OFFSEASON PREVIEW PART 4: Free Agency 3

Well, it certainly looks like a lost weekend as far as Seahawk news go. Oh well, this is the quiet before the storm. With the NFL Combine looming, which will certainly provide some more insight into the plans of GM Tim Ruskell, I thought today would be a good day to continue the...

SEAHAWK ADDICTS OFFSEASON PREVIEW

First off, if you are new reader and haven't had time to read past posts, here is a link that should put all the Offseason Preview pieces on one page. Previous pieces have included a salary cap breakdown, the Hawks 4 big UFA's and the secondary UFA's. So whats next? It time to talk about who the Hawks may target in free agency. To do this, first it is important to mention the team needs. These are listed in my estimation of importance of free agency only!!!!! Not overall. This is based on my belief that the team benefits by getting younger on offense, but is already fairly young on defense.

For the breakdown......

TEAM NEEDS-----

1) D Tackle--- This is really the one and only need on the defensive side of the ball. They don't even need a total stud, although that would be nice. Really, they need a rotational DT would would provide protection for a Tubbs injury and replace Chuck Darby.

2) Tight End-- Filling this in FA allows the team to take a dynamic rookie RB in the first. While having a rookie TE will be nice, it is hard for a rookie TE to contribute in this offense right away.

3) Long Snapper---- For Christ Sake, Fill this hole. If the kicking game is an adventure again because of the snapper, this blemish on Ruskell's record will seem more like herpes, the gift that keeps on giving!

4) OL-- Cheap Versatile guy. Gray may retire, which would leave a hole for a back up center. My preference is 'Chop' as G/T, but he might be looking for greener pastures

5) WR--Veteran, big target, red zone guy, especially if the let Hackett walk. Mostly just for insurance and competition.

Kicker and CB would be another one, but I don't even want to get into that until we find out the fate of Marcus Trufant. It is also possible that they fill this through the draft.

So who will the Hawks look at??

DT's---

Corey Williams, GB, probably too expensive now that Haynesworth will get the tag, probably only an option if the team goes all in for coaches last year.

Tommy Kelly, Oak, Solid option, especially as a run stuffer. Only 27 too. Lacks in rushing the passer though.

Randy Starks, TN, Ton of potential, very young. The knock is that he wears down. Sounds like the scouting report of every other Seahawk DT

Issac Sopopaga, SF, Better fit for a team that runs the 3-4, but definitely a rotational guy who won't command a ton of money. Hawks have been known to steal from divisional foes.

TE's-----

Dallas Clark, Ind, All indications from Bill Polian are that Clark gets the tag. However, Colts fans think he drops a lot of balls and they think Utecht deserves more of a shot. If he doesn't get the tag, he would be a seem stretcher for sure.

Alge Crumpler, FA, I think it is a good fit, but only for the right money. If the team wants to win it all next year, he helps, but 3 years from now he is probably dead money.

Ben Troupe, TN, Good potential as a receiver, but has very little interest in blocking. When Scaife went out last year, Tennessee's run game suffered.

Jeb Putizer, FA, Only mention him because the Hawks have looked at him before. Probably would be brought in with a top draft pick at the position to round out the depth chart.

Long Snapper---

A lot of team have recently re-upped their long snappers, including Dallas and WA, with pro bowler Evan Albright. Honestly, I don't care who comes in as along as they do the freaking job! Did you really expect me to breakdown longsnappers? I can't even find who is available. Darche isn't. Maybe Robinson will play another year, why not?

Offensive Line---- This clearly got bumped down on the list after the signing of Mike Wahle

1) John Welbourn, KC, In fact he was just released. He can play center and guard and has worked with Solari before. If Gray retires, look for the team to sign him up, unless they think Vallos is a player

2) Maurice Williams, Jac, Serious road grader who plays both G and T. May command too much, may be expecting a starting job, but if he overshoots his value, he would make a great second or third free agency week pick up.

