What we know
— The Seahawks will receive three compensatory picks in rounds three, five and six
— Jon Ryan is signing a four-year contract to stay in Seattle
— Alvin Bailey has signed with the Browns
— Jermaine Kearse is re-signing with the Seahawks on a three-year deal
— Russell Okung will visit with the Lions and Giants
— Jeremy Lane has agreed a four-year deal to stay in Seattle
— Bruce Irvin has left the Seahawks to join the Raiders
— J.R. Sweezy signed with the Buccaneers
— Brandon Mebane signed a three-year deal in San Diego
— Ahtyba Rubin has committed to staying in Seattle
— Multiple veteran O-line and D-line players are visiting the Seahawks
Offensive line interest hots up
Multiple reports are linking the Seahawks with interest in Kelvin Beachum and Donald Penn as well as Russell Okung. Today Okung visits with the Giants and possibly the Lions.
Adding a tackle makes a great deal of sense for obvious reasons — and all three are likely to be short term measures. Beachum will likely get a shorter deal after tearing his ACL, Penn is 33 this year and Okung is nursing an injured shoulder.
Of the three, Okung is most likely to sign a multi-year contract. Any of the trio will provide the Seahawks with at least some security going into the draft. Taking an offensive lineman at #26 would still be a strong possibility because the likes of Germain Ifedi, Jack Conklin, Taylor Decker, Shon Coleman and Jason Spriggs all project well to left guard. In the future they could move back to tackle.
However — if the top tackles are off the board at #26 or they just want to go in a different direction, having a possible starter already in place at tackle gives the team that little bit more flexibility.
Okung is almost certainly the preferred option, with Beachum and Penn the fall backs.
Live blog
— Jon Ryan has announced he’s staying in Seattle. It’s a four-year contract worth $10m.
— Former Pittsburgh left tackle Kelvin Beachum is set to visit with the Seahawks on Monday according to Ian Rapoport. The Steelers want Beachum to kick inside to guard after he lost his job on the blindside after tearing an ACL. He’s just under 6-3 so doesn’t have prototype size for a tackle. He could be a nice hedge for the draft (and could still kick inside for the Seahawks).
— Rapoport also says defensive tackle Al Woods is visiting Seattle along with Cam Thomas. Woods spent time with the Seahawks in 2011.
— May Kay Cabot says Cleveland linebacker Craig Robertson will visit the Seahawks. Offensive lineman J’Marcus Webb also adds to the growing number of visitors to the VMAC. A lot of these moves will be based on added competition and hedges for the draft.
— As expected the Seahawks have been awarded three compensatory picks in rounds three, five and six. That’s the 97th, 171st and 215th overall selections — taking their total overall to nine.
— The Browns have signed Alvin Bailey. The Seahawks need a new swing tackle (and they will find one, easily). Remember this?
Thinkin about 31 other cities I'd rather be in then Seattle right now…
— Alvin Bailey Jr. (@Bailey_67) October 8, 2015
Ian Rapoport tweeting that Kelvin Beachum is visiting the Hawks on Monday. Pittsburgh OT coming off of a torn ACL I believe
In actually pretty intrigued by Beachum, assuming they believe he’ll be healthy. He was pretty solid in 2014 and has some good upside. Pitt wants him back and Jets appear to be making a play
It looks like okung is as good as gone at this point
Disagree.
So do I, all this visiting stuff is a bunch of smoke.
Just trying to get value, in my view. Without an agent, he has got to take the visits. Unfortunately for him, the only real leverage he’ll get is if he gets real offers. If he doesn’t, it will be interesting to see how big his stones are. Kearse folded quick, once he saw there was no market. (Let me be clear: I like and respect Russell Okung (based on his public persona). I want him back with the Seahawks. I won’t think less of him, if he folds, but I will be a little sad for him.)
I’m hoping Jon Ryan, and the punt team as a whole, rebound in 2016. I don’t think they did a great job backing opponents up inside their own 20.
Walk away with Donald Penn/Beachum/Okung and I’m pretty happy with how things have shaken out.
2.5 million a year for Jon Ryan. IMO it’s a waste of money. Would rather use it somewhere else.
And he is a very reliable holder for Hausch Money! Our FO apparently does not want to gamble with that.
Wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on this…with Johnny Manziel being released by the Browns, would he be a backup candidate in your opinions? I’d imagine that him sitting behind Russ could do him a good deal of help, but I’m also inclined to think that the kid is just a sociopath who doesn’t live in reality.
Regardless, a talented and exciting player to watch…just throwing his career away. Good thing daddy has $$.
I’d most definitely pass on him, but wanted to know how others feel about him.
No. His life is in major turmoil. We don’t need that in the locker room.
More talented than most back up for sure but I’m not interested in the side show that he would bring to town.
Just heard that his agent dropped him along with his marketing representation. This kid just doesn’t get it.
Forged-a-boud-it!!!
He needs to take a year off from football and focus on his life. Until then he is not worth the risk of any contract.
Totally agree with that. For his sake, I hope a team doesn’t sign him.
I think we’d be better of drafting someone like Boykin late or udfa.
If we were 8-8 team might be worth the risk, but do you want to count on him for a playoff win if Russell was hurt. Knowing more than likely he was partying all week instead of preparing.
No. IMO he’d be the absolute worst kind of backup you could have. As a transition guy I think he’d work better, but for my backup I want a guy who is a nose-to-the-grindstone plodder, a guy that is going to push the starter, learn the playbook and get fully prepared even when he KNOWS he’s not going to play. I could find 299 million people in America that fit that description better than Manziel.
