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Friday, March 7th, 2008
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 06:23:39 pm
The sides are ironing out a deal but a deal is not done yet. It almost certainly will be, however. John Clayton is reporting that the deal is for four years at $3 million per year. Even if this gets done tonight, Shaun is not going to be cut tonight. He may be released soon, but this doesn't necessarily have to be a one-for-one deal. The Hawks don't have to cut Shaun to sign Jones. Still, it certainly raises the question of why the Seahawks would hang onto Shaun. I called his agent's office and they are currently not accepting phone calls. Mo Morris has not been told that he will be released, so I think for now he is safe. He has only one year remaining on his deal anyway, so it would not make much sense to cut him. The interesting part is that Jones and Morris have strikingly similar numbers. The year that Jones rushed for 1,000 yards in Dallas, he averaged only 4.1 yards a carry. Morris averaged 3.8 in 2006 and 4.5 in 2006. Also, several folks have asked about the progress of the Marcus Trufant negotiations since he made the new proposal to Tim Ruskell. My understanding is that it has not progressed anywhere. Of course, Ruskell has been busy with signing Duckett and now Jones, so his attention has been elsewhere. Imagine if he gets the Trufant deal done in the next few days and releases Alexander, he will have cleared $10 million in cap space in one swell foop.
Categories: NFL free agency
• 55 comments
COMMENTS: Comment by Scipio @ 18:30 - Friday, March 7th, 2008 
Interesting that we have signed two running backs without having a running back coach...
Comment by VaHawk @ 18:36 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
This is not the answer! He had average numbers behind a much better line in DALLAS!Keep SA(league leader in TDs, SB,n MVP in his resume)and upgrade tightend and OLINE! Come on i do not agree with this his numbers were simular to MO so its not an improvement!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by c_hawkbob @ 18:36 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
Oh come on Frank, how can you say it's not likely Mo will be released because they haven't told him he was going to be released and then say that Shaun likely will be released when he's been told (he and all of us ... BY YOU) quite specifically that he won't be released?
Comment by navy_at_3 @ 18:53 - Friday, March 7th, 2008 http://www.seahawkshuddle.com
one word...... WOW
Totally unexpected and .... weird. GREAT news and BAD news all rapped up into one. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? SA or MoMO are surely on their way out the door. Maybe both if hawks still persue a RB in the draft. Holmey wanted a change at the running game... he said it would happen... and boy he WASNT JOKING! New rb coach, new O coach that specializes in zone blocking, TWO new RB's that will work great for any team as a tandem.... and possibly a RB in the draft. I think this is a smart move... IF they let SA go and or draft at least a 3rd round RB. Jones is and has been dying to be the every down back and starter from start to finish. He's going to get his wish with the hawks otherwise he wouldnt of signed with them. That's the only reason why i could see JJ sign with the hawks instead of teams like CHI that were looking for an everydown back. SA AND OR MOMO will be gone or traded. Comment by navy_at_3 @ 18:55 - Friday, March 7th, 2008 http://www.seahawkshuddle.com
dallas a decent O line for pass plays at best last year.
JJ was in on run and pass plays only from the 20 yard line to the 20 yard line. Barber got 90% of the carries in the redzone. Naturaly JJ's numbers wont look as good. He is alot better then what SA was the last two years and that's a fact. Comment by dlport @ 19:01 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
Morris is very attractive as trade bait, as much as I hope they keep him. He is a very good player, with a low cap number. I could foresee keeping SA until next year due to cap concerns, and spinning Morris for a decent draft pick.
Comment by Frank Hughes @ 19:23 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
chawkbob,
you bring up good points but I think it all comes down to economics. Morris fits better into holmgren's scheme and is being paid only $1 million for 2008, the final year of his contract, while Shaun doesn't fit as well and is being paid almost $5 million and has several years remaining at big numbers and is a lightning rod for controversy and everything else that goes into him. It doesn't make sense to release Morris at his number when he is a viable backup but hang on to Alexander at his number when he clearly does not think he is a backup. Comment by navy_at_3 @ 19:39 - Friday, March 7th, 2008 http://www.seahawkshuddle.com
ok so cut SA and trade MoMo.
then draft a hot young rookie RB and allow him time to get his NFL legs under him. sounds like a good plan to me. JJ's getting 3mil a year for 3 years as you reported. Comment by Hanbin @ 19:53 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
Personally I think they are keeping all of them, at least for this year. The general evidence over the last few years is that relying on a single back is asking to be killed by an injury, so I think having four different backs with four different styles helps cover any injury actions, and makes it harder for opposing defenses to prepare for the running game.
