The roster, Training camp

Rawls knows he needs to get back ASAP or risk losing the No. 1 spot

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Rawls out for seasonIt should be no surprise that Thomas Rawls is fighting hard to be ready for the start of training camp: After all, he has a lot of competition to stave off.

Sure, Pete Carroll said Rawls remains the main man replacing Marshawn Lynch — a right Rawls earned by the way he played as a rookie last season (830 yards in 12 games). But the Seahawks drafted three running backs, and Carroll has said they have big plans for third-rounder C.J. Prosise.

Carroll’s overarching theme is ComPete, and Rawls knows it is entirely possible that he loses the No. 1 job if he is slow to get back on the field and Prosise and fifth-rounder Alex Collins excel in his absence. There are only so many carries to go around — even in Seattle’s run-heavy offense.

While everyone else is taking a few weeks off before camp, Rawls is working hard to come back from the broken ankle he suffered against Baltimore in Week 14.

Continue reading Rawls knows he needs to get back ASAP or risk losing the No. 1 spot →

CHAWK LINES
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Richard Sherman’s celebrity softball event is today at Safeco Field. Sherman has been trash-talking about the Home Run Derby.

Saying he was “thrilled to be able to support him,” Pete Carroll showed up to Michael Bennett’s football camp in Hawaii. (Carroll apparently has a home on Oahu as well.)

Jordan Hill, who just hosted his own camp, is headed to Hawaii to work with Bennett and Cliff Avril ahead of Seattle’s training camp.

Bennett, whose camp was free, ripped NBA MVP Stephen Curry for charging outrageous fees for his Hawaii camp.

ICYMI: Russell Wilson and Ciara got married last week. Then, in yet another TMI moment, they talked about how much sex they are going to have. This all came after Ciara said she thinks Wilson’s life is in danger.

Avril’s NFC team won a “Family Feud” battle against an AFC quintet.

Brandon Browner allegedly was in an altercation with his girlfriend’s father in California.

Terry Poole and Kristjan Sokoli supported the Special Olympics in Alaska.

From the “Who cares?” file, Bobby Wagner apparently was annoyed he was not on NFL Network’s list of the NFL’s top 100 players.

It's bigger than football

Wilson, Hawks should take thug rapper’s threat seriously

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Wilson threatMaybe the Seahawks need a backup quarterback more than we thought. And maybe they and the NFL should take Ciara’s warning seriously.

All of the news about Tarvaris Jackson and Trevone Boykin over the last week brought Seattle’s No. 2 QB spot into the spotlight — and most of us dismissed it as a tertiary concern because the super-savvy Russell Wilson never gets injured on the field.

But, to hear his fiancée tell it, Wilson could be in danger off the field.

Continue reading Wilson, Hawks should take thug rapper’s threat seriously →

CHAWK LINES
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Jason Kidd became the third NBA coach to head to Seattle to learn from Pete Carroll. “Just the energy of Pete and the culture he built up there is pretty special.”

The numbers on Doug Baldwin’s deal came out the other day, and Stephen Cohen of the P-I listed five takeaways.

Gregg Bell of the TNT wrote about what Baldwin’s deal means for — and says about — the Seahawks.

Dave Boling thinks Baldwin has some Steve Largent in him.

Tarvaris Jackson claims he is bankrupt, meaning he blew $12 million over the past 10 years.

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Contracts, State of the team

What does Baldwin deal mean for Bennett, 2017?

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Salary cap logoEarlier this year, we said 2017 could be another “splash” offseason for John Schneider. But he dived into the deep end early, giving Doug Baldwin a $46 million deal this week.

Now the big question: What does that mean for Seattle’s 2017 salary cap? More important: What does it mean for the underpaid Michael Bennett? And, by extension, what might that mean for the highly paid Jimmy Graham?

Continue reading What does Baldwin deal mean for Bennett, 2017? →

Contracts, Franchise history, State of the team

Seahawks pay big for another receiver, but at least they know this one

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Baldwin signingThree years ago, the Seahawks gave $11 million per year to a wide receiver who had never played a down for them.

No surprise: Like all of the big-money receiver deals Seattle has made over the last decade, Percy Harvin did not work out. On top of that, the Hawks lost Golden Tate, a homegrown receiver they couldn’t afford because they had paid Harvin.

But that didn’t stop the Seahawks from paying big again Tuesday — this time with a guy they had developed from scratch.

It turns out the Seahawks were fine paying Doug Baldwin the bloated market value for wide receivers — more proof that Paul Allen, John Schneider and Pete Carroll are more than fair when it comes to guys they have developed.

Continue reading Seahawks pay big for another receiver, but at least they know this one →

Coaches

Cable ‘absolutely’ wants to be a coach again

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Okung and CableIf Seahawks past and present have anything to say about it, Tom Cable will coach an NFL team again.

According to the Huffington Post, Cable “absolutely” wants to be a coach again, and everyone from Pete Carroll to Dan Quinn to Marshawn Lynch is lobbying on his behalf.

The first part of the Post piece is a rehash of stuff Cable has said in several offseason interviews: a progress report on Seattle’s mostly brand-new offensive line and a reiteration that the coaches are very focused on trying to pick up where they left off last season.

The interesting stuff comes at the end, where Cable says he wants to be a coach again — but only in the right circumstance, which he has observed firsthand on a Super Bowl team created by John Schneider, Carroll, Cable and others.

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CHAWK LINES
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Michael Bennett makes his case to be paid more: “I haven’t missed a game in three years.”

Can a helicopter pilot be a jet-setter? He can when he’s Russell Wilson.

The Seahawks’ top stars did their bit for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” opener. The Seahawks will be on NBC four times next season.

The rookies heard words of wisdom from Walter Jones, Marcus Trufant and other former Seahawks.

Pete Carroll listed six areas of major competition for training camp. According to the Seahawks.com poll, fans are most looking forward to seeing how the offensive line and running back play out.

John Boyle of Seahawks.com offered 10 takeaways from offseason workouts.

The Seahawks worked on pursuit this offseason, and Bob Condotta hypothesizes that Carroll is trying to get his team to force more turnovers.

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Contracts, Minicamp, State of the team

Contracts take backseat to Super Bowl LI

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Kam and BennettA year ago at this time, the Seahawks had all kinds of financial turmoil — and it ultimately played a role in ruining team chemistry and the season.

Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner needed extensions. Bruce Irvin was unhappy his option had not been picked up. Michael Bennett was dissatisfied with his brand-new deal. And, unbeknownst to everyone in June, Kam Chancellor was the most displeased of all.

As it turned out, Chancellor was the only player who caused a ruckus, holding out until the third week of the season, but it was a distraction that did indeed affect chemistry and performance. The Seahawks ultimately fell short of a third straight Super Bowl because of it.

This June, the Seahawks seemingly are one big, happy family again — of one mind as they prepare for a Super Bowl redux. Sure, Bennett and Chancellor still feel they are underpaid. And Doug Baldwin is waiting to get a new contract. But, out of their own mouths, none of those three are going to hold out and screw up team chemistry.

Continue reading Contracts take backseat to Super Bowl LI →