Wednesday cyber surfing: On Lynch, and the Combine
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Feb. 22:
Mike Sando at ESPN.com weighs in on Marshawn Lynch’s contract situation in his “Leading Questions” in the NFC West: “Yes, the Seahawks want to bring back Lynch. His physical running style gives them an edge Seattle cannot realistically get from another back in 2012. There have been no hard reasons to get a deal done quickly, however. Seattle can name Lynch its franchise player, an appealing alternative for teams wary of how long running backs will hold up physically. Lynch has until March 13 before becoming a free agent for the first time in his career. His next long-term deal could be his final one. He’ll want to get more than what Seattle would pay him in guaranteed money as a franchise player over the next couple seasons.”
Also at ESPN.com, Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. weighs in on the top three needs for each team in the NFC. It’s an “Insiders” feature, which requires registration and a fee. But here’s what he lists as No. 1 for the Seahawks and, no, it’s not a QB: “Defensive end: Chris Clemons had another solid season as a pass-rusher with 11 sacks, but the Seahawks will look to find a dynamic pass-rushing end to complement him. They have taken three defensive ends in the first five rounds over the past five seasons with mixed results.”
With all NFL roads leading to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, Bruce Feldman at CBSSports.com has a list of which players might put on the most-freakish shows for the assembled masses. At No. 1? RG3: “The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner (also known as Baylor QB Robert Griffin III) proved over the past year he’s a lot more than just a guy who happens to have World Class speed as a hurdler. RG3′s exploits as a college QB are now well-documented. Griffin not only blossomed as a quarterback, often doing his damage as a pocket passer but he also has filled out quite a bit since coming to Waco and is a solid 6-2, 220. However, he still has wheels like few others at any position. QBs, especially ones with arms like Griffin has, almost never run sub-4.6s in Indy, RG3 should blow that away. Earlier this week RG3 told Dan Patrick there’s a possibility he will go sub-4.4. Given his track credentials, it’ll be surprising if he doesn’t.”
The Combine also prompted another mock draft by NFLDraftScout.com’s Rob Rang at CBSSports.com, but he sticks with a familiar pick for the Seahawks – Penn State DT Devon Still: Many expect the Seahawks to consider a quarterback to compete with incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson with this selection but in beating the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens last year, and matching up well with division champion San Francisco, the club may not be willing to reach to fill a perceived need. Don’t be surprised if Seattle instead turns its attention to a bounty of talented defensive linemen likely to be selected in the top 15. Still, a 6-4, 310-pound defensive tackle, showed his talent and despite all of the distractions in Happy Valley last year, was the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year. Still could help inside at defensive tackle as well as provide the Seahawks with some flexibility at the five technique defensive end position should incumbent starter Red Bryant be heavily pursued in free agency.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we take a look at Pete Carroll’s desire to get faster on defense and also improve the pass rush: “When you look at it, we really like our guys, but we need to get faster on defense,” Carroll said when asked about the unit that ranked No. 9 in the league last season. “As big as we are, we need to get faster. So I’d like to see us add more speed in the linebacker corps.”
Tuesday cyber surfing: Heading to the Combine
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Feb. 21, and was over the long weekend:
With the Seahawks scouts and coaches heading to Indianapolis this week for the Scouting Combine to examine draft-eligible players, Pat Kirwan at CBSSports.com has a mock draft that includes this pick for the Seahawks: “Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC: The Seahawks may be moving around in the first round if quarterback is still an issue. If they settle it in free agency with the likes of Matt Flynn they can stay put and take a versatile pass rusher like Perry. Pete Carroll knows him well and his measurable at the combine will shoot him up draft boards.”
Also at CBSSports.com, Pete Prisco has the Seahawks addressing the other side of the ball in his mock: “Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: “Marshawn Lynch is a free agent, and this explosive back would be a nice replacement.”
Tom Pauline at SI.com provides his Top 50 players entering the combine, you-know-who is No. 1: “(Stanford QB Andrew) Luck has been the top NFL prospect in the nation for almost two years and nothing has changed. He’ll be the first player selected in the draft and the Indianapolis Colts will barely notice the bump in the road as they transition from the Peyton Manning era.”
Monday was the first day teams could designate franchise players, and Jason La Canfora at NFL.com looks the possible candidates around the league, including the Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch: “The Seahawks are deep in talks with running back Marshawn Lynch on a long-term deal, which could well be completed before the March 5 deadline. If that somehow falls apart, the Seahawks are prepared to tag Lynch, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com provides some notes on teams wanting/needing to use their franchise tag: “Teams have until July 16 to sign their franchise players to long-term contracts. The date is usually July 15, but it is the 16th this year because the 15th falls on a Sunday. Past that date, teams can sign their franchise players only to one-year deals. They cannot reach extensions until after their final regular-season games.”
