Wednesday cyber surfing: It’s all about the draft, of course
Good morning on NFL Draft Eve. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, April 25:
Stop the presses (oops, showing my ink-stained-wretch roots). But Chad Reuter at NFL.com offers a mock draft of all 253 selections. Really. Here are his picks for the Seahawks:
First round: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina. “Improving the team’s pass rush is a priority, and Pete Carroll might momentarily suspend his penchant for long defenders to bring in a playmaker like Ingram.”
Second round: Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State. “A versatile player for a team in need of talent throughout the linebacker corps.”
Third round: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia. “Charles might not be the biggest TE, but Pete Carroll would love his competitiveness.”
Fourth round: George Iloka, S, Boise State. “Iloka meets the Seahawks’ size/speed requirements and would be a valued reserve/special teamer.”
Sixth round: Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College
Seventh round: Chandler Harnish, QB, Northern Illinois
Also at NFL.com, Ian Rapoport says John Schneider and the Seahawks might be sitting in the catbird seat entering Thursday night’s first round of the draft: “As far as John Schneider is concerned, he stands on the precipice. The Seahawks general manager views this year’s crop of players as having several tiers. “Little cut-offs or ledges,” he calls them. Based on the evaluations of the Seahawks staff, Schneider believes one ledge comes around the 12th or 13th selection, a separation between the elite and the really good. That’s why, with the 12th pick, Schneider thinks of himself as a man with his toes on the edge, ready to grab a big-time player or leap at a big-time trade. This is where he sees the draft turning. Teams could be scrambling to get up to 10, 11 or 12 to nab the slippers and sliders. Schneider is expecting activity either way. ‘We have to be prepared for other people to come to us,’ Schneider told NFL.com. ‘Either we have to be strong and just sit there and take a really cool player or be able to negotiate in a fast manner with a team trying to get up and just decide whether – say they give you two picks – if those two players would be worth the guy we’d be giving up.’ “
Eric Williams at the New Tribune looks at the safety position in the draft, even though the Seahawks have Pro Bowl tandem of Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, who are entering their third seasons: “Although safety certainly isn’t a need position for Seattle, coach Pete Carroll said the team has considered every possible scenario for a player worthy of drafting at No. 12, which includes the availability of (Mark) Barron. ‘We’ve discussed every option and opportunity at great length, so we’ve already cleared our way through that decision,’ Carroll said. ‘You obviously can do it for the first 12 picks, and as you get farther down along, things change. At this position early in the draft and in the first round here, we’re going to get through every one of them, and we won’t be surprised by the opportunity that is presented.’ ”
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times looks at the pass rushers, a position the Seahawks have yet to upgrade this offseason: “Quarterback is called the toughest job in football. Finding someone to tackle that quarterback is just as troublesome, though. In fact, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he thinks that specific talent might be even harder to locate. ‘The most difficult talent to find is pass rushers,’ Carroll said. ‘It’s why people try so hard and so often with guys early in the draft, trying to nail a pass rusher because they’re just so special.’ The Seahawks had better pack a lunch when they go to work this week because you know what they’re looking for in the NFL draft this Thursday? A pass rusher.”
Also from O’Neil, a look at the USC pipeline that has not exactly flowed from Carroll’s former team to his current team: “Seattle has selected two players Carroll recruited to USC, both in the final two rounds of the draft. The Seahawks chose tight end Anthony McCoy in the sixth round in 2010 and then linebacker Malcolm Smith in the seventh round last year. It’s not a lack of top-shelf talent that explains the lack of interest in other USC prospects. Over the past two years, the Trojans had seven players taken in the first three rounds of the draft. It’s just that none of them were chosen by the coach who recruited them to college. ‘It doesn’t always work to our advantage as you might think,’ Carroll said. ‘So often I’m tougher on those guys because I know them so well and I have their backgrounds.’ “
John Boyle at the Everett Herald also looks at the Seahawks’ search for a pass rusher: “The Seahawks did a lot of things well on defense in 2011 as, over the course of the season, they went from being a young, promising defense to one that was just plain good. But for everything that the Seahawks did do well defensively — finishing seventh in scoring defense and ninth in total defense — there is one area in particular that needs to get better, coach Pete Carroll said. ‘You never have enough pass rush, so it’s always important,’ Carroll said. ‘… We’re always looking. Certainly in this draft it’s one of the issues that we’d like to attend to.’ “
Sportspress northwest examines whether the Seahawks should draft a quarterback at No. 12, complete with a poll where you can offer your opinion: “Regardless of where (Ryan) Tannehill, (Kellen) Moore and (Russell) Wilson rank on pre-draft boards, the question is, Why would the Seahawks consider taking a quarterback when they already have (Matt) Flynn and (Tarvaris) Jackson in the house? Carroll answered that himself when the Seahawks awarded career two-game starter Flynn a three-year, $26 million deal: ‘We are always looking for a quarterback,’ he said.