Of course, pouting and bad attitude can change that rapidly, but for right now, why get rid of anyone? Comment by cru16 @ 20:23 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
This came from Dallas news sports blog regarding JJ's fit as a Seahawk.
"I will say this: Seattle's an awfully good fit. The one-cut style of running the Seahawks prefer, behind zone blocking, will allow Jones to play to his strengths, getting out on the edge, reading the defense and hitting the seam, rather than being forced to beat guys one-on-one in a phone booth." Comment by chucklenuts66 @ 21:07 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
When did we become a zone blocking team?
Solari doesn't coach that style. Comment by pdway @ 21:10 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
It's an upgrade. Not blaming the guy for getting hurt, but I think Shaun was mostly a liability the past two years. Great career for us, some very good years, but it does seem to be the way it goes for feature backs. Those carries are like mileage on cars.
I like both this and the Duckett move; frees us to address other needs in the draft. If they re-sign Hackett, they can draft a TE and DL in the early rounds, and it's damn good off-season. Comment by bdfools @ 21:21 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
Heh, I was gonna say the same thing. Seattle isn't a zone blocking offensive line.
That said, a "one-cut style" back seems better than a "tap-dancing in the backfield" back. Comment by SnakeDoctor @ 21:22 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
Anyone think that maybe Solari might have had some input in this? Im sure he has watched film of last years O line and our running backs. Can't just blame the O line.
I like the way TR is shaking things up. Time to play for your money boys! Can't wait till the draft.
on a seperate note i just read on espn that chuck darby just signed with detroit. the exodus continues
Comment by nidhighe @ 21:42 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
Jones isn't an elite back, but he's an improvement on an aging, injury prone, falling down to avoid contact back.
Yes, Shaun was a league MVP, but that was in 2005. It's 2008 and that MVP award means nothing as far as his value now is concerned. Comment by nwdave @ 22:00 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
wow! :o Ruskell gets it done with the quickness.
At this point, with the RB situation completely revamped, I love our selection at 25 for BPA. Not counting the draft, at this point we go into 2008-09 as good as if not better than last season. I expect the organization to identify value and immediate contribution players in this draft like they have in the last 3 years. The flexibility this signing gives us is fantastic. If the offensive lineman drop you can pick a quality guy up and build for the future. Playmaking TE as a #1 is not always a bad thing (especially with 'Beck as your QB). Impact defensive lineman still exist at this point too. A spell guy for Tapp or a guy like Letroy Guion DT out of Florida State. I have no inside info on this but does anyone really expect Tubbs to come back strong? Having a 3 DT rotation in Mebane, Bernard, and a talented rookie would be pretty cool imho. I haven't been one much to take a side in the whole GM debate, but Ruskell is decisive and attacks hard to build the team the way he wants it. I can't say I disagree with his decisions. Comment by bigmike04 @ 22:11 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
Good move and if trufant get sign very soon and releaseing Alexander than I would call this off season pretty good.
You got to keep Morris because he knows the playbook unlike Duckett and Jones and the rookie they wont know the playbook and holmgren said he want to keep RB that knows the playbook. 1 million vs 5million hmm who to keep. I take the cheap guy. Comment by nighthawk2 @ 22:12 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
The idea that all of these backs will be keep seems implausible. My guess is Alexander is gone (thank god) and possibly Morris (a shame). I agree Mr. Hughes, Morris low cap number would seem to make him a candidate for a trade. Many teams that were considering Jones could use Mo. No one is going to trade for Alexander at his numbers and his age and with his attitude. This guy is in for a real dose of reality.