3)Justin Smiley, SF, People may have soured on him after attitude problems and diminished production, but would provide a solid back-up if either of the guards falter. Probably depends on what other are willing to give him. SF doesn't want him back.

4) LJ Shelton, FA, Pork Chop clone. Veteran and versatile. If Chop leaves, he fits.

WR----- Anyone we sign, is mostly insurance for Deion Branch. Hawks would be looking for someone they could release in the second half, after Branch is back and young guys have more experience.

1) Malcom Floyd, SD, RFA--- SD may not tender him, with Jackson, Chambers, and Parker. Either way, he was undrafted. 6-5, 225, was having a promising 06' before he hurt his ankle and got zero playing time last year

2) Keary Colbert, Car, Never lived up to promise in Carolina, however, he is a west coast guy from California, who went to school @ USC. He is 6-1, had hands in college, and still young. If he doesn't work out, he won't kill you when he is released as Branch comes off the Pup list.


Two others to think about.... Brian Kelly, TB, CB-- Ruskell drafted him when he was in TB. If Tru leaves, my guess is that he is the number one target. Isiah Kacyvenski--Special Teams Ace! Right the wrongs of the past this year, bring Kaz back if Niko leaves!

Obviously, this is my opinion on who might interest the Hawks. It is very possible that their biggest signing has already happened. Free agency won't be as much fun as last year, but Hawk fans will be paying attention none the same. When April begins and the Draft is in sight, then, and only then, will the Seahawk Addicts Offseason Preview continue... Read More!

OFFSEASON PREVIEW PART 3: Free Agency 2

This is the briefest of the offseason preview posts. It is a breakdown of the secondary free agents the Seahawks have to decide on. This list looks something like this:

Kevin Bently
Niko Koutouvides
Pork Chop Womack
Ellis Wyms



Kevin Bently-- Coming off his rookie deal. Last year made 788,000. Made an impact the few times he was asked to start. I think that he is the best bet to be re-signed . I don't other NFL franchises view him as a starter, so he is most valuable to the Seahawks. He should get something just above what Craig Terrill just got, 3yr, 5 million.

Koutouvides-- Special teams captain. This could increase his value on the free market. That and the fact that he more of middle linebacker. If he won't sign a reasonable short team deal he will be gone. But fear not special team fans, I hear Isiah Kacyvenski is free agent. In other words, Niko, your great, but we can find someone else to do your job for a million or less.

Pork Chop-- My guess is 'Chop' wants to find a team that will feature him as a starter. Is that possible? Sure, especially if they enjoy having key players on IR. Here is how I see it. If are getting rid of older guys like Grey and Ashworthless, then we should try and keep Chop for his versatility. If we fail to resign Locklear, it is almost a must in case Willis is a train wreck. Womack has never made more than 2 mil a year, so unless some other team is crazy, he won't get much more because he hasn't had a chance to show his ability.

Ellis Wyms--- He got cut last year, and then was lucky that Tim Ruskell had moved on and still likes small undersized defensive lineman. Since Reinfeldt had already moved on to Ten by the time Wyms arrived, i can't imagine anybody being interested in his services. He should be back. the Hawks value versatility on D, and besides have you seen our depth at defensive end?

8 meaningful free agents. My guess is that six will be back. There will be in the vicinity of 10 million to play with. Now no team wants to go right up to the cap, in case of injuries and unforeseen circumstances, so assume 1 name you know, and 2 you may have heard of, but nobody who is a superstar.

Now that said... Maybe the team puts it all on the line for Holmgren's last year. If the Redskins can be over the cap every year and still sign free agents, then the Hawks can certainly find room to pay whoever they want. But remember, the more big contracts on a team, the more rookies playing important roles. It takes a whole 53 man roster to win a championship, and that seems to be the approach Tim Ruskell takes.

Next time I will talk about the Free Agents from outside the organization that the Hawks are most likely to take a look at.... When The Offseason Preview Continues... Read More!

