Dec 16, 2012; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant (79) lines up against the Buffalo Bills offensive line at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

I sat down this morning, and decided to look at the 98 players currently either under contract or recently drafted by the Seahawks, and see if I could take a stab at the 53 man roster. It didn’t take very long before I ran into a serious problem.

The defensive line is going to be a massive battle for roster spots. There are simply too many good players, and no way too keep them all. It’s simply impossible to handicap how it will all shake out. Other position group look to be equally daunting.

Normally, this isn’t a huge problem for me. In most years, It’s pretty easy to pick out 47 or 48 of the 53 man roster at this stage.

Sure, there’s always few unexpected upsets, like an UDFA Jeron Johnson beating out draft pick Mark Legree. There’s also some incredibly unexpected occurrences  like the complete regression Kris Durham. These are rare though, And not something that bothers me when making predictions.

Contracts dictate certain locks to make the roster: Red Bryant and Chris Clemson have too much dead money associated with their contracts in 2013 to be going anywhere. Similarly, the contracts of Bruce Irvin, Brandon Mebane, Michael Bennet, and Cliff Avril suggest that their roster spor isn’t in jeopardy. 

Jordan Hill and Jesse Williams also both that the inside track to a roster spot given their draft status and general talent level. It would be a major shock if either don’t make the roster.

That’s 8 players: 3 edge rushers, 2 inside pass rusher, and 3 big bodied run stuffers. The team is likely to keep two more in my opinion. 10 defensive linemen is a lot, but with Irvin and Avril playing strong side LB in the base run defense, I expect the team to keep an extra linemen at the expense of a LB.

That leaves 3 spots up for grabs.

Lets take a look at some of the names competing for those 3 spots:

• Jaye Howard
• Clinton McDonald
• Greg Scruggs
• Tony McDaniel
• and rookie free agents: Kenneth Boatright and Myles Wade

So who do you keep? Scruggs had the best 2012 of the group, but he is redundant with Bennett and Hill. The same is true of Howard, who didn’t play much in 2012, but has tremendous potential as an an inside pass rusher.

McDonald and McDaniel both offer good depth, and the ability to fill in for starters in ways that the others do not. The two rookies also bring unique skills to the table. Don’t let their undrafted status fool you into thinking they don’t offer anything. 

So now, pick 2 from that group. How comfortable are you the assumption that the team will agree with your selection?

If I’m picking, I’m keeping Scruggs and McDaniel. Scruggs because I know he can contribute, and McDaniel because he’s the only real backup run stuffers. The problem is that means that Howard is cut in that scenario, and he has a chance to end up as the best player of the ones we’re picking from.

Now, there’s a chance the Clemons starts the year on the Physically unable to Perform (PUP) list as he rehabs from his knee injury. That would help the situation since he wouldn’t be using up a roster spot until mid-season. That helps the situation, but it doesn’t fix it completely.

Don’t get me wrong, having too many talented players is a good problem to have. It’s just going to be tough to watch good players leave and go to other teams at the end of training camp.

Quarterback Roster: Russell Wilson, Brady Quinn, Josh Portis, Jerrod Johnson

Watchlist:

January 27, 2013; Honolulu, HI, USA; NFC quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks (3) runs past a tackle attempt by AFC defensive tackle Geno Atkins of the Cincinnati Bengals (97) in the third quarter during the 2013 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

I think a lot of 12′s thought that quarterback still needed to be addressed in the draft after the team picked up three very mediocre talents (at least to this point in their careers) in free agency. Pete Carroll and John Schneider had a different philosophy, apparently.

After listening to some of the Seahawks’ live feed during the latter stages of the draft, a good point was brought up. I can’t remember who said it but it was an ex-Seahawk who was alongside spokesperson Tony Ventrella. The ex-Hawk said something along the lines of “some people just know how to take a hit or avoid it. Others go out and fall down into a concussion every time. Russell’s one of those guys that I don’t think you have to worry about getting injured, knock on wood, because he just knows how to avoid that contact.”

He’s absolutely right and I think this is probably in the back of the minds in Seattle’s front office. The hardest hits I can remember Wilson taking were the fumble that was returned for a touchdown by the Jets and the slide against the Fed-Ex Field turf.

Unlike last season, quarterback is the one spot that really won’t have a competition for the starting spot this Summer and Fall. However, don’t let that fool you into thinking that there won’t be a lot of work done. If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Russell Wilson, it’s that he will push himself harder than anybody can to be great. Being the leader and professional that he is, he’ll also push and prepare the rest of the Seahawks, including whoever is his backup.

Another thing to consider is that the Seahawks are so deep on the overall roster that there’s no way they can afford to carry three quarterbacks. With the dwindling need for these three guys in particular throughout the entire league, Portis, Quinn, and Johnson are all fighting for a single spot on the roster and a paycheck. The backup position also has the potential to be a multi-year deal as I’m sure Pete and his staff would love to maintain some continuity in case something were to happen. A lot is on the line and it should be a fun battle to keep tabs on throughout.