He is a grip-it-and-rip-it guy who thinks he doesn’t need to prepare because he’ll be fine once the bright lights are shining. A guy who will think he should be the starter even when it’s obvious he shouldn’t be. Remember, this is a guy who said he didn’t have a drinking problem, it was just that his employer had a problem with his drinking. Buddy, if you can’t stop drinking even after your boss has told you to, YOU’VE got the problem.
Besides, you know what? He’s not that good and was never that good.
I’d be very very disappointed if the Hawks took a chance on him.
If the Seahawks brought him to compete for the back-up role, that would be fine. I trust the system; if he plays well, great. If not, cut him.
He fits the profile for their offense, so it might be made to work, but I wouldn’t hold anybody’s breath.
He’d be safe on the PS
He wants go to Dallas and get paid to party and sit on the bench. And Jerry wants to pay him to do that. This will happen.
If we could sign one of Okung, Beachum, or Penn we would be in a great place going into the draft. Just bring in some draft hedge type guys over the next few weeks. Given what we know I can’t really complain about the job the front office has done the last couple of days.
Anybody know what the timeline for Beachum’s ACL recovery is? Injured on October 18 of last year so I assume he should be ready by week 1?
I like Beachum. But if he is not going to play OT, that still leaves them with an issue there.
Would a starting left side of Shon Coleman (or another rookie) and Beachum work? Gilliam and Beachum?
Is it better to have a plug-in veteran at tackle or guard?
He’d be a draft hedge – can play LT if he has to because the draft falls such that there’s no good tackle available at 26, or can (ideally) kick in to LG to replace Britt with a vet. Thank GOD they seemed to have learned from the Britt fiasco that just going ‘Eh, we’ll grab a tackle in the first round of the draft’ without a fallback plan is a recipe for failure, though.
I actually think Beachum is a replacement for ‘Pig’ Bailey.
Swing tackle, and can play LG too.
I think Beachum could start at LT. He was a good pass protector in Pitt. Not ideal size, but he can play. Would much rather have Okung back, but Beachum would be a vast upgrade to Bailey.
What about rumours of Hawks shopping Kam Chancellor? If they did trade him would Neal be a likely 1st Rd pick and could he replace Kam right away? Brock and Salk mentioned a report of him being shopped.
The rumours appear to be baseless without any credibility.
If I was shure we could come out of this draft with Neal I would not hesitate to trade Chancellor. Only for a mid- to early 2nd though.
Seems like the rumors of trading Chancellor keep coming from this blog…lol
Not by Rob, but others.
@Dan_Hope: Former #Clemson running back Zac Brooks told me he spoke with the #Colts, #Texans and #Seahawks at pro day and is visiting Seattle in April.
All-22 tape from Brooks (National Champ game vs Alabama) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wJallasB1M
Very intriguing.
Stuck behind Gallman.
Seems like the kind of back they target.
There’s the 1st VMAC visit.
Thanks!
Watching him work with Watson in the scramble drill and I can’t help but think how he’d be with RW.
Their also meeting with Ohio St TE Nick Vannett.
Tony Pauline says he’s gonna be ‘under-drafted.’
YESSSS!!!!
I like Vannett. Good run blocker
Most complete TE in this draft.
Not as dynamic or explosive as W. Kentucky TE Tyler Higbee, not the receiver that Arkansas TE Hunter Henry, not a flex TE like UCLA TE Thomas Duarte, just a throwback at the position.
How high would you take him Vol
4th or 5th.
From Pauline:
Nick Vannett/TE: He’s going to be under-drafted. Should be a top-75 pick but may last until the fourth round. Does everything very well, but not the glamour-boy field-stretcher everyone wants today.
Yesterday, Vannett met with the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets.
Once again, the Jets are showing interest in Vannett, as they’ve met with him previously, and the team’s offensive line coach worked out the tight end privately.
That’s awesome. We’d prob have to get him with the 3rd comp.
OKUNG-STAYS-MOCK-DRAFT
So does Michael.
1. Ifedi to LG.
2. Austin JOhnson. BPA in late round 2. Could be ore of a PC 3Tech than the other guys, could be Mebane’s replacement.
3. Jerald Hawkins. Not Seahawky but neither was Bailey. LT frame, LT feet, LT experience in SEC.
3. Nick Vannett
4. Sheldon Day DT. Pass rusher.
5. Joe Dahl
That could be a good opportunity. I’ve been thinking he’ll land in the early-to-mid third round.
Depends upon how many teams are looking for a throwback TE. I know the Hawks are looking for one. Leave no doubt.
I have been thinking 3rd rounder.
I like the Jon Ryan signing. Now they’re not forced into trying to find a P. These guys can play a long time, and he just fits.
He’ll be helped by a hopefully healthy Lane at gunner.
Lane, Kearse, Tuba, Ryan for under $16M APY, long term with reduced year one cap hits. And structured so that the team can move on in the last year if it makes sense. Masterful managing by Schneider.
I don’t know why, I just love that the Seahawks have never drafted a kicker, punter or long snapper in their tenure. Just the idea of using every draft pick is being used on a football player makes it seem like they are all in constantly. Ruskell on the other hand would draft a LS in round one if he was a team captain and academic all conference or something.
Ruskell was always drafting lb’s and fb’s and guys that got good grades in school and that makes me grateful for John and Pete.
Ruskel always would look at the players floor. John Schneider always looks at a players CEILING.
They will still bring in a punter.
In all seriousness – is it just me, or are we overpaying the talent that we’re signing?
