****The Official Seattle Seahawks Offseason Thread 2014****

[phillybear 366]

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24535868/seahawks-richard-sherman-near-deal-to-make-him-top-paid-nfl-cb

 

Seahawks, Richard Sherman near deal to make him top-paid NFL CB

 

The Seattle Seahawks have made considerable progress towards getting corner Richard Sherman signed to a long-term contract, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. Both sides are hopefully of getting the deal done prior to the May 8-10 NFL Draft.

 

The Seahawks are prepared to make Sherman the NFL's highest-paid corner -- and the deal will surpass Darrelle Revis's $12M compensation for 2014 -- the questions remains by just how much.

Several league sources anticipate the contract will be worth more than $13M a season when finalized, with the Seahawks reluctant to go to $14M thus far. The corner market has undergone a reset in recent years, with Revis' $16 million-a-year deal with Tampa seen as an outlier. Unable to trade that contract, Revis was released and signed with the Patriots for what amounts to a one-year, $12M deal.

Sherman's new agents, Ben Dogra and Jimmy Sexton of CAA, have been in dialogue with the Seahawks for quite some time and the negotiations have been amicable and productive. While it would be unfair to say a deal is imminent, it is also hardly out of the question it gets concluded in the next few weeks, with the issue a priority for Seattle, a team that must also resolve the long-term future of quarterback Russell Wilson, safety Earl Thomas and left tackle Russell Okung in the next year or so.

Sherman, whose high-profile persona and shutdown corner skills have made him one of the game's true impact players, has been seeking a top-of-the-market extension, having far outperformed his rookie contract. Sherman, a fifth-round pick in 2011, is scheduled to make only $1.4M this season despite his All-Pro status. He made only $555,000 last season and putting his salary in line with his market value is the first step to the Seahawks retaining more of their young core.

 

The new contract will reflect the fact he is the league's top corner, and with the Browns in negotiations with corner Joe Haden on a new deal as well, will set the market at the position. It seems inevitable at this point Sherman will be getting his new deal sooner rather later, and it's very possible it comes before the Seahawks start drafting players as they attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champs. Patrick Peterson, who will discuss a new deal with the Cardinals this summer and whose 2015 option has already been exercised, will watch the Sherman's final numbers closely as well.

[FlaHawker 24]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24535868/seahawks-richard-sherman-near-deal-to-make-him-top-paid-nfl-cb

 

Seahawks, Richard Sherman near deal to make him top-paid NFL CB

 

The Seattle Seahawks have made considerable progress towards getting corner Richard Sherman signed to a long-term contract, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. Both sides are hopefully of getting the deal done prior to the May 8-10 NFL Draft.

 

The Seahawks are prepared to make Sherman the NFL's highest-paid corner -- and the deal will surpass Darrelle Revis's $12M compensation for 2014 -- the questions remains by just how much.

Several league sources anticipate the contract will be worth more than $13M a season when finalized, with the Seahawks reluctant to go to $14M thus far. The corner market has undergone a reset in recent years, with Revis' $16 million-a-year deal with Tampa seen as an outlier. Unable to trade that contract, Revis was released and signed with the Patriots for what amounts to a one-year, $12M deal.

Sherman's new agents, Ben Dogra and Jimmy Sexton of CAA, have been in dialogue with the Seahawks for quite some time and the negotiations have been amicable and productive. While it would be unfair to say a deal is imminent, it is also hardly out of the question it gets concluded in the next few weeks, with the issue a priority for Seattle, a team that must also resolve the long-term future of quarterback Russell Wilson, safety Earl Thomas and left tackle Russell Okung in the next year or so.

Sherman, whose high-profile persona and shutdown corner skills have made him one of the game's true impact players, has been seeking a top-of-the-market extension, having far outperformed his rookie contract. Sherman, a fifth-round pick in 2011, is scheduled to make only $1.4M this season despite his All-Pro status. He made only $555,000 last season and putting his salary in line with his market value is the first step to the Seahawks retaining more of their young core.

 

The new contract will reflect the fact he is the league's top corner, and with the Browns in negotiations with corner Joe Haden on a new deal as well, will set the market at the position. It seems inevitable at this point Sherman will be getting his new deal sooner rather later, and it's very possible it comes before the Seahawks start drafting players as they attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champs. Patrick Peterson, who will discuss a new deal with the Cardinals this summer and whose 2015 option has already been exercised, will watch the Sherman's final numbers closely as well.

Awesome news!

