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Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:37:25 pm
The Cincinnati Enquirer got an email from Jim Steiner, Shaun Alexander's agent, this morning, telling him that he is contacting the Bengals about a possible spot for Shaun. Here is the link.
Categories: Unrestricted free agents (UFAs)
• 24 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 12:19:36 pm
As always, these are from our friends at Bodog: Matt Walsh Odds Will there be any evidence turned in against the Patriots in regards to the 2002 Super Bowl against the Rams? Yes -500 No +250
Will there be any videotapes turned over by Matt Walsh at the meeting? Yes -1200 No +500
Categories: Miscellaneous
• 4 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 09:21:15 am
The Seahawks have added defensive tackle Larry Triplett, linebacker Wesley Mallard and quarterback Dalton Bell. Here is the team's release: The Seattle Seahawks have signed defensive tackle Larry Tripplett, Wesley Mallard and claimed Dalton Bell off waivers, the club announced today. Originally drafted in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft (42nd overall) by Indianapolis, Tripplett played four seasons for the Colts before signing with Buffalo in 2006. In 92 career games, he has registered 195 tackles, 8.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one interception. Tripplett, 29, attended the University of Washington. A native of Hinesville, Georgia, Mallard attended the University of Oregon before being drafted by the New York Giants in the 6th round of the 2002 NFL Draft. Mallard has played in 59 career games, mostly on special teams. Bell signed as an undrafted free agent with Carolina in 2007 before being released after training camp. Green Bay signed Bell on September 11, 2007 before releasing him a week later and eventually signed him again to a future contract on January 23, 2008 before placing him on waivers.
Categories: Street free agents
• 20 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 09:15:14 am
I did not hear the interview, but KJR's Mitch Levy had Mike Holmgren on this morning and the station is reporting that Holmgren revealed that Marcus Tubbs had follow-up surgery on his knee to clean it out. Holmgren said Tubbs may not be available until the regular season. John Marshall did not mention this when we interviewed him the other day, though he did sound pessimistic about Tubbs' return. I am listening to Mitch go back over the interview, and apparently Holmgren said Rob Sims will be the starting right guard, the running game will be by committee, which means that Mo Morris will be on the roster, and he does not expect one back to ever get 25 carries in a game.
Categories: Injuries
• 30 comments
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:50:25 pm
Tim, we hardly knew ye. No surprise, after drafting Tyler Schmitt, the Seahawks today released snapper Tim Lindsey, like Owen Schmitt a former West Virgina Mountaineer. Remains to be seen if they get the roster back up to 87 by signing another undrafted college free agent.
Categories: Cuts and waivers
• 5 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:35:03 pm
Thought I'd bring this up for some thoughtful debate a few days before the start of mini-camp: I was sitting here writing a piece about the Hawks' offseason and draft moves, and this question dawned on me: If Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett ultimately are not the answer to replace Shaun Alexander, should Tim Ruskell have done a different trade in the draft? After all, he traded up to get John Carlson in the second round. Should he have traded up in the first round to get Rashard Mendenhall, who went to Pittsburgh at No. 23. I'm going back to the Trade Value chart. The pick that they got from Baltimore was worth 580 points, which required them to trade the 55th pick (350 points) and the 86th (160 points) for a total of 510 points.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 37 comments
Monday, April 28th, 2008
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 03:15:45 pm
I caught up briefly with offensive coordinator Gil Haskell after this morning's news conference, and we covered a few topics: * They liked John Carlson because he is good at both blocking and receiving. They felt like Fred Davis and Dustin Keller could stretch the field more than Carlson, but Carlson will give them that blocker that they need in the run game that has been missing for so long. Carlson will be used in the open spaces underneath in the passing game. There also is a chance that Carlson and Will Heller are used more together.
Categories: Miscellaneous
• 64 comments
Posted by Joe Barrentine @ 03:08:55 pm
Seattle Seahawks' new players Lawrence Jackson, left, John Carlson, middle, and head coach Mike Holmgren are introduced at the press conference today in Kirkland.  Seattle Seahawks' new players Lawrence Jackson, left, John Carlson, middle, and head coach Mike Holmgren are introduced at the press conference on Monday, April 28, 2008 in Kirkland, Wash.