Wishlist: 

I still wish the Hawks would’ve drafted or picked up a quarterback in free agency. Specifically speaking, I think a few of us here at 12th Man Rising had Seneca Wallace and Matt Scott pegged. Scott would have been a prototypical backup to Russell and a boost in talent at the position overall. Who knows if the Seahawks did indeed try to acquire his services, but Gus Bradley and the Jaguars have him for now and I expect him to make a good run at the roster there. Before that, Wallace apparently didn’t make the Carroll-cut because Quinn beat him out for the offer.

I don’t know that there’s another quarterback that got missed in the draft that I would really like as the backup at this point. What Carroll has should be good enough for now and the foreseeable future since the backup will have only spot duty and maybe the occasional start, assuming Wilson doesn’t get seriously injured.

EDIT: I didn’t realize that Jerrod Johnson was only 24 and has only been in the league for 1 season. He’s 6’5″ 251 lbs and holds (for now at least) 24 school records. NFL.com’s profile on him:

He started 29 of 37 career games at Texas A&M and finished his career holding 24 school records, including total offense (8,888 yards), passing yards (8,011), completions (650) and touchdown passes (67).

When they signed him, I’m betting that Carroll and Schneider said “that’s our draft pick” and they’ll let him battle for the backup spot. That’s the reason Scott was probably never an option for them. Interesting.

Put it to the 12′s:

Who would you have liked to see in a Seahawks uniform at quarterback, either in the form of free agency or by draft?

January 19, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; West running back Christine Michael of Texas A&M

The Seahawks have finally made their first pick in the 2013 draft. It just took until the final pick of the second round to get here. With that pick, Seattle took Christine (pronounced Chris-TIN) Michael, a running back from Texas A&M. Chances are you’re wondering who the hell that is. Allow me to enlighten you.

According to NFL.com, Michael’s strengths include a “low center of gravity” but with a “thickness throughout his frame to take and give out punishment.” He has more speed than one would think when he is able to break open as well. Overall, Michael is a bruiser that will be a nice compliment to Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin. Both Lynch and Turbin are hard to bring down, and Lynch will occasionally level a tackler, but Michael has the ability to straight damage some defenders. Michael is also a good blocker that is able to lead the ball into the second level.

According to CBS Sports, Michael started 2012 rated by some as the “top senior running back in the country.” Attitude issues, however, took him out of the starting role, and the spotlight, which is probably a big reason he was relatively unknown and is yet another “what the what” pick by Pete Carroll and John Schneider.

Michael has had injury issues and missed the ends of both his sophomore and junior year. He broke his right leg in 2010 and the following season he tore his ACL. However, in 13 games he ran for 1,530 yards and 12 touchdowns. If he can check his attitude issues at the door and stay healthy, Michael should have an opportunity to contribute greatly in Seattle.

If Seattle starts utilizing a running back by committee approach it could be a very different dynamic on offense and make them harder to prepare for and defend. Diversity is a killer.

Another thing that I just thought of is whether or not Seattle might consider lining up Michael at full back and getting all three backs (Lynch, Turbin, and Michael) on the field at the same time. This could also give Seattle more flexibility when it comes to dealing with Michael Robinson’s contract.

This pick could also have fantasy implications as it might limit carries by Lynch.

No matter what, I think we should all get #inpcjswetrust trending because I expect a lot more unexpected picks out of Seattle for the rest of the draft.

Dec 30 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn (9) checks off in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 38-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

When I heard that Seattle signed Quinn instead of Seneca Wallace or Matt Leinart, I was confused. I thought that Quinn was the least likely to be chosen.  Quinn lacks the raw foot speed of Russell Wilson. However, he does have good footwork in the pocket and is able to shuffle his feet well enough to create room.  Don’t expect Quinn to be running the ball out of the zone read option anytime soon, though.

I was comfortable with Wallace as Matt Hasselbeck’s backup. He is not great by any measure, but he has a strong arm and can make plays with his legs. He is also someone who can take care of the ball and limit mistakes.

Following the Quinn signing I had to find out more about his abilities. What did Pete Carroll see in him above Wallace, Leinart, and Thigpen? Carroll likes players who bring a unique skill set to the team. What is  Brady Quinn’s? He had flamed out in Cleveland, Denver, and Kansas City. All three teams basically said, “thanks, but no thanks.”

After doing some reading, I learned that Quinn is, in fact, very unique, at least to Carroll. In Matt Flynn, Seattle had one of the best backups in the NFL as well as a good starter. Seattle hopes Quinn will be able to share his experience with Russell, and Russell with Quinn to create a strong quarterback room.

