Friday, March 15, 2013

And Michael Bennett?!!? That's just not fair!


Just when you thought it was safe to get back to living your normally scheduled life, John Schneider and Pete Carroll say "nah, F that BS!"  I was at work when I saw that the Hawks had signed Michael Bennett for a "measly" (to Paul Allen at least) $5 Million.  I couldn't contain myself for the rest of the shift and literally jogged home from the train chanting "SEA... HAWKS" under my breath.  Yeah, I'm pumped.  Bennett's 1 year deal is almost identical to the one signed by Jason Jones last season during Free Agency.  It gives Bennett the opportunity, like Cliff Avril before him, to improve his market value with a great showing in 2013.  Moves like this are becoming a John Schneider trademark, so I don't really know why I'm surprised.  I guess I just never thought I'd see the day where very good players were taking bargain contracts in order to get a chance to come play for a winner in Seattle.  Everyone in the Seahawks Front Office needs to take a bow right now for making this happen.

Bennett was the guy I was hoping Seattle would land this off-season.  Even more so than Desmond Bryant, I was hoping that Seattle would see what I saw and bring in Bennett to play all along the Seahawks line.  I expect him to line up at the 3-Tech in the Hawks Nickel D, while also spelling Red Bryant at the 5-Tech.  He should offer a nice change of pace on the outside, as Bryant is strictly a run-defender at this point.  Bennett offers much more in terms of pass-rush ability, while also being a stout defender against the run on the edge.

At this point, the rest of the NFL must be feeling like Tony "Duke" Evers (Apollo's trainer up above) right about now.  Yet again the Seahawks have been able to turn a position of weakness into a position of strength.  They acted quick and wisely.  The much-maligned pass rush just got a whole lot better with the addition of two of the best DL's that were on the market.  All at remarkable value for the club.  This deal, like the Avril one, injects the Hawks with talent for 2013 without tying their hands financially in the future.  Unbelievable work by John Schneider and no, typing that NEVER gets old.

Bennett's no stranger to the Pacific Northwest.  Signed by the Seahawks as a UDFA out of Texas A&M, Bennett had an excellent showing in Training Camp and the preseason before being cut for no apparent reason except for the team to keep OT Kyle Williams instead.  Williams went on to never do anything for the Hawks and it continues to serve as a reminder that Tim Ruskell did a pretty miserable job in Seattle.  I can't believe I once uttered the phrase "In Ruskell We Trust!" proudly.  My Seahawk fandom should be revoked for that but luckily it hasn't been and I've been able to watch the present unfold right before my eyes.

So Bennett is back in Seattle, but meanwhile back in Tampa, Bucs fans are none too pleased with the decision to let Bennett walk over $5 Million.

Bucs fans react to losing Bennett

It appeared that Bennett was going to allow the Bucs a chance to match any offer he received and that he wanted to end his career with Tampa Bay.  His agent later retracted those statements on his behalf, likely to preserve his value on the market, but the sentiment remains.  Bennett preferred staying in Tampa Bay and yet somehow John Schneider and co. came away with him for $5 Million on just a one year deal.  I'm in agreement with the Bucs fans in that thread, this is a major steal for the Seahawks and a great value signing. Bennett is now entering his prime and I could see him putting up a great season for the Seahawks.  He appears to be exactly what the Hawks were looking for in Jason Jones, only more durable and stronger against the run.  He lacks the speed and athleticism that Jones has, but the traits above more than make up for it.  You can't argue with the kind of production he's provided in Tampa Bay over the last two years.  The Avondale, Louisiana native has registered 13 sacks over the past two seasons since working his way from UDFA backup to starter.  His 9 sacks in 2012 were a career high and something that Seattle hopes he can build upon in 2013.

So what will the Seahawks think of next?  Could Charles Woodson be coming to town?  He's currently visiting with the 49ers but we've already heard Pete Carroll gush over him a few weeks ago.  Whoever they bring in next, it's sure to surprise almost everyone.  The beautiful part about all of this is that now, not having our 1st round pick doesn't seem so bad anymore when you consider we turned it into Percy Harvin and bolstered the pass rush with 2 guys that will probably be better this season than anyone we'd get at 25, especially on the defensive line.  It usually takes time for defensive linemen to develop, so counting on a bunch of rookies to get the job done might not have cut it when the team is this close to being Super Bowl ready.  Now, Schneider and Carroll can kick back and relax, crank up those reggae tunes, and let the draft come to them.  Maybe the rest of the NFL SHOULD just throw in the towel?