Kearse, a #3 WR, for 4.5 APY, more than Doug Baldwin, our #1? The Patriots just signed a #3 WR for 4m, and they had to “over-pay” for Chris Hogan to make the Bills not match the deal.
Jon Ryan, who terms of net punt average has been 29th, 26th and 19th over the past three years, for 2.5m APY? That’s almost top 10 punter money.
What are we doing here?
Definitely a head scratcher. Hmmm???
Keeping our core together.
After all these years, the moves, signings, that JS and this FO have made, are we really still doubting them?
Lets not forget, this was the Front Office that signed a battered and tired Marshawn Lynch to a mega deal that paid him Adrian Peterson money.
The Front Office that overpaid (8.2 APY, $18m guaranteed) for Sidney Rice, who only played ONE full season for us.
The Front Office that got worked over on the Percy Harvin deal.
The Front Office that let Tate walk due to an error on Schneider’s part by not telling his agent we’d match the Lions offer before Tate signed the deal.
Pete and John have made a lot of good decisions, but they’ve also screwed it up a bunch too.
The only real mistake was the Harvin trade.
The rest is just a list of speculation and negative slants.
Also the F.O. that built a SB winner from nothing.
I think our front office is one of the best in football. They have earned the benefit of the doubt.
It is kind of like criticizing a guy who hit a home run on an 0-2 count because his first two swings were strikes.
They like to be able to go into the draft without any “must-draft” positions. They have done it that way for years. This is nothing different.
Beast was battered and tired and stupid FO signed him anyway? I thought he was injured after the signing when the season began. Sydney Rice? They don’t get to know a players injury future when they sign him. Ryan is a reliable holder for Hausch-Money in addition to his punting duties.
“Kearse, a #3 WR, for 4.5 APY, more than Doug Baldwin, our #1?”
Baldwin’s deal is almost 2 years old and he’s been talked about all year as a prime extension candidate. How do you not get that?
I just don’t see why you would slight Baldwin like that. At least have Kearse go under him, like Schneider forced Russell Wilson’s deal last year to be under Aaron Rodgers, even though Rodgers’ contract was 2 years old as well.
Furthermore, why pay more? I wouldn’t be happy about paying Kearse $4m, but I could at least stomach it (I’d like it to have been around 3-3.5m APY, but hey, WRs are getting overpaid this year, so whatever), but giving him more than Baldwin just seems like a mistake for our #3 WR. You think Baldwin isn’t going to notice, and bring it up during negotiations?
Baldwin probably figures he will get at least $8-9 million APY based on what guys like Maclin and Cobb got. Good chance he gets more than that. I get the impression that he and Jermaine are tight, and Doug obviously knows this is ultimately about the business. I really can’t see Baldwin having any ill will towards JK or the front office for the extra 500k he got on his deal
As much as I’d hate to say it… Baldwin can walk if he wants $8-9m.
I’d happily give him the Travis Benjamin deal of 4 year, $24,000,000 (6m APY) to an Eric Decker level of APY of 7m…
But 9m? There’s no way in hell I’m paying Doug Baldwin Jordy Nelson/Brandon Marshall money. Hell, he’d make more than the #1 WR in the league at that price, Antonio Brown.
I think if you look at all the WR contracts signed since last year then $9 million APY for Baldwin could end up being a very good deal. IMHO Baldwin also looks to be in the top 3 or 4 UFA at his position for 2017. He’s going to be paid well.
I think the only potential issue to keeping Baldwin is if the team thinks Lockett has a higher ceiling. Even then, I can’t imagine the team doesn’t make a hard push to extend Baldwin before the season starts.
Personally not sure I’d keep Baldwin at 9. I’d rather have a number one who can make contested catches for that kind of contract.
a. Good luck finding that receiver
b. They will cost more than 9 mil
I’d say 4 years 28 million for me. More than that would be a no.
I didn’t say I doubt paying 9 to someone like that, said I doubt paying Baldwin 9.
The good news is you don’t have to worry yourself over what YOU pay him because youre not in the position to write the checks which turns out is a very good thing for the Hawks the the rest of us. Thanks for coming out, really enjoyed your insight on how to run an NFL team and structure a roster.
Because Doug’s a professional and he knows winning the Superbowl is more important than having a pissing contest over his salary.
Look man Doug is getting extended, I know some guys are hung up on his salary as the basis for what we should pay receivers but it isn’t. It’s two years old and the market has changed. The market says Jermaine is worth 4 and a half and if we left him walk over some change, which is what .5 million is on the cap, our team gets worse.
I’m pretty sure John signs him for 4 if he can sign him for 4.
Does our team really get worse if Kearse walked? Could it get better with the addition of somebody like Marquez North or Cody Core from the draft, or from more targets to Kasen Williams and Kevin Smith?
Guys who would literally make peanuts compared to what we’re paying Kearse?
I don’t know why anyone is getting hung up on Jermaine Kearse re-signing.
There isn’t anything remotely negative about that.
Rob: Totally agree. I think this is coming from Mike Salk. I am totally flabbergasted how anyone cannot be happy that the Seahawks resigned Jermaine Kearse. Kearse has made some BIG-TIME catches for the Seahawks.
Does nobody remember the pass he dropped on 3rd down that went right into his breadbasket in the Super Bowl that would have put the nail in the coffin in SB 49?
After that, we punted, and the Patriots were back in it.
