If you missed the latest SDB live stream you can watch it on catch-up below. We discuss the pass rush, free agency, Seattle’s recent drafts, Russell Wilson and a lot more. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel so you don’t miss a video.
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Rob Staton
Hot topics
- Hank Fraley to interview with the Seahawks & more Pete Carroll to the Raiders links
- What Ben Johnson going to the Chicago Bears means for the Seahawks
- Live stream with Hawk Blogger & Jeff Simmons
- Two key free agents the Seahawks might pursue in March
- An interview with UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III
Search the blog
Hot topics
- Hank Fraley to interview with the Seahawks & more Pete Carroll to the Raiders links
- What Ben Johnson going to the Chicago Bears means for the Seahawks
- Live stream with Hawk Blogger & Jeff Simmons
- Two key free agents the Seahawks might pursue in March
- An interview with UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III
Looking forward to it.
Rob, I missed it under the original post, but it’s gotta be said: wicked good chemistry there with you an Danny Kelly!
Really enjoyed that, man.
Thanks
Excited! Love all these talks, without draft picks to be thinking about it adds some excitement!
Here’s to a late breaking trade to bring us a 1st or two more 2nds to add some intrigue.
Dunlap should get paid, he’s the only complete and healthy DE left. And we know him! Sign him and one other whether it’s Clowney as a run specialist and game wreaked, Ingram/Kerrigan as a pass rush specialist, or a balanced guy like Griffin or Mayowa.
There’s a chance a Robinson, Collier, Green, Mayowa type line could be average. But that’s the best case. We aren’t winning anything with that. We HAVE to start at league average with a chance to be great. Have to have depth.
I’d like to see Dunlap and Clowney added to the DL. Why not? It wouldn’t be Avril/Bennett (that will never happen again – two young guys like that) but it’d be awfully good. The depth would finally be good/great too. With Clowney’s injury history, he needs limited reps. With Dunlap’s age, he needs limited reps. Keep these guys fresh. No way should a Benson Mayowa be playing 90% of snaps, but having two better guys splitting time is a great idea. No losing games in the 4th quarter because we’re tired. And in no way should anything be expected of Darrell Taylor. He’s a luxary at this point. If he’s good – great! But counting on him is foolish and irresponsible.
If I had to bet I’d say Taylor never plays. To see other athletes come back from Achilles tears and fractured legs faster this unfortunately seems like it’s a headspace issue. I hate like for like comparisons generally but at 40 years old I shattered my femur, tore two of three ligaments in my knee, and exploded my ankle and within 8 months I was back at it as a contractor and working out. More than physical therapy perhaps Taylor needs to see a sports psychologist if playing is even important to him anymore.
I posted something similar yesterday, something just doesn’t seem right, like he doesn’t want to play. Total speculation on my part.
Taylor played through a severe injury during his last year in college if i recall correctly, and pushed to play in the Senior Bowl – toughness (mental or physical) has never been a real question for him. Unfortunately it looks like the healing process has been slower than expected
Hes got a metal rod in his leg now, can be hard to get over that mentally
Not optimistic or particularly positive about Clowney. First, his injury history is not getting any better. Second, his own evaluation of his worth in the market is particularly off base, and the Hawks won’t indulge whatever his latest fantasy turns out to be. Third, he won’t show up for training camp until the last possible moment in any event, not matter where he goes.
This. Can you imagine if we were on the hook for him for 2, 3 or 4 years? We dodged a bullet there. Now he could recover and play another decade at a high level but I doubt it.
LJ Collier it is then
Just replace clowney with kerrigan, and i can get onboard.
If clowney is still around at the end of free agency, toss him a prove it deal. But dont bank on him.
I hope I’m wrong. But the fact we are at this point with less of a pass rush solution than a week after the season ended makes me fear Seattle has learned nothing and there is no plan to compete for a Super Bowl. Even with Dunlap, Seattle needed to improve its pass rush dramatically to make a Super Bowl run. And I am increasingly convinced this will be Russell Wilson’s final season in Seattle if it happens at all. Why not go for it?
The pass rush solutions are dwindling quickly. How can the three teams in our own division much less the rest of the league prioritize pass rush and yet, Seattle seems to be content for the third season in a row with at best a patchwork solution of one year contracts and short term solutions? It’s stunning.
IF the Seahawks sign Dunlap, everyone will celebrate the brilliant move by the Seahawks to get him at presumably a cheaper price. But the Seahawks didn’t win a playoff game last year WITH Dunlap. And unfortunately the growing evidence is currently pointing to the fact we are on the precipice of a massive downturn in Seahawks football. The status quo was not good enough to win last year. Pete and John need to do something dramatic to alter the trajectory of this upcoming season. However, that type of desperate position is usually what leads them to do things like trade two first round picks and a third for Jamal Adams. The likelihood of finding that solution is fading with each day.
100% agree with your entire post. Good stuff
Agree. The problem isn’t how much they invest, it is when they do it.
The lack of being proactive in acquiring pass rush help has cost this team dearly, in both picks and salary cap, with very little to show for it.
*****
In 2019, they spent a first round pick on LJ Collier.
They committed $9m to Ziggy Ansah coming off a 7 game 4 sack season.
They traded a third round pick and an inexpensive complementary player in Jacob Martin to get Clowney and paid him $8m.
Think about that. Investment of $17m to acquire veteran players and a first round pick + his salary of about $2m. And they got…5.5 sacks out of that and fielded a terrible pass rush.
*****
They followed that up by trading a 2nd + 3rd for Darrel Taylor and have nothing to show for it.
Calais Campbell could’ve been had for a 4th. Yannick Ngakoue for a future 2nd.
That first round pick from last year? He recorded 3 sacks after saying in the summer he was ‘pissed off’ for being labeled a draft bust.
It looks even worse when spelled out in black and white (crying emoji)
Spot-on summation, cha. A bit depressing because it’s accurate.
That’s a really good summary. The only quibble is that Campbell has explicitly said he would never sign with another NFCW team, so that was never more than a pipe dream.
He never said that
Rob = Could you touch on how a player can have their contract restructured without their permission?
Not Rob,
But former agent Joel Corry has done some reporting work on this.
It appears that teams have built this into a contract provision in the last few years. It makes sense – if you’re going to take up a large chunk of the salary cap, the team would rightly need some flexibility and it wouldn’t hurt the player too terribly much to get paid sooner rather than later in the form of a bonus instead of 17 game checks.
*****
Wow thanks.
I was just about to write that Hawks should get him as a solid third receiver (but they don’t really have any money freed up). Dang. Just trade Wilson, Wagner and Adams and start from scratch with Mond/Mills, Williams and Cleveland.
Davis to Reynolds is a bit of a downgrade
I was kind of hoping we would sign Reynolds
I didn’t even consider this but if we had signed him that would be a pretty great signing. 6’3 frame, over 600 yards production last year as the third receiving option, familiar with Waldron. Could have been a substantial upgrade over David Moore.
Are there any true slot receivers left in FA? That’s what Seattle needs in that position group.
Adam Humphries seems to fit the bill.
Super Bowl here we come
Tate and AB seem unlikely, Dede Westbrook coming off torn ACL, and Watkins is projected by PFF to get $10m APY.
Seems like Humphries or Willie Snead are the top two left that I can see, assuming they can be had for close to the vet minimum.
Exciting…
🤷♂️
Westbrook is a guy I actually liked in Jacksonville, I’d sign him in a heartbeat for the right price. Could be an effective third option here.
Kenny Stills?
He went to the dolphins
I really don’t know why there is the need to blow it all up and start from scratch.
There isn’t
But the 2019 and 2020 off seasons were so unbelievably poor that they now face the consequences
And thus people have different ideas on how to get out of this mess that they find themselves in with no money, no picks, a series of holes to fill and a QB who has flirted with wanting out
You’d think a team that has traded its 1st rounder, 3rd rounder, 5th rounder, and 6th rounder this year and a 1st rounder next year would have less holes than this group.
Right?!?!
This is a team that for the most part has been very conservative with respect to the cap, and long term thinking. They have very rarely converted $ into bonus structure, because they dont like to “borrow on the credit card”. Yet here they are, with no picks, and no $, and unfortunately pedestrian talent in many areas of the roster.
The Saints have no $ this year, and face the same issue for multiple years down the road, but have their picks, and tons of talent.
Echoed by Rob and others, but guess I just need to vent. Are JS/PC just too close to the situation to not see what was so clear to the rest of us? Forrest for the trees and all that?
Carlos Dunlap made an immediate impact. Pressure, sacks, batted balls, attention. It’s an absolute no-brainer and we’re gonna risk letting him go elsewhere for what likely amounts to a few extra crumbs? To prove you can work the market? To lovingly stare at your previous picks (Green, Collier, Taylor, Robinson) and just know in your heart THIS is the year they prove your acumen?
Go sign the man now. Seriously pete, do yourself a big favor and give your D a fighting chance
I’m curious if there is a certain amount already floating out there from the Hawks? After Dunlap doesn’t get a bigger offer from another winning team, then they possibly hash out the final amount and length.
