Hawks looking for trade-down partners

April 27, 2016 cc Leave a comment

As the Seahawks look for ways to move down from their pick at 26, it looks like they could have a few options.

Denver (31st pick) and Cleveland (32nd) reportedly have been looking for ways to move up — likely for Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch. Both teams apparently have talked with Green Bay, which picks right behind Seattle. So, it follows that they have talked or will speak with the Seahawks, too.

Of course, the New York Jets could well decide to grab Lynch at No. 20 (or higher), which would leave the Seahawks looking for another team with a reason to move up.

Another draw to moving from the top of the second round into the bottom of the first is the fifth-year player control the first round offers, which could prompt teams to come up for one of the other quarterbacks — or a player at a different position.

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NFL draft

Which gamble will the Hawks take this year?

April 25, 2016 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks have made a ton of gambles in the first two rounds over the last four years, so it will be no surprise if one of their top two picks this week looks like a major wager as well.

Counting trades, the Seahawks have gambled with five of eight picks in the first two rounds since 2012.

In 2012, they picked Bruce Irvin, who had overcome a lot of trouble as a youth and sure didn’t seem like he was worth the 15th pick in the draft.

In 2013, they doubled up on character gambles — making an ill-advised trade for Percy Harvin and then using a luxury pick for Christine Michael in the second round.

In 2014, they reached for Justin Britt at the bottom of the second round.

In 2015, they took the most heat by drafting Frank Clark 63rd overall even though he had been involved in a domestic dispute months earlier.

In 2016, various mock drafts have projected troubled defenders Robert Nkemdiche and Noah Spence to the Seahawks. Even if they trade down, as we expect, would the Seahawks gamble on either of those guys?

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Franchise history, NFL draft, Trades

A look at all 38 of Schneider’s trades

April 22, 2016 cc 3 Comments

DRAFT COUNTDOWN: 6 days. As the draft approaches, we look at draft-related topics involving the Seahawks.

“Who says we’re picking at 26?”

With that comment on KJR last week, John Schneider basically confirmed the Seahawks are going to be looking to trade out of the first round again.

Schneider said this draft is made for trading down because it is the deepest draft since he took over as Seattle’s GM in 2010.

The draft is especially deep in the two areas where the Seahawks need help: offensive line and defensive tackle. And that explains why Schneider will once again be looking to move down.

“You always have to find a partner, and that can be somewhat difficult throughout the day and throughout the weekend,” the GM said. “But this is one of those drafts (that make you want to move down).”

Continue reading A look at all 38 of Schneider’s trades →

Franchise history, NFL draft

A look at Schneider’s probable draft strategy

April 21, 2016 cc Leave a comment

DRAFT COUNTDOWN: 7 days. As the draft approaches, we look at draft-related topics involving the Seahawks.

John Schneider drafting This is just the second time in four years John Schneider has gone into the draft with his first-round pick, and it appears he is planning the same strategy as last time.

In 2014, he dropped from No. 32 to 40 and then moved down again before selecting wide receiver Paul Richardson with the 45th pick.

Based on his comments last week, it is clear he wants to follow that strategy again. This draft is the deepest since 2010, he said, and he wants to take advantage of it.

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Contracts, The roster

As expected, Hawks risking nothing on Browner

April 21, 2016 cc Leave a comment

While Brandon Browner is no sure thing to make Seattle’s roster, it didn’t cost the Seahawks much to bring him back — and won’t cost anything if they let him go.

As expected, he received the veteran minimum of $760,000 and will count just $600,000 on the veteran minimum-salary benefit. The Saints had guaranteed him $2.75 million in 2016, so they will be paying the balance.

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Free agency, The roster

Browner faces uphill battle to make team

April 17, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Pete Carroll and John Schneider have never been afraid to bring back former players, so it’s not a big surprise that they have reclaimed a couple of veterans from their Super Bowl-winning team.

Of course, it’s no guarantee that either Chris Clemons or newly reacquired Brandon Browner will make the team.

Clemons, 34, seems to have the better chance, offering some help in the pass rush and as an extra veteran voice for Frank Clark and other young linemen.

But Browner would seem to have an uphill battle to make the team.

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Schedule

Five prime-time games in pretty friendly schedule

April 14, 2016 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks will have a chance to get off to a fast start before playing a host of night games at midseason and finishing with four West Coast games in the final five weeks as the NFC is decided, according to the NFL schedule released today.

The Seahawks tied 2015 with a team-record five prime-time games: at Arizona in Week 7, home vs. Buffalo in Week 9, at New England in Week 10, home vs. Carolina in Week 13 and home vs. the Rams in Week 15. They have three home night games for the first time since 2006.

They have just two 10 a.m. starts: at the Jets in Week 3 and at New Orleans in Week 8. The Seahawks are 8-8 in 10 a.m. starts since Russell Wilson became QB in 2012.

The Seahawks also have just two possible cold-weather games: at New England on Nov. 13 and at Green Bay on Dec. 11.

Continue reading Five prime-time games in pretty friendly schedule →

NFL draft

‘Who says we’re picking at 26?’ Schneider wants to move down again

April 14, 2016 cc 1 Comment

DRAFT COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks. Every Thursday until the draft, we look at draft-related topics involving the Seahawks.

The Seahawks have not drafted in the first round for three years; and, if John Schneider has his way, they won’t pick in the first round this year either.

On Wednesday, KJR’s Mitch Levy asked jokingly which player the Seahawks are going to pick at No. 26, and Schneider quickly retorted, “Who says we’re picking at 26?”

Schneider wasn’t kidding either. He said this draft is made for trading down, “quite honestly.”

Continue reading ‘Who says we’re picking at 26?’ Schneider wants to move down again →

OTAs, The roster

Lining up at USC

April 13, 2016 cc Leave a comment

New lineman Bradley Sowell posted an Instagram picture of some of Seattle’s linemen practicing with Russell Wilson and company at USC.

From left to right: J’Marcus Webb, Mark Glowinski, Kristjan Sokoli, Will Pericak, Sowell. Webb and Glowinski are the only ones penciled in as starters right now.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEJpduKqQN0/

CHAWK LINES

April 10, 2016 cc Leave a comment

CHAWK LINES -- Week in review