It's an EXCITING Time to be a Seahawks Fan

[Joey Gladstone 33]

everyone's got a boner for the rice pick, but I don't think its that great of a pick. By the time they get the qb situation right, Rice will be gone!

 

ALso, have no doubt, ole Petey boy is a deer in headlights if ever there was a deer in headlights in this world. Dude is 100% clueless. His strength lied in fielding an NFL team and playing against PAC 10 puffs. Nothing more, not even an ounce more. Might take another 2 years for seattle fans to figure this out, but trust me on this one. The team is a joke, and it starts with the head man. ANd there aren't enough middle of the road FAs they can sign that will change any of that...

 

So by your logic Pete Carroll sucks in the NFL because he was awesome at recruiting in college. Seahawks fans are idiots, and will realize that the solid rebuilding effort so far is just a mirage. Makes sense. Brilliant analysis!

[Joey Gladstone 33]

The Tarvaris Jackson Era is under way

 

I understand he had a big edge on Whitehurst with his knowledge of the offense, but why pump him up like that? I'd make the dude feel like he has to earn every minute of playing time he gets.

 

Anyhow, I'm rooting for Whitehurst to realize some deeply hidden potential.

 

Another tidbit from Fieldgulls:

 

If you glance at the team roster, what stands out is how few players are in their 30s: Marcus Trufant (30), Robert Gallery and Colin Cole (both 31) and Junior Siavii (not listed, but 32). Before free agency, Sando calculated us to be the second-youngest team in the league, beaten only by the ideal example of a rebuilding team doing it right, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We added some older players since, but it's clear we're still in the younger regions. Sando had us at an average age of 25.66 prior to free agency. David Hsu now puts us at 24.885, though that's excluding Siavii, including Siavii it becomes 24.966.

[p00h 85]

So by your logic Pete Carroll sucks in the NFL because he was awesome at recruiting in college. Seahawks fans are idiots, and will realize that the solid rebuilding effort so far is just a mirage. Makes sense. Brilliant analysis!

 

 

actually he sucks in the NFL because he sucks in the NFL. ANd he was not awesome at recruiting, he was awesome at cheating in college. I didn't say anything about hawks fans being idiots, I'm just telling you that it'll take you guys some time to realize he's an idiot. Take it from a jets fan. You should already see the deer in headlights look he constantly walks around with, but I can understand if you choose to overlook it. It's human nature, you want the guy to succeed so you overlook his flaws. You'll wake up one day. If you don't, you'll be in perpetual rebuilding mode, and he'll somehow deflect any criticism for the lack of progress. Like I said, give it 2 years and see where you stand...

[Joey Gladstone 33]

actually he sucks in the NFL because he sucks in the NFL. ANd he was not awesome at recruiting, he was awesome at cheating in college. I didn't say anything about hawks fans being idiots, I'm just telling you that it'll take you guys some time to realize he's an idiot. Take it from a jets fan. You should already see the deer in headlights look he constantly walks around with, but I can understand if you choose to overlook it. It's human nature, you want the guy to succeed so you overlook his flaws. You'll wake up one day. If you don't, you'll be in perpetual rebuilding mode, and he'll somehow deflect any criticism for the lack of progress. Like I said, give it 2 years and see where you stand...

 

He coached the Jets over 10 years ago. I never saw the deer in the headlights look this past season.

[phillybear 366]

There are a number of posts I want to respond to, but I won't right now, due to lack to time available. Just wanted to point out two facts that struck me.

 

With the release of Lofa Tatupu, the only Seahawks that remain on the team from the Super Bowl year are Marcus Trufant and Leroy Hill. And I don't expect Trufant to want the final roster. Seattle has signed a number of players, and you have to cut salaries to balance it out.

 

Seattle Seahawks is the 2nd youngest team in the NFL, just ahead of Tampa Bay.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

There are a number of posts I want to respond to, but I won't right now, due to lack to time available. Just wanted to point out two facts that struck me.

 

With the release of Lofa Tatupu, the only Seahawks that remain on the team from the Super Bowl year are Marcus Trufant and Leroy Hill. And I don't expect Trufant to want the final roster. Seattle has signed a number of players, and you have to cut salaries to balance it out.

 

Seattle Seahawks is the 2nd youngest team in the NFL, just ahead of Tampa Bay.

 

I doubt Hill makes it either. The question is do we sign a MLB or a weakside backer and slide Hawthorne back to the middle.

 

Good to see us moving out the expensive, dead weight. Trufant and Tatupa might have a little left to offer a veteran team, but they are far too expensive to carry in Seattle much longer.

[phillybear 366]

I doubt Hill makes it either. The question is do we sign a MLB or a weakside backer and slide Hawthorne back to the middle.

 

Good to see us moving out the expensive, dead weight. Trufant and Tatupa might have a little left to offer a veteran team, but they are far too expensive to carry in Seattle much longer.

 

Leroy Hill just got resigned the other day. I expect a LB starting lineup of Curry, Hawthorne, Hill. And maybe troll for depth.

 

Yeah, I'm going to have to revisit this thread when time permits and crack some skulls. Especially that Jets retard that knows all about Carroll from his one season coaching in New York. The height of idiocry.

[p00h 85]

Leroy Hill just got resigned the other day. I expect a LB starting lineup of Curry, Hawthorne, Hill. And maybe troll for depth.

 

Yeah, I'm going to have to revisit this thread when time permits and crack some skulls. Especially that Jets retard that knows all about Carroll from his one season coaching in New York. The height of idiocry.

 

i believe the word you're looking for is idiocy...

 

moron

[Joey Gladstone 33]

i believe the word you're looking for is idiocy...

 

moron

 

He did say he was in a hurry.

 

And seriously, Judging Carroll off the one season he coached the Jets back in the early 90's is a little ridiculous. I take anything I hear from Pats fans with a grain of salt and I fully remember him sucking as their coach. A lot of time has passed. People change and learn from their mistakes.

