote that Pete Carroll is well-aware of Tate’s unique skills:
When Carroll called him to welcome him to the Seahawks, he told him to be ready for anything – receiving, returning, rushing … and yes, Wildcatting. Golden Tate might play Ronnie Brown in Seattle.
It appears the Seahawks will employ a number of different formations to exploit the talents of different players. Stanback may be one option for the Wildcat or a similar formation, but don’t forget about Golden Tate, the Top Pot Bandit.
Don’t believe in Tate’s skills? Check out this video that mostly highlights him running out of the Wildcat:
Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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Tags: football, Golden Tate, Isaiah Stanback, Jim Mora, nfl, Notre Dame, Percy Harvin, Pete Carroll, Popular, quarterback, Running Back, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, Seneca Wallace, wide receiver, Wildcat, Wildcat Formation
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Three Words To Describe Golden Tate: Talented, Hard-Working, Criminal
I like Golden Tate.
When the Seahawks first drafted him about a month ago, I didn’t think I’d like him that much. The dude had single-handedly destroyed the Huskies over the years (with a little help from Casey Clausen’s kid brother, I suppose), and because I’d heard so much about him in the media during his time at Notre Dame, he almost had that prima donna reputation that can a follow a talented young player around. Call it the Tebow Effect, or something along those lines.
In the weeks since he officially became a Seahawk, Tate has done quite a bit to earn my respect.
First off, he’s been attending organized team activities (OTAs) despite not having a signed a contract yet. That takes guts. It’s like working for free, with no insurance policy, no safety net, nothing. Every fan should be applauding that move.
Second, early reports from camp on Tate have all been favorable. The consensus opinion is that the Seahawks got a steal in the second round with the former Fighting Irish wideout. And that pleases me. Because the Hawks don’t really have anyone on their roster that has proven to be a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL. But Tate, by all indications, could be just that.
More than anything else, however, the thing that has endeared me to Tate most of all is his penchant for doughnuts, which in turn has led him to a life of crime. Seriously.
For those of you who haven’t heard about “Donutgate,” here are the details:
- In the wee hours of Saturday morning (June 5th), Tate and a friend arrived home at Tate’s Bellevue apartment when they caught the aroma of doughnuts baking in a Top Pot doughnut shop that happens to be located in the same building where Tate lives.
- Acting on impulse (more or less), Tate and his friend entered the bakery of the Top Pot doughnut shop through a back door that was unlocked.
- Tate and his friend then entered the bakery and proceeded to nibble on a freshly prepared maple bar or two.
- Shortly thereafter, an employee entered the bakery after having been in the bathroom, spotted Tate and his friend eating maple bars in the shop, and called the police.
- Tate and his friend left the shop after being confronted by the employee.
- Later Saturday morning, Tate was served at his residence with a warning for trespassing.
- Top Pot doughnuts neglected to press charges or pursue any further action against Tate or his friend.
Everything about this story is perfect. Okay, so the ethics aren’t quite there, but come on. Who wouldn’t want to eat a freshly baked doughnut at roughly 3:00 in the morning? Please. Don’t blame the guy for being human.
And think about this from Top Pot’s perspective. You more or less gave a dude five or six bucks worth of maple bars for loads of free publicity. These guys would have had to pay thousands and thousands of dollars to hear their name dropped like this on any ordinary day. They should be inking Tate to an endorsement deal right now. Best advertisement ever.
To top it all off, Tate came out today and humbly apologized for his actions over the weekend. While everyone else (including Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll) has been having fun with Tate’s criminal act, Tate himself remained very contrite when discussing what occurred on that fateful (and illegal) doughnut run.
I would have gone with the standard glazed cake doughnut, but I like Tate’s style. And if nothing else, the guy has earned himself a new nickname: Maple Bar Tate.
Filed under: Seahawks
Tags: Donutgate, Golden Tate, Maple Bar, Top Pot
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Charlie Whitehurst: Still Optimistic
A lot of people are skeptical of Charlie Whitehurst for the wrong reasons. Whitehurst has never thrown a pass in a regular season game; even some of the most devoted fans are oblivious to his game.
It is hard not to be intrigued by the allure of the unknown. But that same unfamiliarity has created skeptics, desperate to find reasons to criticize the acquisition.
Pessimists fail to trust the judgment of John Schneider and the front office, even after an amazing haul in the NFL draft. They’re quick to point out Whitehurst’s preseason statistics, hoping something will prove he is doomed to fail in Seattle.
In the preseason, Charlie Whitehurst’s statistics are barely impressive. He has thrown for just over 1,000 yards and 5 touchdowns, but he has also thrown 6 interceptions. His completion rate of about 53 percent is nothing to write home about; neither is his quarterback rating.
But since when do preseason statistics matter?
Remember, the Seahawks were undefeated last preseason yet finished the regular season at 5-11. And don’t forget about the Detroit Lions, who went undefeated in the preseason but failed to win one regular season game.
Justin Forsett rushed for only 132 yards and averaged just over 3 yards per carry last preseason. In the regular season, he totaled 619 yards on 114 carries, good for a 5.4 yard average. Despite average preseason production – and yes, he was still competing for a roster spot – Forsett was very good during the regular season. In fact, certain statistics show he was the most elusive back in the NFL.
Kyle Orton, Denver’s new – and somewhat unproven – quarterback last season, didn’t impress much in the preseason. While trying to fill the void left by Jay Cutler, Orton threw for 367 yards, 1 touchdown, and 4 interceptions in three preseason games. Despite a poor showing in the exhibition season, Orton finished the 2009 regular season with 3,802 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and an 86.8 quarterback rating.
Apples and oranges? Possibly. But success and failure cannot be determined by preseason statistics.
Charlie Whitehurst has far too many skeptics for someone who has never thrown an NFL pass. Hell, I’d be willing to bet that most fans didn’t know he existed prior to his arrival in Seattle. Still, everyone seems to have a strong opinion about how he’ll fare with the Seahawks.
It is time to trust the front office – until they prove they’re not capable, anyway. Charlie Whitehurst didn’t end up in Seattle by accident.
Pete Carroll and Jeremy Bates like Whitehurst’s mobility, arm strength, and downfield accuracy; he definitely possesses the physical tools of an NFL quarterback. Hopefully, his intangibles are up to par after carrying the clipboard in San Diego for a few years. Norv Turner is known for developing young talent at the quarterback position.
John Schneider went out and got the guy he wanted to become the future of the franchise. Schneider first saw Whitehurst make throws in nasty weather during one of Clemson’s pro days. Whitehurst was only a junior, making throws for a Clemson receiver who was working out for professional scouts. Whitehurst, however, left the lasting impression. After zipping the ball through the air despite inferior conditions, Schneider was sold.
Instead of being skeptical, everyone should take a wait-and-see approach with Charlie Whitehurst. The front office got the quarterback they wanted and we should trust their professional judgment until they show they’re unqualified.
The cost was high, but that will quickly be forgotten if Whitehurst develops into a good starter. That, and stealing Golden Tate late in the second round of the draft.
Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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Tags: Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson, football, Golden Tate, Jeremy Bates, John Schneider, Justin Forsett, Kyle Orton, National Football League, nfl, Opinion, Pete Carroll, Popular, preseason, Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks
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