Mike Sando at ESPN.com offers a scout’s take on where the Seahawks stand in the draft. Says Steve Muench of Scouts Inc.: “The Seahawks are in good shape, yes. The interesting thing about this draft is that Quinton Coles is going to drop. I think Coples or Chandler Jones would make sense for Seattle. The Seahawks are going to get an edge rusher and those guys are two of the bigger defensive ends/edge rushers in this class.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we continue our series of articles previewing the draft with a look at the linebackers: “(Melvin) Ingram is just one of the mysteries in this year’s linebacker class, a group that includes ‘a number of attractive linebackers,’ as Seahawks general manager John Schneider put it. After Ingram, who is generally rated as the top player in this linebacker class, there’s Boston College middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, who plays a position where the Seahawks just lost leading tackler David Hawthorne in free agency; Boise State’s Shea McClellin, who like Ingram is an outside ’backer or rush-end depending who you ask; Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus, who also falls into that ’backer-or-end category; and Alabama’s Dont’a Hightower, a 265-pound thumper of a middle linebacker. When it comes time for linebacker-needy teams to make their picks, it will depend on which player is available and also which best fits their scheme.”
There’s also a closer look at the position and a Q&A with Luke Kuechly. We also continue our look at the best draft choices in franchise history with the fourth round.
Tuesday cyber surfing: Big Walt No. 1 at No. 6
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, April 17:
The best-ever No. 6 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft? It was Walter Jones, who came to the Seahawks with that selection on 1997. Says who? Elliott Harrison, in this photo essay at NFL.com: “The sixth spot in the order has produced some guys who imposed their will on games … James Lofton (1978), John Riggins (1971) and Floyd Little (1967) were all picked just outside of their respective draft’s top five. But none of them — or any sixth pick — dominated the way Jones did. The former Seahawks left tackle was a nine-time Pro Bowler and at one time was the very best in the game.”
The Seahawks receive a B for their free-agency activity from Alex Marvez at FoxSports.com: “The Seahawks did a far better job than Miami in courting Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn, who will now compete with Tarvaris Jackson for a starting spot. The re-signing of running back Marshawn Lynch and defensive end Red Bryant insured Seattle will keep two of their best players. … The Seahawks must hope they’ve made a better talent evaluation with Flynn than Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst. Both were backups from other teams that failed to cement themselves as starters when given the chance in Seattle.”
With the NFL to announce the 2012 schedule today, Mike Sando at ESPN.com has some simple requests for the Seahawks, including: “Fewer earliest possible kickoffs, please. Seattle played five games at 10 a.m. PT last season. The Seahawks actually won two of them, but teams traveling West to East have long complained about the challenges associated with playing so early. They would much rather play later no matter how well certain Western teams have fared in these games at various times.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at the start of the team’s offseason program, which began with a series of screening tests: “The Seahawks’ offseason program began Monday, but not with the pop of shoulder pads or even a tweet from coach Pete Carroll’s whistle. What the players did on their first day back after an extended break – complements of the new CBA which ended the 136-day lockout that erased the offseason last year – was complete a series of screening tests that will allow head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle and his staff to personalize the weight training that will be Tuesday. ‘They say it helps them know what your body can and can’t do, and give them ways they can help improve you,” said Lemuel Jeanpierre, who started the final four games at right guard and another at center last season. ‘Different people have different needs, like maybe with your flexibility. So you go in there and try to give them your best, because we know what’s coming up this offseason.’ ”
Tony Ventrella also takes a look at the activity in this video report.
Jason Cole at YahooSports.com takes a look at the offseason to this point, including the winners and losers in free agency and the best free agents still available: “In an offseason dominated by a Hall of Fame quarterback and a Pro Bowl defensive player changing teams, not to mention a raging controversy about bounties, important issues still linger going into next week’s NFL draft. One is a premier quarterback negotiating what will likely be the biggest contract in league history. Another is a top all-around running back working out a new deal under the threat of sitting out the season.”
Thursday cyber surfing: Two weeks until the NFL Draft
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, April 12:
Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com offers his draft needs for the Seahawks, in the website’s on-going examination of all 32 teams: “When league scouts talk about the Seahawks, they all say the same thing: Loads of young talent, but what about the quarterback? Under coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks have tried Charlie Whitehurst (failed) and Tarvaris Jackson (grade incomplete) as quarterbacks they acquired to fill a glaring need. Now comes Matt Flynn. The Seahawks signed Flynn as a free agent from the Green Bay Packers. Flynn started two games in four years with the Packers, so his signing is risky. Carroll said that Flynn and Jackson will compete for the job, but it’s probably Flynn’s to lose. If Flynn can prove to be more than just a manage-the-game passer, Seattle will push for the NFC West title. If not, they might be looking again next spring.”
