Tag Archives: Cliff Avril

McDaniel has been ‘the quiet MVP of our defense’

October 21, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Coincidence or not? Tony McDaniel comes to Seattle in 2013 and the Hawks win the Super Bowl in his first year and put themselves in position to win in his second year.

Then he gets cut — and the Hawks fail to make their third straight Super Bowl.

OK, so it probably is mostly coincidence. But, then again, maybe he is the Super Bowl lucky charm.

Either way, there is no denying the unsung impact he has had on the Seahawks’ top-ranked defense this season — despite being a last-minute re-addition.

Continue reading McDaniel has been ‘the quiet MVP of our defense’ →

CHAWK LINES, Week 6: Atlanta

October 16, 2016 cc Leave a comment

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Russell Wilson rallied the offense and the defense stood stout at the end as the Seahawks beat Matt Ryan and the Falcons 26-24.

Wilson pulled off his usual magic, proving once again he is one of the elite.

Earl Thomas played his best game of the season.

Cliff Avril’s big game helped his parents’ home country of Haiti.

Michael Bennett should be OK despite leaving the game with a knee injury, but Luke Willson’s status is unclear, pending tests.

Bennett was irate over the cut block by Jake Matthews that knocked him out.

Richard Sherman blew his top over blown coverages.

It seems as though Kelcie McCray – filling in for injured Kam Chancellor — was the culprit on the first blown coverage, missing a defensive call.

Sherman should have been called for pass interference on the Falcons’ final pass play. But he wasn’t. And that’s that.

CHAWK LINES, Week 6: Atlanta

October 11, 2016 cc Leave a comment

CHAWK LINES -- Falcons at Hawks.png

The game against the Falcons could be a barometer of where the Seahawks stand in the NFC.

Russell Wilson looks fine, and more injury updates.

Five Seahawks who are key to the final 12 games.

Frank Clark is playing a lot more this year, and DeShawn Shead has played every snap.

The Seahawks are producing more sacks this year despite blitzing at the same frequency as last year.

Dan Quinn said he has “a lot of gratitude” for Pete Carroll and the Seahawks setting him up to coach the Falcons.

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CHAWK LINES, Week 1: Miami

September 12, 2016 cc Leave a comment

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“You can hardly tell anything is wrong with” Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll said.

Cliff Avril sent Wilson a message praising his toughness.

The Seahawks have been in contact with Tarvaris Jackson. They also signed Jake Heaps to the practice squad.

Thomas Rawls and Jimmy Graham are going to get more playing time.

Cassius Marsh rebounded from a big mistake to have his best game as a pro.

Seattle’s running game stumbled in the opener.

Here’s everything Pete Carroll said in his Monday media session.

The Seahawks will wear all-neon green for the “Color Rush” Thursday night game in Week 15.

Marshawn Lynch went “Running Wild with Bear Grylls.”

CHAWK LINES, Training camp

July 23, 2016 cc Leave a comment

With training camp starting in one week, let’s look at some pre-camp player reports:

Michael Bennett is griping about his contract yet again. But don’t believe him when he says, “Just get rid of me.”

Russell Wilson, who now looks almost as hulked up as Robert Turbin, told Q13 Fox: “We’ll try to bring back Super Bowl 51 if we can. We’ll do everything we can, every day. That’s a promise.”

Justin Britt’s switch to center is one of the major camp stories to watch.

Pete Carroll reminds us why the Seahawks think J’Marcus Webb will succeed with them.

Can Thomas Rawls take over for Marshawn Lynch — even if he doesn’t play in the preseason?

John Clayton projects Rawls to get 16-17 carries a game, with the other backs getting six or seven.

Christine Michael — among those trying to replace Lynch — admits, “I was just being a young guy, just being a knucklehead.”

Like last year, all eyes will be on Jimmy Graham — from camp through the season.

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CHAWK LINES

July 10, 2016 cc Leave a comment

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.

CHAWK LINES

April 10, 2016 cc Leave a comment

CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Thomas Rawls said he’ll be ready for camp.

Doug Baldwin said he has not talked to the team about a new contract and he’s “not too concerned about it.”

John Schneider said Frank Clark’s “ceiling is off the charts.”

Russell Wilson, Paul Richardson and Tyler Lockett continue to work out in Southern California.

The Seahawks are playing Dallas in Week 3 of the preseason — the big tuneup game.

Cliff Avril turned 30 and talked about losing Brandon Mebane and regaining Chris Clemons.

Clemons said Michael Bennett and Richard Sherman had been recruiting him to come back.

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Playoffs: At Minnesota

Minnesota Miracle: Notes, quotes & stats

January 11, 2016 cc Leave a comment

SEAvsMIN Miss Universe After the Seahawks pulled off their second miracle playoff win in their past three postseason games, here are some quotes, stats and other tidbits:

First, some words from Pete Carroll to his team.

NFL vets Fred Jackson and Ahtyba Rubin won their first playoff game.

Russell Wilson gave the game ball to the 34-year-old Jackson, who spent nine non-playoff seasons in Buffalo.

Richard Sherman on the looming divisional matchup against Carolina: ““It’s always a fun one when you play Carolina. It’s going to be a physical game. … Both teams are going to hit each other in the mouth and we’ll see who is standing in the end.’’

Marshawn Lynch’s status for next week is unknown. Continue reading Minnesota Miracle: Notes, quotes & stats →

Contracts, Franchise history, Free agency, Trades

Big-money acquisitions haven’t paid off

December 9, 2015 cc 2 Comments

Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice during a minicamp in June (AP) Now you know why John Schneider doesn’t pay big money in free agency very
often: It usually
isn’t worth it.

The release of Cary Williams this week was the latest example. It was the second straight year the Seahawks have gotten rid of a highly paid veteran addition during the season — and they probably set a record with this one, dumping Williams just 12 games into a three-year, $18 million contract.

A year ago, the Seahawks traded Percy Harvin — the pouting malcontent who for a time had poisoned the Seattle locker room.

Since he took over in 2010, Schneider has acquired nine big-contract veterans — defined as making $5 million a year or more — and six of them have not been worth it.

Continue reading Big-money acquisitions haven’t paid off →