Categories: Draft-related files
• 7 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 12:45:41 pm
I'll say this: The two draft picks from big football factories already have their lines down. Both Lawrence Jackson and John Carlson said everything they were supposed to say to endear themselves to their new teams, though at times they seemed too guarded. At one point Carlson said Charlie Weis was good for his football career, and when I asked him to elaborate he went to great pains to make sure that he was not insulting Tyrone Willingham, who recruited him to Notre Dame.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 21 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 10:56:07 am
We are meeting with Lawrence Jackson and John Carlson in about 10 minutes. I will blog the details afterward. By the way, of the college free agents signed, Rob Rang said the most consideration should be given to safeties Jamar Adams and Kelin Johnson, as well as Washington State wide receiver Michael Bumpus. Sunday, April 27th, 2008
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 05:32:23 pm
The Seahawks have agreed to terms with these players. They have not yet officially signed. Safety Jamar Adams, Michigan That is it for me, folks. I am finishing my daily story and heading back across the lake. Good day!
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 05:28:18 pm
Seven draft picks puts the Seahawks roster at 75. Tim Ruskell said they are aiming to have 87 players on their roster for the mini-camps. They are in the process of signing those players now and will announce who the college free agent additions are later tonight. Ruskell said the signings will be heavy on the offensive line, linebacker and wide receiver positions that they wanted to give depth to but were unable because of how the draft fell. Ruskell said Mike Holmgren (who did not attend the news conference) has wanted a run-stuffing tackle since he got here, and they think they finally got one.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 5 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 04:47:24 pm
Defensive coordinator John Marshall met with us for about 25 minutes and was great, discussing most aspects of the defense. When he was asked about what he likes about Red Bryant, he said, "He's country. And I love country." Marshall very obviously is a big fan of Bryant. He said he just loves sitting down and talking to the guy. He called him "unique." Marshall said he thinks Bryant is at about the same place development-wise that Brandon Mebane was at this point, but he thinks that once they go through training camp and the preseason, he will be ready to contribute. He said he thinks that Mebane and Bryant can play together, or he can sub in for him and complement Rocky Bernard and Craig Terrill. Marshall said Marcus Tubbs is still "a ways off" in his recovery from knee surgery. He said they will not really know anything until Tubbs gets out on the field and starts pushing off against live bodies. Marshall said he rehabbing diligently and doing everything he needs to do to come back, but there is no way of knowing at this point if he was successful.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 19 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 03:37:55 pm
The Justin Forsett interview was not good. One-word answers, no insight. Coutu said he has been working with Morten Anderson and Anderson's personal trainer to improve his kickoffs. "I have the leg strengh to kick a 60-yarder from a few steps away, I should have the leg strength to kick the ball into the end zone from 10 steps away," Coutu said. Seemed like a bright kid, very aware of the Seahawks' history. Said he spoke to John Kasay a lot about the organization. Said he is not afraid of a competition with Olindo Mare, there are veterans on every team and he does not expect to be handed the job. He said he had been speaking with special teams coach Bruce DeHaven and thought the Seahawks would take him, but he thought they would have taken him sooner than the 7th round. Still, he said, he was honored they used a draft pick on him when they could have easily asked him to come out as a free agent. He has hamstring problems the last few years, but he said that was not the case. He said he injured the leg trying an onside kick technique that "I will never use again." But he said the leg is fine now.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 6 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:52:29 pm
RB JUSTIN FORSETT, CALIFORNIA They are on the clock again
Categories: NFL Draft
• 8 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:35:01 pm
Tyler Schmitt said he has had many discussions with special teams coach Bruce DeHaven and is well aware of the Seahawks' difficulties at the position. He said as the No. 1 snapper in the country, he expected to get drafted. He said he began snapping in the fifth grade and had a natural knack for it. "But I never thought it would get me a full ride to San Diego State and I never thought it would get me drafted," Schmitt said. He said he had been on the line with New Orleans coach Sean Payton when the Seahawks called and told him they were going to take him. He said he weighs 235-240 and some teams told him they would like to see him put on more weight, but he said he does not want to lose his speed for coverage purposes because he tries to make the tackle on every play. He said he has never had an errant snap.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 6 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:58:32 pm
