***The Official 2015 Seattle Seahawks Offseason Thread***

[Groundhog 24]

So basically I'm reverse-jinxing my team by going ahead and talking about issues for 2015. As I see it, here are the key personnel issues during the off-season, whenever that should kick in.

 

1. Beastmode. Do we re-sign him? What if re-signing him hinges on a long-term deal (i.e., 3 yrs or more) - do PC and JS go ahead and do it?

 

2. WR help. Richardson's ACL is apparently a mess and we may not be able to count on him for at least part of 2015. Do we use a high pick on another WR, or maybe someone in free agency? Hopefully someone with their head screwed on right.

 

3. Brandon Mebane. He's 29, coming off injury, would only count $200,000 in dead money and save $5.5 million on our salary cap if we release him. Jordan Hill was a revelation late in the season. Do we release and try to get younger at this position?

 

4. Doing a 2nd contract for Russell Wilson. I'd say he's outperformed his 3rd round rookie contract.

 

5. Russell Okung. He'll be in the last year of his contract, he's often injured, and we could install Alvin Bailey in his place at LT for cheaper starting in 2016.

 

 

 

[Kopy 489]

1. I would say Lynch gets no extension and he plays out his last year then retires. I spent alot of time thinking he'd be cur after this year but getting rid of harvin really freed up the room to keep Lynch in his last year. 2. I definitly agree on another wr. This doesn't have to be a high pick or a stud. But a wr who is a return specialist and added depth to the wr corps. Our kick and punt returns suck and is the weakest link we got right now. I'd be fine with baldwin, kerse, new guy who's a return monster, norwood and richardson. 3.Yes i do believe it's worth it to cut Mebane and use a top draft pick on his replacement. 4.Extend Wilson. YES, nuff said. 5. Here, I'd replace your Okung thought with a resigning of Wagner. He's that last piece of the D to keep around. I think he's as valuable as Wilson.

[Kopy 489]

Won't Okung be a free agent this year? I thought him and Carpenter were both up at the same time? Either way, i don't think i'd resign him. Unless it's a team friendly deal i don't think he's worth top LT money.

[Groundhog 24]

holy cr*p I can't believe I forgot about Wagner. Yes.

[Kopy 489]

Can we fire Bevell now?

[Marshall 98]

Can we fire Bevell now?

 

Make it so.

 

Pleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease.

[Kopy 489]

 

Make it so.

 

Pleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease.

I see Caroll is taking the high road here and not blaming him. But for the first time i'm gonna completely disagree with him. Forget matchup formations. Lynch runs, or Wilson sneaks or bootlegs a designed run for hinself. Either way with a timeout left. The call is a run. Caroll really needs to quit the nice guy act here and do the right thing. FIRE BEVELL!

[Marshall 98]

Utter disbelief and dismay seem universal tonight. (Yeah, tonight...still not sleepy, damn it)

If this doesn't finally get Bevell the boot, then what the hell will it take?

 

Sidney Rice @sidneyrice

-2nd and goal from the 1 yd line -1 timeout and BEASTMODE IN THE BACKFIELD... I would not have thrown that ball to Jerry Rice! #fail

 

Golden Tate @ShowtimeTate

If I'm Marshawn I'm livid

 

Joe Staley @jstaley74

That seahawks coordinator just cost every player a ring lol. U. Have. Marshawn.

 

melissa stark @melissastark

Standing w @Seahawks as they walk thru tunnel and one says best back in football and we throw the ball on one yard line

Brian Floyd @BrianMFloyd

And yep, that was a call from the sideline if you were wondering

 

Conor Orr @ConorTOrr

Darrell Bevell: "I call the plays." The plot thickens.

Bob Condotta @bcondotta

Darrell Bevell says Lockette could have been stronger to the ball.

 

 

John Boyle @johnpboyle

Darrell Bevell owns that play call, but also has twice noted that Ricardo Lockette could have fought harder for the ball.

 

Danny Kelly XLIX @FieldGulls

Not a huge fan of Bevell putting blame on Lockette. Kinda terrible form.

 

Scott Enyeart @ScottEnyeart

Carroll takes the bullet for Bevell and then Bevell throws a player under the bus... That's bad ball

 

[Voltaire 4,552]

They're offering Marshawn a huge contract extension where I think most everybody was expecting him to move on so they could free up cash to pay Wilson and others. He's still a first rate RB that suits their system but they have quality young players there plus the off-field battles with the front office, I'm not sure it makes so much sense.

[Magnificent Bastard 190]

Maybe the Seahawks could aquire some class? What a dispicable bunch of thugs and punks on this team. Baldwin and his disgusting act, Sherman mocking Revis, starting a pissy fight at the end, the finger pointing. A team for the ages I guess.