 

I'm not saying I think Carroll is a godsend and everything he does is gold. For all I know he could end up being the same clueless jagoff he was in the AFC East during the Clinton administration. I just like what he's done here so far.

[p00h 85]

He did say he was in a hurry.

 

And seriously, Judging Carroll off the one season he coached the Jets back in the early 90's is a little ridiculous. I take anything I hear from Pats fans with a grain of salt and I fully remember him sucking as their coach. A lot of time has passed. People change and learn from their mistakes.

 

I'm not saying I think Carroll is a godsend and everything he does is gold. For all I know he could end up being the same clueless jagoff he was in the AFC East during the Clinton administration. I just like what he's done here so far.

 

like i said, give it some time. My opinion is not based solely on his tenure with the jets. The fact that USC was fielding an NFL calibur team and didn't win a championship more often is also an indictment of him. He gets a ton of credit for what USC did, but there are a lot of professional opinions that dissect his tenure there and lay blame on him for not winning more. And there are plenty of examples documented that specifically point out flaws in his coaching at very critical times in critical games at USC that caused them to lose the game and subsequently lose the chance at another title.

 

End of the day, I'm an armchair analyst same as anyone else that posts crap here. Except maybe phillybear. He gambles on sports and wins at a 78% clip, and is also the king of mother/aids jokes, so he's clearly the king. However, for the rest of us, we throw around opinions, and some are valid, some not so much, and a lot in between. As always, time will tell. Let's pick this conversation up in 2 years, when I believe your team will wallow in mediocrity, and if ole petey boy is still around, he'll find ways to deflect the blame, and for some odd reason the fans and the front office and everyone else even remotely involved with the franchise will likely fall for his bull, because he's 'such a nice guy'

 

whatever. its seattle, most of the rest of the country could really give a shite to be honest...

[Joey Gladstone 33]

like i said, give it some time. My opinion is not based solely on his tenure with the jets. The fact that USC was fielding an NFL calibur team and didn't win a championship more often is also an indictment of him. He gets a ton of credit for what USC did, but there are a lot of professional opinions that dissect his tenure there and lay blame on him for not winning more. And there are plenty of examples documented that specifically point out flaws in his coaching at very critical times in critical games at USC that caused them to lose the game and subsequently lose the chance at another title.

 

End of the day, I'm an armchair analyst same as anyone else that posts crap here. Except maybe phillybear. He gambles on sports and wins at a 78% clip, and is also the king of mother/aids jokes, so he's clearly the king. However, for the rest of us, we throw around opinions, and some are valid, some not so much, and a lot in between. As always, time will tell. Let's pick this conversation up in 2 years, when I believe your team will wallow in mediocrity, and if ole petey boy is still around, he'll find ways to deflect the blame, and for some odd reason the fans and the front office and everyone else even remotely involved with the franchise will likely fall for his bull, because he's 'such a nice guy'

 

whatever. its seattle, most of the rest of the country could really give a shite to be honest...

 

You can say that about any successful major college program. Miami, Oklahoma and Ohio State churned out a lot of pros and they both won exactly 1 national championship early last decade. I'm sure you could sit and breakdown the coaching of Stoops, Coker and Tressel back then and find plenty of coaching flaws that cost their teams. Throw Texas in there as well.

 

Like you said, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

And I'm glad the rest of the country doesn't give a sh!t, that's just how I like it. I don't give a sh!t about the same 5 teams the national media knob-slobs on a daily basis.

[WhiteWonder 2,683]

Especially that Jets retard that knows all about Carroll from his one season coaching in New York. The height of idiocry.

 

ill assume you're directing that at me.

 

there is no need to be so angry. As best I can recall, I have never purposely bashed the Hawks or any of you Hawk fans with the exception of that 2 year old Flahawker.

 

I am way too lazy to go find quotes but everything i laid out about Pete was plausible opinion. Recent successful college coaches have not translated well to the NFL. Some of you (probably flaker) retorted that Pete has NFL experience. So i added that his NFL experience was largely a failure.

 

Pete is generally regarded as a "rah rah" players coach and those don't always have the best track record in the NFL where they have to coach a more grown up type of thug.

 

Had the Seahawks BOMBED in his first year, i bet the media would have been all over him. Especially in light of him getting out the back door during the whole USC scandal.

 

Luckily the Hawks were mediocre and wound up with a very nice, morale boosting playoff win in the process.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

I really like almost everything they have done this offseason except with regards to QB. Who is going to be the future of this franchise? Love the line improvements, love Sid Rice, can't for the life of me understand why they are content with T-Jack and Whitehurst.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

ill assume you're directing that at me.

 

there is no need to be so angry. As best I can recall, I have never purposely bashed the Hawks or any of you Hawk fans with the exception of that 2 year old Flahawker.

 

I am way too lazy to go find quotes but everything i laid out about Pete was plausible opinion. Recent successful college coaches have not translated well to the NFL. Some of you (probably flaker) retorted that Pete has NFL experience. So i added that his NFL experience was largely a failure.

 

Pete is generally regarded as a "rah rah" players coach and those don't always have the best track record in the NFL where they have to coach a more grown up type of thug.

 

Had the Seahawks BOMBED in his first year, i bet the media would have been all over him. Especially in light of him getting out the back door during the whole USC scandal.

 

Luckily the Hawks were mediocre and wound up with a very nice, morale boosting playoff win in the process.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

I really like almost everything they have done this offseason except with regards to QB. Who is going to be the future of this franchise? Love the line improvements, love Sid Rice, can't for the life of me understand why they are content with T-Jack and Whitehurst.

 

I think he was addressing Pooh.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

Just a general vent on all the trash talk about our team:

 

First of all we are rebuilding and everyone knows it, is it wrong to get excited about the pieces and foundation to be put in place? I don't know if you noticed but not everyone in the league gets to trot Brady, Manning or Brees out under center every week. You don't have to be stellar at QB to beat most the teams in the league, hell we beat Brees last year with a last gasp performance from Hasselbeck and inspired team play.

