Category Archives: The roster

‘This is a team that’s built for the future’

June 11, 2015 cc Leave a comment

“This is a team that’s built for the future. … We’re in the middle of this. This is not like the end. This is just the middle of this.” — Pete Carroll to 710 ESPN after blowing the Super Bowl in February.

The Seahawks’ contract impasse with Russell Wilson has many wondering how much longer he will be the team’s quarterback and, in a related consideration, how long the Hawks’ Super Bowl window will remain open.

But Pete Carroll’s comments from February remain just as germane today, despite the apparent lack of progress on Wilson’s deal: This team is right in the middle of its Super Bowl window.

The team controls Wilson’s contract for at least three more seasons, which happens to match the duration of the deals of some of the team’s best players: Marshawn Lynch, Jimmy Graham, Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett. Signed through 2018 are Cliff Avril, K.J. Wright, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman.

Sure, Lynch could walk at any time if he feels the Call of Duty to do something else. And Bennett might not be with the team beyond this year if he continues to sit inside the VMAC whining about his contract while his teammates practice.

But, with the team now talking to Bobby Wagner about a new deal, we should be able to add the linebacker to the list of long-term Seahawks at some point this year.

Add the team’s young receivers (Paul Richardson, Tyler Lockett, Kevin Norwood) and some of the other additions from the last two drafts, and the Hawks have a solid core through at least 2017.

Continue reading ‘This is a team that’s built for the future’ →

Contracts, The roster

Is Wilson necessary? And would he hold out?

June 3, 2015 cc Leave a comment

As we wait to see how Russell Wilson’s contract negotiations play out, some are asking whether Wilson is even necessary to the Seahawks and others are wondering whether he might put the Hawks in a bind by holding out.

Some argue the Seahawks could have reached the Super Bowl the past two years with almost any quarterback. Others vehemently disagree.

Neither group is completely right. And the argument is largely irrelevant anyway.

Continue reading Is Wilson necessary? And would he hold out? →

State of the team, The roster

Reviewing & projecting the roster

May 25, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Despite the loss of a couple of offensive linemen and a starting cornerback and a few ongoing contract squabbles, the Seahawks are clearly a better team than the one that blew the Super Bowl three months ago.

Jimmy Graham and Tyler Lockett should improve Seattle’s scoring ability, both on offense and special teams, and Frank Clark and Ahtyba Rubin should beef up the depth of a defensive line that was decimated throughout last season — topped by the loss of Cliff Avril to a concussion in the Super Bowl.

The Hawks also have brought in a handful of new offensive linemen as they look to replace Max Unger and James Carpenter and build some good depth on the unit while preparing for the possible departure of Russell Okung or J.R. Sweezy next offseason.

In the secondary, they have replaced Byron Maxwell with Cary Williams and also added Will Blackmon and rookie Tye Smith to fill in for the injured Jeremy Lane and make sure they don’t get caught with Tharold Simon covering quick receivers in the slot again.

The Hawks look to have some great competition along both lines, at receiver and in the secondary.

Here’s a look at the offense, with projected keepers (spoiler: Jermaine Kearse doesn’t make it).

And here’s a look at the defense, with Kevin Williams projected to return.

NFL draft, The roster

Cable: College has ruined offensive players

May 13, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Tom Cable says college football has ruined offensive players, and that’s why he chooses to take defensive linemen and make them offensive linemen in the NFL.

Five linemen were drafted after the Hawks took conversion project Kristjan Sokoli in the sixth round, and the Hawks passed on Kansas State center B.J. Finney and Florida State guard Josue Matias, who were thought to be mid-round options but ended up going undrafted. The Hawks also signed another conversion project after their rookie minicamp, Kona Schwenke.

“I’m not wanting to offend anybody, but college football offensively has gotten to be really, really bad fundamentally,” Cable told 710 ESPN, referencing the gimmicky spread option that so many teams now use.

Continue reading Cable: College has ruined offensive players →

Minicamp, The roster

Carroll talks roster, Hawks sign rookies ahead of minicamp

May 8, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Before the Seahawks started their rookie minicamp today, Pete Carroll talked a bit about his roster and the Hawks announced some moves (they did not end up signing Arizona WR Austin Hill):

Contracts, The roster, Trades

Rosenhaus’ smoke and mirrors won’t work

May 7, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Where there’s smoke, there must be fire — unless Drew Rosenhaus and some mirrors are involved.

Jason La Canfora, who has had some recent scoops regarding the Seahawks (Marshawn Lynch’s deal and the drafting of Frank Clark), dropped another one Wednesday when he wrote that Bennett “and his agent have made it clear he’d rather not be back in Seattle.”

This is the second report indicating Bennett wants out — although he and the Seahawks both denied last month that he asked for a trade. He does, however, want his contract beefed up — and that clearly is the crux of the “he wants out” reports, surely propagated by his notorious agent, Rosenhaus.

Don’t expect the Seahawks to fall for his cheap tricks.

Continue reading Rosenhaus’ smoke and mirrors won’t work →

Contracts, The roster

As expected, Hawks decline option on Irvin

May 4, 2015 cc Leave a comment

As we expected, the Seahawks did not pick up the $7.75 million option on Bruce Irvin — at least according to his Twitter rant Sunday night.

Worked for everything I got in my life this shit will b no different! I earns my keeps!

— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) May 4, 2015

Faced way tougher adversity getting outta them streets coming up! That’s shit is nothing! FUCK THAT OPTION!

— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) May 4, 2015

I am a Seahawk! #12thman

— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) May 4, 2015

Continue reading As expected, Hawks decline option on Irvin →

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.”

Continue reading Eight picks were Schneider’s fewest →

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.

Continue reading Hawks got three OL, but where will they play? →

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.

Continue reading Carroll and Schneider are such drama queens →