All posts by cc

Hawks gave up a ton for Adams, but probably not as much as it seems

July 25, 2020 cc 1 Comment

Adams John Schneider just pulled off his biggest blockbuster since the Percy Harvin debacle seven years ago. By draft picks, it is the most grandiose deal Schneider has ever made.

The reported terms: Jamal Adams and a fourth-rounder in 2022 for a first and third in 2021, a first in 2022 and Bradley McDougald.

It’s a ton to give up for a safety. In most cases, you would say way too much. But there are extenuating circumstances all around this one – from the team that made the deal to the year it was made.

Continue reading Hawks gave up a ton for Adams, but probably not as much as it seems →

Schedule, Training camp

How will shortened prep time impact Hawks & foes early in season?

May 26, 2020 cc 1 Comment

As states begin to reopen, the NFL and players association are discussing ways to safely bring teams back together and eventually stage games — and, while we doubt there will be minicamps in June, it seems like training camps might be able to begin on time in July.

With teams limited to virtual meetings (see the Seahawks’ tight ends) this offseason, coaches are missing out on key on-field prep time. The lack of physical work is putting everyone behind their usual timelines, and those adding new elements (e.g, coaches, quarterbacks and receivers) will find themselves even further behind once camps begin.

So, teams that have few major changes should have a jump on the rest — which could help in the first few weeks of the season.

Continue reading How will shortened prep time impact Hawks & foes early in season? →

Free agency, The roster

Why is anyone surprised over Schneider’s conservative offseason?

May 25, 2020 cc 1 Comment

Pic -- Schneider at Combine For some reason, some fans and analysts (and even fanalysts) are befuddled about the way the Seahawks have approached this offseason.

After Carlos Hyde was signed to a deal reportedly worth up to $4 million, the complaining really kicked in: Why have they squandered their cap space and not added any stars?

Seattle has spent $52 million on 14 veterans this offseason. None of them are standouts. None of them are the marquee pass rusher they really need. And none of them are signed for more than two years.

But, it’s no surprise. If you have watched the Seahawks for the past five years, you know this is how John Schneider does business now. He is very conservative and gets aggressive (via trades) only out of desperation.

Continue reading Why is anyone surprised over Schneider’s conservative offseason? →

Free agency, The roster

After a busy stretch, time for a roster Q&A

May 23, 2020 cc Leave a comment

Draft -- Schneider and Carroll The Seahawks have had a busy mid-May, and they’ve got a couple more things to do before training camp (hopefully) starts in July.

They left the draft needing a backup quarterback, a veteran running back, a run-stopping defensive tackle and — more than any of those — a top pass rusher.

In the past week or so — around Quinton Dunbar’s drama, Russell Wilson trade rumors and chatter about troubled receivers — they have brought back QB Geno Smith and added RB Carlos Hyde. That leaves the defensive line as the last area they need to address, unless Dunbar suddenly becomes unavailable due to incarceration or suspension.

Continue reading After a busy stretch, time for a roster Q&A →

It's bigger than football

It’s a high bar, but Dunbar drama tops all in Carroll era

May 18, 2020 cc 1 Comment

The Seahawks have been NFL drama queens almost from the start of the Pete Carroll/John Schneider era, so it’s never that surprising when some crazy news comes along.

But nothing ever done by the likes of rogues Marshawn Lynch, Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett or chuckleheads Leroy Hill, Percy Harvin, John Moffitt or Malik McDowell could top the situation Quinton Dunbar finds himself in.

Dunbar’s case (alleged robbery) is still working through the system, with conflicting reports (by the same people) of whether Dunbar was involved. We’ll keep following it and see how it turns out, but it certainly is one of the crazier crime stories ever related to the Seahawks. And they have had a few.

Continue reading It’s a high bar, but Dunbar drama tops all in Carroll era →

NFL draft, The roster

Cheap Hawks swapped Thomas & Clark for 3 pass rushers and a guard

May 13, 2020 cc 2 Comments

Once upon a time, the Seahawks had the NFL’s top-paid players (or close to it) at three defensive positions, along with the No. 2-paid quarterback.

In 2019, they made Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner the league’s top-paid QB and middle linebacker — but they have not been interested in paying anyone else in that stratosphere since 2017, when they gave Kam Chancellor another top-three deal.

They didn’t want to pay Earl Thomas and Frank Clark in 2019, and they don’t want to pay Jadeveon Clowney this year.

Basically, they don’t want to pay elite pass rushers. So they used Thomas and Clark to draft a few. And, like it or not, they are counting on those swaps to work out.

Continue reading Cheap Hawks swapped Thomas & Clark for 3 pass rushers and a guard →

It's bigger than football, OTAs

Peter King: A peek at Seattle’s virtual OTAs

May 12, 2020 cc Leave a comment

Here’s a look at one of the Seahawks’ virtual offseason meetings, courtesy of Peter King.

This spring, the NFL allows two hours of classroom work virtually for veteran players four days per week. The Seahawks as a team meet from 10 a.m. to noon PT four days a week, usually starting with a short team meeting and breaking down into smaller groups—the offense for some play installations, then maybe just the quarterback, tight ends and receivers, and then the tight ends, via video conference. The two-hour session is tightly controlled by director of team operations Matt Capurro, who flashes “time remaining” alerts on the screen as the last half-hour of the session winds down.

Virtual TE meeting — (Clockwise from top left) passing game coordinator Dave Canales, Greg Olsen, TE coach Pat McPherson, Will Dissly, Luke Willson, Jacob Hollister, Justin Johnson.

The scene: Seattle’s tight-end room, with two coaches and five veterans, stretches over three time zones and five states, connected by Zoom videoconference.

Continue reading Peter King: A peek at Seattle’s virtual OTAs →

X's & O's

Hawks gonna let Russ cook two-minute meals?

May 10, 2020 cc Leave a comment

Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson plan to be clapping about their offense a lot this season (Getty Images) “Let Russ cook” has become an annoying mantra repeated by some fans the last couple of years.

It’s a nebulous decree. For some, it is a call for Seattle to just throw the ball 40 times a game. For the smarter ones, it is a more nuanced request for the Seahawks to let Russell Wilson stir the pot in his own special way, especially earlier in games.

At the Pro Bowl in February, Wilson said he was all in favor of the latter. He talked about going up-tempo more — something we have constantly called for in the first half, especially. He also apparently has discussed this with Pete Carroll.

Don’t get too excited, cooking fans, but it sounds like the coach might have listened, based on staff moves he made and a report that Seattle is indeed talking about letting Wilson work up some two-minute meals.

Continue reading Hawks gonna let Russ cook two-minute meals? →

Schedule

Hawks set up for 10-11 wins, with division games the wild cards

May 8, 2020 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks’ hopes of getting home field – the easiest way to the Super Bowl – will rely on winning early, surviving the middle and staying healthy at the end.

The schedule looks like it adds up to 10 or 11 wins, assuming the Seahawks improve their pass rush and their remade offensive line doesn’t get off to a terrible start.

Continue reading Hawks set up for 10-11 wins, with division games the wild cards →

Free agency

If no better offers, Clowney still open to Seattle return

May 5, 2020 cc Leave a comment

While it certainly may seem like Jadeveon Clowney and the Seahawks are not destined to get back together, they both have left the door cracked open for a reunion.