 

You probably did not notice this but 2 of Hasselbecks 3 touchdowns were against Harper and both on plays they baited Harper into run support. That was good coaching, good film work and great execution so I sure don't agree with the overmatched coaching staff. My point is you don't need a great QB to succeed in the NFL sure we all wish we had one but thats a luxury most teams dont get. We have never had a franchise QB ever and we still made a superbowl. Believe me I have been a Seahawks fan my whole life and I grew up on Krieg, stupid announcers always commenting that he had such little hands. Before Madden had his man crush on Favre there was his obsession with Krieg's hands. So I am dying for a franchise QB and I hate to admit it but I think we get one next year and that is a big reason we are trotting out Tavaris and Charlie at QB.

 

Finally we play in the NFC West we can trot out pretty much anyone we want at QB and be competitive.

[Hawkfin 32]

Just a general vent on all the trash talk about our team:

 

First of all we are rebuilding and everyone knows it, is it wrong to get excited about the pieces and foundation to be put in place? I don't know if you noticed but not everyone in the league gets to trot Brady, Manning or Brees out under center every week. You don't have to be stellar at QB to beat most the teams in the league, hell we beat Brees last year with a last gasp performance from Hasselbeck and inspired team play.

 

You probably did not notice this but 2 of Hasselbecks 3 touchdowns were against Harper and both on plays they baited Harper into run support. That was good coaching, good film work and great execution so I sure don't agree with the overmatched coaching staff. My point is you don't need a great QB to succeed in the NFL sure we all wish we had one but thats a luxury most teams dont get. We have never had a franchise QB ever and we still made a superbowl. Believe me I have been a Seahawks fan my whole life and I grew up on Krieg, stupid announcers always commenting that he had such little hands. Before Madden had his man crush on Favre there was his obsession with Krieg's hands. So I am dying for a franchise QB and I hate to admit it but I think we get one next year and that is a big reason we are trotting out Tavaris and Charlie at QB.

 

Finally we play in the NFC West we can trot out pretty much anyone we want at QB and be competitive.

 

I agree with all the fellow Hawk fans.... We gotta have some peaces in place first, or any QB that we get will fail. Especially a young one, which is where I think we will go next year. We went cheap on QB this year which is the right move. We are filling other needs around the possition.

 

Looks like we may be signing Z. Miller!!!!! :D That would be sweet.

In my view, I think we could be getting the best WR and best TE in free agency. I think Carelson is not that good. This would be a huge upgrade.

Plus we got Mebane back and solidified our line and into the future.

 

Miller is another pretty young guy for future years. This would be a GREAT MOVE if it happens.

 

GO HAWKS!

[Fantasy Noob 10]

Idle thought after reading about Kruetz talking retirement, but he would be a great signing to menter Unger at center and transition/lead our O-line this year. This might not be a bad idea, we could use a little bit more of a veteran prescence on such a young team. He sounds like an outstanding dude too.

 

Random end of work day thought.

[mahoney 9]

Idle thought after reading about Kruetz talking retirement, but he would be a great signing to menter Unger at center and transition/lead our O-line this year. This might not be a bad idea, we could use a little bit more of a veteran prescence on such a young team. He sounds like an outstanding dude too.

 

Random end of work day thought.

 

 

Olin was a Husky...just saying. I think it would be great if we were able to snatch up Zach Miller. And White Wonder, Phillybear was addressing Pooh.

[phillybear 366]

As shitty as our draft was, and I had it rated #32 overall, our free agency is the complete opposite in retaining some key players and bringing in some talent. I can't imagine where this inexhaustible budget of money is coming from and how it seemingly refreshes itself every night like a goose laying a dozen golden eggs. We've managed to plug holes I didn't think we would. I'll reserve judgment, but I think we can be mediocre this year. Carroll and the front office can recruit. Sure, some of the singings came from familiarity and connections to Oakland and Minnesota. But not all. I'm a bit less suicidal than my thoughts as free agency began.

 

Supposedly Zach Miller used our front office to drive up the price to resign with Oakland. We shall see. Cable has talked about how Miller has turned into an outstanding blocker under his tutelage, so I guess the theme remains to bring in nail drivers. Oh, and Carlson still stinks. Where did culboarder disappear to? I want him to lecture to me again how Carlson is one of the best TE in football and not some draft day bust.

[Kopy 559]

As shitty as our draft was, and I had it rated #32 overall, our free agency is the complete opposite in retaining some key players and bringing in some talent. I can't imagine where this inexhaustible budget of money is coming from and how it seemingly refreshes itself every night like a goose laying a dozen golden eggs. We've managed to plug holes I didn't think we would. I'll reserve judgment, but I think we can be mediocre this year. Carroll and the front office can recruit. Sure, some of the singings came from familiarity and connections to Oakland and Minnesota. But not all. I'm a bit less suicidal than my thoughts as free agency began.

 

Supposedly Zach Miller used our front office to drive up the price to resign with Oakland. We shall see. Cable has talked about how Miller has turned into an outstanding blocker under his tutelage, so I guess the theme remains to bring in nail drivers. Oh, and Carlson still stinks. Where did culboarder disappear to? I want him to lecture to me again how Carlson is one of the best TE in football and not some draft day bust.

 

 

I can't give you an exact #. But Seattle was in the top 3 for most money to spend.

Tampa was #1. Someone else (Carolina maybe?) was #2 and we were third with something like 40 million to spend this year.

 

 

That was even before the Tatupu release. So the money is/was there to do all this. Resign Mebane, Sign Rice,Gallery,Jackson,Branch and our draft picks.

I do have my reservations on the Zack Miller money though. I havn't seen anything lately on our funds, or what we have left to sign to get to a camp number. And I gotta believe Miller would be a huge contract.

I think if we were able to sign Miller, we'd then be close to our number, so Carlson would have to be a release victom. Especially when we already have Carroll's boy McCoy, and Morrah who seems to be liked also.