Phillip Daniels, who led the Seahawks in sacks in 1999, has been named director of player development for the Washington Redskins. The team’s website has the story: “I’m really looking forward to helping our players and team win, on and off the field,” Daniels said.
Here at Seahawks.com, we check in with Walter Thurmond, the third-year cornerback who is rehabbing from his second surgery in a 25-month period: “To play cornerback in the NFL, it is necessary to have a short memory. Because dwelling on just being beaten on one play will only increase the chances that you also get beat on the next play. This indispensable trait has served Walter Thurmond well, off the field as well as on. ‘You hear the old adage about the DB with a short memory, Walter carries that consistently to other aspects of his life, obviously,’ said Kris Richard, the Seahawks’ former cornerback who now coaches the defensive backs on Pete Carroll’s staff. ‘He’s not going to allow a negative outlook to impede his rehabilitation, which is a really good sign. That’s kind of what makes him a special person and a special player.’ “
John Czarnecki at FoxSports.com has his 10 biggest offseason moves to this point, and checking in at No. 1 is the total makeover by the Rams: “St. Louis landed the most qualified free-agent head coach, Jeff Fisher, who didn’t want to wait another year to see if a job in Chicago or Washington would open. Fisher reached the playoffs six of his last 12 seasons with the Tennessee/Houston franchise. He also has major clout on the competition committee and league-wide respect among his peers. Fisher drew interest from the Colts and Chargers, but he believes quarterback Sam Bradford can be great. Fisher has assembled an all-star coaching staff that includes Dave McGinnis, Gregg Williams, Paul Boudreau and Brian Schottenheimer.”
Friday cyber surfing: Sky’s the limit for Robinson
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Feb. 17:
So, how did you celebrate your birthday? Michael Robinson went sky diving. You can check out the Seahawks’ Pro Bowl fullback, who turned 29 on Feb. 6, in this video from his website – RealRobReport.com.
A lot is being written and said about what the Seahawks should do to secure another quarterback. But general manager John Schneider tells Seahawks.com that there is one thing that definitely won’t happen as the team prepares for the NFL Scouting Combine next week and the start of free agency next month: “ ‘I just know if you panic at the position, it can set the organization back. So we’re not going to do that,’ he said. Regardless of the volume of those outside voices. ’That may disappoint fans, because they want to see an instant guy and have that instant success. But really, you’re better off continuing to build your team. Initially when I got here, I thought we were going to plug the quarterback in and we were going built around him. If we had done that, we would have panicked in a way. And I’m not sure we would have been able to host the Saints (in the 2010 wild-card playoff game) and had that great atmosphere and all that.’ ”
Chris Burke at SI.com has a “Free Agency Primer” for the NFC West, and has this to say about the Seahawks: “(Marshawn) Lynch and the linebackers (David Hawthorne and Leroy Hill), that’s where Seattle will land most of its attention. Bringing back “Beast Mode” is the key to the offseason, but the Seahawks could have upwards of $12 million to spend in free agency, so they’ll have to decide how much of that to throw at their defensive players (including Red Bryant).”
Since Cortez Kennedy was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame almost two weeks ago, there has been more talk – and more written – about those who did not enter the Hall than those who did. Jason Cole at YahooSports.com has had enough: “I’m officially sick of Cris Carter and the cries of injustice over his exclusion from the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the fourth consecutive year. I’m tired of people ripping the Hall of Fame selection process, as faulty as it might be, because some guy who happened to score 130 touchdowns didn’t get in. Likewise, I don’t want to hear about Charles Haley, Andre Reed, Eddie DeBartolo or Bill Parcells or anybody else who hasn’t made it yet. Ultimately, they’re all going to get in. I’ll bet anybody a 12-pack of cheap Mexican beer that every single one of those guys will make it – some day and some day probably very soon. That day just didn’t happen to be earlier this month. … Or maybe you want to argue about center Dermontti Dawson or left tackle Willie Roaf? They each happen to be considered among the top two or three players ever at their respective positions. How about Chris Doleman or Cortez Kennedy, two of the most disruptive defensive players in the history of the game? Should one of them step aside?”