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Magic! Seahawks Sign Avril for 2 Years/15 Million


Just when you thought you couldn't possibly love John Schneider and Pete Carroll any more than you already do, they go and pull this stunt.  Reports surfaced last night that Free Agent Defensive End Cliff Avril was on a plane to Seattle to visit with the Seahawks.  On the surface, it seemed like a token visit to possibly help generate some interest for the former Lion.  In what seemed like 20 minutes though, news broke that Avril had already signed with Seattle!  There go John and Pete again with their patented "cobra strike!"  

The only explanation I have for all of this is that Avril, much like Matt Flynn last season, didn't see the market play out for him the way he and his agent had expected it to.  Last season, Avril refused to sign the Lions Franchise Tender last season of 10.6, missing 8 days of camp before finally reporting and signing on the dotted line.  Prior to that, Avril rebuffed the Lions attempts to sign him to a 3 year/30 million dollar extension.  Now, he's signing in Seattle for 7.5 million per season.  It could be bad business on the part of Avril's agent, or it could be a sign that the tides are turning in the NFL.  The Seahawks are now among the "contenders" that NFL Free Agents want to play for and while they don't usually go down the FA road, Seattle's shown no hesitance to jump on a player receiving minimal interest at a bargain rate.

In Pete Carroll's end of the season press conference he mentioned the need to "bring in a couple of pass rushers."  Last season, he mentioned the need to improve the team speed on defense.  The two meet in the middle here as Avril has outstanding speed, running a 4.51 40 at the Scouting Combine in 2008 while standing 6'3" 260 pounds.  He's a bit undersized by normal DE standards, but in Seattle's 4-3 Under Defense he fits right in with the physical description of a Pete Carroll LEO.  Consider that current Seahawks LEO Chris Clemons stands in at 6'3" 255 pounds.  Perhaps the Seahawks see a bit of Clemons in Avril?  We'll see how Cliff holds up against the run, as that ability is what makes Clemons a great fit at LEO.  At the LEO, Avril will rarely see double teams from the TE/RT like he would as a Left Defensive End, the position he played primarily in Detroit.  

Of course we can't ignore the fact that Avril's sack totals may have been boosted by the presence inside of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.  This is probably true but now you have to also factor in the fact that he'll be playing with a much better secondary behind him than what he had in Detroit.  So those two factors should probably even each other out, the better secondary leading to more coverage sack opportunities, and we should expect his production to stay about the same.  Plus, playing in front of the CLink will definitely be a boost.  We heard Jason Jones (who ironically signed with Detroit yesterday as well) mention last year how playing in front of the 12th Man is definitely a benefit for a defensive lineman.  The same should hold true for the even speedier Avril.

What's especially interesting to me is that the two sides agreed to a two year deal.  Much like the "show me" contract the Seahawks have dished out to guy's like Jason Jones in the past, this two year pact allows Avril to reestablish his value on the market and possibly get an even bigger contract when this one expires, much like Jones was able to do.  Those worried about the Seahawks dolling out tons of cash and thus being unable to re-sign their own guys when their contracts are up need not worry because Avril's contract will be off the books by then.  John Schneider has being a great NFL GM down to a science.

What's next for the Hawks?  They still need some help at DT, specifically the 3-Tech.  I wouldn't be surprised if Alan Branch were brought back in the near future.  If the price isn't right with Branch, there's a plethora of DT's still on the market although at that point Seattle might just decide to turn to the draft.  Amobi Okoye is a guy I'd love to see the Hawks take a chance on.  A former 1st round pick, Okoye entered the league at just 19 years old with Houston and posted 5.5 sacks in his rookie season for the Texans.  That's excellent production from a 19 year old adjusting to the NFL and it shows the promise Okoye once had.  Seattle has had success resurrecting fallen prospects careers in the past, could Okoye's revival be in the cards?

It's definitely an exciting time to be a Seahawks fan, even if the team will be absent during Day 1 of the draft.  With the way things are going in Seattle right now, Seahawks fans need to be on red alert.  You just never know what John Schneider and Pete Carroll might decide to do next!

Welcome to Seattle, Cliff!

  

Gone but NEVER forgotten: Leon Washington


As the old saying goes, all good things come to an end.  It's especially true in the NFL, a cutthroat industry where teams are in the business of winning football games at any cost.  So long as that cost fits in with a team's plans of course.  In the NFL, rarely will you see the release of such a beloved player like Leon Washington handled with such grace.  An old friend of mine used to tell me, "Dave, you can't teach grace.  You're born with it."  Well then, my buddy would agree that Leon Washington, Pete Carroll, and John Schneider were born with grace to spare.

