You Asked For It

by: Michael Steffes

Well, no actually you didn't, but that hasn't stopped Seahawk Addicts from trying our hand at Podcasting. Just what you need, right, three Seahawk homers talking your ear off about the upcoming season. Oh well.

So I would like to put a disclaimer on this. This is the first time any of us have tried this, and if you bare with us, I am really hoping that we can better at podcasting. For our first attempt we tried to do an NFC West preview in a 15-20 minute segment. Instead you got an NFC West Preview in a 2 part/20 min per set of podcasts. Hope you got some time to kill.

Anyway we have set up the hosting in a very easy to use format. If you would like to subscribe, check out the home of Seahawk Addicts podcasts right here. Download, or listen on fly, or just put it on in the background and try not to pass out. Good luck, and be sure to toss us a comment with suggestions / praise / innuendo-laden invites to your home.

UPDATE: Here are the direct download / play links. Right click to download, clicking will probably play them for you in a full size window:

Episode One: NFC West Preview Part 1 - 49ers and Rams

Episode Two: NFC West Preview Part 2 - Cardinals and Seahawks

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That Crazy Kerney

by: Michael Steffes

Want more information on Patrick Kerney than you ever needed? Gregg Bell of the AP obliges with this story about Kerney's bizarre regiment of technology based performance enhancers.

Good thing for the Seahawks, hypobaric chambers, silver lined electric sheets, and stimulating adreanal glands don't warrant suspension. However, according to Kerney, they have saved his career. I say, what ever works big guy, just go out and get us another year of double digit sacks. ~END~ Read More!

Improvements Continue

by: Michael Steffes

One of the big stories from the morning practice was that Leonard Weaver was blocking, and blocking well. This is an aspect of his game that needs improvement over last year. This is a good sign. Several reports mentioned that he de-cleated Leroy Hill. Clare also included that Weaver was out after practice continuing to hone this skill.

Frank Hughes is back and he included some snippets from a talk with coach. Holmgren informed that he told both Jones and Morris that they would be sharing carries. The intention seems to be to ride the hot hand. I have no problem with these guys splitting carries. Chances are they will both be dinged up at points in the season, and being able to spell each other is a good thing. Frank also mentioned that they have TJ Duckett learning both fullback and halfback. Why would be a logical follow up question. With Weaver and Schmitt, do we need Duckett playing FB as well, especially when it is a new position for him. CONTINUE ON AFTER THE BREAK...

Speaking of Duckett, Dave Boiling mentioned that TJ had his best practice as a Seahawk yet. Look, there was a reason that Tim Ruskell has tried to acquire this guy for two years. Also, Mora clearly had no objections. TJ Duckett is a football player. His biggest problem seems to be that people want him to fit into a specific mold, and he just doesn't. Once again, he is being told he doesn't have a role. Hopefully the team won't be afraid to find him some work this year, because when he gets a chance he generally produces. He will have a role next year, count on that.

Injury updates include that Courtney Taylor has a tight hammy, Kerney will remain out for a few days, and Spencer and Gray should be back in 5 to 7 days. Taylor will be fine, but he is starting to remind me of DJ Hackett. Little injuries tend to sit him down a lot. Thats OK, more reps for Seahawk Addicts favorite, Logan Payne, who continued to impress today. He received high marks from every reporter. Read More!

Expect to See Lynch Week 1

by: Michael Steffes

In case anybody was still holding out hope that hitting pedestrians at 3 in morning and then fleeing the scene was enough to get the leagues attention. It isn't. The NFL announced that Marshaun Lynch will not receive any punishment for his actions.

That said, barring a strange golf cart accident, which is always a possibility with Lynch, he will be available to test out the Seahawks revamped d-line in Week 1. No worries, I expect Brandon Mebane to having something special for him. They were teammates at Cal. ~END~ Read More!

Great Picture

by: Michael Steffes

Here is a snap shot of Logan Payne wrestling the ball away from Marcus Trufant yesterday. This was a play that was referenced several times yesterday, here and other places. It was taken by Joshua Trujillo of the P-I. Great work Josh!
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Camp Stories

by: Michael Steffes

Here are some of the stories being written about the Seahawks Camp from this fine Monday morning. Enjoy your reading...

Dave Boiling takes a look at "Manny" Wrotto, who is not trying his hand at center. I had no idea this guy has been through so much.

Eric Williams checks in with the defensive line group. He has one piece that includes a Larry Tripplett update. He also has another, checking in with Red Bryant.

Scott Johnson seems a little surprised at what he found. Walter Jones likes coming to training camp.

Danny O'Neil wrote his daily about the running back by committee the Hawks are using. Great line...."running backs aren't a religion, you can have more than one." You have converted me. RBBC it is.

Aaron Fentress from the Oregonian wrote about John Carlson, and how the Hawks are counting on his production. The way I see it, just about anything is an improvement over last year.