[phillybear 366]

I can't give you an exact #. But Seattle was in the top 3 for most money to spend.

Tampa was #1. Someone else (Carolina maybe?) was #2 and we were third with something like 40 million to spend this year.

 

 

That was even before the Tatupu release. So the money is/was there to do all this. Resign Mebane, Sign Rice,Gallery,Jackson,Branch and our draft picks.

I do have my reservations on the Zack Miller money though. I havn't seen anything lately on our funds, or what we have left to sign to get to a camp number. And I gotta believe Miller would be a huge contract.

I think if we were able to sign Miller, we'd then be close to our number, so Carlson would have to be a release victom. Especially when we already have Carroll's boy McCoy, and Morrah who seems to be liked also.

 

Seattle had the 2nd most to spend, but they also were at the very top of the amount of draft picks and players they needed to sign or resign to fill out the roster. They had as much work to do as anybody. Sure, the rookie cap helps. But I just can't believe all this money has been flying around. Trufant, start packing.

 

I think Carlson will be around another year, just on the strength of the playoff games last year. But he is one of Holmgren's guys, and that works against him in this house cleaning.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

I heard somewhere that teams do not have to reach the salary cap floor till 2014, but that is off the top of my head so I can't be sure. I think some of the cheaper owners are avoiding spending to the salary floor because of this (Bengals spring to mind, but I think Tampa might be doing this too).

 

So the fact that we are spending money is a good sign. I also like that they seem to have a long term plan in place, deliberately lowering our total team salary in anticipation of the new CBA. Then snatching up key free agents to speed our rebuilding plan, and signing our own talent as well.

 

Just my initial look at the roster but right now we need a QB, #1CB, and safety from solidifying the roster. Thats solid work based on the mess our roster was last year at this time. Of course a QB and #1CB are the hardest two positions to fill in the league so we have a long ways to go. But the rebuilding effort is looking good so far and they seem to be doing the best they can to speed it along.

[Kopy 559]

I heard somewhere that teams do not have to reach the salary cap floor till 2014, but that is off the top of my head so I can't be sure. I think some of the cheaper owners are avoiding spending to the salary floor because of this (Bengals spring to mind, but I think Tampa might be doing this too).

 

So the fact that we are spending money is a good sign. I also like that they seem to have a long term plan in place, deliberately lowering our total team salary in anticipation of the new CBA. Then snatching up key free agents to speed our rebuilding plan, and signing our own talent as well.

 

Just my initial look at the roster but right now we need a QB, #1CB, and safety from solidifying the roster. Thats solid work based on the mess our roster was last year at this time. Of course a QB and #1CB are the hardest two positions to fill in the league so we have a long ways to go. But the rebuilding effort is looking good so far and they seem to be doing the best they can to speed it along.

Between this year and last year. Except for Trufanat, and a cheap 1 year resign of Jennings. That whole secondary is redone. So I want to watch what they do this year, to see what is needed. I don't believe it's gonna be a big need.

 

Already looking toward next years draft. (Assuming Forsett is resigned, this is his contract year. And depending of the FB situation. Robinson only has a year. If they produce, then would get resigned.)

 

I'd be looking at next year starting with the draft:

QB

LB

DE

DT

 

But it is really too soon to speculate on anything.

We have to see what this year brings, and make sure that secondary and Oline gels, the way Carroll and Schneider think it's gonna.

 

I do think we're going in the right direction. Go see my post a couple pages ago on my "Carrolls philosiphy."

 

I believe we're in for a decent 500 season also. The QB play will frustrate us though, and probably a great deal from time to time.

 

My thoughts on this are: We draft a #1 kid next year. Jackson is more suited for a #2. Then you got a Carroll project at #3.

But that is my 2011/2012 combined thoughts.

 

And also the ramblings of a mad man.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Looking at the schedule I see us settling in at about 6 to 7 wins. A lot of new faces, both on the field and the sidelines plus the loss of the two unquestioned leaders on both sides of the ball. 8 wins is a possibility and 9 wins should have Pete in the running for coach of the year IMHO.

 

My only hope is that we dont get in the playoffs with 7 or 8 wins and miss out on a chance to draft from what should be a better crop of rookie QB's.

 

The rest of the division possibly looks as poosish as it ever has.

 

Other the bringing in the invisible man at WR the Rams haven't done much. Any improvement they make will ride on the development of Sam Bradford, the only viable QB in the division. That could be enough. The defense scares me too.

 

The Niners have done nothing other then resign Alex Smith. I think Harbaugh will pull this team out of the gutter eventually, but the lockout might have ensured it's not this year.

 

Arizona is the "wild card". If Kolb shows up as a legitimate starting QB it's their division. He and Fitz are going to need to light up the scoreboard because dealing Rodgers-Cromartie further crippled a crappy defense. Todd Heap will be nice for the 6 games he plays. Colledge was a nice upgrade at guard. Braylon Edwards has FA bust written all over him and I'll be delighted to laugh at every pass he drops against the Seahawks (assuming he signs which I think he will). Still, the Cards have shown some serious balls and could either run away with the division or finish last and watch Fitzgerald leave next offseason.

 

My predicted order of finish:

 

Rams 8-8

Niners 6-10

Seahawks 6-10

Cardinals 5-11

 

As fun as the playoff game against the Saints was, I'm more worried about being forced to win our division again rather then taking a step back in wins. We need to be in the best possible position to draft a QB next April. I'll be shocked if a QB on our roster finishes with a rating over 73 (Hasselbeck posted a 73.2 last year).

 

Just some pre-preseason thoughts. I can't wait until the preseason starts.

[Hawkfin 32]

I heard somewhere that teams do not have to reach the salary cap floor till 2014, but that is off the top of my head so I can't be sure. I think some of the cheaper owners are avoiding spending to the salary floor because of this (Bengals spring to mind, but I think Tampa might be doing this too).