When Leon Washington arrived in Seattle through a Draft Day trade in John Schneider and Pete Carroll's first draft in 2010, it was obvious that Seattle saw something special in Leon.  Despite leading the NFL in all-purpose yards in 2008 with 1,606, Washington missed the entire 2009 season after a horrific knee injury.  One of the worst knee injuries the game has seen in recent years.  Some thought he'd never be the same.  Not Seattle.  Considering what they've done with 5th round picks (Sherman, Chancellor), it might have been considered a steep price to pay for a man who's career in football was in doubt at one time in the not so distant past.  Turns out it was one hell of a bargain.

I was always a fan of LEON!  Me and a friend used to follow the draft and college football religiously, and at the time my friend was an FSU fan so I knew all about Leon.  It was the 2006 draft and there was another running back with speed, elusiveness, vision, and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield that was getting all the attention.  Reggie Bush out of USC was the media's chosen one.  Meanwhile, the man from Jacksonville was hardly getting any fanfare because his Florida State Seminoles weren't quite what they used to be.  Washington was also part of a crowded backfield at FSU, so he never quite put up the numbers that people expected him to upon his arrival to Tallahassee.  While Bush was dominating games in the national spotlight, Washington was struggling to crack 1,000 yards rushing in a single season. Amazingly, he never accomplished this feat.  Bush would end up going 2nd in the draft to New Orleans, while the Jets took a chance on Washington in the 4th round.  Their pro careers couldn't have turned out any more different.

While Bush struggled initially with finding his footing in the NFL before finally showing signs of life, Washington has exceeded expectations everywhere he's gone en route to having a share of the lead for most kickoff return touchdowns in NFL history with 8, as well as his all-purpose yardage title in '08.  Many forget that before his injury, Washington was a real threat at running back for the Jets.  A do-it-all type back, Leon was an impact player who could take it to the house on any given play.  It's only fitting that the man who replaces him on kickoffs is one in the same.  While Washington is no longer the blazer that he used to be, and Harvin's speed is rare, few have been blessed with the vision that Leon Washington has.  He could be patient and wait for his blocks to develop or he could look like he was shot out of a cannon the second the ball touched his hands, this unpredictability helped make Leon not only the greatest kick returner in Seahawks history, but one of the greatest kick returners to ever play the game.

What's even more impressive, and what makes Leon a beloved figure everywhere he goes (Jets fans still love Leon to this day), is Leon Washington the man.  His work ethic, visible by his unlikely return from his devastating knee injury, and his warrior approach to the game are what makes him an instant hit wherever he goes.  Wherever he goes next (I'm guessing he returns home to Jacksonville with Gus Bradley, but he's currently visiting the Patriots.) he's sure to be an instant sensation.  I give it til the 1st preseason game when he scratches and claws his way for every possible yard on a seemingly inconspicuous kickoff.  You can't help but love this guy and the energy he brings to the team.  Not only is he loved by the fans but his fellow teammates love him as well.  Earl Thomas certainly wasn't too pleased upon hearing about Leon's release.


Which actually brings us to the only positive from this move.  Shortly after placing Leon Washington on the trading block, news broke that the Tampa Bay Bucs actually came to the table with a trade offer for Leon.  Specifics of the proposed deal are unknown, but rather than trade the veteran return man, John Schneider and Pete Carroll decided to do right by Leon and release him.  Thus allowing him to choose where he wants to play next.  A rare bit of humanity in an otherwise bleak process.  Also, it's possible that Leon could get a new signing bonus with his next contract.  A classy move on the part of the Seahawks, and one that Washington definitely appreciated.


As always, Leon handles the situation with grace.  You could tell during the Percy Harvin press conference that it hurt John Schneider to have to cut Leon but to Leon's credit he understood that it was the move that had to be made. He's a smart guy. This was one of those great relationships that just has to come to an end for both sides to better themselves for the future. Leon is a baller, he's got that John Abraham trait in him and I could see him returning kicks a lot longer. Crazy that the Jets actually used to produce some tough, durable bastards. Curtis Martin and Wayne Chrebet come to mind as well, Richie Anderson too. This isn't the end for Leon and at the same time, he wants to be out there returning kicks. With JS/PC trying to maximize Harvin's talent and have him return kicks (I think Tate will get to return some kicks/punts too), there was just no way he was going to get any burn. Towards the end of the season they had him in there at the end of the 1st half in the two minute drill. Against Arizona he had a pretty nice day (who didn't), and showed that he could still run the ball as a backup, just in a different type of offense. Now he's free to pick where he wants to go next.  Let's just hope it's the AFC and definitely not Tampa Bay!  Nah, Leon wouldn't do us dirty like that, he's not that kind of guy!