But that’s kind of my point. Why play that game? If we’re a little off on numbers…step up and get it done. The consequences of missing out are too severe
What are the thoughts on DE Kerry Hyder as a FA signing? I know he had limited production until last year, but his pressure numbers in 2020 were good. Could be a good value signing and offer decent production…
And looking at the list of FA EDGE players is pretty sad…the Seahawks have had most of them on the roster at one time or another!!!
Mike Tannebaum now linking Sam Darnold to Seattle, Wilson to the Bears:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHqqg8V_qy0
Consider, this is a man who last week was saying he didn’t see a trade
Rob, are you starting to get the feeling once a few more Pro-Days are done that the move can be made?
What do you think a possible three team deal would look like?
Tannebaum, was a little off with him saying the Jets get a boat load of draft picks when all they give up is a QB they want to get rid of anyway.
I don’t know how this is going to end.
But yes, I think there’s a deadline of the draft for this year now and we’ll see what happens.
And the Bears have just been HAMMERED by their media for the Dalton move. So I would imagine the possibility of adding a fourth first rounder to the deal when R1 begins could move the needle.
would be a huge disappointment if we don’t get mack out of this…
That ship has sailed I’m afraid
Bears would take a $25m cap hit for trading Mack and have to get RW’s $19m on the cap.
They’d have to clear $44m of cap room to make it happen.
There is no combination of contracts they could terminate or trade to add up to $44m. They’d have to tie their roster into knots to make it happen and that isn’t good for anyone.
And if you are Chicago you are pushing all in if you acquire Wilson, to me that means you have to keep Mack, those two on the roster, top 5 either side of the ball, you got a chance
I view the Andy Dalton QB signing as being the end of discussions this year. Unless the Seahawks want to go with the original offer plus Andy Dalton throwing the ball for a season.
I think he’s just insurance
I think I read his cap hit is $5m
I read he got a 7 million dollar signing bonus and will get 3 million salary. He is certainly cheap for a quarterback. Bears could roll with Mills and Dalton. They just got to keep trying.
They can still trade for RW if the Seahawks wanted to
should we let the jets know that adams is available for two first and third?
Guessing they’re not that dumb.
Firstly, Congratulations on making some Seattle sports radio spots. Very cool. Hearing Jake and Stacey giggle maniacally as you called Danny and Gallant wankers (also….totally wankers), at their behest, was the best thing I’ve ever heard from them. You then proceeded to run some quick laps around them with ideas, scenarios….fun listen.
Mike Tannebaum’s trade proposal sounded a bit off: Darnold to Hawks, Russell to Bears, Bears picks to Jets….
I do remember Carroll really sounding genuine during the year about Darnold’s ability to make all of the throws, and just general praise of him as a qb. Could do worse.
The last few years have been bizarre as to roster construction. I’ll enjoy the content here, but I’m not even cautiously optimistic that the Seahawks are even attempting to compete for a Super Bowl. The roster isn’t really all that close, sans Wilson a distant distant 4th in the division, and no clear path (there is a clear path trading/releasing Jamal Adams/Bobby Wagner, and using the stock and/or money freed up to draft/buy talent, but that seems to be not in Carroll’s radar, at all) to get better. Kind of whatever right now. Keep winning covid/voting comps.
Appreciate you all
Thanks — was great to do KJR and 710 in a week.
Yeah, I think he got a bit muddled there. The picks would go to Seattle, maybe one or two to the Jets.
I’m right there with you. I think they are a long, long, long way away from that.
I must say Rob, it is nice to hear someone on the radio who:
A) Isn’t in complete denial of the Russ soap opera.
B) Is completely free to state their opinion, no matter the fallout.
C) Doesn’t feel the need to become a clickbait/soundbite wannabe.
Just watching any and all sports commentary these days is gawd awful. I enjoy your articles and guest appearances. You aren’t beholden to anyone but your own conscience. The only other person I pay attention to is Murf Baldwin. I may not always agree with him, but he has the ability to show film and break down the x’s and o’s.
Much appreciation from so many of us for what you do.
Thanks Roy, really appreciate that
That’s really bizarre. The only way I think Wilson possibly gets traded at this stage is if he suddenly decides he would be willing to play for Miami or the New York Jets. Which I highly doubt he’d change his mind about. Raiders seem set with Carr at this point. Maybe New Orleans is still in on it in which case they’d have to include Jameis Winston and I doubt Pete wants him as the new QB. If Chicago does deal Mack and a bounty of draft selections for Wilson… that defense is liable to fall apart, especially without draft resources to restock the cupboards.
That won’t happen. Wilson is not extending his list. That’s been reported.
This is about where the QB’s in the draft will fall and whether Sam Darnold is of interest and/or acquirable.
It’s Chicago or nothing. But frankly, it needs sorting. One way or another. This year. Not 12 months of drama.
I mean I agree, Wilson won’t extend the list. So a trade at this point seems next to impossible.
I would say ‘challenging’ rather than impossible
Rob,
If they do revive the Bears deal, would you rather get the picks and players and simply draft a QB (with low cost veteran insurance), or sacrifice some picks to the Jets for Darnold?
Half of me thinks this might have some merit.
The other half remembers Tannenbaum stumping for Chicago to try and coax Andrew Luck out of retirement last week.
I’m only paying this attention because MT has changed his tune so dramatically, a few days after Schefter said what he said.
Previously MT was a ‘not happening’ preacher
He’s obviously had time to browse SDB and get learned up.
I wonder if he’s chatted to Schefty
Or someone in the agent community who’s tied in.
You know, I’ve managed to get myself into a place where I’m ok with trading Wilson. Not what I want, but I can live with it.
But to trade him and go with Sam Darnold? SAM DARNOLD?!?!?!?!?! Statistically one of the worst quarterbacks in the league last year? A guy that’s not even the top 5 among backup QBs? A guy that doesn’t even have several years of cheap club control left? Losing a Hall of Fame quarterback for a draft bust, and paying $39m against the cap to do it? And all so a 70 year old coach doesn’t have to give up some control on offense? REALLY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
I don’t think I could take that. I honestly think I’d just stop following the Seahawks.
To be fair to Darnold, the Jets are where many players go to be forgotten. He is in the worst possible place for a rookie to learn and grow. Im not saying he is the solution, but there are a few QBs who have moved on from bad situations and thrived.
I’m sure he would be better, but his ceiling is still below the Dalton line. He’s not a franchise QB.
True. From the ancient days, which I still remember: Jim Plunkett going from the Patriots to the Raiders; Y.A. Tittle from the 49’ers to the Giants. I don’t doubt there are more recent examples – not trying to be a smart-ass here, at all.
Call me “OldTomas.”
And Carson Palmer finally finding his groove, albeit pretty late, after languishing in Cincinnati and Oakland.
I’ll keep it short but there’s more to be said if someone else wants to chime in.
Darnold was a top can’t miss prospect according to many boards; he’s had umpteen coaching changes; the team was atrocious and not just the OL; there are signs he could flourish without so many things stacked against him; his attitude is good and he seems willing to learn. There’s genuine potential there, in the right scheme.
Also Rob went and looked at some tape and Darnold looked better in places than his stats show.
I get all that, but if you genuinely think that the what, 40th or 45th best QB in the league is going to come to the Seahawks and suddenly be a top 10 or top 15 QB then I don’t know what to tell you man. That just seems like real pipe dream. May as well draft a QB in the 6th and hope he turns into Tom Brady, cause that seems more likely than the Darnold becoming a franchise QB.
If anything, he may simply turn into an inexpensive place holder. They get a decent chance at someone like Mills, then you’re talking about a QB competition, which is always a good thing if you are without a franchise QB. I think his cap hit to the Hawks would be $4.7 mil. Im not positive, but I believe the Jets would eat a bit over $5 mil of his 4th year. Not a bad number all things considered.
I 100% believe the trade rumors are real but none of it matters. He is either a Seahawk or if he gets traded he isnt. All tbe talk is talk until he gets traded.
You absolutely nailed it, Jhams.
Please, God, no …
Rapaport on McAfee
Seahawks offered more than Baltimore for Zeitler
https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1374052960087511043
Also a little on RW to Bears & is there a reconciliation w Seattle? (answer: maybe)
Plays more to the narrative that top vet FA don’t consider Seattle as desirable a destination compared to some other teams. They end up having to trade picks for players to acquire that talent.
Zeitler is not an example of Seattle being an “undesirable” location. He chose the Ravens for family reasons and because he likes playing in the AFC North. Players sometimes sign for reasons beyond a ring or money.
It’s part of a pattern is my point. I do t disagree with you. However, if the Hawks were a desirable destination, there’d be similar examples of guys signing with them for less money, preferring the culture, etc. we do t hear about those and more often they are overpaying to outbid a more preferable destination.
Free agency is tough because the player might not have interest in your team for many reasons beyond just money.
Another reason why you shouldn’t build your team in free agency.
Another reason why you need to draft better.
right – if you think about it – free agency is literally the one time a player gets to decide where they are going to play — not in the draft, not in trades – so some players are going to take advantage of that – especially if it’s sort of a jump ball financially.
also glad the hawks were in – again shows they are trying to do right by Russell. Wish there was more noise about RW and PC/JS having a conversation about direction, etc. – – to me, that’s the story i need to read to put this all to bed.
That’s nice to hear IMO. He was released (no comp pick factor) and wasn’t all that expensive.