During my research I found an interview with Quinn’s former quarterback Coach in Kansas City, Jim Zorn. In it Zorn praised Quinn for his football IQ, work ethic, and attitude. He spoke highly of Quinn’s ability to make calls at the line of scrimmage and predict what the defense is trying to do, and put the offense in a position to be successful. This carries some weight since Zorn himself was a quarterback and has coached the likes of Trent Dilfer, Matt Hasselbeck, and Joe Flacco.

While Zorn’s opinion is valuable, the fact that Quinn has not translated his skill set onto the field for an extended period of time is troubling. He has shown flashes of being a solid NFL quarterback but has yet to prove he can play consistently at a high level.

Having a solid offensive foundation in place, including an above average receiving corps, may help Quinn out. I do believe having a quarterback who is willing to talk things out with Russell Wilson will benefit both players. Flynn was not known to share Wilson’s regimen of arriving first and leaving last, which may have been a big factor in trading him. I do not believe Carroll would have signed Quinn if he felt that Quinn would be unwilling to help the growth of Russell Wilson in the film room and playing field.

My ideal quarterback situation is to have a starter who makes those around him better, and, if needed, can take games over. I believe Seattle has that in Russell Wilson. The backup must be able to competently run the offense, not make too many mistakes, and put the ball in other play-makers’ hands. In other words, play completely and comfortably within himself and the system

It remains to be seen if Quinn is a lock to be the number two quarterback behind Russell Wilson.  Josh Portis, is also a talented quarterback who Seattle likes and resigned with the team during the off-season. The NFL draft will include players such as USC’s Matt Barkley, who played under Pete Carroll for a season, and Matt Scott, who has risen up draft boards since the combine. Scott is raw as a passer, but is able to move around well, and run the same offense that was installed for Russell Wilson.

It remains to be seen whether Quinn can live up to that standard. I will be excited to see the steps he takes in preseason to better both himself and the team.

September 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Michael Bennett (71) reacts after he sacked Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (not pictured) in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

This post won’t determine who had the better off-season. (To me, it’s a push.) Both teams got better at positions they needed to (which were, ironically, the same positions this year) and upgraded tremendously at other positions. There is still work to do in the draft for both teams, but the 49ers and Seahawks went head-to-head in the pre-draft portion of the 2013 off-season.

Quarterbacks

San Francisco: C +

• Colt McCoy isn’t Alex Smith, but he fits nicely with San Francisco’s plan of attack. His mobility is above average.

Seattle: C -

• Brady Quinn was signed and Josh Portis was brought back to compete for the backup job. The thought among 12s is that they’ll be fighting for a third string spot after the Seahawks draft a quarterback closer to Russell Wilson’s skill-set. Neither is anywhere near Matt Flynn in dependability, but the value of dumping Flynn’s contract was too good to pass on.

Wide Receivers

Seattle: A+

• Percy Harvin is an elite level talent at both receiver and kick returner, allowing the Seahawks to cover two positions with one player. When you consider that he also upgrades the running and kick return games (Seattle was already among the NFL’s best in both aspects) Harvin is even more valuable. The addition of Brett Swain doesn’t seem like much, and it may not be, but it gives some of the other receivers something to think about due to increased competition to the position.

• Anquan Boldin brings a solid, semi-elite and veteran talent to the San Francisco’s receiving corps. Marlon Moore should also come in and get solid playing time with the current set of receivers. The 49ers also added Ricardo Lockette earlier but it’s unclear whether he’ll get a shot to make the roster. Regardless, that’s a solid “A+” for the Niners, especially when considering what little they gave up for their new top receiver.

Defensive Backfield

• Antione Winfield is a huge asset for Seattle at inside corner and shores up a position that was really one of only two weak spots on the defense. The fact that he is soon to be 36 drives this move down to a B+. However, he comes in at just $3 million (less than market value) and the reason is because he wants to make a run at a championship. Seattle has never been the place for veteran stars before, so this move is important to the organization on multiple levels.

San Francisco: B +

• Two years ago this would have been a high “A”, but Nnamdi Asomugha wasn’t the force in Philadelphia that he was in Oakland and the return for Dashon Goldson’s loss in free agency was not very good. However, the fact that the team picks up a solid starting level corner at a position of need is pretty large. Craig Dahl is a very low level starting safety in the league so he brings the grade down, and Darcel McBath doesn’t really have a huge resume to judge. We could talk about the championship issue with Nnamdi as well, but the situation is different, looking at the history of the Niner organization.

Defensive Line

Seattle: A +

• Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett are high quality gap-fills, that will help the team survive the likely loss of Chris Clemons for half the season. Each produced at least 9 sacks last season and the ability to keep them fresh through rotation should increase the production of the defense. Also, between them, they were mostly regarded as two of the top three pass rushing defensive ends in free agency. Then you add the signing of Tony McDaniel and you have to applaud Seattle’s moves to shore up the defensive line. While it’s unclear what McDaniel’s role will be or how he’ll produce, it’s an effective move for the protection of the starters.