As for the give-us-this-day-our-daily-Peyton-Manning item, Peter Schrager at FoxSports.com says it’s time for the Colts’ iconic QB to step aside: “I, obviously, can’t tell Peyton Manning what to do with his career. No one can. And as a fan, I know I’m supposed to want to see him on that field, suiting up as the starting quarterback for one of the league’s 32 NFL franchises next August. But I don’t. I want the NFL to stay on top, I want Manning to go down as one of the greatest to ever play the game with no asterisks or freakish ‘yeah, buts’ tagged to his post-career write-up, and I want to see him as one of the central figures on my Sunday afternoons for years to come. Nine out of 10 doctors and 99 out of 100 sports marketing experts may disagree, but I’m with Charles Barkley on this one. Hang it up, Peyton.”
Thursday cyber surfing: The draft, and QBs
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Feb. 16:
NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock addressed this year’s draft class in a lengthy conference call on Wednesday and here at Seahawks.com we focus on the passers that quarterback-needy teams will be focusing on at the NFL Scouting Combine next week: Mayock on Boise State’s Kellen Moore: “He looks like he’s 11-years old. He’s this baby-faced assassin. What I think he does better than any other quarterback in the entire draft is he anticipates throws to receivers who are open. And that’s something a lot of quarterbacks don’t get until their fourth or fifth year in the NFL. Part of it is because he doesn’t have a big arm. He’s had to adapt probably since grade school in learning how to throw people open. He won’t get drafted high. But he’s a winner and his anticipation skills at that position are tremendous.”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune also was on the call, and provides Mayock’s assessment of Tarvaris Jackson, the Seahawks’ incumbent starter, as well as Ryan Tannehill, Mayock’s No. 3-rated college QB behind Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Mayock on Jackson: ““I like him. He’s developed to a certain point, but I think that position needs to be upgraded. And I don’t mind T-Jack competing for the position, but I think you either have to get a free agent in there or you have to draft somebody.” Mayock on Tannehill: “He’s got everything you want. He’s got size. He’s got arm strength. He’s a really good athlete. All you have to do is look at his tape as a wide receiver two years ago. He’s a big, strong fast kick with a really good arm. Now, what I don’t like about him is that he waits for routes to develop before he throws the football – in other words he lacks anticipation.”
Speaking of Tannehill, Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com debate his merits – and status – in this piece for CBSSports.com: Says Rang: “There are four primary physical characteristics NFL scouts are looking for when projecting college QBs to the next level: size, arm strength, accuracy and mobility. Tannehill could earn first-round grades from clubs in all four categories, making him the logical third quarterback to be selected. He may have a stronger arm than Luck, the presumed No. 1 overall pick, and at 6-feet-4, 222 pounds, he’s far closer to the prototype frame than the 6-2, 220-pound Griffin. It is a fifth trait in which Tannehill rates significantly below Luck and Griffin. This makes him a high-stakes gamble for the first round. That fifth skill is anticipation, the most underrated element to forecasting quarterback success in the NFL.”
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times explains that the Seahawks won’t have their fifth-round pick in this year’s draft as part of the trade for Marshawn Lynch in 2010: “The Seahawks gave up their fourth-round pick in 2011, and Buffalo will also receive Seattle’s fifth-round pick this year to complete the deal. It was a conditional choice that elevated from a sixth-round selection to a fifth-round selection based upon playing time, according to the Buffalo Bills’ official Web site.”
The New York Daily News has the word on former Seahawks draft choice Mike Teel becoming the QB coach at Wagner College, whose nickname also happens to be the Seahawks: “Teel, who led Rutgers to three bowl victories during his college career, served as the quarterbacks coach at Division III Kean University last season when the Cougars posted a 10-2 record and were ranked No. 10 in the country in D3Football.com’s final poll.”
Brian McIntyre at ESPN.com takes a look at the offseason needs for each of the teams in the NFC West. It’s an “Insiders” feature and requires registration and a fee to view the entire article, but he’s a snippet of what he has the say about the Seahawks: “Since taking over in 2010, Pete Carroll and John Schneider have done a good job of retooling the Seattle defense. The Seahawks’ defense ranked 29th with a DVOA of 15.0 percent in 2010, a figure that improved to minus-3.1 percent in 2011, good enough to rank in the Top 10. (Like points allowed or yards allowed, defensive DVOA is better when it is lower.) The secondary has been completely overhauled, and it placed three players in the 2011 Pro Bowl.”