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Get'em while they're fresh!

by: Chris Sullivan

Hey there sports fans, just so you all know: your jersey is now an antique! Okay, okay, that's not necessarily true, but it is if you own Julian Peterson's #59 jersey (or if you're way cool and have the original, printed in error #44 jersey, a la Madden 07). We'd heard rumors and mentioned them on the blog awhile ago that JuPe was looking to change his number, but it is official. Julian Peterson is now #98. Don't be a slouch, you know you want it! I double checked with the Seahawks' website, in case you're concerned.

In case you're wondering, Baraka Atkins took #59, which if he can play half as well as Peterson should earn him a starting spot in no time flat! ~END~ Read More!

Seahawk Addicts Goes Tabloid

by: Michael Steffes

I couldn't help myself. Check out this post from the Cowboys blog. Joe Simpson puts Cowboy fans on notice.

If this has a similar effect as last year, then Hard Knocks, the HBO Series ought to be a blast. Not to mention the Hard Knocks being taken all season long by the Boys. That will be even more fun to watch.

And if there wasn't enough pressure on Tony Romo, then Joe Simpson claiming... "he better have the year of his life." oughta do it.

Thank goodness Matt Hasselbeck is a family man, and not a single QB using his bachelor status to attract this type of attention. But when it happens to the Boys, it is worth a laugh or two. Although, the comments would indicate that Cowboy fans don't find "Yoko Romo" so amusing. -END- Read More!

Teams Survives the First Day of Contact

by: Michael Steffes

Matt Hasselbeck was back and in form for the second of two practices today. After a morning practice that saw Mike Holmgren get hostile, "Holmgren was in better spirits in the afternoon following a much improved offensive effort."

One of the concerns over the last few months has been that once the hitting started, the young wide receivers may not look as good as they have with no contact. That isn't the case for Seahawk Addicts favorite Logan Payne. After wrestling a ball away from Marcus Trufant in the morning, he regrouped after a swipe by Kevin Hobbs to make a great catch in the afternoon.

One guy who the youngins may want to keep their eyes out for, is Jamar Adams. His hit on John Carlson, causing a fumble, was noticed as the best hit of the day. Carlson and Payne are probably both familiar with Adams aggressive play, playing against him in college every year. But I wouldn't worry about the Auburn boys too much either, I am sure they have a seen their fair share of nasty hitters in the SEC.

There were also questions over the offseason about a certain 250lb running back. Well, not that it would take much, but apparently he isn't going to be content being left out of the rotation. RB coach Kasey Dunn says...."He's making a lot of things happen right now. He's been a real surprise coming back into camp,"

Jeeeez, and some people wanted to cut him before he even got to hit anybody. I hate to say it, but I told you his name would come up when the contact started.

Expect some new names to come to the front tomorrow, as the afternoon will be dedicated to special teams. Owen Schmitt.... can we call your name? ~END~ Read More!

Hasselbeck Comes Up Lame

by: Michael Steffes

Lets hope it is nothing serious, but it was noted in several places. He wasn't hit, so maybe he just twisted an ankle or something. This is a story to follow in the afternoon session.

Also, as Eric Williams notes, who should be commended for the job he is doing filling in for Hughes, Mt. Holmgren went off today. Dropped passes and missed assignments do that to him every time.

Patrick Kerney also left the field with a sore left calf (From Clare's Report). Looks like the first day of contact wasn't so kind to the Hawks.

Chris Spencer continues not to work. He is the only starting linemen not out there working. For one I am worried about how things will be when he gets back. He can't afford to be missing this time while the unit is gelling together. If I were Spencer, I would be worried about my job too. The Hawks are giving him every chance, but he cant even get on the field.

In other notes... Julius Jones can block, Carlson can stretch a seam (Clare's player of the day), and Josh Wilson is claiming his spot in the secondary. These are all BIG improvements over last year.

Also, Clare's report details a great play by Logan Payne. This is almost S.O.P. these days. Eric and the TNT keep referring to him as a human vacuum. The sky is most certainly not falling. ~END~ Read More!

Sunday Morning Special

by: Michael Steffes

Here are some of the links from around the web to get your read on this morning. Who still reads the Sunday paper anymore, anyway?

Danny O'Neil covers Mike Holmgren and Jim Lind's special bond. They have been coaching together for a long, long time now.

Steve Kelley thinks that we should all keep an eye on Courtney Taylor this year, just don't tell anybody in the Seahawk Addcits fantasy league. Oooops.

Aaron Fentress has chronicled the wild times of the Seahawks offseason. Let me tell you, we better watch out, clearly this team could out party the Cowboys. (sarcasm)

The Seattle Times has compiled a roundup of day two at camp. Poor Julius, he doesn't like dorm life. Aw shucks. If hotel suites worked so well, then maybe the Cowboys would have won a playoff game this decade, right?

