Will any other O-linemen be as worthy as Britt?

August 18, 2017 cc 1 Comment

We learned a lot about the Seahawks’ offensive line over the past couple of days — and we’ll learn a little more tonight when the Hawks host the Minnesota Vikings.

On Wednesday, Tom Cable announced that three-fifths of the line is set for the season opener, and Thursday the team announced that one of those three is set for the next four seasons — Justin Britt signing a three-year, $27 million extension.

It’s the only second deal for a Seattle starting lineman since 2012, when the team re-signed Breno Giacomini and extended Max Unger. As everyone knows, those two and the rest of the 2013 Super Bowl line were all gone by 2016 — none of them meriting what the market dictated the Hawks would have to pay.

His first two years, it certainly didn’t look like Britt would buck that trend. But he found a home at center last year and benefitted from the departure of J.R. Sweezy, becoming a technician rather than a Sweezy-style brawler.

“He has been a fantastic leader for us up there,” Pete Carroll said. “He had an excellent (2016) season and (has) played three spots and started at tackle, guard and center now. We really think he is in the best spot for him. I think it’s a recognition and acknowledgement of the player and teammate he has become for us.

“And also the fact that we are able to do it in the offensive line — I think it is important to note.”

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It's bigger than football

Bennett’s stance a chance to reconsider anthem’s meaning

August 16, 2017 cc 2 Comments

Bennett at camp Plenty of people wonder why
Michael Bennett has picked up where Colin Kaepernick left off in sitting out the national anthem.

If you are one of those folks, you obviously are among those Bennett wants to take out of their “comfort zone” and to make evaluate whether the “Star-Spangled Banner” really stands for what you think it means. He wants you to rethink your allegiance to a nation that still condones the oppression of minorities, a country now run by an obvious racist.

If Bennett’s sit-down offends you, maybe you forgot the anthem is a war hymn written by a slave owner during America’s slavery era. The non-inclusive salute to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” stuck as America’s song, passed down from generation to generation.

It made its first sports appearance at the 1918 World Series, where it served as a random uniting moment as World War I was winding down. Of course, it united only white people. Baseball did not begin to integrate until Jackie Robinson made his major-league debut in 1947, and segregation was rampant throughout America until the late 1960s — 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This was far from the “land of the free” for everyone.

So, yeah, Bennett has every reason not to celebrate the song. Just like Kaepernick did. Just like everyone does.

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Preseason

Receivers stand out in preseason opener

August 14, 2017 cc Leave a comment

The knock on the slight and slender Paul Richardson leading up to the 2014 draft was the big potential for injury in the NFL.

Turns out that was a well-founded concern, because Richardson just has not been able to stay healthy. He didn’t get much action until late in his rookie year, and then he tore his ACL in a playoff game against Carolina. That and a hamstring injury burned almost his entire 2015 season, and he didn’t do much last year until Tyler Lockett was injured late.

When he has played, he has shown a knack for making great plays. He did it again in the preseason opener Sunday — diving to catch a 25-yard pass from Russell Wilson. But he also suffered a sprained shoulder on the play and will be out at least a couple of weeks.

It was a rough blow for Richardson, who had a chance to bump Jermaine Kearse as the No. 3 receiver behind Doug Baldwin and Lockett. Now, Richardson seemingly will revert to fighting off other guys for the No. 4 spot.

Kasen Williams, who has had his own injury issues, took full advantage of Richardson’s early departure. Williams caught all four passes thrown his way, gaining 119 yards. Every one of them was a tough catch — contested or diving or twisting. If he can stay healthy, Williams should make a big run against a crowded receiver field.

Here’s what we saw at each position in the Seahawks’ 48-17 win over the Chargers:

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Contracts, The roster

Chancellor signed for two years, then we’ll see

August 8, 2017 cc Leave a comment

Kam Chancellor is officially signed through 2020 — one of 11 Seahawks signed that far out — but it looks like the Seahawks don’t necessarily expect him to play the entire deal.

The contract really looks like a one-year extension for the 29-year-old safety, whose body is more like 34 thanks to all of the hits and surgeries over Chancellor’s seven seasons. By the time the 2020 season starts, he will be 32 — and his body might be finished.

Continue reading Chancellor signed for two years, then we’ll see →

Injury report, Training camp

McDowell out for 2017?

August 7, 2017 cc Leave a comment

Malik McDowell seems unlikely to play this season, although the injuries from his ATV accident do not seem to be career-threatening — per several reports.

Pete Carroll said McDowell suffered “multiple injuries,” including a concussion but no cracked skull, and is still only walking, not exerting himself physically. He has returned home to Michigan.

“He had a serious accident. He had multiple injuries; he had the injury to his head,” Carroll said. “It’s going to be quite a while, and we’re going to have to wait it out. He’s on NFI and he’s going to be there for a while, and we’re just going to have to see how he progresses really down the road. We’re not looking for him to get back in the immediate (future), not even for the first game of the season. … We’re going to wait it out and see how he does.”

Asked later on KJR whether McDowell will play this year, Carroll said, “It might be a lot to ask right now.”

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NFL draft, Training camp

Top picks continue to be unreliable

August 6, 2017 cc 2 Comments

The Seahawks have not had much luck with their top draft picks under John Schneider, and their most recent three are continuing the tradition.

The top picks from the last three drafts are off to horrible starts this year, suffering from the results of their bad judgment, and it makes us — and surely team brass — wonder whether these guys are destined to follow in the footsteps of previous top picks.

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Contracts, The roster

Roster set through 2018, but then what?

August 2, 2017 cc Leave a comment

When the Seahawks drafted four defensive backs in April, Pete Carroll said the new crew might end up being the best bunch of backups in the NFL over the next couple of years.

That’s because Carroll knew he wasn’t ready to blow up the Legion of Boom quite yet. The new deal given to Kam Chancellor this week proves that.

With Chancellor signed (through 2020), Seattle’s elite starting defense is set to remain intact for the next two seasons (unless Richard Sherman gets traded).

The Seahawks are quickly approaching a crossroads, though — the point where they will have to start moving on from some of their longtime core players if they are going to remain competitive.

Continue reading Roster set through 2018, but then what? →