Sources: The #Seahawks are trading CB Ahkello Witherspoon to the #Steelers. A little secondary help before the opener.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 3, 2021
Just a couple of quick thoughts on this…
Firstly, whatever the compensation, this is a good move. It was becoming increasingly clear that the Seahawks were not impressed with Witherspoon. He failed to create an impression and had lost out in the competition to start.
Moving on and getting something, anything, in return is fine.
(Edit — it’s been revealed the compensation is a 2023 fifth round pick)
However, it does again highlight a glaring issue on the roster.
Seattle goes into the off-season searching for answers at corner. They’ll hope Tre Flowers really is better this time. They want Sidney Jones to push for a starting gig.
Yet at least at this initial stage, it’s difficult to be optimistic about the position.
And just as a year ago Seattle started the season with an inadequate pass rush — you have to hope that cornerback isn’t going to be the 2021 version.
It’s also worth noting that while the Seahawks save $1.5m by making this trade, they absorb $1.25m in dead money this year and next year.
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At least they seem to realize that CB is an issue rather than pretending everything is just fine. I’m cautiously optimistic.
Interesting move for sure… Getting something for someone that didn’t work out is a good thing. Looks like Sidney Jones was an upgrade over Witherspoon and it looks like we have a roster spot open…
Atkins time?
I think it is too early to assume Jones is an upgrade. After all, Witherspoon was supposed t be an upgrade over Flowers. Time will tell.
I get what you’re saying. I was referring to the FO looking at Jones > Witherspoon in that moment and that’s why they made the trade
I’ll say it’s different (better?) than the pass rush situation onlyni that they’re already active to improve before week 1 rather than waiting until the trade deadline. Still, why weren’t they more active weeks ago? I guess they really thought Witherspoon would work out…
What does our 2-deep depth chart look like now for our secondary positions? It’s hard to tell how the coaching views such a thing. I mean, the opener is a week away. Do our starters look like this now…
Flowers
Reed
Amadi
Diggs
Adams
Yes but maybe with Blair as nickel over Amadi.
I’d say Tre Brown is first up at outside backup. Maybe Sidney Jones after that.
That’s pretty much mine as well. It’s like it’s going to be pre-season for the CB position into the regular season this year. Diggs, Adams, and Reed seem fairly set…but the nickel and one outside CB still a “competition” thing.
CB and C reason the biggest concerns.
If Dakoda Shepley can play half as well as he interviews, he’s going to get a shot sooner rather than later. Rooting for the kid.
well..better to cut bait early I guess. But jesus, i’ve really been hoping to avoid another installment of the Flowers experiment. Just don’t think he has the quickness to play CB at this level, don’t know how you teach/improve that. His cushions = easy completions.
So what is our solution here? Start the season with two corners that would be backups on most other teams? Not to mention the drop off from there should one get injured?
Or do we get Desmond Trufant or trade for Gilmore?
Gilmore is on PUP.
Or bring Sherman home
If he can get clarity on his legal issues
As discussed elsewhere — this isn’t very likely at all.
But we all wish the best to Richard and of course we’re all rooting for him.
Everyone roots for an underdog
Reed played well last year and had a respectable PFF score of 73 (higher than Griffin’s 64). I’m hopeful about Jones. He also had a better PFF score than Griffin (68) and was one of the better CBs on a bad Jaguars team. Jags fans weren’t happy about that trade.
Trufant is old and slow and beat up. And as Cha said Gilmore is on PUP.
Signing Witherspoon in the first place cost the Seahawks a 4th round comp pick from the Shaq Griffin to Jax deal.
So good on them for getting something now (even if it’s just a 6th or 7th) when they realized he wasn’t going to work out.
The OTC comp picks guy tweeted this out and I’m confused
If Witherspoon cancels out Pittsburgh’s comp picks, shouldn’t the reverse also apply? That Seattle gets back their comp pick they burned on Witherspoon?
Doesn’t make sense to me.
He says no.
David Moore was cut before week 1 so we lose his comp pick. Taking away the one for Witherspoon.
Important point and is a reflection of all this FO is getting wrong. The inadequacy of player development and in turn desperately trading away picks is not going to build dreams, ending the good run we had as 12s. This year will be the undoing. My prediction without too much bias:
Week 1 (1-0)
Solid win against a team drought with bad luck
Week 2 (1-1)
Tennessee exposes the new OC and the defense cannot contain a real RB
Week 3 (2-1)
Russ has Kirk’s number, his address and his social security number
Week 4 (2-2)
First stinger of the year and proves we are in trouble
Week 5 (3-2)
Could go either way. But we only win because somehow the pandemic goes on hold enough for 12s to loose their minds for one night.