OFFSEASON PREVIEW PART 3: Free Agency 1

In the previous offseason preview, we ended with the glorious number of 29 mil under the cap. However, there is no doubt that this team has holes to fill. Lets start by talking about the players who were on the team last year and are now free agents starting March 1. To begin with, here is the list:

Unrestricted free agents
LB Kevin Bentley
PK Josh Brown
DT Chuck Darby
WR D.J. Hackett
TE Bennie Joppru
ILB Niko Koutouvides
OT Sean Locklear
TE Marcus Pollard
CB Marcus Trufant
OG Floyd Womack
DT Ellis Wyms

Restricted Free agents
RB Alvin Pearman
FB Leonard Weaver.

I think the only one out of this group who for sure will not be back is Marcus Pollard. I label Pearman and Joppru as guys not to worry about; easily replaceable. For the sake of this discussion, I am going to say Chuck Darby's career is over. Nobody has heard as much, but for a old guy who is undersized, coming off a serious knee injury is tough.

Weaver: the Hawks will give him a second round tender (1.47 mil)

Obviously, the big names are Trufant, Locklear, Brown, and Hackett. These guys are part of the core that has brought 4 division titles. There isn't a name on the list that Hawks fans shouldn't want back, but there is also the economic piece of the equation.

In my opinion, the best way to talk about FA's is not with guesstimates, but with comparable contracts. These players are not necessarily equivalents on the field, but they are players who will get similar money.

Trufant: There is no way around this. He will take a big chunk of the money. 9.5 if we franchise him. If you look at the contract he is trying to emulate, it's Clements deal. However, this deal is unique because SF had sooooooo much space last year. Clements got a 10 mil roster bonus (which counts only in one year) for 07, and he will get a 10 mil signing bonus(prorates over 5 years) this year. He has minimal base salaries until the 3rd year. If we sign Trufant long term, my guess is the Hawks would want to reverse this. Signing bonus this year, and maybe two roster bonuses in the next two years. If this is the case, the cap hit could be as low as 3-4 million, but the team would probably make it a little higher to reduce the numbers in the next two years. Assume 7.5 if he signs, 9,5 if he is tagged.

Brown: What the hell is the problem with signing Brown. I don't get it. This should have been done during the year when we could have spread the hit out. Anyway, when the Colts signed Vinateri in 06', his signing bonus was 3.7 and his first year cap hit was 1.6. Brown should be asking for this type of contract and the Hawks should suck it up and give it to him. He is a class act with ice water in his veins.

Locklear: I have some questions about resigning Lock. Most people think slam dunk, have to do it. My feelings are that if he is the heir apparent to take over for Walt, get it done. If he is not gonna make a great left tackle or you want to draft another cornerstone LT in the next few years, then let Willis play. He is cheap and they thought he was good enough to move him to guard just to try and get him on the field. Anyway, look at what Leonard Davis got from the Cowboys last year: 17 mil guaranteed, 16 of that in a first year singing bonus, 1st year cap hit, 3.6. I know Davis is now a guard, but he was seen as a tackle. Seems fair, do it! Lock might even do a deal for less, he has expressed an interest in staying here.

Hackett; Do we want Hack back??? Honestly, probably only if they can convince him to do a one year deal and hit the market again next year. This is not a terrible idea for either side. But if this team appears deep at one position it appears to be WR. However, if we do want Hack, we could keep him. Lets use Patrick Crayton deal he signed during the year: 4 yrs, 14 mil, first year cap hit 2.5

These four would take 15 of the 29 million if we resign Trufant, a little more if we tag him. Considering that we would need 4-5 mil for rookies and we have a list of secondary players, this limits are options. However, if we want to make a splash in FA, its simple let Lock or Hack, or Both go. Then we could talk Faneca, Williams, or Turner. The question you need to ask is the drop off from Lock to Willis, or from Hackett to Obamanu/Taylor worth the money the team would have to shell out. I don't like weakening any position, but I would weaken right tackle if we could improve both Guards. One guy, with the right attitude, could make this line nasty again.

