Category Archives: NFL draft

On Clark: Trust the Seahawks, not the self-righteous media

May 5, 2015 cc 1 Comment

The Seahawks were not comfortable pursuing Greg Hardy once they learned the details of his domestic-violence case, but they clearly think Frank Clark is another story. And Seahawks fans should trust them — even if some self-righteous media folks want to condemn them.

Too many people fell into the trap of convicting Clark in the court of public opinion and sentencing him to life as a social pariah based on one inflammatory police report. As John Schneider said Friday, you have to look beyond the report to find the real Clark.

On 710 ESPN on Monday, Schneider expanded on the Seahawks’ investigation into Clark’s situation. Schneider said he and two other Seahawks scouts were involved in gathering information, which included talking to people in Los Angeles and Cleveland about the player’s early background, getting information from the court and counselors in Michigan and talking to other teams to see whether they had gotten similar information and viewed him the same way Seattle did. (After the Hawks picked Clark on Friday, Schneider said he got calls from three teams that were poised to grab the pass rusher in the third round.)

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NFL draft, The roster

Eight picks were Schneider’s fewest

May 3, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks finished the 2015 draft with eight picks — the fewest they have had under John Schneider. They had never had fewer than nine.

They started with 11, of course, but spent four on Tyler Lockett, a two-time Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year who tied the conference record for kick-return average (28.5) while averaging 15.2 yards per punt return and setting 17 school records as a receiver and returner.

“We wanted a returner in this program so badly,” Pete Carroll said. “John just needed to figure out where we were going to get him, and I am thrilled we got him. He is such a special return guy.”

Lockett was the only playmaker the Hawks added — unless you count Jimmy Graham, which they do.

The pick breakdown this year: 3 OL, 2 DE, 2 DB, 1 WR. It isn’t much different than the five-year trend coming in, as OL, DL and DB have been Schneider’s highest-drafted positions. He now has used 12 picks each on OL and DB and 11 on DL.

“John did a great job again,” Carroll said. “The board came off like we were hoping and so many guys fit some issues that we had, some needs that we had. It was an awesome job.”

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It's bigger than football, NFL draft

This draft class is full of intriguing people

May 3, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks put together quite an anthology of dramatic stories this weekend.

They started off with the controversial pick of Frank Clark that had plenty of people ripping Pete Carroll and John Schneider. However, by the end of the draft, they had redeemed themselves by signing the inspirational Nate Boyer.

But Clark and Boyer weren’t the only guys who came to Seattle with attention-getting stories. In fact, this might be the most dramatic class Schneider has drafted.

Continue reading This draft class is full of intriguing people →

NFL draft, The roster

Hawks got three OL, but where will they play?

May 2, 2015 cc Leave a comment

As the Seahawks entered the draft, many expected them to come out with two or three offensive linemen. And they did.

They first apparently tried to move up to the top of the fourth round — likely aiming for T.J. Clemmings, Tre Jackson or Daryl Williams. They didn’t have any ammunition though, unless they were offering a 2016 pick or a player, so it’s no wonder they were unable to make the move.

In the end, they stayed put and used their two fourth-rounders (130 and 134 overall) on “gritty” Terry Poole and Mark Glowinski. And they added conversion project Kristjan Sokoli in the sixth round. The Hawks had brought in all three for visits before the draft.

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CHAWK LINES, NFL draft

May 2, 2015 cc Leave a comment

As expected, the Hawks are not getting very good reviews for drafting Frank Clark.

Larry Stone of The Seattle Times said the Seahawks “uncharacteristically and inexplicably misstepped.”

News Tribune beat writer Gregg Bell set aside all objectivity as he ranted against the pick.

Seahawks.com lists Three Things to Know about Clark (obviously the team’s website goes nowhere near his legal history).

Here are Three Things to Know about Tyler Lockett, whose dad played in Kansas City when John Schneider was director of pro personnel there.

Rob Staton breaks down the Hawks’ strategy on Day 2 and looks ahead to Day 3.