 

So the fact that we are spending money is a good sign. I also like that they seem to have a long term plan in place, deliberately lowering our total team salary in anticipation of the new CBA. Then snatching up key free agents to speed our rebuilding plan, and signing our own talent as well.

 

Just my initial look at the roster but right now we need a QB, #1CB, and safety from solidifying the roster. Thats solid work based on the mess our roster was last year at this time. Of course a QB and #1CB are the hardest two positions to fill in the league so we have a long ways to go. But the rebuilding effort is looking good so far and they seem to be doing the best they can to speed it along.

THIS - I agree 100%.... I also think QB & CB are the 2 positions we need to fix down the road. (QB #1 pick next year)

 

Our Def all around could use work though like others are saying. And we have spent allot of late round picks on CB's. See what happens with them this year I guess. Maybe someone will emerge there?

Be hard pressed to find a #1 corner with them though.

 

I really like the Z. Miller signing. I think Carelson is junk. I would like to see him cut now. I did forget about Morah. I like that kid allot, but he's very unproven. But Miller can come right in and gives us solid production with blocking and catching for years to come. He's one of the best in the league for his age in my mind.

 

We are starting to get exciting. I actually will look forward to seeing what T. Jackson/Whitehurst will do with this roster around them.

[The Football Guru 222]

The contracts the 'Hawks gave Rice and Miller had to help the recruiting process, but somewhere along the way these two guys had to ask who the QB was going to be this season. I know Rice wanted out of Minnesota, but I don't get Miller going to Seattle. First of all, he had to be assured that John Carlson would be moved/benched (and Miller's contract basically guarantees that). But on top of that, I can't believe he would have signed unless another QB was coming to town. This sure seems like a good time to bring up Kyle Orton's name again.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

Carlson was supposed to be a stud but he never did much and it is now clear he ticked off the coaching staff too. This hurts as he was a 2nd round draft pick and recently.

 

I hate to say it but it really looks like we are setting the team up for drafting a top QB next year. Tavaris on a 2 year deal gets us through this year and mentors the rookie for part of the next season. A year for the O-line, to gel, and all the offensive pieces they have added are YOUNG and entering their potential prime years. Its a bold plan but if it fails it sets us back at least one more year.

 

I would not be suprised if we didn't offer our entire draft for the #1 pick next year.

[phillybear 366]

Call me nuts, nerts, or whatever, but I believe within the next year, Carson Palmer will be our QB, a 3-4 year bridge to our QB of the future. So we could take our time in acquiring one, and Palmer makes us a contender...to win our division, at least.

 

 

The Cincy front office will soften their hard line stance by next year's off season. I believe that Palmer retired to his home in Washington state. And I'm fairly sure he requested to be traded to Seattle.

 

Put your speculation caps on.

 

Also, Carlson has racked up some concussions lately, hasn't he? He could be done with the next collision. The Bears playoff game last year was one of them.

 

Edit: just noticed. Fock. I meant to switch to Lackman at 31,000 posts.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Call me nuts, nerts, or whatever, but I believe within the next year, Carson Palmer will be our QB, a 3-4 year bridge to our QB of the future. So we could take our time in acquiring one, and Palmer makes us a contender...to win our division, at least.

 

 

The Cincy front office will soften their hard line stance by next year's off season. I believe that Palmer retired to his home in Washington state. And I'm fairly sure he requested to be traded to Seattle.

 

Put your speculation caps on.

 

Also, Carlson has racked up some concussions lately, hasn't he? He could be done with the next collision. The Bears playoff game last year was one of them.

 

Edit: just noticed. Fock. I meant to switch to Lackman at 31,000 posts.

 

I wouldn't be shocked if something got done with Palmer this season.

 

Looks like Zach Miller is a done deal. I forgot about the money we freed up with Tatupa, so its cool I guess. Hopefully we can get at least a 5th for Carlson. I liked hearing from Cable how much he's improved as a blocker. Mccoy is supposed to be a beast blocking as well.

[Kent 228]

As a Skins fan, I thought we were a lock for worst QB to start the year...but then the Seahawks went with Tavaris as their guy.

 

What is going on in Seattle? That guy can't hit WRs with footballs. There is tons of film to prove this.

[prancers 0]

Hawks fans, I've heard some talk here in Cincy that there's still a chance Mike Brown would consider moving Carson mid-season before the trade deadline in October. Not likely, next March is still probably when it would go down, but October could happen. Not sure if you could bring a QB in mid-season like that, but if T-Jack is really struggling but the rest of the team is solid and the division is mediocre again, maybe they think Carson could come in, take over mid-year and get the team into the playoffs.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Random tidbits via Fieldgulls

 

-- As we mentioned yesterday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, FB Mike Karney is scheduled to visit the Seahawks today.

 

-- Former Washington Redskins OLB Chris Wilson worked out for the Seahawks yesterday. No word yet on if he'll be signed.

 

-- The Seahawks signed K Jeff Reed, much to the chagrin of many fans. The news was first reported by Brian McIntyre of Mac's Football Blog, and per Mac, Reed made 9 of 10 field goals in the last five games of the season with the 49ers. Jacson will be posting an update on the signing shortly. From what I know of Jacson, it will not be a glowing review.

 

-- K Wes Byrum has been released by the Seahawks, per his Twitter account.

 

-- Brandon Coutu wasn't at practice yesterday, but I haven't heard any official announcement of a release. My guess is that he'd compete in camp with Jeff Reed moving forward, but we'll see.

 

-- John Clayton was offering up the idea on Brock and Salk this morning that the Seahawks could have interest in LB Ben Leber, formerly of the Vikings. From the way Clayton worded it, it sounded more like a guess than actual reporting, but something of note, nonetheless.

 

Jeff Reed

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Brock will be back

 

I'm a little surprised we resigned him, but I'm not surprised there was no market for a 33 year old journeyman.