Also at ESPN.com, Mel Kiper has his second mock draft. It’s also an “Insider” feature, but here’s who he has the Seahawks selecting: “Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina: Some see the Seahawks looking at a QB this high, but the value doesn’t make a lot of sense for me just yet. On the defensive side of the ball, the big need is help for the pass rush. Ingram has enough size to hold up in the 4-3, and will provide an upgrade. The Seattle defense is really fast, and could become dynamic if it can generate more pressure on opposing passers. If (Boston College LB Luke) Kuechly is still here, I can also see that pick, but the development of K.J. Wright makes Ingram a good target.” Kiper has Kuechly going to the Chiefs at the pick just before the Seahawks, but who picks 11th and who picks 12th will be determined by a coin flip at the NFL Scouting Combine next week.
As for the give-us-this-day-our-daily-Peyton-Manning item, Don Banks at SI.com reports that the Colts’ iconic QB had a fourth procedure on his troublesome neck: “In addition, league sources say Manning’s neck has potentially developed bone spurs just above the point where his latest fusion surgery took place in early September, and the Colts organization is under the belief that it is nearly inevitable Manning will at some point require further surgery, and possibly another fusion procedure, even if he does successfully return to the field in 2012. It’s unclear how any potential long-term neck issues will impact Manning’s decision to attempt a resumption of his NFL playing career later this year.”
Monday cyber surfing: Baldwin doesn’t want to be ‘slotted’
Good morning. Here’s what “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Feb. 13, and was over the weekend:
Eric Williams at the News Tribune checks in with Doug Baldwin, after the Seahawks’ leading receiver last season did a live chat on the paper’s website last week: “Baldwin’s production in 2011 secured his spot as Seattle’s slot receiver. But Baldwin wants to be considered a compete receiver. And in order to do that, Baldwin has to make plays from the perimeter of the offense as well. ‘They say that I’m the slot guy, but every year they’re bringing somebody in to try to take your job – that’s the upper management’s job,’ he said. ‘So my job is to make sure that whoever they bring in doesn’t have a chance. That’s why I’m here, to be honest with you. I want to be known as the greatest receiver who ever played the game, and it’s going to be hard to do that strictly out of the slot.’ ”
Elliott Harrison has made his way to the Seahawks in his “Exit Interview” series at NFL.com. As for “what went right,” Harrison offers: “More than you might think. Despite getting off to a horrid start, the Seahawks outscored their opponents 321-315. Not a huge margin, but certainly not bad for a football team that many fans feel is a lot worse than it really is. Pete Carroll’s group rallied from a 2-6 start to go 5-3 down the stretch. In fact, they were 7-7 and still alive in the playoff chase before losing to a talented 49ers team and a red hot Cardinals club (which won seven of its last nine). A significant cause for the turnaround was the motivated play of Marshawn Lynch, and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s increased willingness to feed him the rock. After only getting 97 carries in the first half of the season, Lynch toted the ball 188 times down the back half – 23.5 attempts per game.”
Also at NFL.com, in honor of the Grammy’s, Adam Rank gives his thoughts on the musical mascot for each NFL team. For the Seahawks, that’s Soundgarden: “This is another one where I’m not even sure the band even likes football. When you think of Seattle music, Soundgarden comes first for me.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we connect the past, the present and the future. The past? Cortez Kennedy and some surprising stats he put up during his Hall of Fame career: “If there was a statistic that stood out for Kennedy during that do-it-all (1992) season, it was his 14 sacks. But scratch a little deeper and there also were 14 other tackles for losses – giving him a franchise-record 28 when coupled with the sacks – as well as 13 other tackles for no gain. So on 41 of his career-high 93 tackles – or 44 percent of those plays – the ball carrier never cracked the line of scrimmage.”
As for the present and future, the team made another “good get” by re-signing tackle Breno Giacomini before he could become an unrestricted free agent: “One of the cornerstones to Carroll’s coaching philosophy is “Always compete,” and in re-signing Giacomini the Seahawks now have a competitive situation at right tackle – which was not case when they selected (James) Carpenter with the 25th pick overall in the NFL Draft last year. Retaining Giacomini also provides insurance in case Carpenter is not completely recovered from his knee injury when the OTA sessions start in May and the team holds its only mandatory minicamp in June.”
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com has updated his “Big Board” at CBSSports.com. Not surprisingly, he still had Stanford QB Andrew Luck ranked No. 1: “Put simply, Luck is worth the hype. It isn’t just that he has all the physical traits to be the No. 1 overall pick. His intelligence, anticipation and poise are phenomenal. Say what you will about Robert Griffin III’s upside, Luck is as close to a sure thing as it gets in the NFL Draft.”