[murf74 461]

I like the move for Pryor. Jedi Johnny described him as an "explosive athlete. " Watched some YouTube highlights of Pryor grabbing TD passes at Ohio St. At 6'6 he has the size to be a red zone threat.

But he is from Pittsburgh

[FlaHawker 24]

But he is from Pittsburgh

Yea, I'd be in a Seahawk thread to if I was a Steeler fan. Must suck for you guys...

[phillybear 366]

Based on reports of pre draft players the Seahawks have met with and where they might be targeted in the draft.

 

#32 end of 1st round:

Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida St

Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon St

Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise St

 

Not a lot to glean. Dan Quinn wanted to check out Jernigan, who is starting to rise in the first. Cooks is a local visit and free look and probably won't end up a Seahawk. Lawrence is a guy rising to the top of the 2nd round but scares me sort of like the stupid Bruce Irvin pick mocks me. The Seahawks are either not tipping their hand or just not planning on drafting from this spot.

 

#64 end of 2nd round:

Davante Adams, WR, Fresno St

Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana

Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado

Ja'wuan James, OT, Tennessee

Tiny Richardson, OT, Tennessee

Deone Bucannon, SS, Washington St

Marcus Smith, OLB, Louisville

 

Other than Davante Adams who I think is a 2nd round value, the rest of this list are basically mid 3rd round guys, give or take. The possibility exists that Seattle values them higher than consensus, but all of them? I suspect they are preparing to move down off this pick and dip back into the 3rd round while acquiring more pick(s). They are clearly looking at WR or OT, with a local look at SS and the tweener LB/DE in Marcus Smith. But expect WR or OT if they don't move off the pick.

 

#132 end of 4th round

Terrence West, RB, Towson St

Jordan Tripp, LB, Montana

Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami

 

Looks like drafting for depth, or moving off the pick for more later round picks. This 4th for somebody's 6th + 6th or 7th round pick? LB and OT keep coming up.

 

#146 top of 5th round (from Oakland)

Josh Huff, WR, Oregon

Jordan Zumwalt, LB, UCLA

 

Seems like LB and WR keep coming up over and over with all of these draft picks. I guess we will be stocking up for depth and the future.

 

# 172 end of the 5th round

 

Actually, I got nothing. Nobody visiting would be going in this range.

 

# 208

Cassius Marsh, DE, UCLA

Khairi Fortt, LB, California

Morgan Breslin, LB, USC

 

Hey, look. More linebackers.

 

 

Projected Undrafted Free Agents of note:

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OT, McGill (hard to figure where he might get drafted)

Zach Kerr, DT, Delaware

[Groundhog 24]

I think the ongoing negotiations with Sherman are pretty important. PC and JS are going to want to know what kind of cap hit he will bring to the team for the 2015 season, because they will still need to re-sign Wagner and KJ Wright; not to mention, RW will be entering the last year of his rookie deal, and so will be open to negotiating an extension.

 

In other words, if we can't reach an agreement with Sherm prior to the 2014 draft, or reach an agreement that will cost a LOT (like, $15m per year range), I think PC and JS will elevate LBs in draft priority this year. They may not want to replace Wagner and/or Wright, but if forced to pay your stars, like a shutdown corner, like the best free safety in the game, like one of the best on-the-rise QBs in the game, there aren't enough dollars to go around. And the LB position is one of those places I think we will be cutting corners if need be.

 

If Ryan Shazier is still on the board when we draft, I'd say he's the guy. But i don't think he'll be on the board. But let's say we're in the 4th rd…a guy like Jordan Zumwalt from UCLA might be an interesting guy to bring in. I just don't think we'll be resorting to UDFAs at this position, not this year.

[murf74 461]

Yea, I'd be in a Seahawk thread to if I was a Steeler fan. Must suck for you guys...

 

Or simply seeing Hag fans reaction to their new QB, followed this kid thru HS

[chcougar1 6]

Hawks at niners on thanksgiving. Not a fan.

 

Packets at hawks for the season opener. Should be a good game.

[chcougar1 6]

Our schedule is brutal

[Groundhog 24]

Schedule pluses:

 

- Schedule helps our OL. So much of the effectiveness of an O-line is about coordination, letting the guys play together, so that they get into a rhythm, each guy learns what the guy next to him will do. We start off with three games against teams whose pass rushing isn't going to scare anyone (Packers, Chargers, Broncos). Although maybe I'm not giving the Broncos enough credit with Von Miller back in the lineup. Then the bye week allows for more time to them to jell. We know we'll have some moving parts (no Breno for example) so if we don't have to play the really tough D-lines for awhile - Rams, Niners, Panthers - that's a good thing.

