Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network is reporting that the Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals are in the hunt to secure the services of San Diego restricted free agent Charlie Whitehurst.
The four-year pro visited both teams, but hasn’t saw any regular season action as the third-string quarterback for the Chargers. San Diego tendered him with a third-round pick, so if Seattle signs him they would have to give up a third round pick to the Chargers as compensation. Of course, the Seahawks do not have a third-round pick, so some time of deal would have to be struck if the Seahawks pursue him.
Derek Anderson has visited both teams as well, so whatever team does not get Whitehurst likely will pursue Anderson.
In his fourth year out of Clemson, Whitehurst moves pretty well and has been coached by a pretty good offensive mind in Norv Turner. He’s 27 years old, so he could be a good guy for Seattle to get in order to groom for a potential replacement to Hasselbeck.
The Cardinals would like Whitehurst to come and push Matt Leinart for the starting QB gig.
Check out a quick highlight of Whitehurst here.
So let me get this straight. We got rid of our backup qb (2nd team) for a 6/7 round pick next year and we might give up a 3rd round pick (which we don’t have) for a 3 string qb this year.
We don’t have a 3rd this year so are they going to pay more for this guy?
Am I missing something here?
I am starting to wonder why we are trying to give our draft picks away when this is supposed to be the best draft class in years.
× Flag comment
If Whitehurst would be acquired as a potential, eventual replacement for 8, how long would 1) it take to establish him as the starter and 2) he have as a starter after that?
× Flag comment
Who is this guy??? Is he any good???
× Flag comment
3rd round pick in which year… 10 or 11?
GO HAWKS!!
× Flag comment
SnakeDoctor, Regarding Senaca, it’s either that or you cut him, which means you wont’ get anything back. I’d take something over nothing at all. The current regime does not believe in Seneca and I don’t blame them. He’s reached his ceiling. We need someone with a higher ceiling for our backup QB. We may use him in the future or get better trade value, (i.e Matt C. or Matt S)
× Flag comment
Let’s just hope there is just a lot of “due diligence” being done on the part of the Hawks new regime. And that in the end some great decisions and improvements will be the result.
× Flag comment
Snakedoctor, you miss the point. Whitehurst is being looked at as the eventual replacement for Matt, something that Seneca was never going to be. It is most probable that he would be the backup QB and step in front of Teel.
× Flag comment
The Hawks need to quit playing around and pull the trigger on Whitehurst because he is rotting away on the SD bench. This guy has the potential to become a real stud in this league. They can probably work out a deal for him now, the third round pick does not matter it’s just to guage interest. THEY NEED TO GET A YOUNG QB IN HERE SO THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRAFT LINEMEN. Check out Whitehurst’s highlight reel here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANY7ZipBA2w
He is very big, mobile, and looks like he has a strong and accurate arm. Hass can teach him a thing or two while he waits out a year to get his turn. Derek Anderson sucks, let him go to AZ and suck there, I have no problems with that.
× Flag comment
I know nothing of Whitehurst, but if our front office and staff feel he can be a good QB after Matt is gone, then I’m all for giving up our 4th rounder for him. I hear he’s looked good in pre-season and practices and that sounds a lot like Matt (who worked out quite well). It’s not his fault he hasn’t seen any action because the Chargers have a top 5 QB and a very capable back-up. I will defer to the FO on this one (not that they need or want my opinion) and trust them to bring him in if they think he can/will be a good QB. I like the idea of him already having spent some time in the NFL, too. I hope he works out over taking a QB in the 1st round.
I’m really starting to warm-up to the idea of Okung at #6 and trading from 14 to 15-16-17 and get anything we can get… to take Iupati. And if Marshall is traded for our 2nd rounder… that’s a revamped OL and a WR who makes QBs look better than they are… which means we can actually have fun watching our offense again… and then our D will naturally improve since they will get to play with some leads so they can be more impressive…
× Flag comment
Rollo, I can hardly believe I am saying this, but I agree with you completely.
Although Whitehust has proven jack in the pros, he has the grooming thus far to become a starter. Plus, a season or two behind Hass and he could be dangerous. Remember, Hass learned from Farve, Holmgren and Zorn so he has tons of knowledge to pass on.
I’m not over-impressed with the YouTube video because it shows him having success against guys who, for the most part, are driving beer trucks and stocking shelves at Home Depot now. But Rollo’s point is taken: Good size, decent mobility and good arm. Sounds like a good #2 to me.
Let’s get it done.
× Flag comment
This make little sense to me. The ‘Hawks are planning on grooming a 28 year old (that’s what he’ll be when the season starts) that hasn’t taken one snap in 4 season in the NFL as Matt’s successor? That’s odd to me. I remember him from the ‘Hawks first preseason game last year in San Diego. (You remember the one, Walker and Reed went crazy for the first time that preseason.) My only recollection of him is that he looked awkward, gangly sort of. That said, I found this on a Charger blog called BoltHype. It is from the summer of 2007 –
“BOLTHYPE: I would certainly keep an eye on Charlie Whitehurst. If he shows real improvement, I would expect that at some point he will be traded to a team that needs a potential starting QB. He is receiving some of the best coaching a quarterback can get, and there are certainly going to be some teams in the coming seasons that need a guy with his tools.”