As for the give-us-this-day-our-daily-Peyton-Manning item, Ashley Fox at ESPN.com has an intriguing read on the Colts’ iconic QB and what his future might hold: “Peyton wants what he wants. This isn’t exactly breaking news. Manning doesn’t like surprises. He isn’t going to work around other people’s mistakes. He is inflexible and hard-headed and type triple-A. Those aren’t knocks on Peyton. He is who he is, and those qualities have made him the NFL’s MVP four times in his career. At age 35, Peyton Manning isn’t going to change. Not now. Not for anybody. He is used to running an offense he wants to run, to calling plays, to dictating practice. He has been in charge of the Colts for so long, he knows no other way.”
And for a look around the league, there’s Peter King’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” at SI.com.
Friday cyber surfing: On Baldwin and Bryant
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Feb. 10:
Doug Baldwin did a live chat with the News Tribune on Thursday, and had this to say about which teammate helped him the most during his rookie season: “Mike Williams. His knowledge of the game of football is impressive. And he has helped me to understand the key to reading defenses.”
Brock Huard at 710 ESPN explains in this video report why re-signing defensive end Red Bryant should be a priority in free agent: “The Seahawks, in theory, have options at defensive end beyond Bryant. But as Brock Huard explains in Thursday’s Wrap Up video, Bryant’s familiarity with the organization should make him more attractive to the Seahawks than defensive ends with similar ability.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we take a look at the team’s new offseason schedule, the third in as many years: “The offseason program will begin in April, a month later than in 2010; there will be fewer than half as many OTA sessions, and they also begin later (May); and the team will hold only one mandatory, full-squad minicamp (June). It’s a brave new world in the NFL, as well as at Virginia Mason Athletic Center, and only the well-prepared will thrive. ‘We’ve anticipated it, so we’re prepared for it,’ head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle said on Thursday.”
Mike Sando dipped into his mailbag at ESPN.com to answer a question about whether Pro Football Hall of Famers were disproportionately early draft choices: “Yes, that is definitely the case. The Hall of Fame lists them by round. I also track this information. By my count, 143 of 188 drafted Hall of Famers were chosen in the first three rounds. That is 76.1 percent. That includes 94 first-round selections, 29 second-rounders and 20 third-rounders.”
Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com ranks his Top 50 free agents and sitting at No. 10 is Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant: “He had eight starts in his first three seasons, but started 16 in 2011 and was a force on the Seattle defense. He is a perfect 3-4 end, which is where he played last season. He is this year’s Ray McDonald. He turns 28 in April.” At No. 42 is running back Marshawn Lynch: “He has rejuvenated his career in Seattle after being a disappointment in Buffalo in his last two seasons. He ran for 1,204 yards last season for the Seahawks and he only turns 26 in March.”
As for the give-us-this-day-our-daily-Peyton-Manning item, Michael Lombardi at NFL.com douses all the talk about which team might sign the Colts’ iconic QB if/when he is released: “I think it’s unrealistic to assume (he can return). He can’t throw the ball. I’ve talked to people who’ve caught the ball for him. He can’t throw the ball to his left. He can’t throw the ball across his body, because he doesn’t feel it. People who catch the ball for him say he doesn’t really have velocity on the ball yet.”
But that doesn’t stop Ryan Fowler of WhatIfSports.com from playing the what-if game regarding Manning in this piece at FoxSports.com: “Peyton Manning’s last offensive drive included passes to Jacob Tamme and Blair White with a dash of Joseph Addai on the ground. That 2010 Wild Card game against the Jets seems like eons ago, not only for Colts fans, but your casual NFL fan, too. His last drive is a microcosm of what the elder Manning brought to the line every single down. He possesses the innate ability to raise the game of those around him. From Tamme to White to Austin Collie to Pierre Garcon, Manning has made an art out of creating chicken soup from chicken droppings. Up until now, all 13 professional seasons, this maestro’s magic hat featured a horseshoe emblazoned on the side.”
Wednesday cyber surfing: Free agency and the Draft
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Feb. 8:
Mike Sando at ESPN.com takes a look at the Seahawks who are scheduled to become free agents: “The Seahawks’ top priorities in free agency appear clear, at least when it comes to their own players. Re-sign running back Marshawn Lynch and defensive end Red Bryant.”