 

- only three 1pm East Coast games. Last year we had five.

 

Schedule minuses:

 

- Niners twice in three weeks

 

- Last six games of the year will all be tough (Cards, Niners, Eagles, Niners, Cards, Rams). Five of those six are divisional games.

 

- bye week is Wk4, so injuries are going to pile up late, which is precisely when we don't want them. The Niners meanwhile get their bye in wk8.

 

Overall a pretty tough schedule. If I had my druthers I would pick a different bye week, but the slate of opponents is just plain hard. Of course, the schedule only adjusts for prior season rank for 2 of the 16 games so the rest of the division has similar problems.

[Gepetto 1,371]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24537271/seahawks-qb-russell-wilson-files-for-divorce

[Groundhog 24]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24537271/seahawks-qb-russell-wilson-files-for-divorce

 

saw that. The optimist in me would argue that RW is married to his job and the missus got sick of it. The pessimist in me would argue that all this praise-be-to-God stuff is a sham and there are skeletons yet to come. Truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

 

what is definitely true is that he is now almost certainly target #1 for every gold-digger out there. He's the QB on a super bowl-winning team and 12 months away from signing a massive contract upgrade.

[FlaHawker 24]

Schedule pluses:

 

- Schedule helps our OL. So much of the effectiveness of an O-line is about coordination, letting the guys play together, so that they get into a rhythm, each guy learns what the guy next to him will do. We start off with three games against teams whose pass rushing isn't going to scare anyone (Packers, Chargers, Broncos). Although maybe I'm not giving the Broncos enough credit with Von Miller back in the lineup. Then the bye week allows for more time to them to jell. We know we'll have some moving parts (no Breno for example) so if we don't have to play the really tough D-lines for awhile - Rams, Niners, Panthers - that's a good thing.

 

- only three 1pm East Coast games. Last year we had five.

 

Schedule minuses:

 

- Niners twice in three weeks

 

- Last six games of the year will all be tough (Cards, Niners, Eagles, Niners, Cards, Rams). Five of those six are divisional games.

 

- bye week is Wk4, so injuries are going to pile up late, which is precisely when we don't want them. The Niners meanwhile get their bye in wk8.

 

Overall a pretty tough schedule. If I had my druthers I would pick a different bye week, but the slate of opponents is just plain hard. Of course, the schedule only adjusts for prior season rank for 2 of the 16 games so the rest of the division has similar problems.

How does the defending champ, with the best home venue in the NFL, get only one prime time home game?

[Groundhog 24]

How does the defending champ, with the best home venue in the NFL, get only one prime time home game?

 

PFT is saying that the league did not want to have more Hawks' home games in prime time because of all the recent blowouts. Broncos in '14, Niners in '14, Saints in '14, Eagles in '13, Niners in '13. Bad for ratings in second half, maybe.

[phillybear 366]

 

PFT is saying that the league did not want to have more Hawks' home games in prime time because of all the recent blowouts. Broncos in '14, Niners in '14, Saints in '14, Eagles in '13, Niners in '13. Bad for ratings in second half, maybe.

 

The schedule maker fears the greatest home field advantage in all of sports. Suck it, NFL.

[phillybear 366]

We get the Russell Wilson divorce story, the NFL schedule screw job, and the resignation of Scot McLoughan all in one day.

 

Clearly, the most significant news is the loss of McLoughan, due to family issues. He's a sharp evaluator of talent. In between gigs in Seattle, he worked in the front office of San Fran, at which point they had some really good drafts. Since he left, their drafts have sucked balls. Seattle consistently digs up good talent late in drafts, so I would think McLoughan has a part in that. I hate to see anybody from the front office leave, especially this guy.

[FlaHawker 24]

We get the Russell Wilson divorce story, the NFL schedule screw job, and the resignation of Scot McLoughan all in one day.

 

Clearly, the most significant news is the loss of McLoughan, due to family issues. He's a sharp evaluator of talent. In between gigs in Seattle, he worked in the front office of San Fran, at which point they had some really good drafts. Since he left, their drafts have sucked balls. Seattle consistently digs up good talent late in drafts, so I would think McLoughan has a part in that. I hate to see anybody from the front office leave, especially this guy.

Did you notice he always leaves a job due to personal reasons?

[Groundhog 24]

Did you notice he always leaves a job due to personal reasons?

 

could be anything. Physical ailment, mental ailment, whether it's him, the spouse, the kids, the dog, the cat. Actually, screw the cat. Everything else is on the table. I daresay it's not my business to know the messy details, this must be hard enough as it is.