This is great stuff. Make sure you read to the end about Al Davis' brother. Thanks to Ryan and Albert for the contributions. I think they provided some compelling and funny stuff. Round Six Even though Radio City Music Hall looks full on TV, there are only three places where fans are sitting and that is in front of all of the cameras. The crowd is thinning out, but the diehards remain. If you want to guarantee a seat at next year’s draft, all you needed to do was get here before the draft started today and stay until the end. Most of the people we talked to did this and come to the draft every year. Our informal survey shows that about 40% of people at the draft today are from out of town. Trey Wingo is really playing it up to the crowd. They love him. Rachel Nichols was hanging around Trey off camera for a while, but we think that she left. The last ESPN note is that Jaws gives the most thumbs up to fans. Every break ESPN has, Jaws is thumbsing someone.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 3 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:30:12 pm
Schmitt was understated, but you can tell he has a pretty good sense of humor. He said he now has a shaved business Mohawk. He said he was tired of the scraggly look and wanted to look more decent. Someone asked if that was possible with a Mohawk. "I'm an ugly guy, so I don't really think the Mohawk is the thing I have to worry about." He said he has relatives in Spokane and so is familiar with the area. He said he knows about Mack Strong because Strong was always one of the best FBs in the business. He said he is just looking for a chance, it doesn't matter that he was taken in the fifth round.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 12 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:04:21 pm
TYLER SCHMITT, LONG SNAPPER, SAN DIEGO STATE
Categories: NFL Draft
• 41 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 12:51:15 pm
Here are Rob's choices: OLB Wesley Woodyard, Kentucky RB Mike Hart, Michigan C Steve Justice, Wake Forest S Jamie Silva, Boston College K Brandon Coutu, Georgia He also had WR Kevin Robinson but he was just tabbed.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 4 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 12:08:04 pm
Thankfully, Rob is putting his shoes back on. But he says this is a good pick. He says Schmitt is the best lead blocker in the draft, a pure bad-ass who had 11 broken face masks. He is 6-2, 247. He benched 225 pounds 18 times. Ran a 4.57 in the 40. He was first-team all-American as a senior. Craig James is quoted as saying, "He has a forehead made of steel."
Categories: NFL Draft
• 13 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 12:02:01 pm
OWEN SCHMITT, FB, WEST VIRGINIA
Categories: NFL Draft
• 47 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:36:26 am
Assuming that he is still there when the Seahawks pick, Rob Rang has them taking Appalachian State free safety Corey Lynch. I told Rob I will kneel down and kiss his mangled feet if they take him.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 15 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 11:20:22 am
Day 2 We made it over to Radio City Music Hall a few minutes before the Seahawks fourth round pick. As we write this, the Seahawks just selected Red Bryant, a DT from Texas A&M. Pearl Jam’s “Alive” preceded this pick and the Cowboys pick right after. All of today's picks are announced over the PA system by a guy sitting at a desk near the front. The podium is still on the stage, but no one is using it. We are sitting on the ESPN side of the main floor today. We are about four rows behind media central, sandwiched between Patriots, Broncos and Raiders fans. As I look at all of the media laptop screens, it appears that most media are either checking their email, or on the ESPN website. They also have some portable TVs, all tuned to ESPN. The ESPN crew just took a quick break and walked right in front of us. Jaws was signing autographs, Trey Wingo posing for photos and then wolfing down a sandwich, Mel Kiper reading some notes, and Mort checking his Blackberry. Chris Carter is hamming it up for fans in the first balcony. They are throwing footballs to him and he is autographing them and sending them back up. The ESPN set has six cameras pointing at them and about 20 throughout the room. On the NFL Network side of the room, Adam Schefter is having lunch and reading Frank’s blog (we can’t confirm that last part).
Categories: NFL Draft
• 2 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 10:36:29 am
I don't even know where to start with this guy. He is beautiful. You all will love him. A quote machine. Funny. Simple. Honest. He and Brandon Mebane are going to be a riot along the defensive front this year. First: He is Jacob Green's soon-to-be son-in-law, engaged to Janelle Green. When he was asked how he felt about being drafted by the Seahawks, he yelled "EXTREMELY excited." He was actually at Jacob Green's house when he was doing the interview, though he had to leave the phone for a second because one of the dogs got out of the house. He was asked about getting into a fight with Vanderbilt's Chris Williams at the Senior Bowl. "As you can see, being the 14th pick, he is a good football player. But I felt like he was trying to take advantage of me, and I had to let him know right off the get-go that I wasn't going to take it." Was it shoving or pushing or did you swing? "I was trying to break his facemask. I think I almost did it too. I think he had headaches for about two days."
Categories: NFL Draft
• 12 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 09:57:18 am
I have to say, Rob Rang is the man. He sat here in the media room and called this pick. He real name is Joseph, Red is his nickname. Rob says he is very good at what he does, which is stuff the middle. At 6-4, 318 pounds, he has very little pass rush ability. Can take up one or two blockers and frees up Lofa to make plays. Rob said Lofa will love him. He is a good fit for them. I guess during the Senior Bowl practices, Bryant swung at a few players -- impressing scouts with his "attitude."
