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I note that the Hawks were using Metcalf effectively on a lot of shallow crossing routes in the last game instead of primarily deep downfield routes. And he was catching those throws for key first downs. I'm sure this is an adjustment because teams were shutting down the deep stuff that was being successful early in the year. The TV announcers showed a clip from practice of one of the Seattle position coaches working with him on body physics for running those quick turn in routes.

trents wrote:I note that the Hawks were using Metcalf effectively on a lot of shallow crossing routes in the last game instead of primarily deep downfield routes. And he was catching those throws for key first downs. I'm sure this is an adjustment because teams were shutting down the deep stuff that was being successful early in the year. The TV announcers showed a clip from practice of one of the Seattle position coaches working with him on body physics for running those quick turn in routes.

Now that Carson and Hyde have returned, our running game is more effective, making those shallow crossing routes good options off play action. That and going up against guys like Aaron Donald, it makes sense to get the ball out of Russell's hands quickly rather than putting him deep in the pocket and trying to give him time to complete something long downfield.

Metcalf seems to be developing into a nice, mid distance route runner. He doesn't drop many passes and isn't afraid to take a hit or fight for a first down.

He's not turning the ball over other than the let up on a touchdown pass allowing the defender to slap it out. He doesn't have Baldwin, Largent hands as he has dropped a few TDs and catchable balls but its improving steadily. Hes extremely physical as a runner, maybe the most punishing runner after the catch in the league.

He's a great blocker in the run game. IMO the lack of deep balls is more about Russ missing him in 1 on 1 situations such as last week when he was well open inside and Russ threw it outside with the defender bracketing him to the middle, no chance. last week or week before he overthrew him out the back of the endzone and DK almost injured his knee on that play. If they can rediscover the deep connection for the postseason we are going to the show.

Hawktawk wrote:He's not turning the ball over other than the let up on a touchdown pass allowing the defender to slap it out. He doesn't have Baldwin, Largent hands as he has dropped a few TDs and catchable balls but its improving steadily. Hes extremely physical as a runner, maybe the most punishing runner after the catch in the league.

He's a great blocker in the run game. IMO the lack of deep balls is more about Russ missing him in 1 on 1 situations such as last week when he was well open inside and Russ threw it outside with the defender bracketing him to the middle, no chance. last week or week before he overthrew him out the back of the endzone and DK almost injured his knee on that play. If they can rediscover the deep connection for the postseason we are going to the show.

He does seemed to have improved his reliability catching the ball (knock on wood) and has made some really tough catches. He still has a tendency to get a little sloppy now and then, like when he was rocking around and got called for illegal motion last Sunday, but by and large, he's maturing quite nicely.

As far as his blocking goes, I wouldn't call it 'great'. I certainly don't want to see him trying to block linebackers on goal line plays anymore.

I'm glad he's working over the middle stuff. I like to see down field throws, but that shouldn't be his only use. He's playing at an all-pro level.

He's blowing people away on his cuts

RiverDog wrote:
As far as his blocking goes, I wouldn't call it 'great'. I certainly don't want to see him trying to block linebackers on goal line plays anymore.

He is a very tenacious blocker and certainly well above average at the NFL level. The block he missed on the goal line against the Eagles was due to not being lined up properly at the snap. He had the wrong foot forward (I didn’t notice this but I read it in an article). I would put him in a position to block that play again and I would be shocked if he missed the block again.

Here’s a good video of him blocking a LB at the goal line:

https://mobile.twitter.com/samuelrgold/ ... 0596151296

DK Metcalf is a stud. We are lucky to have him and RW needs to trust him more. He’s open when he’s not open. If he has single coverage RW need to throw him a catchable ball. There have been 3 deep shots in recent weeks where RW has had a shot and he has just missed DK. IMO RW is so scared to throw a pic he’s not even giving his guys a chance on something those throws.