Cory's Corner: Seattle is best NFC team
The Sheldon Richardson trade sent shockwaves throughout the NFC.
The reason this is so impressive is because he has the versatility to play on the edge or interior and according to Pro Football Focus, he had the fifth-best run defense grade and was ranked 19th as an edge rusher.
Richardson is a game changer and the Seahawks gave up a less than mediocre receiver in Jermaine Kearse and a second rounder to get it done.
This is what Seattle general manager John Schneider, who has deep Packers ties, just did: he sent a message to the rest of the NFC. And that message is that the Seahawks are the best team in the NFC on paper.
Seattle’s front seven now includes Richardson, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Frank Clark, K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner and Ahtyba Rubin. That list includes eight combined Pro Bowl appearances.
And to make matters worse, Seattle still has its secondary, which has been giving teams fits for years and it’s a unit that is only behind Arizona in the NFC.
What this move does is take even more pressure off the Seattle offense. The Seahawks were dealt a huge blow when starting left tackle George Fant tore his ACL two weeks ago. Add in Eddie Lacy’s uncertain preseason and the Seattle offense has question marks.
The Seahawks defense was already stoic, so they simply made it better. Don’t get me wrong, Russell Wilson has been excellent, but he’s going to need time to operate. He won’t be able to ad-lib as much moving forward.
Richardson may very well be a one-year rental because if he has an incredible season, there are estimates that he could make $18 million a season after this year. Which is why Seattle will most likely get more than his best because he’s playing for a contract.
The Seahawks saw what the Packers did by adding Ahmad Brooks on Wednesday and knew that they had to something else to be better than last year. They knew they couldn’t make any tweaks offensively, so they did the unthinkable and beefed up an already beefy defense.
The Falcons, Packers, Cowboys and Panthers saw what happened. They all know that getting the coveted home field advantage throughout the playoffs just got tougher.
Teams will be forced to choose now. Either try go into the teeth of that dreaded front seven or try to dance the tightrope with the ‘Legion of Boom.’ The best way would be a lot of quick throws, while playing at a high pace so that Seattle cannot get a break.
The Jets may be waving the white flag this season, but the Seahawks just proved they are all in. And I’m not sure any team will be able to raise them.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (51)
EdsLaces
September 02, 2017 at 06:29 am
I threw up in my mouth a little when I saw this trade....
KenEllis
September 02, 2017 at 07:36 am
So in Green Bay we're told that trades involving players almost never happen in the NFL and those calling for such moves by our GM are mocked as clueless idiots.
If it is true that trades are nearly impossible to consummate in the NFL, how is it that Seattle General Manager John Schneider routinely makes blockbuster deals for players (remember Marshawn Lynch) and made 3 player trades just yesterda?
And if trades never happen, how come that certain team in the Northeast, the one that has won 5 recent Lombardis, has been able to make so many trades (including sending a CB to Seattle team yesterday) that it leads the NFL in player trades over the past several seasons? http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ency-debrief-no-team-trades-like-t...
For the sin of pointing out all the trades that occur outside the GB bubble, I will now repeat the draft and develop mantra 1,000 times as my penance.
carusotrap
September 02, 2017 at 08:56 am
Well, OK, but even the most critical TT anti-fan has to admit Ted has been pro-active this season. That, or Eliot Wolf has gone all Arya Stark on us and has Ted stuffed in a dungeon and taken his face.
Daren726
September 02, 2017 at 06:44 am
Week 1 will be tough. I hope our O line can hold up. If any second stringers get in, Rogers will be running for his life.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 02, 2017 at 10:54 am
True, but we look healthy going in.
Also, starting off against the league's best defensive front will really help our offense in the following games. Aaron's and the WR/TE's reads will have to be lightning-quick and on the same page.
Good prep for the next couple months.
Donster
September 02, 2017 at 06:57 am
I said in a previous post that TT should trade Cobb to the Jets for Sheldon Richardson. What an upgrade he would have been for the defensive line. Would be interesting to know if TT tried to make a trade or not. I'm guessing not.
ejr450
September 02, 2017 at 07:22 am
And what a downgrade for the offense. If Cobb made $5m instead of $10, no one would want him gone. The argument is the same as it was with AJ Hawk. If he was a 4th round pick we'd have all appreciated his effort, but he was a high 1st rounder so we expected a hall-of-gamer. It's not about the $ with Cobb. The Packers have plenty of cap space. His contract doesn't hurt them. If he's not on the field, who is? Allison? Janis? Please.
