All posts by cc

Lynch and Miller sure don’t look like they’re on the way out

September 9, 2014 cc Leave a comment

The futures of Marshawn Lynch and Zach Miller were hotly debated all offseason, with many concluding that their salaries and age (both are 28) would preclude either from remaining with the Hawks beyond 2014 — or, in Miller’s case, even in 2014.

After their stellar play in the season opener last week, though, it is easy to see both returning next year.

Most people tend to think Lynch’s Beast Mode has an expiration date and he will switch to Least Mode very soon.

Continue reading Lynch and Miller sure don’t look like they’re on the way out →

The roster

Hawks sign cornerback

September 8, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Of the five cornerbacks who reportedly worked out for the Seahawks on Monday, the team chose former Carolina starter Josh Thomas.

A fifth-round pick in 2011, he played in 38 games for the Panthers, starting 10. Thomas (5 feet 11 and 185 pounds) began last season as a starter but was bumped out by rookie Melvin White after four games. He was released on final cuts two weekends ago.

He replaces Jeremy Lane, who was placed on injured reserve Monday with a groin injury and will miss at least half the season.

Thomas will step in behind starters Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell and nickel corner Marcus Burley, who was acquired in a trade on Aug. 30.

Thomas was picked over four others who reportedly worked out Monday, including rookie speedster Keith Lewis and fourth-year player Mike Harris.

Injury report, The roster

Lane hits short-term IR, Hawks work out five CBs

September 8, 2014 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks have placed cornerback Jeremy Lane on injured reserve, designating him for return, which means he will be out at least eight weeks with the groin injury he aggravated in the season opener last Thursday.

The Seahawks have begun a search for his replacement, reportedly working out undrafted rookie Keith Lewis and fourth-year player Mike Harris among five cornerbacks on Monday.

The Seahawks also announced the signing of offensive lineman Andrew McDonald, who has a unique tale, and a couple of practice squad moves.

Continue reading Lane hits short-term IR, Hawks work out five CBs →

Contracts

Market for Maxwell is set, but will Hawks want to pay $5 million a year?

September 8, 2014 cc 2 Comments

Hawks vs Packers Maxwell When Byron Maxwell finally made the Packers pay by picking off a pass from Aaron Rodgers in the opener Thursday, the immediate thought was: If teams keep throwing at him like that, he will end up in the Pro Bowl alongside Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.

Teammate Michael Bennett added another thought, quipping to reporters, “All they’re doing is driving Maxwell’s price up.”

And now we have an idea of the price after Pittsburgh gave cornerback Cortez Allen a five-year deal worth $26 million this weekend.

Continue reading Market for Maxwell is set, but will Hawks want to pay $5 million a year? →

The roster

Reports: Seahawks add OL, looking for CB

September 8, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Last week, we pointed out that the Hawks were playing Crazy 8s with their receivers and offensive linemen — going heavy with the former and light with the latter.

Well, they apparently have fixed that imbalance by replacing receiver Phil Bates with offensive lineman Andrew McDonald, who was released by Carolina in final cuts.

The signing was reported by his agent and, if McDonald is on the 53-man roster, means the Hawks now have nine linemen — the number they should have.

Continue reading Reports: Seahawks add OL, looking for CB →

CHAWK LINES

September 7, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Danny Kelly of FieldGulls puts together one of his great GIF breakdowns, showing the effect Percy Harvin had vs. Green Bay (and will have all season, assuming good health).

Greg Cosell of Shutdown Corner talks about the deception principles at work in Seattle’s offense.

Jerry Brewer of The Seattle Times says Marshawn Lynch was “noticeably quicker than he’s been during his four years in Seattle.”

Doug Miller of Sports on Earth looks at the sports turnaround in long-suffering Seattle.

Clare Farnsworth puts the spotlight on rookie right tackle Justin Britt after his first NFL start. And Britt tells The News Tribune the game was slower than practice.

The roster

Likely preparing to add corner, Hawks waive eighth receiver

September 6, 2014 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks were destined to release one of their eight receivers, if only because it left them thin at other positions. And, in the wake of cornerback Jeremy Lane’s groin injury, they apparently have waived wide receiver Phil Bates.

The move, first reported by The Seattle Times, clears a spot on the roster for the team to add a cornerback. They are down to three — Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell and Marcus Burley — after injuries knocked out Lane and Tharold Simon (out four weeks after knee surgery).

Continue reading Likely preparing to add corner, Hawks waive eighth receiver →

Week 1: Green Bay

Legion of Boom had an adventurous opener

September 6, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Amid the Seahawks’ 36-16 runaway win over Green Bay on Thursday, the Legion of Boom walked away victorious but somewhat disappointed.

Earl Thomas made a mess of punt returns, fumbling one that turned into a touchdown for Green Bay and raising further questions about the decision to put the All-Pro safety back there.

Kam Chancellor hit hard all night and made 11 tackles, but he also whiffed more than usual.

Richard Sherman was annoyed that the Packers refused to throw to his side of the field the entire game, opening up once again questions about whether Sherman should be allowed to shadow a team’s best receiver.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Jordy Nelson instead picked on Byron Maxwell, who gave up a bunch of completions to the duo but also picked off a pass.

Of course, none of those mostly minor issues was as big as the loss of nickel cornerback Jeremy Lane, who aggravated his groin injury and is “going to be down for a while,” coach Pete Carroll told reporters.

Continue reading Legion of Boom had an adventurous opener →

Week 1: Green Bay

September 5, 2014 cc Leave a comment

Darrell Bevell tells Peter King of MMQB about Russell Wilson’s zone read option pass to Ricardo Lockette that ended in a 33-yard touchdown.

The Packers cut the field in half when they decided not to throw Richard Sherman’s way.

The Seahawks missed 12 tackles, more than they whiffed on in any game last season, per Pro Football Focus. Kam Chancellor had 11 tackles, but he also missed three. Pete Carroll said on 710 KIRO today, “Kam Chancellor was just banging folks. He was hitting them. He might’ve missed the strike zone a few times.”

As for Earl Thomas’ poor decisions not to make fair catches, Carroll said, “We will keep working on it to get better.” Thomas did not seem to think he did anything wrong: “I can’t control what happened.”

For those not at the game, here’s a look at the Seahawks’ tribute to their three homegrown Hall of Famers — Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy and Walter Jones. They also raised the 12th Man flag together before the game. Pretty cool.

Week 1: Green Bay

Just getting started, Hawks run over Pack

September 5, 2014 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks put the NFL on notice proving they are better than they were last year and ready to knock out anyone who gets in their way of a second straight Super Bowl title.

While Bobby Wagner, Kam Chancellor and the defense shut down Green Bay’s running game and limited Aaron Rodgers, the offense showed signs of what it plans to do behind Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and Percy Harvin.

Wilson threw two touchdown passes, Lynch rushed for 110 yards and two scores and Harvin totaled 170 all-purpose yards as the Seahawks pulled away from Green Bay for a 36-16 blowout win Thursday night in the NFL season opener.

Continue reading Just getting started, Hawks run over Pack →