Sando also has a NFC West “Draft Primer,” and has this to say about the Seahawks: “Finding a long-term quarterback remains the top priority for the Seahawks, but once again the planets appear reluctant to align for them. Parting with Matt Hasselbeck and passing over Andy Dalton have left Seattle with Tarvaris Jackson and developmental quarterback Josh Portis. Chasing after Peyton Manning could make sense for the Seahawks. They have good young players. Adding a front-line quarterback could put them over the top in the division. Linebacker has replaced the offensive line as a primary need for the Seahawks. That should not be the case, in theory, because the team had so much invested in a couple of relatively young linebackers. Aaron Curry and Lofa Tatupu are gone, however, and David Hawthorne is a free agent. The team could move K.J. Wright into the middle.”
Former NFL executive Jeff Diamond at SI.com takes a look at both in this offseason assessment of the Seahawks: “Team Needs: QB, T, DE. The Seahawks want to find a potential elite QB to replace Tarvaris Jackson, but they’re in a tough spot. Picking at 11 or 12 in the first round, it’s too far to trade up for one of the top two. Perhaps they can get a shot at Ryan Tannehill, the third-ranked QB. In free agency, they would have interest in Matt Flynn, but Miami (with Joe Philbin) has a leg up unless the Dolphins can sign Peyton. The Seahawks also must improve their pass protection after giving up 50 sacks, so they will draft offensive linemen in the early rounds. A better possibility in the first round is a pass-rushing DE to play opposite Chris Clemons (such as Melvin Ingram of South Carolina or perhaps a trade up for Quinton Coples). The Seahawks also should seek a vet WR from the strong free agent class. And they may have to franchise Marshawn Lynch after his strong season (1,204 rushing yards, 12 TDs).”
Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com has a new mock draft at CBSSports.com, but a familiar pick for the Seahawks: “Devon Still, DT, Penn State. Many expect the Seahawks to consider a quarterback to compete with incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson with this selection but in beating the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens last year, and matching up well with division champion San Francisco, the club may not be willing to reach to fill a perceived need. Don’t be surprised if Seattle instead turns its attention to a bounty of talented defensive linemen likely to be selected in the top 15. Still, a 6-4, 310-pound defensive tackle, showed his talent and despite all of the distractions in Happy Valley last year, was the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year. Still could help inside at defensive tackle as well as provide the Seahawks with some flexibility at the five technique defensive end position should incumbent starter Red Bryant be heavily pursued in free agency.”
Whatever happened to Randall Morris? We catch up with the former running back here at Seahawks.com: “Morris, 49, owns Final Clean, a company that prepares just-constructed buildings so the tenants can move in. ‘I never left the Seattle area,’ he said. ‘I’m from Long Beach, Calif., and I didn’t want to raise my family down there. This is a much nicer place.’ ”
We also have a look in photos of the Top 10 moments from the 2011 season, as well as a video report of Walter Thurmond, Kris Durham, John Moffitt, Matt McCoy, Jameson Konz and Brandon Mebane delivering “baskets of hope” at Children’s Hospital.
Photoblog: Ten Memorable Action Images From the 2011 Season
Here’s a look back at ten of the most memorable meaningful action photos of the season.
Marshawn Lynch Flips into the End Zone (Seahawks vs. Atlanta, October 2, 2011).
Marshawn Lynch decided to "flip" himself into the end zone at the end of an 11-yard touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons at CenturyLink Field.
Seahawks defense forces Eli Manning to fumble (Seahawks at NY Giants, October 9, 2011)
Seattle's visit to New York resulted in one of their best victories of the season which featured Chris Clemons forcing Giants quarterback Eli Manning to fumble.
Doug Baldwin’s Crowd Silencing Touchdown (Seahawks at NY Giants, October 9, 2011)
Undrafted rookie Doug Baldwin played fearlessly against New York, and his 27-yard touchdown reception from Charlie Whitehurst with 2:37 left in the game silenced the pro-Giants crowd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Brandon Browner’s Pick-Six Seals the Win (Seahawks at NY Giants, October 9, 2011)
With the Seahawks trying to protect a fragile lead late in the game at the New York Giants, the defensive backfield came up big in the final minutes. An Eli Manning pass intended for Victor Cruz was tipped by Kam Chancellor and intercepted by Brandon Browner, who raced 94-yards for a game-sealing touchdown.
Chris Clemons Smiling and Sacking (Seahawks at Chicago, December 18, 2012)
Chris Clemons smiles as he sacks Chicago quarterback Caleb Haney during Seattle's victory at Chicago. Clemons equaled his 2010 output with 11 sacks again in 2011.