Continue reading →

NFL draft, Trades

Schneider makes rare move up: Check out his 33 trades with Seattle

May 2, 2015 cc Leave a comment

When John Schneider finally showed up to explain his first moves of the 2015 draft on Friday, he cracked of being so late, “Sorry about that; we’ve never traded up before.”

It was a joke about his penchant for moving down in the draft and a reference to his big move up in the third round to get return wiz Tyler Lockett.

It was just the second time Schneider moved up in six drafts since he was hired as Seattle’s GM. He also moved up to get defensive tackle Jesse Williams in the fifth round in 2013.

Continue reading Schneider makes rare move up: Check out his 33 trades with Seattle →

It's bigger than football, NFL draft, The roster

Carroll and Schneider are such drama queens

May 1, 2015 cc Leave a comment

You wouldn’t think it by looking at or listening to them, but Pete Carroll and John Schneider are drama queens.

They proved it again Friday when they used their top draft pick, No. 63 overall, on one of the most controversial players in the draft: banned Michigan pass rusher Frank Clark. Then, as if to take everyone’s mind off the controversial pick of Clark, Carroll and Schneider parlayed four draft picks to move up and grab explosive return man/wide receiver Tyler Lockett six picks later.

Carroll and Schneider knew they would take heat for drafting Clark, who was kicked off the team at Michigan after a domestic violence arrest last year.

But the Hawks have never been afraid to acquire players with dubious character. They traded for Marshawn Lynch, signed Terrell Owens and Braylon Edwards, traded for Kellen Winslow, drafted Bruce Irvin and Christine Michael and traded for Percy Harvin.

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NFL draft, Trades

Hawks reportedly trying to trade up in Round 2

May 1, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Many have speculated that the Seahawks — overstocked with 11 picks — would try to move up from their spot deep in the second round. And it turns out they apparently are trying.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, “Teams I hear want to come up into the early part of the 2nd round: The Steelers, Seahawks, Falcons.”

Draft Insider Tony Pauline said last week that the Seahawks “would love to grab Dorial Green-Beckham if he’s available at the 63rd selection, but they expect the receiver to be off the board during the initial 15 picks of Round 2.”

If they aren’t after Green-Beckham, they might be angling for one of the top offensive or defensive linemen.

NFL draft

On Day 2, Hawks should find a lineman

April 30, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Pete Carroll spent the first day of the draft joking about the Seahawks’ first-round pick.

Hey @richeisen, if you need another one of the #SeahawksDraftClues to figure this out… Our first pick grew up in North Carolina…

— Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) April 30, 2015

He even stopped in the media room at VMAC and cracked to reporters, “Don’t tell anyone but we’re taking a tight end.”

Obviously, the Seahawks consider Jimmy Graham their first-round pick — they sent the 31st overall selection to New Orleans along with center Max Unger for Graham and a fourth-rounder.

It was one of the best picks of the first round, which was one of the least intriguing in years — just two trades.

And now the Hawks’ draft will begin, with 11 picks from the 63rd to the 248th.

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NFL draft, The roster

Irvin reports make sense

April 30, 2015 cc Leave a comment

It’s no surprise that the Seahawks apparently won’t pick up Bruce Irvin’s $7.75 million option. We already have pointed out why they probably wouldn’t do it.

As for the Atlanta trade rumor, it certainly makes more sense than the Michael Bennett/Atlanta rumor from a few weeks ago.

The Seahawks apparently told Danny O’Neil of 710 ESPN that they are not trying to trade Irvin, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t listening to teams asking about him.

O’Neil wrote: “Trading Irvin is not something Seattle is planning to do or has actively pursued. In other words, any ‘chatter’ about a potential trade is occurring somewhere other than Seattle’s front office. The team is planning on having Irvin back at strong-side linebacker, where he has established himself as a strong starter.”

Of course, nothing there says the Hawks are not talking to the Falcons. It is quite possible that Dan Quinn (former Seattle DC now Atlanta’s coach) initiated talks with Seattle about Irvin.

Continue reading Irvin reports make sense →