Tag Archives: Michael Bennett

CHAWK LINES, Contracts
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Marshawn Lynch might be retiring, but another very significant former Seahawk — 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck — might keep going.

Some Seahawks apparently think Lynch will change his mind. Of course, that would mean he would be playing elsewhere absent a pay cut in Seattle.

Danny Kelly of Field Gulls put together a nice retrospective on Lynch.

Michael Bennett was honored at a local sports ceremony, and he had a few fun digs for Cam Newton.

Fans hilariously think Jermaine Kearse is the Seahawks’ top UFA. They will find out differently soon enough.

Ahtyba Rubin’s market seemingly is set at $4 million per year, thanks to Green Bay and Letroy Guion.

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Contracts, Free agency

Hawks watching other teams’ early moves

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Salary cap logoThe NFL year — i.e., free agency and the trading period — begins in four weeks, but the business of rebuilding teams already has begun as clubs re-sign and release players.

The Seahawks haven’t made any big moves yet — although Marshawn Lynch’s pending retirement will save them $6.5 million vs. the 2016 salary cap — but they surely are watching other teams’ transactions with great interest.

Recent contract extensions have established the markets for Michael Bennett (who is expected to push hard for a raise) and Bruce Irvin; a few teams have parted company with safeties, making them potential trade destinations for Kam Chancellor; and some veteran offensive linemen already have been released as well.

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Free agency, State of the team

This offseason sets up Part III & wide-open 2017

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Salary cap logoWhile a lot of people think the Seahawks face a daunting offseason — with 24 scheduled free agents and decisions to make on Kam Chancellor and Michael Bennett — you can bet John Schneider and Pete Carroll see it for what it really is: A chance for them to reset their still-strong team for Part III of the Schneider/Carroll era so they can win a couple more Super Bowls.

Part I included the building years of 2010-12, when they put together a stout defense and powerful running attack and found a franchise quarterback. Part II (2013-15) was the first Super Bowl window, which did not turn out quite as well as it should have.

This offseason offers the chance for Schneider and Carroll to redefine their team — officially moving on from some 2010-15 stalwarts (e.g., Marshawn Lynch, Chancellor, Russell Okung) and remaking their offensive line. It will set the table for next offseason, when Schneider will have the flexibility to make some moves that could create a dominant team for 2017 and beyond.

Continue reading This offseason sets up Part III & wide-open 2017 →

CHAWK LINES, Pro Bowl
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

Russell Wilson had a big week, getting drafted first overall for the Pro Bowl, leading in merchandise sales and signing a long-term endorsement deal with Nike.

Russell Okung is going to have shoulder surgery and be out until June — a development that could severely limit his options in free agency.

Robbie Tobeck gave his nickel’s worth on the Seahawks’ offensive line. It’s good advice.

Under the new Pro Bowl drafting format, the Seahawks are going to be split, with Wilson, Michael Bennett and Richard Sherman on Michael Irvin’s squad and and Bobby Wagner and Tyler Lockett on Jerry Rice’s side.

Lockett is having a blast in Hawaii, rubbing elbows with Rice (who briefly played for the Seahawks, as you might recall) and some of the NFL’s best.

Wagner, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, is enjoying his first trip to the game — exchanging notes with fellow linebacking greats such as NaVorro Bowman and Clay Matthews.

Bennett did a bit of everything in Pro Bowl practice Friday.

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CHAWK LINES
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CHAWK LINES -- Week in review

John Schneider told 710 ESPN that Marshawn Lynch is leaning toward retirement. He also talked a lot about the offensive line in a KJR interview.

Lynch’s mom doesn’t think he is going to retire, although it seems more wishful thinking.

If Lynch does retire, the Seahawks could seek to recoup $5 million in bonus money — though they probably would not.

Jermaine Kearse says he won’t give a hometown discount. Does he think the Seahawks care?

John Clayton gave his projections for some of Seattle’s key free agents.

Rob Staton’s latest mock draft has the Seahawks taking a tackle in the first round.

Dave Wyman, my co-author on “Then Zorn Said to Largent,” is right when he says Michael Bennett has earned concessions (and Kam Chancellor has not).

Earl Thomas donated $15,000 to a homeless mission in Seattle.

The Seahawks gave the Cardinals some good advice about playing on Charlotte’s crappy field.

Contracts, Free agency, State of the team, The roster

Offseason priorities

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Salary cap logoA couple of months ago, we wrote that the Seahawks’ bosses — Pete Carroll and John Schneider — were going to have to make some changes no matter how the season ended.

Well, the season has ended (prematurely), and now it is time for those changes.

“There’s all kinds of stuff we’re going to be working on,” Carroll said Monday. “There’s tons of stuff. I’m not going to single anything out right now because there’s no way I can do that and be talking straight with you, because I don’t know. We don’t know at this point. We have a lot of thoughts, and we’re just going to start putting them together over the next few weeks and all.”

Although the Seahawks are slated to have more free agents this year than they have had in any year since Schneider and Carroll arrived in 2010, Schneider’s focus will be a little bit different this time.

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Playoffs: At Carolina, State of the team, The roster

2015 was like 2012; will 2016 be as Super as 2013?

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Wilson and SchneiderAs it turns out, the Seahawks’ 2015 season was an almost exact replica of the 2012 season — from the uneven start to the disastrous postseason finish.

So, if the cycle continues, the Seahawks will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy again one year from now.

Consider the similar paths of the 2012 and 2015 seasons:

**The Seahawks rallied from a 4-4 start to make the playoffs, evolving a paltry offense into a formidable one, and a defense that was terrible in save situations (i.e., protecting leads in the fourth quarter).

**They rallied to win their wild-card game and then got off to a horrendous start in their 10 a.m. divisional game before Russell Wilson led a big second-half rally that fell just short.

**This failure was followed by an immediate excitement about what the future holds, everyone knowing this team is still talented enough to compete for at least a few more seasons.

Continue reading 2015 was like 2012; will 2016 be as Super as 2013? →

CHAWK LINES, Playoffs: At Carolina
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CHAWK LINES -- Seahawks-Panthers

Marshawn Lynch: “I’m ready.”

Luke Willson also looks like he will return.

Russell Wilson and presumed MVP Cam Newton (he has Wilson’s nonexistent vote) have been en fuego.

The teams have more in common than just dynamic quarterbacks.

Kam Chancellor had perhaps the best game of his career vs. Carolina in last season’s divisional playoff game. Can he repeat it?

Pete Carroll said he doesn’t care if tight ends catch balls against his defense — someone is going to — but Greg Olsen beat them in Week 6 and will be a big factor again.

The Panthers are thin at cornerback, which could play into the hands of Wilson and Doug Baldwin.

Here’s a comprehensive preview of the game.

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Contracts

Bennett has earned that raise he asked for

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Kam and BennettMichael Bennett is making it tough on the Seahawks — tough to not give him the raise he wants.

His stellar performance against the Vikings last weekend was one of his best games in a season full of them — further evidence that the team needs to accommodate him financially after this season.

Yes, Bennett has two years remaining on his contract. But, if you recall, he grumbled all last offseason about the four-year, $28.5 million contract he signed in 2014. And he surely will again — especially after this awesome season.

Continue reading Bennett has earned that raise he asked for →

Playoffs: At Minnesota

Minnesota Miracle: Notes, quotes & stats

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SEAvsMIN Miss UniverseAfter 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 →