[Voltaire 4,552]

Maybe the Seahawks could aquire some class? .

Be careful what you ask for, the 49ers are -in their own minds at any rate- going that route which looks to everybody outside the organization like a superhighway to last in the division and permanent obscurity.

[IMMensaMind 459]

I see Caroll is taking the high road here and not blaming him. But for the first time i'm gonna completely disagree with him. Forget matchup formations. Lynch runs, or Wilson sneaks or bootlegs a designed run for hinself. Either way with a timeout left. The call is a run. Caroll really needs to quit the nice guy act here and do the right thing. FIRE BEVELL!

In post-game, Carroll unequivocally said that the call to pass was his.

[Hawkfin 32]

That play call really hurts! Whoever it was. I personally think Carrol is covering for him or at least it was a joint effort.

But, somebody should have said lets pound it and not risk a up for grabs pass. Maybe Bevel should have fought harder even if it WAS pete's thought to pass. The entire thought process was completely a fail.

 

Anyway, great season! So close Hawks. Sad
Give props to the Pats. Our Def didn't help the cause of the game. They got tore up.

 

On the bright side, maybe we found a good TALL WR. That guy looks really good. Where has he been all season?

[IMMensaMind 459]

That play call really hurts! Whoever it was. I personally think Carrol is covering for him or at least it was a joint effort.

But, somebody should have said lets pound it and not risk a up for grabs pass. Maybe Bevel should have fought harder even if it WAS pete's thought to pass. The entire thought process was completely a fail.

 

Anyway, great season! So close Hawks. Sad

Give props to the Pats. Our Def didn't help the cause of the game. They got tore up.

 

On the bright side, maybe we found a good TALL WR. That guy looks really good. Where has he been all season?

Foot Locker.

[Groundhog 24]

That play call really hurts! Whoever it was. I personally think Carrol is covering for him or at least it was a joint effort.

But, somebody should have said lets pound it and not risk a up for grabs pass. Maybe Bevel should have fought harder even if it WAS pete's thought to pass. The entire thought process was completely a fail.

 

 

 

The first fail was bringing in 3 WRs into the game on that 2nd down play. If you really believe that the Pats will come with a pass-oriented D on that snap, then come with the heavy goal-line unit and pound it in.

 

The second fail was the play call. Chris Mathews had been killing it on jump balls the whole game. Why not throw him a fade to the corner of the end zone, where only he can catch it, or it falls incomplete?

 

Instead they go with a high-risk slant. Boom, game over.

 

Now I know how Browns fans feel after Red Right 88.

[IMMensaMind 459]

Now I know how Browns Packers fans feel after Red Right 88 the NFC Ship.

 

[phillybear 364]

After extending Wilson, Lynch, Wagner (for around 15 million cap hit this year), signing draft picks and the developmental players, and letting a few free agents leave (Kevin Williams, James Carpenter, etc.), there would still be 7 to 10 million under the cap. You can also cut Mebane, not resign Kearse, there are options available. You have 11 draft picks to make upcoming to fill out the roster.

 

All of this leads to the speculation, do you try to sign Ndamukong Suh? Born and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. He's just earned 54 million off his last contract. He wants to win, evidenced by his emotions after losing to Dallas in the playoffs this year. If he wants to take a discount kind of deal, like Kevin Williams did, to pursue a title, would you pursue him. He's put some word out there that he badly wants to play for Seattle. He comes with baggage too. Consider how dominant a defensive line would be, with Bennett and Suh in the middle, and Avril on the edge. With the dominant line 2 seasons ago, the Seahawks won the Superbowl. With a less dominant line this year, close but didn't get the job done.

 

Also, there aren't any key players to extend next season, so it's not going to cripple the cap.

[Hawkfin 32]

After extending Wilson, Lynch, Wagner (for around 15 million cap hit this year), signing draft picks and the developmental players, and letting a few free agents leave (Kevin Williams, James Carpenter, etc.), there would still be 7 to 10 million under the cap. You can also cut Mebane, not resign Kearse, there are options available. You have 11 draft picks to make upcoming to fill out the roster.

 

All of this leads to the speculation, do you try to sign Ndamukong Suh? Born and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. He's just earned 54 million off his last contract. He wants to win, evidenced by his emotions after losing to Dallas in the playoffs this year. If he wants to take a discount kind of deal, like Kevin Williams did, to pursue a title, would you pursue him. He's put some word out there that he badly wants to play for Seattle. He comes with baggage too. Consider how dominant a defensive line would be, with Bennett and Suh in the middle, and Avril on the edge. With the dominant line 2 seasons ago, the Seahawks won the Superbowl. With a less dominant line this year, close but didn't get the job done.

