Seahawks bosses agree: Pass rush is priority

Carroll at combineJohn Schneider and Pete Carroll are smart enough to agree with the rest of us: Their biggest need this offseason is the pass rush.

“We’re looking to improve in some really critical areas. Pass rush is something that we’re really focusing on,” Carroll said at the Combine. “We really like the way we turned the ball over last year. We got the ball a lot, made some nice plays and stuff that gave us a chance, but we need to do some things more consistently — and that’s rush the passer.”

Continue reading Seahawks bosses agree: Pass rush is priority

Advertisement

Pete Carroll’s guys take on the owners

NFLPA logoIf they thought about it enough, some NFL owners would be irked at Pete Carroll that the CBA negotiations have not yet resulted in their desired deal.

Why would they be mad at a coach who has nothing to do with it? Because some of the key players who are challenging the owners’ proposal grew up in Carroll’s culture in Seattle. He fostered individuality and independent thinking, and former Seahawks Russell Okung and Richard Sherman — along with current Hawk Bobby Wagner — are using the lessons they learned as Seahawks to fight for the best deal they can get the players.

Continue reading Pete Carroll’s guys take on the owners

Griffen voids deal, reportedly open to Carroll reunion

Logo -- Free agencyEverson Griffen made his decision a few days ahead of the deadline: He will void his contract with Minnesota, paving the way to free agency March 18 and nixing any idea of a trade for the pass rusher.

Some think he might not even become a free agent. According to ESPN.com, “There’s a belief that Minnesota will work out a way to keep him around at a reduced price.”

But some NFL-educated folks agree with our thought that the Seahawks might have a good shot at him.

Continue reading Griffen voids deal, reportedly open to Carroll reunion

Seattle will know Griffen’s status Feb. 25

Logo -- Free agencyAs we maintain the drumbeat for Seattle to upgrade its pass rush this offseason, one of the mallets we have been using all along is Everson Griffen.

Whether it’s by trade or by free-agent signing, it just seems like a pretty fair chance that Pete Carroll and his former USC standout end up reuniting. And that is regardless of whether the Hawks keep Jadeveon Clowney.

Next Tuesday is a day that looms fairly significant in this possible acquisition, as Griffen has until then to opt out of his contract. (H/T to Greg Haugsven for getting the date from contract expert Joel Corry.)

Continue reading Seattle will know Griffen’s status Feb. 25

Olsen is insurance, but if he and Dissly are both healthy …

Logo -- Free agency“Yo @gregolsen88 welcome to the PNW!! TE room is going to be dangerous this year!!” — Will Dissly, welcoming Greg Olsen to the Seahawks

If Will Dissly and Greg Olsen are both healthy, the Seahawks will indeed be dangerous at tight end in 2020.

Imagine the matchup nightmares Dissly, Greg Olsen and Jacob Hollister could create for Russell Wilson. Forget a third receiver — these guys could help Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf take the top off defenses even more easily.

Of course, that is the best-case scenario.

Continue reading Olsen is insurance, but if he and Dissly are both healthy …

Bennett is not the only reunion to consider

Pete Carroll has never been afraid to reunite with former players — usually after their big-money days are done and they have reached the points in their careers where they are role players.

Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin were the most recent examples, returning to help Carroll’s battered backfield late last season. This week, everyone has been talking about the possibility of Michael Bennett coming back.

While anything is possible, that seems unlikely. But what about some other former Seahawks?

Continue reading Bennett is not the only reunion to consider

Schneider should check into Myles Garrett

John Schneider drafting(Updated 2/12) As we bang the drum ever louder and faster for the Seahawks to add a couple of good pass rushers, here’s a name in the news John Schneider should be thinking about: Myles Garrett.

Garrett was suspended for infamously pounding Pittsburgh QB Mason Rudolph on the head with a helmet during an in-game melee last November. It was a wicked assault that certainly merited a suspension, but we aren’t among the self-righteous who think he deserves a lifelong ban or no second chance.

Garrett, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday and was reinstated Wednesday.

If he has not already done so, Schneider should give new Browns GM Andrew Berry a call and see whether he can get the 32-year-old neophyte to surrender Garrett for a reasonable price (though no trade could be made until March 18).

Continue reading Schneider should check into Myles Garrett

What are options if Schneider doesn’t pay Clowney?

Logo -- Free agencyAs the countdown to the new league year and free agency drops under six weeks, NFL fans are salivating over the thought of which players their teams might sign to help them improve.

Seahawks fans know the team needs to focus on the defensive line above all else, and pretty much everyone is hoping John Schneider will break form and pay Jadeveon Clowney the outrageous fortune pass rushers like him make these days.

But what if Schneider doesn’t? Despite having around $50 million for free agents, what if he doesn’t break his MO at all, refusing to splurge on any “superstars” as Russell Wilson suggested he needs to?

Continue reading What are options if Schneider doesn’t pay Clowney?

Post-Super Bowl notes

Frank ClarkYou have to be happy for Frank Clark, who has gone from tragedy to triumph over the past couple of years. Almost exactly two years ago, he sadly lost his father and other relatives in a Cleveland fire. Last year at this time, he said, “Let’s get this paperwork (i.e., contract) done so we (can) go on this hunt. I’m tired of the same results.” Well, the paperwork turned out to be trade papers and a new contract with the Chiefs, who gave him the $104 million Seattle would not. And then he got the different results he wanted by helping the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV.

The lesson the Seahawks hopefully learned: It’s OK to pay a pass rusher top dollar. It might actually help you win a Super Bowl. They need to pay their top pass rusher, Jadeveon Clowney, this time.

Continue reading Post-Super Bowl notes