Categories: NFL Draft
• 16 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 09:54:52 am
With the 121st pick in the 2008 draft, the Seattle Seahawks select ... RED BRYANT, DT, TEXAS A&M
Categories: NFL Draft
• 17 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 09:00:50 am
It is a cool and rainy Seattle-type day in New York this morning. ESPN just showed a “live” outdoor shot of a sunny Radio City Music but don’t let that fool you. The Seahawks were on the clock twice in the first round. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” from The Verve and Pearl Jam’s “Even Flow” were played as they segued to the Seattle pick. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” from Nirvana was played before the trade. The first round was done in record time, due to the new reduced times teams get to make their pick. Roger Goodell has his subordinates announcing the also-rans.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 4 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 08:37:27 am
Rob Rang says there are very few backs left worth the Seahawks drafting. The names that are still left are Tashard Choice from Georgia Tech, and Rob is not sure why he has not been taken yet; Chauncey Washington from USC is a guy, but Rob doesn't see the Hawks going after him. Mike Hart from Michigan might be picked up later.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 10 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 08:30:23 am
Board met with us yesterday regarding Lawrence Jackson, and this was what he had to say about Darryl Tapp and Jackson competing: (On what happened with Darryl Tapp in the second half of the year…) After he had the breakout game, that was the game he broke his hand in. He came back and played with a broken hand, and I think his hand affected him a lot during the season. Once you break that hand, you don’t want to use it quite as much. It takes a while to get your confidence back.
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 08:08:43 am
The Ravens used the 86th pick that they got from Seattle to select Tom Zbikowski, a 5-11, 211-pound safety from Notre Dame.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 11 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 07:31:44 am
I didn't provide any info on John Carlson's teleconference with media yesterday, so I thought I'd just file the transcript of his quotes for you to peruse: (On the his rise in value between the Combine and the Pro Day…) I was sick. I was unhealthy, and I lost a bunch of strength in the process. I had the opportunity to get the strength back, and I performed better at the Pro Day. I don’t think it was anything out of the ordinary, I was just healthy again, and things went well. (On whether he thought about not running at the Combine…) I wanted to go there and compete. I knew that every NFL team would be there, and it was a chance to perform in front of them. The receiving drills went well, and the interview process went well, and I wanted to go down there and compete.
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 07:06:28 am
Here is a link to some photos that Ryan and Albert took in their time in New York. Day 2, Round 3 gets started. Saturday, April 26th, 2008
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 06:43:23 pm
Draft wrap-up, Day 1 After the First Round ended, Radio City Music Hall emptied out, leaving only Most of the fans who remain here have magazines, newspapers and notebooks Most of the TV personalities have been sitting in their perches the whole The difference between watching the Draft on TV and seeing it live is An agent right out of the Jerry Maguire movie, complete with golden hair and Most of the people we talked to here liked the Seahawks picks as they All in all, it's about 8:30pm ET, the crowd is about 1/4 full. I think it's
Categories: NFL Draft
• 7 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 05:31:53 pm
Tim Ruskell and Mike Holmgren just finished meeting with the media, and these are the highlights of what they had to say. Holmgren said Jackson will play exclusively defensive end. Ruskell said they had targeted Jackson all along, and that when it became apparent they could still get him by moving down they decided to make the trade with Dallas. Holmgren said after speaking with the defensive coaches that they felt end was a bigger need than tackle because they felt Patrick Kerney got worn down last year. By getting another end, they will implement a rotation that allows Kerney to get more rest. Holmgren said when mini-camp starts next week Jackson will line up at right end.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 33 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 04:21:54 pm
Lawrence Jackson, or LoJack, as he says he is known, had a teleconference call with us for about 10 minutes. Seemed like a pretty affable guy. Said he wore blue shoes in anticipation of being picked by the Seahawks. Not sure if it was a line or serious, but makes for good storytelling. Said he lived close enough to Lofa that he could have spit on his door from his apartment. Said he has the versatility to play defensive tackle or end, the reason he thinks the Seahawks chose him -- though at 268-275 he seems a little light in the pants to be playing a lot of tackle. He said for the first eight games last season, when it was third down he would slide to tackle. Said he met with and got tutoring from Michael Strahan. John Carlson is on the line. I have to go talk with him. Will be back shortly.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 12 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 04:03:13 pm
The Seahawks gave the Ravens their second and third rounders to move up to 38 in the second round and take John Carlson.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 29 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 04:01:02 pm
The Seahawks traded up to get Baltimore's 38th overall pick and took Notre Dame tight end John Carlson. He was the second TE taken, after Purdue's Dustin Keller.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 21 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 03:31:11 pm
The Seahawks just made their pick. We have found four other Seahawks fans We spoke with Mike London, the new Head Coach of the Richmond Spiders. He We have been talking to Leah from ESPN. She is a production assistant from We have seats right on the main aisle where all of the team personnel walk We are going to post some photos to Flickr shortly and then come back with
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 03:15:15 pm
With the 28th pick in the 2008 draft, the Seattle Seahawks select: LAWRENCE JACKSOn, DE, USC
Categories: NFL Draft
• 49 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 03:10:38 pm
The Chargers took cornerback Antoine Cason, meaning WR Devin Thomas, as well as defensive linemen Phillip Merling, Kentwan Balmer, Lawrence Jackson and Calais Campbell are still on the board. No tight ends have been taken. No wide receivers have been taken. Almost all the offensive tackles have been taken. They also could trade down again.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 4 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 03:03:26 pm
The Seahawks swapped first-round picks with Dallas. They also got the 5th round pick (163 overall) and their seventh round pick (235 overall).
