Tag Archives: Bobby Wagner

Don’t panic: Hawks can easily keep top stars

March 24, 2019 cc Leave a comment

There’s much panic in the streets about whether the Seahawks are going to keep their top four players in 2020, and it has only intensified after pessimistic speculation by NFL reporter Mike Garafolo on 710 ESPN.

If you believe Garafolo (and others), the Seahawks probably won’t re-sign Russell Wilson, Frank Clark or Bobby Wagner before next year. And don’t forget about Jarran Reed, the fourth musketeer in this contract melee.

But here’s the truth of the matter: The Seahawks have the cap space to keep all four on market deals if John Schneider and Pete Carroll want them back, and they can guarantee they keep two of those players in 2020 without any extensions because teams are allowed to use both a franchise tag and a transition tag in the final year of the CBA (which 2020 will be).

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Franchise history

Wright’s back, but Legion of Boom can take a bow

March 15, 2019 cc 2 Comments

Earl takes a bow The return of K.J. Wright means there will still be two members of Seattle’s famed Legion of Boom defense on the field in 2019. But make no mistake: That unit is now officially gone.

Wright’s re-signing was a pleasant surprise after Earl Thomas’ long, slow goodbye finally ended with him heading to Baltimore for $13.75 million a year.

With Thomas gone, Wright and Bobby Wagner are the only ones who remain from Pete Carroll’s vaunted defense that helped lead the Seahawks to two Super Bowls and put together one of the most spectacular half-decades in league annals.

But the end also is in sight for Wright, who sounds like he’s going to retire after this two-year contract. And there is no guarantee Wagner will be around beyond this year, the final of his deal.

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Contracts, Free agency

Will Seahawks want to pay Wagner?

March 12, 2019 cc 1 Comment

On the first unofficial day of free agency, the Seahawks suffered three expected losses and prepared to lose longtime stalwarts Earl Thomas and K.J. Wright.

But the biggest — maybe most unexpected — thing they learned: Bobby Wagner is going to cost a lot to keep beyond 2019. After Kwon Alexander and C.J. Mosley get paid this week, Wagner’s price is going to vault beyond $15 million a year.

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Contracts, Free agency

Hawks have roster flexibility: Here’s a detailed budget

February 24, 2019 cc 3 Comments

Right after the Seahawks’ season ended prematurely, we put forth an offseason to-do list that included extending Frank Clark, improving the defensive line, addressing the future of right tackle, re-signing guards, deciding the fate of their linebackers, adding a vet safety and, of course, extending Russell Wilson.

Earlier this month, we also outlined the projected market for Seattle’s free agents — predicting the team would franchise Clark and keep at least one of the guards while probably/possibly losing Earl Thomas, K.J. Wright, Justin Coleman, Mike Davis and Shamar Stephen.

We also listed pass-rush options beyond Clark — as a No. 2 pass rusher should be Seattle’s top outside priority.

If the Seahawks wanted to, they could retain Clark and at least one guard; extend Wilson, Bobby Wagner and Jarran Reed; and still have around $20 million for other moves.

Here’s a detailed look at how Seattle could accomplish all of that:

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NFL Combine, NFL draft, Trades

Schneider’s big Combine mission: Set up trades

February 21, 2019 cc Leave a comment

Schneider at combine This week’s wild Russell Wilson rumor aside, it has been a quiet stretch in Seahawks Land — no action since the team signed Paxton Lynch in mid-January. Like most of the rest of the league, the Hawks have been heads-down planning offseason moves and prepping for next week’s Combine.

John Schneider will have three tasks in Indy. Beyond scouting players and gauging the free-agent market, the biggest mission will be laying the groundwork for possible draft trades.

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Contracts, The roster

Offseason to-do list

January 7, 2019 cc 2 Comments

Since training camp last summer, Russell Wilson has said these Seahawks remind him of the 2012 team he led as a rookie, which exceeded some people’s expectations by reaching the second round of the playoffs and then came back to win the Super Bowl in 2013.

While this crew also surprised a lot of people, it didn’t do quite as well as the 2012 squad, failing to win a playoff game. But, even after the 24-22 loss in Dallas, Wilson thought the comparison valid. “If precedence has any truth to it,” he said, “hopefully we can find a way to do something good like that.”

Some think this team is ready to contend in 2019.

“We have everything we need,” Doug Baldwin said. “You have all the pieces. You have all the right mindsets, personalities, everything. It’s just we’re a young team. With the time comes progression, comes growth, comes learning. This team will be better.”

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CHAWK LINES, Playoffs: At Dallas

January 3, 2019 cc Leave a comment

CHAWK LINES -- Seahawks at Cowboys As usual at playoff time, the injury list gets pretty small. Pete Carroll said J.R. Sweezy “has got a good chance.”

Earl Thomas had two picks against Dallas in Week 3, when the Cowboys did not yet have Amari Cooper. Bobby Wagner said the Hawks have adjusted to losing “a great, great player” and the only new thing about Dallas’ offense is Cooper, who “changes your offense.”

But which version of Cooper are the Seahawks going to see?

The last time Cooper played the Seahawks was in London when he was still with Oakland. He didn’t last long — knocked out by Bradley McDougald.

Carroll said Jerry Jones’ massive AT&T Stadium feels like a nightclub.

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CHAWK LINES, Week 16: Kansas City

December 21, 2018 cc 1 Comment

CHAWK LINES -- Chiefs at Hawks Tedric Thompson has an unusual chest condition that involved a fluid buildup, so he is being held out as the team waits for it to subside.

Despite 16 listed injuries, the Hawks apparently have just three game-time decisions. K.J. Wright will return, and fellow starting defenders Bradley McDougald, Jarran Reed and Shaquill Griffin are expected to play through injuries.

One-time Seahawk Spencer Ware, who replaced Kareem Hunt when he was cut, is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

Pro Bowl linebacker (again) Bobby Wagner talked about the key to his success.

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Contracts, Week 14: Minnesota

Wagner, Clark have earned big paydays, but Wilson hasn’t

December 11, 2018 cc Leave a comment

With the playoffs now just a win away, most people are focused on the future of the Seahawks this season, but the 21-7 win over the Vikings on Monday night offered some major food for thought about the future beyond this season.

Bobby Wagner and Frank Clark led a thundering defense that dominated Minnesota for nearly the entire game — a stellar performance by the duo that reinforced the idea that the Seahawks need to pay their two best defenders next offseason.

Meanwhile, Russell Wilson continued a rollercoaster season that proves he does not deserve to be the NFL’s top-paid QB next year.

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Contracts, The roster, Week 13: San Francisco

Focus on futures of Wagner, Fluker

December 3, 2018 cc Leave a comment

The Seattle futures of two key players are at top of mind after the blowout win over the 49ers.

Bobby Wagner’s historic performance is the kind of game that seemingly makes re-signing him next year a no-brainer — but, of course, it’s not.

On the other side, D.J. Fluker’s hamstring injury is another reminder why the injury-prone road grader was available on the cheap this year and why the Seahawks should tread lightly in their expected offer to him after the season.

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