Coffee and Cigarettes: Seahawks Links For Wednesday

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Seattle’s five most logical first round picks " Seahawks Draft Blog
Although the Seahawks probably won’t narrow their options to merely five players, this quintet will almost certainly be on their radar on April 26th. Pete Carroll says he wants to improve the team’s pass rush and front seven – and that’s what he’s going to do this year.

While many are still pinning their hopes on a big splash up the board to target the top two quarterbacks, there’s every chance a deal just won’t be possible even if the team wanted to make that move. More on that in tomorrow’s updated mock draft, but for now – let’s look at these five realistic options for the Seahawks, including one ‘non-defensive’ wild card. Regular visitors will know my own personal opinion on each of these prospects already, I’m just trying to offer a broader look in today’s piece.

Senior Bowl '12: One Last Look - NFL Draft Preview - Rotoworld.com
The purpose of Senior Bowl week is to supplement completed area-scout evaluations in practice and interviews. No evaluations are made based on a single week, but a handful of players did help or hurt their 2012 NFL draft stock on an evened playing field. As I did in my East-West Shrine review, I will break down the top players at each position. For comparison, click here for my rankings entering Senior Bowl week.

Peyton Manning of Indianapolis Colts expects to play again, no timing on decision - ESPN
Peyton Manning, speaking at length for the first time since the 2011 season ended, told ESPN on Tuesday that he plans to return to football, but he and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay have not discussed his future.

Raiders make Greg Knapp their new offensive coordinator | ProFootballTalk
Knapp, 48, is one of the NFL’s most running game-oriented offensive minds. As a coordinator in San Francisco (2001-2003), Atlanta (2004-2006), Oakland (2007-2008), and Seattle (2009), Knapp engineered seven top-five finishes in rushing attempts over a span of nine seasons.

Mac's Football Blog: Peyton Manning Has No Plans To Retire
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning informed a group of reporters at Super Bowl XLVI that he has no plans to retire, Michael Marot of The Associated Press reports.

RB David Wilson’s Vision: Part II – The Low Lights | The Rookie Scouting Portfolio
As I explained yesterday, Vision is often poorly defined as an abstract, catchall intangible that is vital to the success of a ball carrier. Vision should be something we actively try to define and despite its intuitive characteristics I believe there are major components of the skill set that running backs learn as late as years into their pro careers. Reggie Bush, C.J. Spiller, LeSean McCoy, and Jamaal Charles are recent backs that had to improve some aspect of their vision to complete that transition from promising prospect to effective performer.

RB David Wilson’s Vision: Part II – The Low Lights | The Rookie Scouting Portfolio
As I explained yesterday, Vision is often poorly defined as an abstract, catchall intangible that is vital to the success of a ball carrier. Vision should be something we actively try to define and despite its intuitive characteristics I believe there are major components of the skill set that running backs learn as late as years into their pro careers. Reggie Bush, C.J. Spiller, LeSean McCoy, and Jamaal Charles are recent backs that had to improve some aspect of their vision to complete that transition from promising prospect to effective performer.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Word of Muth: Super Bowl Preview
I apologize for last week’s non-existent column. I didn’t really get enough questions for a full Q and A, so I answered as many as I could in the comments section of the last article instead. Sorry for the bait and switch.

Pressure and the 2011 Quarterbacks | ProFootballFocus.com
When Eli Manning said he believed he was an elite quarterback, more than a few eyebrows were raised. Sure Eli had won a Super Bowl, but there was so much of his game that made Giants fans cringe at times. One of the early knocks on Eli was how he handled pressure. Heading into this year, he wasn’t exactly our most favorite QB in this area, as he completed just 44.7% of passes with nine interceptions on the 173 plays he was pressured in 2010.

Raiders offer Knapp OC post | National Football Post
Assistant coach spent two seasons in that role in Oakland.

Five classes worth watching as Signing Day nears | National Football Post
These programs remain in serious play for some of the best uncommitted talent.

Buffalo Bills Will Switch To 4-3 Defense | SI Tracking Blog – Tracking the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and NCAA On Twitter
The Buffalo Bill’s will switch their 3-4 defensive scheme to a 4-3 formation for the upcoming season, reports Buffalo News.com. "If you look around the league today people are playing four-man fronts and three-man fronts, they’re playing a little bit of everything," Coach Chan Gailey commented on the new defense, "We’re going to try and put our guys in position to be successful, whatever that position might be. If it’s odd spacing sometimes or even spacing sometimes.

2012 Players-All-Star Classic Coverage
Here at Optimum Scouting, we'll have the most in-depth, timely, accurate, and insightful Players All-Star Classic found ANYWHERE.

The Pro Bowl Problem | National Football Post
Real action is week before the game

National Signing Day preview | National Football Post
The players, teams and storylines to watch during college football's big recruiting showcase event.

Super Bowl 2012 - Trent Dilfer - Ranking the top 40 quarterbacks in the NFL - ESPN
Short Leash Guys who may begin 2012 as starters, but have no guarantee to last without improved performance. Tarvaris Jackson (Seahawks): The Seahawks might believe in his future, but league perception is that they could probably do better. He has to show more, because the Seahawks aren't devoid of weapons.

Report: Peyton Manning’s Rehab Not Going Well | SI Tracking Blog – Tracking the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and NCAA On Twitter
The nerves in Peyton Manning’s arm are not healing as quickly as doctors had hoped, two sources have told Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports. According to the sources, Manning’s arm may never be to the point where he can play again.

Super Bowl XLVI Preview Extravaganza: More London Consideration | Stupid Sideline Reporters
Before we get to my annual Super Bowl Preview Extravaganza of the teams actually playing this weekend in Indianapolis, I think it’s time to check in on the NFL’s maniacal talk about hosting things in London. They already get an annual regular season game, usually with at least one completely trash team, but now Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay says maybe London could host a Super Bowl!

Faulk skeptical of Brian Schottenheimer - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Count Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk among those skeptical of the St. Louis Rams' switch to Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator.

Players All-Star Classic Weigh-in Results | National Football Post
Who were the weigh-in standouts?