If this were true then, why has it taken him to become a RFA, 2 years later, to garner interest? Personally, I’d rather draft Zac Robinson from Oak St in the mid / later rounds.
× Flag comment
What happened to the RB they had in ?
× Flag comment
Duke, if they bring this fellow aboard, I am going to guess they get rid of Hasselbeck outright. I think it’s either/or for the reasons you mention. They clearly don’t think they can win with Hasselbeck now (which Mora found out the hard way), which means they must have watched a few snaps of him play the last several years.
All my opinions of course.
× Flag comment
They just paid him a million dollars. They won’t drop him “outright.”
× Flag comment
Well, yesterday Hass received a $1 million roster bonus, so I’d be surprised if they cut him. And trading him in favor of a player that hasn’t taken a snap in a regular season game seems highly unlikely to me, as well. It’s part of the reason I find this an odd move, potentially. If they like his tools, then I guess the age and inactivity (no fault of his own) doesn’t concern them and feel he can develop into Matt’s successor. I can’t imagine they’d bring him aboard to remain a career back up, there are too many capable veterans available to fill that role, so that’s all I can believe. Like you, it’s only my opinion too, but I don’t care for it. Who knows, as I learn more perhaps I’ll warm up to it, should that become necessary.
× Flag comment
Eric–you had a little typo at the end of the second paragraphy “some time of deal” I assume should read “some type of deal”. Sorry to be picky, just trying to help out a bit. Thank you for all that you do…I am enjoying all of your hard work here!
× Flag comment
Matt signed through next year, so really, we shouldn’t drop him. Whitehurst had potential coming out, but not sure as for the future.
× Flag comment
“if they bring this fellow aboard, I am going to guess they get rid of Hasselbeck outright..
Dumb post of the day.
They aren’t dumping Hass outright. And Whitehurst isn’t a ready-made started. He has a better shot at starting sooner by going somewhere outside San Diego. Why? Because San Diego has
a.) A good offensive line and
b.) A younger started wh ohas NOT been hammered due to an ineffective O-line
If Delhomme, or someone with a proven track record as a starter was being sought after b the ‘Hawks, then all the haters could forecast the departure of Hasselbeck.
My hope is that they draft O-line with both 1st rd picks, grab some playmakers in free agency/later rounds and bolster the defense throughout. Then the haters won’t have anything to throw at Hass when he has a great season this year.
× Flag comment
I’d like to know why Seneca Wallace would have had to have been cut? For what reason?
I have less and less faith in this new front office and coaching staff. We trade Wallace for a six pack of Michelob, and now they’re drooling after some third stringer that that’s never taken a regular season snap in 4 years and would cost a 3rd round pick we don’t have? And that’s after they flirted with the idea of flushing the #6 pick overall down the toilet for Lawrence Phillips Jr.
Here’s an idea: our guards suck unless Max Unger plays there, so why didn’t we make an effort to sign Rex Hadnot? What was not right about him? Didn’t have a rap sheet? Wasn’t in Southern California/has taken snaps in a regular season game? Didn’t play for the Patriots? So far that seems to be the criteria for this new regime to pursue free agents.
× Flag comment
If they sign Whitehurst , I would be willing to bet that they would not draft a QB in either the 1st or 2nd round. That gives us three picks for an OL, DL & Safety or RB. I would like that scenario
× Flag comment
$1 million is the equivalent to about 10 minutes worth of interest made on Paul Allen’s money. My guess is (and just a guess) that Cleveland tried to pry Hass away from us, but ol Fozzy Bear was looking to get him on the cheap (surprising for Holmgren) so we said no, and gave them Seneca instead. With all of these reports coming out lately surrounding the QB issue it seems to me that Hass is not welcome hear anymore, a la Jon Kitna. So the Hawks ponied up the mil to keep him on the roster in hopes of trading him to another team. Hass is obviously not PC’s choice for a QB no matter what he says. PC is a smooth talker who had spent the last nine years in LA and is really doing the ol’ wheel and deal wherever he can. Personally, I like the aggressiveness he shows, it’s a lot better then keeping drunks and nancies around because their “good kids” then letting them waste away into roster cuts while the best guard in football walks away. What PC is showing me is that he really doesn’t like the crop of QB talent in this draft (save Clausen who he followed since he was 13), or if he does he really does not want to overpay for them. He’s on a five year deal and it doesn’t seem like he wants to waste two of them developing a rookie QB, he would rather take somebody else’s guy who has been getting developed while riding the pine and plug him in. A lot of people seem to be worried about not getting O-line help, and I disagree with that sentiment. When that draft rolls around, that’s what they are going to get because they know they need it, especially with a new QB.