I was thinking of something the other day in regard to the Duckett signing. At first I wondered why we'd have two backs in the same mold, Weaver and Duckett. Of course, there's nothing wrong with two big bruisers who can be used in a "jumbo" or "full house backfield" type of play in short yardage and goal line situations. But considering the signing of Putzier as a replacement for Joppru, if we draft a TE who isn't exactly a power blocker (but is a real receiving threat), an extra big back like Duckett can be seen as some blocking addition in lieu of the lack of a power blocking two TE set. Just a thought. Comment by seahawkfan97 @ 23:08 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
Im thinking mo can return kicks and punts cause nate is gonna bust out this year and will need to be saved as #1 receiver. I do wish we would have signed dj instead of one of these new RB's
Comment by IDHawkman @ 23:15 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
As I said in the last thread, this signing makes for certain that DJ won't be a Hawk next year. And it sends a big message to the team that you better not let TR down because he will come visiting in the off season. Last year, Safties and DBs, this year, Run Game.
Comment by seahawkfan97 @ 23:25 - Friday, March 7th, 2008
Bigmike,
For 3 million a year or whatever they are getting paid....they better know the play book If SA is gone, it sure was fun to watch in 04-05 Comment by city_by_the_bay @ 00:01 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008 http://seahawksnest.com
I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the Alexander household right now...
The money on this deal is what impresses me the most. 4 years 12 mil? For Julius Jones? Maybe its because the only exposure we had to Jones came in the form of 200-yard performances, but that seems like a heck of a bargain from where I sit. Comment by hawkforever21 @ 00:14 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
Shaun definitely put up some good (great in 2005) numbers for the Seahawks....but a lot of that was being a part of a good system. When you can't or don't block, and you can't or don't catch passes well, and you run "soft" outside of the 10-yard line...it really limits your value. It will be nice to see an all around back in this system. Not sure if you'd consider Duckett or Jones an all around back....but I'm pretty sure they'll be better than Alexander.
I would love to see Hackett back in Seattle....and it might happen, but the problem is knowing what to do with a really talented receiver that can't seem to stay healthy. He's gonna run to the money, if someone's gonna pay it....if no one will pay it....then he may sign a one year deal with Seattle at a reasonable salary.....and try and prove himself for a more lucrative contract. If Branch can't play much early on, or at all....and they don't sign Hackett...can we really go with Burleson, Engram and some of the younger guys?....is this the year that we get to see more Seneca??? Probably not, but it sure would be fun to see. Comment by navy_at_3 @ 00:49 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008 http://www.seahawkshuddle.com
4 years 12mil total is one heck of a deal.
Yet another sign that there are football players out there that would rather win (and start) then make alot of money and lose.. *cough* josh $$$ brown. Comment by c_hawkbob @ 04:38 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
Thanks for the response Frank, but I am not questioning the move (though I do disagree with the premise that Mo fits Holmgren's scheme better) as much as I am questioning the motivation for Tim telling you what he did last week then turning around and cutting Shaun (if that happens as you suggest) this week. It seems a totally unnecessary deception, I can't for the life of me imagine any advantage being gained by such a maneuver whereas the negative repercussions could be great, particularly if Shaun returns to his old form in another uniform while Jones has a typical Julius Jones year with us.
Comment by hawker4life @ 05:40 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
Actually, we are a textbook example of a zone blocking team. Not trying to pick a fight, just clearing that up for those of you who might be confused. Not sure what somebody could see that would make them say we're not a zone blocking team. I'm sure there are sprinkles of man blocking schemes in there also, but way less than 50%.
Comment by navy_at_3 @ 06:15 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008 http://www.seahawkshuddle.com
C_hawkbob.... you make a good point.. but it's called plan A and plan B
Plan A keep SA, Plan B meet with other potential FA RB's and if they sign what we have to offer, go to plan B release SA. Last week was Plan A. Things change. Hawker... i was trying to avoid the comment. im glad you brought it up. Hawks will be using zone blocking to open up the run game next year with our new coaches. It's all but set in stone at this point. I'd be really really suprised if hawks didnt zone block for just about every play. This is where JJ will rock the turf with the zone blocking. Comment by cram @ 06:34 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
It's times like this that I trully appreciate the saying "It's a Business.
Comment by subtlesquire @ 06:41 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
It is plausible that Seattle plans to use SA, Jones and Duckett. Jones could be used in the same way Dallas used him, between the 20s, SA in the Red Zone and Duckett for the short yardage.
Comment by bassnw @ 06:59 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
It'll be fun to watch all the Alexanderites stumbling all over themselves trying to recover their self image of a knowledgeable football fan.