[FlaHawker 24]

Ja’Wuan James to the Hawks in Rd 1??

 

 

http://seahawksdraftblog.com/thursday-draft-notes-jawuan-james-in-round-one

[Kopy 570]

Ja’Wuan James to the Hawks in Rd 1??

 

 

http://seahawksdraftblog.com/thursday-draft-notes-jawuan-james-in-round-one

I'm O.K. with this.

[phillybear 366]

Ja’Wuan James to the Hawks in Rd 1??

 

 

http://seahawksdraftblog.com/thursday-draft-notes-jawuan-james-in-round-one

 

Have we learned nothing from the James Carpenter fiasco? This would be another 1st round reach for an offensive linemen from the SEC for a 3rd round value. He'd very likely be there at #64. While I like the player, it would be counterproductive to not draft from a value standpoint. Schneider claims to be best player available. James in the 1st round is not that. And if he isn't there at #64, that's OK, best player available.

[phillybear 366]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/24/report-armanti-edwards-a-j-jefferson-visiting-seahawks/

 

Report: Armanti Edwards, A.J. Jefferson visiting Seahawks

 

Instead of taking to their “war room” in preparation for the start of the NFL Draft on Thursday (since the league decided an extra two weeks of waiting wouldn’t drive everyone crazy), the Seattle Seahawks were taking a look at a pair of veteran free agents.

 

According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, the Seahawks worked out receiver Armanti Edwards and cornerback AJ Jefferson.

 

Edwards finished last season on injured reserve with the Cleveland Browns after suffering an ankle injury in November. Jefferson was released by the Minnesota Vikings, also in November, after being arrested for domestic assault less than 24 hours after the Vikings tie with the Green Bay Packers.

 

Seattle needs a new punt returner after Golden Tate signed with the Detroit Lions this offseason. Edwards has returned 40 punts for 281 yards in four years with Cleveland and the Carolina Panthers. That could be the angle of interest for Seattle in Edwards in addition to his receiving ability.

 

With the departures of Brandon Browner (New England Patriots) and Walter Thurmond (New York Giants), the Seahawks are looking for some added depth at cornerback as well. Jefferson has recorded 109 tackles with two interceptions in 43 games with the Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.

[Gepetto 1,371]

Seahawks bringing in Jeff Ireland as a consultant.

[FlaHawker 24]

Seahawks bringing in Jeff Ireland as a consultant.

Cowboys

[Gepetto 1,371]

Cowboys

 

Not sure why you need to make fun of my team. All I meant is if I was a Seahawks fan I would be very upset that they are bringing in Jeff Ireland who is a complete idiot, horrible with people, and has a track record since being with the Cowboys and then with the Dolphins of making poor player choices.

[Kopy 570]

 

Not sure why you need to make fun of my team. All I meant is if I was a Seahawks fan I would be very upset that they are bringing in Jeff Ireland who is a complete idiot, horrible with people, and has a track record since being with the Cowboys and then with the Dolphins of making poor player choices.

I agree. And I am.

[Groundhog 24]

So….I do not get this move. At all.

[FlaHawker 24]

 

Not sure why you need to make fun of my team. All I meant is if I was a Seahawks fan I would be very upset that they are bringing in Jeff Ireland who is a complete idiot, horrible with people, and has a track record since being with the Cowboys and then with the Dolphins of making poor player choices.

I should be very upset? He wasn't brought in to run the team.

[phillybear 366]

Jeff Ireland. Well..... I don't know. I mean, he had a bad run as GM of the Dolphins. Prior to that, he was a respected scout and worked with Schneider in Kansas City. I mean, by the time he joins the front office, the draft bored is mostly finalized already. So, he's there as a consultant, which doesn't really give him a lot of power in determining a pick. I don't know how knowledgeable he is. But it might not be a bad thing to have an ex-GM who probably has connections to other teams when you might be looking to work the phones in making trades on draft day(s). It's an audition of sorts, with McLoughan leaving.

 

I'm keeping an open mind. Pete Carroll was mocked when he returned to the NFL and was branded as a failed NFL coach. All he was done is win playoff games in 3 or his first 4 seasons and just won the Superbowl. So, given a 2nd chance, you never know.

[FlaHawker 24]

Jeff Ireland. Well..... I don't know. I mean, he had a bad run as GM of the Dolphins. Prior to that, he was a respected scout and worked with Schneider in Kansas City. I mean, by the time he joins the front office, the draft bored is mostly finalized already. So, he's there as a consultant, which doesn't really give him a lot of power in determining a pick. I don't know how knowledgeable he is. But it might be a bad thing to have an ex-GM who probably has connections to other teams when you might be looking to work the phones in making trades on draft day(s). It's an audition of sorts, with McLoughan leaving.

