Montana’s Brock Coyle, BC’s Kevin Pierre-Louis Threaten Seahawks’ Vets on Stacked LB Unit

Sep 15, 2012; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back

(right) returns a punt past Boston College Eagles linebacker

(24) during the first quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Priority Free Agents Re-signed to Roster

• LB O’Brien Schofield – Re-Signed with Seahawks

After signing with the Giants on a 2-yr, $8 million contract, it seems the Giants reconsidered their plunder at the last second and failed Schofield on his physical, so he returns to Seattle. He didn’t do a whole lot in the stats column in 2013/2014 (8 tackles), but the fifth year vet offers a physical style of player in the Seattle backup role. Also, you may be surprised to realize that he made an appearance in 15 of Seattle’s games (partially due to special teams). I very much like to think of him in the Malcolm Smith mold, but he hasn’t yet had a chance to break out. Once a solid LB prospect from Wisconsin, Schofield can play traditional LB, Seattle’s special LEO spot or traditional DE if need-be. Also, while some LB special-teamers are ignored throughout the league, Seattle’s are revered for their special attributes. Heath Farwell and Schofield were key contributors on what have become some of the best overall units in the NFL, so that won’t be taken lightly.

Retention Grade: C+

Draft Pick Additions

• Round 4, Pick 32 (132) – Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB, Boston College

KP-L was a very intriguing luxury pick for Seattle and interestingly he is the only true “OLB” listed on the Seahawks’ roster at this moment in time. He had a huge senior season at BC, going in on 104 total tackles while garnering six sacks and an interception. This may have been a different draft but you don’t generally find that kind of production from an ACC player that late as your fifth overall selection. Pierre-Louis (pronounced Lew-is, not Lou-ie) offers 4.51 speed and a knack for the football, which will come immediately in handy on special teams as the Hawks strive to get even better there. But this was the type of pick that will ensure continuity and similar ability from the Seattle LB-corps moving forward, especially if they can’t afford Smith and Schofield within the next couple of years. Heck, he may even be on his way into the regular rotation this season. After watching him in the rookie camp, LB coach Ken Norton Jr. praised KP-L as one of the most natural and fluid LB’s the Seahawks have on the roster. High praise.

Draft Grade: B+

Undrafted Free Agent Additions

• Brock Coyle, LB, Montana

While Montana is a D-2 school, the Griz generally have some of the toughest-minded LB’s in the nation at that level. Coyle is a very intriguing prospect and was a projected 4th or 5th rounder by NFLDraftScout going into the 2014 NFL Draft. He registered back-to-back 100 tackle seasons at inside linebacker in college, a very high number for that position at any level. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve watched a D-2 player stick on an NFL roster and as one of only three true additions to the unit this offseason will likely get a good look through at least a good chunk of the preseason. There are two ways that Coyle sticks on this team come week 1. He can either fight his way past Mike Morgan at inside LB and go on to back up Bobby Wagner, or if he offers a younger, cheaper option than 10-yr veteran Heath Farwell, he could stick as a specialist. If his potential is anything like his numbers indicate, either or both of those have a good chance of happening.

• Horace Miller, LB, UTEP

Miller is the fourth and final addition (at least to this point) that the Hawks have made to this unit. I think the competition is far too high for this kid, but he did make it past the tryout stage. With only 30-some tackles as a career-high, Miller was just too unproductive in college for me to consider him a serious contender for a long-term job in Seattle.