I know he was talking to Marshal Yanda from Baltimore and he kind of helped pitch the Ravens as a destination.
He made too much sense to not give a good run. Glad to hear we gave it a good shot, and that it was other factors that led him to Baltimore, not us being too cheap.
What is so appealing about Baltimore… especially as a place to live :/
Zeitler a diehard fan of The Wire?
pick nineteen will have some serious value for WFT if Mond is still on the board…
Not to pick on you specifically, but I don’t understand why people think Mond will be drafted in the first round.
Leaving aside the 1983 draft when 6 QBs were selected in the first round, the most QBs taken in the first round was in 2018 when 5 were selected.
There won’t be 5 QBs taken in the first round of the 2021 draft. But even if there are, the consensus top 5 are Lawrence, Wilson, Fields, Lance and Jones. Mond isn’t one of them.
I’ll happily eat crow if he’s taken before any/all of those, but I feel confident I won’t have to.
Mond has a lot of upside but it will take time to develop it. I’ve watched his entire TAMU career and each year he got better. He has the tools and the want-to so I would take that risk.
I didn’t intend this to be a criticism of Mond, about whom I’m fairly bullish. I merely meant to say there are 5 other QBs in this draft rated higher, all of whom I’m willing to bet go before he does. And this isn’t a 5 QB first round draft, let alone 6 QBs.
And I certainly didn’t take it that way. I was just pointing out that I think Mond has a lot of growth in front of him and he is both smart and athletically gifted to continue to get better. He is a QB I would be willing to take a chance on but he needs time to develop. Chris Simms has him as his #4 QB and I think that speaks to his upside. As the saying goes, it only takes one team to believe in him…and I do think he will have a good NFL career.
teams may assume that P20 is going QB, i would assume that would drive the price up for P19
It’s become tradition in my house that we put up a Free Agency tree in the house to celebrate the season. We wrap packages in Seahawk wrapping paper and carefully set them under the Free Agency tree and every morning I excitedly wake and rush out to open one of the shiny boxes and every morning the damn box is empty. This season sucks and I don’t know why we keep doing it.
Sign Dunlap, Clowney, maybe Suh – trade Adams and Bobby for picks – figure out whether RW is a Hawk, or not- just do something. It’s not that difficult, is it?
My only solace is that Darell Taylor looks like he belongs on a field, according to Pete, and he may be able to move laterally in the coming months, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Hey Rob,
Long time lurker, first time poster. Your site is doing the Lord’s work, at least as far as breaking down the stats and attributes of potential future ‘Hawks goes. Let me also join the chorus here congratulating you on your increased public profile with the Seattle sports media. Well deserved, mate.
A couple items:
– Forgive me if I’ve missed it discussed here. We’re all looking at moving Jamal as the best way to acquire draft capital (and cap space) but given his numerous surgeries this off-season, is that even realistic? Isn’t it somewhat likely that teams that could use him would be weary about trading for him not knowing how’ll he’ll heal up? Not to mention that they’d still be on the hook for signing him to the extension he’s seeking. Should that be so readily discounted? If you’re JS, you’re probably looking at receiving cents on the dollar.
– Also, is there a measurement/40 time guideline per position that the Seahawks have traditionally preferred available here on the site?
Thanks for your time and continued success!
Thank you
— On Adams — I think there would be a market for him. His injuries are not ‘too’ serious (it’s not achilles or a knee/ankle). You’re not going to get what you paid but I think a first and a third or two R2’s is realistic,
— Check out my combine preview from last year for ideals:
https://seahawksdraftblog.com/the-ultimate-seahawks-combine-preview-2020
Once again sorry for the length:
/Camera shows the front of the VMAC
Pete Carroll: So you have some off season acquisitions for me?
John Schneider: Yes sir I do and to start…
PC: Sorry to cut you off, but what about Russell Wilson?
JS: What do you mean? We have him under contract?
PC: Well recently he and his agent have been making statements that he wants to stay with us but if he all of a sudden doesn’t, wants to go to four teams.
JS: I don’t find that alarming at all. In fact, when I told my wife that our firstborn’s name is cool but whenever I feel like it should be changed because it’s dumb I gave her four different names.
PC: Wow so wouldn’t your wife be mad because it sounds like you’re actually not okay with the name?
JS: No I just whistle and pretend that it isn’t a serious issue.
PC: Just pretending that there is no cause for concern does sound like a healthy relationship. Anyway about our off season.
JS: Yeah yeah yeah. So we signed a tight end that played for the LA Rams named Gerald Everett.
PC: Oh tight ends are TIGHT!
JS:
PC:
JS:
PC:
JS:
PC: Why the uncomfortable silence?
JS: Well it’s just you made a comment that if you spoke in front of a rotary club on a Zoom call could get you fired.
PC: Which?
JS: You know…
PC: Oh that tight ends are tight?
JS: Yeah yeah yeah.
PC: But mine is for a 70 year old man.
JS: It sure is sir but mind that we change the subject?
PC: Oh yeah for sure.
JS: So after Gerald Everett we got Gabe Jackson an offensive guard from the Las Vegas Raiders
PC: That’s good! Gabe’s are good at filling gaping holes.
JS: If you say so.
PC: But wait I thought he was still under contract with the Raiders?
JS: That’s right we traded a 5th round pick to get him.
PC: Doesn’t that mean that we only have 3 draft picks now?
JS: It does.
PC: Well you did once say that we have a track record of acquiring more picks so how will you do it this year?
JS: Unclear.
PC: Fair enough.
JS: We also got a cornerback in Ahkello Witherspoon.
PC: Oh he’s as tall as Richard Sherman.
JS: He sure is, however he has a rep for not tackling well.
PC: Bummer that’s kind of our thing that our cornerbacks tackle.
JS: I mean you are the coach, I’m sure you can coach him up?
PC:
JS: Sir?
PC: Sorry I just had flashbacks of Cary Williams and Quintin Dunbar.
JS: Oh Whoopsie.
PC: Whoopsie.
JS: We also resigned Ethan Pocic.
PC: Oh neato but judging by your tone he isn’t the center of your attention.
JS: Not at all. He just came back cheap.
PC: So sounds like we spent a lot of money. Aren’t we against the cap and isn’t it hard to create cap room?
JS: Actually it’s super easy barely an inconvenience.
PC: Oh really?
JS: Yeah we’ll just release Carlos Dunlap.
PC: Smart. Saves us 14 million. But aren’t you afraid he’ll be gone, and we have to find another pass rush for the 3rd consecutive year?
JS: Yeah he probably will be gone but the first few days of free agency, but that’s business.
/Smash cut to MSN site citing Dunlap as 2nd best free agent available.
😂👏👏
” I just had flashbacks of Cary Williams and Quintin Dunbar”
SIGH 🙁
I have to say, I disagree with most of the people who are frustrated with our FA so far. Here are some moves that I’ve liked so far, in no exact order:
– Didn’t overpay for Shaq
– Got CC back at a fair price
– Upgraded LG
– Made a run at Zeitler and offered him more $ than BAL (per Rappoport)
– Signed Everett for less than half of what Jonnu (other linked TE) got
– Got Witherspoon and Pocic, who at least plug the holes for the time being
– Currently can get up to 3 comp picks for 2022
– Still have the opportunity to sign: Dunlap, KJ, Mayowa, Bruce if we want w/o impacting the comps. Can get a 4th pick if we lose one or more of them.
– Didn’t extend anyone we didn’t want to (yet), but still have the flexibility to do so
I do think we need to bring Dunlap and probably Mayowa back. I would be fine with Bruce and KJ too, but I just don’t think we have the cap.
Reed, Jackson, Diggs and Duane could all be extended a year or two to free up the money to get Dunlap and Mayowa. Jamal of course could as well, but I think that will wait until a few weeks into the year.
We didn’t have much to work with for cap and picks, so I’ve been happy with the approach. Now if they let Dunlap go and sign some turds that cancel our comp picks, then all bets are off. So far, I think they’ve played it about as well as they could have.
Well, I think a lot of us are just concerned about the pass rush, depth, the lack of resource to address either and the QB having the off-season he has so far
Nobody will be happier than I if they sort this out
I’m in that group as well. Those are all serious and legit concerns.
I just think the FA has been a relative success so far, all things considered.
I/we’ve been highly critical of their roster management (picks, FA, trades) over the past few years. I think rightfully so. Just want to point out the things I’ve liked about this off-season.
RW drama aside, I’ve liked their approach.
Agreed, although it will not be a success at all without at least one credible pass rusher by the time it’s done.
Anybody else worried that Russ plays 16 (17!) games this season like he played the last 8 last season, and a year from now his trade value is dramatically reduced from what it is today, by virtue of both age and performance?
I’m not super crazy about the Gabe Jackson trade. Two years and $18m and giving up a sorely needed draft pick is a bit tough. That 2 years is very comparable to what the top-end C’s and G’s have gotten this year in FA.
Waiting for the news that the Seahawks have negotiated his contract down to $10-12m or something like that. If not, it feels like another ‘oh man we missed out on the market, let’s massively overpay whoever is out there’.
And if they pay Jackson the full $9m in 2021 and then cut him loose for cap reasons in 2022, there goes another draft pick and good money spent on a one year flyer and we’re back to debating who is going to protect the QB again.
