Coffee and Cigarettes: Seahawks Links for Wednesday

Seattle Seahawks news, rumors, links, info, interviews, analysis, and more! So, so much stuff going on today. It's like Christmas for a Seahawks blogger in terms of being gifted interesting things to write about. Fuck that stupid lockout, this is what I'm talking about!! Can't wait to dig in, but in the mean time, here's what other people are saying.

Catch a falling star? | National Football Post: What He'll Like: I sincerely hope that offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's Minnesota-to-Seattle transfer wasn't just a strange coincidence. Surely, Rice (100 catches/10 TDs in his last 22 regular season games) enjoyed his time in Minneapolis with his past and present OC ... and hopefully, his move to the Great Northwest was a combination of big money, recruiting love and an unwavering belief in Bevell's coaching philosophy -- which cannot be overstated during a lockout-ravaged offseason.

Robert Gallery: Well-spoken Son of Anarchy - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports" When one first encounters former Oakland Raiders and new Seattle Seahawks left guard Robert Gallery(notes), it wouldn't surprise to learn that this 6-foot-7, 325-pound dude with a long, bushy beard and long hair picked up an affinity for bikes and biker culture during his seven-year stint with the Raiders. And once certain members of the FX show Sons of Anarchy discovered that the Raiders were big fans of the show that comes off like a cross between Easy Rider and The Sopranos, the two groups started to interface.

Four quick notes before hitting the road - NFC West Blog - ESPN: Seahawks defensive linemen. Free-agent defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson agreed to terms with Seattle, the team confirmed. Seattle fared well last offseason by signing Raheem Brock to one-year deal for a reasonable rate. Brock had 9.0 sacks, but at age 33, he wasn't going to get a long-term deal from a Seattle team looking to go young. Wilkerson, 30, will sign a one-year deal. Will Brock return? It's possible, but I'd be a little surprised. Also for Seattle: Former Rams fullback Mike Karney is visiting, Jim Thomas reports. Oakland tight end Zach Miller already visited. No word yet on his plans.

Seahawks camp notes – Aug. 1 | Seahawks Insider: Seahawks camp notes - Aug. 1

A few minutes with Dominque Byrd | Seahawks Insider: Drafted in the third round by the St. Louis in 2006, Byrd, 27, has yet to stick with an NFL team after stops with the Rams and Arizona, including two years totally out of the league in 2008 and last year. At 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, Byrd has shown flashes of being a legitimate receiving threat at tight end position during training camp, but will have to prove it once preseason play begins next week. So has Byrd’s familiarity with Carroll at USC helped with the transition to Seattle? "Not really," he said. "I mean I know his style. Coach Carroll is a very enthusiastic guy. But as far as transitioning, it’s about coming into camp and being one of the guys. It’s great to be back in football, and you’ve got to be back in the groove and get right back into the playbook. And knowing Coach Carroll doesn’t help me study, so that’s really my focus."

Quick response to Zach Miller signing | Seahawks Insider: The Seahawks' afternoon practice just ended. The big story today was the confirmation that the Hawks had signed tight end Zach Miller (reported to be 5 years and $34 million with $17 million guaranteed). Immediately we started wondering about the future of incumbent tight end John Carlson, now in his fourth year with the team. Carlson had a good practice, catching a touchdown from Charlie Whitehurst during some late team sessions. But Carlson's impact on the offense has diminished since his record-setting rookie season.

Seahawks Blog | Dare to dream: Nate Robinson takes to Twitter to ask for Seahawks tryout | Seattle Times Newspaper: It remains to be seen if Nate Robinson's flirtation with the NFL is serious. His football potential, however, is no joke. He played cornerback for a year at Washington and intercepted a pass in the Apple Cup before choosing to focus on basketball at Washington. He hinted to a reporter at SLAM that he might go play football during the NBA lockout. Well, he took that a step further on Tuesday, taking to Twitter to ask Seahawks coach Pete Carroll for a look-see.

Seahawks Blog | Video: Pete Carroll discusses Zach Miller's addition | Seattle Times Newspaper: Video of Pete. 