Big Red Heads to the House (Seahawks at Chicago, December 18, 2011)
Big Red Bryant does his best high step as he returns an interception to the end zone for a touchdown in the Seahawks 38-14 victory at Soldier Field.
“Feetball” (Seahawks vs. San Francisco, December 24, 2011)
Seattle's Marshawn Lynch reaches the ball into the end zone amid a sea of feet for a touchdown during the divisional battle with the San Francisco 49ers on Christmas Eve at CenturyLink Field.
Heath Farwell’s Blocked Punt (Seahawks vs. San Francisco, December 24, 2011).
Heath Farwell joined the Seahawks during the 2011 season and made a huge impact on special teams. His blocked punt against San Francisco set up a touchdown by Marshawn Lynch, the first rushing touchdown the 49ers had given up all season.
D-Backs Double-Team (Seahawks at Arizona, January 1, 2012)
Cornerback Brandon Browner and safety Earl Thomas both earned Pro Bowl honors for the 2011 season, and plays like this double-team against Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald in Week 17 were part of the reason why.
Rocket Launches (Seahawks at Arizona, January 1, 2012)
Rookie Ricardo Lockette earned his way into the active roster in Week 16 and wasted no time making his mark. This juggling catch on a deep route resulted in a 61-yard touchdown against the Cardinals. His season totals? Two catches for 105 yards (52.5 ypc) and a touchdown. Expect big things from Lockette in 2012.
Friday cyber surfing: Seahawks ‘much more physical’
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Feb. 3:
Mike Sando of ESPN.com caught up with Larry Fitzgerald at the Super Bowl and the Cardinals’ wide receiver had this to say about how the Seahawks have changed under coach Pete Carroll: “They are much more physical, much more physical. At the Pro Bowl last week, they had three guys from their secondary, Brandon Browner and Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. When you look at Chancellor, Chancellor is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds and a phenomenal athlete with good ball skills, good range. Earl Thomas is like a young Troy Polamalu, flying around and making plays. And Brandon Browner is the biggest cornerback I’ve ever seen in my life. He can play, too. He can cover. I really like the young rookie they have, (Richard) Sherman from Stanford. He is going to be a good player. Obviously, when they get Marcus Trufant back, that will only make them deeper. They challenge you at the point of attack. They want to pressure you and make things uncomfortable for you at the line of scrimmage, and their whole philosophy has changed. It’s fun to play against them.”
Fitzgerald also had this to say about the NFC West: “The division is getting better. Two years ago, people looked at the NFC West as the armpit of the league, so to speak. Now, teams are playing much better. The games are physical now. That is good because you want the competition; you want to have great division rivalries. That is a lot of fun, like the NFC East. I don’t care if Washington is playing at New York, you can get beat. We want to build it up that way, too.”
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times looks at the franchise tag as it applies to franchise backs, including Marshawn Lynch: “In the past five years, there have been a grand total of two running backs who received the franchise tag from their respective teams: Darren Sproles (San Diego, 2009) and Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants, 2009). That’s it. Teams can begin designating franchise players later this month, and there’s the distinct possibility that three running backs could receive the tag.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at the process that produces the annual selections for the Pro Football Hall of Fame – which also includes Sando, because he’s the Seattle rep on the selection committee: “(Cortez) Kennedy, the eight-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Seahawks, is a finalist for the fourth consecutive year. But for the first time, he faces a field of fellow finalists that does not include a “shoo-in” candidate as the 44-person selection committee huddles in Indianapolis on Saturday morning to choose the Class of 2012 – which will be announced at 2:30 p.m. PST during a one-hour special on the NFL Network.”
Todd McShay at ESPN.com has his second mock draft. There’s no link because it’s for insiders and requires registration and a fee, but here’s who he has the Seahawks selecting: Alabama RB Trent Richardson. “Richardson is a top-five talent but will likely slip a bit because of positional value considerations. Falling this far would be a surprise, but none of the teams in the top 10 have a pressing need at running back. If none of them ignore need to take the best player available, the Seahawks will feel like they’ve won the lottery. Both Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett are free agents, and Richardson would bring with him an elite combination of size, speed, power, quickness and vision.”
Also at ESPN.com, but also in an insider’s feature, Mel Kiper ranks Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman as the 10th best rookie in the NFL last season: “He didn’t start immediately, but he did get 10 total, and played at what I consider a Pro Bowl level for the second half of the season, helping to galvanize a suddenly very impressive Seattle secondary. He’s long at 6-foot-3, and can battle against big wideouts.”
