Seattle signs Tom Ashworth

[culboarder11 0]

Hawks agree to terms with Ashworth |

 

The Seahawks agreed to terms today with former New England Patriots T Tom Ashworth, a veteran of 30 regular-season starts in four NFL seasons. Ashworth also started at right tackle in Super Bowl XXXVIII against Carolina. Panthers LDE Julius Peppers finished that game with two tackles, no assists and no sacks, for what that might be worth (and those things are generally worth quite a bit to offensive linemen, given that they generally get attention only when the bad guys get the best of them).

 

The Seahawks were looking to add starting-caliber depth to their offensive line. We do not yet know where Ashworth might play on the line, but he will presumably be among the five starters. There is some uncertainty now that LG Steve Hutchinson has departed. The Hawks have the next several months to figure out where everybody fits.

 

Ashworth, 28, had a pleasant visit with the Hawks and came away liking the style of offense they play here in Seattle. He liked the coaches too. Ashworth drew quite a bit of interest early in free agency, visiting the Jets, Bucs and Dolphins. But he never found the right situation until he visited the Seahawks. Ashworth agreed on a five-year deal that is expected to pay him about $4.5 million in the first year.

 

http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/

[ggroovy17 0]

Hutchinson who? What a great sign for the Seahawks.

[Deadpool 0]

I guess this means they probably won't go after Allen now.

[Thin Spirit 0]

The Patriots great off-season continues.

 

[shovelheadt 71]

The Patriots great off-season continues.

 

 

Jesus, did the Pats even attempt to sign this guy?

[Thin Spirit 0]

Jesus, did the Pats even attempt to sign this guy?

 

I doubt it.

 

Have they attempted to sign any of their FA's? No.

 

Ashworth and probably Neal, both gone. Both starters. Real smart moves.

 

Unless they have a few big signings, a huge trade-up in the draft, or a big trade in general then I truly think that Belichick has lost his mind.

[phillybear 366]

[fxdx_2003 0]

I doubt it.

 

Have they attempted to sign any of their FA's? No.

 

Ashworth and probably Neal, both gone. Both starters. Real smart moves.

 

Unless they have a few big signings, a huge trade-up in the draft, or a big trade in general then I truly think that Belichick has lost his mind.

 

I though Bill B and Scott P where the greatest thing since sliced bread. They are making it really hard to stay interested in Pats football so far!

[SigEp316 0]

Unless they have a few big signings, a huge trade-up in the draft, or a big trade in general then I truly think that Belichick has lost his mind.

 

He's got a GOD complex now....he thinks he can win with any players, he may be able too...

 

 

also...Canada sucks

[shovelheadt 71]

I doubt it.

 

Have they attempted to sign any of their FA's? No.

 

Ashworth and probably Neal, both gone. Both starters. Real smart moves.

 

Unless they have a few big signings, a huge trade-up in the draft, or a big trade in general then I truly think that Belichick has lost his mind.

 

Makes you wonder if the stars were just aligning right over the last few years. By pure luck, you guys were able to find the perfect mix of players that weren't looking for big money. But then again, the guys that are leaving aren't getting huge contracts. Dunno.

[Kopy 568]

[t.j 35]

Help at RT = more passing and less running, IMO

 

Makes you wonder if the stars were just aligning right over the last few years. By pure luck, you guys were able to find the perfect mix of players that weren't looking for big money. But then again, the guys that are leaving aren't getting huge contracts. Dunno.

 

No, you have to give the Pats credit for being smart moreso than lucky (at least in terms of personnel decisions). But the more you win the harder it is to keep guys together. 3 Super Bowls in 4 years will do a number on your ability to keep that top level of talent for the average level of pay (the salary cap).

[Thin Spirit 0]

No, you have to give the Pats credit for being smart moreso than lucky (at least in terms of personnel decisions). But the more you win the harder it is to keep guys together. 3 Super Bowls in 4 years will do a number on your ability to keep that top level of talent for the average level of pay (the salary cap).

 

 

Had there been no cap going forward from this year on, the Pats would have simply dominated for a few more years. They already had all the pieces, plus they are one of the richest teams in the NFL.

 

I would have loved to see this happen, but I also love the salary cap and parity in the NFL. It's exciting to wait and see how the Patriots now recover and build a new team.

 

I read on another website they are now somewhere in the 20-30 million dollar range as far as being under the cap.

[whoisjgalt 0]

I guess this means they probably won't go after Allen now.

 

I'd guess that more depth at Tackle means that Pork Chop Womack will be a starting Guard now (rather than depth at all four tackle/guard positions). They still need to draft a Guard for depth at that position, or sign one without overpaying.

[shovelheadt 71]

I read on another website they are now somewhere in the 20-30 million dollar range as far as being under the cap.

