Don’t expect Hawks to pursue Peterson or Charles

February 28, 2017 cc 1 Comment

Some fans still can’t get past the idea that fantasy football is not real football. So you get goofballs thinking the Seahawks need to spend a lot of money to hire a big-name running back — forgetting that the rusher has to have a line that can block for him and he has to stay healthy.

So, no, the Seahawks should not — and almost certainly will not — pursue one-time stars Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles. Just like they didn’t pursue DeMarco Murray last year.

The topic is relevant today because the Vikings declined to pick up Peterson’s 2017 option, and the Chiefs are cutting Charles — meaning two of the more productive backs of the last decade will now be available.

But Seattle would be stupid to pursue either.

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Free agency, NFL draft

Okung deal turned out great for the Hawks

February 24, 2017 cc Leave a comment

Russell Okung was ripped by everyone in NFL circles last year for the deal he did with the Denver Broncos — a contract that ended up being for one year and $5 million and will put him back on the free-agent market in a couple of weeks.

But the Seahawks had to love the deal, which netted them a third-round comp pick Friday. The Seahawks ended up with two third-round picks — the other for losing Bruce Irvin. That doubled the number of thirds they had received in the two decades of the compensatory program.

The Hawks had been projected to receive a third and fifth, with J.R. Sweezy’s deal ($6.5 million a year with Tampa Bay) netting the fifth. But it turned out that the NFL counted Okung’s full contract, including the option the Broncos just declined, for an average of $10.6 million that made Okung’s deal No. 6 among value in the 2016-17 comp equation.

The Hawks have seven picks for now, with five of the top 106. Their overall picks are 26, 58 (second round), 90 (third), 102 (third), 106 (third), 210 (sixth) and 226 (seventh, via Carolina).

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Contracts, Free agency

Will Hawks be interested in Okung or Giacomini?

February 23, 2017 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks really could use a couple of new tackles, but how about a couple of old ones?

In a neat little coincidence Thursday, former Seahawks tackles Russell Okung and Breno Giacomini both learned they will not return to their teams — the Broncos told Okung they will not pick up his option and the Jets released Giacomini.

The natural question: Will the Seahawks be interested in a reunion with either?

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Free agency, NFL Combine, NFL draft

Offseason primer: Combine, free agency, draft info

February 23, 2017 cc Leave a comment

The NFL offseason is about to ramp up big time, with the Combine next week and the league year (and free agency) beginning the following week.

We’ve already broken down Seattle’s ideal priorities. Here’s a primer for the rest of the offseason:

The Combine schedule. John Schneider and Pete Carroll are likely to speak Thursday and/or Friday.

The complete NFL calendar. Free agency begins March 9 and the draft is April 27-29.

The Seahawks’ offseason tracker. Keep up with the Seahawks’ moves (signings, departures, visits) throughout free agency.

Contract status of Seattle’s key players. All of the starters and key backups through 2020.

Seahawks’ offseason stories. Need to catch up? We have all of the top stories on this page.

Seahawks Draft Blog. Rob Staton is the best Seahawks-focused draft analyst. Check him out all the way through April.

State of the team

Not hungry? Not healthy? Not listening?

February 21, 2017 cc 1 Comment

Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson plan to be clapping about their offense a lot this season (Getty Images) The Seahawks obviously had a lot of problems in 2016 — a JV offensive line, a revolving M*A*S*H lineup and too many B.A. Baracus impersonators.

On top of that, they apparently did not want it enough.

“The team was not as hungry as we were four years ago,” Sherman Smith, recently ousted as running backs coach, told 710 ESPN on Friday. “When you have the type of success that we’ve had — you win a Super Bowl, you have a heartbreaking loss in the Super Bowl, you’ve been to the playoffs, what, five years in a row, you have this reputation — guys aren’t as hungry.

“We’ve got to get that hunger that we had when we weren’t winning,” Smith said. “How do you get that back when you’ve won and you’ve got the big contracts and endorsements and everybody loves you? How do you get that back? I think there’s only so much Pete (Carroll) can do, but the players … (have) got to do some things themselves.”

Obviously, it would help if they stayed healthy. But the make-or-break questions for this franchise this offseason: Were the injuries the reason for the lack of so-called hunger? Or has Carroll’s message simply grown stale? And, if it’s the latter, what can Carroll do to regain the interest and control of his team?

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Free agency, The roster

Don’t expect Hawks to spend much on a tackle

February 17, 2017 cc Leave a comment

A year ago, the Seahawks needed a new left tackle to replace the departing Russell Okung. Most people (probably even George Fant) would say they didn’t find one, which is why there is a lot of speculation about them checking into the several veteran tackles being let go.

But, unless one of those guys wants to come to Seattle on a cheap deal, don’t expect the Seahawks to add one. They had the chance last year to pursue Kelvin Beachum or Ryan Clady, but neither has been very healthy — which explains why both are available once again and why the Hawks wouldn’t pay either one much money.

Perhaps more intriguing is Branden Albert, if the Jaguars don’t acquire the 32-year-old from Miami to replace Beachum. But, even if Miami were to release him, he probably would end up with a richer deal than the Hawks would want to offer.

Okung also is expected to be free again — Denver not exercising the option in his contract March 8 — but it’s hard to see him returning to Seattle after the Hawks didn’t make much effort to keep him last year.

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Franchise history, Hall of Fame

With Easley in the Hall, Hawks have their Mount Rushmore

February 6, 2017 cc Leave a comment

Easley The Seahawks now have their Hall of Fame Mount Rushmore.

Over the weekend, Kenny Easley joined Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy and Walter Jones as the only career Seahawks in the Hall of Fame.

Easley and Jimbo Covert (Bears) were the only players from the NFL’s Team of the 1980s who were not in the Hall. Thanks to the seniors nomination, Easley finally got in.

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