 

1 year deal is cool with me. Hopefully he can come close to his 2010 production. Dude was playing fierce down the stretch.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

What's with all the 1 and 2 year deals? Is this part of the CBA or did all the owners finally sit down in one room and start talking to each other and realize how ridiculous some of the deals they were giving out were getting? Any thought to collusion on the owners part to hold down costs?

 

Obviously Al Davis wasn't in on that conversation he was too busy giving Kamerion Walker 48million with 29million guaranteed. Thats more guaranteed money than Asmougirandomelettersstrungtogether got!

[FlaHawker 24]

Hawks fans, I've heard some talk here in Cincy that there's still a chance Mike Brown would consider moving Carson mid-season before the trade deadline in October. Not likely, next March is still probably when it would go down, but October could happen. Not sure if you could bring a QB in mid-season like that, but if T-Jack is really struggling but the rest of the team is solid and the division is mediocre again, maybe they think Carson could come in, take over mid-year and get the team into the playoffs.

I want no part of an ageing, declining Carson Palmer. If TJax stinks out the joint, fine, that will put the Hawks in position to get a Barkley or Luck next year. This team needs a franchise QB, not another average journeyman who will command a huge contract after having sat out half or even a whole year.

[Bishop82 61]

What's with all the 1 and 2 year deals? Is this part of the CBA or did all the owners finally sit down in one room and start talking to each other and realize how ridiculous some of the deals they were giving out were getting? Any thought to collusion on the owners part to hold down costs?

 

I think its because they want to start a clean slate when the team moves to Oklahoma City.

[FlaHawker 24]

Jackson excited about legit shot with Hawks

 

By Michael Silver, Yahoo! Sports

 

RENTON, Wash. Back when he was a relatively obscure college passer at Alabama State, Tarvaris Jackson(notes) had a hot temper he didnt make much of an effort to conceal.

 

The Seattle Seahawks anointed successor to longtime quarterback Matt Hasselbeck(notes) is a lot mellower now, and thats a good thing. Otherwise, at some point during the previous three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Jackson would have reacted to the dismissive treatment he received from then-coach Brad Childress by throwing a Christian Bale-sized tantrum.

 

Oh man, Jackson said last Thursday from the Seahawks training facility, shortly after completing his first official practice with his new team. If I still had my temper, I wouldve got kicked off the [Vikings] a long time ago.

 

Related Video NFLer's unusual workout NFLer's unusual workout

 

More NFL Videos

More From Michael SilverJackson right man for Raiders' coaching job Aug 1, 2011

 

Tarvaris Jackson enters his sixth season.

 

(AP Photo)

 

Instead, T-Jack kept his cool and engineered an exit on his terms. Following three consecutive offseasons in which he sat atop Minnesotas depth chart, only to be supplanted by veterans Gus Frerotte(notes) (three games into the 08 season) and Brett Favre(notes) (during each of the following two training camps), Jackson bolted shortly after the lockout ended.

 

The free agent agreed to a two-year, $8-million contract with the Hawks on July 27. Three days later, Seattle coach Pete Carroll surprised reporters by naming Jackson his unequivocal starter.

 

Its not hard to deduce that the Seahawks are trying to prop up a psyche that took its share of beatings in Minnesota, especially during Favres melodramatic and volatile two-year run with his former NFC North rivals.

 

He has not been in a good situation, Carroll says of Jackson, a second-round draft choice of the Vikings in 2006. Hes been jerked around. We wanted to put him in a stable situation.

 

Seattle general manager John Schneider was even more blunt: Hes 28 years old, and quite frankly was [expletive] on for four years.

 

As counterintuitive as it might sound, the Seahawks view Jacksons presence as a stab at stability. Though Hasselbeck spent 10 years in Seattle, most of them as the starter, and performed brilliantly in the Hawks stunning playoff upset of the New Orleans Saints last January, his age (35) and rash of injuries in recent years made him less attractive to Carroll and Schneider as they prepared for their second season.

 

Two other factors convinced the coach and general manager to pursue Jackson over Hasselbeck, who ended up signing with the Tennessee Titans: The presence of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, whom Carroll hired after cutting ties with Jeremy Bates last January, and the lockout-induced lack of an offseason program.

 

Bevell had spent the previous five years as the Vikes offensive coordinator, and with no opportunity to work with Seahawks players before training camp, Jacksons familiarity with the system made him an appealing option. Backup Charlie Whitehurst(notes), acquired early in the Carroll regime from the San Diego Chargers for a swap of 2010 second-round draft picks and a third-round selection in 2011, clearly hasnt impressed his coach enough to be seen as a viable starter.

 

What we were thinking should have been really obvious, really clear, Carroll says. Any quarterback that we acquired that wasnt in the system was going to be really behind. We had great background information on [Jackson] because of the five years he spent with Darrell Bevell. I like that hes a young guy with something to prove.

 

It didnt hurt that Seattles top free-agent target, former Vikings wideout Sidney Rice(notes), happened to be one of Jacksons best friends. Sure enough, the Seahawks scored the package deal, landing Rice late last month for $41 million over five years.

 

I feel comfortable with T-Jack, says Rice, whose breakout 2009 season came with Favre in the lineup and Jackson on the bench. A lot of people dont see why. But I feel like he has a hidden talent that he was never able to let loose.

 

Early on, Jacksons combination of mobility and arm strength made a conspicuous impression in the Twin Cities. After starting the final two games of his rookie season, Jackson emerged as the Vikings starter in 2007, throwing only nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions as Minnesota went 8-8.

 

From that point on, Childress began treating his young passer like a gawky date he was trying to dump at a school dance. It was awkward, to say the least.

 

The next offseason, after Favre announced his retirement following 16 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Jackson sweated out rumors that the future Hall of Famer would return to football in a Vikings uniform.

 

Instead, Favre was traded to the New York Jets, but after the Vikings lost their first two games, Jackson was pulled for another aging passer Gus Frerotte, whose play propelled Minnesota toward an eventual NFC North title. Childress, however, reinserted Jackson into the lineup when Frerotte was injured late in the season and started the young quarterback in a first-round playoff defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, with regrettable results.