Also anxiously awaiting two or more players to be added to the pass rush.
I’m looking at this through the prism of what could we realistically have done. They tried to get Zeitler and he reportedly took less money to play in Baltimore. Thuney got $16M/yr with $32M guaranteed. Trai Turner is out there, but he played less than 50% of snaps last year.
Jackson has started 99/100 games (knock wood), is 29 years old and is a clear upgrade to what we had. He doesn’t count against the comp pick formula and carries no dead cap. Restructuring his deal to convert his base to bonus would free up $4M+, leaving him with a cap hit of $5M or so.
I wouldn’t say a 5th rounder for a legit starting LG that you can feel confident in is a massive overpay either.
Agreed here.
If we had a full set of picks this year, and we burned a 5th rounder. I doubt we’d hear much of a fuss.
We paid FA prices. I can live with that. It’s not gonna be hyper efficient to roster build via FA. Realistically, we aren’t getting a guard of his caliber with that pick. Is he elite? No. But he is still a good player.
Besides, our best (albeit longshot) chance of keeping Russell is to start by keeping him from being sacked this year, and building a team next year that appears to be hyper competitive. We aren’t going to pull off the elite team this year with all our limitation of resources.
Im pretty much settled that we are going to have 12 months of “not bought in” Russ. Ill be surprised if he is traded or if he stays and isn’t jaded. Next year i think will be the real decision time.
If russ lacks weapons, blocking, and offensive control, he may not even play. If he does, then he probably will. If you can build something next year that seems primed for success, then there’s at least a chance he will want to stay for that team rather than be traded.
I think they saw what guards were left in Free-agency, and viewed Jackson superior to those remaining options.
Realized it would be better to sacrifice a 5th to guarantee they got Jackson.
Otherwise they’re hoping no one one else gets him via trade and if so; then getting him to sign here over everywhere else.
I think the 5th was worth it in this case, as long as they intend on continuing to
improving our roster. (Dunlap plus alot more)
If Gabe and Carson are the last big adds then the trade was pretty much pointless.
Ignoring the cost of Jackson, I think everyone agrees that LG has improved.
TE should be improved as well.
CB might be a wash, but Witherspoon has exactly been reliable health wise.
My frustration is compounded by the poor decisions of the past years that have put the team in this situation where they have such a dearth of resources and numerous problems to fill: SAM, CB depth, DEx3, WRs, RBs that can actually stay on the field.
*hasn’t
Agree 100PERCENT with dcd. But as far as I am concerned the jury is still. It depends on what happens at DE. The Hawks need to sign not one but 2 DEs. Carlos Dunlap for one. Benson Mayowa, Clowney, Aldon Smith or Justine Houston are all still available. So let’s see what happens.
Rough news on Vtech’s Farley, back problems have doomed players careers. Someone will still take an early flyer on him, but much more risky now.
It seems like there’s some growing, rekindled chatter about RW to Chicago. Many have mentioned a 3 way trade as a possibility, with the idea that Darnold would somehow go to the Hawks. I don’t see how that works, unless the Hawks are SUPER into Darnold and would rather have him than a high pick. Chicago has already shown a lack of assets (or maybe willingness) to acquire RW. If CHI has to give NYJ an additional pick or two to get Darnold, what assets could they be sending to the Seahawks? Because a total package or Darnold plus 3 1sts, doesn’t sound great to me.
Maybe the problem is that I don’t have a clear sense of how much SEA or the rest of the league values Darnold. If its an early pick, I’d rather just have the pick from Chicago and draft our own QB.
How about if the Seahawks ended up receiving 2021 picks 20 & 52, 2022 1st, 2023 1st, 2024 1st, & Sam Darnold.
Don’t think you can trade more than 3 years, so can’t do 2024
I believe if you wait up until right at the draft that yes, you can get that 2024 pick in there too. Hence why so much of the chatter has focused on the leadup to the draft.
They could do this trade, but it couldn’t become official until the 2021 draft officially starts.
I’ve been very reluctant to trading RW but I would do a 1 and 2 this year, and then 3 more future No. 1s and Darnold.
If that’s the case, I hope Chicago realizes their best hope is RW for a 1 and 3 this year, and then 3 other 1sts and no players.
As Wilson ages, if he’d ever miss significant time with the Bears – it’s possible one of those 1’s could turn into a top 5-10 pick. Maybe better.
That’ll be the year Foles leads them to a championship. Russ will be like, “dang, first an all-time defense and then my backup! I’m still the GOAT!”
Maybe Tater will know what to do …
Hey Rob, I know I’m late to congratulate you but the radio interviews have been great. I know you have said it before but where do you think the sweet spot is in the draft? From what # pick to what # pick? Thanks again for all the great content! We are spoiled!
Thanks Pugs1,
I think the sweet spot is pretty much 30-70.
Hey, we got one of those…for now!
Yeah, I’d probably go for 1 and 2 this year, 3 more 1sts and Darnold, as Bobby mentions. Pretty nuts to imagine, really.
Incidentally, Bobbyk…I remember you from the old TNT blog days when it was a good place. Dukeshire and the ol crew there. That used to be a fun place to bs.
Reply fail. Supposed to the the thread up. My b.
Not a fail…old TNT days were good and Bobbyk was our main man.
I remember too ….
Gratz’s Rob,
I heard you on the Jeff and Stacey show on ESPN.It was what we wanted, the building of this team not the Bull. Wyman and Dave show even plugged the website 2 more times. Today Monday Jeff and Stacey show they plugged the website again. You made a good impression here for the fans.I would love to hear you talk with John Clayton for 20 minutes. The draft simulator is out :https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mockdraft/
There is no way Ben Cleveland is 120 he goes maybe patriots at 45.
Keep up the good work Rob.
Thanks Mark — I had no idea they’d plugged the site so that’s amazing. Thanks for letting me know
First time I have had the opportunity of watch youtube show, good stuff.
Thanks Ed
Yep, content has been amazing this year. Glad you’re getting the love – much deserved.
Thank you
Really wish Wilson would get to the point where he would add some teams given the limited dance partners that are cut down even more cause of their own particular choices at the position. Cause right now Wilson is the guy on the potential trade market. Watson has to be close to untouchable by a franchise looking to acquire for the time being with the near double digit allegations now against him.
So is the assumption at this point is that Wilson is unwilling to add anyone to his list or that he just isnt there “yet?”
Stay tuned. Pro day Mar 31.
Vid: https://twitter.com/RJ_Young/status/1374083774175186947
https://twitter.com/zach_goodall/status/1366803571317104651
I got tired of salivating over Ferraris and Lamborghinis in my twenties when I realized I’d never be able to afford one myself.
But I can still appreciate a hyperexotic when I see one.
Top 5 pick
He reminds me of Darren Waller +
TA’QUON GRAHAM, DL Texas
6’3″ 290 lbs, 34⅞” arms, ridiculous 85⅛” wingspan
Pro Day: 4.89 40, 32.5-inch vertical, 113-inch broad jump, 11.99 agility score, 4.68 SS, 32 bench
Moved inside and played DT in 2020 after being a DE previously, projected to go in rounds 4-5.
Incredible podcast fellas. That point about Harvin/Tate/Lockette was such a good one.
It was! Hate to say it but I never thought about it like that…why would they throw to Lockett in that situation, but that comment made total sense to me!
Thanks SebA
Yeah I never considered that either. Huge point
This whole Watson thing has my spidey-senses tingling. There is something going on here that I’m not sure about.
I agree. We’ll know more when the police are involved.
This could be very serious for Watson and Houston. But I don’t know.
I’m not familiar with Jeff Simmons, and this isn’t directed exclusively at him, but I don’t understand how anyone can look at the Seahawks roster and think the most obvious trade bait is Jarran Reed.
He’s a middling DT, with no specific skill he excels at, and he has a fairly big contract weighing him down. That’s from the buyer’s perspective.
From Seattle’s perspective, what could you get back for him? A 4th rounder? Even if you could get a 3rd round, who do you replace him with? Because by trading him you’ve created a massive hole on the D that now needs filling.
Aside from Wilson, the most obvious trade baits are Adams and Wagner. It’s not even close.
First off, I kinda agree, buuuut
He had like 10.5 sacks two years ago, and 7-8 this year right? From the inside those are great numbers. IF you place him next to a top notch DE, he has proven he can rush the passer, and is solid against the run, and a team leader.
He had 6.5 last year. And the one great year in 2018. Otherwise, he’s averaging 4.4 per season over his career. I’d say he’s a good interior pass rusher, but he doesn’t excel at it. Anyway, he was a free agent after that 10.5 sack season, and came back to Seattle on a 2 year deal at $11.5m apy. He’s not hot product around the League.
I don’t disagree with you, that’s why you maybe get a fourth.
Most of his 6.5 came after Dunlap, like I said, he can get sacks if he’s next to talent, so maybe someone wants him?
Personally I’m not reading him because you can’t replace him with your limited picks
Lets say we sign Dunlap. What becomes more important at 56? Grabbing the best center you can or getting the best WR you can? Or another position?
My humble opinion is WR. Pocic will do in a pinch.