Next is the secondary Hawks who are free agents......

WHEN THE OFFSEASON PREVIEW CONTINUES... Read More!

OFFSEASON PREVIEW PART 2: Breaking Down the Cap and Resigning Our Own

OFFSEASON PREVIEW PART II
WORKING WITH THE CAP & WHO IS COMING BACK

There seems to be a lot of differing info going around about where the Seahawks stand in regards to the salary cap. Everybody knows we made a pretty big splash in free agency last year and it worked out well. However, there are now quite a few big contracts on the books. Lets take a look at where the Seahawks stand.

First off... the NFL Salary Cap for 2008 is set at 116 million. Proof of that is here

One website commonly referred to is askthecommish.com. They have the Seahawks salary cap situation listed as 9.55 under with 44 players under contract. This is in the bottom half of teams in the league.

However, John Clayton has told callers on his radio show that the Hawks are actually about 19 mil under the cap.

I am basing the information I am using in this analysis from a person named Ian Whetstone. (thanks Ian). Unfortunately for Ian, he is a Steeler fan. Fortunately for us, he tracks the salaries of many NFL teams, including the Seahawks. I posted a copy of his Seahawks spreadsheet here. I plan on using this to track the Hawks salary cap situation throughout the free agency period.

According to this, the Seahawks are currently 17.7 million under the cap. The team received 3.3 million back last year in cap credits. These usually are in the form of likely to be earned incentives that aren't earned, on purpose. Maybe i will go into more detail on that later. So lets be conservative and just say the Hawks are 20 mil under. Lets start there.

This is enough money to get our own players resigned. For Sure. However, franchising Marcus Trufant puts us in a bind. The tag is 9.46 million. Almost half of what the Seahawks have available. However, I see some very interesting cap #'s.

Here a list of who I,personally, would cut, along with the cap implications.

Shaun Alexander (June 1st cut) Saves 4.6 this year
Tom Ashworth Saves 1.1 mil this year
Jason Babin Saves .957 mil
Mike Green Saves 1.3 mil
Chris Gray (retires?) saves 1.2

None of these players aren't replaceable. In fact, one could argue they are quite expendable at these costs. Depth does take a hit, but Shaun is really the only big one, and i guess Gray if he wants to keep playing, but he almost retired last year. With this..... Voila!.... 29 million under the cap. About what we had last year. What do we do with all this mooola?

Lets see who we can resign..... WHEN THE SEAHAWKS OFFSEASON PREVIEW CONTINUES

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OFFSEASON PREVIEW PART 1: Big Questions and tough decisions....

As the 2008 off season moves forward, how the Seahawks answer some of the tough questions facing the team will go along way towards determining their fate in 2008 and beyond.

The good news is that the first question was answered quickly and effectively. This would be the Mike Holmgren Question. I am soooooooooooo glad The Big Show is back. At the same time, I am glad he is only back for 1 year. This guy is the REAL face of the franchise. He has brought this franchise from sustained mediocrity to expectations so high the fans boo possible Hall of Famers. Because of Mike Holmgren, this franchise is on its way to being one of the top 2 or 3 franchises in the league. Yet, with his constant thought of retirement, now was the time to make the transition to the next coach, not after a 6-10 season. Can the Hawks "win one for Big Show"? I hope so, it would cap off an incredible run and provide tangible proof to the national pundits who refuse to talk about how successful the team up here in "south Canada" really is.