 

Unaccpetable, for any team.

[Kopy 568]

I'd guess that more depth at Tackle means that Pork Chop Womack will be a starting Guard now (rather than depth at all four tackle/guard positions). They still need to draft a Guard for depth at that position, or sign one without overpaying.

 

 

Last I heard. Tom Ashworth will be the starting right tackle.

Sean Locklear will move to the left guard position (his natural position)

 

It would look like this

 

Walter Jones lt

Sean Locklear lg

Robbie Tobeck c

Chris Gray rg

Tom Ashworth rt

 

Floyd Womack would still backup everything but center. (mainly guard)

Chris spencer c

 

Ray Willis and Wayne Hunter backup Tackles (Although I still don't care too much for Hunter. The guy is just always hurt)

[TD Ryan2 316]

Unaccpetable, for any team.

 

 

wait 'til after the June 1st cuts and draft before over reacting.

[surferskin 30]

wait 'til after the June 1st cuts and draft before over reacting.

 

you honestly think they're waiting for june 1st to start signing free agents? and it's not like the free agents start getting better after june 1st anyways.

[shovelheadt 71]

wait 'til after the June 1st cuts and draft before over reacting.

 

I feel the same way about the Bengals, although they don't have that much. You've got teams like Seattle carrying 3 mega contracts. You've got teams like the Skins signing anybody that's breathing. The Bengals either don't have capologists worth a damn or they're letting their small market finances prevent them from taking advantage of the cap loopholes.

 

The Bengals have the monster Palmer contract, but that's it. TJ, Rudi and CJ all have manageable contracts. If Levi Jones and Steinbach aren't extended prior to this coming season, I'm gonna lose it.

[phillybear 366]

Robbie Tobeck c

Chris Gray rg

 

I am a bit worried about these two guys. They aren't getting any younger, and they will hit a wall sooner rather than later.

[Kopy 568]

I am a bit worried about these two guys. They aren't getting any younger, and they will hit a wall sooner rather than later.

 

They're both in the last year of their contracts. I'm definitly not worried bear.

Spencer can play for Tobeck. And Holmy has been wanting to play porkchop at guard for years now.

 

Next year could look more like

 

Jones

Locklear

Spencer

Womack

Ashworth

 

I really don't think it's too much to worry about. Especially when it's next year.

I'm still trying to figure out what's going on with our secondary. That's got my full anxiety at this point.

[TD Ryan2 316]

I feel the same way about the Bengals, although they don't have that much. You've got teams like Seattle carrying 3 mega contracts. You've got teams like the Skins signing anybody that's breathing. The Bengals either don't have capologists worth a damn or they're letting their small market finances prevent them from taking advantage of the cap loopholes.

 

The Bengals have the monster Palmer contract, but that's it. TJ, Rudi and CJ all have manageable contracts. If Levi Jones and Steinbach aren't extended prior to this coming season, I'm gonna lose it.

 

 

here's the thing shovel... Ashworth is a nice signing for SEA. I'm not knocking that.

But let's be realistic about this off season so far: New England has lost a 7th round WR (Givens), an undrafted, 49ers practice squad leftover (Ashworth), an aging linebacker who was a borderline bust early on in his career (McGinnest), and a kicker who statistically hasn't been elite but has such a glorious past that it was hard to let him go (Vinatieri).

 

I think it's fair to say that NE, PIT, and PHI have been among the most successful franchises in recent history ( 5 to 10 years).

And I also think that they have been the franchises that have frequently made the "tough" cap decisions and let players go before overpaying them and compromising their ability to field a team deep with talent.

We are forever hearing about "big name" players leaving NE, PIT, and PHI.

The current NE front office has certainly made some mistakes (can't be perfect on everything)... a couple shaky draft picks, bad FA signings last year... but they have YET to let anyone walk and regretted it (Bledsoe, Milloy, Law, Glenn, Andruzzi, Washington, A Smith, Woody, etc).

 

Ashworth is a great story... a "leftover" who gritted his way into the starting lineup of an NFL dynasty. How can you NOT like the guy? But again, it's not like NE has lost some all-world talent who can't in any way be replaced!?

SEA looks like they're really pushing for another run. In the same way that McGinnest will fit perfectly for where CLE is and what they're doing, Ashworth will fit for SEA.

 

Nice signing for SEA. But this NE fan isn't panicking at all yet and I'm disappointed in the Pats fans that are. Mike O'Connell isn't running things down in Foxborough; Danny Ainge isn't making any decisions at Gillette.

Relax and have a little faith.

[phillybear 366]

They're both in the last year of their contracts. I'm definitly not worried bear.

Spencer can play for Tobeck. And Holmy has been wanting to play porkchop at guard for years now.

