Near the end of the second episode of the latest iteration of HBO's Hard Knocks, a training camp edition that features the Seattle Seahawks, free agent cornerback Terrion Arnold is seen working out for the team, and then coaches and executives huddle.
What made the moment feel like a dud was that 12s already knew Arnold had visited with the team. Twice.
If anything was gleaned from the team's interest in the embattled player is that quarterback Jalen Milroe was definitely given his opportunity to give input on Arnold. The two were roommates at the University of Alabama. Milroe's opinion of Arnold was glowing.
Hard Knocks doesn't teach Seattle Seahawks fans anything about the Terrion Arnold situation
Some have made a bigger deal about Arnold being recruited to Alabama by current Seattle defensive backs coach Karl Scott. But as most 12s know by now, Scott never coached Arnold at the college, as Scott left before Arnold arrived on campus to take an NFL position.
The link between Milroe and Arnold was and is much stronger, but again, Seahawks fans already knew that. Of course, Hard Knocks isn't just made for a Seattle fanbase, but the greater football audience. Maybe some casual fans didn't know of the player visiting the team recently, and that would at least be a good reason for showing him.
The other reason, of course, is Terrion Arnold's ongoing legal issues, which might become clearer on Wednesday. According to CBS, Arnold has an arraignment date, and his availability to play in the league this season might be known then. Maybe.
The NFL could also levy punishment against Arnold, who is facing eight felony charges (four for kidnapping and four for armed robbery), that could keep him from playing. The league can't suspend Arnold yet because he isn't actually employed by a team. Once he is, the league could suspend him for many games.
That is another part that the Seattle Seahawks have to weigh. If they take a chance on signing a player, he will be able to participate in games. The NFL isn't going to let a team know how long the suspension would be because that would create an unfair situation for other players. Arnold isn't going to be made a special case, and neither is any potential suitor like Seattle.
There was also some implication that if Seattle were to sign Arnold, the cornerback would be available for the preseason. That seems logical. It is the regular season that matters, though. That is when a potential suspension would occur.
The bottom line is that the 12s knew the team was interested in Arnold. What fans want to truly know is whether he is going to sign, and then whether he is a good enough person to earn his spot in the team's culture.
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