Welcome back Frank, and thanks for the new thread.

If you hear anything about Lex Hiliard, RB from University of Montana, I would appreciate any updates. As a late-round hopeful, news on his performance and any teams interested in him wont be easy to get for folks like me.

Which RB's in the combine do you think fit the best with the West Coast offensive philosophy?

hey Frank. Glad you're back. I'm really wondering about the cap. Which player makes sense to franchise because of cap concerns? How do we really have to spend? Will we be forced to change some existing contracts?

Welcome back Frank hope vacation was good, i am just curious what you think of the top 3 running backs McFadden, Mendenhall, and Stewart, and who you think may be there when the Hawks pick if we do go that route, and who would fit the system best?

hey, frankness, in your opinion, what are the chances that ruskell would be willing to tag marcus? dude had a contract/career year, but at the same time, could that have been a result of stronger safety play, mora's coaching, or moving him back to his natural left side?

maybe ruskell wants to clean house of all of holmy's boys?

Haay Frank, good to see ya...


This is an obvious, but besides RB's (go Mendenhall!) how about keeping tabs on a few TE's for us:

Fred Davis
John Carlson
Martellus Bennett
Dustin Keller
Jermichael Finley
Brad Cottam


Thanks!

And now for some actual news about potential Hawk free agent signings: neither Dallas Clark nor Ryan Lilja will be coming here - ar anywhere for that matter. Clark was franchised and Lilja agreed to terms, the Colts announced today. What are the draft implications for the Hawks of Clark not hitting the open market?

Can you talk to Stewart and Mendenhall and convince one of them to go on this huge media blitz and say that they refuse to play for any team that drafts them unless its the Seahawks? If you did that and it worked I would be eternally grateful.

Question/Topic: (In regards to Alexander/Trufant/anyone in the future)

We have seen so many players who are in their contract years perform amazingly in hopes to earn a huge contract. We have also seen a ton of players who raise their play for that season and then have a huge drop-off after they've recieved their contract (wether that just be football, or inspiration, etc)...

Everyone is always afraid if the person is still going to be inspired to still play at a high level: Alexander...Tru....etc...

I am just wondering how come NFL teams don't use more accomplisment/reward based contracts? We see how players will get bonuses for getting certain number of TD's, yards, INT's...etc...but I only rarely hear of that, and those bonuses are always just the cherry on top of the contract.

If you have players like Alexander who do want to achieve great numbers/accomplishments(and he does...or did)...etc...and who think they can achieve them, then why not give them a healthy contract but tons of room for bonuses? So intead of signing a big contract for $8 million a year, why not $5 million base with a $2 million bonus for hitting 2000 yards or 20 touchdowns, and another $1 million for a 5.0/ypc season average...or whatever the case may be?

A lot of these players seem to think they can do that stuff consistently, so why not put them to the test and have them earn the money?

DS--One word: Agents.

Incentive-based contracts, even ones with relatively easy to reach targets are not in Agents best interest. Both players and Agents want guaranteed money. What happens if youre a RB with an incentive-laden contract, and your GM loses your HOF bound LG, and then replaces him with a scrub? Suddenly 1,000 yards and 10 TD's looks as out of reach as the moon. Not what Agents and players are looking for.

Also, the players union is probably the most powerful union in the US, and they want salaries to continue to rise astronomically, because they see that as in the players (and thus the $ sucking Union that "represents" them) best interest.

No one seems to wonder how high salaries can go, considering 90% of the population allready cant afford NFL ticket prices.

That was more than one word. I had too much caffiene.

Agents and lawyers are pretty much the root of greed... regardless of profession.

Hey Leshthomas-- Why the interest in Hillard?? Are you a Griz fan?? I thought Hillard was a pretty good back, but i was surprised when I saw he had been invited to the combine. Where the hell is Jimmy Farris these days?

He probably won't end up anywhere near the top of the draft...but I would like to know what the story is with Jed Collins (FB/TE Washington State). He played both positions for the Cougs, more so at TE, but I heard he is projected as one of the top three fullbacks. I would love to see how he performs at the Combine.

