Category Archives: Trades

Another fourth-round flunkout for Schneider

Norwood Aug. 18John Schneider has been hailed for his ability to find mid-round diamonds in the rough, but his track record in the fourth round certainly hasn’t been responsible for that reputation.

The trade of Kevin Norwood is the latest example. And, if rookie Terry Poole is let go this week as well, Schneider’s Round 4 record will take yet another hit.

Obviously, the fourth round is a bit of a crap shoot, but teams should hit on at least half of those picks. Since Schneider took over the Seahawks in 2010, the league average on successful fourth-rounders has been between 55 and 60 percent (not counting this year, of course).

But the fourth round has been Schneider’s worst — based on typical expectations. In his six drafts, Schneider has selected a league-high 12 players in the fourth. Of the 10 drafted before this year, just four remain — and only two have really done much to help the Hawks.

Fourth and short

Continue reading Another fourth-round flunkout for Schneider

Schneider loves trading with Mayhew’s Lions

John Schneider (via Fresh Files)John Schneider loves trading with the Detroit Lions.

His deal Sunday to acquire cornerback Mohammed Seisay for a 2016 sixth-round pick was his seventh trade with Lions general manager Martin Mayhew since Schneider became Seattle’s GM in 2010.

It was his 35th trade overall and his third this year — although it pales in comparison to the deals for Jimmy Graham and Tyler Lockett.

Continue reading Schneider loves trading with Mayhew’s Lions

Irvin wants out, Williams wants in, Bennett & Wilson want to get paid

Kevin WilliamsLots of news around the Seahawks today, with Bruce Irvin already thinking of playing elsewhere in 2016, Kevin Williams wanting to return, Robert Turbin apparently recovering from hip surgery, Michael Bennett hinting at a holdout, and Russell Wilson seemingly sending the Seahawks messages via social media.

If Irvin wants to play in Atlanta, the Seahawks should oblige and try to trade him there now. Dan Quinn’s club drafted Vic Beasley, but Quinn surely could use another pass rusher, especially one who can play linebacker. The Falcons are thought to have called about Irvin before the draft, so why not revive those talks and see if Seattle can get a 2016 second-rounder? If not Atlanta, find another team (Jacksonville and Gus Bradley?).

The Hawks are a bit thin at linebacker, but they could replace Irvin with Kevin Pierre-Louis. On the pass rush, rookie Frank Clark figures to take some of Irvin’s snaps anyway.

Continue reading Irvin wants out, Williams wants in, Bennett & Wilson want to get paid

Bennett does not want out of Seattle

That should put an end to it. Michael Bennett made it clear Thursday that he does not want to be traded.

In an interview with KING-5 TV’s “New Day Northwest,” Bennett admitted what we already knew: He wants a pay raise.

“I’m just like any other American. I think everybody wants to be paid a little bit more, so I don’t think I fall short of that,” he said.

And then — for the second time in a month — he shot down a trade report.

“When you ask for a little more money, they assume that you want to be traded or something like that,” he said. “But that’s not what I’m trying to go for.”

Asked directly if he wanted to be traded, he said, “No.”

So, as we suspected, the reports of him wanting out almost surely are coming from his agent, Drew Rosenhaus — who probably is doing whatever he can to shake the Seahawks into giving Bennett more money. And, as we said, they aren’t going to do it — at least not this year.

Rosenhaus’ smoke and mirrors won’t work

Michael Bennett and Drew RosenhausWhere 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

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

NFL draftWhen 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

Hawks reportedly trying to trade up in Round 2

NFL draftMany 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.

Will Hawks move off 63 or pull from 2016 stock?

NFL draftDRAFT COUNTDOWN: Five days. A weekly look at draft-related topics involving the Seahawks.

John Schneider already has made three trades involving picks in this draft, and everyone is curious to know whether he’s going to make another one — moving off the Seahawks’ first pick at No. 63 on Friday.

Last season, Schneider basically ended up swapping sixth-round picks while adding cornerback Marcus Burley and deleting wide receiver Percy Harvin.

But the big move was the one Schneider made March 10, sending center Max Unger and Seattle’s first-round pick (No. 31 overall) to the Saints for tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth-rounder.

The other day, Schneider said, “When you acquire a player of Jimmy’s caliber with the 31st pick, that makes it that much easier to sleep at night knowing that we wouldn’t be able to get a player like that.”

With Graham coming in as their nominal first-rounder — much like Harvin in 2013 — the Hawks are left to pick at No. 63. But will they stay there? Or will they consider using some 2016 draft capital to add a pick in the second round?

Continue reading Will Hawks move off 63 or pull from 2016 stock?

Are Bennett/Hardy reports driven by Rosenhaus?

Michael Bennett and Drew RosenhausDrew Rosenhaus
appears to be creating quite the drama
surrounding the
Seahawks today,
apparently telling a Dallas reporter that Michael Bennett wants the Seahawks to trade him to Atlanta, where he would want a new contract, and the Seahawks are meanwhile prepared to match any offer the Dallas Cowboys make to social pariah Greg Hardy.

Rosenhaus is the agent for both Bennett and Hardy, and it seems clear he is using Dallas reporter Clarence Hill as a way to improve the market for Hardy, the mercurial defensive end who is still unsigned because of a domestic-assault case and potential NFL suspension.

Per Hill, Bennett wants a new contract and trade to the Falcons, who are now coached by former Seattle DC Dan Quinn. And Hill also reported, via KJR radio, that the Hawks are willing to match any offer the Cowboys make for Hardy.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, have told local reporters they have not heard from Bennett about a trade request (but no word on whether he wants more money). The Hawks also have said their contact with Hardy (i.e., Rosenhaus) has been mere “due diligence.”

So what is the truth/logic behind all of this drama?

Continue reading Are Bennett/Hardy reports driven by Rosenhaus?

CHAWK LINES -- Graham-Unger

Max Unger sets up in pass protection vs. Carolina as Russell Wilson receives the center's snap (Seahawks.com)Lots of reaction from the principals in the Jimmy
Graham-Max Unger deal:

Graham said he will follow Russell Wilson anywhere to make sure they establish the same kind of rapport he had with Drew Brees. He also said he will help open up more running lanes for Marshawn Lynch, making safeties play honest — or else make big plays against Cover Zero.

As excited as Graham is to be coming to Seattle, Unger is understandably as sad to be leaving.

Pete Carroll and John Schneider talked about the trade the day it happened. Said Carroll: “Your best players always help your other guys play well and be productive. That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Schneider elaborated on the deal the next day, telling 710 ESPN that the Saints asked about Unger, which led to Schneider asking about Graham.

Carroll talked about Graham’s toughness, how the Hawks will use him and how the tight end clearly fits the mold of a Seahawk in so many ways.

Bob Condotta gives a nice look at the Seahawks’ thinking along the offensive line in the wake of Unger and James Carpenter leaving.