As always, the correct answer is…
Depends who’s on the board
Came here to say the same. Get the best player on your board.
My hope would be to target a number of WR3’s that you like. There should be a bunch still available in the 56-80 range.
Elijah Moore, D’Wayne Eskridge, Tylan Wallace, Cade Johnson, Terrance Marshall, Rashon Bateman, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tutu Atwell, Amari Rogers… there should be a group of them still around at that point. Maybe most of them.
If Rondale Moore or whomever they’ve ID’d as a perfect scheme fit, or slipped, is there – go for it.
If most of your guys are still there, you can probably make one decent trade down 56 for 72 & 112 type to get another pick. That’s 10 or more WR we might be happy with (I’d include Felton as I think he’d be a nice fit for the jet sweep stuff and LOS stuff we assume Waldron will want to run). Trading down 16 spots should still get one of your guys and add a early 4th.
This assumes that we don’t manage to get any other picks before the draft and address the DL.
From running through the board, it feels like IF we can trade down, we can still get a really nice WR3 with our first or even 2nd pick.
If you have a chance to share this podcast around on other sites — twitter, reddit, any forums — please do. Help get the message out there.
Red Robin’s french fries are tremendous.
When they bring out my burger & fries, I just ask them to get started on another basket of fries for me.
A healthy shake of their seasoning spice and some ranch on the side and you’re talking about some good eating.
By Ranch I think you meant campfire mayo
I’m certain I’ve even enough campfire sauce that it’s taken years off my life, but it’s so good.
YES
good meal indeed…get mine extra crispy and mix the ranch with BBQ, worked at the Robin back in the day, still visit once or twice a year even now that we live in burger utopia (all about the bottomless fries)
Their burgers are pretty meh, but yeah those fries are the schnitz, and yes, ranch for dipping please!
Hugely enjoyable. Only downside is I’m now envisioning Golden Tate (Harvin) catching “that” pass, or at least preventing the interception … “trades have consequences,” indeed.
Nice pro day numbers for NIU EDGE Elerson Smith. He jumped 41.5″ in the vertical and 10’7″ in the broad. And he ran a 4.74 40yd. All at 6’6″ 262lbs. And he has 33.25″ arms and 83″ wingspan.
I think he has real potential.
Great work as usual Rob. This fan base needs educating and you are one of the few doing this often unrewarding and onerous task. I myself thought I knew the game well until I found this place. Quality information is at a premium these days, let alone quality opinions. Much gratitude for giving my favorite football team the tongue lashing it deserves and needs.
Very enjoyable listen. My only question I kept thinking involved the criticism of PC & JS drafting for positional need only. Assuming they have, wouldn’t the Jordyn Brooks pick be a great pick? The reports are that he was the best player on their board and reminded them of Bobby.
The criticism of reaches for positional need and then lumping Brooks pick in there really weakens the argument that the PC & JS are drafting for positional need only… Personally, I value best player available for drafting. DK was also drafted because he was falling so hard. Its not like the Hawks wanted him early.
I think Schneider and Carroll should sit down together some night with a half-rack and a big bowl of popcorn, and watch this.
Fools don’t listen to wisdom.
“Fools”??? Let’s agree that Carroll and JS have had a couple bad drafts, and they swing for the fences in trades, and they didn’t cover themselves in glory in the pursuit of DE free agents last year. But “fools”? Nah. Bad take.
No, I don’t agree. It’s been way more than just a couple of bad drafts. It’s getting worse every year with more holes to fill. I’m watching Toody and Muldoon in action.
The past two offseasons have prints of Tim Ruskell all over. It’s just that Ruskell didn’t have a franchise QB so he got fired.
this
In this business you have to have luck on your side as well as skills (e.g. drafting RW in the 3rd). PC/JS have made plenty of mistakes and some of their moves are head scratchers for sure. Ignoring DL and OL has been their biggest fail. But to say they are fools considering their body of work over the last 10 years (only second to NE) only discredits the commenters. Among their peers (who do this for a living and are not arm chair GM wannabes) they are considers in the upper echelon.
Lack of foresight in roster construction as outlined very well by Rob and Jeff was unquestionably foolish.
I hear you and agree as stated in my comment. Their lack of vision to construct a sustainable roster has been very bad or you can call it foolish. But that’s different than calling them fools. One implies toward an action, the other is a general and holistic statement toward a pair who have orchestrated the most successful run in Seahawks history.
Who is the fool?
The fool or the one who follows him?
~ Obi Wan Kenobi
we were waist deep in the Big Muddy, but the big fool said to push on
Fools passed on DK. Hawks traded up to get him. 12-4 in the NFC West last year. While having supposedly terrible offseasons? Ok man.
Spencer Brown – RT from Northern Iowa apparently has been working with Joe Staley
“My dude Spencer Brown had a day today at UNI Pro Day!! Ran a 4.88 40 at 6’8 310 Crazy agility numbers (4.34 SS and 6.96 3 cone)and put up 29 reps of 225 with almost 35 inch arms. He has gotten better every day of working together and can’t wait to see what he does in the league.”
He’s so upright though. Height a major issue for him with leverage. Athleticism might make for a great WWE career one day but ultimately he’s a massive project.
Great combo with Jeff. Like it a lot. The fact that you’re conceptually aligned gives it a nice flow.
Thanks
PFF top remaining free agents: 1. Sherm 2. Schwartz 3. A. Brown 4. Clowney 5. Okung 6. Villanueva
What FA signings would rescue the off-season for the Hawks in your mind?
Reports Russ is still lobbying for AB, if they’re going into 2021 with Russ then why not stock the pantry and get cookin’? Would prefer interior O-line help but not sure anything on the market is worth the price right now (although this may change with the lowered cap forcing tough decisions). A proven separator like AB would at least help Wilson get rid of it sooner. Then add Sherman, Dunlap, & Melvin Ingram to lead the secondary and address the pass rush (!!).
Trade Adams to ‘get ya picks up’ in the draft and find a young db for Sherman and Co. to coach up, a couple O linemen with a nasty streak, and a RB to back up Carson and add some options for the new OC to get creative with.
Not sure if all these things are doable with the resources available, but other teams sure seem to be doing more with less. What’s the plan Pete and John? Perspiring minds want to know…
The dream is dead.
Waaay too expensive…
/s
So thankful. That’s one guy I don’t like whereas most others do.
You good with Carson, Penny + Collins, Dallas, Homer?
Yes.
I think you can get Davis level production out of Collins if they’re both in the same role.
I thought M Davis produced better in our system and hoped we got him back. But for the price he signed, Collins is a much better value. I rather we spend the extra $ toward a pass rusher.
Vids: https://mobile.twitter.com/StaceyDales/status/1374364780350300162
He would be the perfect WR3 to go with Locket and DK particularly in the scheme Waldron is expected to run.
Sure are a lot of intriguing players in this draft.
Really hope JS figures out a way to get us involved.
#TradeAdams
TBF there are probably 32 teams that think a sub-4.3 WR would be a perfect fit for their scheme.
5’7 is tiny quite short. Tayvon Austin, DAT short. R Moore looks really sturdy for such a short frame. Most of the short guys are really slight of build.
He would be a great guy to get, but I don’t think he lasts to 56, do you?
Geesh. Written like a 5th grader! Need some coffee and an EDIT feature!
There are a lot of short receivers around. I would like to see someone with more size and speed to go on the opposite side of DK, and allow Lockett to work out of the slot. I’m intrigued by two: Terrace Marshall and Tamorrion Terry. Both are 6’4″ and possess good speed.
He is a great athlete and all but as a football player has flaws.
He rarely runs deep or even intermediate routes, and when he does he doesnt get open. All of his production comes on short routes, screens, slants, ins, etc. He is entirely reliant on his athleticism after the catch – that is most of his production. What happens when he is playing against NFL defenders? Even if he goes from elite to above average, that is a big hit given this area is all Moore does.
I also have questions about how good he is at tracking/seeing the ball and his tape doesn’t answer those questions. Also, he has issues with catching the ball. Plenty of drops, bobbles, etc.
Then his injury issues. Yeah, he has only had hamstring strains, not a serious injury, but those hamstring strains have kept him out of 17 of 24 games in the last couple years. I’d actually prefer he was kept out by more serious injuries. As it is you have to question if he is one of those guys that just doesn’t heal well and is always going to be banged up.
He might be there at our first pick. His issues are just as real as DKs were and we got DK around there. It would be a pretty boom/bust pick though.
Per Brady Henderson, Pocic’s $3M deal also has a void year. So his 2021 cap hit will only be $2M.
They are writing contracts with voidable years, to trim a million or two here or there and keep them really close to the cap. They have still completely ignored the big ticket items that can move some larger numbers around (Reed, Wilson, Wagner, Adams, Lockett). Moving, restructuring, or extending any of those players would actually facilitate additional signings, adding talent that is desperately needed.
It just reeks of not having a plan and/or big deal(s) that could move some of these players.
LOL, Packers’ fans going bonkers
Beat me to it Sea Mode. And if I were one of them, I would be too.
Looks who’s back on the market!
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/03/23/broncos-release-nick-vannett/
He can take Willson’s place in the TE rotation…not!