Todd McShay goes deep in his fifth mock draft at ESPN.com, offering multiple options for teams. It’s an Insider feature, so requires registration and a fee. But here’s what he has to say about the Seahawks: “Scenario 1: Take (Luke) Kuechly and bring some stability to a linebacker corps that has seen the likes of Julian Peterson, Aaron Curry, David Hawthorne and others come and go in recent years. Scenario 2: With Kuechly gone, (Quinton) Coples becomes a value pick at this point and will add a versatile presence who can both pressure the quarterback and hold up against the run when his motor is running high. Scenario 3: Look to need areas elsewhere on offense with (David) DeCastro or (Michael) Floyd.”
Also at ESPN.com, former Colts GM Bill Polian, now an NFL Insider for the website, examines some possible trades in the draft: “In the weeks leading up to the draft, general managers and personnel directors around the NFL will turn their attention to a process called draft management – NFL insider speak for predicting how the draft will unfold. It’s through this process that a team anticipates where its draft targets may come off the board and ensures the selection of one of its top choices. While teams are never 100 percent accurate with these predictions, they have been able to project the first round with a high degree of certainty in recent years. That said, every draft has certain pivot points, spots where the draft veers from its anticipated path and proceeds in a new, unexpected direction. Sometimes the impetus for these moments is an off-the-radar selection, but more often it’s a trade. There are several reasons to believe the first big pivot point of the 2012 draft could come with a potential trade of the No. 3 overall pick from the Vikings to the Dolphins.”
Don Banks at SI.com has his fifth mock draft, but his selection for the Seahawks sounds familiar: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina. “There’s a lot to love about the young defense the Seahawks are assembling, but they’ve got to create more pressure on opposing passers. Coples could drop well into the teens, but he’s got double-digit sack talent if Pete Carroll and Co. can figure out how to keep his intensity and effort level high at all times.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we begin our series of articles previewing the NFL Draft with a look at the team’s situation, through the eyes of general manager John Schneider: “ ‘There are tons of mock drafts, and I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t look at them,’ Schneider said. ‘But it’s not that easy. We build our (draft) board based on our team and what we have currently. So we compare these players to our current roster, and that’s how we build our board. We don’t build our board for the league, per say.’ And definitely not to appease those who compile mock drafts. ‘So while people in a mock draft might feel like we need a certain position or a specific player, it’s just really who has the highest grade – and if it fills a specific need, that’s great,’ Schneider said. ‘But it’s a grade comparable to what our team is and how we see our own players at each position. That’s why it’s so important to know your team and evaluate your team first and foremost.’ ”
The do-over draft series at NFL.com has reached 2009, when the Seahawks made Aaron Curry the fourth pick overall. In the do-over, Jason Smith gives them Clay Matthews: “All you need to know here is that after just two seasons the Seahawks shipped Curry to the Raiders for a seventh-round pick and a conditional selection. (And this guy was actually in the mix to be No. 1 overall for a little while!) How much more teeth would there be in that Seahawks defense with Matthews? A Pro Bowler all three years in the league and he was first-team All Pro in 2010. And that hair, my gosh, I would’ve re-done the pick if I was just getting that part of him. I know, why not Foster? Well, Seattle thought they had their RB situation under control after having just added Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. And now they have the Skittles Beast, so they’re all set there.”
Also at NFL.com, Chad Reuter looks at the players in this year’s draft class that could spark interest from teams looking to trade up in the first round to get them: “Due to the lack of suspense surrounding the landing points of (Andrew) Luck and (Robert) Griffin, a lot of attention has been placed on the new home of the draft’s third-rated passer, Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins are the odds-on favorites to select the athletic and strong-armed, if inexperienced (19 collegiate starts at QB after playing receiver his first two-plus seasons on campus), passer because of their extreme need at the position. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that Miami’s new offensive coordinator, Mike Sherman, was Tannehill’s head coach at A&M.”
Former Seahawks right tackle Sean Locklear has signed with the Giants, and Aaron Wilson at Scout.com has the report: “The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder played last season for the Washington Redskins and played in eight games with four starts after spending the previous seven years with the Seattle Seahawks. Locklear has played in 105 regular-season games with 82 starts.”
