Seahawks add inside trading tackling machine in Mychal Kendricks
Presumably the Seahawks added Kendricks for his football prowess, not for any stock tips. This is one pickup that could play immediate dividends.
Not to make light of the situation, but it isn’t every day your favorite team signs a guy who just pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy and securities fraud. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks was released by the Cleveland Browns just hours after he entered his plea. The Browns loss is the Seahawks gain. And when did you ever expect to read that statement?
Seattle signed Kendricks their newest player to a one year deal. As it stands now, he’s likely going to be able to fulfill that contract, as he isn’t due to be sentenced until January 24th, according to this tweet by Adam Schefter. It’s also possible that the league could take action against Kendricks. We’ll get to that soon enough.
First, it isn’t a particularly great look to hire a guy who just pleaded guilty in federal court to any crime. Obviously, the Seahawks are desperate for help at linebacker. K.J. Wright isn’t close to coming back yet. Neither Shaquem Griffin nor Austin Calitro played at a Pro Bowl level against Denver. As reported by Bob Condotta in the Seattle Times, Pete Carroll gave a brief update on Wright:
"“It’s always going to be (a challenge) all the way through this first season and into next year is just getting really sharp,” Carroll said. “Because that stuff takes a long time to do really well and consistently. He didn’t have many plays in the running game that he didn’t fit up right. He was pretty sharp on that stuff, for the most part.”"
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Seahawks need help at linebacker this week
Add in that Bobby Wagner popped up on the injury report Thursday with a groin issue, and the Seahawks probably would have signed Al Capone if he could play linebacker. Relax, I’m not comparing insider trading to murder. Just saying, it isn’t the best look.
Given the NFL’s history of fair and equitable punishment, I foresee anything from a one game suspension to decapitation. I’m pretty sure there’s a big Wheel of Punishment in the league office, and you just get whatever comes up. Grope a woman, get three games off. Violate NCAA rules and you get a five game suspension. There’s really no way to tell what the league will do, if anything. Hopefully, they hold off on any punishment until K.J. Wright is back. Or Griffin and Calitro are up to speed.
Enough of that off the field stuff. What does Kendricks bring on the field? He should be an immediate upgrade over both Griffin and Calitro. According to Pro Football Focus, Kendricks graded out at 86.0 overall last year for the Eagles. Applied to 2018, he would rank the 11th best in the league, right behind – hey, Bobby Wagner! That’s pretty solid.
light. Related Story. More on the Kendricks signing
Kendricks was good enough to get 13 starts at weakside backer for the Super Bowl champs. He defended six passes, chipped in two sacks, and had 51 tackles with 22 assists. That’s a pretty good match for K.J. Wright’s worst season, when he made just 46 tackles with 34 assists. I’m not knocking Kendricks, just saying he isn’t K.J. Wright. I guess I’m happy he’s on the team…if I can get past the whole committing fraud thing. I admit, I’d be happier if Kendricks played right tackle.