John Sleeper of the Everett Herald looks back over the Bobby situation and surmises that Bobby is gambling that he will have another monster year. Heres to hoping it happens.

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Let the Hittin' Begin

by: Michael Steffes

Things are going to start taking shape as of today. That is because the Seahawks will begin full contact practices. Now that the pads are on we can hope to start taking note of how the running backs are really doing. With that I suppose we can also better gauge the men upfront, on both sides of the ball.

I will being doing a better job summarizing the practices from here on out, and giving some commentary on what is going on. These first two days have been a glorified mini-camp. Today, football really starts.

Another position we will get a better read on is safety. CJ Wallace made the team last year based on his hitting. The question here is whether the young guys play well enough for the team to feel comfortable keeping Babs at corner. Clare Farnsworth seems to believe Babs is destined to be the nickel corner, with Wilson and Hobbs battling for the dime spot. I am not sure. I think the team would prefer Babs at safety at this point, but if either Adams, Wallace, or Johnson plays well, then all is up in the air again. Regardless, the teams secondary is one of its strength. Most teams are looking for defensive backs, the Seahawks are trying to find spots to play them all. ~END~ Read More!

A Trusted Voice

by: Michael Steffes

No offense to the other guys who write on a daily basis about the Seahawks, and maybe it was just because he did his job so well, but when Mike Sando takes note of something, I trust it.

That is why his most recent report on his way out of Kirkland is so promising. He has put up a special post talking about the prognosis of the Seahawks line.

He says Solari and Deboard stood out as "difference makers". He also mentions a defensive player who has already noticed a difference. Oh boy... this is going to be a good year!

Also, Clare Farnsworth, another guy who knows his stuff has given his 2 cents on a lot of the hot button topics. Check it out. He has backed my idea of a short yardage tandem of Duckett and Schmitt, something I started touting two months ago. It sure would be fun to see. Anyway, two days of camp and no serious developments. The rooks are in and participating and optimism is high. Lets hope it continues. ~END~ Read More!

A bit of news from around the division...

by: Mike Parker

While it seems things are finally easing back into normalcy in Kirkland, the sheep dung appears to be nearing the fan in St. Louis.

Just days after losing defensive tackle Claude Wroten for the entire season to an drug suspension, the Rams' ace running back Stephen Jackson was a no-show at the first day of training camp.

Jackson is entering the final year of his contract and wants an extension - a more "long-term deal," according to what Rams owner Jay Zygmunt and coach Scott Linehan were discussing.

With Anquan Boldin refusing to play anymore for the Cardinals, a pair of known control freaks in a situation just waiting to explode on the coaching staff in San Francisco (Nolan and Martz), and now the Rams' latest debacle with Jackson, it seems like the Seahawks' opponents this year might be too busy reenacting episodes of "Days of Our Lives" than finding the time to actually play football.

This might be really fun to watch. Now that Carlson's signed and we can all rest easy up here in the Emerald City, I think I'll rather enjoy sitting back during the next few weeks and watching the carnage unfold with our disgruntled division rivals. Call it "digital rubbernecking" if you want. (I was going to call it "cyber-necking," but that just sounds disturbing.) -END- Read More!

Carlson has Signed

by: Michael Steffes

And just in the nick of time. Expect him to be on the field this morning. Adam Schefter is reporting that this is done. The deal is for $4.52 million with $2.5 guaranteed. Don't have a link except this yet. I am at school all day, so hopefully the other writers will update you further. ~END~ Read More!

Morning Links

by: Michael Steffes

Here are some of the stories to check out from the first day of training camp.

Danny O'Neil writes about how Nate and Bobby are all business.

Clare Farnsworth says the VMAC is one small step for Seattle, one Giant leap forward for birds of prey.

Dave Boiling checks in on Mike Holmgren to see if he is getting nostalgic yet.

The Everett Herald has posted a transcript from Lofa's media session yesterday that may interest some of you.

Also from the Herald, Scott Johnson has a great story about Matt and Bobby getting some work in, despite Bobby staying away from OTA's. Its a good story.

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Lofa and Rocky Answer Questions

by: Michael Steffes

After what appeared to be a pretty nondescript afternoon practice, Lofa Tatupu and Rocky Bernard faced the media for the first time and answered questions about their offseason incidents. This has been written up nicely here by AP writer Gregg Bell.

Lofa continues to take the right approach, saying...

"I'm still the same guy.Not necessarily something you want to have associated with your name, as I've worked so hard to have my name in a good light. I'm going to do everything I can to earn the trust and respect back, to restore it."

Rocky handled things a bit differently...

"I'm just glad it's over with," Bernard said. "It's over and done with, so I'm just glad to put that past me and move forward, really."