• Glenn Dorsey has never really lived up to his potential as a starter but maybe he’ll be a force in the run game when only playing for a couple snaps at a time. Chances are he goes to a 4-tech defensive end, like Red Bryant occupies for the Seahawks.

Tight End

San Francisco: C

• Cameron Morrah is a fair get for the 49ers. He’s not a great blocker, but adds very dependable depth to the team, especially in the pass catching department.

• Darren Fells doesn’t really make the “important moves” list. The Seahawks will probably look at the position in the draft as well.

Nov.25, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (right) during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks, as you may know, signed Kam Chancellor to a well deserved extension Monday. The extension is yet another demonstration of how Seattle is an organization that players can be excited about joining. It also doesn’t just just throw money at their good players. Competition is great and becoming a starter the hard way is terrific, but it’s not every day that you get rewarded the way Kam was rewarded on Monday.

As a fan watching the press conference, it was hard not to smile while viewing a beaming Mr. Chancellor and realizing that the guys flanking him were just as happy, if not more so, about what was happening. Of course head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider were those on either side of Kam’s broad shoulders. As he sat there, Kam appeared to be living a dream that went beyond the NFL Draft. He was being recognized for his incredible contributions to a team that has evolved from a losing football team to one of the NFL’s best in just four seasons. He was so thrilled that he said there were “too many words to explain how I feel. Just feel good.”

Throw out all the numbers of the contract and forget that he’s on our football team. It was just a fun moment as a fan to see the enjoyment and appreciation of someone accomplishing such a high level of achievement in their life. The thing that was impressive to hear was a comment Schneider made about his young star in the conference’s closing moments. “Obviously, this is a big deal. A lot of this day is for Kam. Kam was a fifth round draft pick, he hasn’t been able to experience something like this. Hopefully he’s here for the rest of his career. So he’s taken away unrestricted free agency for himself, for this day. This is a very important deal.”

That’s awesome. Not everybody gets an extension like this and, even more, gets his own press conference for it. The organization wanted Kam Chancellor to be able to experience his own day in the spotlight as a person, more than just the enforcer behind the pads on Sundays. He wasn’t able to on draft weekend because of the lateness of his pick, so it was important to bring that feeling of recognized accomplishment into his life. That’s special.

I think that Carroll and Schneider will continue to let their special players have at least one special day, whether it be as a high draft pick or a guy who overcame obstacles to earn his payday. It says a lot about how “classy” the Seahawks organization is. We should be proud as the 12th Man to stand behind these guys as a team each and every Sunday, not to mention the individual players that now make up one of the best rosters in the NFL!

Go Hawks!

Dec 16, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield (26) tackles St. Louis Rams wide receiver Austin Pettis (18) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Vikings defeated the Rams 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Ed Werder is reporting that the Seahawks and free agent corner back Antoine Winfield are close to agreeing on a contract.

Winfield will turn 36 this year, so he clearly isn’t a long term solution for the Seahawks. This move would seem to indicate that the Seahawks have decided they cannot depend on Walter Thurmond to stay healthy.

Winfield is one of the NFL’s premier performers at covering slot receivers, and is exceptional at tackling and providing run support. His speed and ability are a perfect match for what Pete Carroll wants in a nickel corner for this defense, and he’ll provide a nice upgrade from what Marcus Trufant provided a year ago.

The part about this that is truly interesting to me, is that Winfield would be the top CB on many teams in the NFL. In Seattle, he’s the #3 CB behind Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner. Winfield is going to make the already scary Seahawk’s secondary even more so. The Legion of Boom is certainly going to scare opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators in 2013.

I’m very curious as to the financial terms of this deal. Its hard to believe that the Seahawks are willing to pay Winfield what he’s worth. Doing so would likely mean that a large salary cut is coming from another position. Either that, or the Seahawks have concluded that they cannot afford to keep Kam Chancellor, thus holding onto the cap space needed for his extension is no longer needed.

I’m hoping that Winfield found the CB market lacking this year, and signed an extremely team friendly deal just to get a shot at a Super Bowl. It’s not likely, but a guy can dream, right?

In any backup quarterback you want someone who can keep the offense from self-destructing and put the players around him in a position to make plays without making critical mistakes in critical moments. You don’t necessary need the backup quarterback to make big plays but they need to be able to move the offense down the field.  Leinart, Wallace, Quinn and Thigpen all have been career backups and have shown spurts where they have been able to move the ball downfield, none have done it at a consistent level, which is why all four are looking for a job as a backup.

