Kelly Jennings: Do or Die Time?

Written by Mike Parker

Tuesday, 28 July 2009 13:38

The abysmal performance of last year’s secondary doesn’t rest on any lone person’s shoulders, but a few players took the brunt of the blame.

In some cases, critics just want a scapegoat. After all, the Seahawks finished dead last in pass defense last year, which was both unsettling and unexpected given the same unit’s performance in 2007. But in other cases, things like film and statistics don’t lie.

At the forefront of the criticism in the 2008 secondary was CB Kelly Jennings, the Seahawks’ first-round pick out of Miami in 2006. Standing at 5-11 and weighing in at 180 pounds, Jennings took (and still takes) a lot of flak for being undersized and overmatched in most situations. While that may be true, Jennings was outplayed all over the board by teammate Josh Wilson in 2008, and Wilson stands two inches shorter. Granted, Wilson makes up for the height with a little extra bulk (he has 12 pounds on Jennings), but Jennings isn’t holding up to his first-round selection status.

The cornerback position was also an obvious concern through the offseason, because Ruskell and the coaching staff elected to bring back free agent CB and former Seahawk Ken Lucas. The fact that Lucas is back in the mix, on top of Wilson’s increasing stock and Marcus Trufant all but a lock to remain the opposite-side starter, makes things look grim for Kelly Jennings.

It’s hard to imagine Jennings beating out any of those guys for a job in camp. I could see him competing with Kevin Hobbs or Marquis Floyd for a spot further down the depth chart, but even those two have shown some rising stock in the recent past – long enough to stay on the active roster, at least. Hobbs has a lot to compete for now as well, because he played in 14 games last year and therefore is no longer eligible for the practice squad. Floyd, meanwhile, could remain on the practice squad.

Jennings’ main problem last year was being out-muscled at the line of scrimmage by bigger receivers. His speed is where it should be, but his instincts have lacked under pressure. I can remember two separate instances last year where Jennings’ man was thrown to, and he didn’t even turn around. When you’re an NFL cornerback and you have your back to the ball when your man is making the catch, something is terribly amiss.

Moreover, Jennings doesn’t have much tackling power. He had 42 tackles in 2008, whereas Trufant had 64 and Wilson had 69. Wilson also became the star of the secondary last season when he forced three fumbles and grabbed four interceptions. Jennings racked up zero in both those categories.

In short, Jennings has everything riding on this training camp. He needs to be in pristine physical condition and play up to the caliber of his first-round selection, because the Seahawks have already upgraded at his position. Ken Lucas may have been released by Carolina, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a better fit for the West Coast Defense.

At this point, the team would most likely get along fine without Jennings – it’s up to him to prove otherwise.

Comments (21) Add Comment

Scotia Seahawk
written by Scotia Seahawk, July 28, 2009

Jenning was/is more likely to get head in the back of the head by the football than get an interception.

Jennings should move to safety, free safety
written by henry dribble, July 29, 2009

this is where he belongs.

re: Scotia Seahawk
written by Pablo, July 29, 2009

Jenning was/is more likely to get head in the back of the head by the football than get an interception.

:lol: That's Comedy! On the subject of Jennings and this is including Wilson, can anyone tell me why Ruskell likes CB's so small? Doesn't he realize that WR's in the NFC West are monsters? Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Bolden, Jerheme Urban, Brandon Jones, Arnaz Battle, and Rookie Michael Crabtree? I understand why he finally picked up Ken Lucas, but why wait so freak'n long? And if Lucas goes down then who's to take his place?

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written by Tom, July 29, 2009

I think that Ruskell and company assume that the biggest need for any DB is not size but speed. this is where the selections of Wilson and Jennings come into play. both can run really well, they supposedly have fluid hips and have the character that Ruskell loves. I think that this philosophy plays out in all of Ruskell's picks. He doesn't droll over players with prototype size or speed instead he values character, work ethic, and heart. I believe I read some where that his ideal player would have a boy scout that could out work any one, be able to lead on and off the field, and last and defenitly not first, the measurable's that all of the other teams look at during the combine.

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written by nightwulf, July 29, 2009

It will be interesting to see what happens with him this year...now that Marshall the Moron is gone, and we've upgraded several parts of our D, things should be easier in the d-backfield this year...