× Flag comment
Well said, rollo73. Look at the Eagles with Vick, they are on the hook for $5m now with him and they don’t even want him. They think he can net them a 2nd rounder so they are paying him this money.
$1m for some QB insurance is nothing in the world of NFL finances. But it’s clear they aren’t long for Hasselbeck around Seattle.
× Flag comment
Whitehurst is tied with the rest of the TNT Seahawk Insider followers for regular season pass attempts…0 He does have two career rushing attempts for 13 yds and a TD
I’m not sure why we’d trade for a QB who’ll be 28 at the start of the regular season and who is a four year vet on paper but just as green as the rookies that are coming out this year in terms of game experience. It’s not like Kolb’s got a hell of a lot more experience (130 pass attempts in 12 career games) but he’s two years younger and I’d rather hitch my wagon to him rather than Whitehurst
× Flag comment
hambone08:
Whether it’s Whitehurst, Anderson, Kolb, or anybody for that matter I don’t think it really matters to PC as long as the guy is not 35, slow, and prone to injury. I do agree with what you’re saying about Whitehurst being a little old, no matter if his body is five years younger or not. Put him behind our current O-line and he’ll age ten years by the 2 min warning of the first half in game one of the pre season.
My question is why don’t we just throw Mike Tell in there then?
× Flag comment
Whitehurst could be like Hasselbeck was early on – a QB who had very little regular season game film and we just had to trust the coach knew what he was doing. And the first year, it looked like Homgren made the wrong choice. Then Dilfer tore the achilles in Dallas in 2002, Hasselbeck showed the light went on and he knew how to use the checkdown and the rest was history!
We are coming off one of the worst 2 year streches in franchise history. I’m in favor at this point of having Teel and another young guy (say Whitehurst) compete for the spot and hoping for the best.
At least if they throw 4 INTs in a game where they have little pressure and a good running game, we could chalk it up to youth rather than not having 2 HoF OL or taking a few too many hits.
× Flag comment
Rollo / pabuwal – I disagree with the notion that Carroll / Schneider are interested in running Hasselbeck out because he’s “not their guy”. Far more plausible is that Hass is a (soon to be) 35 year old QB who hasn’t made it through a full season since ’07 and has started all 16 games only 3 times in his career. This is a man with a lot of miles and they are wisely preparing for a future without him. How they are going about that is certainly open for debate. But I reject the idea that they want him out simply because he’s not “their guy”.
× Flag comment
Duke, I don’ think they want to run Hasselbeck out because he’s “not their guy.” I think they want to run him out because their is no use for a bottom 5 QB who is 35 years old.
I was trying to make a comparision with Hasselbeck in 01 on the faith we would need to have when they bring a guy with no film like Whitehurst.
× Flag comment
Okay. I misunderstood when you agreed with rollo’s statement – “With all of these reports coming out lately surrounding the QB issue it seems to me that Hass is not welcome hear anymore, a la Jon Kitna.”
× Flag comment
I was agreeing with it, but I didn’t take that statement to mean that Hasselbeck was simply not their guy. I took it to mean that the FO sees in Hasselbeck what Holmgren saw in Kitna, that he is not going to be good enough to play at a high level going forward.
× Flag comment
The weird thing about this discussion is that none of us really know what we’re talking about with respect to Whitehurst. None of us can say we have seen him play in a meaningful game (because he hasn’t). He may not be at the ideal age but you can bet there’s plenty of tread on his tires. His 28 year old body as an unused QB is like a 24 year old at most other NFL positions, as QBs tend to play/last longer than the other offensive/defensive ones. If we get him, I’ll be on his bandwagon. If we don’t, I’ll be a Kolb, Anderson, or whoever fan (as long as it’s not Jimmy Clausen… I’ll still be a Seahawk fan, obviously, but I’ll be like a Philly fan when it comes to “liking” him).
× Flag comment
I see and stand corrected. I’ve been an advocate for getting Hass’ successor in as well, even if I disagree you about Matt, ability wise. In any case, we are in agreement in principle.
× Flag comment
Looks like we’re about to make a big free agent splash. lol
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/12/seahawks-trying-to-sign-chris-baker/
× Flag comment
I wonder why they feel getting another tight end is such a need. It sounds like they may want an all-round #2 TE, not just a blocking specialist.
Of course, if we follow the theory of the anti-Hasselbeck crowd, all this interest in tight ends means the front office has lost confidence in John Carlson and they’ll soon be running him out.
× Flag comment
UGH!!!