Sep 11, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyler Thigpen (4) warms up before the game with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

In Quinn and Leinart you get two quarterbacks who can stand in the pocket and deleiver the ball to receivers in a west coast timing offense when the running game is clicking forcing the linebackers to cheat up, creating passing lanes underneath.  In Thigpen and Wallace you get very much the same just an extra element. Thigpen and Wallace both can get out of the pocket and make plays with their legs, neither is as crafty as Russell Wilson but the threat to run the read option is there with them, while Quinn and Leinart are not able to do so.

Who gets the job at quarterback then? My guess is as good as any but I’d think Tyler Thigpen is the most likely to sign.  Seattle’s offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spent time with Thigpen in Minnesota before Thigpen was cut and picked up by the Chiefs in 2007, his rookie year. Thigpen while with the Chiefs was able to run for 386 yards, and 3 touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per rush.  Thigpen is a talented passer too who is able to throw the ball downfield and find open receivers. Don’t expect him to go out and make the plays we often see from Wilson, but expect him to be able to run the same offense.  Leinart, Quinn, and Wallace could all be possibilities but the fact that Thigpen is only 28 and quicker on his feet than the rest I expect him to get the nod on Monday.

As Matt Flynn flies the Hawks’ nest to try his luck with the Raiders, the obvious question is who will back up Russell Wilson? Does John Schneider go with a veteran like Matt Leinert, Tyler Thigpen, or even the bad-tempered Vince Young? Or does he wait for a late round gem from say…a small college?  He may do both. But as a matter of style I would guess Schneider will have at least one eye on a late-round, relatively unknown quarterback who can develop behind Wilson. Not that he would ever take the job away from Wilson, but if the Seahawks got a guy who had good physical attributes such as a strong arm, reasonable mobility, height, and who had done well at the small college level, why not take him and develop him in the Seahawks’/Pete Carroll mold?  Bringing a young QB along gradually from scratch has had some appeal for Carroll in the past.

Such a player can be found in one Brad Sorenson from Southern Utah University.  Check out this guy’s physical characteristics.  He’s 6’5”, 230 pounds, and has a gun for an arm.  In other words he’s a prototypical NFL quarterback.  In watching his highlights, which you have to take with a grain of salt because they don’t show his bad plays, he seems to see the field really well.  He has good touch on the ball, can throw to the corner of the end zone with accuracy, and finds open guys when his primary target is covered.  What’s not to like?  Well, he does throw a few interceptions, but he had a lot more touchdowns than interceptions, having just 10 picks against 23 touchdowns last season.

Having not watched any of SUU’s games I couldn’t tell you for sure if he’s inconsistent or streaky.  He seems to stare down and throw to his number one receiver most of the time, which in the NFL could be trouble.  What I can tell you is that Sorenson is the top ranked small school quarterback in the 2013 draft and 15th overall.  The question is how would he do as an NFL quarterback?  A lot of people who make a living comparing players to other players, i.e. draft “experts,” have compared him to John Skelton who started for the Arizona Cardinals in game one of 2012.  Before you smack your palm to your forehead and scream “oh HELL NO” at me just remember, the only reason Skelton started is because the higher rated Kevin Kolb was so bad.  Skelton was obviously not ready, but was good enough to beat out the veteran Kolb who was the talk of free agency three years ago.

So, let’s assume a newly minted 7^th round pick, whoever it is, isn’t going to beat out Russell Wilson and has a couple years to take in Pete Carroll and all that comes with him.  Can a guy with small college experience develop and blossom under Pete Carroll’s tutelage if given time?  Let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that he could.  The only real danger is that the team would need him to step in if the worst happens and Wilson goes down for any length of time this year.  Then we’d be in  John Skelton territory, with an inexperienced small college guy running the offense at a low level of efficiency.  Would that be a disaster for the Seahawks?  Depending on how long Wilson was out, absolutely it would.  But that’s the chance you take in football.  We could all be sitting around in October or November wondering what were the Seahawks thinking when they traded away Matt Flynn!

But you can’t have two starting quarterbacks on the same roster, can you?  That usually causes an ego or a money problem, or both.  The number two guy is always going to want out.  He’s always going to be looking ahead to the time he can get out from behind the starter who is holding back his career.  A possible situation the Seahawks could have with Sorenson is the team would have a guy who is just happy to be in the NFL,  is developing and improving with no pressure, and who gives you at least four years of backup capability without costing much of anything.  After his first season as a backup, he would be a lot more ready to step in if needed.  Heck, maybe he’d even get some playing time this year if the Seahawks get a few blowouts like they had last year!

The last thing I like about this scenario is that if Sorenson or another no-name QB turned out to be a gem, it would just enhance the Carroll/Schneider mystique, which would drive Jim Harbaugh absolutely NUTS!

Before the terms are announced, I thought it would be interesting to gauge what everyone is expecting in return for Flynn. But instead of asking what we think will happen, what i really want to know is what you’d be happy with.

Think of it as “If we get less than ____ in return, I wont be happy with this trade.”

So 12s, what do think?

