Category Archives: The roster

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

Schneider at combine“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?

No deal for Thomas? Expect a trade then

Salary cap logoWe never thought the Seahawks would dump Michael Bennett or Richard Sherman this offseason, simply because it made no sense to do so. But they did. And now it looks like Earl Thomas will follow them, even if that makes no sense either.

For most of this offseason, the word on Thomas has been that the Seahawks want to keep him but would accept a very favorable trade.

At the owners meetings in Orlando, John Schneider again reiterated the Seahawks are listening to offers for the safety, but he also strongly hinted he is not inclined to give a second extension to Thomas.

Continue reading No deal for Thomas? Expect a trade then

What does the roster look like now?

Logo -- Free agency(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?

D-line focus: Suh or Richardson?

Logo -- Free agencyThe Seahawks are working hard to refortify their defensive line. And it looks like it might all hinge on what they think of Ndamukong Suh.

Seattle secured four linemen Wednesday, retaining Dion Jordan, Quinton Jefferson and Branden Jackson on tenders and adding Barkevious Mingo, who is expected to fill Bruce Irvin’s old role as a linebacker and pass rusher. The team also set up a visit with defensive tackle Quinton Dial.

But the Seahawks are after bigger fish, if they can get one. The D-tackle market has been relatively slow to move, and the Seahawks obviously hope to take advantage of that as they talk with Suh and Sheldon Richardson.

Continue reading D-line focus: Suh or Richardson?

Schneider looks worse with every move; can he reverse course?

John Schneider (via Fresh Files)“A bit of mismanagement. Drafting not as great as it was in the first couple years. Guys getting paid.” — Richard Sherman, on the mistakes that led to his release.

Once upon a time, John Schneider was as proactive as NFL general managers come. He was relentless in his pursuit of Marshawn Lynch in 2010. He bolstered an already stout defense with both Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett in 2013, when he also made the audacious trade for Percy Harvin. He retained Seattle’s top players with big deals from 2013 to 2015. He made another daring strike with the Max Unger/Jimmy Graham trade in 2015.

Not all of those bold moves worked out, but he was aggressive and unconventional — trying to keep Seattle ahead of the curve. Added to his historic 2010-12 drafts, those early moves for Lynch, Avril and Bennett helped put Seattle in two Super Bowls.

But, little has gone right for Schneider since 2013. His past five drafts have been underwhelming or worse, his big trades have not worked out and he has found himself playing from behind and trying to dig out of holes caused by injuries, coaching mistakes and his own errors.

Continue reading Schneider looks worse with every move; can he reverse course?

Is Schneider planning big offensive additions?

Logo -- Free agencyJohn Schneider is getting ready to make a couple of big moves next week.

That’s the only explanation for him wanting to cut Richard Sherman’s $11 million salary.

The question: Whom is he targeting?

One NFC personnel exec thinks he plans to spend on offense. By lopping high-priced defensive players, “they could allocate money to the offense, get Russell (Wilson) some help and some protection,” the pro personnel director told SI.com.

Continue reading Is Schneider planning big offensive additions?

Bye-bye, Bennett

Bennett thumbs-upFifteen months after giving Michael Bennett a new contract, the Seahawks are going to trade him.

Why? Not because his play has dropped off, obviously. More likely because they want to get younger and “quieter” in the locker room.

Seattle didn’t get much for the Pro Bowl end — a fifth and fast, young receiver Marcus Johnson (while flipping a seventh to Philadelphia as well). One report indicated the Patriots tried to offer a third for Bennett and a fifth, but it sounds like the Seahawks had a deal with the Eagles before the Patriots came along and the Seahawks didn’t want to renege on the Eagles.

Continue reading Bye-bye, Bennett

Schneider: ‘We are just open to anything’

Schneider at combine“We’re going to be in every deal. … You don’t want to miss any opportunity.” — John Schneider

John Schneider is using every element of the Combine to try to improve his Seahawks this weekend. That includes soliciting offers from teams on some of his veteran stars.

“Part of our challenge right now … is sustaining our level of success that we’ve had,” Schneider said. “And we are just open to anything.”

The Seahawks are shopping Michael Bennett, and some expect Earl Thomas to be traded as well (Schneider met with his reps Thursday night).

Continue reading Schneider: ‘We are just open to anything’

Latest on all of Seattle’s Riches & more

Logo -- Free agencyIt’s looking more and more like the Richardsons will indeed join Jimmy Graham in departing Seattle next month and Legion of Boomers Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas will not be going anywhere.

Here’s the latest on those guys and more free agency scuttlebutt:

A report from NFL Network confirmed what we have said all offseason: It doesn’t look like either Sherman or Thomas will be traded. Sherman has no value while rehabbing his torn Achilles and the Seahawks would prefer a long-term deal with Thomas, unless they get a great offer.

Continue reading Latest on all of Seattle’s Riches & more