Geeze Rajeesh, who peed in your cheerios, I’m the furthest thing from a Kearse fan there is, but Russ likes AND trusts him. You can’t put a number on that. No need to cry or be upset about kearse he’s solid. And don’t forget we paid harvin 11 mill a year and your throwing a fit over 500k, lol, u must be new to this football thing
I’m not a fan of Kearse, but one play? There are several plays to answer with. Come on.
THANK YOU!!
Don’t know who any of those guys ae or whaat they’ve accomplished to compare with Jermaine.
For me it’s not negativity, as much as we could use some of the money elsewhere. The deal is actually growing on me a little but I still think of all the games he disappears.
It’s funny having been one of Kearse’s many critics, but I think this signing is great. As the third or 4th WR, I think he’s perfect. And he’s probably better than that anyway.
I just never liked the idea that he was entrenched at the 1 or 2 WR spot, feeling that the Seahawks needed more talent on the outside. Now they have it (IMO) in Lockett and Richardson, so having Kearse on the team is totally positive.
Do you think we think that Baldwin won’t notice? I doubt Baldwin brings Kearse’s deal up in negotiations.It’s completely irrelevant. He will bring up Top tier WRs around the league who have RECENTLY signed new deals because that sets the current market for new deals. Baldwin’s production is good, but his efficiency stats are consistently elite! And that will be the foundation of his negotiating arguments…not Kearse’s little ol’ deal.
Baldwin’s contract was signed almost 2 years ago. You can’t really compare the 2 situations.
Look at Kearse’s stats after Graham went out against Pittsburgh. JK averaged 4 catches and 51 yards a game, and that includes a game against the Vikings where he only had 1 target and 0 catches. Over a full season that translates to 64 catches, 819 yards, and 6 touchdowns. Pretty good numbers for your 3rd receiving option.
JK’s cap hits the next 2 years are $2.6 and $4 million dollars. With the cap going up what’s not to like about that?
It’s fascinating and sometimes frustrating to watch how people respond to FO decisions. Filters, lenses, expectations all come into play. I personally try to create a positive spin on everything and see FO decisions as simply a demonstration of their evaluations. Despite not batting 1000, this team is great at building and maintaining a winning team and this year we will again field one of the best teams in football!
No doubt Robert. Not that they are irreproachable, though, and without free speech there would be less discussion.
Let’s compare Kearse to Hogan.
Kearse – 6’1″ 210, UDFA 2012
Hogan – 6’1″ 220, UDFA 2011
2015 stats:
Kearse – 49 recs for 685 yards and 5 TDs
Hogan – 36 recs for 450 yards and 2 TDs
Career stats:
Kearse – 4 seasons, 112 recs for 1599 yards and 10 TDs
Hogan – 5 seasons, 87 recs for 959 yards and 6 TDs
Kearse’s deal: 3 years, $13.5M, $6.3M guaranteed (all of it in 2016, so no dead money going forward), $6.3M in first year.
Hogan’s deal: 3 yrs, $12M with $7.5M guaranteed (with some guaranteed after year 1, so dead money going forward) $5.5M in the first year.
Still think SEA overpaid?
I STILL think we overpaid in terms of APY, but we structured the contract better. Lets not forget that the Bills haven’t had a good QB in the time that he was there, and hold that against Hogan’s stats, while Kearse has had a Top 5 QB from 2012 on.
But theres no basis for that. At all. Market determines value.
And yet you don’t think NEP overpaid for Hogan. There’s like $500,000 APY difference between Kearse and Hogan. $500,000 per year out of a total team salary cap of $154M. How is that overpaying?
But wasn’t Hogan brought in as a special teams ace? I saw that he was listed as a WR/ST when signed. So it would seem its not as easy as comparing just their receiving stats.
u cant put a price on the chemistry that JK and ADB have with RW. the end
EXACTLY!!
I can. It’s ZERO.
Beyond the chemistry, our WR corps, which definitely includes Kearse as well as Baldwin and Lockett, did a great job last year! If you can keep that production in place without breaking the bank (which we didn’t), why wouldn’t we? I hope that Richardson stays healthy this season because when healthy, I think he’s an upgrade over Kearse…but Richardson hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his first two seasons so definitely a question mark there. People also think that the other two UW receivers on our roster can just step in and fill Kearse’s shoes but since they haven’t had an opportunity to play consistently an entire season, whether they can actually produce in games is a total crapshoot. As long as he can stay in his #3/#4 WR role, Kearse will be very effective in our passing offense and I’m really happy to not have any concerns about our WRs this year.
Long, heated discussion about this, and for good reason. We are not going to have a consensus on the WR corps.
Count me among those who see Baldwin or Kearse as being overpaid relative to their actual talent. Baldwin should be a #3, borderline #2, Kearse a #4, in a committee, not #1 and #2.
Kearse blows as many plays as he makes. For every spectacular, there is a dud. This ratio improved a bit last season, but he will never be great.
What catapults their value is that Russell loves them, and that is all that matters to JSPC, and they will overpay for that reason. JSPC is hardly perfect.
When the team had Rice and Tate on the roster, Baldwin and Kearse were in their proper roles. And that was a highly effective WR corps. They have not replaced Rice. Lockett might replace Tate, if he develops, but they are still missing pieces. Look at all of the WRs who have been booted out the door for some reason or another.
I sincerely hope they add more talent.
I am old and my memory is not what it used to be but…
The team that had Rice and Tate and a highly effective WR corps also had a much better OL with Unger, Carp, Breno….and Miller at TE….
The only thing they did not have is more passing yards or more TDs or better completion percentage or better anything than Baldwin, Kearse and Lockett.
So, highly effective at what exactly???
Again — you’re missing the point Steele focusing on labels.