I will be pissed if we use the tag on Brown and Trufant is not resigned. How tough is it to pay the kicker? Give him whatever the top 5 kickers get paid in the league and move on.

I was in Hawaii during the pro bowl week and saw Marcus talking to his agent (his family and agent were staying at my resort) and his agent was in hear ear the entire time about a contract and nothing he said was positive about the Seahawks.

"They had 5 months to do this" he said with anger in his voice. Marcus was a laid back as he always is and didn't say anything but his agent was non stop. I saw them on 3 different occasions and it was always the same pissed off agent in his ear. I understand that is part of an agents job to be against the team but I think Marcus is grounded enough to know how much he means to the team on the community.

Hey frank, welcome back.
Just curious about Sam baker, alot of mocks have him fallin to us. He would be a great addition to the team.

If Ruskell gets rid of Trufant (i.e. doesn't franchise him or re-sign him long-term), I am cheering for the Niners (eek) next year and will not cheer for the Hawks until Ruskell is gone. And for him to get so much credit for the Hawks going to the Super Bowl is absolutely ridiculous. I would argue he is the sole reason we didn't go to the Bowl 3 years straight. He has already removed too many of "Holmgren's guys" IMO. Ruskell is on thin ice with me, I just wish he cared what we the fans think. SIGN TRUFANT, LOCKLEAR, BROWN, AND HACKETT!!!! We will need Hackett. And if possible, take a really long look at Crumpler. It can be done.

Mikesteff--yup, I'm a Griz fan too, but not a huge one. i dont have much left when I get done rooting for the Hawks. Last year was the first time in a while I was able to watch any games on TV, as they dont get much exposure.

Lex Hilliard (I missed an i last time) is a BIG rb, he's strong and tough as nails and he played well even when hurt. He lacks break-away speed, but at 240 lbs what do you expect? He might be a fb project with his size. He never goes down without dishing out some pain and suffering, and he can catch too. Plus he stayed out of trouble. I dont know about blocking, but that can be learned. Could you imagine Hilliard blocking for Weaver or vice versa?! We'd look like the Steelers of old...or the old-time redskins...

He may not be the answer at rb, but he might be a late-draft steel.

ps dont know where Farris is. Maybe CFL? Lotsa Griz end up there. I know Tuff Harris is playing in the NFL, I think the Dolphins. ugh!

IMO Lock and Tru need to be resigned. Hackett and Brown can walk. Love'em both, but com'on. All this talk about a Kicker and an often injuried wide reciever. If Hackett comes cheap, sign him. And I'm with Hawk 25 on Brown, get the average of the top 5 kickers, pay a little over for all his contributions and go. If he doesn't take it, move on. Here's to next year. Go Hawks

Hey formerathlete--- Good luck to you. I hope you enjoy a lovely year as a Niners fan. Because paying 80 mil for a corner really put them over the top last year. I bet every GM but Ruskell knows that is the secret to success! These are the Seahawks fans I love. Threaten to root another team. Ohhhhhhh! If they wanted to follow your plan they would hire you as GM. By the way, who were the Giants corners last year?? Being a Hawk fan is about rooting for the name on the front of the jersey not the name on the back

I'm feeling feisty today :-)

MikeStef77, and Lesthomas,---- talking about Griz football will always get a response from me even if I'm down in Arizona covering spring training, since I'm a UM grad. And Lex Hilliard will help some team, you just can't be that big and athletic and not find a way to contribute even it's special teams. A year or two on a team's practice squad could help him though.

I don't think there is any way Trufant plays somewhere else next year.
IF contract talks don't go well, the Hawks have to slap a franchise tag on him despite the cost. He's too important to the defense as a whole.

