Tag Archives: Russell Wilson

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).

Continue reading Don’t panic: Hawks can easily keep top stars →

NFL Combine, The roster

Jody Allen aggressively pursuing another title

March 4, 2019 cc 2 Comments

At the Combine, John Schneider and Pete Carroll both talked up “amazing” new owner Jody Allen, who has seamlessly stepped in for her late brother Paul Allen.

Carroll noted, “She will surprise the heck out of you. She is on it. She is aggressive in her approach.”

That last part is worth repeating, apparently, as a source told Bob Condotta that “early indications are that Jody Allen might even be more willing to be as aggressive as possible to keep the team at a high competitive level each season than was Paul Allen, whose general inclination (was) to think more about the long-term big picture.”

Jody’s mentality seems to line up very well with the team’s situation, as Carroll aims to be “formidable” as he winds down his tenure and the Seahawks enter a salary-cap reset this year and next. This is the time to be aggressive.

Continue reading Jody Allen aggressively pursuing another title →

Contracts

Wilson should aim for a three-year deal for $100M guaranteed

February 28, 2019 cc 2 Comments

There never seems to be as much fretting about other franchise quarterbacks re-signing with their teams as there is about Russell Wilson staying in Seattle. For some reason, national media and plenty of fans always seem to think the Seahawks are going to have a tough time keeping Wilson.

Whether it’s some radio joker speculating that Wilson will try to force his way to New York or people thinking the QB will pull a Kirk Cousins and play on the franchise tag until he can leave, everyone has a paranoid theory about why Wilson is a short-timer in Seattle.

The latest speculation is that Wilson might prefer to wait on the new CBA and see how much the NFL’s new gambling and TV deals add to the coffers, so he doesn’t sign a deal that quickly becomes undervalued.

Instead of playing the franchise game, though, he should move straight to Kirk Cousins Strategy Part II and push the Seahawks to give him $100 million fully guaranteed over three years.

Continue reading Wilson should aim for a three-year deal for $100M guaranteed →

CHAWK LINES, Free agency, NFL Combine

Schneider speaks at Combine

February 27, 2019 cc Leave a comment

chawk lines -- Combine Here are the key statements from John Schneider at the Combine today:

The GM expects Frank Clark to be a Seahawk but does not yet know whether he will end up using the franchise tag on him by Tuesday. (Or, if he does, he is not saying.)

Schneider has talked to Russell Wilson‘s agent, Mark Rodgers, about an extension, but that is not a priority at this stage of the offseason. Schneider also said he gets the impression Wilson wants to remain with the Seahawks. “I have no reason to believe otherwise — other than Internet rumors.”

Continue reading Schneider speaks at Combine →

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:

Continue reading Hawks have roster flexibility: Here’s a detailed budget →

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.

Continue reading Schneider’s big Combine mission: Set up trades →

On the air, The roster, Trades

It’s speculation month: Wilson to NYC a whopper

February 20, 2019 cc Leave a comment

Ciara and Russ February is speculation month in the NFL, and Colin Cowherd just topped Reggie Wayne.

A day after the former NFL star suggested the Seahawks tag-and-trade Frank Clark for Antonio Brown, the funniest name in sports radio dropped this rumor: Russell Wilson might want to play for the New York Giants.

Cowherd said sources from the entertainment world are talking about Ciara’s desire to move to New York, where she would have better exposure in her music career. And then Cowherd connected the dots, suggesting Wilson would want to accommodate his wife and might push to play for the Giants.

So, fans everywhere want to know: How much credence should we put into this rumor?

Continue reading It’s speculation month: Wilson to NYC a whopper →

Contracts, Free agency

Projected market for Hawks’ free agents

February 6, 2019 cc Leave a comment

Russell Wilson could be guaranteed $100 million and Frank Clark $50 million in new deals, according to contract expert Joel Corry, who also laid out the possible markets for several other Seahawks in a conversation with John Clayton on 710 ESPN.

Per Corry, Wilson figures to hit $35 million APY (as we projected) if he signs an extension this year, Clark will aim for $20 million (if not franchised at around $17 million), K.J. Wright could get more than $7 million, and D.J. Fluker, J.R. Sweezy and Justin Coleman all could merit around $5 million on the open market.

All of those amounts, except Wilson’s, would be more than the Seahawks are expected to be willing to pay. But the markets for Wright, the guards and Coleman might not hit those figures either, Corry acknowledged.

Continue reading Projected market for Hawks’ free agents →

Coaches, State of the team

Super Bowl clubs are Hawks’ targets, and it starts at home

January 22, 2019 cc 3 Comments

This Super Bowl matchup is near and dear to the Seahawks’ aching hearts: The division rival the Hawks cannot beat right now vs. the one-time Super Bowl nemesis the Hawks will always regret not beating.

The Rams and Patriots are the teams the Hawks have to figure out how to defeat if they are going to win another Super Bowl under Pete Carroll.

So how do they do that?

Continue reading Super Bowl clubs are Hawks’ targets, and it starts at home →

Coaches, Playoffs: At Dallas, X's & O's

Coaches talk third-down failure, but it starts on first two downs

January 11, 2019 cc Leave a comment

Third downs get such a bum rap.

One of these days, we hope, Pete Carroll and his coaches will realize third-down success starts on first down. They never seem to get that, constantly droning on after losses about how third downs ruined their offense.

It was more of the same after the 24-22 playoff loss to Dallas, with Carroll telling anyone who would listen that their failure on 11 of 13 third downs was what did them in — as opposed to any play-calling mistakes on the preceding downs.

Brian Schottenheimer continued the refrain Thursday, telling 710 ESPN: “The biggest issue that we had — and it was kind of the issue for us throughout the course of the year when we struggled – was third down. We weren’t able to convert on third downs. We weren’t able to get momentum going. We’re kind of an offense, because we run the ball and we throw the deep play passes, that when you’re struggling on third down it kind of hurts your ability to get started.”

It’s true the Hawks put themselves in big holes on third down; they averaged third-and-8 and went three-and-out six times in 12 possessions.

But how do you get into trouble on third down? How do you get into a spot that is too challenging to overcome? By messing up on first and second downs. And the Seattle offense finished the season just as poorly as it started it.

Continue reading Coaches talk third-down failure, but it starts on first two downs →