 

Next year could look more like

 

Jones

Locklear

Spencer

Womack

Ashworth

 

I really don't think it's too much to worry about. Especially when it's next year.

I'm still trying to figure out what's going on with our secondary. That's got my full anxiety at this point.

 

If the needs of the secondary can't be fixed with the draft, then it might be time to take a look at what is left in free agency and June cuts will be upcoming. You would think that a serviceable veteran corner will still be available. Teams aren't beating down the doors of those types of players nowadays.

[surferskin 30]

here's the thing shovel... Ashworth is a nice signing for SEA. I'm not knocking that.

But let's be realistic about this off season so far: New England has lost a 7th round WR (Givens), an undrafted, 49ers practice squad leftover (Ashworth), an aging linebacker who was a borderline bust early on in his career (McGinnest), and a kicker who statistically hasn't been elite but has such a glorious past that it was hard to let him go (Vinatieri).

 

wow, i can't believe patriot fans actually think this way. would you have said the same thing about tom brady if the pats just let him walk? he was just 6th round pick that we got decent value out of.

[Kopy 568]

If the needs of the secondary can't be fixed with the draft, then it might be time to take a look at what is left in free agency and June cuts will be upcoming. You would think that a serviceable veteran corner will still be available. Teams aren't beating down the doors of those types of players nowadays.

 

I think we still need a #2 corner, and a free safety.

 

Maybe our top 2 draft picks?

[DerangedGridironGeek 0]

wow, i can't believe patriot fans actually think this way. would you have said the same thing about tom brady if the pats just let him walk? he was just 6th round pick that we got decent value out of.

 

Comparing a FA OL to the QB of your offense is pretty unbelievable.

[shovelheadt 71]

Comparing a FA OL to the QB of your offense is pretty unbelievable.

 

I agree with the point he's making though. Who cares how a guy made it onto your team. It's all about their worth. Hell, Vinatieri played in NFL Europe and ended up with more clutch kicks than anyone in NFL history.

[TD Ryan2 316]

It's all about their worth.

 

now you're making sense.

"worth" and "value" will fluctuate from team to team.

and my contention is that the players NE has lost weren't "worth" the big contracts they landed.

 

- you realize that David Givens (5yr, $24mil) signed a contract that paid him more than the ENTIRE NE WR CORPS was paid last year? I don't think Givens was "worth" that much money to EITHER NE or TEN. IMO, the Givens signing was a bad move for TEN.

- Ashworth signed a 5yr.$13mil, with $4.5mil first year "bonus&base" money. Without him, New England's starting O-line will be:

Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kazcur with reserves: Hochstein & Gorin.

Ashworth wasn't "worth" that kind of money to NE mainly because last year's draft picks (Mankins, Kazcur) are panning out. Will he be worth it for SEA? Maybe. SEA seems to be pushing to make another run this year. Asworth's got playoff and big game experience... so maybe he is worth it for SEA.

Light is NE's big money player on the O-line(6yrs, $27mil), Mankins and Kazcur are their young/underpaid talent, and the rest are the middle of the road journeymen.

- McGinest was a $7+mil cap hit for NE. And while he's a decent fit for what CLE is doing, he's not "worth" 3yrs. $12mil. to NE. Crennell is trying to teach and build in CLE. A guy like McGinest who understands the philosophy and can sell it in the lockerroom has value there... he may be "worth" it for CLE. But NE doesn't need that; they already have enough "locker room" guys who "get it" and can sell it.

- and enough has been said on Vinatieri already. Bottom line is that I hate to see him go, but he got ridiculous money for a Kicker. IND now has $30mil of their cap (roughly 30%) spent on (1)QB, (2) WRs, and (1) Kicker... YIKES!

[Kopy 568]

TD. Long time, no talk/mock

 

How ya been?

[jestertj 0]

I though Bill B and Scott P where the greatest thing since sliced bread. They are making it really hard to stay interested in Pats football so far!

 

I think I'm going to be sick. Spoiled Pats fan....

[TD Ryan2 316]

TD. Long time, no talk/mock

 

How ya been?

 

 

all is well.

nice to see your Seahawks pressing to get themselves over the hump... should be another good year for ya'.

 

Ashworth is fairly athletic for a lineman, you'll like him.

He was a TE in college... he's got decent hands (again, for a lineman) and you may get him involved in a trick play or two as well.

[Kopy 568]

 

all is well.

nice to see your Seahawks pressing to get themselves over the hump... should be another good year for ya'.

 

Ashworth is fairly athletic for a lineman, you'll like him.

He was a TE in college... he's got decent hands (again, for a lineman) and you may get him involved in a trick play or two as well.

 

I guess after years of a 500, 9-7 7-9 club. We finally decided to make something of ourselves.