 

Also, there aren't any key players to extend next season, so it's not going to cripple the cap.

Sue would be the 1 player that really would be sweet, and I for one would go after if he didn't break the bank. Which, I think he would.

But, if not and we actually did resign our big 3 beforehand then hell yes.

 

We've been weak up the middle for some time now and never had a pass rush there. Mebane is all but done, lost Red, etc.

He would really improve our Def HUGE. So yes, if the price was right and we could afford him I would indeed go after him.

Has to be a home town special thing though.

 

I don't agree about going after a used WR such as a T. Smith or whatever. Unless again, really really cheap guy. I'd rather just resign Kearse and look for some stud in the draft. But, Sue is a different situation.

 

 

BUT, I doubt this happens at all. First, just getting those big 3 signed is going to be trouble for us. Plus Maxwell is pretty important even though people are already writing him off. Wilson is going to be in the 20 mil a year range alone.

 

Plus Sue might be looking for big money.

 

And the way Hill played plus some newer draft picks we've made (That have been hurt) I doubt we make a play for Sue or really anybody for that matter. John has already said as much. We're going to have a hell of time just keeping our own. And Maxell and Kearse are big loses if we do lose them.

[phillybear 364]

Lost Dan Quinn to Atlanta. Now, we just lost Ken Norton Jr to Oakland to become their D coordinator. Sucks. He did a great job in developing the linebackers, far exceeding draft expectations. He even made Bruce Irvin into a serviceable player. Really hate to lose him.

[Groundhog 24]

As good as Suh is, I would not want him on the Hawks. The guy is a certified thug, frequently makes moves designed to injure other players. He's like Lyle Alzado or Conrad Dobler, except 30-40 years later, although more talented. I still do not want him representing my rooting interests. And as much as I'd like to believe he'd take a discount to come here, it's a discount compared to, what? Like, $12m per year instead of $14m? I would rather spend that kind of cash on Julius Thomas (if he's healthy) and/or a big free agent WR, than spend it on Suh. Maybe it's just me.

[BunnysBastatrds 1,908]

To pay or not to pay! That is the question.

 

Do I want to play for a dooshbag coach who makes very wrong coaching decisions or do U want to play for a winner considering the odds of either.

 

Petes odds are going to downsize dramatically. Won't be long till he jumps ship.

[Vern357 15]

I would rather see us sign jason peire-paul. Then draft for a tall WR and run plugging DT. Let Off Sides Okun go. With Miller back run more 2 TE sets.

[Kopy 489]

I want to be on record here and say I'm totally against signing Suh. Even at a discount, it's just too much money.

After extending Wagner, Lynch and Wilson it's gonna start getting alittle tight. Let Maxwell leave and cut Mebane. Then stay the course and continue building and replacing with the draft.

[Kopy 489]

One of the names to keep in mind also is the Cleveland TE. He's a FA, and seattle tried trading Percy Harvin for him earlier this year. He also said no way in hell would he resign in cleveland.

[Groundhog 24]

One of the names to keep in mind also is the Cleveland TE. He's a FA, and seattle tried trading Percy Harvin for him earlier this year. He also said no way in hell would he resign in cleveland.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Jordan Cameron (or Cameron Jordan, I forget)?!

 

Dude bring his ass (and his girl's FINE ass) to Seattle!!!!

[Groundhog 24]

My understanding is that Cameron is not much of a blocker. That would suggest not a lot of interest from the Hawks no matter how good his hands are.

[Vern357 15]

I dont want to jinx it, but charles clay would be a fantastic FA signing. He is big, blocks, runs, and catches. Him opposite of miller would be amazing.

[Groundhog 24]

Unheralded mid-round pick idea:

Xavier Williams, DT, Northern Iowa

 

What he brings to the table:

Disruptive at the point of attack, long arms, high motor, and a former wrestling background, which suggests he understands leverage and how to use his hands (not unlike Cassius Marsh and his MMA background). As a rotational guy to throw into the interior D-line? Sure, why not. If we could nab him with a 5th or even 4th rd pick I would be ok with this. Jordan Hill was coming along nicely until his injury, but we need more fresh legs on the D-line. Bennett cannot do it all himself and no guarantee we keep Kevin Williams another year.

[eagles115 23]

Seattle sucks...enough

[Groundhog 24]

No one's forcing you to stay here, Eagles115. Exit's down the hall on the right.

[Marshall 98]

My understanding is that Cameron is not much of a blocker. That would suggest not a lot of interest from the Hawks no matter how good his hands are.