 

The following offseason, after Favre retired once more and secured his release from the Jets, there were consistent rumblings that the veteran would join the Vikes, culminating with Childress turn as Favres chauffeur after the unretired quarterback flew in from Mississippi in the middle of August.

 

Did Childress ever address the situation with Jackson?

 

Not at all, Jackson says. Even the first year [09], we [players] never really got an explanation, a heads-up or something. But it was coachs decision. We pretty much knew and had our feelings about what was going on. In the back of our heads and our hearts, we pretty much knew he was coming.

 

After Favre nearly led the Vikings to the Super Bowl, with Minnesota losing an overtime thriller to the Saints in the 09 NFC championship game, Jackson prepared to take over a talented, experienced team.

 

Favre stayed non-committal about his future over the 2010 offseason, once again skipping the start of training camp. I dont think Brett had fully recovered from the previous season, mentally or physically, Jackson says. When he came back, it was more of a surprise.

 

I had a [phone] conversation with him before the first preseason game. He was wishing me luck, saying, Go out there and be yourself. Be the quarterback you can be. So I figured he was really retired. A couple of days later, there he was talking to me in person, like, Hey, Im back.

 

The Vikes 2010 season was a well-documented disaster which included the end of Favres NFL-record streak of 297 consecutive starts and, on Nov. 22, the firing of Childress. Suffice it to say that Jackson, who went on injured reserve in December after suffering a toe injury in his lone start, wasnt overly broken up when owner Zygi Wilf replaced Childress with Leslie Frazier.

 

 

 

Tarvaris Jackson felt betrayed by Vikings coach Brad Childress.

 

(US Presswire)

 

Though sometimes portrayed as Childress pet, a perception which stemmed in part from the coachs reported resistance to a 2008 trade for former Houston Texans backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels(notes), Jackson insists he never felt the love.

 

Obviously not, Jackson says, because he kept bringing Brett in. In some ways, we were joined at the hip, but I wouldnt say I was Chillys pet. Think about 2008 after Game 2, I got pulled. How many quarterbacks lose their jobs after two games?

 

To Jacksons credit, he resisted the urge to go public with his anger, and he remained composed enough to refrain from creating a problem in the locker room.

 

In private moments with Rice, he let his frustration show.

 

Of course, Rice says. Just sitting back thinking youve got your shot and somebody comes in and takes over. Its difficult. Youve got to be a man of character. Thats one thing I learned about Tarvaris through this situation he never complained.

 

Though its not a fair analogy, Jacksons restraint was somewhat reminiscent of that displayed by another quarterback whose career was impacted by Favres indecisiveness and mood swings: Aaron Rodgers(notes). Even in the most adverse of circumstances the Packers young passer kept his cool, and we all know how that turned out last February.

 

I was around Aaron when Aaron went through it, says Schneider, who spent eight seasons (2002-09) in Green Bays front office. Seeing that firsthand, a guy that can handle all that its an impressive thing. I think Tarvaris did that. And, lets face it, Petes great for this situation. He has an innate ability to instill confidence in people. Thats Petes God-given gift.

 

Coming off his strained relationship with Childress, Jackson is grateful for Carrolls approach.

 

Oh yeah, its a lot different, he says. Here its all about positive feedback. You can appreciate it as a quarterback: All the dog-cussing and yelling really isnt good when you play this position. You know when you mess up, when you did something wrong. Here, its a focus on what you did right and how you can get better. Im comfortable with that.

 

Realistically, Jacksons play will determine how his teammates respond to his leadership. He already has plenty of people pulling for him in his locker room and in some other locker rooms, too.

 

I know a lot of guys around the league know what was going on, and know about the road he took to get here, Seahawks halfback Marshawn Lynch(notes) says. Im pretty sure now that he has this opportunity, a lot of em are saying, [Expletive], about time. Time to take over and do what you do.

 

Thats Jacksons plan and he feels like the past several seasons have prepared him well.

 

Yeah, man, it was frustrating, he says, but you know what? I just took it like, OK, everything happens for a reason. Gods testing me to see how Ill react. And I feel like I handled it well. Other players on my team and around the league have expressed to me that I did.

 

Im not saying it was easy. Believe me, I had my days. I just stayed really quiet, tried to hide my frustration and keep working.

 

Now, beginning with the Seahawks preseason opener against the Chargers in San Diego on Thursday night, Jackson is ready to be the quarterback he can be. Forgive him, however, if hed prefer not to hear those words from a certain ex-teammate.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AqrmiOU_UtwHaduO21thLlJDubYF?slug=ms-silver_hawks_give_tarvaris_legit_shot_080711

[Kopy 559]

I'm one of the few on this board who really likes Jackson. I think a guy like him and Jason Campbell. Two guys who have really been cr@pped on in this league by sh!tty situations, can prove to be very valuable as backup QB's, and have long careers.

 

So as long as TJ isn't the savior, and only the bridge gap. I'm all for it.

Let him start this year. We can draft someone next off season. Even if TJ starts again, while the kid learns. Then start our new guy, and resign Jackson, for more years as a backup, is cool with me.

As long as I don't hear: This is our future, than I'm all for them going this route.

[Fantasy Noob 10]

I think its because they want to start a clean slate when the team moves to Oklahoma City.

 

Ok that made me laugh. We have already been held hostage up here by the Mariners and the Seahawks for new stadiums at tax payer expense but at least they waited till they had winning seasons to do it.

 

I'll admit I actually had hopes we could get a hockey team in Seattle once the Sonics left so I wasn't too broken up about it. I was never a fan of basketball in general. I supported them because they represented my city, I wish owners, teams, players would realize it is a priveledge to represent a city or state and stop acting like they are being picked on to be paid millions of dollars to play sports in our cities.

 

 

 

Back to FF am I nuts or not, I have been snatching up Lynch as my #3RB in all my ppr leagues with the expectaction of big things this year. Wishful thinking?