Seahawks.com Blog | Camp Carroll: Day 5 (a.m. edition) ": PLAYS OF THE DAY Offense: The "oooh" play for the 301 fans who attended practice was wide receiver Dominique Edison getting behind cornerback Kennard Cox to make a falling grab in the end zone. But the more-significant effort was running back Marshawn Lynch taking a short pass from Charlie Whitehurst and then juking around rookie linebacker Malcolm Smith with a move as smooth as it was powerful to turn the play into a longer gain. Defense: Sunday, David Hawthorne stepped into the role of starting middle linebacker after Lofa Tatupu was released. This morning, the player they call "Heater" stepped into the hole to thump Lynch on the first play of the first full-team period.   Special teams: This one came early, as the kickoff returners were getting ready to field kicks before the full practice started. Coach Pete Carroll not only took the first one, he one-handed it to show "how easy" it is. Then, Leon Washington let the very next one slip through his hands, allowing Carroll to give him some good-natured ribbing.

Seahawks.com Blog | Camp Carroll: Day 5 (p.m. edition) ": PLAYER WATCH Alan Branch. The veteran defensive lineman just signed with the team in free agency, but he’s no stranger to new D-line coach Todd Wash. "I evaluated Alan when he came out of the college," said of Branch, who was a second-round draft choice by the Arizona Cardinals in 2007, when Wash was coaching with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "So when there was an opportunity to get Alan, we were very, very excited. We know what he can do, and the coaches will put him in position to be successful." Carroll already has said that Branch will start at the three-technique tackle spot, with Brandon Mebane moving over to nose tackle. But Branch also can backup and spell Red Bryant at the five-technique end position. That’s because Branch weighs 325 pounds, even though he doesn’t look it. "Alan is a big athlete, and we’ve got to do something scheme-wise to make sure he’s successful and we’re successful," Wash said.

8/2: How will the Seahawks spend the rest of their money? - Blog - MyNorthwest.com: In Tuesday's Wrap Up video, Brock Huard discusses a few moves the Seahawks could make with the estimated $21 million they have left to spend.

Zach Miller signs, Seahawks offense on the brink " Seahawks Draft Blog: After a long 24-hours of negotiating, the Seahawks today signed former Raiders tight end Zach Miller for a deal believed to be worth $35m with $17m guaranteed. That’s a better contract than Antonio Gates is receiving in San Diego. It’s another ambitious move by the Seahawks front office.

Seahawks.com Blog | Miller agrees with Seahawks ": "This is a fantastic move for us," coach Pete Carroll said after practice at the team’s training camp. "Zach is a great football player. He’s a great person, and great competitor. "I think he makes a more versatile offense. We’ll be able to use he and John (Carlson, the incumbent starter) in so many different ways. They’ll be on the field at the same time a ton. Thrilled about that flexibility."

Photos from Training Camp Aug. 2 | Seahawks - Renton Reporter: Photos are from an afternoon practice Aug. 2 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton.

Seahawks Blog | Leaders may be followed, but first they must be found | Seattle Times Newspaper: There's a big change at Seattle's strong safety this year, and not just because second-year pro Kam Chancellor stands 6 feet 3 and weighs 232 pounds. Lawyer Milloy isn't on the Seahawks' roster, and while coach Pete Carroll left open the possibility the team could turn to Milloy if needed, he also made it clear that Seattle wants to give some of its young players the opportunity to grab that job.

Jameson Konz, utility man | Seattle Seahawks & NFL News - seattlepi.com: Jameson Konz wears No. 46, and he’s a tight end. So there was some confusion during Monday’s practice when a player in a white, defense jersey — the offense wears blue — was donning the same number. Did the Seahawks sign another undrafted rookie? Nope. It was still Konz, only lined up at defensive end instead of tight end. So, is he switching positions? "They didn’t necessarily move me to D-end, but we have a few guys banged up and we wanted to have somebody take their spot, so I jumped over for a bit," Konz said.

Jerry Brewer | Youth served by Seahawks, but who will lead? | Seattle Times Newspaper: If you're in the mood for a great sports argument, start yapping about leadership. It's an underrated lightning rod, somewhere between Kelly Jennings and Chone Figgins on our local incite-o-meter. Some consider leadership on a team an absolute essential and an underappreciated, if unquantifiable, skill. Others consider it mere fodder for the uneducated sports fan, a hollow characteristic often used as an excuse to mask mediocre talent.

Jerry Brewer | Youth served by Seahawks, but who will lead? | Seattle Times Newspaper: If you're in the mood for a great sports argument, start yapping about leadership. It's an underrated lightning rod, somewhere between Kelly Jennings and Chone Figgins on our local incite-o-meter. Some consider leadership on a team an absolute essential and an underappreciated, if unquantifiable, skill. Others consider it mere fodder for the uneducated sports fan, a hollow characteristic often used as an excuse to mask mediocre talent.