Im not so sure, Willson is just a special spirit, a type of energy that warrants a roster, and even gameday spot even though he doesnt even play (sarcasm)
In retrospect, that may have been Schneider’s finest trade.
The Carroll “era” is done. Bury it. It was a good ride.
Time to start identifying and vetting future ownership.
J.S. doesn’t seem to have the ability or interest in holding PC accountable. PC has become the defacto emperor of the organization who dismisses any criticisms against him and is serving up debacles such as the Buffalo game and post-game conference where he looked completely lost. The answer? More of the same.
The calls for the return of Sherm are interesting. Richard was part of the whole “PC taking back the locker room” culture reset. Sherm knows pete inside and out and he will certainly let everyone in the locker room know how he feels. How does Richard fit in the Jamal Adams defense? Will he be ok without the support of a traditional strong safety?. Can he get along with Rockstar Wilson? I love Sherm but I don’t think he has any desire to be coached again by PC. This town is full of the “bring back **** sentimentality that I always find humorous.
I don’t believe we will be staying at #56, there will be valuable prospects who fit positions of need as long as they stay in the top 80 picks. With only three picks I don’t think you really have a choice.
The stadium was built in 2002 which means new ownership will definitely be asking for city funding of upgrades. And we have seen how that can go as we just rebuilt the old Sonics home for an NHL team.
It seems now we are at a point where the team and Paul Allen’s legacy take a back seat to over-inflated ego and selfish concerns. “My legacy”
I am personally done with it. I will still watch every game and hope for the best but I believe the writing is on the wall.
As fans we deserve answers, especially at times like these. What is the direction of the franchise? Who is making these decisions and who do they answer to?
At this point it is a dysfunctional organization and once the draft is over the “hot seat” takes on PC and JS will become the story and if the season plays out as expected this will be a story that gains traction. PC will point to the 12-4 record as a reason to believe they are “so close” when we all know this is just standard Petespeak.
The time for arrogance is over, thanks for the Lombardi but what have you done for me lately?
Time to embrace the “next man up” philosophy completely -from coach to GM to ownership.
Or maybe this is another one of Petes philosophies that holds everyone else accountable while conveniently excluding himself.
Thanks to Rob and all who contribute.
Strong analysis – to put a finer point on it. We often hear the hue and cry that it is “All Jody’s fault” By now we all know Jody does not own the team the Allen Trust owns the team. We don’t know what the terms of the Trust document instructs her to do vis-a-vis the Seahawks (and why does Bert K. always get a pass for his influence on the team?).
What we do know is that the Trust has been steadily liquidating Paul Allen’s assets. There have been some reports that the team will be sold once the estate has been settled and the estate tax issues are resolved. So assume for sake of argument that the team is sold before the end of the 2023 season. The value of team is significantly higher with a franchise QB like RW. So RW would probably survive a transfer in ownership before PC and JS. PC was a wonderful coach for his era but his core philosophies no longer resonate with the players. JS is the very illustration of the Peter Principle. It is fair to say JS was much more successful when he had Scot M. handling his player evaluation. I totally agree with your approach to sit back until the team is placed on the proper path forward. A total reset is required. Every time I saw Jerry Jones’ yacht anchored in Elliott Bay last summer I was hoping he was here to broker a sale – dealmaker that he is.
Echo the sentiment toward Rob and his contributors. Some of us prefer the unvarnished truth
We’ve been over this before though
Whether Russell Wilson is on the roster or not will have no impact on the sale price of the Seahawks.
The Panthers were just sold for a record amount. Before that, the Browns were sold for a record price.
Neither of those teams had franchise QB’s for the long haul.
The Seahawks will be sold for more than the Panthers. They will break the record again. You’re not buying a player. You’re buying a huge, money making asset in a great market.
And even if Wilson was still on the team — this drama this year hardly means you’re buying a franchise with a long term plan at QB.
The trust and Jodi Allen have essentially just given the keys to Carroll and Schneider. They will decide, with PC having the final say, on what happens to Wilson.
Agree and I’ll take it even further in the other direction – it could have a negative effect.
A lot of professional teams in the US will divest themselves of major contract obligations in order to make their team more attractive to a potential owner.
Why? A lot of owners place importance on cash flow. When a team signs a player to a contract with big guaranteed money, by agreement the team is obligated to set aside an amount equal to the guarantee in an escrow account.
Imagine paying $2billion for a franchise and then on top of that having to write a check for another $100-200million for the guaranteed escrow money for players you didn’t acquire or sign to contracts yourself.
It is possible a buyer would look at the huge financial commitment made to RW and think it would obstruct him from building the team he wants in the early going.
Pretty sure I read somewhere that the guaranteed money set aside in escrow was a huge bugaboo for Mark Davis, Raiders owner as he is the least wealthy NFL owner.
With the new TV deal, every team in the league gets $300,000,000 a year. Just in tv money. Any business with guaranteed revenue of that magnitude is going to sell for a mint.
Yep
🤔
What else would you expect him to say
I like the idea of Darnold staying in New York. Getting Darnold some help for a change would be the humane thing to do.
I wouldn’t read much into that.
It’ll be stunning if they don’t take Zach Wilson
How possible is it that they trade out and keep Darnold? Rob? Other folks here?
My guess it’d have to be for another top-10 pick, a 2021 R2, and a 2022 R1 at absolute minimum.
I dont know about others but the longer we go without signing Dunlap the more annoyed Im getting.
I’m more in the getting concerned camp. We like to wait things out like we did with Clowney. Last year many local writers were saying everything falling Seahawks way likely Clowney back. Didn’t happen.
Now I’m seeing same things written about Dunlap. I guess they forget there are teams out there that aggressively fill their needs. Well Baltimore lost 2 edge rushers in Ngakoue and Judon. I could see him there. Each day this drags out, the less chance I see him returning.
My dream scenario even though very unlikely would be Dunlap then Clowney to help against the run and give us that 2nd legitimate rusher.
Guys, guys, guys, we got LJ coming off that 3 sack season and Darrell coming of that 3 practice season. We good!
Someone having fun imagining Russell opening up his list of teams
https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2021-nfl-mock-draft-russell-wilson-deshaun-watson-trevor-lawrence-zach-wilson/
Najee Harris was already my favorite player in this draft. He just shot even higher. Didnt think I could love that kid anymore than I already do. Big time heart man. Leadership capabilities and he’s all in
Guess I should say why. ‘Bama pro day today. His flight got cancelled last night due to a thunderstorm. Dude drove 9-10 hours to be w/ & support his teammates. Not even working out himself, nor is he doing any drills.
Bet the niners take him at 12. Ugh.
Not a chance of that happening at 12. A trade back, sure. I dont think the backs come off the board until the late 1st.
For me, Najee Harris is a painful reminder of the Pac-12’s increasing failures to retain top west-coast talent. In a few years everyone here will love Emeka Egbuka.
PAC-12 also lost out on a bay area kid in Rhamondre Stevenson too.
couldn’t agree more, dude is special, all-pro from day one
Forgot to add, Devonta Smith might be even better, that Bama offense was ridic
Rondale Moore officially becomes a gadget guy today.
Locket fell because of his size too remember. Would love to see Moore in a Hawks uniform. That speed and quickness excels in the No Contact Football League of 2021
I definitely think Waldron will try & add that element to this offense. Could be Moore, Anthony Schwartz, Javian Hawkins, I would say Kenneth Gainwell but IMO he’s the 1st RB off the board after Harris, Williams, and Etienne.
W/ just 3 picks, I’d go.. C (interior OL), CB, and OW. I want a day 3 pick spent on BC LB Isaiah McDuffie. That’s Matt Milano 2.0. Energizer bunny bro.
If we never did the Adam’s trade we could have really stacked the offense in this draft.
Rd 1 Najee Harris (RB Alabama) true bellcow RB that Pete loves.
Rd 2 Rondelle Moore (WR Purdue) ideal wr3 and all round weapon for Waldron scheme. Last time a WR time we drafted a WR because he fell due to size it worked out pretty well with Locket.
Rd #3 Ben Cleveland (G/ Clemson) big nasty LG would allow Hawks to save a ton of cap room letting Gabe Jackson walk
Rd #4 Dickerson (C / Alabama) – Falls because of injury history but could be a steal as a dominant Center.
Those 4 guys would give us a top 5 offense and I imagine go a long way to repairing things with Russ. Maybe we can Trade Bobby ans Admas to recoup those picks. Doubtful but one can dream.
It is puzzling why they went after Adams when they knew they were trading away the future. Unless your cynical and say, well those two first round picks are just going to end with a Collier or Penny. At least with Adams we know what we are getting. And that’s kind of the problem. No one trusts the Seahawks to draft correctly. And after last season, to use their cash correctly either. I love the offensive additions but we are in a holding pattern to see if they will be effective starters.
Looking at your list is like dreaming about Christmas when you don’t have any money and no family. Just going to be a dismal after draft conversation.
Desperation always creates poor process and signing Adams at the price paid was just that. And poor process creates poor long term results.
bingo
No player that measured under 5’8 has been taken in the top 100 since Dri Archer in ’14.
I do think Moore breaks that streak. You’ll have to manufacture his touches. Getting him the ball as a WR at 5’7 is gonna be an incredibly difficult task. I just hope whatever team he goes to doesn’t ‘Tavon Austin’ him. He’s dynamic and you gotta use him that way. If someone tries and makes him strictly a receiver? He’ll bust.
