Seahawks Insider » Front office

Seahawks hire Matt Thomas as new VP of football

Eric Williams — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:33:58 +0000

The Seattle Seahawks announced this afternoon that they have hired Matt Thomas as Vice President of football Administration.

Thomas replaces John Idzik, recently named general manager of the N.Y. Jets.

“Matt is a well-respected salary cap expert and was recommended by many top-ranking NFL executives,” said Seahawks general manager John Schneider. “I am excited to welcome him to our football family.”

Thomas joins the Seahawks after spending the last three seasons with Cleveland in the same capacity. He began his NFL career in 1998 with Miami, spending 12 seasons with the Browns, including 2009 as the Dolphins vice president/general counsel and football administration.

Thomas is a graduate of the University of Denver, University of South Dakota School of Law and the New York University School of Law.

Seahawks’ cap guy Idzik hired as N.Y. Jets GM

Eric Williams — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:39:21 +0000

John Idzik, Seattle Seahawks vice president of football administration, looks on during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

The New York Jets officially announced that Seattle Seahawks vice president of administration John Idzik has been hired as the team’s new general manager.

“John has seen first-hand what’s necessary to construct a winning team and has worked with some of the most innovative and successful coaches in the NFL, including Pete Carroll, Tony Dungy, Dennis Green, Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren,” said Jets owner Woody Johnson. “Drawing on 20 years of NFL experience, John, working with Rex (Ryan), will get the Jets where all of us want to be.”

Idzik joined the Seahawks in 2007, serving as the team’s chief negotiator and salary cap expert.

A graduate of Dartmouth College with a degree in mathematics, Idzik played receiver in college, and during his final years with Seattle began to take on a broader role in the scouting and evaluation of players.

Idzik also was a regular observer at Seattle’s practices during the week.

Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sport reports that former Denver Broncos general manager Brian Xanders could be a potential candidate to fill the role left vacant in Seattle’s organization by Idzik’s departure.

Morning links: Day 3 of the draft

Eric Williams — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:12:35 +0000

Good morning. We just arrived at the VMAC. Sorry, but because of the fast pace of today’s draft we won’t be running a live chat.

But we’ll provide you the latest updates of what’s happening today. Seattle has seven picks in rounds four through seven. I’d be surprised if they use them all, but we’ll see.

Seattle has two picks in the fourth round (106 and 114), one in the fifth …

Schneider: Whitehurst will compete for starting QB job

Eric Williams — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:26:34 +0000

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider offered a wide range of opinions on the upcoming draft and the state of his team in a 50-minute interview with reporters here at the VMAC.

Schneider appeared more comfortable in his second year as the team’s head personnel man, and several times during the interview session had us in the room cracking up with some quick one-liners, including yours truly on the receiving end of a few zingers.

Here are some tidbits.

– Schneider said that no matter what the team does in the draft and free agency, Charlie Whitehurst …

Hawks extend cap guy Idzik

Eric Williams — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:28:34 +0000

The Seattle Seahawks announced today that the team has extended the contract of Vice President of Football Administration John Idzik. In his fourth year with the team, the Seahawks signed Idzik to a two-year extension, which seems to bode well for next year, with questions on whether or not football will be played in 2011.

Here’s the release.

Renton, Wash. – The Seattle Seahawks have given Vice President of Football Administration John Idzik a two-year contract extension, the team announced this afternoon.

“We are excited that John Idzik will remain as the team’s lead negotiator,” said General Manager

…

Peter McLoughlin introduced as new president of Seahawks, Sounders FC

Eric Williams — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:24:32 +0000

Quick note: Thanks to Eric for putting up an early post while I was in the Hawks locker room. I’ve added some more quotes to the post. — Divish

The Seattle Seahawks introduced former St. Louis Blues CEO Peter McLoughlin as the team’s new president of the Seattle Seahawks, Sounders FC and First & Goal Inc.

“Consider me a new member of the 12th Man,” McLoughlin said. “I’m here to be a great fan of both teams, to work hard, serve the fans, give back to the community and to help John and Pete (Carroll) and the Sounders have the …

St. Louis Blues CEO headed to Seattle

Eric Williams — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:13:10 +0000

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that St. Louis Blues CEO Peter McLoughlin is leaving the team to take a executive position with the Seattle Seahawks.

So it appears the Seahawks may have found their replacement for departing CEO Tod Leiweke, and dipped into the NHL ranks once again to do so.

UPDATE: The Seahawks have not confirmed this report, but did say that announcement will be made regarding the position at a press conference tomorrow morning.

According to this report, McLoughlin oversaw business operations of the Blues and Scottrade Center, including sales, marketing and finance.

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Report: Largent on short list to replace Leiweke

Eric Williams — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:17:41 +0000

According to a report by KING-5 TV, Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent is on the short list to replace departing Seattle Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke.

Largent does not confirm that he is indeed on the short list of candidates to fill the position, according to the report. However, when asked directly if he’s interested in the position, Largent says: “That could be.”

I’ve heard rumblings around VMAC about Largent as a potential candidate, but nothing concrete.

However, Largent would seem like a logical choice because he’s a known commodity who would serve as good face for the …

Leiweke: Hiring replacement will take months, not weeks

Eric Williams — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:53:05 +0000

Departing Seattle Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke was gracious and accommodating as usual in answering questions about his departure in taking a job of CEO and minority owner with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.

Leiweke said he will lead the search process, and that it will definitely take months, not weeks to find his replacement.

Leiweke served as CEO of the Minnesota Wild before joining the Seahawks in 2003, playing an …

Leiweke’s out: What does it mean for Hawks?

Eric Williams — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:41:47 +0000

Change continues to be the operative word for the leadership positions among the Seattle Seahawks franchise, as another move occurred at the top of the food chain with Vulcan Sports & Entertainment CEO Tod Leiweke stepping down to join the Tampa Bay Lightning as CEO and part owner.

The ability for Leiweke to be a part-owner with the Lightning is viewed as the deal clincher in Tampa Bay, who relentlessly pursued Leiweke’s services. There’s no feeling that Leiweke was forced out from the people that I’ve talked to. Leiweke will also assist in the hiring effort of his predecessor, …