Week 6 bye (3-2)
Savor every minute of being 3-2 and beating the Rams but huge questions about this team haunt our dreams
Week 7 (3-3)
Haunted dreams become 2006
Week 8 (3-4)
Defense doesn’t have an answer as Sean out schools Pete. Deep dive begins, Russ begins grumbling
Week 9 (4-4)
We STILL sit behind SF and LA in the standings
You can envision the rest. Unless of course you want me give you more
I think (and it may have changed), the comp pick formula applies only to players on the roster week 1. I think we lost a comp pick for signing J’marcus Webb or some other OL a number years ago and keeping him through week 1 only to release them shortly after. So in theory you are correct cha, that Witherspoon should not count against the comp picks.
It’s actually reported that the Steelers took on the signing bonus, so Seattle will save more than $1.5 mil here. That’s a win, even if the draft pick is a 6/7th
Wrong
Seattle only saves $1.5m and has to eat the bonus spread over this year and next.
Not according to Greg Bell
Gregg Bell
@gbellseattle
· 24m
This is a coup for John Schneider.
Seattle’s GM gets the Steelers to take Ahkello Witherspoon’s $4M guaranteed for this year. That was heading to the #Seahawks’ bench because of D.J. Reed, Tre Flowers, Sidney Jones, et al twitter.com/rapsheet/st
Looks like he recanted though
Well if you look a bit closer at Gregg Bell’s timeline, you’ll notice he admits he was wrong about this.
So just to be clear for you — Seattle only saves $1.5m and has to eat $2.5m of bonus money over two years. That is a fact.
You can’t trade signing bonus money. It stays with the team that wrote the check.
At first glance, this frustrated me to sign the guy in the first place only then to dump him and eat cap. However, moving on him quickly instead of trying make a fit is commendable.
Still wondering if a bigger trade at CB is coming.
Denver is trying to trade Callahan. He primarily plays slot though. Fuller could be available as well, but neither come cheap.
Looks like we get back a 5th in 2023
Looks like a ’23 5th rd pick for Witherspoon
Maybe Seattle realizes they are in trouble at CB, and are getting ready to trade all our remaining picks for the next two years for Stephen Gilmore. That would be a signature Carrol move for sure…
Hurray?!
Well Gilmore’s already out for the first six games of the 2021 season
That’s a good point Rob. Personally, since they don’t have a high success rate teaching the kivk-slide technique to established veterans, I’m not excited about trading for one anyway…but our list of talent at CB grows thin…
I see people calling for Sherm, but his first priority needs to be getting his mental health issues on track, and there’s no way he’s had time for that to happen. As much as I’d like to see him back as a Hawk, I want him to get right in his life far more.
It seems like Carrol intends do do something at the position, and soon. Who do you think he’s might be targeting?
Now, can we jettison one of the backup QB’s and sign Atkins immediately?…..There’s one open spot right now and getting rid of the dude they just signed for backup would create another……
Well that’s life, sometimes you find out how a player is after you have him in your camp. I can live with them letting him go, and a 2023 5th is not that bad. But we need a starting CB, I don’t trust Tre Flowers and DJ Reed is just back from injury. Hope John works his magic and does a better job this time.
My optimistic side says they really like what they got with Tre Brown and weren’t afraid to cut bait on Ahkello.
They haven’t put him on IR so hoping he just got some needed rest and is ready to go next week.
I think the fact they’ve switched Reed means it’s nailed on to be Reed + Flowers in week one
So, even though Reed excelled playing the right side last year, we now move him to accommodate Flowers?
Hopefully there isn’t a decline in Reed’s production, playing on the left side.
Just as with moving Lewis from RG to LG, I worry about switching a player from a position he played well at last year.
Flowers can be mediocre on either side.
Yes, it appears so…
The Lewis one in particular frustrates me. Just let the second year player, who has always been a pure right guard, get on with the job. Gabe Jackson has played left and right guard and is an experienced veteran, brought in as a short-term measure. Lewis has the potential to be Seattle’s right guard for a decade. I don’t understand why he is being moved just so Gabe Jackson can play right guard.
True enough
I suspect Flowers is a place holder for Brown or Jones. Either one have a higher upside.
I do believe that Jones plays mostly on the right side, so you could be right that they are anticipating him stepping in at that spot soon.
Jake Heaps has the same thought (latest post on 710ESPN). No idea why Jags basically gave Jones, a 71 PFF grade CB, away. Jags fans weren’t too happy about the trade.
He made a good point in that article. Flowers didn’t win the job with a standout camp and preseason, he won it because Pete knows what he’s getting from him.
