Tag Archives: Pete Carroll

Chancellor’s agent is bluffing — isn’t he?

August 19, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Earlier this year, Michael Bennett’s agent tried to bluff the Seahawks into giving Bennett a new deal. Now Kam Chancellor’s agent is doing the same thing. We think.

In April, agent Drew Rosenhaus seemingly spread rumors that Bennett wanted to be traded to Atlanta, where former Seattle DC Dan Quinn is now coach. But the Hawks were unfazed. Even as Bennett told everyone who would listen that he is not happy with the deal he signed last year, the Hawks did not budge from their budget. In fact, he has said they haven’t told him they would do anything with the contract that still has three years and $18.5 million left on it.

Now, Alvin Keels, Chancellor’s agent, is saying Chancellor will remain out until the Hawks redo the deal he signed in 2013, which still has three years left.

“He will not report without his contract being addressed this season,” Keels told ESPN’s Josina Anderson. “The team and I have been in contact, but we haven’t been able to agree on any compromise.”

Continue reading Chancellor’s agent is bluffing — isn’t he? →

State of the team, Training camp

No problem: Hawks just want five best linemen

August 17, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks apparently were as alarmed by the poor O-line play as many fans were Friday, so they decided to make another big move Monday: Right tackle Justin Britt is switching to left guard and Garry Gilliam is working at right tackle.

Tom Cable said it comes down to getting the best five on the field, and the Hawks — after trying four other players at left guard — apparently think they might be better with Britt at LG and Gilliam at RT. Alvin Bailey looked bad Friday against Denver, and it’s easy to see why Cable has been searching for another player to play left guard. Apparently, Keavon Milton and Mark Glowinski have not impressed enough.

“We’re just trying to get the best guys out there. We’re still mixing and matching,” said Cable, who added he would like to have it figured out by next week.

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Preseason

Clark & Lockett prove they were worth it

August 15, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Lockett and Carroll Aug. 14 — As Tyler Lockett finishes his 103-yard TD return, referee Eugene Hall collides with Pete Carroll on the sideline.

The Seahawks took a lot of heat for drafting Frank Clark and Tyler Lockett with their first two picks this year.

The media ripped them for using the 63rd overall pick on Clark, who was kicked off Michigan’s team last year after he was involved in a domestic disturbance. And some were dubious of Seattle’s move to trade four draft picks to take Lockett six spots after they drafted Clark.

Clark clearly has to keep his nose clean off the field for eternity, but the performances by him and Lockett on Friday were a nice little sampler of what Pete Carroll and John Schneider expected when they drafted them.

Lockett returned a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown and finished with 188 yards on four kick returns and 18 yards on his only punt runback in Seattle’s 22-20 loss to the Denver Broncos. Clark, meanwhile, was a monster along the defensive front all game, finishing with a game-high nine tackles and a forced fumble.

As Carroll said after the game, “That’s a beautiful first message they sent us.”

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State of the team, Training camp

Training camp status report: Offense

August 13, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks open the preseason against the Denver Broncos on Friday in Seattle. Here is our breakdown of the
offense, what we will be watching in the first game and our updated roster projections:

QUARTERBACK
Veterans: Russell Wilson, Tarvaris Jackson, R.J. Archer

Wilson’s No. 1 goal in camp has been to develop and refine his rapport with Jimmy Graham.

“Chemistry has been more than I could ever imagine,” Graham said after the scrimmage Aug. 8. “For example, today in the scrimmage we had one we didn’t connect on; so, after practice, we did it about four or five times. And that is how we’re going to do it each and every day. Anything we’re iffy about we’re going to get it after practice. The season is right here; and, when those big moments come, I want that connection to be right.”

Earlier this week, Pete Carroll said, “They’re not there yet. It’s just going to take time. The intricacies of the things that they’re trying to do together go way deep, so it’s going to take them a lot of time. … Both of them are really determined to get this thing figured out. They’re doing great, but there’s more room for them to make up.”

By all reports, Archer has been off target in most practices — putting to rest any thoughts that he might challenge Jackson, who still puts up a great deep ball.

The Hawks have their eyes open for other QBs — they reportedly worked out Jake Waters, who was Tyler Lockett’s QB at Kansas State.

What to watch: Wilson to Graham, of course.

Projected (2): Wilson, Jackson

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CHAWK LINES, Training camp

August 13, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Some observations from a stormy Day 11 of camp from those who were there (and other features):

Bob Condotta of The Times recounts Keavon Milton’s journey to possible No. 1 left guard.

The Seahawks don’t know how many tight ends they are going to keep: three or four? Does Will Tukuafu count?

Speaking of tight ends, Anthony McCoy feels “normal” after Achilles injuries cost him the past two seasons.