Aug 30, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn (15) looks for an open receiver during the 1st half against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Possible free agent quarterbacks Seattle could add includes Tyler Thigpen, Vince Young, Seneca Wallace, Matt Leinart, Kevin Kolb, Rex Grossman and if cut by Oakland, Carson Palmer could be a target for Seattle.

I see Thigpen, Leinart, and Young as the most likely being targeted by Seattle.  Leinart played under Seattle Head Coach Pete Carroll while Carroll was at USC, and Leinart was the starting Quarterback. Seattle targeted Leinart in during the 2010 off-season when they acquired Tavaris Jackson, but Leinart chose to stay with Houston.

Leinart has an 8-10 record as a starter, and spent most of his career in Arizona but was cut after failing to beat out veterans Kurt Warner, and Derek Anderson during his time there. He is smart, accurate and able to control an offense. He lacks a big arm, and is unable to move well behind the line of scrimmage to make plays with his legs. Leinart would come cheap, and is a player who will not lose you many games, the downside is he will not be able to run the option, or be a threat doing so, and he will not make many big plays with his arm either.  I could see Leinart coming to Seattle but I would think Carroll would want someone a little more mobile to run the offense if needed.

Aug 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyler Thigpen (4) makes a pass against the Detroit Lions during the third quarter of a preseason game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Thigpen is an interesting option he was the first NFL Quarterback to run the current zone-read pistol college style offense during his time with the Chiefs. In 2008 he started 9 games, threw for 18 touchdowns, and ran for nearly 400 yards.  Despite racking up some nice stats he was unable to win many games going 1-10 as the starter. Despite a poor record he was able to move the offense, and would be able to run the zone-read option with success.

Thigpen also spent time with current Seattle Seahawk offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell during the 2007 off-season while both were in Minnesota. Thigpen was however put on waivers and claimed by the Chiefs before Minnesota could stash him on the practice squad. Thigpen’s poor record as a starter could scare Seattle away but his physical abilities would be appealing to Seattle.

The Quarterback I find the best fit on the market, but probably not a player Seattle is likely to sign is former Seattle Seahawk Seneca Wallace. Wallace spent 2003-2008 as the backup to Matt Hasselbeck during his time with Seattle, before being traded to the Cleveland Browns.  Wallace shares many of the same attributes as Russell Wilson, in skill set and size.  Both are quicker than fast, undersized, and can stretch the field with their arm.

Wallace was always able to come and move the offense while taking over for Matt Hasselbeck, but was never able to play at a consistent level over a long stretch of games. This has led to him being a career backup and he spent the last year completely out of the league. Wallace like Wilson stands under six-feet tall, and is able to make plays with the pocket brings down and would any play in the Seattle playbook. The problem is would Carroll bring back a player he traded when he came here? Would Wallace want to come back to a coach who did not want him? I think Wallace would love to take any job, but not sure if Carroll sees Wallace as his backup.

July 27, 2012; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Vince Young (10) on the field during a training camp practice at St. John Fisher College. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

I see these three veterans as the best fit for Seattle’s offense, other veterans such as Rex Grossman, and Vince Young could be explored. Grossman and Young do have winning record as starters in this league, Grossman however has been very inconsistent and Young is a time bomb waiting to happen with an explosive attitude. His skill set however could make Carroll give him a shot that and a 31-19 record as a starter. While I see it possible and close to plausible I feel his attitude is to much of a threat for Carroll to take a chance.

Whoever the backup is, I don’t see him actually getting any playing time. Wilson has always been able to move around to avoid big hits, and is a smart quarterback who takes care of himself.

This could be a common occurrence with the Seahawks this season, maybe more so than with other teams, if NFL owners vote in a new “head lowering” penalty for running backs .  Pete Carroll has already said the Seahawks are going to remain a “run first” offense.  He may want to change his mind on that one after the first few games if things go the way I’m thinking they could go with this new running back “head lowering” rule.  If you haven’t heard, Roger Goodell proposed a new rule in which running backs will be flagged if they lower their head to use the crown of the helmet like a battering ram.  This essentially means running backs will have to take on hits standing up or risk a penalty.

I was listening to the “Mike & Mike” show this morning on the way in to work, and they had former Dallas Cowboys Great Emmett Smith on the show to give his “NFL Hall of Fame running back” perspective on the new rule.  He brashly said it will make it impossible to play the position of running back.  He claimed there is no way a runner who sees he’s about to have a collision is NOT going to instinctively lower his helmet and his whole body to protect himself.  Smith added, when you are punished for hitting tacklers with your helmet the end result is you’re going to see a lot of guys just step out of bounds rather than try to get more yards.  He thinks it will eventually turn the NFL in to something that resembles “touch football”.   Will this still be “football”?  I say “no”.  Running backs will more resemble quarterbacks at the end of a play, taking a slide to avoid a stand-up hit or meekly squirting out of bounds before the big hits we all know and love.

