GM John Schneider Talks About the Draft

[Fenom]

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Thursday he's approaching next week's draft as if veteran left tackle Walter Jones is no longer part of the team, though the former All-Pro has not yet announced his retirement.

Jones sat out all last season following a pair of knee surgeries, but has not yet informed the team of his future plans.

"I think we should know that fairly soon," Schneider said. "We have a lot of needs on this team and we'd approach it like Walter is not going to be here, quite frankly.

"If he is here, that's just kind of an added bonus."

Schneider said the offensive and defensive lines are clearly key places the Seahawks need to build up and indicated all the top-tier tackles in this year's draft would fit into the zone-blocking scheme the team is installing with new line coach Alex Gibbs.

He also said the team would certainly consider drafting a safety high in the first round if a potential Pro Bowl-caliber player was available.

Schneider indicated a strong interest in trading down when possible to add multiple picks, a tactic often employed by his former Green Bay Packers boss, Ted Thompson.

"I'm always open to trading down," Schneider said. "We kind of took pride in it in Green Bay and will continue to do that.

"It's a belief in your board and your structure and all the hard work your scouts have done through the year. If you feel good about your board, it's worth moving down. You're going to miss out on a player here or there, but you have took at Player A was better than B and C, but you got two players for one and your odds are higher and we do have needs.

"If you're able to move around and feel good about your board, you definitely need to do it."

Schneider sounds like he knows what he's doing.

 

[Hawk096]

I would hope he knows what he's doing. We are paying him to be our GM.

 

[D Hawk]

OK... it is almost go time. Who all has a mock draft???

2010 Draft Outlook - Go Hawks