5 key contracts that decide the direction of the Seahawks.

by Joshua Kasparek on Dec 17, 2010 6:43 PM PST

I'd like to play a game. The rules are simple, this isn't rosterbation because I am not deciding to imagine who could come in to improve talent. Here's how this works. The current contracts must be up at the end of the year or have a significant cap number coming next year. Two examples on my coming list are Chris Spencer and Marcus Trufant

Here's the key five deals that will decide how the Seahawks move forward.

1. Chris Spencer- Re-sign him. I have been no defender or excuse maker of Chris, in fact I have a post from earlier this year after seeing the game against the chargers in which I said I would just move on. This has nothing to do with any other line mates improvement or his own hall of fame play. Chris has as the year has gone on, shown the ability to start plays correctly and finish them strong a majority of the time and he's done this in the complexity of the ZBS and he's kept the middle clean of pressure so well that I think his career is just about ready to see it's breakthrough to some probowl recognition.

2. Marcus Trufant- cut or renegotiate. Marcus is a good corner, he's been great only really once and that was with significant holes in his game. He makes too much money for his limitations and a pass defense that would benefit from a corner that can wrestle with the best in press coverage needs cash to go pick that up either in the draft or in free agency.

3. Collin Cole- cut him. Seattle needs help across the defensive line and Collin Cole's skills though of some solid value he carries two things that concern me, age and high cap number for a rebuilding team.

4. Mike Williams- Re-sign him. He's got age and established value in the offensive system Bates would like to run. It takes away one need from the draft.

5. Brandon Mebane- Re-sign him. Brandon Mebane isn't a flashy player with 5 star athletic skills, but what he does do well has definite value. The concern is that since what he does is based on a very limited set of tools that a decline might be rapid. It's a risk at this point that could be okay as you improve the talent around him.

So there you have it. My top 5 contracts that show the Seahawks future. I know many of you that will think about responding will have one name I purposely omitted. So tell me fans, what do you think?

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Can you put some numbers along with these guys?

When you say Cole carries a “high cap number” what is that exactly? I have thought of Cole as being valuable so far this year. Granted he could be TOO expensive but I am not sure what he is due to make.

by Big E-Z on Dec 17, 2010 7:20 PM PST reply actions

it's not obscenely large.

I cannot find the exact number but I do know that he made around 5 million in 2009. if Ruskell front loaded his deal which he typically did, Cole is probably not slated to make more than 5 million total with bonuses next year and while that isn’t large in and of itself he’s past 30 and Seattle has Mebane and Williams to fight for in free agency. They have cap space sure, but I’m also talking longer term value. Cole doesn’t strike me as a long term commitment and so dumping him a bit early makes some sense for the future despite his immediate value.

by Joshua Kasparek on Dec 17, 2010 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

I could have sworn Cole signed only a 2-year contract before last season, making him a free agent after this one

As far as I recall….in any case, Cole has been better than any other Over DT we’ve had to put in his place, so unless his salary is too expensive (and most better-than-average DTs are pretty pricey) I say he should stick around.

But there are a lot of variables about how much a player counts against the cap if they are cut or not, and what free agents could be available, so all this talk might be a touch premature.

by J.L. White on Dec 17, 2010 8:19 PM PST up reply actions

Good points.

by Joshua Kasparek on Dec 17, 2010 8:23 PM PST up reply actions

500lb elephant in the room...

(because 400 lb elephants aren’t big enough!)

At this point, there isn’t a salary cap next year, and no contract should be prohibitive to our owner, the richest in the league.

That said, Cole isn’t a problem, even if he isn’t part of the solution, so I keep him around, preferably in a rotational backup role. Also, 30 isn’t as old on the DL/NT spot as it is a lot of places. Those big belly’d guys tend to often hang around a little longer.

"You tell me with confidence that you think Charlie could have done better and I will laugh beer in your face." JohnnyOsprey

by Tyler Jorgensen on Dec 17, 2010 10:34 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Actually, 500 lbs. would be tiny for an elephant.