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written by BillT, July 29, 2009

Tom,

One other thing that Ruskell values more than pure measurables is his ability to play football. Lofa Tatupu was considered too small and too slow to play MLB in the NFL by many GM's and scouts but when Ruskell watched him play in college, he made every play the MLB should make and showed that he was a heck of a football player with unusual football savvy. That sold Ruskell. He'd rather pick a player who has demonstrated an ability to play football at a high level than worry about prototypical size and speed. That doesn't mean he's not aware that size and speed do matter somewhere in the equation only that the player's ability to play the game is of higher value.

Holmgren's first pick Lamar King had good size and was considered to have good speed on the outside. Here was the prototypical DE who should have been able to tear it up. An ability to play football trumps measurables every time.

Of course the character thing and giving 110% on the field are other aspects of the total evaluation Ruskell uses to grade his prospects but on the subject of measurements, he prefers to first look at the man and how well he plays the game. Some guys are just football players regardless of their stature. I think that Jennings still has a lot to prove but Wilson will prove to be a player before he's done and justify his position regardless of being a shrimp.

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written by STTBM, July 29, 2009

Ruskells deliberately ignoring measurables is every bit as bad as Holmgrens ignoring character. Both theories end up with too many failures. Did Holmgren draft two DB's in the first two rounds in consecutive years that failed to be quality starters? No, Ruskell did. As hard as Wilson plays, he is still severely limited due to his lack of size, and will never be a Pro Bowl starting CB: he still gets beaten too much at nickel back, and nickel back is where he will stay.

Jennings has allready proven he is a liability, and unable to play nickel back. Wilson has pretty much proven that he is only a nickel back with tremendous speed who still manages to get beat. Though he hits like a train....

So far, its taken Ruskell almost four years to replace his hand-picked failures on the defensive line and secondary. Holmy wouldnt have waited two years before bringing in quality veteran depth. Instead we make due with losers like the two offensive lineman we just scavenged off the scrap heap...

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written by STTBM, July 29, 2009

That said, I expect this years defense to be MUCH improved. It had better be. And I fully expect that Ruskell has finally learned from his mistakes, and by the offseason, we will be rid of players like Sims, SPencer, Wahle, Jennings, etc. And Ruskell will finally bring in a couple of name veterans on the line who havent had major injuries recently...

If this year goes like I hope, next year will be even better. As pissed as I am at Ruskells arrogant mistakes, he seems to be moving in the right direction. One more kick-butt draft and good Free Agency, and I think we have the most talented team in the league. Now if only we play up to our talent and coaching ability...

re:
written by Pablo, July 29, 2009

That said, I expect this years defense to be MUCH improved. It had better be. And I fully expect that Ruskell has finally learned from his mistakes, and by the offseason, we will be rid of players like Sims, SPencer, Wahle, Jennings, etc. And Ruskell will finally bring in a couple of name veterans on the line who havent had major injuries recently...

If this year goes like I hope, next year will be even better. As pissed as I am at Ruskells arrogant mistakes, he seems to be moving in the right direction. One more kick-butt draft and good Free Agency, and I think we have the most talented team in the league. Now if only we play up to our talent and coaching ability...

I agree with you on the mistakes Ruskell has made with the Wilson, Jennings, Wahle, Spencer, Sims, Brian Russell, etc, and let's not forget the Steve Hutchinson debacle, but Ruskell founds gems in Tatupu, Hill, FS C.J. Wallace, CB Kevin Hobbs and...I can't think of anyone else, LOL! Oh, I believe bringing in FB Justin Griffith was a good one. Aaron Curry is going to be our franchise player, but that isn't a Ruskell pick that is just a freak'n' no brainer! I hope that CJ Wallace, Rookie Courtney Greene, and CB Kevin Hobbs go gang busters in training camp! I would love to see Hobbs steal a spot from Wilson or Jennings. I feel Wallace is a more natural FS than Russell. We will see.

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written by Hojo, July 29, 2009

I think you guys are underestimating Wilson some. They guy was solid last year and will give Lucas all he can handle for the starting CB job. I think Wilson ends up a starter next year if not this one. Jennings could be a decent Nickel CB or Free saftey. Not exactly how you want to spend first rd picks.