The second big question of the off season is what the heck do the Hawks do with Shaun Alexander? I guess one could say this spurs a subset of questions like, if our line doesn't improve does it even matter? and How important is running anyway, did you see the Patriots last year? Let me do my best to address the situation by working backwards through these questions. Yes, the Patriots had a high wire areal act and were successful. They had three Pro Bowlers on their line. However, did you see how many times the Giants hit Tom Brady in the Superbowl? That would be Matt Hasslebeck in every game, sans the two against the Rams. (I enjoy the Rams being terrible)

This is why our o-line desperately needs to improve. The first attempt to do this has already taken place. Bob Laveroni was fired and Keith Gilbertson was reassigned to WRs coach. The was followed by the hiring of former KC offensive coordinator Mike Solari. Not a very good O-Coordinatior, but a great line coach. He presided over their line for 10 very successful seasons form 95'-05'. The professor John Clayton even went as far as to suggest this man alone would give the Hawks line an attitude, with out bringing in any free agents. Christ, lets hope so, cause all the optimism about the line after the 06' Bears playoff game disappeared like popcorn fart in the wind last year. I still think that something will be done to bring new life to this position, but more on this later.

So now the big question..... What in the world do we do with Shaun Alexander?

Before I go on, I would like to give the obligatory notice that I think Shaun Alexander WAS a great player and no Seahawk fan should diminish his role in pulling this franchise out of the gutter of mediocrity. That said, he has to go. There is no place for him on the 2008 roster. The only reason I would even consider is if Mike Holmgren was going to throw a hissy fit and tank the season. Here are the three main reasons why Shaun should be searching for work come May:

1) People say that he can still be a productive back with the right line. I agree. He can. He won't win another MVP, but he could have a great year. It is just that it will never happen as a Seattle Seahawk. He is too comfortable here. You can hear it in his interviews. He thinks this city and this franchise owe him something. This is not a recipe for success. Shaun ran his best when needed to prove to people what he was worth. He will probably have a great year next year.... if he is running to prove that the Seahawks were wrong.

2) It has been said that Shaun should mentor the next back, much like Ricky Watters mentored him. Ok. I get the concept, but what can Shaun teach a rookie. How to look like your blocking with out really trying? How to run your routes so that the team avoids throwing to you? Assume that the back comes in knows how to run (kinda a prerequisite right). Then someone needs mentor that person in the importance of an all around game. That person in Mo Morris. Just cause he is an average player doesn't mean he can't be a great teacher. He has certainly been here long enough.

3) Because this organization keeps talking about greatness. Time to play the part. The Colts were in the exact same situation as us after 05'. They let Edge walk and drafted Addai. Why? Cause they weren't gonna pay Edge for what he did in the past and they new his future production wouldn't match the contract. We gave #37 a huge deal to avoid the precieved fan fallout. Guess what? Now the fans are pissed he is here because he is overpaid and under producing. That lasted long. In my opinion, this was the worst mistake Ruskell has made. Yes, worse than Hutch. Guards shouldn't get 50 mil deals, even if everybody else is doing it. Did the Giants have a high paid lineman, no! Paying Shuan for his past production was the big boo boo. Time to put a band aid on it and make him a June 1st cut. That way the Hawks save 4 mil on the cap this year, and pay it as dead money next year, when Wistrom's dead money will be off the books. Hey, at least were not the Redskins!

I sure will miss hearing Sweet Home Alabama though... Bye Shaun, good luck in Cincy!

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This Offseason Better be Offensive!

And by offensive, I mean truly depraved. But, not in a Jerramy Stevens kinda way. Unless you mean finding a seam stretching athletic tight end. Definitely, not in the drugging and raping, drunk driving, terrorizing your neighbors by making it rain, only with vomit, kinda way.

And so it begins...... This will start my preview of the Seahawk's Offseason.

To begin with, there are many important questions hanging over the franchise right now. Its coach Holmgren's last year. How the Hawks answer some of these tough questions will go along way towards deciding how Holmgren ends his tenure in Seattle.

Next there is the salary cap situation. This leads us into the weeks leading up to the Free Agency period. Who will be back? Tough decisions again.

Finally, the Free Agents. Who is available? Who can the Hawks afford?

All of these deserve there own individual posts and an in-depth discussion. Look for these topics in the upcoming days, as Seahawks Addict...

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