Archive for July, 2010

Finally, football is back. Maybe I’m too excited for a team that has won only nine games in two years, but there is nothing better than starting a fresh season in the National Football League. Renton was busy today; two separate practices in the morning and afternoon meant non-stop traffic between the Landing and the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Local businesses proudly displayed posters featuring Seattle’s trademark “12″ and eager fans filled sidewalks wearing Seahawks apparel. The morning opened with several stories, but none more surprising than Sean Morey’s retirement. Sean Morey had been signed by the Seattle Seahawks last [...]

Eric Berry, selected fifth overall last April and one spot ahead of Russell Okung, has signed a five-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. The first-round picks are quickly falling. Berry’s deal is important because, as mentioned in a previous post, it creates a ceiling for Okung’s contract. Using Berry’s deal as a guideline, negotiating a contract for Okung should be easier for the Seahawks. Expect Seattle’s first-round picks to sign very soon. I would be surprised if deals weren’t announced before the end of today. Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com Follow 12th Man Rising

Expect Seattle to sign their first-round picks by the end of today. Russell Okung and Earl Thomas should both be ready to go when training camp opens tomorrow. Last night, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Brandon Graham, the thirteenth overall selection last April, to a five-year deal. This is significant for the Seahawks because Thomas was chosen fourteenth overall, one spot behind Graham. At the very least, Graham’s deal should provide a guideline for getting a deal done with Thomas. Negotiating a contract and determining Thomas’ value as the fourteenth overall pick should be easier with Graham’s deal finished. Graham signing [...]

There is more breaking news today, courtesy of Twitter. According to Adam Schefter, the Seattle Seahawks have reached an agreement with guard Chester Pitts. More coming soon…

Praise God!!! Terms and conditions have been reached for the seattle seahawks! Let’s play ball! Thanks to Golden Tate via Twitter, we have learned the rookie wide receiver has been signed to a four-year deal and will be present on the first day of training camp. According to sources, Tate’s contract is worth $3.261 million, and includes a $1 million signing bonus. Overall, $1.471 million of the deal is guaranteed. I suppose a maple bar joke is appropriate here ($3.261 million can buy X amount of donuts), but I’m just happy to hear Tate has been signed. Russell Okung and [...]

Just about a year ago, I remember watching the conclusion of a practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. It was Jim Mora’s first training camp, and Aaron Curry’s first practice. Curry, who had been drafted fourth overall only months earlier, was a late arrival to training camp because of contract negotiations. For the fans, it was a pleasant sight when number fifty-nine finally ran out of the building and onto the practice field. At the end of practice, Aaron Curry lugged the equipment of four or five players – both shoulder pads and helmets – to the fence line [...]

It could be time to start thinking about Vincent Jackson again. While I don’t think it will – or should – happen, the Seahawks have shown interest in acquiring Jackson this offseason. And the Chargers, who were originally opposed to dealing their productive receiver, have apparently opened up to the idea of a trade. The Chargers are facing tough personnel decisions with offensive tackle Marcus McNeil, Jackson, and perhaps linebacker Shawne Merriman becoming holdouts. Merriman should be a little easier to deal with, but McNeil and Jackson could become ugly holdouts that last well into the regular season. Chargers general [...]

According to several reports, Tod Leiweke will be leaving the Seattle Seahawks to become the new Chief Executive Officer and part owner of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. Leiweke, who has been with the Seattle Seahawks since 2003, was the CEO of Vulcan Sports & Entertainment. While overseeing Vulcan Sports, Leiweke was in charge of the Seahawks, the Portland Trailblazers, and Vulcan’s interest in Sounders FC of the MLS. The Leiweke-to-Tampa rumors first started a few months ago, but were quickly shot down by the Seahawks as erroneous. “I’m happy what I’m doing,” Leiweke told reporters back in April. Most [...]

Are you a Seahawks fan searching for a way to express your opinions and thoughts? 12th Man Rising is looking for one or two additional contributors as the new season quickly approaches. As a non-paid gig, contributors won’t be required to post more than a few times a week. But if you’re opinionated, knowledgeable, and passionate, there aren’t any limits to your input. We currently have some great syndication partners; our material has been syndicated and sourced by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, Yardbarker, Seattle PI, Seattle Times, Yahoo, CBS, NFL Fan House, Scout, Cleveland.com, 49ers.com, Denver Post, KFFL, Real [...]

Mentioning Seattle’s desperation for a Lombardi trophy is still painful to some fans. The sting of defeat from Super Bowl XL still lingers, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a Seahawks fan who is no longer disgruntled. Especially since Seattle’s “window of opportunity” has closed for the time being; bringing up the Super Bowl can quickly trigger uncomfortable memories. If you’re not a fan of women’s basketball, you probably covet a championship just as much as any other fan around the nation. Without counting the success of the Seattle Storm, the entire city of Seattle is championship-deprived (since 1979). Seattle [...]