Eric D. Williams took over the Seahawks beat and Seahawks Insider blog in December. Williams has covered the Seahawks, Sonics and high school sports for The News Tribune since joining the paper in 2006. Eric lives in Tacoma with his wife and two children.
Tacoma News Tribune columnist Dave Boling also contributes to the Seahawks Insider blog.
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Cornerback Josh Wilson, who turned his ankle in Wednesday's practice, was back at practice on Thursday, mostly in the nickel package. Kelly Jennings took care of a lot of the stuff in the straight-up defensive sets. But Wilson looked like there was not much residual effect from the twist a day before. Coincidentally, practice squad receiver Michael Bumpus seemed to get banged up on the same route that Wilson got hurt on the day before. Bumpus laid out for a pass and seemed to stretch his shoulder a bit. He lay on the ground for perhaps 30 seconds before getting up and going slowly back to the huddle.
Also, QB Matt Hasselbeck was back as well after taking Wednesday off to rest a sore body. He will start on Sunday.
Not a ton to actually report out of practice, though there was a keen Bocce ball (spelling?) tournament going on in the locker room, as well as a shoot-the-Gatorade-bottle-in-the-trash-receptacle-from-30-feet competition happening. You had to keep an eye out or you would get your eye put out.
Julian Peterson, a native of the DC area (God bless him) said he has about 12 family members coming out for the game, all of whom are talking trash to him because they are Redskins fans. Not all 12 are staying with him. He said he has the upper hand right now because they knocked the Skins out of the playoffs last season, but they are pointing to the records this season.
I tried to get a head-start on asking Julius Jones about next week's Dallas game and his thoughts on heading back to Irving. "Gotta play Washington before we focus on Dallas," he said. End of interview. Thank you very much. Incidentally, Mike Holmgren said on Wednesday that he is staying with splitting carries between Julius and Mo Morris. I already asked Julius about that enough this year; I didn't dip into the well again.
Had an interesting conversation with Deion Branch, which will be the focus of my story for tomorrow's News Tribune. I talked with him about this dynamic: His salary goes up. He has been hurt. He sees what happened to Shaun Alexander when a similar set of circumstances occurred. What are his thoughts? He said he is not naive enough to not think about it, and realize that the organization will have some decisions to make this offseason. But he tries not to let the business side of it interfere with the football side. He is trying to produce the same way whether he is playing for a contract or not. All the receivers -- Bobby Engram, Koren Robinson, Branch -- know that there is a chance this is the last 6 games together, but they can't worry about what upstairs is thinking. Personnel is Tim Ruskell's department, catching passes is Branch's department.
COMMENTS:
Build the o-line in the off season. Sign Goff or Hochstein, draft Duke Robinson, re-sign Willis and Womack, move Vallos to center.
Just because he isn't going to be a future Pro Bowl and Hall of Famer doesn't mean he can't be a key contributor as a role player. In case you haven't noticed, not everyone on a team can be a Pro Bowler who runs a 4.2 40-yard dash.
I just hope his knee heals up well so he can come back strong
Having said that, this is why I truly believe we need to start evaluating Branch this year to see if he has anything left after the injury. Otherwise we'll need to release him to save $5 mil.
With our First Pick, I'd like to get one of the following guys.
1. Andre Smith* OT Alabama 98
3. Vontae Davis* CB Illinois 98
4. Malcolm Jenkins CB Ohio State 97
6. Michael Crabtree** WR Texas Tech 96
With our second pick, I'd like to get one of the following guys.
23. Geno Atkins* DT Georgia 93
31. Taylor Mays* S USC 91
32. Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland 90
23. Juaquin Iglesias Sr. WR Oklahoma
25. Mohamed Massaquoi Sr. WR Georgia
I realize no one can anticipate injuries, but there was nothing in Branch's resume' that indicated he's worth a $39 mil contract, or a 1st round pick, in my view. Yes he was a Super Bowl MVP, but he was mainly a role player.
We know Engram isn't the same impact player without other weapons on the field. We know that Branch is not a #1, probably more of a #2 or #3. These are known. Last time I checked true #1 receivers made much more than $5M/year. More like $8M+/year. So in fact, if Branch can perform as a starter, and play at a high level, he is worth keeping around for one more season. He would look a lot better if we had a #1 across the field from him, or at least a guy who stretches the defense in some unique way- due to size, speed, or something else. Then we have Burleson. Who is also not a #1. But again....what does it take to replace him? I think that based on replacement cost...Branch and Burleson, the healthy versions, do not look too bad. I still like the idea of getting a high draft pick at WR, first or second round...to add to the mix. If the guy is ready to start, or play a lot, he bumps a job away from other guys. Maybe then you cut Branch, or someone else making a few bucks.
Either way, we need to become more reliable and talented at that position next year. I'm not sold we can do that without keeping Branch on board. Because a #1 WR will cost you more than he is making, and a #2 WR may cost you the same, maybe a little less....and may not be as good as him OR Burleson.
But the bigger question is, "Does he have anything left"? Since he's small and relies heavily on speed and quickness, if he's not fast, then he has nothing to offer. This is why let's see what he's got left and decide whether or not to cut him.
I agree to keep Branch for '09. I'm not happy he makes so much and that we gave up a #1 for him, but it is what it is and moving forward for '09 I think the team is better off with him on it.
Having said that I agree that Tim Ruskell OVER VALUE having good characters and being smart. Just look at current successful teams. They have a number of players on the team with questionable characters and risks.
The most important thing should be "Having talent and the desire and commitment to win". Having a good core players with good characters should take care of the risks and other stuff.
But I agree with you on the second part that the two don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Nevertheless Tim Ruskell has one more year to prove his worth or he will be gone.
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