Earlier this year while I was working, I had a WSU/Oregon game on the TV at work and was visibly cheering for the Cougs.  Ya damn straight I was!  The game was being played at the CLink so the camera crews kept showing the usual gauntlet of Seattle landmarks whenever the city is rarely featured in a nationally televised sporting event.  Pike Place Market, The original Starbucks, Safeco, you know the drill.  One of the people sitting at the bar asks me if I'm from Seattle.  I reply no but tell him that I went to school out in Washington and that I consider Seattle a home away from home.  Turns out his job is relocating him to Redmond, Washington and he's a bit nervous about the whole length.  While I'm talking to him about Seattle, his wife mentions that they have a friend that plays football in Seattle.  My eyes lit up like the leg lamp from 'A Christmas Story'.  I mentioned that I was a diehard Seahawks fan and was wondering who the player was.  When the lady told me the guy's name was Leon I immediately screamed "LEON!" like if it were gameday and he was about to take one to the house!  She told me that Leon's one of the kindest, most genuine people she's ever known and that he's an inspiration to anyone who knows him.  I thought I was pretty lucky with this chance encounter alone, but it got better.  She sent him a text telling him that she just met a big fan of him and the Hawks and it turns out he ended up asking for my Twitter handle and giving me a shoutout on Twitter.  Might not seem like a whole lot, but just taking the time out of his day to do that was pretty special.  

That's just one of the positive words you can use to describe Leon Washington.  John Schneider hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing Leon back into the fold later on in free agency, but with Washington's talents he's likely to find a job elsewhere.  Goodbye for now Leon and good luck with anything you do.  You've been there from the beginning with the revamped Seahawks starting back in 2010.  You've been a part of the ride and you've made it an excellent one.  You will be greatly missed but you will NEVER be forgotten by the 12th Man.


Monday, March 11, 2013

John Schneider and Pete Carroll give me a belated birthday gift in the form of Percy Harvin


I turned 26 the other day (the 8th) and while I had a great time with friends and family and got small pretty cool gifts (I know people will appreciate this one in particular...  Sick Seahawks Birthday Gift), this feels like the ultimate birthday gift.  A special sorry goes out to my girlfriend in advance, but Pete Carroll and John Schneider stole the show with this one.  There were rumors earlier in the off-season that the Seahawks would be interested in Harvin if he were to become available as many expected, but I definitely did not see this move coming.  "Wow" just about sums it up.

I've never really been a fan of Percy Harvin, the person.  Or at least the things that we've heard about him over the years.  Percy Harvin the player, on the other hand, is without a doubt one of the best playmakers in the game.  From his days at Florida, you could tell that he was on the path to being something very special.  An electric return man with impressive versatility, I remember watching Harvin and thinking that he's one of the quickest players I've ever seen.  His ability to weave through traffic is other worldly and unlike anything I think I've seen on a football field before.  I wondered if his slight frame would cause him problems after leaving the Gators for the NFL, because despite his size he runs with the reckless abandonment of a much larger man.  It didn't.  Not at all.

Some might point to his injury history and the migraines he suffered back in 2009 and 2010.  He hasn't had any bouts with migraines in over 2 years, which is very encouraging for the Seahawks.  His injury situation this past season was a bit overblown as well.  Harvin suffered a sprained ankle (in Seattle, coincidentally enough) and was seen arguing with Vikings Coach Leslie Frazier on the sidelines.  After another blowup with Frazier, this time behind closed doors, Harvin left the team and was placed on IR.  It was a very nasty "divorce" and certainly nothing that Harvin should be proud of, but had this not occurred he very likely would have returned from his ankle injury before season's end.  

What Pete Carroll would tell you is to focus on the positives with Harvin.  Not what his limitations are and what he CAN'T do but what his strengths and unique skills are and what he CAN do for Seattle.  When you talk about unique skills, Harvin possesses many.  Track star speed, ridiculous body control, outstanding athleticism, you name it Harvin's got it.  A tenacious and spirited player, Harvin is one of the league's best at making the first man miss and gaining yards after the catch.  With GM John Schneider's experience in Green Bay, it's obvious that he loves the YAC ability that Harvin brings to the table.  Coupled with Russell Wilson's scrambling ability and Golden Tate's abilities to extend plays after the catch, the Seahawks are now loaded with players that can improvise and make things happen in the open field with the ball in their hands.  Make no mistake, if Harvin keeps his head screwed on straight this will be a massive get for the Seahawks.