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written by Hojo, July 29, 2009

I remember watching the Cinci v. Seattle game a couple years back and TJ was begging for the ball every time Jennings lined up across from him.

I think on NFL films you can hear him say something to the effect of... "this guy can't guard me, can you see how small he is?"

re:
written by Pablo, July 29, 2009

I remember watching the Cinci v. Seattle game a couple years back and TJ was begging for the ball every time Jennings lined up across from him.

I think on NFL films you can hear him say something to the effect of... "this guy can't guard me, can you see how small he is?"

:woohoo: LOL! I don't care who you are that there is funny!

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written by STTBM, July 29, 2009

Hojo--whats even funnier than the Housh quote is your assertion that Jennings could play FS. Dude couldnt play safety for a Junior College team, let alone the NFL. Unfortunately for Jennings, safeties pretty much HAVE to be 200 lbs and they have to TACKLE!! Which Jennings cant do...

Jennings will be out of the NFL in two years or less. Period. Maybe he can cut it in the CFL...

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written by STTBM, July 29, 2009

I think either CJ Wallace or Jamar Adams needs to be starting in place of Russell. How are they ever going to learn if they dont get playing time? Both are MUCH better athletes than Russell, thats for sure. I think Seattle has CJ pegged at FS, and Adams at SS though.

Can anyone please explain why Seattle intends to play Grant at SS and has Russell at FS? To me, that sounds ass-backwards. Usually the slower, bigger DB plays SS, and thus closer to the line of scrimmage: And the leaner, quicker player is at FS and has the deep 1/3 of the field.

Or did I hit my head since HS football and get my brains scrambled?..

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written by balaramesh, July 29, 2009

:evil: jennings is by far one of the most physically talented corners in the game. however, despite his elite nfl measurables, the guy is below average so far. he plays no where close to his talent level and gets beaten but much lesser receivers on a consistent basis.

the nfl is not all about talent but for someone who has a master's in international finance, he should have much better recognition skills. he looks completely lost at times on the field. it's a shame when the guy that was DESTROYED by receivers and was several steps too slow in the playoffs (ken lucas) took his job.

kelly plays with NO toughness, aggressiveness or heart on the field.

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written by rabble1977, July 29, 2009

Jennings had an excellent 2007 season but that sucked last year. I think the reason he struggled so much had nothing to do with his hieght or wieght, it had to do with his lack of ball skills. Teams learned that they could target him because the worse that could happen was an incomplete pass. Jennings has hands of stone and does not play the ball well at all. So teams threw at him a ton and his confidence got destroyed. For him to return to any sort of solid play it's his ball skills that have to improve.

re:
written by BillT, July 30, 2009

Ruskells deliberately ignoring measurables is every bit as bad as Holmgrens ignoring character.

Ruskell doesn't at all ignore measurables deliberately or otherwise. He just doesn't place as much importance on it as he does a players natural ability to play football. When you're drafting in the bottom of the first round, all the players with great skills and measurables are gone. No Curry's to be found there. I notice that Ruskell didn't ignore the "freak" to "deliberately" draft an undersized player. At the end of the first round and beyond you either select a guy who doesn't have prototypical size but is a good football player or you draft a guy with the right size and hope he can learn to play football and get motivated. You take chances because the sure things are long gone. Lamar King versus Lofa Tatupu. Who would you rather have on your team?

Face it, you just don't like Ruskell so every chance you get, you heap another load of crap on his doorstep and ignore the fact that he's doing as good a job of acquiring talent as other GM's in the league and better than most. Every GM selects players who don't work out but his evaluation method has uncovered as many good football players for Seattle as other GM's who just go after guys for their being the right size has found for them. When you continually hate on someone, you can't see what good they are doing for the team anymore.

Continued on next comment..............

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written by BillT, July 30, 2009

As far as Wilson, Sims, Spencer, Wahle, and Jennings are concerned, I think Wilson will prove to be a very good player for us for a long time to come. Wahle is done because of injury and was a calculated risk when there were few other options. You like to bash Ruskell when he does what he can with limited options and it doesn't pan out. You also bash him if he doesn't do anything in those circumstances so it becomes an unwinable situation with you.