× Flag comment
lol…freedom_X
I’m in the belief that this is all due dilagence on the FO’s part. I also think that maybe it’s just all smoke, trying to make it harder for other teams to guess what they’re gonna do by bringing in and calling about so many players. I have no doubt that JS and PC are gonna improve this team day by day, year by year, and player by player. I’m not stressin’, just sipping the kool-aid
× Flag comment
I think it means they hate John Owens.
× Flag comment
Just so I’m not spewing mis-info here….Matt is only signed through this year I think ? So we really need to make a call this year, albeit thru FA or the draft. Kolb ain’t leaving Phili, Delhomme is a disaster, Anderson is erratic, Bradford won’t make it to #6…..so what’s the answer?
I say take a closer look at Clausen. The WCO he ran for 3 seasons looks a lot like a pro-offense….and he did pretty good. Just saying. I know there’s LT and Berry there too….maybe even McCoy (which I would say take immediately).
× Flag comment
Also, Charlie Whitehurst? Really? Anderson is younger or within a year and has made a pro-bowl. Whitehurst has never played a down in regular season and would cost us a 3rd round (or whatever we can give). I’ve said it before, the kicking tires of all the QB’s is a very different feel from previous seasons.
× Flag comment
I see nothing wrong in signing Anderson AND trading for Whitehurst. Obviously, Anderson is going to want to start somewhere, but if he can’t find that gig, I’d love to have him. If you are going to be a back-up, Seattle is a place you want to be. They have an older QB who is coming off two subpar seasons (although I still believe he’s good with a better supporting cast… broken record…) who is in the final year of his contract and a new regime who would like to bring in a new face of the franchise (QB).
× Flag comment
PC has said that hes going to have numerous qb’s around always. He has also said we are going to compete like crazy. So I could see them keep Teel, bring in a new guy, draft one, keep Hass and say ok lets have a shoot out and see who is the last man standing.
Probably be done at more than one spot. No vet should feel safe now.
I am going to go to Walter Football and read up to see if the still have Whitehurst in their draft info.
× Flag comment
I thought that PC was going to meet with Walt the week after the combine in regards to the big guys future? What ever happened with that meeting?
× Flag comment
Everyday I miss Holmy more & more. I so hope that PC isn’t the 2nd coming of Jim Moron, but I don’t have a good feeling……….
× Flag comment
great slot at the 6th pick this year. We either grab a franchise LT, DT, FS or QB.
× Flag comment
moo – lets hold our judgement until after the draft. But if they don’t improve the OL until the 6th/7th rounds, then I think they are fair game for damnation. Unless, of course, someone like Jared Gaither was acquired in a trade to bolster the unit.
× Flag comment
QBs
ERFA
CIN Jordan Palmer 25 yo Rk (NA)
RFA
SD Charlie Whitehurst 27 yo Rk (NA) 3rd rd tender
OAK Charlie Frye 29 yo Rk (47) 3rd rd tender
OAK Bruce Gradkowski 6-1/220 27 yo Rk (22) 2nd rd tender
NYJ Kellen Clemens 26 yo Rk (62) 3rd rd tender
KC Brodie Croyle 26 yo Rk (29) 2nd rd tender
DEN Kyle Orton 26 yo Rk (23) 1st rd tender
BAL Troy Smith 25 yo Rk (39) 5th-round tender
BAL John Beck 28 yo Rk (NA) 3rd rd tender
MIN Tarvaris Jackson 26 yo Rk (37) 3rd rd tender
DC Jason Campbell 27 yo Rk (20) 1st rd tender
UFA
MIN Sage Rosenfels 6-4/218 32 yo Rk (74)
PIT Charlie Batch 6-2/216 36 yo Rk (39)
STL Kyle Boller 6-3/218 28 yo Rk (69)
NO Mark Brunell 6-1/217 39 yo Rk (101)
DET Daunte Culpepper 6-4/260 33 Rk (44)
HOU Rex Grossman 6-1/217 29 yo Rk (58)
CAR Jake Delhomme 6-2/205 35 yo Rk (44)
CAR Josh McCown 6-4/215 30 yo Rk (62)
DAL Jon Kitna 6-2/217 37 yo Rk (NA)
AZ Brian St Pierre 6-3/230 29 yo Rk (62)
OAK JP Losman 6-2/212 29 yo Rk (75) backup with natural arm strength and athleticism
DET Patrick Ramsey 6-2/225 31 yo Rk (58) (IR’d last season)
TB Jake Plummer 6-2/212 35 yo (Out since ’06?)
× Flag comment
The people lol-ing at the possibility of signing Chris Baker will see how important exactly that kind of signing is. The second tier guys are how free-agency is done best, and with what I expect to be a lot of 2 TE sets this year he could be a very big asset. Not a big name, but hopefully not too big money either.
This is what I want from our management in the future–explore all options, bring a lot of guys in, but excercise some restraint in making a splash, hang onto draft picks and build young.
× Flag comment
You obviously haven’t been here long enough to read how much we appreciated what Ryan Hannam did in ’05 and how he was a key, underappreciated cog in the offensive machine that season.