Friday cyber surfing: Doubting a draft scenario
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, April 6:
In a chat at ESPN.com, NFC West blogger Mike Sando addresses a report that the Seahawks might draft Alabama safety Mark Barron and move Pro Bowl strong safety Kam Chancellor to linebacker: “I think it sounds unlikely. Chancellor is a Pro Bowl safety. He probably has more value there than he would have at linebacker, unless the coaching staff felt strongly about developing a specific hybrid role for him. In that case, I would be intrigued, but still a little skeptical. Why mess with a good thing? I do think it’s easier, in theory, to go from defensive back to linebacker than the other way around, as the Michael Boulware experiment seemed to demonstrate years ago.” Couldn’t agree more with Sando’s assessment.
Alex Marvez at FoxSports.com lists the Seahawks’ preseason opener against the Titans at No. 7 in his best-of-the-preseason Top 10, and for the obvious reason: “Although teams dislike having to travel long distances for preseason games, Titans quarterbacks Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker won’t complain. A Seahawks starter for a decade (2001-10), Hasselbeck will get his first opportunity to play in Seattle since joining the Titans as a free agent in 2011. An inspired effort will help Hasselbeck in his quest to keep his starting job ahead of Locker, a University of Washington standout before being chosen by Tennessee with the No. 8 overall pick in 2011. For Seattle, free-agent acquisition Matt Flynn will make his Seahawks debut as he jostles with Tarvaris Jackson to start at quarterback.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we’ve got the word on the team hosting a group of 21 local draft-eligible players on Thursday. Included in the group was Washington State running back Logwone Mitz, the son of former Seahawks defensive lineman Alonzo Mitz. Said the younger Mitz: “I had a great time and this is a great deal. Not everybody has an opportunity to come out and have this local tryout for those that may have been overlooked or that they want to get another look at. And I think that’s a great program to have. We were treated great and they have a great staff here. I would definitely love to be here on a daily basis, and that’s how they make you feel – they make you want to be here. It’s not like that everywhere.”
Speaking of the draft, former NFL wide receiver and Seahawks scout Bucky Brooks offers his riskiest prospects in this year’s draft class, which includes USC defensive end Nick Perry: “The proliferation of the passing game has prompted teams to search high and low for defensive ends with rush skills. Perry is squarely on the radar based on his solid production during his final season at USC and an impressive showing at the combine. But scouts are still struggling with his final grade due to the extended lulls in his play and a lack of pizzazz as a pass rusher. While Perry certainly flashes potential to wreak havoc off the edge, he isn’t a lock to come off the board in the first round.”
The signings and agreements have slowed to a trickle as we reach the end of the fourth week of free agency, but Jason La Canfora at NFL.com continues to track the activity.
Tuesday cyber surfing: All about Flynn, Day 2
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, March 20:
Matt Flynn did a conference call interview on Monday, after agreeing to terms with the Seahawks on Sunday. So his addition was the story of the day, for the second consecutive day.
Mike Sando at ESPN.com looks at the eerie comparison between this former Packer named Matt and that other former Packer named Matt: “Flynn, like Hasselbeck in 2001, came to the Seahawks fom the Packers. Both were reunited in Seattle with personnel people they knew in Green Bay (John Schneider for Flynn, Ted Thompson for Hasselbeck). Flynn is 25 years old. Hasselbeck was 26. Both quarterbacks, though unproven, appeared close to joining the Dolphins before landing in Seattle. Flynn’s new coach, Pete Carroll, has a 14-18 record and one playoff appearance with the Seahawks. He has been on the job for 26 months. Hasselbeck’s coach in 2001, Mike Holmgren, had a 15-17 record and one playoff appearance with Seattle. He had been on the job for 26 months when the Seahawks landed Hasselbeck.”
Dave Boling at the News Tribune says Flynn provides a significant upgrade for the Seahawks: “The more suspicious of Seahawks fans seem to assume that because Matt Flynn comes as a relative bargain, there must be something wrong with him. And because coach Pete Carroll says Flynn will “compete” for the starting job with holdover Tarvaris Jackson, some question whether that implies the Seahawks don’t think Flynn is clearly of starting caliber. Baloney. This guy is a significant upgrade that the team will feel immediately, and probably for years to come. And if he isn’t, the investment is not enough to cripple other moves later. Numbers being tossed around call for Flynn to average something between $6 million and $7 million over the next three years, which is low-range starter money for a quarterback.”
Also at the News Tribune, Eric Williams has this assessment of Flynn from Packers coach Mike McCarthy: “Based on what I see in the everyday classroom, practice field, he’s ready. It’s his time to play. And you don’t ever know. You don’t ever know if a backup quarterback can take that next step and go out and play 16 games. I know mentally he’s ready, emotionally he’s definitely ready, but until you play the position and go play those 1,100, 1,200 snaps, that’s when you really find out. And I think Matt’s ready for that.”