The Seahawks have never had a #1 or a #2. They value efficiency and players who make the most of their targets. Baldwin, Lockett and Kearse were all in the top six in the NFL for that in 2015.
Rob, it seems that Joe Dahl is dropping in regards to where he’ll be drafted. Just saw a draft where we took him in round 7 (!?). Is this legit or what has happened? Seems his hype has really gone away.
Not an amazing athlete, more tough than athletic. Has to move inside. Doubt he lasts until round seven but could go R4-5.
Had a really good Pro-Day. Looked very smooth. Don’t believe in every mock you see. IMO
I’ve been wondering this too. Really is every mock I see, putting him in 5-7.
This FA period is going exactly like I had hoped. There were some waiting for, maybe even hoping for the big “Seahawks splash” in FA…I didn’t like that idea at all. This off-season is so critical to adding quality players to our team. We don’t need a big “Hawks trade their 1st for _____” or “Hawks go after big name player” stuff. All we needed to do (like PCJS said we were going to) is to attempt to retain our guys. Re-sign Lane, Rubin, Ryan, Kearse, hopefully CMike and hopefully Okung.
Figuring out LT is priority #1 right now, whether that be Okung, Penn or Beachum. Beachum is intriguing because he is a solid, young player and could be relatively cheap coming off the ACL. Signing him to a 2 year deal and while we can get out of the second year, having it there to go along with if we want is pretty cool. Who knows if he plays solid and PC/TC like him they could always extend him and give him a 3 year contract.
Priority #2 to me is re-signing CMike. Maybe that is going to be super easy, his market was basically nill when we acquired him after the Skins cut him, but did any NFL teams see how he did for us when he came back? If I was another team i’d be interested in the new mature CMike. I’d love to see him get signed for cheap and relatively long term, at least a 2 year deal.
From there it is really just veteran FA hedge bets and competition, along with a veteran starting NT. After that it is all about the draft. Four picks in the top 100? We HAVE to attack the LOS and replacing Irvin. R1-OT, R2-LB/DE, and in R3 we need to grab one of the G/C’s, and potentially a DT.
I’d put filling Mebane’s spot and finding some interior OL depth as priorities above RB. They could go into the draft with Jordan Hill-Rubin and Britt-Lewis-Glowinski but it feels like they would want more veteran options on the roster too.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks drafted a RB and then scoured the second and third wave of FA for a veteran and that would include Michael.
Hill and Britt in particular need some competition to stay on the roster IMO.
I put RB so high because right now on the roster we really only have one RB; Thomas Rawls, and he is coming off a legit injury. So to have no RB2 or RB3 is a big deal. Now don’t get me wrong, as a I said a simple re-signing of CMike who I hope is dirt cheap and we can get under contract for 2+ years would fix that. If we do that then RB3 becomes a priority but yeah, below our other needs like a veteran FA NT, maybe interior OL depth.
(Personally I like grabbing Beachum and then drafting a OT in the 1st round. Let all of our OT’s battle it out and maybe we end up with;
LT: Beachum/Penn
LG: 1st round OT pick
C: 3rd round pick
RG: Glowinski
RT: Gilliam
We can give the 1st round OT pick a year or two at LG, and then when the LT we signed walks/is cut we slide our 1st round OT pick out to Tackle. That also gives Gilliam time to develop and gain more experience for his potential move to LT.
RB is a fierce priority for sure. They need to add something there.
Won’t be surprised if Alfred Morris gets a look.
SEA will add at least 3 RBs before TC. One of them will probably be CMike. The other 2-3 will be a mix of FA, draft and UDFA.
IDK that the RB they got from the CFL, Cameron Marshall, was Oregon RB/WR Byron Marshall’s older brother.
Again, I agree. Think they’ll add a vet and obviously a draft pick.
Really liking this Zac Brooks from Clemson. What a gritty athlete.
What is the ideal CMike contract to you? Do you agree with me that he looked much improved both in on the field play and off the field maturity in 2015 when we got him back?
Assuming he is cheap (minimal interest if any league wide) I’d love to see him signed for 2-3 years. He is still young (25 y/o) with very little use in his NFL career (lots of tread left of those tires). I feel like if he is still mature, still working really hard and still runs like we saw him run in 2015…having him on the roster for 2-3 years on the cheap would be great.
Do you agree Rob?
I wouldn’t offer Michael anything more than the veteran minimum for one year.
A few weeks to end a season is not enough to make a longer term commitment.
Wouldn’t surprise me if SEA are letting him twist in the wind a bit so he will realize the vet minimum they end up offering him is the best offer he could get. Keep him hungry.
I agree with Rob. CMike is not worth a lot. I don’t see why all of a sudden he’s considered a must-sign.
I’d offer him three years without any guarantees and include some incentives. Base salary higher than the minimum or I don’t think he signs it.
The guy was cut three times in 2015.
A three-year deal based off a few weeks at the end of the season just seems unnecessary. And it took his career being in the balance to start acting like a pro. The apparent security of a three-year deal isn’t likely to be a good thing.
If it works out you don’t have to resign him for more, if it doesn’t he’s cut. What’s the problem?
The problem is he kicks back in his chair and plays like he did before everything was on the line.
Who cares if he plays well and moves on after a year? It’s Christine Michael. Not Russell Wilson.
That is a problem, but if there are no guarantees he knows he can be cut. I don’t see a drawback to the longer deal, all it would be is longer club control.
It’s Christine Michael.
People are arguing today about club control on Christine Michael.
I give up.
Roster right now after Rawls is C.M. or “who’s left”?