After spending 2 years defending him, blaming it all on the line, reminding us all of how he was MVP in '05 (he was 6th or 7th best on our team that year, much less the league - MVP is the same gauge of talent that record sales are (Brittany). They will now have to come up with a whole new line of reasoning why it's somebody else's fault and not that Shaun has been a worthless Diva every year but his contract year. It's not about salary cap with Shaun, it's clearing out a wasted roster spot. Comment by downinthegroove78 @ 07:09 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
SA is gone and he should be. I appreciate all he did but he will be a drain on the team financially and in the locker room. I can just see him standing by himself on the sideline pouting. Plus if we draft a RB why would we need 5 on the roster?
I think this sets up for them to draft for best available player such as OT or TE in round 1 and then pick up a RB in the third (Mike Hart?). I also think this shows that Ruskell is smart enough to realize that none of the big 4 RB's have a chance of falling to us at 25. Comment by BobbyK @ 07:35 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
bassnw - great point on Shaun not being the best player (or important) on our team in '05. Walt, Hutch, Matt and I would even argue Joe-Joe had as much to do with our team going to the SB in '05 than Shaun did. I could have gained some yards behind Walt/Hutch and I suck. Of course, we never could have defeated Washington in our first round game in '05 without him (note sarcasm).
But that's the way it goes... in '05 Shaun got way too damn much credit when he had great blocking, but I do feel he got too much blame this year because of the fact that the run blocking was fricking terrible. Jones and Duckett would be terrible with the "blocking" the Seahawk RBs got this past season. It's a good thing we have improved. Comment by IDHawkman @ 07:41 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
SA is gone? When was that announced? There's a lot of speculation in here but nothing has happened and technically, doesn't have to happen until training camp. Since we don't know all the fact yet, lets cool down and watch to see what the numbers are for JJ. It could be that TR is scaring the living daylights out of SA, it could be that TR has backloaded or put the $$ in performance bonus' for JJ. Either way, I don't see the cuts coming until training camp and that might be up to Holmgren more than TR at that point.
Comment by BobbyK @ 07:44 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
I have an interesting point if all of our glaring holes are taken care of going into the draft and Ruskell takes the BPA...
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville We obviously don't need a QB, but if we're going to pick the best player available and Brohm is available, why would we pass on him? Comment by IDHawkman @ 08:18 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
BPA, yes. Will it be Brohm at #25? I'm not convinced. I think Brohm is a mid to late 2nd rounder.
Comment by WiscCory @ 08:22 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
IDHawk - you're a funny guy. Get on all the other posters for speculating, then type your own speculation. haha. Keep it coming...some will be right, some way off base. Only time will tell....
Comment by downinthegroove78 @ 08:29 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
Why would we keep that many RB's? It makes no sense. They will cut him and if he wants to resign for a more adequate salary maybe...But I still say we draft a RB.
Brohm would be a horrible waste of a pick in the first or second round. Popgun arm and a product of his system not to mention his lack of durability. Comment by ddduncan3 @ 08:40 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
Did Shaun have a no trade clause in his contract? I thought he did but I'm not sure. If not that could be an intresting draft pick or upgrade in the TD.
Comment by IDHawkman @ 08:40 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
Wisc, I only get on posters who declare absolutes. I never declare an absolute and always say in my opinion or "IF" x then maybe y will happen. Trying to guess what Holmgren and TR Will do is hard to begin with, but doing it in Holmgren's last season would be impossible, IMO.
;^)) Comment by downinthegroove78 @ 08:44 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
If you don't think it's an absolute that Shaun is gone I can't imagine why you would want to pay that type of money for a 3/4 RB.
Hey. The sun will rise. The sun will set. Shaun is watching the twilight. Comment by cerjam @ 08:48 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
one thing for sure there will be competition and that will bring out the best.
Comment by jrlseattle @ 09:53 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
A question and a comment, first can Duckett fill in as a back up full back? If he can and if as Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News Says,
“I don't see Jones as a 25-carry feature back, but he can be an instant-impact player with 10 touches a game.”is fact then would it not be plausible that we have the following line up, Alexander, Jones, Morris, Weaver, Duckett. I'm only saying this because I was watching film on the 06 season and I think that Alexander may have been injury gun shy last year and a back that needs a line to really excel like 05. Comment by ajdrolet @ 09:57 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
I would not be totally shocked if they kept Shaun this year, since cutting him does not save us anything on the cap, and they traded Morris for a 5th or 6th round pick in the draft this April. Morris has more trade value than Alexander with his reasonable contract.