Tyreek Hill clocked in at just 5’8 and 1/8 inch at his pro day. Doesn’t seem to slow him down too much.
Different position but CEH was drafted last year in the first at 5’7 and a quarter.
I like that dream too!
However harsh reality says that 1) not all of these guys would even be available in our imagined draft slots. And 2) all drafting, outside of the top several players, is a crapshoot.
Dickerson isn’t really going R4?
But yeah, the Adams trade hurts in two ways, what we gave up to acquire him and what it’ll cost to pay him. (Not mentioning what it’ll cost to keep him content.)
Rob, I enjoyed the podcast – well done. I do think you are too negative on the Brooks as linebacker pick. First, because they were looking ahead to the future without a Wagner or Wright. So they had a good reason. Second, he’s already a productive starter so that is a good sign. Third, Wagner is the only other starting linebacker signed. Would you really be bitching about resources allocated toward linebacker if Wagner was the only starting linebacker signed on the roster this year? We would be staring at two giant holes in that position.
I think the real problem here is the amount of money Wagner is signed for. It’s just an unreasonable amount.
Your spot on about asking why they aren’t playing some of the drafted players at safety and even at linebacker. I don’t expect Blair, Barton or Burr-Kirven to perform as well as Adams and KJ Wright, but they were drafted so give them a chance. They just don’t have the money for anyone else unless they restructure some contracts.
Also I can’t believe the silence around a long term Adams deal or a trade. What’s going on? Are they really going to sink a bunch of money into Adams? We will be viewing that just like the back end of Wagner’s contract, too much money for the market.
More evidence Russ is staying put.
I don’t think has any bearing at all on that
A counter argument could be made that signing Mariota puts a backup to Russ in place that would require little in the way of adjustment to the offense if RW got hurt. Evidence that the Raiders are in play?
Frankly, I don’t think it’s evidence of anything more than the team signing a quality backup.
Mariota is going to be a legitimate challenger to carr. If they planned on taking in Wilson I’d suspect they’d go for a far cheaper backup.
What a character 😂
https://twitter.com/ChaseGoodbread/status/1374427430153162757
Rob: How does Zach Wilson compare to Patrick Mahomes?
Also do you think Mac Jones would be an upgrade over Jimmy G?
I’m not comparing anyone to Mahomes. He might end up being the best to ever do it.
Mac Jones has a shot to be an upgrade over Jimmy G, yes
😂😂 PFF says that NC WR Dyami Brown has never dropped a contested catch. What are they doing over there? Do they even watch football? His hands are awful.
My goodness! Alex Leatherwood had himself a day. He’d be a fantastic selection. That’s a Penei Sewell type of athlete.
6’5, 312 lbs.
85″ wingspan (98th percentile)
4.96 40 (94th percentile)
34 1/2″ vert (98th percentile)
9’10’ broad” (99th percentile)
We could be so lucky!
Meh
It’s a great work out but let’s not go overboard. His tape is f-ing boring and his Senior Bowl was hugely underwhelming.
I bought in for a bit because I thought he’d be a BAMF in Mobile. He was passive and average.
Think John will be at the Texas A&M Pro Day?
I bloody hope so
I refuse to accept that the Seahawks have been sat around for the last four days, just waiting out Carlos Dunlap.
There must be something going on. Either to rectify things with Wilson, or to trade someone, or to extend someone…
Something, anything.
They can’t be that complacent to just be sitting idly by.
Rob I agree but nothing would suprise me after last off season,
It’s deja vu all over again
Sadly possible and you all know that’s true. Sincerely hope that’s not the case.
Pulling this out from last off-season…
https://prntscr.com/rkumjj
Out of those choices, I’m going to guess extend someone.
They’ll need to free up some cap for Dunlap (and Mayowa?).
Hoping that they are trying to come up with the best way to work out Tyler, Reed, Jackson, Duane, Diggs and/or Jamal that won’t put them in terrible shape going forward.
I share everyone’s concern after last year though. Hard to not wonder if it’s Clowney 2.0
You can’t extend multiple players at once though
And they need to free up a fair whack of cap space. They have no depth.
I only see one way out of this. Restructure Wilson & Wagner or trade a big player.
#tradejamal
Makes no sense why some of this wasn’t worked out prior to free agency. As in the talk yesterday it just seems they have no plan. It is just shocking after the first five years of PC/JS that it has come to this.
Or both.
Why couldn’t they extend a couple of guys at once? Maybe not all of them, and maybe that is part of what is going on behind the scenes, but why not Reed, Diggs and Duane?
Tack on a year to each of them and you could kick $10-$12M down the road.
Give Lockett an extra year at $12M and convert his base to bonus and free up some more?
I think restructuring RW and Bobby are the last things I would want to do in John’s shoes. Anything you do to those contracts makes them more painful to walk away from next year. If you truly believe that RW is your QB of the next 3 years, then sure. Tacking on dead cap via the two guys we’ve spent months debating seems like what you do if you truly don’t want any of the aforementioned guys for an extra year, or they don’t want to talk extension because they want to hit FA next year.
Duane would probably be fine tacking on a year. I doubt he’s chomping at the bit to hit FA in his late 30’s. Gabe Jackson was almost cut last week. He might value the security of knowing he’ll make 50% more than he’d hoped via an extension with a bonus.
Seems like there are a lot of ways to tackle the current cap issue, and that makes some sense in explaining the inertia. That they are talking to the players and agents, to see if they are open to a short term extension. Then the agents saying, show us your best offer, but keep in mind: my guy can hit FA next year with the big cap.
I think it has been four days patting themselves on the back that they have all they need in Robinson and Taylor. Of course, I hope I’m wrong.
C’mon man, you left out LJ and Rasheem
Championship
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31121191/suspended-josh-gordon-training-hope-play-nfl-again-says-there-no-quit-me
There’s no quit in me… Yep. That’s the problem.
I probably shouldn’t make light of substance abuse problems, but dang. That man has had well over a dozen chances.
I was against it last year and am against it this year. You simply cannot trust Gordon.
Savage! But 100% agree. JG clearly has a serious problem with drugs/substance abuse that is not going to go anywhere soon. This is like his 5th infraction now?
I agree that you cant trust him at this point, and substance abuse is horrible, but if its true that he was only smoking some grass, I don’t have a problem with it! Half the league does already. The total amount of suspensions and the nature of his earlier incidences are what keeps screwing him over.
If you had to take one, who would you take? Josh Gordon or Antonio Brown
Assume that both are equally available to play (even if that’s not the reality of the situation)
Think I’d go with AB
I’d go with Josh. Take away the weed use and he is not in any way a distraction with all the crap that AB did in the past few years.
Yeah I understand. I was thinking mostly about their respective potential to impact a team.
We had Josh for what, 5 games in 2019? He made impactful plays even though they were few and far between. I wish we could have seen a full season of Flash. I think he is an elite athlete and hope he is given a chance to succeed somewhere.
In case anyone’s interested in this kind of analysis. I think it’s fine, but it depends so much on which players were injured, not just quantity.
https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2021/2020-adjusted-games-lost-part-i
Anyone have thoughts on Demtric Felton (UCLA)? He looks like he’s got some Curtis Samuel in his game. Could be a nice fit for the Waldron offense, especially if we play the trade down, wait on WR3 approach.
There is a pretty nice write-up here, and similar to SDB (they focus on the Steelers) a ton on great info on the draft class. At the bottom of the page there are links to almost 30 guys they’ve written up. 90% of them are not 1st round guys either:
https://steelersdepot.com/2021/01/2021-nfl-draft-player-profiles-ucla-rb-demetric-felton/
Rob, feel free to delete, if you feel this is plugging a competitor.
I’ve been ringing the bell for Felton since the start of last season. He’s ridiculous in the open. He’s about the size of Ronald Jones 2 who’s proven you can be successful as a smaller RB in the NFL, and he’s a talented receiver. He’s a true offensive weapon.
I’d be very happy to have him on the roster.
He looked great in the Senior Bowl drills too. He was one of the guys who was getting open at will, which is pretty impressive considering he mostly played out of the backfield in college.
Good looking player. Not big enough to be a feature back, and not a traditional WR either. Could be great for some of the schemes that a young, innovative (hopefully), new OC would use.
I’m not saying he’s a Percy Harvin. But he’s a Percy Harvin type. He can get separation pretty much at will and his cutbacks are lethal.
Rob. Know you’ve considered a few TEs but have u looked at Tommy Tremble from ND?
Been looking at some of Zierleins more surprising prospect rankings and he has Tremble pretty high.
Specifically he comps some aspects of his game to Kellen Winslow JR, not sure here.
But If/when we have more picks, he should be in the conversation as he’s really Seahawky. Underutilized at ND so may be under the radar a bit but excels at blocking and looks like he has some physical upside.
Rob has mentioned him a few times actually and has him rated in his draft chart for possible Seahawks. I believe as his 5th TE in the 4th round
5th TE overall. But that was awhile ago.
Benson Mayowa signed
I am not starting a new article for that — it’s Dunlap or nothing
Any details? The only one I can find so far is the term – 2 years.