Do they only get Christine and not Michael if they sign him to a one-year contract?
Not sure I follow you Rob
Everyone except Jonny Manziel can keep it together for 2 weeks. He’d have to show more before I’d see the value in giving him anything more than the minimum. Plus, I don’t see other teams really being interested in him, Seattle picked him up out of desperation.
No security without guarantees.
would love to see morris with the hawks. totally under used in wash the last couple of years
Or perhaps Henry is back on the table. If they sign decent tackles/guards, and don’t want to depend on starting a rookie on the line, then perhaps they can take Henry.
I think it’s possible if they sign Okung.
But even then — I think the O-line still has to take priority.
Agreed! I’d be really disappointed if we don’t pick an OL @ #26, regardless of what happens with Okung or which lower priced FA OL we sign. It’s not often that there’s some genuine T talent available at the end of the first round so I’m hoping we scoop it up and address other needs in the later rounds.
The only thing that will truly disappoint me is if we draft Aaron Curry.
I want C-Mike back too Nathan and for more than 2 years but depending on Rawls’ status we might need someone better is my .02
With what I saw in 2015 I honestly feel like CMike has the potential to be a solid RB1. By that I mean like 1,000 yards, 8 + TD’s in a season? Obviously we have Rawls and he is our RB1, but my point is I think we’d be lucky to get a talent like CMike under team control for 2-3 years on the cheap.
I don’t think Michael earned a 2-3 year deal with his performance. Likely, a 1 year deal and a chance to compete for a roster spot. Maybe a 2 year deal with not a lot of guaranteed money.
I like buying low while his league wide worth is on the floor. Maybe he goes back to not looking that good and yeah, the dead money hit is minimal if we cut him. But if he shows up in 2015 form (mature, working hard, running really well with discipline) then we got a solid RB2 with a RB1 talent ceiling at 25 years old signed to the team for 3 years.
If he can put together 350-400 yards rushing with 2-3 TD’s each year (’16-’18) then he can get out of his contract at 28 years old still with quite a bit of tread on his tires and sign a real nice deal somewhere else (make some bank).
Turbin would put up 300-350 yards a season behind Marshawn, and CMike (in ’15 form) could easily eclipse that (is a way better running than Turbin with way more big play potential). While Turbin never had a TD in his career as a Hawk, I believe CMike could get at least one a season he is with us, more likely two or three.
Turbin couldn’t and can’t do 3/4 of this stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82YSXeID6CE
Exactly this.
Though I gotta say I totally understand your opinion Rob and am 99% okay with it. Re-signing CMike for cheap (maybe vet min?) for 1 year makes sense. He has only proven maturity and his on field ability for a few games after being cut by three teams. Giving him 2-3 years might give him long term security that triggers his laziness and immaturity.
Why I can’t give you that last 1% is just because he isn’t Turbin or a RB of that caliber. In his 2015 form he looks like he could be a RB1, and with a good run blocking O-line he looks like he could put up 1k yards and 8+ TD’s a season. He is still pretty young and has minimal wear on his body.
IF we signed him for cheap for 2-3 seasons and we got the 2015 version of him, we’d be winning big time. If Rawls got hurt he’d be able to seamlessly slip in and be our RB1. And as a one-two punch with Rawls (sharing the load) he is a great piece. But again I get why that is risky and why the FO would go with just 1 year instead of 2-3.
Just my opinion, but it’s worth whatever extra money it might cost SEA to resign CMike next year after a good season than however much they might save by signing him long term now and risk a return to previous form where he mails in his performances.
The offense won’t go through CMike next year. It’ll go through RW and Rawls. So regardless of how he resigns now, his role is not likely to be affected much either way. I say keep him hungry and fighting for his roster spot by a 1 year deal at vet minimum.
“The offense won’t go through CMike next year.” Exactly Chawk! Michael is a nice to have but if he signs elsewhere (probably not likely), we should be able to pick up another competent backup RB fairly easily.
26 – Jack Conklin
56 – Deiondre Hall
90 – Ryan Kelly
97 – Le’Raven Clark
124 – Hassan Ridgeway
171 – Travis Feeney
215 – Joe Dahl
244 – Elijah Shumante
UDFA for RB Bryon Marshall
Heavy on online and not sure if Feeney or Dahl fall that far. Also know that Hawks don’t take CB’s in round 2 but love the Hall measurables.
Le’Raven Clark is gonna go earlier than people expect.
Tenacious run blocker, can drive and power block, 2 things NFL teams wanna know if you’ve done or can do. He’s a prototype for today’s LT, and IMO can play LG too due to his strength as a run blocker.
But he can’t play. Picking him anywhere before Day Three is betting 100% on his potential. He might last to the bottom of the third, and unless he does I wouldn’t make that bet.
Yes he can play. I’m sorry you feel that way.
He had a bad Senior bowl, so what? Know who else had an awful Senior Bowl, id nothing, and then turned aroynd and bombec at the combine?
Penn St DT Austin Johnson.
You should watch his games vs Oklahoma State and LSU. Edge rushers beat him over and over. It’s almost embarrassing. His kick step is more of a back peddle and despite his long arms he is easily beaten inside.
Physically he is prototypical but whatever they were teaching him in college will not translate in the NFL. He will need to be torn down and built back up. In a few years he could be great but he will be a project.
Where do you draft someone like that is a good question.
In a league desperate for athletic, long pass-protectors — someone will take him in the top-60.
I’ve watched him for 3 years, he’s not as bad as the tape watchers say he is.
I like starting him out at LG, and then letting him eventually take over at LT. Take advantage of his athleticism inside.