Comment by freehawk @ 10:26 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
I don't really think JJ is any good. Not excited about this with so many speedy backs in the draft.
Comment by ArgentineHawk @ 10:40 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
What if, a huge if, TR was informed that Alexander decided to retire? The guaranteed money? How would it be doled out? When the Bears has success is when they had a rookie and Jones brother, maybe we are following a model similiar except that we have a passing attack and slightly weaker defense than they had. Hard to argue that. SA might live in lalaland but his ego has been hit with the last 2 years and might call it quits.
Comment by we want the ball and we're gonna score @ 10:48 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2007/05/05/putting_the_roster_in_perspective#comments
we'll probably keep at least 5 RB/FBs, so i'm not sure we really need to cut anybody at this point. That being said, if we draft a RB we will have to cut somebody. Comment by airbags @ 12:08 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
"And it sends a big message to the team that you better not let TR down because he will come visiting in the off season" IDHawkman - does that mean that timmay rusekll = kaiser soze? "rat on yer pop, and kaiser soze will get you!" Comment by yankinta @ 12:41 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
This is Perfect. Now we need to draft Kentwan Balmer, DT from North Carolina in the first round. We can get a decent TE in the second and a decent RB in the third. DT is a priority since we were bad against the run last year.
Kentwan Balmer very underrated. He's a stud, third rated DT in the draft. Huge upside and excellent against the run. It is a steal at 25th pick and perfect for our needs. Kind of like Richard Seymour, Late First Round Steal of the Century. 1st round - DT Second round - LT, Third round - RB or TE Fourth round - LB Fifth/Compensation round - S Sixth round - RB or DE seventh round - K or ? Comment by NewJerseyHawk @ 14:23 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
this move allows us to free up money for Tatupu and Leroy Hill and to draft a replacement for Hill, if he asks for too much money....maybe that player is Laury, but I see a defensive heavy draft.
DT, CB, TE, LB, DE, RB, K.....this is assuming we keep Hackett, who if the deal is structured the right way can stay after we get Tru signed.... Comment by city_by_the_bay @ 14:38 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008 http://seahawksnest.com
First round - OL
Second - TE Third - DE Book it. Comment by yellaman @ 15:01 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
I just hope if mendenhall or Stewart fall to 25 pick that we draft them. I don't want to overlook these guys in the draft just because we signed Duckett and Jones. Saun will be release after June 1st and the new running backs will hopefully be Duckett, Jones and a drafted running back. Morris we could trade or release or let his contract play out one more season.
Comment by chuck_easton @ 15:36 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
Neither Mendenhall nor Stewart will be around at #25. People just need to let that dream die.
Comment by nighthawk2 @ 16:44 - Saturday, March 8th, 2008
There was only one TR, and he died in 1919.
$6.775 million is a hell of a lot for a "red zone" back. Alexander's ego would never let him retire now. He still thinks he's starting material and a great running back. He's about to find out he isn't, but getting released will only lead him to pursue a deal with some other team. That's what I meant about he's about to get a dose of reality. What's with the posting of some other Seahawks site with every post, city_by_the_bay (does that mean you're a Journey fan)? Comment by sfarone @ 17:31 - Sunday, March 9th, 2008
The pre-draft talk about drafting "Best Player Available" always cracks me up.
NFL teams talk about best player available for public relations purposes. But after the first 8 or 10 players picked on draft day, all NFL teams draft by need. If teams really drafted BPA, then maybe Ruskell picks MLB, OLB, and S in rounds 1-3 right? You know that won't happen, even if those are the best players available. He needs TE, WR, D line, O line, K, RB, and he will draft for need. Comments are not allowed from anonymous visitors. Please login or register to comment. |
Seahawks Insider
Frank Hughes took over the Seahawks beat and Seahawks Insider blog in July of 2007. Hughes covered the Sonics for The News Tribune from 1997-2007. Frank also contributes to ESPN.com, KJR-AM radio and Pro Sports Exchange. In 2005, Frank co-authored "Slick Watts's Tales from the Seattle SuperSonics." Frank lives in Seattle with his wife, two sons and yellow lab. News Tribune columnist Dave Boling and sports reporters Ryan Divish and Darrin Beene also contribute to the Seahawks Insider blog. Category
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