All posts by cc

NFL Combine, NFL draft

Don’t expect D-line in first round

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Combine logoThis draft apparently is so deep on the defensive line that not even the Seahawks could screw it up.

You might think that to be a harsh and unwarranted comment coming against a two-time Super Bowl club, but the simple fact is the Seahawks have been terrible at drafting and developing defensive linemen.

John Schneider & Co. have selected 11 in six drafts, and they are still looking for their first sustained success story: Frank Clark (2015), Jordan Hill (2013) and Cassius Marsh (2014) are the last men standing.

The Seahawks have had great defensive lines because they have relied almost exclusively on veterans — Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Chris Clemons, Alan Branch, Jason Jones, Tony McDaniel and Ahtyba Rubin — to step in alongside longtime Seahawk Brandon Mebane.

Mebane and Rubin — the heart of the NFL’s No. 1 run defense in 2015 — are pending free agents, which explains why most mock drafts have the Hawks taking a defensive tackle at No. 26. But their history says they won’t do that.

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CHAWK LINES, NFL Combine
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chawk lines -- Combine

John Schneider will speak at 12:15 pm Wednesday and Pete Carroll will speak at noon Thursday. Field Gulls has the full media schedule of NFL coaches and executives.

Rob Rang lists 10 things to watch from a Seahawks perspective.

Rob Staton of Seahawks Draft Blog previews the kind of players the Hawks might like at the Combine.

Field Gulls offers a detailed preview as well.

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock had plenty to say in his conference call.

Field Gulls reposted a breakdown of how Combine drills translate to the game.

Good news: The Seahawks’ needs match up with the strength of this draft.

Most mock drafts are giving the Seahawks linemen — which of course means they won’t take one in the first round.

CHAWK LINES, Free agency
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Michael Bennett dropped hard-nosed agent Drew Rosenhaus, and nobody knows exactly what that means.

Jeremy Lane, perhaps Seattle’s most enigmatic free agent from a market standpoint, would love to stay in Seattle “if the situation was right.”

Russell Okung told 710 ESPN his shoulder surgery was precautionary and he is still intent on representing himself in free agency.

Jermaine Kearse’s agent has been talking to the Seahawks, and he is not sure whether he will return to Seattle.

J.R. Sweezy is expected to get lots of interest in free agency.

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Free agency, NFL draft

Will Schneider use any of top options to fix OL?

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OsemeleAs the Seahawks plot to rebuild their offensive line this offseason, they appear to face a steep and slippery uphill climb — one where it could be easy to backslide and end up right back where they started.

If the Hawks were forced to play a game today, they could barely field a line with the guys they have under contract. Garry Gilliam likely would move to left tackle, Drew Nowak would return to center, Justin Britt would move back to right tackle, Mark Glowinski would step in at right guard (J.R. Sweezy reportedly is expected to have a hot market in free agency) and Kristjan Sokoli probably would be the de facto left guard.

What an underwhelming, overmatched line that would be, eh?

The offensive line is the one spot where the Seahawks simply have not “competed” well in personnel. In six years, John Schneider has signed just eight free agents — and none have lasted more than a year. He also has drafted just four linemen in the first three rounds — and Britt (a major reach in the second round) is the only one from the past four drafts.

Will Schneider change that this year to get the Seahawks back atop the NFC? Will he be willing to spend resources — money and draft picks — to fix it?

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Contracts, Franchise history, Free agency

Hawks will continue to avoid franchise tag

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Seahawks franchise tagThe franchise tag period runs today through March 1, and the Seahawks will skip it for the sixth straight year.

They have not used the tag since 2010 — the first year of the Pete Carroll/John Schneider regime — when they used it on Olindo Mare.

Schneider has stayed ahead of the curve, avoiding any need for the tag by getting early extensions done with potential franchise players Marshawn Lynch (2012), Kam Chancellor (2013), Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman (2014) and Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner (2015).

They gambled on Michael Bennett in 2014 and ended up re-signing him a day before free agency started — a week after the tag deadline.

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CHAWK LINES, Contracts
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Marshawn Lynch might be retiring, but another very significant former Seahawk — 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck — might keep going.

Some Seahawks apparently think Lynch will change his mind. Of course, that would mean he would be playing elsewhere absent a pay cut in Seattle.

Danny Kelly of Field Gulls put together a nice retrospective on Lynch.

Michael Bennett was honored at a local sports ceremony, and he had a few fun digs for Cam Newton.

Fans hilariously think Jermaine Kearse is the Seahawks’ top UFA. They will find out differently soon enough.

Ahtyba Rubin’s market seemingly is set at $4 million per year, thanks to Green Bay and Letroy Guion.

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Contracts, Free agency

Hawks watching other teams’ early moves

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Salary cap logoThe NFL year — i.e., free agency and the trading period — begins in four weeks, but the business of rebuilding teams already has begun as clubs re-sign and release players.

The Seahawks haven’t made any big moves yet — although Marshawn Lynch’s pending retirement will save them $6.5 million vs. the 2016 salary cap — but they surely are watching other teams’ transactions with great interest.

Recent contract extensions have established the markets for Michael Bennett (who is expected to push hard for a raise) and Bruce Irvin; a few teams have parted company with safeties, making them potential trade destinations for Kam Chancellor; and some veteran offensive linemen already have been released as well.

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Franchise history, It's bigger than football
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CHAWK LINES -- Marshawn Lynch retires

Marshawn Lynch made a unique retirement announcement Sunday and his agent confirmed it Monday.

Lynch is tied for third in NFL history with six 100-yard rushing games in the playoffs.

The Seahawks tweeted a cool video tribute.

We reposted the simulcast of his two greatest runs.

Russell Wilson called it an honor to play with one of the best of all time.

Richard Sherman said it was an honor to share the field with him.

Paul Allen thanked him for a great career and “so many runs and quakes.”

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Free agency, State of the team

This offseason sets up Part III & wide-open 2017

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Salary cap logoWhile a lot of people think the Seahawks face a daunting offseason — with 24 scheduled free agents and decisions to make on Kam Chancellor and Michael Bennett — you can bet John Schneider and Pete Carroll see it for what it really is: A chance for them to reset their still-strong team for Part III of the Schneider/Carroll era so they can win a couple more Super Bowls.

Part I included the building years of 2010-12, when they put together a stout defense and powerful running attack and found a franchise quarterback. Part II (2013-15) was the first Super Bowl window, which did not turn out quite as well as it should have.

This offseason offers the chance for Schneider and Carroll to redefine their team — officially moving on from some 2010-15 stalwarts (e.g., Marshawn Lynch, Chancellor, Russell Okung) and remaking their offensive line. It will set the table for next offseason, when Schneider will have the flexibility to make some moves that could create a dominant team for 2017 and beyond.

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