 

Good point. It mirrors Danny Kelly's comments in his in-depth look at the Seahawks' current/potentially future receiver corps:

"...this is a low-volume passing offense that asks its receivers to block well on the outside, win contested catches on the outside and in traffic, and pick up yards after the catch all over the field...

 

...So, we all know, for the most part, the attributes that the Seahawks look for in receivers -- speed, toughness, blocking, winning at the catch point and competitiveness..."

 

http://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/2/12/8029479/seahawks-roster-free-agents-pre-draft-receivers

 

Keeping on the subject of receivers, Jacob Stevens did a pretty nice break-down of Chris Matthews' Super Bowl performance - and what it might mean for 2015 (good things, I hope) : http://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2015/2/13/8023375/seahawks-chris-matthews-nfl-super-bowl

[Groundhog 24]

 

Good point. It mirrors Danny Kelly's comments in his in-depth look at the Seahawks' current/potentially future receiver corps:

http://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/2/12/8029479/seahawks-roster-free-agents-pre-draft-receivers

 

Keeping on the subject of receivers, Jacob Stevens did a pretty nice break-down of Chris Matthews' Super Bowl performance - and what it might mean for 2015 (good things, I hope) : http://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2015/2/13/8023375/seahawks-chris-matthews-nfl-super-bowl

 

Nice article in FG. Thanks. Where was this guy hiding all season? Or, is he just a flash in the pan? And if he's got all this untapped potential, how come the brain trust (who, let's face it, was putting out not exactly a murderer's row at WR1 and WR2) couldn't or wouldn't see it? Or, did the lightbulb suddenly go on in the playoffs? Lots of unanswered questions but pretty sure he will get a very long look next year.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

It's been a month, I think I can talk rationally about the Seahawks now.

 

1. Hopefully just jack up Lynch's pay for one season, maybe give him 11 million, which I believe is a nice little 4 million raise. I love Lynch but I really don't want the team committed to him beyond next season.

 

2. Definitely could use WR help, but I think a second TE that was a good blocker/pass catcher would be huge. It would give our offensive line help in pass protection, improve the running game, and add another possession type receiver. What we really need at WR is a speed guy that the safeties have to respect. Richardson had a couple late games in the season where he showed flashes and seemed to be possibly emerging now...oh well.

 

3. I hate to lose Mebane, he is elite at stopping the run. But he provides almost no inside pass rush and the defense really suffered without the threat of some inside pressure. I think we have to cut him to save salary.

 

4. I heard a rumor they might consider an all guaranteed contract for Wilson something like $75million for 5 years instead of $100million/$50million guaranteed for five years. Not sure if there is any truth to this rumor but Wilson is so team oriented that I suspect he might take a bit less cash to help out the team. Probably just wishful thinking on my part.

 

5. Okung misses too many games, but the O-line continues to suck and when he is in there he is pretty good. I think we just have to cheap out on the O-line and continue to rely on Wilson's elusiveness and playmaking on the scramble.

[Marshall 98]

It's been a month, I think I can talk rationally about the Seahawks now.

 

It's hard to believe, eh? Some days, it seems like it all happened forever ago - while on others, it feels like yesterday.

[phillybear 364]

It's been a month, I think I can talk rationally about the Seahawks now.

 

I don't think I've slept for a month now. I stare out into the void and mutter.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

It was a painful couple of days wondering what could have been.

 

But I console myself with the following thoughts: back to back superbowl runs, our first title, this team gets to be mentioned as one of the top NFL defenses for all time, we have a bright future and the 49ers have screwed up the off season pretty badly so far with the potential to get hit hard in free agency too.

 

As far as I am concerned we are playing with house money.

 

That second title sure would be nice though it would likely punch several of our players tickets to the hall of fame.

 

All in all its been a fun team to root for and a great ride.

[phillybear 364]

Trying ever so slowing to get back into the Matrix.

 

Seahawks have scheduled cut CB Cary Williams for a visit. He was putrid last year for the Eagles, but the Eagles defense sucked overall and he has good size.

 

Rumored that Seattle may be interested in Tramon Williams, CB from Green Bay. It would take a modest deal to sign him to replace Maxwell, plus the 5 top secondary players in Thomas, Sherman, Chancellor, Lane and Simon all had surgery after the season and who knows when they will be back.

 

It's probably smart to look for a veteran CB to add to the roster before the draft, to keep your options open.

 

I think most people are now agreeing that our last two drafts sucked ass and this upcoming one is huge in order to replenish the roster. Our biggest needs going into last year were offensive line, wide receiver, defensive line pass rushers. This year, the same. So, what exactly did we do in the past two drafts but fart around?