Trading AR's security blanket and good friend for a one-year DL is a fun thing in Madden. That's it. Seattle is taking a swing at it this year and we will have to overcome it. I'm glad it's week 1 at our place. Get a game up on them right away.
dobber
September 02, 2017 at 08:52 am
Why does everyone assume that any other team will just pony up and take on Cobb and his contract?
The stock response to just about any player trade now is, "Geez, we should have dealt Cobb for that guy."
Thegreatreynoldo
September 02, 2017 at 03:57 pm
Yes, that is an issue. Might have been Cobb and a 3rd. We could have eaten some of Cobb's money as well, unless Cobb didn't want to go to the Jets, which seems like a reasonable attitude for him to take.
We will see how Cobb looks this season. I think there is a good chance that he looks real good, though his stats might not be stellar due to all the other receiving options. In the back of my mind I keep the notion that Cobb could be a one year guy for us: that is, gone after 2017.
We could franchise Richardson at $14M to $17M for another year if desired. Daniels and Richardson, with Clark and Lowry rotating in, would be formidable.
Seems though that the single best reason not to make some sort of trade is Richardson himself. Matter of time before he does something off (or on) the field that makes us blush, or worse, attracts the Commish's attn.
marpag1
September 02, 2017 at 04:12 pm
And of course, he's already done something to attract the commish's attention... four game suspension for drugs and a fifth for some sort of resisting arrest thing.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 02, 2017 at 10:49 am
If I'm the Jets, I wouldn't give up a 7th Round pick for Cobb's contract, much less Sheldon Richardson.
Cobb's solid, but grossly overpaid. He can't be moved, so don't even hope for it. We either keep his contract and lose two promising players for it (one through losing $6.5 million we could use on an extension, and one through waiving a promising young receiver), or we waive him outright.
I'd waive him immediately, but I'm sure Ted will keep him and lose 2 assets instead.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
September 03, 2017 at 01:19 am
He can't be moved, so don't even hope for it. This isn't rocket surgery, every real Packer fan understands the reasons why this won't happen.
GatorJason
September 02, 2017 at 08:38 am
Great move by the Jets. They unloaded a distraction with a history of legal issues in exchange for a legit number 3 or number 4 WR and an early round draft pick.
The Seahawks lost their top draft pick, DE Malik McDowell, likely out for the season after a vehicular accident just after the draft. McDowell has not been to camp all season, has been going to medical specialists and the state of his health or ability to play football is uncertain. Richardson fills that void for Seattle but he comes with a ton of baggage. He is not a character guy the Packers would ever trade to get. Football wise, Richardson is a solid player with good tackling skills but not a pressure guy who gets sacks. Schneider must see problems on Seattle DL if he traded to get this head ache on his team. Meanwhile, the Jets are experiencing a giant sigh of relief. Addition through subtraction.
NickPerry
September 02, 2017 at 08:19 am
"Richardson is a solid player with good tackling skills but not a pressure guy who gets sacks."
Huh??? In 2014 he had 8 sacks. In 2015 he had 5 sacks in 11 games. Last year he didn't do much but he was in the doghouse and was busy being a pain in the butt in the locker room. Sorry friend but put this guy on a D-Line with Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, and Frank Clark, he'll have 8 sacks again by week 10. All 4 of those guys can rush the passer and they do it well. You're right, he's not a high character guy but you can't deny the guys talent.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
September 03, 2017 at 01:26 am
Isn't Richardson suspended for the first 4 games? Seattle has a bye in week 6. If he can somehow come up with 8(!) sacks in 5 games on a new team in a new scheme, he truly is the elite player you claim him to be. I'll bet you $20 He does NOT have 8 sacks by week 10, if the suspension stands. You in?
GatorJason
September 03, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Mr Gavel, you are not being fair. I'm sure Nick meant that Richardson would get 8 sacks in the first 10 games he actually gets to play in.
I'd still make that bet even under those more favorable conditions. I don't believe Sheldon is the same player he once was and surrounding him with talented DL Seahawk players that deserve to get paid before he does won't turn him into a rejuvenated sack artist.
$20 offer stands to all comers, not just to my friend Nick. I need to offset my cable bill. Offer ends after the 1st week just in case Richardson gets a little fairy dust and "miraculously" does become a sack machine.