Adults range from 6,000 (Sumatran) to over 20,000 (African Bush).

by thebyron on Dec 18, 2010 10:06 AM PST up reply actions

"Check out the big brain on thebyron!"

“20,000 lbs, that’s right. You a smart mutha fu*ka’”

SUPREME'REEM K-1 Champ!
Semper Fi'
Pain don't hurt...

by RolloTomasi on Dec 18, 2010 12:39 PM PST up reply actions 6 recs

Yeah, I was tired...

should have been 400 lb gorilla, not 500 lb elephant.

If the elephant was in the room, it would need to be pink.

"You tell me with confidence that you think Charlie could have done better and I will laugh beer in your face." JohnnyOsprey

by Tyler Jorgensen on Dec 18, 2010 1:07 PM PST up reply actions

RE: Colin Cole

Rotoword is usually a decent source of contract info (as far as any source is):

3/1/2009: Signed a five-year, $21.4 million contract. The deal contains $6 million guaranteed, including a $2.5 million signing bonus. 2009: $2.5 million (+ $1 million roster bonus), 2010: $3.25 million, 2011: $3.75 million, 2012: $4.45 million, 2013: $5 million, 2014: Free Agent

I think Cole’s played pretty well this year, when healthy, and players that rely on size tend to age more slowly than ones that rely on speed. Pat Williams has had some dominant years past the age of 35.

by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Dec 17, 2010 10:00 PM PST reply actions

Oops.

You said it first.

Agreed on older DT types lasting longer.

"You tell me with confidence that you think Charlie could have done better and I will laugh beer in your face." JohnnyOsprey

by Tyler Jorgensen on Dec 17, 2010 10:36 PM PST up reply actions

Hmmm...maybe only the first 2 years were guaranteed, or something

Good info.

by J.L. White on Dec 18, 2010 2:14 AM PST up reply actions

The cap hits of signing bonuses are typically pro-rated over 5 years

and “guaranteed” salaries often include roster or performance bonuses that can be triggered over the life of the contract. I’d assume that any pro-rated cap hits would be accelerated in a capless year.

by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Dec 18, 2010 10:22 AM PST up reply actions

Since I'm also one of Chris Spencer's critics

I should point out I also think he ought to be re-signed. Not to fly directly in the face of “proactive like nonstop,” but there are so many other holes. He’s serviceable and could become good. If an upgrade is necessary (and an upgrade is achievable), it can wait at least a year if not more.

by jacobstevens on Dec 20, 2010 9:30 AM PST reply actions

Pretty much my thoughts... though I'm not so much a critic as a pragmatist.

He’s not the glaring issue that some of our other spots are.

"You tell me with confidence that you think Charlie could have done better and I will laugh beer in your face." JohnnyOsprey

by Tyler Jorgensen on Dec 20, 2010 9:48 AM PST up reply actions

Cole

I like the way Cole has the ability to stop (or help stuff) the run. He may not be the best, but, he does do a pretty good job. Only way we let him go is if we can draft or find somebody much better. That may be hard to do. Keep him as a rotational backup for a rook, if we get one to draft. On another player:
Lawyer Milloy should be resigned as i didn’t see enuf improvement in Kam and Milloy looks like he can go forever at SS. He is the only other person I see that can be an adequate QB for the defense. Makes a lot of plays and is an excellent mentor. Of course, this all depends on his price tooo.

by BUSTINHEADS on Dec 21, 2010 2:00 PM PST reply actions

really it depends on if Lawyer thinks he's done. I would not be opposed to bringing him back

Thanks for bringing him up. I hadn’t considered him because my rules were a high age or price tag as things to build my thoughts around. Lawyer would be a luxury for this team.

As far as cole goes, the consensus is keep him and I won’t disagree.

by Joshua Kasparek on Dec 21, 2010 5:08 PM PST up reply actions