Sometimes a “lol” is an underappreciated (funny) sarcasm.
× Flag comment
I’ve been here a very long time, just never post. I read no sarcasm in BobbyK’s earlier comment and think referencing Ryan Hannam in ’05 to show that “we” appreciate a back-up TE is just ridiculous.
The level of appreciation by “us” is pretty clear in how quickly a potentially high value move for the Seahawks that BobbyK was good enough to point out has been ignored in favor of yet more wild speculation.
× Flag comment
moo,
Holmgren isn’t exactly making friends in Cleveland. They are NOT happy about the Seneca trade and the thought of bringing in Delhomme as the starter. They are happy about re-signing Cribbs but that’s about it for now.
Holmgren was not the answer here. Get over the fact that he’s gone. Seattle will be better for it. There was too much baggage left over from the TR/Holmgren feud. The team needed a full house cleaning.
× Flag comment
True. Good point. And well taken. But I don’t want to reference everything I’ve ever said or more writing would be footnotes or references than actual writing. So even though the earlier point can be taken as making fun of the new regime at face value; it’s not (yet anyway).
I sometimes wonder how many people in the organization get fake accounts and defend themselves under phony names on these sites? Not implying that you are and that’s what you are doing. It’s something I’ve often wondered. I know some of the staff used to surf the blog here a few years back when Sando was here and the ST coach at the time confronted him about something he said and comments that were made (random thought for the night).
And, yes, you build through the draft and try to stay young. But make sure you have a franchise QB. And you keep your own FAs; even if you pay more (b/c they are yours and letting your own good players leave makes no sense under most circumstances). But the big FA splash isn’t bad once in awhile if you’re smart about it (R. White and D. Sanders… but not the likes of J. Peppers and D. Robinson).
× Flag comment
Anybody have any thoughts or hear anything about Seattle bringing in a safety or two to visit?
I think it’s a relative priority and would love it if the team showed they feel the same way, maybe bring in Atogwe or Sean Jones to talk.
× Flag comment
I’m all for Atogwe, but, unfortunately, haven’t heard anything.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=3283
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=3283
As the article states, we may not hear anything until June 1. If we sign him tomorrow, the Rams can match if they choose. However, it doesn’t look like the Rams would be willing to bump his 1-year salary to over $7 million for ’10 if they keep his rights until after June 1… so by waiting until after June 1 he really would be a free agent with no strings attached…
× Flag comment
boucherm – what kind of draft are you hoping for? Trades? Who in the 1st/1st/2nd… It’s nice having “new” people on who post (I know you said you have been a follower for a long time though).
× Flag comment
I’m hoping for O-line help. I’d love to see one of the 1st round picks be a high end LT that has the potential to be a guy you just pencil in for the next 8 years. I’ve certainly become accustomed to the luxury of having Walt erase RE’s without a RB or TE needing to chip, and while I realize that’s asking a lot I would like to see us pulling in someone that is a long time starter and building block for the future.
If we don’t find a saftey prior to the draft and Berry were to fall to us (which I think is a long shot), I’d love to have the excitement and flexibilty that he could bring with the 6, followed with a LT or Iupati at 14.
I am less concerned w/ a DE in the first round than I think others are.
I’m also not a Clausen fan, and might cry if he goes 6.
I do agree with your earlier mention of Gaither at the 2nd round tender and think that could be a really good move. I belive there was another LT of similar ability tendered at a 2nd round price, but don’t remember who.
I think that second round pick would be a great spot for a tailback or WR if O-line is adressed.
I think the prospect of trading down is pretty real, and really don’t know how I feel about it. Having 2 early 1s and the #40 pick means that PC/Schneider can put a stamp on the team, set a direction and potentially some cornerstones. What do you think about trading down? What would you like in the draft?
× Flag comment
Also, thank you for the link to the Atogwe article. I think it might be factually flawed, though. He has been tendered by the Rams, and so must either sign w/ them or sit the year, right? I think once an RFA contract is offered, the player must sign or sit, just like a franchise tag. If the collective bargaining agreement was renewed and the year were capped, he would be an unrestricted FA, so I wonder if they just didn’t update it. Do you know why he would become unrestricted on June 1st? I can’t inagine the RFA tenders just disappear, otherwise why would any team give up a pick?
× Flag comment
Has anybody watched MIN’s QB T.Jackson to notice tendencies? WCO, mobile, good arm, accurate? For a 3rd rd tender, he’s got starting experience, he’s not appearing to get much attention, and his ’09 season (87 snaps, 22 pass attempts) overall NFL QB rating was 113.5, his QB rating when under pressure was 93.1, and his QB rating vs blitzes was 110.4. For his ’08 season (450 snaps, 214 pass attempts, 215 hand-offs, 21 runs) his overall NFL QB rating was 85.9, his QB rating when under pressure was 53.9, and his QB rating vs blitzes was 66.5. TJ’s stats were nearly as good as Matt’s in ’08, and way better in ’09. Matt’s a better QB, but think I’d rather have TJ for backup than Whitehurst.