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times has the details on Flynn’s impromptu workout with the Seahawks while in town last week: “Matt Flynn put his best foot forward in a workout for the Seahawks on Friday. But first, he needed to borrow some shoes. The quarterback came to Seattle for a free-agent visit, so he wasn’t exactly packed for an on-field audition. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t prepared when the Seahawks asked if he would show off his arm. ‘I think they just wanted to see me throw,’ Flynn said Monday in a conference call with Seattle reporters. ‘See my footwork, see the different throws I could make just to get more of a familiarity with me. They asked me to do it, and I was totally up for it.’ He just needed some clothes. ‘They set me up with stuff,’ Flynn said.”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald also provides a recap of the calls with Carroll and Flynn, including: “Matt Flynn signed with the Seattle Seahawks, in part, because he saw a young team that in his words, has ‘a chance to do something special.’ But despite being the marquee signing of this free agency period for the Seahawks, Flynn will have to battle for the right to be the starting quarterback leading the team to those special things. That’s the message from Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, and it sits just fine with Flynn, who comes to Seattle after four years as a backup in Green Bay. ‘We talked about it, he’s big on competition, and I’ve been a firm believer in competition — I think it brings the best out in everybody — and that’s what I’m looking forward to,’ Flynn said on a conference call. ‘I can’t wait to get it started and get it rolling.’ ”
Dan Arkush at Pro Football Weekly says the Seahawks made a splash with the Flynn acquisition: “Flynn also drew rave reviews behind the scenes in Green Bay, steadily improving his game in practice while showing off his best attributes — an unflappable demeanor and gritty leadership skills. Flynn also has very underrated mobility and has learned a great deal from Rodgers in terms of ball distribution and keeping plays alive.”
Tim Booth of the Associated Press says Flynn is embracing the competitive situation with the Seahawks: “ ‘I’ve always been a very competitive guy, a very confident guy and a guy who believes in working his tail off and doing the best he can,’ Flynn said.’I know I’m going to come in here and be in a competition and whatever happens, whatever my role is, I want to make Seattle a better football team. I think there is an opportunity there to have a very special football team.’ ”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at the why and also the how when it came to Flynn selecting the Seahawks: “ ‘When I came up to Seattle, I just felt very comfortable with everything,’ said Flynn, who visited the Seahawks on Thursday and Friday before making a trip to Miami to meet with Philbin and the Dolphins on Saturday. ‘I felt like there was a family environment up there. After doing soul searching, I feel very excited about the opportunity up there. I just felt like it was the best fit for me and gives me the best opportunity to be successful.’ ”
We forgot this yesterday, but with free agency remaining very fluid, Jason La Canfora at NFL.com is tracking all the activity and you can follow along here.
Monday cyber surfing: It’s all about Flynn
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, March 19:
The Seahawks were busy over the weekend, filling not one but two offseason priorities by coming to agreements with QB Matt Flynn on Sunday and defensive tackle Jason Jones on Saturday.
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times looks at Flynn’s busy weekend: “Flynn arrived in Seattle on Thursday night, was at the team’s facility on Friday and was even present for at least part of a retirement party for one of the team’s longtime employees. From Seattle, Flynn went to Miami, arriving early Saturday morning. With the Dolphins no longer a consideration for Peyton Manning, Miami seemed a likely candidate to make a big bid for Flynn, especially considering that the Dolphins new coach, Joe Philbin, was Flynn’s offensive coordinator in Green Bay the past four years. Sunday began with the news that Miami was also hosting San Francisco’s Alex Smith for a visit, and by midafternoon a deal was done with Seattle.”
Also at the Times, Jerry Brewer wonders if Flynn is the right QB for the Seahawks: “The only question about Flynn is something that you won’t know until later: Right price or right purchase? The hope is both, but you never know. The Seahawks still don’t have the prototypical quarterback with a big arm, but Carroll has always said he’s adaptable. The Seahawks have certainly tested that theory during his brief Seahawks tenure with the motley, revolving quarterback crew of Matt Hasselbeck, Charlie Whitehurst, Jackson and now Flynn. But they have found an option with potential staying power. They have made a commitment to Flynn. They could wiggle out of it without much pain, but they have made a commitment. And so the initial reaction boils down to two quick thoughts. It’s about time. And you paid what?!?!?!”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune says leading receiver Doug Baldwin already has reached out to Flynn: “Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin said via twitter that he’ll be giving up his No. 15 jersey for No. 89 because his new teammate wore No. 15 at LSU. Flynn of course did not wear No 15 for Green Bay because someone named Bart Starr had that number retired. Baldwin will switch to his college number at Stanford – No. 89 – now that tight end John Carlson has moved on to Minnesota. ‘Just got off the phone with Matt Flynn. And he’s ready to WIN!’ Baldwin posted on his twitter feed.”
