Free Agency Begins Tomorrow – Seahawks Not Expected To Be Active
By Keith Myers
Aug 8, 2012; Renton, WA, USA; NFL: Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Terrell Owens (10) jogs out to the practice field for his first day of training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Free Agency period is here, sort of. Right now we’re in this weird “legal tampering” period in which teams can talk to agent, but not players, and no deals can be reached. The real free agency period begins tomorrow.
Generally, the highest profile (and highest priced) free agents are signed within the first 7 days of the signing period. This also uses up a great deal of the total salary cap space that is currently available, and drives down the salaries for the remainder of the players available.
The Seahawks aren’t expect to be active in the crazy signing period that is the first week of free agency. They lack both major needs and cap room to make major deals. Instead, they are likely to sit out the first week, and then make a couple strategic signings later in free agency.
The only positions in which we could see Seattle sign players to any considerable salary on the defensive line. The Seahawks are expected to look for a short term veteran DE to help the team get through the wait for Chris Clemons to get healthy. They will also look at a potential 3-tech DT as an upgrade over Alan Branch, though its also possible that they’ll simply wait until April’s draft to fill this need.
Under Schneider, the Seahawks have also made a habit of signing some veteran players to minimum contracts right before the draft as “draft insurance.” you might remember this happening last year with MLB Barrett Ruud, RB Gregg Lumpkin, and OG Deuce Latui. While these players don’t usually end up making the roster, they do provide a fall-back option for the team if the draft doesn’t fall they way they hope it does.