As for that game this Sunday, checkout John Clayton’s “First and Goal” at ESPN; Clark Judge’s comparison of Tom Brady and Joe Montana, Brady’s boyhood idol, at CBSSports.com; and Richard Deitsch’s look at what most of us will be watching at SI.com.
Tuesday cyber surfing: The other side of Thomas
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Jan. 31:
Jared Ainsworth of the Beaumont Enterprise has a really nice story on how Earl Thomas’ success in the NFL has allowed his mother, Debbie, to retire: “Debbie Thomas’ final day as a receptionist for Little Cypress-Mauriceville school district was Jan 20. The family celebrated the end of Debbie’s 28-year career in education that evening at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Beaumont, with about 20 of her coworkers. ‘As soon as they called my name in the draft, I knew this day was going to come,’ said Earl, a 22-year-old second-year defensive back for the Seahawks. ‘We didn’t have much and my mom and dad made it work. They’ve been changing my diapers, taking care of me all my life.’ “
Former Seahawks and current Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck analyzes the Super Bowl matchup between the Patriots and Giants for the Tennessean. His pick: Patriots 24-21. Says Hasselbeck: “It is really hard to bet against Tom Brady for me. I have a lot of respect for his game. I think he is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. I have respect for Eli (Manning), and for guys on both sides, but to me, Brady is going to be really tough to stop unless he is on his back the whole game.”
Speaking of former Seahawks QBs, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram catches up with Jon Kitna, who last week was named football coach at Tacoma’s Lincoln High School, his alma mater: “ ‘It’s incredible. The right door opened,’ Kitna said between services Sunday morning at Fielder Road Baptist Church, where he preached and gave a personal testimony. It was his first public appearance since informing the Cowboys of his decision to retire two weeks ago. ‘I am beyond excited,’ Kitna said. ‘It was the perfect opportunity. The coach wanted to move into the athletic director’s role and called and asked me if I was interested.’ “
Here at Seahawks.com, the Tez in 2012 campaign continues as the clock is ticking toward the selection process on Saturday for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012. Cortez Kennedy is a finalist for the fourth consecutive year and we weigh in with a weighty profile on the most-decorated defensive player in franchise history: “ ‘I wouldn’t trade places with anybody for anything,’ Kennedy said. ‘I played for the Seahawks, and played my heart out for them. I love the Seahawks. I love the organization. I love the people there, and especially the fans. If I ever get in the Hall of Fame, it’s for all of us.’ ”
Back to the Super Bowl, there is no shortage of coverage leading up to Sunday’s game. Here’s a sampling:
The Associated Press, via Heraldnet.com, looks at the overlooked Deion Branch, the wide receiver who played for the Patriots, then was traded to the Seahawks and now is back with the Patriots: “He’s been overlooked a bit this season, with Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez grabbing most of (Tom) Brady’s passes and the headlines. ‘That’s cool,’ said Branch, who has that MVP trophy stored safely in a glass case at his home. ‘I just do my job. I can’t worry about who’s controlling it and who’s saying A, B, C, D. I just do my job I’m not here to be the one that (says), ‘Hey I need all the attention.’ That’s not me.’ “
Don Banks’ Q&A with London Fletcher at SI.com. The Redskins’ linebacker who is no stranger to the Giants or the Patriots, having played both teams this season. Q: Having played both of these teams recently, how do they match up today, knowing that New York beat New England at Gillette Stadium in Week 9? A: “I think it’s going to be a great matchup, because you think about the Giants and their pass rush being healthy now, and then you know all about the offense of the Patriots and those tight ends and their passing game. It’s going to be a great matchup between those two teams, and the thing is, both defenses are playing great right now. I think New England’s defense is playing its best ball of the year right now, and so are the Giants.”
Les Carpenter’s story at YahooSports.com about BenJarvis Green-Ellis, the Patriots’ back whose name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue but who also never lets the ball roll from his grasp: “And now, with the world preparing to watch Super Bowl XLVI Sunday, (LSU running backs coach Frank) Wilson has an Exhibit A in the Patriots’ running back. Wilson’s former back at the University of Mississippi has never fumbled in four NFL seasons. That is a streak of 536 catches and carries, an NFL record for the start of a career, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.”
Michael Lombardi’s 46 things he loved about the NFL this season at NFL.com, where No. 39 is … Marshawn Lynch’s angry running style. Says Lombardi: “The Seahawks running back runs harder than any player in the league.”
