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CHAWK LINES
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Chawk lines

Pete Carroll wants his guys to use this offseason to look at the game from the other side.

Russell Okung still plans to represent himself in contract talks.

Bruce Irvin said he would take up to $5 million less to return to Seattle. That probably means $1 million/year less. He figures to get an offer of at least $7 million/year from some team and the Hawks probably could not offer him more than $5 million.

Jermaine Kearse would love to come back, and Carroll would love to have him back. Of course, the price has to be right for both.

Regarding Marshawn Lynch, Carroll said, “I don’t know how that’s going to go.” But everyone expects Lynch to go.

The Seahawks reportedly would like to keep Lynch at a reduced rate — which won’t happen.

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Contracts, Free agency, State of the team, The roster

Offseason priorities

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Salary cap logoA couple of months ago, we wrote that the Seahawks’ bosses — Pete Carroll and John Schneider — were going to have to make some changes no matter how the season ended.

Well, the season has ended (prematurely), and now it is time for those changes.

“There’s all kinds of stuff we’re going to be working on,” Carroll said Monday. “There’s tons of stuff. I’m not going to single anything out right now because there’s no way I can do that and be talking straight with you, because I don’t know. We don’t know at this point. We have a lot of thoughts, and we’re just going to start putting them together over the next few weeks and all.”

Although the Seahawks are slated to have more free agents this year than they have had in any year since Schneider and Carroll arrived in 2010, Schneider’s focus will be a little bit different this time.

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Playoffs: At Carolina, State of the team, The roster

2015 was like 2012; will 2016 be as Super as 2013?

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Wilson and SchneiderAs it turns out, the Seahawks’ 2015 season was an almost exact replica of the 2012 season — from the uneven start to the disastrous postseason finish.

So, if the cycle continues, the Seahawks will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy again one year from now.

Consider the similar paths of the 2012 and 2015 seasons:

**The Seahawks rallied from a 4-4 start to make the playoffs, evolving a paltry offense into a formidable one, and a defense that was terrible in save situations (i.e., protecting leads in the fourth quarter).

**They rallied to win their wild-card game and then got off to a horrendous start in their 10 a.m. divisional game before Russell Wilson led a big second-half rally that fell just short.

**This failure was followed by an immediate excitement about what the future holds, everyone knowing this team is still talented enough to compete for at least a few more seasons.

Continue reading 2015 was like 2012; will 2016 be as Super as 2013? →

Playoffs: At Carolina

How have Hawks changed since Week 6?

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Panthers Olsen Week 6With Arizona’s exciting overtime win over a resilient Green Bay team, the Seahawks know where they will be going if they can knock out Carolina for the second straight year.

So, the big question: Can the Seahawks exact some revenge on the Panthers for the last-minute, 27-23 win in Week 6?

That loss — a second straight fourth-quarter collapse — sent the Seahawks to 2-4, where their historic odds of making the playoffs were 8.3 percent. But, since then, they have won nine of 11 — including the “football gods are smiling on you” wild-card win in Minnesota.

What has changed since that Week 6 loss to Carolina?

Continue reading How have Hawks changed since Week 6? →

CHAWK LINES, Playoffs: At Carolina
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CHAWK LINES -- Seahawks-Panthers

Marshawn Lynch: “I’m ready.”

Luke Willson also looks like he will return.

Russell Wilson and presumed MVP Cam Newton (he has Wilson’s nonexistent vote) have been en fuego.

The teams have more in common than just dynamic quarterbacks.

Kam Chancellor had perhaps the best game of his career vs. Carolina in last season’s divisional playoff game. Can he repeat it?

Pete Carroll said he doesn’t care if tight ends catch balls against his defense — someone is going to — but Greg Olsen beat them in Week 6 and will be a big factor again.

The Panthers are thin at cornerback, which could play into the hands of Wilson and Doug Baldwin.

Here’s a comprehensive preview of the game.

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Contracts

Bennett has earned that raise he asked for

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Kam and BennettMichael Bennett is making it tough on the Seahawks — tough to not give him the raise he wants.

His stellar performance against the Vikings last weekend was one of his best games in a season full of them — further evidence that the team needs to accommodate him financially after this season.

Yes, Bennett has two years remaining on his contract. But, if you recall, he grumbled all last offseason about the four-year, $28.5 million contract he signed in 2014. And he surely will again — especially after this awesome season.

Continue reading Bennett has earned that raise he asked for →

Franchise history, Playoffs, Playoffs: At Minnesota

Seattle’s playoff miracles

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The Seahawks have been such a middling franchise over most of their 40 years that their miracle moments are easy to recall. Let’s take a look at Seattle’s most miraculous playoff wins:

Wild-card game at Minnesota
Botched FGs -- WalshSeason: 2015
Blair Walsh’s missed 27-yard field goal in the final 30 seconds allowed Seattle to escape with a 10-9 victory.

NFC title game vs. Green Bay
Season: 2014
Seattle rallied from a 19-7 deficit in the final four minutes, getting two touchdowns, an onside kick recovery and a two-point conversion to force overtime, where they quickly won it, 28-22.

Continue reading Seattle’s playoff miracles →

Playoffs: At Minnesota

Minnesota Miracle: Notes, quotes & stats

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SEAvsMIN Miss UniverseAfter the Seahawks pulled off their second miracle playoff win in their past three postseason games, here are some quotes, stats and other tidbits:

First, some words from Pete Carroll to his team.

NFL vets Fred Jackson and Ahtyba Rubin won their first playoff game.

Russell Wilson gave the game ball to the 34-year-old Jackson, who spent nine non-playoff seasons in Buffalo.

Richard Sherman on the looming divisional matchup against Carolina: ““It’s always a fun one when you play Carolina. It’s going to be a physical game. … Both teams are going to hit each other in the mouth and we’ll see who is standing in the end.’’

Marshawn Lynch’s status for next week is unknown. Continue reading Minnesota Miracle: Notes, quotes & stats →

Coaches, Franchise history, Playoffs: At Minnesota

Count on Carroll to stick around past 2016

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Rams Carroll Sept. 13When 69-year-old Tom Coughlin was forced out by the New York Giants last week, 64-year-old Pete Carroll became the oldest coach in the league.

Asked about that distinction on KIRO Radio on Friday, the Seattle coach cracked that he has been lobbying for 67-year-old Mike Holmgren, who coached the Seahawks for 10 years, to get another job so Carroll wouldn’t be the oldest.

But age certainly hasn’t slowed Carroll, who is as energized this season as he has ever been.

“I’m having a blast,” he told KIRO’s Dori Monson. “I’ve never had more fun.”

That certainly bodes well for Carroll re-upping after this season. His contract runs through 2016, and — fortunately for Seattle fans — he doesn’t seem inclined to leave any time soon.

Continue reading Count on Carroll to stick around past 2016 →