I think I'll definitely check out http://www.seahawkaddicts.com/ now. Can't wait. So what you are saying Mike, is that the Seahawks don't necessarily need an elite corner. Are you kidding me? We all know why the Giants won the Super Bowl--it all started with their D line. The Seahawks do not have a line anywhere near as good as the Giants, especially on the road, look at the stats. Yes, the Hawks have a decent line that put up good sack numbers but on the road, they were below average. Therefore, it is that much more important for the Hawks to have an elite corner, like Trufant. PAY THE MAN! The Niners paid 80mil for an average, not elite corner, common free agent mistake. But we know what we have in Trufant and under Mora, he will continue to flourish. Unlike Clements, Trufant is worth what he is going to get, I just hope he gets it from the Hawks.

Divish-- Where you in the school of Journalism?? and When?? My roommate and good friend was a screw up in the school of Journalism. I was a business school guy from 98-02' I didn't get my degree there though, I finished in SoCal. The 'zoo' can be a crazy place!]

Anyway, If Brandon Jacobs can be successful, I don't see why Hillard can't. He may go to the Hawks. He is exactly the kind of back that fits Solari's power running game. He will get 3 or 4 yrds by just sticking his head down and driving forward.

What I know is what Trufant has done, not what he will do. He has had 4 average seasons and one really good one in his contract year. Do I want him back, absolutely. Would I root for the 9ers if he goes elsewhere? Not if you threatened cut of my fingers and toes. He is one player. I hope he is back, but paying 80 or even 90 mil to him is something i am willing to let the front office decide on. I certainly don't know the best course of action.

hey Frank why dont you give us your Mock Draft! at least for what you think the hawks will pick up.

Trufant tagged:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

Glad to see the Insider broke the story first!

Adam Schefter just reported that Trufant has been designated the Franchise player of the Seahawks.

Leshthomas-
Any chance you're a Kalispell Native? There was another Seahawk that came out of Kalispell. Wasn't it McCullough? Mr. Divish could probably answer a lot of Montana Sports trivia as well.
I am a U of M Alumnist & although my husband attended Penn for Wrestling, he is a Flathead High Brave.
Wierd connections.(If you reach) Reminds me of six degrees of Kevin Bacon or something.
Added note; Can we expect a deal for Josh Brown soon?

bdfools,
To be fair, it's harder to break news than you think. And guys like Adam Schefter and John Clayton are tough to compete with. Believe me I got my butt kicked on the Erik Bedard trade for like a week straight. It's just as frustrating for us when another news source breaks a story ahead of us. Frank is in midflight so its not like he can be using his cellphone to get the latest updates.

So that's a $9.465M FT for Tru? Must mean negotiations are going well with Brown and Lock!

MikeSteff77, Barely graduated from J-School in 2001, and bartended at Red's bar for four years. I probably know your old roommate or at least met him. Montanahawk: Sounds like Kalispell is building a wrestling dynasty that will rival Butte Highs.

Trufant down, a RB/TE/DT to go...

Frank reported earlier in the year that we gave up a 6th round pick for Frye and that we received a 6th round pick for Fischer. I was under the impression, from Frank, that we traded our #7 this year for Pearman.

I don't know the specifics... but I am under the assumption (possibly wrongly) that we have...
1
2
3
4
5
6 (from Cle)
No pick in the 7th

Can anyone verify?

Of course, these are before the compensation picks. I don't know if the Hawks qualify for any this year?

I have a questuon. If Deon Branch is on IR or PUP list do we get a pick because of that?

HAHA, formerathlete, do you even know what you are talkin about? Other than the Hutch thing(you know, when the guy didnt want to be here) what Holmgren guys has Ruskell let go? These "fans" are hilarious. I blame Ruskell for gettin us to the SB and totally revamping our D. Or should I say thank Ruskell? Anyways, good for you formerathlete, the Hawks dont need people like you "cheering" for them or not, but im sure the nuners would love to have someone of your "caliber" on their side!

wow jammer, do you doing anything here other than complain? If you dont like this site, then leave. No one is forcing you to log on here, but we would all appreciate it if you would drop the negative attitude and/or leave!