Odd, Cha, I don’t see a reply button for your post.
Yeah, I thought he made good points about the competition and Flowers being the devil you know. I’m hoping by week 2 (or 3 the latest) we see Jones across Reed. And some of Brown.
Any word on the other Geno?
Niners not wanting to be outdone by our CB churn are kicking the tires on Josh Norman. I think he’s done.
I was hoping to get Center help too. I guess RAMS will give us reminder that you messed up again. Never understood why PC/JS are so cheap on this important position. Even healthy Pocic is meh, are we consider Fuller and new guy who play on guard primarily is good enough?
Two thoughts to throw out ther for Rob and the community- Tell me why you think it could/couldn’t work
If Blair can play inside with his longer measurements (at least for your average slot corner) why not play him outside? If you want your best on the field, I think that Reed, Diggs, Adams, Amadi, and Blair is the best that we have.
Also, and this one is a wild one, how viable would it be, in time, to move Tre Brown to free safety when Diggs is no longer on the roster? If I remember right, some people saw ETIII as more of a slot corner than free safety. Earl had absolutely elite skills and of course Tre isn’t Earl, but from what I’ve gathered, a lot of his strengths are in the same department at Earl’s.
I know, two crazy thoughts, but I’m intrigued by them. Thoughts?
Moving Blair to corner would be desperate IMO. He’s a head-hunting safety. That was what he showed in college and it’s what he is. Trying to force him into a cornerback role here wouldn’t suit what he does well and the chances are it wouldn’t work.
Of course, he’s not really a nickel corner, either…
Yeah, they got too cute with Blair, IMO. At least playing closer to the center of action on the field at N will utilize his strengths more.
Fair point. A good coach understands their players strengths and positions them to let them loose. (I know there are plenty who wouldn’t put Pete in that category these days)
Do you think that Blair can play FS? I don’t have the eye for traits like others do. Does he have the recognition skills and breaking speed for the type of play that a single-high defense needs? I know he’s a hitter, I just haven’t seen him play enough to know about the other stuff
I’m not convinced he’s capable but then we haven’t seen enough of him
I would love to see Pete keep the players on their usual positions. We’re doing too much of TE turned pass rusher and basketball player turned TE. Blair could turn into a killer safety, it would be a pity to move him at corner. I haven’t seen enough of Tre Brown to say if he could be a safety, but again, we have some depth at S, we could start Ryan Neal there, and if they are sold on Tre Brown at CB, why not leave him there.
Listen, this is what’s about to happen. They are going to revolutionize the game, blitz all corners and safeties and drop all d-line into coverage. It’ll be unstoppable.
PTSD’ing from when Clowney dropped into coverage in the game-deciding 3rd down of the Packers playoff game.
literally had me busting up laughing, thanks.
Tricky like a Fox!
Hey Rob, was thinking it might be interesting for you to do a retrospective on the 2020 hawks draft class. I know its only been one year, and typically you need 2-3 to really know a draft class, but this post https://www.reddit.com/r/Seahawks/comments/phal21/appreciation_of_the_2020_draft_class/ made me realize that the 2020 draft has the potential to be in league with the ones from 2010-2012.
It has been 11 FUCKING YEARS since the Hawks drafted a good starting olineman (okung), and lewis 100% looks the part. I’m so thankful we got Lewis, he feels like a true building block.
Brooks has looked good, and with Bobby mentoring him and his natural athletic ability/instinct he should have pro bowl potential.
Taylor is obviously a giant wild card, but if he gets sacks this year and is a true presence off the edge, surely this would have to be hailed as one of their greatest drafts in PC/JS history along with 2010-2012. Curious on your thoughts.
The rest of the guys I realistically see as depth, but still all things considered that draft is looking damn good, it will have to play out this year and next but I’m hopeful.
I think we seriously need to slow that roll. Jordyn Brooks is massively unproven at this stage. Darrell Taylor remains a complete unknown. Ditto Parkinson. I am unconvinced Deejay Dallas will ever amount to a big contributor. Swain was a nice value pick. Let’s see what Robinson does in year two. Lewis was a home run but they’re moving his position to LG this year to accommodate Gabe Jackson.
There’s the potential for numerous contributors but there’s also potential for Lewis to be the only player of significance.
Between 2010-12 they drafted Sherman, Kam, Wilson, Wagner, KJ, Earl, Okung, Tate and numerous guys who stayed in the league for a long time.
So let’s not get carried away.
ya I think its fair that we wait another full year to get a better picture on all the players.