Mohammed Seisay continues to make plays even as he adjusts to the playbook and pace of practice: “I’m going to get real comfortable and start making a lot more plays.”

Richard Sherman had the day off, and he spent it talking to cover-2 guru Monte Kiffin.

Pete Carroll told KJR-AM that the Hawks catered to Percy Harvin’s talents last year, “to our detriment somewhat,” but Darrell Bevell said they don’t have to change for Jimmy Graham: “We can just plug him in.”

Field Gulls interviewed Doug McNeil about his circuitous journey to the Seahawks and his change of positions.

Peyton Manning is not expected to play Friday when the Broncos visit the Seahawks.

State of the team, The roster, Training camp

Don’t worry about the offensive line

August 12, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Okung and Cable — Tom Cable watches his linemen drill (Seahawks.com)

Good offensive lines typically are
defined by the four C’s: continuity, consistency, cohesion, camaraderie.

But, the Seahawks get by most of the time with just one C: Cable.

That’s why there’s no reason to be worried about Seattle’s offensive line — despite the uncertainty at center and left guard this year and left tackle and right guard next year. As always, Tom Cable will hook it up.

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CHAWK LINES, Training camp

August 10, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Some observations from Day 9 of camp from those who were there (and other features):

Dion Bailey is working as the No. 1 strong safety now because “you can’t deny the production.”

Drew Nowak is challenging for the starting center spot, and now Keavon Milton is in the hunt at left guard — at least the Hawks would have Alvin Bailey think so.

Bruce Irvin, out to prove something in a contract year, is having his best camp.

Pete Carroll said Kevin Pierre-Louis stood out most after watching film of the scrimmage Saturday.

So much for Tony McDaniel possibly returning. He reportedly has a deal with Tampa Bay.

Field Gulls rounded up a bunch of radio interviews from the past few days.

Injury report, Training camp

Thomas, Simon still a couple of weeks away

August 8, 2015 cc Leave a comment

A week into camp, it’s a good time to assess the Seahawks’ injury situation. Pete Carroll provided updates after the scrimmage today:

FS Earl Thomas (shoulder), who came off PUP this week, is still a couple of weeks away from practicing with the team. The Hawks removed him from PUP so he could participate in walk-through practices.

Carroll said, “He can get in there and get all of his reps there. There’s 50-something snaps in walk-through that he wasn’t able to get under the conditions of the PUP. So now he’s back and at least he’s getting half the time. It’s still a couple weeks away, but we’re getting closer and we’re trying to get him involved so that he can continue to progress too.”

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CHAWK LINES, Training camp

August 4, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Some observations from Day 4 of camp from those who were there:

Per The Seattle Times, Kristjan Sokoli is now practicing at left guard. That narrows the competition at center to three guys and gives Alvin Bailey another thing to think about as he attempts to nail down the LG spot.

Lemuel Jeanpierre is the leader for the center spot, according to Gregg Bell of The News Tribune, and Tom Cable says it should be decided soon.

Robert Turbin’s surgically repaired hip seems fine; he showed great burst in his return to practice, per Seahawks.com.

Jimmy Graham is loving his first camp in Seattle, Seahawks.com reports.

Seahawks.com passed along three key points from Kris Richard.

On 710 ESPN, Pete Carroll said Graham has impressed him more than anyone. He also talked about the future of his team, tough decisions such as cutting Tony McDaniel, Kam Chancellor’s holdout and the roster battles in this camp.

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Contracts, State of the team

Wagner’s contract gives team some flexibility

August 3, 2015 cc Leave a comment

In the wake of Bobby Wagner’s monster contract, Pete Carroll said the Seahawks face uncertainty next year in the way the team is going to be constructed.

“It is so challenging to do this,” Carroll said, “and particularly as it (the salary cap) changes and you don’t know and you have to predict. … This is a big year now (for Seattle free agents); we don’t know what’s going to happen with the cap. We’ll wait and see.”

As it turns out, Wagner’s contract reflects the uncertainty and also covers the Hawks in case he misses games, as he has the past two seasons.

Wagner’s four-year, $43 million deal reportedly includes an $8 million signing bonus and — rare for the Seahawks — a $4 million option bonus in 2016 that would activate 2019 while giving the team cap flexibility next year and beyond.

Either way, the Hawks will pay Wagner $7 million in 2016 — with a $3 millon salary if they pay the option or $7 million if they don’t. So the cap hit could be $6.1 million or $9.1 million in 2016. If they decline the option, it would make it just a three-year extension. But they surely just wanted to include a second signing bonus to offset cap hits in 2015 and beyond.

The Hawks also included $3.5 million in per-game roster bonuses — $500,000 in 2016 and $1 million in each of the next three seasons. Wagner missed five games last year and two the previous season, so the Hawks clearly want him to earn some of the deal through simple availability.