Agree 100% on Clark being picked up early. How many times have teams reached for the potential future at tackle? Far too many.
Rob, what are your thoughts on Hall and Rdigeway.
Gotta agree with Franks here. Clark has one positive – his length. He tested as a middling athlete, he has terrible technique, and worst of all, plays with no tenacity or agression. He’s soft.
Not sure I would want the Hawks to draft him at all, honestly. Much more interested in Dominique Robertson, Pierce Slater, even Stephan Nembot, who will be available on day three.
Clark didn’t work out at the combine other than to run a forty.
Completely disagree that he’s soft.
IMO he’s a pretty tenacious run blocker that does do things NFL O-lineman do as well.
Interesting (positive) summary of Clark the prospect. Focus is entirely on “what he can become”, “potential”, and his performance on the field isn’t mentioned except to downplay it as technical details that can be coached up.
Johnson’s hype come from what he did on the field during his college career.
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/videos/videos/Journey-To-The-Draft-LeRaven-Clark-Discussion/81992a3b-75b1-4d74-b04e-3dfb8b92b788
This is an argument you won’t win franks…. Rob has the most accurate description of why a team would draft Clark before Day 3: desparation. It isn’t a good reason but it is certainly a reason. He doesn’t have good tape regardless of what some would say, his technique is rubbish, he doesn’t play under the defenders pads, and his hand work is below average. He is a major project. He will be drafter purely due to numbers on a chart with some line coach having the task to turn this physical freak of nature into an actual serviceable lineman. That is no small order
I don’t know about Hall in the 2nd. We have a whole stable or CB now.
Yeah I think Hall will be available later than this, although he’s hard to project. Resiging Lane hange the picture a little.
Dahl will not make it out of the 5th round. To much of a technician. Beyond 175? No way…
There seems to be a consensus that he will. I don’t understand it either.
Seems like the knocks on Dahl are his athleticism and core strength. His pass blocking seems very solid, though. He really seems like he would be a great fit here. I would love to get him.
I see him going as high as rd. 3
RW now engaged to Ciara …
With all respect to Russ, the greatest quarterback we’ve ever had, I hope he hits the bullseye and has football on his mind 100% this offseason.
OMG!!! Serious?
Maybe now his virginity will be gone.
And one day suddenly Russ will play differently.
In my veiw, signing Beachum> signing Penn > signing Okung.
Penn and Beachum are both better players than Okung, and are more consistantly healthy. PFF also graded Beachum higher than Penn after the 2014 season (I don’t have access to current grades)
Beachum or Penn would have a negative effect on our comp picks, though. Not sure how much that plays into the thinking of our front office, but it’s something to consider.
Penn might cost us a 5 but letting Okung go might get us a 4.
Two 4th’s in next years draft? Kool…
Good point. Can’t eat your cake and have it, too.
I agree with you if he’s back and healthy but that’s the question. Bit of a risk.
I see Penn as the safest pick. He won’t make as much money as Russell and he’ll be there when we need him, doing an o.k. job every week. Hasn’t missed one start his whole career.
It’s hard for me to picture drafting Ifedi if we cant start with him at Guard for a year or two. Don’t want to trust a rookie with inconsistent tape who played on a weird offense in a three point stance to man the outside in today’s NFL, where the best rushers get schemed against the worst blockers. Definitely not in a SB season that depends on the OL coming back around more than anything else.
2 point stance
Agree, nichansen01.
@DavisHsuSeattle: Nick OTC says in 2017 Seahawks are sitting on a 4th (Irvin), 5th (Sweezy), 6th (Mebane) in terms of Comp Picks
Sounds a lot more realistic. Last time I checked 6 guys paid higher than Irvin and one tied, and like a commenter said it’s pretty unlikely to have 8 3rd rd. comps.
If Okung walks we could be sitting on 3 fourth rnd’rs. Spare trade fodder?
That’s what i’d do.
Build more depth – pass rushers, WRs, a TE, OL and DL. Maybe a QB project if they don’t take one this year.
Quality depth is the name of the game.
@davebirkett: OT Russell Okung still plans to visit the Lions as of now, but with a later flight the visit won’t take place until Saturday.
Surprised NYG let him leave. Was their offer too low for his expectations, or does he think DET will pony up more?
Or is it a shoulder issue?
Think all teams are treating him like a shorter term proposition due to injuries.
Also imagine teams aren’t willing to make a firm offer until they’ve checked out his shoulder.
I really think an agent would’ve helped him with that. Not smart to pinch pennies on an agent when you have such a big weakness at the table.
IDK, I think teams are going to be cautious even if he was represented by someone else. He’s testing his market. He should. Doesn’t diminish Seattle’s chances of bring him back, IMO.
I get the impression that finding the best contract is not Okung’s sole mission here. He’s put a lot of time and effort into this and I think he wants the full experience of free agency and being an agent. Even if he liked an offer, these visits were going to happen regardless. I would still peg the odds in favor of him resigning with the Hawks.
I think the shoulder might lead him right back to Seattle. On a prove it deal. Just sayin… Fruition?
Here is the truth… If we don’t go oline in round 1 and we don’t bring in a free agent tackle, the oline is sunk. Penn, Beachum or Okung in free agency, and Ifedi or Coleman in round 1, and a center in the first two days, we are good on the o-line.
I would be very happy with the following combinations:
Penn/Beachum/Okung – Ifedi/Coleman/Garnett – Lewis/Westerman/Mcgovern/Martin/Dahl/Glasgow- Glowinski – Gilliam
Let’s wait and see what happens.