Rob I think there is a greater chance for Brooks to be a greater player of significance than Lewis but believe that it is fair to say they both will be significant even at this stage of their development. Although other players drafted have lots of upside they haven’t shown it yet whereas I think both Brooks and Lewis have been contributors on the field.
Brooks hasn’t show anything yet. He played a bit as a rookie and this is his first season as a starter in 2021.
It’s not fair to say he’s going to be significant. We get to find out in the coming weeks what he’s about.
Lewis already has a full season of starting under his belt.
What’s Richard Sherman up to these days?
Sadly, he’s got some real mental health issues he’s dealing with now. He’s been acting highly irrational and suicidal. He’s not ready for football now.
I agree he’s taking time for self care rather than focusing on football, but let’s be a little more cautious with the language here. He had one incident where he was irrational and reported to be suicidal. Let’s not go out and say “he’s been acting” that way in general.
No, please. I read just about all the reports being both a Seahawk and Sherman fan. It was more than just one incident, but a pattern of behavior. His wife and family were fearing for his life. Nothing I said was at all over the line.
It was reported he’s been making suicidal statements for a year, dude. He tried to buy a gun after his family confiscated his stash and made statements saying he’d fix things once he had it. Apparently you missed that report.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/how-richard-shermans-family-police-and-a-gun-dealer-intervened-to-prevent-potential-tragedy/%3famp=1
It was more than that. Friends were reporting that this was going on for days(at least.) even the description of his purchase of a gun was troubling.
Not saying he can’t play, but it would be a mistake to write the incident off as a one time thing…
I agree 100% Quick note ~ Niners Beat writer (sports Illustrated) GRANT COHN stated most concerning move By Niners is Losing Dakota and was wondering Why the Niners did not stash him on active and move vet to practice Which is exactly what the Hawks have done to a number of players so Kudos to them Plus Witherspoon was the price of doing Business…turn and burn
I hope Dakota is as good as D J Reed.
The Good: They actually got a future draft pick for a player that wasn’t very good. I like future draft picks.
The Bad: Said player already had 4 years of NFL tape showing how bad he was and they still signed him for too much money.
they needed to see him in their system like Reed
Reed was effective, good, talented but the reason he was available is because he was hurt. Witherspoon was available because he sucked. Big difference.
Any news on Phil Haynes?
The Seahawks still have an open spot on the Practice Squad. Lacking quality depth at the Guard position, seems a very strange decision to cut him, after he seemed to prove his fitness during a decent training camp?
He cleared waivers so nobody claimed him and he’s a free agent.
Probably mulling his options.
I’d like to see him on the PS.
I want Haynes to be available. And I would like to see Penny cut and Johnson promoted to starter.
Phil Haynes signed to Hawks practice squad per reports.
Good move regarding Witherspoon. Now use the extra cap space and extend Brown and fill the open roster spot with Atkins and get ready for the opener. Might also consider moving Luton to the open PS slot and bring another asset either OL maybe Austin Reiter or David DeCastro? or another DB.
FWIW
Oh good… competition for the NFL’s leftovers at cornerback…
Quick…hide our draft picks.
What are these “draft picks” you speak of?
Quinton Dunbar is still out there.
//ducks
🦆
Thank the godz the college football season has finally started!
I caught the second half of OSU-Minnesota and that OSU roster has, as always, some real head turning prospects, particularly DE Zach Harrison who had a sweet strip sack that led to a defensive TD.
Also watched most of the Boise St-UCF game, which overall was a lot more exciting to watch. Couple of interesting players for UCF – senior RB Isaiah Bowser (6’1″ 225lbs) had a nice game, and junior QB Dillon Gabriel (6′ 200lbs) who looked effective against a decent BSU defense, despite making a few boneheaded plays.
For the Broncos, junior S JL Skinner (6’4″ 218lbs) looks like a thumper in the mold of Kam Chancellor (not saying he’s Kam so hold your ire fire). Also senior NCB Kekaula Kaniho (5’11” 188lbs) though he was rightly ejected for a targeting call.
Good on the Seahawks for moving Witherspoon now. Also good on them for waiving Damarious Randall, who Carroll kept saying he was really high on, but who in reality clearly and empirically, sucked to everyone else.
Watched the Minn-OSU game, both squads RBs looked special. Sadly, Minn RB got hurt, hoping its not significant but looked like an Achilles tear. I think he was only one draft eligible. OSU def didnt look great outside that one strip sack recovery for a TD. OSU, WR looked crazy good though. Could see the talent gap. Minn offense of line looked big and dominant. Nothing else special though. From the sounds of it, OSU team is extremely young. Washington’s own JTT got some snaps and didnt look horrible for a true freshman.