Thegreatreynoldo
September 02, 2017 at 04:11 pm
He just is a pressure guy. Forecasting 22 pressures (Mike Daniels territory) and 6 to 8 sacks is easy for Richardson. His down year in 2016 still has him in CM3, Datone, and Peppers territory in terms of Pressures, but he got them as a DL. NYJ have an excellent DL, so I don't know if teams doubled Richardson, or Wilkerson/Leonard Williams, but he brings pressure w/o the need to blitz. Dear Lord, we might see pressure from a 3 man rush. Actually, I am hoping GB can bring pressure with a 3 and 4 man rush from Daniels, Lowry/Clark, Perry, and Brooks. Time will tell.
Lphill
September 02, 2017 at 07:44 am
All the Seahawks need is some receivers and an offensive line . Then maybe I will take notice. Dorsey probably waiting to see what receivers the Packers will cut .
croatpackfan
September 02, 2017 at 07:56 am
What Dorsey has to do with Seahawks?
fthisJack
September 02, 2017 at 09:34 am
yes....i'm expecting Schneider to poach one of our cut receivers. maybe Clark or Dupre or Yancey or McCaffrey. i'll be soooooo ticked off!!!
NickPerry
September 02, 2017 at 07:57 am
CRAP!!!
Bearmeat
September 02, 2017 at 08:26 am
my turn to talk you off the ledge... lol
NickPerry
September 02, 2017 at 07:43 pm
I think I might need it.
croatpackfan
September 02, 2017 at 07:59 am
Well, you may be right, but, somehow I see Packers as the best team in NFC!
Why? They had good D and the best offense by lot!
So, we will have opportunity to see who is right in just about 8 days from now...
I'm looking forward to see the game!
Bearmeat
September 02, 2017 at 08:03 am
Chill out Corey.
This is coming from a pessimist - but can you please let the teams play the games before you crown an NFC champ???
Yeah, Seattle's front 7 will be tough, but assuming our starting OL stays healthy for the entire game, I'm not really worried about passing pressure.
Seattle has 1 elite FS, and 2 excellent scheme fits in Dick Sherman and Kam Chancellor. Their other starting CB is a rookie. And don't you think for a second that MM is going to spread them 5 wide or go 311 and pick on the worst cover player they have? This is not the 2013 Seattle D. There will be passing options open.
Yeah, this makes Seattle better this year. On paper. But it also could be a huge distraction for them. That team already has trouble getting along, and Sheldon Richardson is no choir boy. He's worse than Dick Sherman with his mouth. Plus, it's a one year rental. They're either going to have to pony up for him big time halfway through the year, or they'll be dealing with a malcontent by playoff time.
Now, the other side of the ball. Tell me, how good is Seattle's OL? How good are their receiving options? Has Feastmode looked good in their training camp? Is Prosise hurt again?
Answers: Seattle's OL is TERRIBLE. Their starters. Worst in the league. We may struggle to rush the passer, but not against them. And not when Perry and CM3 are healthy. Add in Brooks, Daniels, Lowry? I'm not worried.
They've got TWO good WRs - Baldwin and Graham. That's it. We've got more than two good cover guys.
Lacy has looked awful by all reports. So has Rawls. And UDFA was getting 1st team RB reps by the end of preseason games. And Prosise is hurt. Again.
Plus, the week 1 game is at home. It'll be a tough game, but I expect to win.
NickPerry
September 02, 2017 at 08:45 am
Excellent comment BM..2 thumbs up!
I'm not so sure this is a "One Year Rental" though, I guess that depends if Richardson can play nice OR keep himself from being suspended. The Seahawks could move on from Sherman and Avril next season without much problem. The question would be is Richardson worth it. Sherman is due $13.2 million and Avril is due $8 million in 2018. If they cut both they'd only have $2.7 million in dead cap space but create an additional $18.5 million by doing it. That's more than enough money to get a deal done. With all the issues around Sherman this year and Avril a year older it's a pretty realistic scenario.
carusotrap
September 02, 2017 at 09:01 am
The headline is click-bait, and it worked. That being said, the article makes reasonable points (although trades a week before the season for players who've never been in a system and that rely on those players to immediately produce at an All-Pro level are extremely dicey.)
GVPacker
September 02, 2017 at 01:30 pm
Can anyone tell me if there is a Golden Corral Buffet restaurant in Green Bay? If so I'm sure there will be a 99% chance Eddy Lacy will there on Saturday night 9-9-17 Feasting! I hope the menu planners put a special emphasis on Pork and Carbohydrates and oh wait I almost forgot Sweet Potato Pie!