As a Seahawks fan, I am also glad this is behind us. Hopefully this is the only offseason in which we have such a barrage of starters in trouble with the law. It is what it is, nobody is perfect. If they turn these unfortunate events into learning experiences...well that is all we can ask. ~END~ Read More!

Boone Stutz Resurfaces

by: Michael Steffes

I just thought all of you might be interested. I know you were pulling your hair out wondering if poor ole' Boone would land on his feet. He has.

He is one of two new coaches of the Brenham Cubs, a Texas High School team, that has NFL experience. The other was with the Giants last year. Here is my tip for the Cubs....

Go for two! Always! And don't punt! ~END~ Read More!

And We are Off...

by: Michael Steffes

Training camp has begun, John Carlson is the only one absent, Walt, Fudge, Tubby and Herring were limited. I am busy right now but here are some of the links to reports.

Sando's report.

Clare's Report.

Dave Boiling.

More from me at the end of the day. Yeeeeeeeeee haw. Football season is finally here! ~END~ Read More!

What will push the Hawks into SB XLIII?

by: Chris Sullivan

An article over at SI actually, potentially, gets it right. Michael Lombardi addresses the main needs for every team, and he quietly backs up our deep-seeded belief that the Hawks are big time SB contenders.

His assertion is we need one of our dudes to step up and be a star at running back, and we can send Holmgren out with a Super swan song. What do you guys think? Read More!

Jackson Signed and on the Field

by: Michael Steffes

Danny O'Neil has it going on. Here is the link. I suspected this would be the case when we saw that Mike Green was released. Boy howdy...lets go get some quarterbacks! Well..not the ones in the red no contact jerseys, but you know what i mean! Paging Mr. Carlson...playing football is more fun that spending that extra 1/2 million you might get if Ruskell is in a good mood after a couple of practices. Lets go Hawks!

Clare Farnsworth has the details right here. Bryan Gilmore, a WR has also been signed. Kevin Brown has also been waived, making the roster size 81 right now I believe. Not quite sure how that works. Hopefully Carlson is on board soon.

UPDATE-- ROSTER LINKS ON THE RIGHT HAVE BEEN UPDATED

2nd Update -- fixed the link to O'Neil's story. ~END~ Read More!

More Fantasy...

by: Michael Steffes

Ok, the Seahawk Addicts Experts league garnered more excitement than I could have ever expected. It is totally full. In fact there is interest in doing a second league, so if you got left out, don't frown. Hopefully SA #2 will be coming soon, as soon as I find a commissioner.

Also... I have started a Salary Cap league. This has unlimited registration. If you aren't familiar, the way it works is that you can pick any players you want, you just have to fit them under a salary cap. There is unlimited registration because players can be used by many people.

The Salary cap league is through TSN. Here is the link to sign up. After you create your team/profile, select "Join an existing league". Then it will allow you to search for the league. The league name is: Seahawk Addicts General. The password is: superbowl. I am looking forward to getting as many as we can in there. The best part is that if you do well, TSN hands out prizes. Wooo Hooooo! Read More!

Seahawks Release Mike Green

by: Michael Steffes

The Hawks have made a roster move, which may open the door for one of the two unsigned picks to be at camp today. They have released veteran safety Mike Green.

Also Will Herring is being placed on a non-football injury/sickness list, so we will have to wait and see what is up with Herring.

As for the safety position, my guess is that Jordan Babineaux is being penciled in as the teams back up, veteran safety. They will probably keep one of the young guys (Wallace, Adams or Johnson) as well. This will allow them to also take a long hard look at keeping Hobbs around as a backup corner. Babs and Green are interchangeable, with Babs being a bit younger. Green was scheduled to make 1.3 million this year, which is hefty pay for a backup. His status has been in jeopardy all offseason. ~END~ Read More!

LoJack and Carlson miss first day of camp

by: Chris Sullivan

The AP is reporting that both first round pick Lawrence Jackson and second round pick John Carlson will miss the first day of camp. It sounds like LoJack is about ready to sign, whereas Carlson is holding out for more money as he knows he is expected to be starting.

I think a lot of us expected no Carlson, but I for one thought that LoJack would be in camp today with an 11th hour signing.

Hat tip to Griffin for the article. END Read More!

Tardinals "heart and soul" is seriously TO'd

by: Chris Sullivan

And when I say TO'd I mean both "ticked off" and "Terrell Owens'ed." The first report from Cardinals camp comes a day before practice has even started, and it can't be making any of the fans down in the desert happy. Anquan Boldin, the Cardinals' #2 reciever feels that the organization lied to him about his contract and has told his jackass agent Drew Rosenhaus to stop negotiations.

This might not end up amounting to much, but unless the Cardinals trade Boldin for Favre I'm pretty sure this is nothing but good news for us up in South Alaska. END Read More!