Yes good call on the OSU WRs. Clearly a cut above. Probably the best WR group in the country.
And I think the OSU defense was a little surprised by the physicality of the Minn OL. Minnesota is a good team. They just had the misfortune of opening against the Buckeye juggernaut.
Thankfully for Ohio State, the refs liked them more.
Gotta get them to the playoffs dontcha know.
Wonder how bad Oregon gets screwed next week when they’re beating them (because OSU has an inconsistent freshman QB)?
Thank goodness we start with the Colts! Titans WRs will be the true test in week 2.
Rob,
What CFB games you got your eyes on this weekend?
In the UK we are getting North Carolina vs Virginia Tech, Alabama vs Miami, Western Michigan vs Michigan, Oklahoma vs Tulane, Texas Tech vs Houston, Georgia vs Clemson and BYU vs Arizona. So I will pick from that collection.
Well, atleast you get the Georgia v. Clemson game. Should be a good one.
Seahawks Southwest…
wait, wut did their DC say…? 😂
Indeed:
https://tacomatales.org/2021/01/19/remembering-never-never-land/
Woo-hoo! A lot of good games this true opening weekend. Eff an A. Of course the marquee game being Montana @ WASHINGTON. This game will begin what will be our undefeated season and a trip to the BCS final four.
Alabama vs. Miami
Clemson vs. Georgia
LSU vs. UCLA
Penn State vs. Wisconsin
Notre Dame vs. Florida
A lot of interesting stuff…
Good, now move Luton to the PS and get a real CB on our team.
OL injuries will be coming. Haynes will be back on the active roster IF he can be healthy.
A local source shared that Luton had offers from JAX and SEA and his agent told SEA that he would sign here if they put him on 53. Not sure if that’s true but trust the source, and makes sense why he’s not on PS.
Josh Downs #11 WR from NC looks good (NC vs VT)
Rumor has it that Geno Atkins is deciding between Seattle and Minnesota.
https://vikingsterritory.com/2021/general-news/sketchy-rumor-links-dt-geno-atkins-to-vikings
If true, you would think it would be an easy choice between being a starter in Seattle or 3rd on the depth chart behind Dalvin Tomlinson and Sheldon Richardson in Minny… Hope we’re not lowballing…
Especially if the difference ends up being 1.25 million.
Yeah, I sure hope they’re not quibbling over some minor amount of scratch in the big scheme of things. Get him. Nail this position down.
I don’t want to see 33 yr old Atkins starting. I want him to rush from the inside with one of Hyder/Green/LJ on passing downs and staying fresh.
Lets first sign him.. I’m nervous because Hawks track record
It’s from the fake @NFLRums account
Apparently, the Mark Vital thing is Russel’s doing. He texted Vital after their last game and said the Seahawks could use him as a TE. They worked out together in San Diego in the offseason.
https://twitter.com/Seahawks/status/1433486863017250821
Please stop it Seahawks. I’m begging you.
Seriously, opting for disaster
Roflmao
https://twitter.com/seahawk_james/status/1433503114049425428
Are you talking about the way the Seahawks tweet or the workouts?
Because I’m down for stopping both!
I got injured just watching that.
Haha! He’s going to bust a bollock, and that will be that.
Penn State vs Wisconsin – good game in progress
Good lord did anyone else watch Jr MSU Spartan RB Kenneth Walker II (5’10” 210lbs) against Northwestern last night?
23 carries for 264 yards and 4 TDs including a 75-yard TD run on the first play of the game. He’s fast, strong and smart.
Sorry, Kenneth Walker III.
Kayvon Thibedeux (likely spelled that wrong, don’t care cuz you all know who I mean) will be a top 5 pick next draft. Looked like a man among boys before limping off.
U of Oregon in case you don’t know
Begrudgingly agree. Pac12 has a good crop of DL guys this year
And a cursory glance online and I see he’s number one on pretty much everyone’s board…..with good reason
The correct spelling looks to be Kayvon Thibodeaux
https://twitter.com/BillyM_91/status/1434222220503564290
Two words… Aidan Hutchinson
humans
https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1434227467510820871
Watched it live. Great moment.
Alabama under Lou Saban…they always take of business. I know of their top flight recruiting and anything else you might want to mention elite about their program. But still, when they supposedly “let down” against lesser teams, the game is still never in doubt. They win convincingly.
Watched my 1st UW game in Husky Stadium last night. Sad. Goes to show big, athletic offensive lines can slowly best up defensive lines. Montana just kept running until a demoralized defense caved. I worry that is what’s going to happen with the Seahawks’ secondary. Run 4-deep receiving corps in hurry-up offense, and the Seahawks are toast.