Now, to be fair, an NFL team of experts, coaches, & former players looked at all the film from last year and only found five instances of this helmet lowering that would have been called under the new rule.  So, while there might be a lot of latitude a referee can give backs on this rule, or there might not be.  The panel admitted it could be very difficult for a referee to fairly call this kind of thing in the heat of a game.  This rule is made for inconsistency in how it’s called, and could be affected by the referee’s angle to the play, his view of the play through other players, the weather, how the other player reacts, and a million other variables.  If NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell decides to push this rule hard, it could really put a crimp on the running styles of the hard-nosed, punishing running backs like Lynch.  A quick review of some “Beast Mode” highlights reveals Lynch does often use his helmet and shoulders and a healthy forward lean to blast people out of his way.  Is this going to make him a magnate for yellow flags?  How could it not?  You could even say Lynch is the kind of runner this rule is designed to punish…errrr…protect.  If there is one rule they could have come up with (other than making the QB scramble illegal) that could put the brakes on a potential Seahawks championship season, this is it!

For other teams with finesse style runners this probably wouldn’t be an issue.  Teams with backs that run in a style more like Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson, or Barry Sanders will get a break because that style runner very rarely takes on a defensive back.  Teams with backs like Earl Campbell, Jerome Bettis, and yes, Marshawn Lynch could potentially lose some important plays, first downs, or critical scores.  Remember the Seahawks were a HALF GAME away from winning the NFC West title.  One bad call can make that difference.  This WILL affect coaching strategies.  Worse case; I think it’s possible that coaches will get tired of all the laundry thrown at their running backs and probably will move away from the running game as an important force in their offenses.  The NFL will evolve into something like the Canadian Football League, where passing becomes the dominant type of play.  That will be too bad.  I think it will wreck the game as it has come to be known and loved.  The diversity of schemes that combine running and passing is what makes the NFL interesting to watch.

The next question is; will the fans revolt?  Will the NFL be on a path to a slow death because fans will slowly find other things to do than watch a league full of guys running around trying to avoid getting hit?  Will the game become something so foreign to our senses that it becomes a laughing stock?  A quick look at the controversy created by the “defenseless receiver” rule should give guidance here.  There were a lot of cases where a legitimate hit was flagged and great defensive plays called penalties.  The hit Cam Chancellor put on 49ers tight end Vernon Davis comes to mind…  That was a great, legal (as it turns out) hit that should have been called an incompletion and brought on the 49ers punting team  if memory serve me.  The penalty turned it into a 1^st and 10 for San Fran.  The Hawks ended up losing that game by a touchdown.  If victories are seen as not legitimately won, the loss of fan interest could put a serious dent in the NFL’s credibility and viewership.  But then the NFL has survived and thrived amid controversial calls for decades, so maybe it’s nothing to worry about.

Last but not least, will this rule, if passed, affect how Pete Carroll and John Schneider evaluate running backs in the upcoming draft?  Might they hedge their bets that sending Marshawn Lynch to ballet school won’t turn him into a finesse  runner and go after one in the draft?  It seems advisable to have a “change-up” back anyway, but maybe this puts a little more urgency into that kind of pick.  I’m thinking a running back with lots of speed and not a lot of brawn, and the ability to avoid pursuit may be high on more than a few teams draft boards.

In the end it looks like the NFL is changing so as not to appear unconcerned, and to avoid the avalanche of lawsuits that will surely materialize if they don’t “do something” now that they know there is a serious problem.  Here are some things about this rule to consider moving forward:  Will it change the game so much that they destroy the game?  If they do nothing can the game survive anyway?  Will the running back become extinct?  Will they have to make more changes to keep the game interesting?  Who knows?  Finding the answers to these questions may become more interesting to watch than the actual games.  One other thing Emmett Smith said is that people who haven’t played running back at a professional level have no idea what they’re talking about.  Sorry Emmett, but THAT’S WHAT WE DO HERE!

Percy Harvin – Is only 24, runs a 40 in 4.3 seconds, does a great job of getting yards after catch and is an accomplished kickoff return runner.

Percy Harvin – misses a lot of practices, unfortunately suffers from recurring migraines and has already exhibited a tendency to be a bit of diva.

So what does this mean for the Seahawks?

It means that if he passes his physical, Harvin will be a speedy receiver with good hands, excellent running instincts and a desire for the ball. It also means that Harvin may continue to miss practices due to his migraine issues and on a team with an “always compete” team mentality, missing practices means Harvin may not successfully compete for as much starting time as he would like.

Going up against Rice, Baldwin and Tate, who have all shown exceptional growth and stability through the 2012 season, Harvin may find himself having to work harder than he has before to get playing time.