Jennings may or may not work out. I think it's too early to tell yet as he's had one good and one bad season to judge from. Sims and Spencer are both certainly under the gun but coach Solari, whom if you don't respect for what he brings to the team, you don't understand good coaching, says that both players show promise of becoming good players under the zone blocking system. Sims has a compact body and is shorter than advertised which works in his favor as a cut blocker and Spencer's job is less complicated with fewer decisions to be made which in both cases can spell success. Sims is considered to be an excellant pass blocker (zero sacks in his career so far) and can make his case if he becomes an adequate run blocker in the new system. Spencer has always said to have a good chance of becoming a good player if he doesn't have to think as much and the ZBS allows for that particularly for the center who assists one of the guards as his primary assignment.

I believe that Wahle will be gone next season but he was a stopgap player to start with. I'd be willing to bet that Sims and Spencer will be re-signed and Wilson will either be our starting corner or the nickle back. Only Jennings is on the bubble to remain a Seahawk as I see it. I'm afraid that you're going to be sorely dissapointed if you think that Wahle, Jennings, Sims, Spencer, and Wilson will all be gone next season. And Ruskell will draft or sign other undersized players if he feels that they are good football players who can help this team. I don't believe for a second that he's changed his philosophy one whit on how to evaluate and acquire talent.

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written by STTBM, July 30, 2009

Billt--I dont bash Ruskell unfairly. I point out his mistakes-both in philosophy and in player talent evaluation-that piss me off. The same thing you and others are doing to Holmy now that its become Holmgren vs. Ruskell around Seahawk Addicts.

Funny thing is, I hated Holmgren his first four years here, for many of the same reasons Ruskell pisses me off: Hubris, Arrogance, refusal to adjust strategy and theories, stubborness, and insistence that what worked 10 years ago will work now...and occasional poor talent evaluation.

But Holmgren learned from his mistakes (as I think Ruskell is now, Finally) and was doing quite well until Ruskell began asserting his power.

As to Ruskell ignoring measurables, the consensus around the league is that he does in fact do that occasionally, and did that with Jennings: He over-estimated Jennings character and heart and ability to transition to the NFL, while ignoring every measurable except speed.

And with Holmgren, the choice was never between Lamar King and Lofa Tatupu: It was between Lamar King and whoever else was available that year. Holmgren took risks on small college and character deficient players who had measurables, to mixed reviews: Ruskell takes risks on players with mediocre measurables and high character--to mixed reviews.

Its too bad those two couldnt have worked better together, we might have had something.

Ruskell has been horrible at drafting offensive talent, and for all the money and picks he's dumped into the defense, we havent been very good. Hopefully that changes this year.

Spencer was a bad pick. Period. You dont draft a C in the first round with a Wonderlic score that low if you wouldnt pick a qb with one that low. And you certainly dont stubbornly refuse to bring in competition when your two starting G's and C suck for three straight years...but thats what Ruskell has done for the most part.

Wahle wasnt a bad signing, just a risk that didnt turn out. But clinging to him this offseason, instead of cutting dead weight, was stupid. My point is that after the 2005, 2006, and 2007 seasons there were excellent veteran G's and C's avaialable in better shape than Wahle, and Rusekell stood pat with his poor O-line picks and spent the money on a Mo Morris Clone with a lousy attitude, and an unneeded big slow tailback...which were mistakes. Three straight years of them. And I am still pissed about them, and will be UNTIL our line solidifies and we have a star RB again...

I have allready gone to great lengths to discuss and explain that I like Ruskells character-first mentality, just that he gets carried away some times. I also love his last two drafts, top to bottom. So IF he can fix our line, and get the defense playing up to thier talent level, I will quit bitching about the mistakes I feel ran Holmgren off and kept our team from competing for a SUper Bowl for three years running...

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written by STTBM, July 30, 2009

Its more like a choice between Ken Hamlin and Lamar King, or Deion Branch, Kelly Jennings, and Lofa....

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written by Chase, July 31, 2009

Whats the deal with all the Wilson bashing? Two years in the league, the first as a dime back at best and second was a very promising season. I mean jesus christ give the guy a shot, it took Tru a few years to get the hang of it. Corner is not an easy posistion to learn so lets give him a fair shot insted of using him as a blunt object to hit Ruskell over the head with...