[FlaHawker 24]

Seahawks at Chargers: 5 things to watch

 

WHAT: Seattle Seahawks (0-0) at San Diego Chargers (0-0) (preseason opener)

 

WHEN: 5 p.m. Thursday

 

TV: ESPN (Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden, Suzi Kolber)

 

RADIO: 710 AM, 97.3 FM

 

What to watch for:

 

1. Cohesion is a question

 

This can be said for just about every team in the league – the length of the lockout assured as much – though it’s going to be especially interesting to watch for a Seahawks team that has so many newcomers at crucial positions.

 

Let’s go ahead and start at quarterback. Tarvaris Jackson has only been practicing with the team since Aug. 4. How much can be expected of him as he makes his first preseason start? Well, likely more than any other newly-signed free agents on this team. Jackson spent five years playing for offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell in Minnesota, the primary reason why the Seahawks were so intent on signing him. That familiarity, coach Pete Carroll says, gave Jackson an immediate edge over backup Charlie Whitehurst.

 

But you figure it’ll be a while before Jackson has everything down. Same goes for the offensive line, which features three players who weren’t signed until free agency began. That lack of cohesion has likely contributed to the bevy of botched snaps and false start penalties we’ve seen in training camp so far.

 

“Tarvaris has been with us for four days, or five days or something that we’ve been here together with the whole line and the cadence and the system and the checks and all that,” Carroll said. “That’s a lot to ask. He knows it, but the other guys are still struggling to catch up right now. We have to kind of look at it a little differently than we have at other times.”

 

 

So, what is Carroll looking for on Thursday night, other than a squad full of healthy players returning home?

 

“I want to see the guys run around and hit and get back to football with as many guys as we’re going to play,” Carroll said. “We’re going to try and play everybody that travels with us. The hope here is that we see a team that’s ready to play football and go out and run around the field and make this first step. We have no idea what’s going to happen. Fortunately, it’s preseason, so we have a chance to figure it out.”

 

2. More run for the youngsters

 

There’s a handful of Seattle starters who aren’t likely to play against San Diego. Included among those are receivers Mike Williams (toe sprain) and Kris Durham (hamstring), defensive end Red Bryant (knee) and defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer (stinger).

 

That means even more reps for players on the deep, deep end of the depth chart, perhaps even more so than is customary in the preseason.

 

Watch for who stands out. With Williams and Durham sitting, for example, we’re more likely to see increased action for guys like Ricardo Lockette and Isaiah Stanback, both of whom are fighting to make the roster.

 

Lockette is a fun guy to watch. He’s a burner, obviously, but has also displayed a decent set of hands and is an intriguing prospect.

 

“I’m real anxious to see him play,” Carroll said. “He has not played very much football in his career. Interestingly comfortable – he’s so comfortable out here for a guy that hasn’t played. He’s lining up on the wrong side sometimes now; he’s not quite getting it all right. So he’s a ways away but when he takes off running and the ball’s in the air, he goes at it like a guy that’s very comfortable. Interesting guy in this class. I’m anxious to see how the game affects his play and the stuff we’re talking about.”

 

And there are other lesser-known guys to keep an eye on, too. Jameson Konz has impressed since making the transition from tight end to defensive end, and his performance in the preseason will go a long way toward determining whether there’s a spot on the roster for the athletic second-year player.

 

3. What can Josh Portis do in a game situation?

 

Carroll raved about his third-string quarterback, saying Portis, an undrafted rookie out of the California University (Penn.), is going to be in Seattle “a while.”

 

“We need to see how he develops, because his talent is there,” Carroll said. “We’re going to take a great look at him. He’ll play a bunch in the preseason, and he’ll play a lot in the San Diego game. So we’re looking forward to seeing him and getting him out on the field.”

 

Portis has shown a big arm at times, but still makes decisions in practice fitting for a rookie. He can make a statement that he at least belongs on the roster with a strong preseason performance.

 

4. A more dynamic Leon Washington

 

One thing that struck as interesting on Tuesday was Carroll’s proclamation that the Seahawks are going to take a very close look at running back Leon Washington during the preseason.

 

Of course, Seahawks fans already have some knowledge of how valuable Washington can be on special teams. He returned three kicks for touchdowns last year, a surprising rebound after he broke his leg the season prior.

 

That injury kept him from going full-bore early on last season, Carroll said.

 

“He’s come back in great shape,” Carroll said. “He’s going to get a lot of work in preseason now. I don’t feel like we got a great evaluation of Leon last year. He didn’t get enough chances and going into the offseason, I was really disappointed in that. We really didn’t know how far we could take it with Leon. So he’s going to get good work. He’s going to work early in the games and get a chance to play on first and second down and show us where he fits in.”

 

Depending on just how much stronger Washington is this season, he may challenge Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett for a few more carries.

 

5. First look at the draftees

 

Is James Carpenter up to speed? Is John Moffitt really an “ass kicker,” as proclaimed by general manger John Schneider the day he was drafted in the third round? What about Byron Maxwell, Richard Sherman and Mark LeGree? How do they fit into the secondary? And can Pep Levingston prove that he belongs in the defensive line rotation? Linebackers K.J. Wright and Malcolm Smith have impressed in camp, but can they keep it up against other NFL players?

 

Hard to expect a whole heck of a lot from that group, since there were no OTAs this season and the lot of them have only two weeks of professional practice under their belts.

 

But it will be telling to see who looks as if they belong, and who doesn’t. Carpenter and Moffitt are both listed as starters on the depth chart, while the rest of the rookies will still likely be battling for jobs as backups once the 53-man cut is made on Sept. 3.

 

For more Seattle Seahawks news, visit the front page of the Seattle Seahawks blog.

 

http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2011/08/10/seahawks-at-chargers-5-things-to-watch/#more-3406

[FlaHawker 24]

Thought this might get you guys in the right mood for tonight's game:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GD5EUVIvWo