NickPerry
September 02, 2017 at 08:37 am
At the end of the day Seattle's already excellent defense got stronger, but the offense took another step back. Seattle's offense isn't going to scare anyone this season and that O-Line is horrible.
I HOPE the Packers come out and play like they did in week 14 last season and move the ball up and down the field, I just don't know if that will happen this early in the season. With so little work in the preseason I can't help but think the offense won't be firing at 100% and scoring 30 points a game. Personally I think week one just may be a bit of a defensive game.
BUT I like the Packers defense against Seattle's offense. Russell Wilson has never been what you'd call great against GB and I don't think it will start next Sunday. The Packers new TE's will be huge in this game as will Nelson and Cobb working from the slot.
EdsLaces
September 02, 2017 at 10:28 am
Ahhh next Sunday he says ....has a nice ring to it :)
Thegreatreynoldo
September 02, 2017 at 04:19 pm
Kearse is actually pretty bad. Not sure Seattle's offense got worse. 800 plus snaps and seattle's slot receiver musters up 510 yards receiving on a 46% catch rate from Wilson? Turrible. Kearse probably either doesn't make Seattle's 53 or is buried deep. Either way, he is completely replaceable. I think Max could better those numbers in 2017 for Seattle. [Am I getting carried away with my crush on Max? Maybe, but the larger point is that Seattle has guys on their roster at least as good as Kearse.]
NickPerry
September 03, 2017 at 05:40 am
I might have overstated his worth but Seattle just doesn't have much outside Baldwin. Kearse seems to come up with the "Big Catch" and had a catch rate of over 72% in 2015. Everybody not named Baldwin seems to be about a 40 catch, 500 yard WR in that offense.
I think Seattle will struggle quite a bit until they find a RB who can carry that offense like Lynch. They just don't have the WR to carry em like the Packers, not yet anyways.
dobber
September 03, 2017 at 07:08 am
If Graham is healthy, he's their #2 guy. In his prime (and with Brees throwing to him), he was a monster. Russell Wilson is no Drew Brees, but he makes that offense go. Until they get that OL straightened out, they're going to be a tease.
PackEyedOptimist
September 02, 2017 at 09:01 am
If Capers unleashes the attacking D that I think he will, I expect to see the Seattle offense hit on a couple big plays, but take a bunch of sacks/interceptions/TFLs.
If Bulaga is able to play, I don't care whose defense is against us. Our starters should be able to function against the NFLs BEST this year.
Handsback
September 02, 2017 at 09:40 am
Last year the Packers beat the Seahawks pretty handily. They have improved, but so has the Packers. This game will be considered the touchstone for the football experts until the playoffs.
May be the best game to watch all season. I say bring it on and let's see who rules the NFC.
To be the best you have to beat the best. No shortcuts in the NFL.
GVPacker
September 02, 2017 at 09:56 am
Richardson is a Thug he'll be a Great Fit with the Sea Chickens!
Bure9620
September 02, 2017 at 10:31 am
Not sure I feel they are the best team yet. Not sure I have seen a team with such a beastly D-line and atrocious o line. Without the basketball /tight end Left tackle Fant, where do they go now??
Should be in the backfield a lot. Just don't see how you can such questions up front and be the best team.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 02, 2017 at 10:44 am
I consider this a great move by both teams, but I'm not crowning Seattle yet.
I still believe Dallas is #1 in the NFC, and I expect Green Bay to outlast Seattle in a defensive struggle in Week 1.
Russell Wilson has never seen a Packer track him down like Josh Jones will--this will be an opening day shocker.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
September 02, 2017 at 11:05 am
On another topic, I want all OTA's, Training Camps, and preseason games CANCELLED for all time...
...if either Yancey or Dupre beats out Max McCaffrey.
I mean, he has outperformed those two in every conceivable way, so why have any offseason at all if McCaffrey is waived???
Why???
real some guy
September 02, 2017 at 12:21 pm
Seattle doesn't have a vaunted front 7 anymore. They were incredibly weak up the middle before this trade and while they got better, it hardly makes them the best team in the NFC.
Bennett and Avril are closing in on 32 and aren't nearly what they used to be. Rubin and Reed are below average players inside. Wright and Wagner are still very good players but Wilhoite is below average.
Without that pass rush, the LOB isn't nearly as dominant.
outside of Clark, they really don't have a young guy of note. This simply is not the same defense from 3 years ago. Still good, just not elite.
