Seahawks choice of Germain Ifedi was the right call

Maybe taking Germain Ifedi in the first round wasn’t a mistake for the Seattle Seahawks after all?

We’ve heard it ever since Pete Carroll and John Schneider took over the reigns of the Seattle Seahawks organization in 2010:

We don’t focus on what a player can’t do, we focus on what he CAN do.

It’s a mantra, or sorts. A mission statement that has driven the duo (and their staff) to take the worst roster in the NFL and transform it into arguably the best. Have they made mistakes? Absolutely, and in particular many of those misjudgments have happened along the offensive line. This could explain why so many national draft analyst-types are ripping the Hawks for taking Ifedi with their first pick.

My partner and colleague here at 12th Man Rising, Keith Myers, didn’t pull any punches in his reaction to Seattle’s selection. In his piece, Seattle Seahawks Made A Mistake In Round 1, he laid out his case for why Ifedi is more promise than production. More pie-in-the-sky than potential. He’s not buying what Carroll, Schneider, and O-line coach Tom Cable are selling. He simply believes Ifedi is a bad player who will never develop into a good starter, and for that reason the pick was a grievous error.

More from Seattle Seahawks Draft

I’m here to tell you that he might just be dead wrong, but here’s the thing………

Even if he’s right, it really doesn’t matter.

First, let me address the “dead wrong” part. The primary criticism of Ifedi’s tape is that he has poor technique and bad feet. I would argue that footwork IS technique and can be improved. Carroll talked extensively prior to the draft about the problem with offensive linemen who come from spread systems like the one Texas A&M runs (a descendant of the Mike Leach system). In short, he said linemen are coached poorly, and have to be re-trained when they advance to the professional level.

Cable is convinced that won’t be an issue for Ifedi:

"“You’re talking about a big, big powerful guy with a lot of length,” Cable said. “A little bit raw fundamentally, so there’s some cleanup to do, but it’s an easy fix, I think. But what I liked about him was that if there was an issue, this was a guy who fixed those kind of issues. So he’s wired right, he’s not about BS, he’s about work. Terrific brain on him, I’m very excited… That distance for me to get him where he needs to be I think is rather short.” – Tom Cable on Germain Ifedi"

In his piece, Myers quoted a number of analysts on what Ifedi’s weaknesses were. One example, from CBS’ Lance Zierlein: “Tries to snatch with hands and hang on rather than securing blocks with leg drive. Inconsistent depth of pass sets opens up edge… Uses more of a kick stomp than fluid kick slide. High pad level on down blocks limits leg drive to secure. Passive vertical pass sets allow easy pocket squeeze. Needs to eliminate habit of leaning into blocks.”

Oof, that sounds pretty brutal, right?

But here’s what Zierlein said about Ifedi’s STRENGTHS: “Outstanding length and overall mass. Has played guard and tackle and has ability to play either as a pro. Has athleticism to protect edge as a tackle and can step and catch late or sudden bursts inside. Good hand strength with ability to latch and lock up pass rushers when he lands punch inside the frame. At his best when getting on top of pass rushers with quick-sets. Has reactive athleticism to respond to twists and blitzes. Uses length and foot quickness to open recovery doors that might slam on other linemen. Flashes hip explosion to torque defenders out of the hole as a run blocker. Has body control and change of direction talent to be a successful second level blocker.”

Wow. Now THAT sounds exactly like the kind of young offensive line prospect the Seahawks needed to add to a position group in need, doesn’t it?

Again, focusing on what a player CAN do rather than what he CAN’T.

The Seahawks have made draft mistakes in the past. Every organization does, even the great ones. But what Carroll and Schneider have also displayed is an uncanny ability to know when to cut bait when something isn’t working. Do they view Ifedi as a can’t miss prospect? Doubtful. Do they think he can develop into a star? It sure sounds like it. And if they’re wrong, they’ll move on to the next guy.

By moving down to pick #31, the Seahawks were able to add a 3rd round pick, right in the middle of what most experts say is the strength of this draft. And they still were able to secure the rights to a player that nearly every draft analyst had projected to land in Seattle in that exact spot. Now those same writers are slamming the pick?

One thing unique the the NFL Draft ever since they divided up the days and devoted one night to just the first round; the spotlight is so great on the first 32 picks (31 this year) and the overnight scrutiny so intense, it’s easy to forget the Hawks have nine more picks left with which to really put their stamp on this draft. They certainly aren’t hanging it all on pick #1.

I’ll leave you with this though; a quote from Schneider about a conversation he had with a Kansas staffer, Troy Kema, who had previous worked at A&M and seen Ifedi up close. He told Schneider……. “You can ask me about all these guys at Kansas and you can ask me about all the guys at Texas A&M, and I’m just going to tell you one thing—if you don’t draft Germain Ifedi, you have no idea what you’re doing,”

That was eight months ago.

Next: NFL Draft Day 2, what you need to know

The Seahawks got their man. Many don’t think he’s the RIGHT man, but I disagree. And here’s the rub……

Even if Keith turns out to be right, and Ifedi doesn’t succeed, it doesn’t mean he was the wrong guy for the Seahawks to take when they did. Every pick in the NFL draft is a gamble, and the Seahawks have every right to believe they just hit the jackpot with Germain Ifedi.

Home/Seattle Seahawks Draft