Who's gonna lead Hawks? " Kitsap Sun: When Matt Hasselbeck, Lofa Tatupu or Lawyer Milloy spoke, their teammates knew they darn well better listen up. They were the veterans with playoff experience, multiple Pro Bowl appearances, and in Milloy's case, a Super Bowl ring. Now all three are gone—Hasselbeck to Tennessee, Tatupu released, and Milloy, 37, not in Seattle's plans—and a big question hangs over the Seahawks' youth movement. Who will lead this team?

Lockout labor of love for back | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune: The lengthy NFL lockout was fine with Seahawks back Leon Washington. He had labor issues of his own to deal with. In June, his wife gave birth to their third son, Nolen. The spelling seems a little unconventional until you are reminded that Washington was a Florida State Semi-nole. "Personally, it was great," Washington said of the lockout after Monday morning’s practice. "I have three little boys now – 5, 2 and 6 weeks. This is my sixth year in the league and every other year there have been OTAs (organized team activities) and minicamps, so this was a nice chance to spend time with the wife and family."

Sports Radio Interviews " Blog Archive " Sidney Rice Claims Darrell Bevell’s Playbook Is Why He Signed With Seattle, Feels Tarvaris Jackson Didn’t Get A Fair Chance In Minnesota: Despite missing the first nine games of the 2010 season while recovering from hip surgery last August, and then producing only 16 receptions and two touchdowns in the six games he did appear,  Sidney Rice inked a 5-year, $41 million dollar contract with the Seattle Seahawks last week.  Rice cited his familiarity with Darrell Bevell’s playbook dating back to their time together in Minnesota as the deciding factor for signing with the Seahawks. The move by John Schneider and Pete Carroll has a lot of upside if Rice can regain his dominant form from 2009 where he racked up 1,312 yards with eight touchdown catches. Rice is already excited to be playing in Seattle and he sounds confident in Tarvaris Jackson’s ability after playing with the Seahawks new quarterback in Minnesota. You would have to think John Schneider was extremely happy to add a wide receiver who is familiar with Jackson considering that most critics around the NFL are confused as to why the Seahawks GM swapped multiple draft picks with San Diego for a third string quarterback in Charlie Whitehurst last off-season, and now has added a career back up in Jackson to compete for the starting job under center.

NFC West Outlook: Seattle Seahawks Off-Season To Date - Niners Nation: Seattle has made a lot of noise this off-season, but have they actually upgraded the team? I guess only time will tell. This is a team that won the NFC West with a sub .500 record, so there is a lot they have to do in order to take the next step. 

Cable and Gallery reunite to try to fix Seattle’s running game - The Washington Post: Prohibited from practicing by NFL rules until Thursday, new Seahawks left guard Robert Gallery has been advising his young teammates on the field and looking very much like an assistant coach. Gallery, who came to Seattle as a free agent from the Oakland Raiders, is expected to anchor a line with five starting offensive linemen who have never played as a group in a meaningful game.

Seattle Seahawks Blog - Hawk Blogger: 2011 Seahawks Training Camp: August 2nd News & Notes: This is the second in a series of four training camp visits I will be making this year. I spent a fair bit of time chatting with Danny Kelly over at Field Gulls, so don't be surprised if we have overlapping notes.

Chase Reynolds signs free agent contract with Seahawks | KPAX.com | Missoula, Montana: While many NFL superstars are holding out from training camps due to financial disputes, Chase Reynolds isn't being picky about his contract situation. "Do I care what it says? I just want it to have a place to sign my name," he said with a laugh in Seattle Tuesday afternoon, 30 minutes after being told he would be offered a free agent contract with the Seahawks.

Ex-Chicago Bear Olin Kreutz would play in '11 for right offer, agent says - ESPN Chicago: After a tough couple of days of reflection, former Bears center Olin Kreutz wants to continue his career if he can find the Super Bowl contender, his agent Mark Bartelstein said Tuesday. Kreutz took it hard Saturday when talks broke off with the Bears. Chicago offered him a one-year contract at $4 million. He was hoping for about $800,000 more. Talks broke off quickly and both sides went different directions. Within the next 48 hours, the Bears signed former Seahawks center Chris Spencer, leaving Kreutz out of a job.

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