Peter King at SI.com also talked to Flynn and offers this as part of his “Monday Morning Quarterback”: “Would Flynn have had a better shot at being assured the starting job in Miami? Probably. But in a conversation Sunday night, he kept talking about the feeling he got in Seattle’s recently built training center in suburban Renton on Lake Washington. ‘I really enjoyed everyone there, and I got a chance to sit with (offensive coordinator) Darrell Bevell and felt really good about the offense, like it was something I knew very well,’ he said. ‘I just felt like it’d be a great fit.’ ”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com focuses on the competition at the QB position with Flynn joining incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson: “Flynn, 26, has a chance to prove himself and return to the bargaining table in three years, perhaps sooner if he plays well. Last offseason, Flynn might have gotten a Kolb-type windfall. But with Manning casting a shadow over the market and Seattle insisting upon a disciplined financial approach, Flynn will have to earn more of his money. Give the Seahawks’ current leadership credit for landing Flynn at a reasonable price. They did not rush into a bad contract to appease a restless public. There was no panic. Seattle remains in position to draft a quarterback or acquire another veteran if the Flynn experiment fails after one season. But a team’s leadership cannot go forever without finding the right quarterback. It’s possible to strike out without swinging for the fences.”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald says Flynn is a calculated risk, but one worth taking: “It is far too early to call the Flynn signing a home run, but it is a calculated risk that comes with a considerable amount of upside, which makes it a good deal for the Seahawks, who are long overdue to find a long-term answer at quarterback.”
Art Thiel at Sportspress Northwest says the next step is to give Flynn time to prove himself: “Kudos to the Seahawks for not over-committing to Manning nor Flynn — $10 million these days is a manageable amount. And it frees up the draft to fill needs with players who can make immediate impact. For Flynn sake, let’s hope the followers are few who are ready to shove him down the stairs at first flop, where he will make musty contact with Krieg and Jackson, guys who are still scratching their heads about how they attracted so many shoves when so many others played the game too.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at how coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider were able to check off two items from their offseason to-do list by landing Flynn and also Jones. On Flynn: “What is Carroll looking for in a quarterback? ‘We’re looking for a great competitor. We’re looking for a guy that can really carry it when it’s tough and make plays when you need it to happen – that affects guys around him in a real positive way because of what he brings,’ Carroll said. ‘So there’s a lot more to it than just physical stature. But ideally, we’d like a guy that can run a little bit and complement the running game and do something for us.’ The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Flynn will now get the chance to show that he can be that guy for the Seahawks.”
On Jones: “One of Pete Carroll’s goals entering the offseason was to increase a Seahawks pass rush that produced 33 sacks last season. Not just off the edge, where “Leo” end Chris Clemons had 11 sacks to lead the team for the second consecutive season, but from the interior, as well. Enter Jason Jones, a free-agent defensive tackle from the Tennessee Titans who agreed to terms with the Seahawks on Saturday.”
As for the teams still looking for a starting quarterback, Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com presents his case for why even thinking about taking Ryan Tannehill with a Top 12 pick is a roll of the dice: “The simple fact is Tannehill boasts all of the physical characteristics that every team is looking for at quarterback. He’s big, athletic, strong-armed and shows the ability to make every NFL throw. I’ve watched him fire the deep out from the opposite hash, show beautiful touch to lay the ball over the linebacker and under the safety and give the pump fake to force the safety to bite before driving the ball downfield on deep combo routes. He can roll to either direction and throw accurately on the move. He has the guts and speed to be a threat scrambling. Having started 19 games at quarterback in former Green Bay head coach (and current Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator) Mike Sherman’s version of the West Coast offense, Tannehill has been trained in a pro-style attack. And yet, because he has only started 19 games I have serious reservations about Tannehill’s ability to come in and contribute immediately.”
Wednesday cyber surfing: On Manning, and Lynch
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, March 7:
The big news around the league, of course, is where Peyton Manning might land now that the Colts have decided to part ways with their iconic QB. Mike Sando at ESPN.com offers his thoughts for the teams in the NFC West, including the Seahawks: “The team has a strong base of talent on defense. The running game finished strong last season, with Marshawn Lynch leading the league over the final nine weeks. Sidney Rice, Zach Miller and Doug Baldwin would give Manning weapons in the passing game. Miller was underutilized in the passing game last season. The team needed him in pass protection at times. Also, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson played hurt and held the ball too long. Manning would make fuller use of Miller and the other weapons. Seattle can also offer a talented left tackle if Russell Okung has better luck on the injury front. Seattle also has easily the most appealing facilities in the division. Like Arizona, Seattle can offer a low-key media atmosphere where Manning can focus on football, same as he did in Indy. Manning’s neck injuries remain a concern, but Seattle can offer something on that front as well. Team physician Stan Herring serves on the NFL’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee.”