Categories: NFL Draft
• 4 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:59:09 pm
With the 25th pick in the 2008 draft, the Seattle Seahawks select: NOBODY. THEY TRADED IT TO THE DALLAS COWBOYS.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 14 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:43:45 pm
With Rashard Mendenhall going to Pittsburgh and Felix Jones gone, the Seahawks obviously need to turn their attention elsewhere. The one player who has slipped is wide receiver Devin Thomas, who many thought would go either to Buffalo at 11, Tampa at 20 or Washington at 21. Will the Seahawks take him, given his value at 25? Is he the best player available. They will be able to get a defensive lineman of their choice, it appears. This is the perfect time for them to trade down because they could still get one of those D linemen and pick up an additional pick.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 6 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:27:09 pm
Joe Flacco going in the first round is a surprise, which may make somebody fall to Seattle. Rashard Mendenhall is still on the board, as are the four defensive line players, Phillip Merling, Kentwan Balmer, Lawrence Jackson and Calais Cambpell.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 8 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:41:27 pm
This reminds me of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, except it's Ryan and Albert's. Here is Albert's first offering from New York City: After the first ten picks, here are some observations from New York. The food at Radio City Music Hall is as expensive as Qwest Field. But not as good. The fans stand up for every pick. And then talk about it until the next pick. They play lame music about each city before their pick. WKRP in Cinncinati was played before the Bengals pick. They changed the words to Shout for the Bills pick. Maybe they couldn't find any Buffalo Springfield. Our first non-football celebrity sighting was Jim Cramer from Mad Money. The Patriots were booed twice due to their trade and the pick. People keep coming up to us to ask why we released Alexander. The Seahawks went over our heads to make that decision. The NFL is making this a great experience. We'll try to be on NFL Network for the Seahawks pick. More from the fans in a few hours.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 3 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:29:42 pm
Seahawks fans' dreams are shattered. Jonathan Stewart, the Timberline High and Oregon product, was just chosen with the 13th pick by the Carolina Panthers. That leaves Rashard Mendenhall still on the board. One player who has slipped some is Virginia guard Branden Albert. '
Categories: NFL Draft
• 4 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:21:39 pm
As Rob Rang predicted, it did not come as a shock that New England traded its No. 7 pick to the Saints, who took Sedrick Ellis. But that Jacksonville traded up from 26 to 8 to take Derrick Harvey was something of a shock, and that the Patriots, who had traded down to 10, took linebacker Jerod Mayo at 10 raised more than a few eyebrows. Most of the mocks I looked at didn't have Mayo anywhere close to that high. I wonder if the Pats would have taken Mayo if the Bengals didn't take Keith Rivers with the previous selection.
Categories: NFL Draft
• 2 comments
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 12:51:06 pm
Ryan is sending emails to me from his cell phone. Here is his latest offering: Inside Radio City Music Hall These entries will be short as the WiFi that was working went down. The draft room is nuts. There are about 5,000 fans here by our count. We are sitting right in front of the NFL Network broadcast. When we came in the NFL gave fans a radio so everyone can listen to the ESPN or NFLN audio feed. There are monitors everywhere to look at. When you see a pick made on TV it appears that there are camera flashes everywhere. Those are really strobe lights. We saw that Matt Ryan was picked before they announced it. Scoop for us. Just talked to a Jets official. Look for them to trade down now that McFadden is gone.
Categories: NFL Draft
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