× Flag comment
If we offered a 1,000th round pick in the 5949 draft for Jackson, I’d be mad.
× Flag comment
In a perfect world, Okung will be there at #6.
Then we’d be able to pull off a trade at #14 and still take Iupati before Pittsburgh drafts at #18.
In the 2nd, we could trade to later in the round and pick up a selection later in the draft and get Mike Johnson.
Then with the trade down at #14 and the 2nd rounder, we’ll have a few extra picks to play with for other positions. Even if we trade out from #6 and add Bulaga later… I’d be all for that too. The more picks, the merrier…
I know going LT, LG, RG with an early 1st, mid 1st, and late 2nd isn’t exactly sexy… but that’s a line who can spend 10 years together… and the way people complain all the time about continuity anong the unit… this is a way to make sure you have people working together for a long time (barring injury)… Mark Sanchez never would have been Mark Sanchez this past season if it werent’ for his OL. If he would have been a Seahawk this past year, people would be saying he’s a bust (b/c of the terrible line play and the bad WR play too).
× Flag comment
BobbyK, hilarious.
Jackson has been really inconsistent and I wouldn’t trust him with the ball in his hands. He seems to have trouble with reading a defense. He’s mobile and looks like he has a live arm, but if what he’s done is the West Coast Offense, Bill Walsh is spinning.
× Flag comment
Exclusive-Rights Free Agents are players who have completed between 0-2 accrued seasons of service whose contracts have expired. If tendered, they have no negotiating rights with other clubs and must sign their tender with their old club or sit out the season.
Restricted Free Agents in ’09 are players who have completed 6 accrued seasons of service and whose contracts have expired and haven’t been renewed prior to expiration. They have received tenders from their old clubs and are free to negotiate with any club until April 21 (before the draft?), at which time their rights revert to their original club. If a player accepts an offer from a new club (signs their tender), the old club has the right to match the offer and retain the player. If the old club elects not to match the offer, it may receive draft-choice compensation depending on the level of the qualifying offer that was made to the player. “Poisen Pills” are apparently in play, which might prevent original clubs from matching tenders from the new club based on clauses inserted into the tender. Once the player signs the original team’s tender, that team may then shop that player to other teams in a trade.
× Flag comment
BobbyK I agree with your draft thoughts. I’ve read comments from PC about the team narrowing their focus amongst O-linemen based on what Solari wants, and I wonder how that will affect the prioritization in the draft.
The Sanchez comment is spot-on. The Jets’ draft a few year ago using an early 1 on the LT and then the later 1 on the interior lineman (center in their case) coupled with a few veterans led to there current success, at least offensively. As much as I like that model I’d be lying if I said I would be satisfied with the first 3 being OL. I know in my head that could be the right thing, but if any one of those 3 picks goes to another position I would probably be more excited by it. A safety, RB, WR or DE would also help a lot, and Solari has had success w/ later round OL talent.
× Flag comment
kim008, thank you.
Atogwe is an RFA, and so should not revert to unrestricted status after June 1 by anything I know of.
× Flag comment
boucherm –
I’m not being asked, I know, but Alex Gibbs is the OL coach now, so PC’s looking at zone-blockers, per AG’s specifications. According to past OL players for AG, he (Gibbs) demands intelligence, speed, athleticism and attitude. Maybe trading for 350# OL guys is gonna fit that mold, but I gotta question it. If the LT is ‘on an island’, maybe that’s true in pass-pro, but I haven’t seen it in run-blocking except to close the back door pursuit or cut block the RDE on off-tackle runs.
OJ Atogwe is a good pass-rusher, but Babs is better vs the run. So is Grant for that matter. The problem is neither Grant nor Babs were any good in coverage last season, which Atogwe was at least average at. What if Mays fell to the 2nd?
× Flag comment
Agreed on the Oline comments, sacrificing size for agility is what I meant, intended to write Gibbs and wrote Solari. I had read that they had automatically narrowed the scouting based on the skill set Gibbs is looking for. Gaither is a bigger guy, listed at 6’9″, 340 lb, so maybe he doesn’t fit as somebody they’d be intereseted in as an RFA. I know that I feel pleased in just trusting that the team has a direction planned and the draft pick/straight cash ammo to do it.
Even though Atogwe made his way into several RBs’ highlights I have to disagree and believe he’s stronger vs run than Babs. Maybe I’m too high on him but I also see him as better than avg in coverage.
If Mays fell to the second I’d be pretty excited, but I kind of doubt it after the combine showing. I had been hoping for Delmas/Chung with the early second round pick last year, and believe we traded out w/ Denver because they were snatched up. If Mays fell to the second and KC went OL and not Berry I can’t inagine him falling to Sea.