While I’m okay with the picks we’ve given for Harvin, I’m not “all in” this trade. But I’m open to the possibilities of the Hawks making it work. Some keys to success for Harvin with the Seahawks will include:

• Adapting to the always compete mode (Doug Baldwin is embracing the opportunity to compete)
• Limiting kick return opportunities (let someone else be cannon fodder, although if rumors of trading Leon Washington are true, hopefully Pete and John plan on picking someone up in the draft)
• Committing to as many practices/mini camps as possible, both for physical conditioning and developing relationships with his QB and fellow receivers
• Understanding that great physical talent still requires considerable practice and application. Ask Golden Tate.
• Appreciating the caliber of players he’ll be sharing a locker room with (Russell Wilson has extra meetings with his receivers and oline… for a reason)

Ultimately, Pete and John are pretty smart guys. I’m pretty confident that they will limit the guaranteed money to Harvin and build in lots of incentives for him to reach for. And I hope he does rise to the occasion. He really needs to appreciate this opportunity for what it is.

Harvin could be great. But he’s not great yet.

Jan 6, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons (91) lies on the ground after being injured against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at FedEx Field. The Seahawks won 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, I made the mistake of looking at the contract for Chris Clemons. If I could go back, I’d force my self not to look. Seriously, I wish I hadn’t.

It’s not huge, especially for a player with his production. In fact you could argue that he’s underpaid if you compare his contract so some of his peers.

So why, you might ask, do I wish I hadn’t looked? Because there’s a problem.

Clemons will count $8.16 million against the cap in 2013, and will almost certainly miss at least the first 10 games of the year. That is, unfortunately, not smart way to use your salary cap space. Especially if his injury pushes the Seahawks to sign another DE (John Abraham perhaps) to a fairly large contract to try and offset his absence.

Look, I am not, in any way, advocating that the Seahawks release Clemons. I advocated for the Seahawks to get him his new deal when it was time. And would love to see him retire as a Seahawk. I believe that John Schneider and Pete Carroll agree, and want to keep him on the roster.

I also know that they might not have a choice. The Seahawks are gearing up for a run at a Super Bowl. They need to fix the pass rush, and it might not be able to be done on the cheap. It’s quite possible that the Seahawks will get to a point where they need that cap space to sign another player, and can’t find it in any other way.

This is one of those unfortunate aspects of a salary cap league. Resources are limited. Tying up a bunch of those resources in a player who you know wont be playing just isn’t using your resources wisely.

It would be an easier choice If Clemons was locked up long-term, but he’s not. He only has 2 years remaining, and one of those being the this next year when he’s unlikely to play much. So keeping him with his current contract would be  handcuffing them this year just to get one more year of his services.

Basically what I’m saying is don’t be surprised if something changes. Releasing Clemons would be the most extreme of all the options, and likely would be a “last resort” measure.

More likely is that the Seahawks will rework his contract. Adding a year would make sense as long as it allowed the team to drastically reduce his cap number in 2013. The could even simply ask him to take a pay cut for this season since he wont be playing much, but they’d also have to be willing to deal with the situation if he says “no” to that request.

Ultimately, I don’t have the answer. I want Clemons to remain with the team, but I understand that using 6.5% of your total cap space on the player you know ahead of time wont be playing also doesn’t make much sense.

Clearly, the Seahawks have a tough decision to make here. I’m just glad I’m not the one who has to make it.

Feb 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks just became the latest team to nab an ex-basketball player to play Tight End in the NFL. Darren Fells signed a 3 year contract Tuesday with the Seattle Seahawks. Fells is 27 years old and has been playing basketball internationally. The Hawks are looking to find another gem off of the basketball courts after seeing the success of past basketball players like Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham.

Fells was planning to hold a Pro day but after visiting the Seahawks his Pro Day was not needed. The Seahawks were impressed enough to sign him before he left Seahawks Headquarters. Fells was a High School All-State Tight End in California but chose basketball over football in College and hasn’t played since. He has played basketball all over the world but never has been able to make it into the NBA and so he chose to go pro in a completely different sport.

Fells being 6’7 and 280 pounds could be a huge target in the redzone paired with either Zach Miller or Anthony McCoy. The question has to arise as to whether or not the Seahawks could be planning on using Fells in place of Miller who has an 11 million dollar cap hit in 2013. The Hawks don’t want to lose Miller but if he isn’t willing to restructure his contract they may have no choice but to cut him to save money and use it elsewhere.

As the 2012 season progressed it was obvious that Russell Wilson grew more and more comfortable using his Tight Ends over the middle. In 2013 Wilson will likely use his Tight Ends even more and the Seahawks will look to use Double Tight End sets even more. Darren Fells could be used in jump ball isolation plays using his size and vertical abilities.

Again Pete Carroll and John Schneider have shown that they are willing to look everywhere and anywhere to find whatever pieces they need to make the Seahawks a Super Bowl contender. Even though Fells has not played since High School the Seahawks front office has earned the right to sign whoever they think will fit their system.