 

I'm keeping an open mind. Pete Carroll was mocked when he returned to the NFL and was branded as a failed NFL coach. All he was done is win playoff games in 3 or his first 4 seasons and just won the Superbowl. So, given a 2nd chance, you never know.

This.

[phillybear 366]

Besides, maybe Ireland will help broker a deal for us to pick up Richie Incognito. We need linemen. And since the Niners picked up Crybaby Martin, I can see Incognito mouthing "I'm going to kill you" over and over again on the sidelines. That would mess with the Niners fragile psyche.

[phillybear 366]

And so it begins...

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/28/report-seahawks-reach-a-big-deal-with-earl-thomas/

 

Report: Seahawks reach a big deal with Earl Thomas

Last week, it sounded like things were close between the Seahawks and cornerback Richard Sherman on a new deal, which may not have been as close as it sounded.

Now, another member of their secondary has beaten him to the bank.

 

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Seahawks have locked up star safety Earl Thomasto a long-term contract.

The deal is said to make him the highest paid safety in the game.

 

A deal with Sherman could happen as well, as the Seahawks begin paying off all that cheap young talent they accumulated.

[FlaHawker 24]

 

And so it begins...

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/28/report-seahawks-reach-a-big-deal-with-earl-thomas/

 

Report: Seahawks reach a big deal with Earl Thomas

Last week, it sounded like things were close between the Seahawks and cornerback Richard Sherman on a new deal, which may not have been as close as it sounded.

Now, another member of their secondary has beaten him to the bank.

 

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Seahawks have locked up star safety Earl Thomasto a long-term contract.

The deal is said to make him the highest paid safety in the game.

 

A deal with Sherman could happen as well, as the Seahawks begin paying off all that cheap young talent they accumulated.

 

Awesome news. Re-Pete in full swing...

[phillybear 366]

Earl Thomas deal: 4 years, $40 million. (27.725 million guaranteed)

[FlaHawker 24]

Earl Thomas deal: 4 years, $40 million. (27.725 million guaranteed)

The Legion of Boom will remain. My guess is they probably won't be able to afford Maxwell after next year so they will rotate a 4th member on a cheap contract as long as they can. Maybe Tharold Simon steps up this year or Jeremy Lane?

[Groundhog 24]

Besides, maybe Ireland will help broker a deal for us to pick up Richie Incognito. We need linemen. And since the Niners picked up Crybaby Martin, I can see Incognito mouthing "I'm going to kill you" over and over again on the sidelines. That would mess with the Niners fragile psyche.

 

I would much, much rather get a few late round draft picks or UDFAs, stash them on the practice squad and let Cable coach them up. Why take a risk on a guy with a checkered history like this?

 

I'm not averse to spending a high pick on a tackle - like, say, Bitonio - but the potential has to be worth it.

[Groundhog 24]

The Legion of Boom will remain. My guess is they probably won't be able to afford Maxwell after next year so they will rotate a 4th member on a cheap contract as long as they can. Maybe Tharold Simon steps up this year or Jeremy Lane?

 

yeah, if Thomas is averaging $10M per, and corners typically get higher numbers than safeties, my guess would be Sherm's contract is more like 4 years, $52m, with some amount guaranteed - $25m? That's not a lot of dollars left over at the same position. We get Maxwell for a year or so, Lane for awhile. Simon basically red-shirted this past season, so he's a blank slate in my opinion.

[FlaHawker 24]

 

I would much, much rather get a few late round draft picks or UDFAs, stash them on the practice squad and let Cable coach them up. Why take a risk on a guy with a checkered history like this?

 

I'm not averse to spending a high pick on a tackle - like, say, Bitonio - but the potential has to be worth it.

I agree. No need for Incognito in that locker room.

[FlaHawker 24]

 

yeah, if Thomas is averaging $10M per, and corners typically get higher numbers than safeties, my guess would be Sherm's contract is more like 4 years, $52m, with some amount guaranteed - $25m? That's not a lot of dollars left over at the same position. We get Maxwell for a year or so, Lane for awhile. Simon basically red-shirted this past season, so he's a blank slate in my opinion.

Plus they will draft another corner this year as well. Maybe someone like Keith McGill | 6'3 3/8, 211 pounds | Cornerback | Utah?

[FlaHawker 24]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B6fk9GcEsk