× Flag comment
Given that the Seahawks have done very little in FA on the OL they are probably thinking that they have most of the pieces set on the OL, they just need a real LT – probably though the draft.
LT – Rookie
LG – Rob Sims
C – Unger
RG – Spencer
RT – Locklear
This crew pass protected well at the end of last season. They ran the ball well at the end of last season. The offensive struggles in the final quarter of the season weren’t due to these guys. The Massive INTs didn’t come off of pressure, in fact they came when the QB had a lot of time. It was almost better for him when their was pressure so he could just throw the ball away – the blame could be layed elsewhere.
4 of these players are the same or better than what they had in 2007 and they had a pretty good passing offense. So what happened? Does losing Walter Jones make that much of a difference? I would say it makes a huge difference because LT was a problem last year and RT suffered a domino effect. That position NEEDS to be fixed big time.
But even bigger than losing Jones was a QB who in 2009 when he had time, sat there holding the ball for eternity knowing he couldn’t make the tough throws and then eventually throwing an INT when forced to make a play. It wasn’t very different than 2008 for Hasselbeck. In 2008 Hasselbeck had a decent OL in Jones, Sims, Spencer, Womack and Locklear. He had time and threw INTs. The OL problems didnt start until the final quarter of the season and Hasselbeck was already out by then.
× Flag comment
“In 2008 Hasselbeck had a decent OL in Jones, Sims, Spencer, Womack and Locklear.” How many games did that line actually play together? Without looking it up, I’d guess no more than three. The o line issues began in pre season. Not to mention Hasselbeck’s bulging disk in his back.
× Flag comment
I forgot about the Sims injury, but for all his starts he did have:
LT Jones
LG Wahle, a dropoff from Sims in pass blocking
C – Spencer
RG – Womack
RT – Locklear
This line was intact while Hasselbeck was the starter. The line was in shambles by the last quarter of 2008 but by then it was Wallace’s problem.
× Flag comment
pabuwal – you could easily be right and in my narrowmindedness, I could be wrong about Sims, Unger, Spencer, Lock… but I feel like we’ve been beaten for so long with, overall, terrible OL play that I don’t want to continue the failed experiment (I know Unger is a newbie… I do like him at C, not G). Yes. Injuries have been a factor, but I’m so scared to death with the status quo on the OL that I don’t want to have to trust in some of them ever again. I’ve been burned too many times.
× Flag comment
Personally after the last 2 years, I’d rather them blow up the entire team and start over. It’s been even worse than 1992-1993 in many respects. Before 2008, I always thought with Haselbeck as the QB we wouldn’t have to go through 1992-1993 again.
Looking at the last quarter of the season, when Spencer moved to Guard and Unger played Center, I thought the OL did ok and with a new LT or Jones (I can dream, right?) this year, it would be even better. The Seahawks ran the ball well and Hasselbeck had time to throw the ball.
So given that he had time and the running game was decent, were his INTs a result of
1). He couldn’t get the ball where it needed to be, consistently
2). He didn’t understand Knapp’s offense
3). The WRs just couldn’t get open at all
We saw with some of those INTs that the ball took a long time to get where it needed. Players came out of nowhere to jump them. In other situations, he stared down the WR forever (he never did that under Holmgren). We saw some passes to Branch that were INTs. I thought they were desperation lobs (an easy throw) while others thought Branch should have made a play.
But it’s imposible for me to tell on TV how open these WRs were getting.
× Flag comment
Matt started all of 7 games in ’08. Games 1-4 then 11-13, he did not have that line in front of him for all his starts. We can discuss whether he holds the ball too long or throws too many INTs or whatever, but the simple fact is he has not had a healthy offensive line in front of him in 2 years. (And don’t misunderstand, I’m an advocate for finding his successor now.)
× Flag comment
Everytime I post something on 2008, it’s like I erased any existence of Mike Wahle from my memory. It appears he only played through game 10, so the line I listed above (Jones, Wahle, Spencer, Womack, Locklear) was nearly correct. These 1 year veteran stopgaps that don’t last the full season (Sharper, Taylor, Wahle, Edge) are quickly forgotten I suppose.
The end of this year, he had Locklear, Sims, Unger, Spencer, Willis which was a healthy line – the first one in a while. I don’t think any of us expected Jones to play this year – the stuff about microfracture on the “non-weight bearing” portion of a 35 year old’s knee was nonsense.
× Flag comment
pabuwal,
I agree with you. If I were a betting man I’d expect this to be the line this year:
Drafted LT, Sims, Unger, Spencer/Willis, Locklear
or they go back to last year’s line and ‘hope’ they finally gel
Lock, Sims, Unger, Spencer, Willis
× Flag comment
And Spencer giving way to Vallos in the 7 sack debacle that was Hass’ last game of the year. That line was dinged from camp to the last game. Yes it got worse throughout the season, but to say Matt had a healthy line would be incorrect.