Nobody heard of Breno Giacomini, he did a decent job for Seattle. Alex Boone was an UDFA.
People are too quick to right off the O-line because it isn’t filled with reassuring household names. As long as they add talent it doesn’t matter where they get it from.
Unless a special prospect is available at the right time, I don’t see SEA spending a pick on a DB this year. After all, they already spent their R5 (162) on Kelcie McCray and their R6 (202) on Mo Seisay.
I hear ya.
I think they’ll draft a CB, they do every year, but I don’t think a rookie CB will make the roster at all. Maybe a guy like Blake Countess in UDFA added to the PS or something.
Reasonable expectations would be 6 draft picks making the team, and 2 UDFAs as well.
Oh definitely one in UDFA, maybe even a PUDFA. But not a draft pick, unless there’s that guy they just can’t resist.
I also think they really like their safeties. McCray and Terrell. Plus Shead can play there in an emergency situation.
Browner is back on the market. Any chance we go after him? Lane can play outside but I’d prefer he play the nickle spot.
Bridges were burned there after the suspension in 2013.
For the reason why Browner was suspended or how he handled it? Not that I would advocate for BB coming back. I wonder if being busted for illicit drug use (as opposed to PED’s) is something Pete doesn’t forgive easily (if at all).
One of Pete’s rules is always put the team first.
Hard to do that when you’re suspended.
Browner isn’t the same player he was when he was on the LOB.
I would not want Browner on Seattle is what I meant by my comment. His level of play is on the decline, his penalties are way up and he is still a suspension risk.
I like Shead and the young prospects a lot more than Browner.
As I was typing this I wasn’t sure I wanted Browner either. With Seisay, Burley, Lane, etc. it doesn’t seem like there’s an immediate need to sign anyone. Just putting it out there.
https://youtu.be/dF-mZDtsnzw?t=1m15s
OMG!!!!!!! Russell Wilson is engaged to Ciara!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!
Lol…I say WHOgas
Texas Tech WR Jakeem Grant just ran a 4.34 40!
@Browns: Welcome to the #DawgPound!
#Browns sign OL Alvin Bailey and LB Justin Tuggle.
Bailey got his wish.
C’mon Schneider, keep rummaging through that FA OL bargain bin…!
Browns? Shoulda been more careful on what he wished for.
D’oh!
I find it funny that of all the 31 other cities hed rather be in, he picked cleveland
well, there were 31 cities hed rather be in 🙂
I do find it strange how our oline players are perceived so negatively by the fans yet they seem to be keep being picked up elsewhere. What’s the deal here? Are they players underperforming or are opposition GMs being befuddled by the talent of Wilson and his eligible team mates.
I think teams are just desperate for good offensive players. Add in the Seahawk backups like Bailey that can never break into the starter role.
I’m looking forward to a complete rebuild of the offensive line starting with 3-4 high to mid round draft picks. The Seahawks need to stop looking at shiny toys that don’t see playing time and go back to fundamentals. Hard hitting linemen who open holes for the running backs. Linemen that can deliver the nasty. And yet can fall back and create a ring of protection that matches the dark lords powers (Elway or Belechik – har har). One offensive line to bind them all. Yee haw.
@AlbertBreer: 5) My belief now is there are clubs that would take Eli Apple over Vernon Hargreaves. He won’t go before Ramsey, but could be 2nd DB taken.
@AlbertBreer: 6) Most of what the scouts saw confirmed what they knew, but if there was one guy who had an average day, per NFL folks, it was Vonn Bell.
This LB from N.Illinois, Perez Ford can play some ball.
Hey Volume do you keep a list of your finds?
Yeah
Can’t post the link, but this kid is unique man.
Explosive, great pass rush repretoire too.
PC/JS have followed through on everything they have said they would do so far this off season by trying to keep core together. They also said they wanted to get tougher and fix OL.
Here is the draft I would propose if Okung leaves
Rd #1 Pick26 Germain Ifedi (RT)- Has been discussed a ton on here and would be our RT starting day #1
Rd#2 Pick 56 Josh Garnett (LG)- They go back to Stanford to get our LG or the future.
Rd #3 Pick 90 Nick Perry (LB)- I wanted to say Feeney but Perry is does not have the injury risk.
Rd#3 Pick 98 Willie Henry (DT)They bring in Franks buddy to add to the DL rotation
Rd#4 Pick 125 CJ Prosise (RB) Will be a great 3rd down back to go with Rawls and Cmike
Rd#5 Pick 172 DJ Reader (DT) Our new Mebane
Rd#6 Pick 215 Joe Dahl(OL) can play all over the OL and would be a great addition anytime in the 5th or 6th round.
Rd #7 Pick 223 Marquez North (WR) Great physical skills but injury concerns.
Rd #7 Pick Matt Judon or Davin Oneyemata (DL) Developmental DL prospects with huge upside.
2016 OL would be young nasty and athletic. By mid year could be a great unit IMO
LT Gilliam
LG Garnett
C Lewis / Dahl/ Sokoli (let the best man emerge)
RG GLowinski
RT Ifedi
If Okung comes back replace Ifedi with Ryan Kelly in Rd #1
Okung, Garnett, Kelly, Glowinski, Gilliam
I don’t see Nick Perry as much of a pass rusher. And he is more inside than outside.
*Josh Perry
Cleveland? Ouch…be careful what you wish for Bailey!
Ughhhhh….I hate it when people use “then” when they really mean “than.” It’s not really that tough of a distinction – then is temporal. Good riddance!