I'm a native Seattleite, but I tried living in MT for awhile. Too damned hard to make a living. I get to visit freinds in MT every once in a while, and sometimes I even get to catch a UM football game on TV. I got to see Hilliard twice last year, and that and his stats were enough to convince me that he will be an NFL player. I liked UM first because I read about Dave Dickenson--what a cool story--the Joe Montana/Dr.Doornink of Division II. Then I got back into rooting for them when Swogger and Chambers got hosed by WSU and UW and transferred. Im kinda a softie for underdogs.

Id love to see a UM player become a Hawk. Hilliard woundt be any worse a project at FB than our past draftees...

On the Josh Brown stuff... What if we offered him a lower deal with high incentives. Example: 1.6 m / year for 5 years; bonus of 400,000 if he hits 90% of his kicks, additional bonus of 600,000 if he hits 95% of his kicks. Of course, if we don't get the long snapping figured out, he'd be a fool to take that deal... just a thought.

Hey BobbyK-- that looks right, except that we gave the 6th to Cle. We got a conditional 6th back from Tenn but that might be why they barely had Fisher active. We may or may not get that back. Also, our 7th should go to the Eagles for Josh Parry, but it is possible that we keep it because he never played. Same with Pearman. That was conditional and he barely played. I expect 5 picks, rounds 1-5 to be safe. If we get a 6th thats a bonus.

Also, if Hackett and Lock and even Brown walk, we will be looking at some high compensation picks next year. The hawks haven't had that for a while. I think Leroy Hill was the last compensation pick. But Lock should fetch a 3rd or 4th, Brown a 4th or 5th, and Hackett a 4th or 5th. This is of course if we don't sign anybody to offset it.

Wow, I didn't realize that Hill was a compensatory pick... awesome! What a draft year that was... [at least for LBs]

Frank can you do me favor as I been told by my friend that Ceaser Rayford from UW DE who pretty good special teamer and can be good pass rusher with more devolopement and heard he was going to the combine. Can you let me know how he did.

Thought now since we franchise Trufant. When do we sign Locklear and brown?

Hey frank can you tell me how Ceaser Rayford from UW who I know and friend with as I went to high school with him. Thought can you let me know how he does. I know he good special team player and need more devolopement at DE and I think he worth taking look at.

Thought what about any Unversity of Washington football players that going into draft and how they do.

I believe we've traded the following draft picks in this draft, however several of the trades have been conditional so we don't know in fact if this is really so and here we are 60 days before the draft and neither does "Seahawks Insider".

7th traded to Philly for FB-Josh Parry (traded to the Hawks the season before last) but cut before this season. Sando last year indicated here he thought the deal wasn't conditioanl and Phiily owned the 7th. Is this so? This pick was traded before the Pearman deal was made so it couldn't have been traded for Pearman and at the time of the trade Fisher was still a Seahawk. Do we have a 7th?

6th traded to Cleveland for QB-Charlie Frye. This deal wasn't conditional and the Hawks official 6th now belongs to Cleveland. This pick was traded before the Pearman deal was made so it couldn't have been traded for Pearman and at the time of the trade Fisher was still a Seahawk.

Conditional pick traded for Pearman to Jax. for RB/ST Alvin Pearman. At the time of this trade we didn't have a 6th or 7th to trade if the Parry deal was uncinditional thus the pick traded was a conditioanl 5th. What were the conditionas, does anybody know? Does the team have a 5th still?

Finally there is the trade of DE-Fisher to Tenn. What did the team actually get? It was reported here that it could be a 6th but was conditioanal and we don't know the conditions. He didn't play much for them and as such may not have met the conditions so we might get zip for him. What is it, nobody knows? Did the team recover a 6th or not?

Thus the team might not have a 5th, 6th or 7th rd pick. This is relevant and askd but never answered and is seemingly ignored at the "Seahawks Insider" You'd think with the draft soon to be the key event on the schedule we could have the journalist in charge of this blog answer these simple questions conclusively but I suppose we can wait for the draft or find the info elsewhere.

By nature I'm not even close to being a negative person but sadly this excellent blog has languished and withered for the lack of quality information. Sando used to answer inquiries and provided details which made this place special. Now there isn't much here that hasn't already been reported elsewhere and the quality of the blog needs upgrading.
I not alone in this opinion.