Hopefully a minimal deal
Well my bet was that we’ll overpay for KJ Wright before we sign a pass rusher, so at least this is a bit better.
This is a good signing (assuming it is a minimal contract) because we need rotational players on the DLine. Now if they expect Benson to play 90% snaps again, that is a bad decision. Use him correctly and pay him accordingly.
Uh, Rob…new article coming up?
Seattle signs Kerry Hyder 3yrs 16.5m
Looks like know Dunlap then, Hyder is definitely a solid player but he is no Dunlap.
Hate to say it but I don’t know anything about Hyder. Bueller? Anyone?
Saw this on Florio’s site:
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/03/23/kerry-hyder-signs-three-year-deal-with-seahawks/
Started out with the Lions. Had an 8 sack season then tore his Achilles. Signed with SF last year and had 8.5 sacks and 44 pressures.
Has a big motor not particularly a fast LEO guy but IMO more of a 5tech.
5/7Tech with Mayowa and Green as depth. Flip Collier inside as depth 3tech. Still leaves an opening; true Edge (LEO); Mr. Dunlap please…with Robinson and Taylor (hopefully as depth).
The 3 signings would address the DL
Pretty much the same money they gave Avril back in 2015 but for one year less. Not saying Hyder is Avril, but they had very similar production the season before they joined the Seahawks.
Thanks Blitzy and John_s.
You’re right, Hyder is no Avril. He’s on the edge of 30 and Avril was in his prime (and much more of a speed rusher).
Ugh I screwed up my email when I tried to post this previously. I’m guessing Rob’s churning out a reaction piece now.
Crabtree from KJR clarifies the contract. This is a great deal
Deal with Hyder is 2 years/$6.5 million with a $10 million base salary that voids in year three, per PFT report. Really good deal for the Seahawks it would seem.
Yep, that’s what I heard on kjr. In other words Dunlap still possible.
He better be
I mentioned Hyder a few weeks ago as a possible target. At first glance $16.5M seems too much but the fine print looks pretty good (with the void year). If we add Dunlap I would be happy with our DL.
I wouldn’t be happy with it but I would be content that there wasn’t really an alternative.
I don’t see the Seahawks ever winning a SB with that D-line though. Just my two cents.
I agree without Dunlap we’re screwed. But with him opposite Hyder we should be better than the 2nd half D last year. Don’t you think? In the ideal world I would’ve preferred Dunlap and Lawson! But that was a pipe dream.
Mayowa and Hyder both signed, probably means no Dunlap. Although if they did manage all three that would be a treat. Any word on who they restructured to fit this under the cap?
Wanted someone to play opposite Dunlap and then Mayowa as a rotational piece.
Maybe I can dream and we still sign Dunlap to play opposite Hyder.
I love Dunlap but I see Hyder had a higher PFF last year than Carlos plus he’s 3 years younger. Would love to get Dunlap also but if not Hyder looks pretty good.
Hyder isn’t a big name, but he lead the 9ers with 9 sacks last year. Given how banged up their Dline was that’s not terrible. Hopefully he’s good enough to let Reed flourish.
Atleast they’re not waiting. Now you can still try to bring in Dunlap; but your not left without anything if he doesn’t sign. Based on contract details it’s a cheaper deal than i thought; so Dunlap still possible.
Agreed. Glad they didn’t sit on their hands waiting for “their guy” this time around. This is a pretty cap-friendly contract too, and allows them to still sign Dunlap if they move some money around.
Regarding Jamal Adams topic.
I don’t know why people keep bringing up the acquisition price. If we are saying that it was an overpay, and that it’s a mark against JS, okay then. But if we are simply talking about a decision on Adams’ future, that decision should be based on how he’s played and how he fits, not on the water that’s already under the bridge.
Prior to the Dunlap trade, I would have agreed that there was a “Harvin” feel to the Adams trade, in that Adams is clearly talented, but he seemed to actually make the team worse when he took the field despite making plays. The total lack of front four pass rush early in the year forced Seattle to over-utilize a player before they really even understand how to properly use him. The result was that the defense actually played worse when Adams took the field, despite Adams passing the eye test. I would argue this was not Adams’ fault, but the fault of poor roster construction and also poor coaching by Norton and co.
However, after the addition of Dunlap, it really did feel like the defense came together, and it wasn’t just about playing bad QBs. Seattle didn’t have an elite defense, but I do think they genuinely had a competent one. They no longer had to force Adams as a blitzer to the same degree, and based on people I trust who study all-22, there is a consensus that the coaches seemed to better utilize Adams by the end of the year. And as others of said, other than some really annoying dropped INTs, his coverage issues are vastly overblown.
IMO, by the fourth quarter of the season, Adams had become a core pillar of a rapidly improving defense. His performance was pivotal in a week 16 win over the Rams, and IMO his injury was a crucial detriment in the wildcard playoff loss to the same team two weeks later. Adams isn’t a hood ornament, he’s actually a guy the defense grew to rely on.
If it were possible to trade Adams for say, a 1st and a 2nd, I think that’s a reasonable discussion. However, I think anything much lower than that- essentially a fire sale trade- would have to be justified under the premise that it’s just not working out with Adams and you have to get what you can now, and I simply don’t think this latter view is in step with what the defense and Adams showed in the post-Dunlap portion of the 2020 season.
As far as the price. I don’t actually think it was a case of desperation. Keep in mind that the Adams trade went down a month BEFORE Clowney signed and it didn’t prevent Seattle from being competitive for Clowney to the bitter end. It’s not like they lost out on Clowney and then turned to Adams. The timeline doesn’t support that view.
I think it is much more likely that Pete Carroll fell in love with the player and was willing to pay any price. I don’t think another team bid Seattle up so much as Seattle bid themselves up. This is something Pete has been known to do. Pete described the acquisition as “an opportunity.” Given how rare a player Adams is, and even rarer still when factoring culture fit and energy, that perspective makes sense to me.
It’s okay to disagree. Personally, I’m actually okay with paying Adams. He’s an all-pro, special player. He brings energy that Pete’s defenses desperately need, and he’s an ideal culture fit. These players rarely hit UFA and are not cheap or easy to get. Special players are going to cost you, especially when you are offering picks that are historically kind of shitty. I’m also okay with trading him tomorrow, for the right deal. But my assumption is that he’s going to be extended, and based on what I saw last year I think that can easily be justified.
And now that I’ve stuck my neck out for him, he’ll have a season ending injury in TC and walk for nothing in 2022. Sorry in advance / You’re welcome in advance to Rob.
I suspect by the point of the trade they knew Clowney wasn’t going to happen or they just gave up.
I’m not convinced he was playing as well as you are saying here Kip. I watched the Jets all-22 and the first play the Jets ran exploited Adams in coverage. They came out targeting him. I don’t think he played any better as the year went on and that’s why he ended up as the #53 safety.
I just don’t know how anyone can watch him last year and say… yes, that’s worth $18m a year (at least).
I also think it still is important to reflect on what they spent on him.
Because ultimately I think this roster has a lot of holes. There’s no long term plan at several key positions.
Two firsts and a third round pick right off the bat is three club-controlled players. It doesn’t mean you’re going to hit on all three players but it’s an opportunity to do so. If you trade down in round one, as they’re known to do, you could actually be looking at five or six club controlled players taken in the top-100. And while they’ve made some poor decisions in that range — that’s also where they found DK Metcalf and Damien Lewis. When they stop reaching for need and let the board come to them, they make some fantastic decisions.
On top of that, Adams has a $9m salary this year. So that’s a player on the salary and potential level of Gabe Jackson you could sign. For arguments sake, let’s say a Carlos Dunlap.
And if he gets $18m a year from next season, you’re talking one more player at that salary level.
So what is best for the Seahawks? One Jamal Adams or 5-6 club controlled players — potentially presenting needed long-term solutions at LT/DE/CB/RB/WR/C etc — plus two players of the salary/experience level of Gabe Jackson and Carlos Dunlap?
For me it’s an absolutely obvious answer. I wouldn’t pay any safety that salary. If you can avoid doing so while getting back some stock, it’s the damage limitation you need to operate immediately.
Regarding Clowney, the Adams trade if anything helped their chances to get him as it actually increased their 2019 cap space.
I like PFF, but some of their grades are way off. Earl Thomas in his prime got average PFF grades, IIRC.
I think Adams was a mixed bag last year though, don’t get me wrong. The lack of offseason, Norton being Norton, really bad injury luck. There were some bad games. But I do think that towards the end of the year he was a guy that was all over the place and making plays when healthy. And when he wasn’t healthy in the playoffs it had a huge impact on how easily the Rams ran on us compared to just 14 days prior when he was healthy.
If Seattle does extend Adams, it won’t be because of sunk cost. Seattle is no stranger to parting ways with players they paid handsomely to get because things weren’t working out. If Seattle shares your view on Adams performance, then they will probably tag and trade him next year. Or maybe even just let him walk outright.
But I suspect Pete views Adams favorably. I think he gave up so much for Adams because there is a kind of Polamalu-gene to Adams that Pete loves. Pete once half-jokingly said that Polamalu was his favorite player he ever coached.
But I guess we’ll see. Next year is pretty big for Adams. He really needs to stay healthy.
*2020 cap space