[Hawkfin 32]

Trying ever so slowing to get back into the Matrix.

 

Seahawks have scheduled cut CB Cary Williams for a visit. He was putrid last year for the Eagles, but the Eagles defense sucked overall and he has good size.

 

Rumored that Seattle may be interested in Tramon Williams, CB from Green Bay. It would take a modest deal to sign him to replace Maxwell, plus the 5 top secondary players in Thomas, Sherman, Chancellor, Lane and Simon all had surgery after the season and who knows when they will be back.

 

It's probably smart to look for a veteran CB to add to the roster before the draft, to keep your options open.

 

I think most people are now agreeing that our last two drafts sucked ass and this upcoming one is huge in order to replenish the roster. Our biggest needs going into last year were offensive line, wide receiver, defensive line pass rushers. This year, the same. So, what exactly did we do in the past two drafts but fart around?

You don't always hit a bunch of studs in the draft. If you hit 1 stud and your 1st and/or 2nd rounder is a good starter plus one other player turns out, then you actually have done very well. Our earlier years were better then good and considered stud drafts. You can't compare those drafts and think that you will turn out a draft like that every year. Most teams don't.

We have come back down to earth and the last 2 drafts are far worse for sure. But, you don't always hit a franchise QB in the 3rd round every year.

 

That being said, last year

I'll argue that Richardson showed some major potential at the end. I think C. Marsh was a beast before getting hurt. We get him back and he could be huge for our pass rush that lacked at times. K. Pierre-Louis looks very good and fighting for work. Could be a real good starter soon. He was my fav pick by the way. Britt played all year and seems like a guy that will stay healthy. He's got some issues like we've always said, but he was servicable and there was a big letdown when he was out for the one game.

We landed no studs, but they will continoue to get better. FO admitted they were WAY behind in the draft last year after winning the SB. It showed. I'm still upset they never gave the FB they cut a real good shot. K. Small - I liked him.

 

The year before:

You have to include P. Harvin in this draft. We lost our 1st round pick for him plus other draft picks. We knew we were on a SB run, and we gambled we could bring in a high quality starter and plug him in. He had some explosive plays fur us, but overall it just didn't work out and his personality I guess never fit. It ended up costing us a lot, but we did at least get a SB all said and done. Our Kick return game is still suffering with the loss and now our WR corp is still a need maybe. This move set us back! It was wrong to bank on Harvin since he never really proved anything. They were looking for speed though and potential. It's to bad it didn't work out.

But, Harvin was never utilized right either I think though. Bevel more and more is coming into light as maybe being a problem?

 

C. Michael has shown flashes. I still don't think you can judge him yet as M. Lynch never gets hurt and takes the lead duties. Also, Turbin is solid as backup. Once we lose Lynch, this pick could still pay off. (BUT, he won't be a Lynch!)

J. Hill looked dam good before going down. 3rd round pick who can make an impact. Not bad. I see bigger role next year for Hill.

T. Simon still has potential. He got torched against NE, but for the year he was pretty good. Hill & Simon just have to stay healthy, but they could be solid players.

L. Wilson for a 5th rounder has done a lot for us. Can't complain even though I hated the pick at the time. He's been way better then anybody had thought. Bowie in the 7th turned out decent.

Not a great draft or like prior years, but again we filled spots with capable guys who should improve still.

 

Seems like your looking for STUDS in every draft. You don't always find that and sometimes they take awhile to show up anyway. It took Maxwell 3 years to finally show he has anything. I admit, I have not been impressed the last 2 years after the draft. And the feelings do show up with the talent we got. I agree somewhat, and hope they will do better this draft.

 

Another point: Since we've been so good our draft picks are very bad. That makes a difference. They also keeping moving down to much. Both years = No 1st round draft picks. Your not going to get that stud your looking for usually after you continoue to move down.

 

I think we are in for a better draft this year! But, they do like to take guy's that are a bit of "risk/reach". They throw away their draft picks after the 5th round it seems instead of taking ranked guys that have fallen from higher rounds. That concept bothers me the most.

 

It is to bad we didn't see more out of Richardson though! When your winning, it's a good time to see what the kid has. Force feed him the ball a few games to see. It doesn't look like he is that stud WR I think they were hoping for, and now that position is still in question with Harvin gone. But, I don't feel like they worked Richardson in enough to know for sure. Or the other guy.

[Smileseers 54]

Hey if you know anyone who is in school or takes classes, please buy them a Seahawks jersey. Have them wear it when they take tests.

They will pass when they shouldn't.