And you can't be the best team in the conference with serious deficiencies on the offensive line and at WR. Their running backs are just guys as well.
porupack
September 02, 2017 at 01:19 pm
How nice for Patriots to be in a conference of Jets, Bills and Dolphins, probably the worst managed teams after Browns. Two teams already tanked before the season started (Bills and Jets). For nearly a decade the Patriots play against farm teams. Now Jets and Bills have a fire sale going on any player that is marketable for draft picks.
TT should make a low ball offer on any Oline-man. Just might get a proven vet for a fair price.
sonomaca
September 02, 2017 at 02:39 pm
If Bulaga is still hobbled in week one, I'm going straight West Coast. Dink and dunk all day.
GBPDAN1
September 02, 2017 at 02:47 pm
I know they were to experience and getting older, but, losing Sitton and Lang just hurt a little bit more after reading that the SeaHens landed Richardson. Let's hope Bulaga can go for the opener or that Ted can find some quality backup OL help, especially OT.
marpag1
September 02, 2017 at 04:09 pm
The notion that John Schneider just pulled off some sort of masterstroke that left the NFC gasping in stunned disbelief is just dumb. The Jets have been trying hard to dump Richardson since LAST OCTOBER, and after ten months of working the phones, John Schneider was the first GM to blink.
Every other GM in the league had almost a full year to contemplate if they wanted Richardson, who has been a malcontent from day one, who has been a distraction in the locker room, who has only one year on his contract and has already indicated that he wants to be paid like a superstar, who has already been suspended for four games for substance abuse, and also a fifth game for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
All 31 GMs thought it over carefully last October, said no, took a vacation to the Hamptons during the offseason, came back, revisited the idea of trading for Richardson when the Jets called again, said no again, then set up their rosters for training camp, thought about Richardson, said no a third time..... etc etc
Thegreatreynoldo
September 02, 2017 at 05:07 pm
So, what's your point?
Trade a probably fairly late 2nd round pick and a non-entity for Richardson, and take the comp pick, getting back a late 3rd later. Seattle barely has the cap space for Richardson this season, much less next year. Figure Richardson is playing for a contract and can keep his issues out of sight for a year.
All of your points are true and important considerations. I'd just figure that the Jets' price finally came down from the stratosphere to something approaching a reasonably calculated risk for a good team with super bowl aspirations to consider. Just tell Richardson that we won't franchise you after this year, so go out and earn a big contract, if you can. There is risk, no doubt. But not much about production on the field.
[Edit: Thought I'd poke the bear a bit, and play devil's advocate.]
snowdog
September 02, 2017 at 05:12 pm
" JUST WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON OUT THERE ! "
JJtheTraveler
September 02, 2017 at 06:33 pm
nfl odds makers still have the Pack as 3 point favorites. And while the trade might make the the seahawks defense a bit better you still have to score. Wilson will be running for his life all season. I'm thinking as he takes shot after shot he'll slow down.
Oppy
September 02, 2017 at 07:52 pm
The only thing that sends a message to the league is winning games.
Bring on the Seahawks and lets see what shakes out.
Since'61
September 02, 2017 at 08:12 pm
Seattle is the best team in the NFC!? Really? Cory, I was unaware that Green Bay, Arizona, Atlanta and the NY Giants have all left the NFC. Let's look at offense first.
Green Bay has a better QB, better RBs, better WRs, better TEs and a better OL than the Seachickens.
The same case can be made for the Atlanta offense.
Seattle has an excellent front 7 it's true and maybe the best in the NFC but the NY Giants have an excellent secondary and at least as good if not better than Seattle's. The Giants also have some excellent DLs.
When healthy Arizona usually gives Seattle all they can handle on both sides of the ball.
I don't see how a team with an elite front 7 on defense is better than other teams in the NFC with elite offenses and defenses. Seattle will be difficult to defeat at home as usual but these are not the 2013-14 Seahawks. A very good team, but the best in the NFC, let's see where they are at in January before we hand them the NFC championship. Thanks, Since '61
Samson
September 02, 2017 at 11:21 pm
Atlanta, Seattle and Dallas are the elite teams in the NFC. --- The Pack are close if injuries are at a minimum and at least 2 or 3 players have career years. -- The 1st seven games (before the bye) will determine GB's fate in season 2017.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
September 03, 2017 at 01:32 am
With that JV O line, I have a feeling Wilson gets injured BAD this year. So bad, his water wont even help. Who is even playing LT now after their scrub starter was lost for the year already?