The reward is potentially massive for Seattle, as are the risks.  First, the Seahawks relinquished a 1st rounder, as well as a 7th rounder and what appears to be a 3rd rounder next year.  Second, the Seahawks will have to get Harvin signed to a new contract, and it won't be cheap.  Paul Allen's bank account will take a bit of a hit but if all pans out the way the Seahawks hope, he'll get to trade in that cash he's giving to Percy Harvin for a chance to touch the Lombardi Trophy in January.  I'm sure he'd tell you that that's a no brainer for him.  As far as the draft capital the Seahawks are giving up is concerned, consider that you won't find a player of Harvin's caliber at #25 in this year's draft.  This is widely considered a deep draft where no one knows what value most of the players outside of the Top 15 have.  A guy like DeAndre Hopkins could go 25th or he could go 56th, no one knows for sure yet.  This draft might lack star power but it certainly makes up for it with tons of quality depth.  The Seahawks will still have a chance at finding some solid contributors in the later rounds, which is where they've actually thrived in recent years.  I feel that Seattle's ability to find superstar talent later in the draft allowed them to feel more comfortable making this trade.  Kudos to the front office for putting themselves in such a fortuitous position. 

Some Seahawks fans are expressing concern with the fact that Harvin may miss time due to injury in 2013.  Even if he does, the Seahawks offense has proven that it's a very good unit without Percy Harvin.  Another year and another off-season with Russell Wilson and the same core of players would have likely meant more progress from the Seahawks on offense in 2013/2014. However, adding Harvin to an already stellar cast makes this offense legitimately elite and a nightmare for opposing defenses to gameplan.  So if he's playing, Seattle's offense is elite.  If he's out, they're still in good hands without him.  Fear not, Seattle fans.

Once again John Schneider pulls an excellent move on the trade market out of thin air.  Like Marshawn Lynch before him, Percy Harvin comes to the Hawks with his fair share of baggage.  The Seahawks didn't get the sweetheart deal that they got from Buffalo for Marshawn's services but that's beside the point.  Pete Carroll gets his "touchdown maker" that he covets so much and Russell Wilson gets a receiver who can do two great things for him.  1, he can get open when Russell rolls around in the pocket trying to keep a play alive and 2, opposing defenses won't be able to blitz Seattle as much due to the fact that Percy Harvin is one of the best in the league on screens and quick hitters.  I had a friend of mine (Eagles fan) tell me today that he has no idea how anyone is going to stop this offense.  Where in the past teams could focus on shutting down the run to throw our offense out of rhythm, teams will now have to focus on how to shut down Russell Wilson's arms, legs, receivers, and oh...  there's this nasty dude with grills named Marshawn too.  Keep in mind, Seattle will ALWAYS be a run-first team.  It's the identity they've built and one they plan to stick with.  Having said that, they are also a run-first offense with an absolutely deadly passing attack.  

In other news, the 49ers tried to fire back with a move for WR Anquan Boldin. The 6th rounder they gave up is decent value, but nothing too incredible when you consider Boldin will be 33 this season and isn't getting any faster.  It's true that he's coming off an incredible playoff run and Super Bowl, but there isn't much for the future in this deal for San Fran.  Something tells me Jim and co. weren't too happy when they caught word of the news coming from Seattle and wanted to fire back.  Wait, what's that?  We have actual footage of Jim Harbaugh's reaction to hearing about the Percy Harvin deal?


Doesn't look like Jim likes this move one bit.  If you're a Seahawks fan though, you should.  No, this isn't a remake of the Deion Branch trade.  All you've got to do is watch highlights of the two side by side and you'll see why.  Percy Harvin is a gamebreaker.  The type of player that can change the course of a game at any single moment.  If Harvin can keep his ego in check and go "All In" to what Pete Carroll's preaching, and if he can stay healthy for most of the 2013 season, Seahawks fans will remember this day for a very long time.  The day they went out with aggression and no fear and got themselves a legitimate superstar.  One that takes them one step closer to the Super Bowl at the Meadowlands.


Oh, and did I mention that Percy Harvin wore the #12 in Minnesota?  Think it's a sign?  Let's hope so.