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times also ponders where Manning might land, and offers this on the Seahawks: “It’s hard to come up with a reason why Seattle wouldn’t be interested. The Seahawks’ proliferation of close losses last season showed just how close they might be to contending, and they don’t have a long-term investment currently in place at quarterback. Also, it’s not like signing Manning would preclude the possibility of developing a younger quarterback behind him. The bigger question is whether Manning would want to come and play in the NFL’s most isolated outpost in a stadium that’s outdoors in a city known for precipitation.”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald asks the obvious regarding Manning, and also lets you vote on whether the Seahawks should pursue him: “Now the question for Seahawks – and every other team with a quarterback need, for that matter – is whether Manning is worth pursuing. Manning turns 36 later this month, and missed the entire 2011 season following a series of neck surgeries.”
Dave Boling at the News Tribune says the re-signing of Marshawn Lynch sends a message to the Seahawks’ other players, as well as their fans and even opponents: “No Richter activity was reported for the Puget Sound region Sunday evening, but an announcement from the Seattle Seahawks put the seismic monitors on alert for the next four years. Getting Marshawn Lynch signed to a four-year deal was a ground-shaking investment for a team that has so energetically urged its players and fans to buy in. For a reported $31 million ($18 million guaranteed), the Seahawks locked up one of the game’s most exciting backs through what can be expected to be the prime of his career. This tells Seattle fans: Yes, we hear you. We’re keeping this guy. He’ll keep you on your feet. This tells Seahawks players: You sell out completely, the way we ask, you’ll get paid. This tells rivals in the NFC West: Buckle up.”
Speaking of Lynch, the Seahawks’ leading rusher bought himself a new Seahawks “grill” and you have to see this video to truly appreciate it.
Here at Seahawks.com, nose tackle Brandon Mebane looks beyond the re-signing of Lynch to a couple of other potential free agents he’d like to see retained: “As Mebane sat in his cubicle in the locker room discussing the team re-signing leading rusher Marshawn Lynch this week, he couldn’t overlook the obvious. To Mebane’s left was the cubicle belonging to Red Bryant, Mebane’s best friend on the team and a player who blossomed into a run-stuffing, kick-blocking force in his first full season as a starter. To Mebane’s right was the cubicle of David Hawthorne, the middle linebacker who has led the team in tackles the past three seasons. ‘I’m happy they were able to get Marshawn re-signed,’ Mebane said. ‘But they’ve still got some things they’ve got to take care of.’ ”
The boys at CBSSports.com have a new round of mock drafts, and they have the Seahawks picking … Boston College middle linebacker Luke Keuchly, Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd (twice), Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill (twice) and Stanford guard David DeCastro. Rob Rang is one of those going with Floyd, and here’s why: “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 their attention to other areas of concern like receiver or defensive line. With Sidney Rice’s durability a concern, Seattle might be hard-pressed to let Floyd slip by, especially after he erased any concerns about his speed with a 4.47 showing at 6-3, 220 pounds.”
Friday cyber surfing: Schneider talks Hawks
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, March 2:
What’s up with the Seahawks? General manager John Schneider did a 30-minute Q&A with 710 ESPN on Thursday and you can listen in here.
Here at Seahawks.com, we check-in with director of college scouting Scott Fitterer and defensive line coach Todd Wash after their return from the weeklong NFL Scouting Combine: “The Seahawks’ coaches and scouts aren’t just back from the NFL Scouting Combine, they’re back in the meetings that will help determine which player will be selected with the 12th pick in April’s NFL Draft. But the coaches now are better equipped to hold up their end of the conversation while offering input on which players are best suited to the way the Seahawks want to play – not just with that first-round pick, but those who will follow during the later rounds; and even the post-draft free agency period that last year delivered Doug Baldwin, Josh Portis, Jeron Johnson and Ricardo Lockette. ‘A lot of going to the Combine is, we get to put a name to a face,’ defensive line coach Todd Wash said during a break in the latest round of pre-draft meetings at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. ‘We’ve seen the guy on tape, but we get to meet him in-person and see what kind of character he has. We’ve gotten a lot of information from the scouts, but we get to start to formulate our own opinion on the guys. So it’s just an introduction to each player at the Combine.’ ”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com looks at on-the-mend players in the NFC West, including Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice: “Rice has undergone surgery on each shoulder. One surgery repaired damage suffered during training camp. The other repaired damage incurred during college. The hope is healthier shoulders will allow Rice to improve strength throughout his upper body.”