× Flag comment
I know alot of guys are high on Iupati but I don’t see that happening for a couple of reasons:
1. #14 is too high to take him as he’s only projected anywhere from 18-29
2. Although OL is a high priority (i.e. landing that LT of the future) there are too many other holes (Safety, DL, future QB) to spend both 1st rounders on linemen.
× Flag comment
When are they going to take.
The training wheel`s off of Teel?
× Flag comment
In the 08 season all five O line starters ended up on IR.
As far as this season, Sims and Spencer get totally overwhelmed at times and Locklear is always injured. Seattle needs four new starters on the line.
× Flag comment
In 2008, Spencer started through Week 11 against Washington and Vallos played the Thanksgiving game against the Cowboys. That was Hasselbeck and Jones last game of the year. The Cowboys game was indeed a debacle with a one-legged Jones trying to stop Ware.
It appears Hasselbeck’s line in 2008 was (by week # not game #):
Week 1: Jones, Wahle, Spencer, Sims, Locklear
Week 2: Jones, Wahle, Spencer, Womack, Locklear
Week 3: Jones, Wahle, Spencer, Womack, Locklear
Week 4: Jones, Wahle, Spencer, Womack, Locklear
Week 11: Jones, Wahle, Spencer, Womack, Locklear
Week 12: Jones, Womack, Spencer, Willis, Locklear
Week 12: Jones, Womack, Vallos, Willis, Locklear
× Flag comment
“LT – Rookie
LG – Rob Sims
C – Unger
RG – Spencer
RT – Locklear
This crew pass protected well at the end of last season. They ran the ball well at the end of last season. The offensive struggles in the final quarter of the season weren’t due to these guys. The Massive INTs didn’t come off of pressure, in fact they came when the QB had a lot of time. It was almost better for him when their was pressure so he could just throw the ball away – the blame could be layed elsewhere.”
I think you’re probably right re the line, feels like that’s how it will shake out to me too.
Completely disagree with you that the line pass protected well at any point last year – Locklear was horrible at LT, and Willis was even worse at RT – hopefully Lock bounces back when he’s back at his regular slot. He looked slow and apathetic to me when he came back from his injury last year. And Willis just didn’t have NFL-level pass protect skills.
× Flag comment
Thanks, I didn’t feel like going through and coming up with it week by week.
× Flag comment
Duke – I felt I had to because I kept talking about it. Looking at this list, it appears the only problem position was RG. – the other ones seemed fairly stable. Stable for the Seahawks, not the Giants.
× Flag comment
pdway – I think once you find a nice LT of the future and Locklear slides back to RT, the line becomes decent on an absolute basis, rather than on a relative basis. The end of last year they were better than they were earlier in the year, but not where they need to be to field a playoff caliber team.
I should probably use the terms “ok” or “passable” when discussing how they played at the end of the year rather than “well.”
× Flag comment
oceanic,
Sorry, but completely unrealistic to expect 4 new starters on the line. Where are the bodies going to come from?
Unger is a lock at Center. So I’m assuming you have him as the one keeper.
The team will likely draft a LT of the future. That’s one new body.
The team doesn’t have enough draft choices to fill out the other three spots and still fill other positions of need.
There really aren’t any FA’s out there that are so dramatically better than what is already here that you blow the whole thing up and start over.
Sims and Locklear WILL be on the starting line somewhere. So that’s 4 spots.
So there is only a possibility of maybe one other guard position being filled.
As I said the team can’t spend both its 1st rounders on OL no matter what we fans think.
× Flag comment
I’ve watched and read for awhile now, but only posted a handful of times. Soooooo, I was just wondering…does anyone know if these OL men we’re talking about drafting (Bulaga, Okung, Iupati) are “athletic” enough to fit our Zone Blocking scheme?
“Athletic” = Not big, fat, slow, arms out and stumble forward kinda guys
× Flag comment
Typically, those three would more often be associated with a man scheme. But I think Okung and Iupati are certainly athletic enough to work. Beyond those three, Anthony Davis would be a good fit, and in mid rounds Zane Beadles would be a great addition.
× Flag comment
When talking about current linemen, does anyone but me question the value of Spencer as a starter? As has been mentioned, you typically cannot blow up the entire line in one year. Spencer as a two position back-up would be good in transition. Am I missing something in his value?
× Flag comment
ESPN reporting Hawks ink TE Baker.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4992444
× Flag comment
Has anyone heard if Walt has talked to PC yet about the possibility of returning?
× Flag comment
Charlie Whitehurst? Tarvaris Jackson? What, Rob Johnson isn’t available? Maybe we can get David Greene to come out of retirement. Good god, this isn’t scraping the bottom of the barrel, this is crashing through the bottom of the barrel and digging into the covered up latrine that the barrel was sitting on.
× Flag comment