Category Archives: Free agency

Thomas won’t get $15M, and Hawks won’t bid big for Collins, Weddle

March 5, 2019 cc Leave a comment

Earl Thomas apparently thinks he can get $15 million a year. But that’s pretty delusional, especially given the glut of good safeties in free agency this year.

Thomas got some big company on the safety market when the Giants decided against tagging star strong safety Landon Collins and Baltimore cut Eric Weddle. The safety class includes some excellent players: Thomas, Collins, Weddle, Tyrann Mathieu, Lamarcus Joyner, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Adrian Amos, Kenny Vaccaro.

Continue reading Thomas won’t get $15M, and Hawks won’t bid big for Collins, Weddle →

CHAWK LINES, Free agency, NFL Combine

Schneider speaks at Combine

February 27, 2019 cc Leave a comment

chawk lines -- Combine Here are the key statements from John Schneider at the Combine today:

The GM expects Frank Clark to be a Seahawk but does not yet know whether he will end up using the franchise tag on him by Tuesday. (Or, if he does, he is not saying.)

Schneider has talked to Russell Wilson‘s agent, Mark Rodgers, about an extension, but that is not a priority at this stage of the offseason. Schneider also said he gets the impression Wilson wants to remain with the Seahawks. “I have no reason to believe otherwise — other than Internet rumors.”

Continue reading Schneider speaks at Combine →

Free agency, NFL Combine

Clark countdown is on

February 26, 2019 cc Leave a comment

As the Combine begins, we’re just a few days from finding out where the Seahawks and Frank Clark stand.

Schneider surely will be meeting Clark’s agent, Erik Burkhardt, this week to continue talks that apparently started last summer/fall.

At the Combine on Wednesday morning, Schneider said, “Communication has been great. There’s a strong level of trust between the two of us.” Asked whether he would franchise him, the GM said, “Don’t know yet.”

Continue reading Clark countdown is on →

Contracts, Free agency

Hawks have roster flexibility: Here’s a detailed budget

February 24, 2019 cc 3 Comments

Right after the Seahawks’ season ended prematurely, we put forth an offseason to-do list that included extending Frank Clark, improving the defensive line, addressing the future of right tackle, re-signing guards, deciding the fate of their linebackers, adding a vet safety and, of course, extending Russell Wilson.

Earlier this month, we also outlined the projected market for Seattle’s free agents — predicting the team would franchise Clark and keep at least one of the guards while probably/possibly losing Earl Thomas, K.J. Wright, Justin Coleman, Mike Davis and Shamar Stephen.

We also listed pass-rush options beyond Clark — as a No. 2 pass rusher should be Seattle’s top outside priority.

If the Seahawks wanted to, they could retain Clark and at least one guard; extend Wilson, Bobby Wagner and Jarran Reed; and still have around $20 million for other moves.

Here’s a detailed look at how Seattle could accomplish all of that:

Continue reading Hawks have roster flexibility: Here’s a detailed budget →

Contracts, Free agency

Projected market for Hawks’ free agents

February 6, 2019 cc Leave a comment

Russell Wilson could be guaranteed $100 million and Frank Clark $50 million in new deals, according to contract expert Joel Corry, who also laid out the possible markets for several other Seahawks in a conversation with John Clayton on 710 ESPN.

Per Corry, Wilson figures to hit $35 million APY (as we projected) if he signs an extension this year, Clark will aim for $20 million (if not franchised at around $17 million), K.J. Wright could get more than $7 million, and D.J. Fluker, J.R. Sweezy and Justin Coleman all could merit around $5 million on the open market.

All of those amounts, except Wilson’s, would be more than the Seahawks are expected to be willing to pay. But the markets for Wright, the guards and Coleman might not hit those figures either, Corry acknowledged.

Continue reading Projected market for Hawks’ free agents →

Contracts, Free agency

Pass-rush options aren’t limited to Clark

January 30, 2019 cc Leave a comment

“Business is business so you gotta pay me.” — Frank Clark

The offseason has begun for all but two teams, and football is now in business mode — as Richard Sherman and Frank Clark tweeted recently.

It has been assumed that the Seahawks will keep Clark, their only legit outside pass rusher, via a contract extension or the franchise tag. Pete Carroll confirmed that thought in December when he told 710 ESPN, “He ain’t going anywhere. We aren’t losing him.”

But Carroll also admitted, “We’ve got to figure (the contract) out somehow. It’s a big issue.”

What if the issue is too big? What if John Schneider decides that Clark, who garnered 14 sacks while playing through a bunch of injuries in 2018, is not worth a long-term investment at $17 million APY or more? What if Schneider thinks he can get an equitable pass rusher for closer to $10 million? Or two rushers for the price of Clark?

Continue reading Pass-rush options aren’t limited to Clark →

Free agency, NFL draft, The roster

Topic of the day: Quarterbacks

April 19, 2018 cc Leave a comment

Draft -- Schneider and Carroll Quarterbacks were the topic of the day for Pete Carroll and John Schneider on Thursday. The gist of their individual messages: Colin Kaepernick still could be an option (don’t count on it), Russell Wilson’s contract is not a problem (it really isn’t) and Schneider feels like he has done a poor job of acquiring quarterbacks behind Wilson (he has).

In separate interviews, Carroll and Schneider were asked about the recent Kaepernick brouhaha, and both waved off the protest topic and gave lip-service answers about their level of interest.

Continue reading Topic of the day: Quarterbacks →

Free agency, The roster

Seahawks are right to avoid distractions

April 12, 2018 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks are trying to regain their focus this offseason and rebuild into another Super Bowl winner, which means they are right to avoid Colin Kaepernick if they feel he would be a distraction.

While we support NFL players who choose to use their platforms to make positive social statements and help their fellow citizens, teams have every right to do whatever they think is best in their pursuit of winning titles. Why? Because winning is the No. 1 priority. Good deeds and causes are nice, but not if they interfere with the entire purpose of the franchise’s existence.

Pete Carroll said Seattle’s activism last season became draining for the players, and he clearly wants to manage it better this year.

Continue reading Seahawks are right to avoid distractions →

Free agency, The roster

How long will Schneider’s ‘process’ of ‘resetting’ defense take?

April 4, 2018 cc 4 Comments

“Trust the process, man.” — John Schneider.

In case it wasn’t clear, John Schneider and Pete Carroll are going young on defense again — the same “process” they used in their early days, before the Legion of Boom became a household NFL moniker. And Schneider wants us to trust him and Carroll to do it again.

The trust factor has worn thin for a lot of fans amid a litany of mistakes by Schneider and Carroll over the past few years that sent the Seahawks on a steady slide. Yeah, 50-60 percent of fans (based on our polls) still have full faith, but the rest either no longer trust Schneider or are waiting to see how this year’s defensive demolition turns out.

Continue reading How long will Schneider’s ‘process’ of ‘resetting’ defense take? →

Free agency, The roster

What does the roster look like now?

March 17, 2018 cc 11 Comments

(UPDATED 3/23) Per their usual MO, the Seahawks saw a lot more players leave than arrive in the first few days of the NFL year, but they have been making up ground.

Despite their seemingly overwhelming losses (eight top players), they have replenished their roster with cheap veterans, retaining four key players and adding six more.

The Hawks needed starter-level players at guard, running back and corner, plus a pass-rushing defensive tackle. They now have all but the corner.

Here’s what’s happening with each position:

Continue reading What does the roster look like now? →