It’s been awhile since we’ve included an item on the possible landing spots for Peyton Manning, if/when the Colts release their iconic QB. But Elliott Harrison at NFL.com has one. Yes, it includes the Seahawks, but he also included this telling comment from Schneider: “The Seahawks aren’t into band-aids at this point. ‘I just know if you panic at the position, it can set the organization back. So we’re not going to do that,’ GM John Schneider said last week. There you go.”
Also at NFL.com, the NFL Playbook Staff suggests that the Seahawks should build around incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson.
Friday cyber surfing: Combine prompts QB questions
INDIANAPOLIS – Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Feb. 24:
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times wonders if the Seahawks will select a quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft: “The Seahawks are looking for a quarterback in the draft every year, said general manager John Schneider. One year they might even get around to picking one. It hasn’t happened since Schneider and coach Pete Carroll took over in 2010, and entering the third season of their regime, quarterback remains Seattle’s long-term question mark. So will this be the year, then? In a draft class headlined by quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III of Baylor, is Seattle going to pony up the king’s ransom it would take to vault toward the top of the draft? Or will the Seahawks instead opt for one of the next tier of prospects at that position, someone like Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill, Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins or Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler?”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune also looks at the prospects of the Seahawks’ quest to upgrade the QB position: “Through the draft, free agency or trade, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider understands he has some options available to improve the talent level at quarterback. Or he could just stand pat, bringing back starter Tarvaris Jackson and backups Charlie Whitehurst and Josh Portis for another season, in the hope that all three continue to show improvement.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we’ve got a recap of Schneider’s session with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday: “The NFL Scouting Combine is all about evaluating the pool of talent that will be available in April’s NFL Draft. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only thing on John Schneider’s mind this week. Far from it. The Seahawks’ third-year general manager also continues to work on signing players who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next month. The list of what Schneider called “a pretty cool group of unrestricted free agents” is topped by leading rusher Marshawn Lynch, but also includes kick-blocking and disruptive defensive end Red Bryant, middle linebacker and leading tackler David Hawthorne, Pro Bowl fullback Michael Robinson, veteran linebacker Leroy Hill and tight end John Carlson, among others. ‘We’re getting to the point now where we feel strongly about some of our own guys; we’d like to take care of those guys first,’ Schneider said Thursday when asked about free agency during a two-part, 45-minute Q&A session at Lucas Oil Stadium – which started at a podium in the interview room and then moved to the side after his allotted time had expired. ‘We’re trying to knock those guys out.’ ”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com offers some NFC West “closing thoughts” from Thursday, including these for the Seahawks: “GM John Schneider expressed strong appreciation for what defensive end Red Bryant adds in the locker room. He pointed to Bryant as a core player. Bryant could still consider opportunities elsewhere, but the fit is perfect in Seattle. Bryant should have more value to the Seahawks than to other teams, in my view. Schneider also said the franchise tag is an option for running back Marshawn Lynch in the absence of a long-term agreement. I considered that a given and arguably more appealing to the team than committing longer-term money at a position where durability can be fleeting.”
Bucky Brooks at NFL.com takes a look at what fans of all 32 teams should be looking for at the Combine, including this one for the Seahawks: “Pete Carroll has built his offense around the versatile talents of Marshawn Lynch, but the Seahawks’ feature back is a free agent and could depart to greener pastures. To guard against his defection, the Seahawks’ personnel staff will focus their attention on Miami RB Lamar Miller and Virginia Tech RB David Wilson. If the Seahawks look to address one of their defensive needs at pick No. 12, the evaluations of USC DE Nick Perry and North Carolina LB Zach Brown could become major parts of a draft-day discussion.”
Don Banks at SI.com has some “Snap Judgments” from Thursday, including: “USC offensive left tackle Matt Kalil seems to know his place in life. He has a father who was an NFL guard (Frank Kalil) and an older brother who’s the highest-paid center in league history (Carolina’s Ryan Kalil, a 2007 second-round pick). So, what else could he have possibly been in life besides an NFL offensive lineman? ‘For my dad, ‘Let’s play football’ means let’s go do kick steps and let’s work O-line drills,’ said Matt Kalil, who could go as high as No. 2 to the Rams. ‘My first time going to Servite (his Orange County, Calif., high school) I tried to play tight end as a freshman and my dad went on the field and said, ‘No, he’s playing left tackle.’ That pretty much ended that dream. I would have been a sweet tight end. Maybe like Anthony Munoz catching touchdowns.’ ”
