Kirk Morrison: One of Rob's favorite players

[SDogo]

Just got back from the Senior Bowl........it was a blast. Got all kinds of information and observations to pass along once I get some rest, catch up on work and get time to type it up.

I just wanted to drop this nugget and see what you guys thought.

While at the Senior Bowl with Gary Horton who for those of you that dont know is a former NFL Scout with the Browns and still to this day is very involved with the organization.

While waiting for dinner to be served Friday night we were discussing Rob Ryan who Gary became pretty good friends with during his two years in Cleveland. He has a good read on what the players think of Ryan and what Ryan looks for in a player.

Anyways, the story told to me was that when Kirk Morrison was traded at the end of the 2009 season Rob tried like heck to get the Browns to bring him in. He made a very strong sales pitch to then new president Mike Holmgren and new GM Tom Heckert. Despite a visit from Morrison and Ryan's best efforts the Browns did not put an offer on the table and could not agree on compensation for the Raiders. Morrison went on to get traded to Jax for a 4th round pick but declines to sign an extension.

Rob understandably was miffed by the lack of effort on the Browns part and at a dinner Gary was present for told members of the FO soon after Morrison was traded to the Jags that the Browns lost out on one of the most talented LB's he has ever worked with.

Horton who later spoke with Rob was told that Ryan called Morrison and apologized and stated that he would do everything he could when ever he was in a position to help Kirk and that he always would have a spot on his team if he had anything to say about it.

I asked Gary what he thought the odd's were that Kirk could end up in Dallas and he said if anyone listens to Rob that he would guarantee it. He went on to say that he would not be surprised if when the CBA is worked out and FA starts that this series of calls would not be one of the first in the league to be made.

I find this interesting in lite of today's LB coach hiring. It appears someone is listening. This is a Rob Ryan hire from suggestion through and through.

Could Kirk Morrison be following soon?

 

[CanuckCowboysFan]

Morrisons a great ILB. I'd hope so.

Look forward to see what you have to say about the SB !!

 

[NextGenBoys]

I would love to have Morrison here. I would like a little more ability to cover from him, but he is still a very good inside backer.

 

[Brother Ali]

Don't know much about the guy. My buddy is a Raiders fan and I remember him not speaking great about Kirk. But then again, this is just an average fan making comments, not a NFL D-Coord.

 

[SDogo]

I would love to have Morrison here. I would like a little more ability to cover from him, but he is still a very good inside backer.

His stats from 05' to 09' are amazing. What Ryan was able to turn him into and get out of him was brilliant work.

His coverage skills are under rated. In 07' he had 4 INT's and 10 PD. He had 7 INT's in 5 years with Oakland.

 

[NextGenBoys]

His stats from 05' to 09' are amazing. What Ryan was able to turn him into and get out of him was brilliant work.

His coverage skills are under rated. In 07' he had 4 INT's and 10 PD. He had 7 INT's in 5 years with Oakland.

I think Oakland had some decent tools for Ryan to work with. Just never had a real pass rusher. Morrison and Howard from UTEP were a decent duo.

I just thought I remembered seeing Morrison have a decent amount of trouble covering tight ends down the seam ala Bradie James. Then again with tight ends now days, they are near impossible to cover with a linebacker.

 

[TheCoolFan]

Morrison can't cover worth a lick but I'd still take him over Keith Brooking as a veteran for depth. However, I'd prefer Thomas Howard above anyone. My ILB preferences in free agency:

1. Thomas Howard
2. Takeo Spikes
3. Stephen Cooper
4. Kirk Morrison
5. D'qwell Jackson

 

[Idgit]

I'd love Morrison here. Love it.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Here's what FootballOutsiders.com said about him in their latest Football Prospectus

The draft-day acquisition of Kirk Morrison gives the Jaguars one of the league’s hardest-to-evaluate players. Morrison was such a disappointment to the Raiders that they gave him a low original-round tender and then dumped him on Jacksonville simply for the right to move from a mid-fifth-round pick to an early-fourth-round pick. Oakland fans have long criticized him for being terrible against the run, with awful tackling technique. Yet for two years now, our advanced metrics have rated him as much better against the run than against the pass. Last year, in our first attempt to track broken tackles, Morrison ended up no worse than the average NFL linebacker. And there’s no doubt that the man makes plays, with more Defeats over the past four seasons than all but three other NFL players

He was a guy I watched this year because in part of moving down to Orlando and catching Jaguars games and in part because I thought he was a good player that I couldn't believe was practically given away by the Raiders (he's also a local Oakland boy, who grew up with Raiders season tickets, which surprised me him being traded away). I actually thought he played quite well. I believe he's an RFA though. I don't think the Jags are desparate to keep him, but would probably like him to stay around.






YR

 

[Stash]

I'd love Morrison here. Love it.

I'll second that!



Send Brooking and Olshansky to Houston as a Wade Phillips starter kit!

 

[Woody D.]

I remember Morrison having monster stats in Oakland. He's said to have some weaknesses (coverage was mentioned) and I'm not sure if his stats are a result of "average player on bad team standing out".

If Brooking is cut, then I'm happy with Morrison. I just wouldn't like to see anyone being brought in and taking away plaing time from Sean Lee...

 

[DFWJC]

Jags fans love Morrison. They feel they got a great deal bringing him in.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Brooking is set to make 2.2 million next year. Cap savings would be about 1.4 million if he's released. Can't see Morrison breaking the bank when no team would give more than a 5th rounder for him last year.

The only reason I could see him not being brought in is if he's seen as a progress stopper for Sean Lee. But if Ryan is planning on running his amoeba defense or 0-7 sets, he's going to need a lot of linebackers.

 

[CATCH17]

If he is just average in coverage he'll be better than what we have.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Another low-cost, low risk player the Cowboys might look into is Robaire Smith. He was play very well for Rex Ryan before suffering a back injury in Week 5. He as actually a lot better for Ryan than than Shaun Rogers. He's a free agent and obviously no team is going to pay a lot of money for a 33 year old coming off of a back injury. But Dallas is going to need bodies at DE if they let Spears and Hatcher walk, and Robaire might be a low risk body to add to the mix that won't cost much in guaranteed money.

 

[ZeroClub]

As best you can, give Rob Ryan what he wants. It is his butt on the line. Give him what he says he needs and then hold him accountable.

 

[AmishCowboy]

Another low-cost, low risk player the Cowboys might look into is Robaire Smith. He was play very well for Rex Ryan before suffering a back injury in Week 5. He as actually a lot better for Ryan than than Shaun Rogers. He's a free agent and obviously no team is going to pay a lot of money for a 33 year old coming off of a back injury. But Dallas is going to need bodies at DE if they let Spears and Hatcher walk, and Robaire might be a low risk body to add to the mix that won't cost much in guaranteed money.

I Agree, and love your Offseason game plan, that would be a dream.

 

[bluenut]

As best you can, give Rob Ryan what he wants. It is his butt on the line. Give him what he says he needs and then hold him accountable.

Yep...

 

[RS12]

Oakland dumped him because they didnt like the way he played the run. I'll pass on him.

 

[SDogo]

Oakland dumped him because they didnt like the way he played the run. I'll pass on him.

Oakland dumped him after Ryan left because they failed to realize what they had. Jags fans saw a little of it last year and for the most part he quickly became a fan favorite down there.

Some players are scheme players or excel under a certain coach. For an example look to Eagles LB Jeremiah Trotter.

I'm sorry but a guy who averaged 130+ tackles simply can not be a JAG vs the run.