Sign Mike Wahle

by John Morgan on Feb 12, 2008 9:30 AM PST in NFL News

I was happy to get home and read this:

The Carolina Panthers released linebacker Dan Morgan and guard Mike Wahle...

Morgan, who cares? But Wahle would be a perfect fit for Seattle. Wahle is a veteran who could (would) take over starting left guard duties, moving Sims back to his more natural position at right. Wahle is consistently healthy, has the exact skill set Holmgren covets in a guard and shouldn't be terribly expensive. Guards last into their mid-thirties, so we're not talking about a washed up retread with little left to produce. Tim Ruskell should be familiar with Wahle from his days in Atlanta, a short stop that has colored many of his recent moves. A reasonable contract for Wahle shouldn't cost more than 3 million against the cap, a wholly justifiable hit for a player that would improve the Seahawks above and beyond his own contributions. With Wahle starting, the Hawks would be improving both guard positions, right guard drastically. Could count on one of the best, if not the best pass blocking offensive lines in all of football, and have a starting guard skilled at pulling - one of Sims' worst weaknesses. Further, this frees up flexibility in the draft, and makes an immediate, 2008 season impact that no available guard draftee could. Seriously, no buts, get this shit done.

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but, but, but...

actually, no buts. this is exactly what i thought when i saw it in print this morning. in the slightly more local version of this story in the columbia paper they mention that wahle has had some shoulder issues, has a big cap number, and the team is ready to insert draftee ryan khalil into the starting center slot (and probably move current starter justin hartwig to guard).

not only should ruskell be familiar with wahle as an divisional opponent, but so should holmy. wahle was on holmgren's last GB team as a rookie in '98.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Feb 12, 2008 1:39 PM PST 0 recs

GOLD!!

If the Seahawks sign him, then would there be a need to draft Baker? Or, if the Seahawks sign Wahle, do you draft Baker and then get rid of Gray or even let Locklear free?

Bring on the golf clubs!

by SSreporters on Feb 12, 2008 2:27 PM PST 0 recs

Yes, Yes, and Yes

Signing this guy makes total sense unless he is some sort of locker room cancer we don't know about. Don't screw this up Seattle. This is what we are looking for, at what will probably be a reasonable price, will improve multiple positions, and maybe even change the way we address free agency and the draft. Get this deal done!

Mike Holmgren, please do the right thing...

by silkybrown on Feb 12, 2008 4:21 PM PST up 0 recs

Hey John!

When is the soonest this signing can take place?

Mike Holmgren, please do the right thing...

by silkybrown on Feb 12, 2008 4:22 PM PST 0 recs

Silky

Seattle can grab him once FA signing starts.

RIP Roy Scheider

by SSreporters on Feb 12, 2008 4:23 PM PST up 0 recs

Adam Shefter is reporting (via PFT)

that Wahle is headed west to Seattle as we speak to interview with the Seahawks.

Another catch for Morgan.

by Will Kier on Feb 12, 2008 6:48 PM PST 0 recs

awesome

get it done Tim!!

Josh Brown is better than you. The Rest of the team is worse.

by MFAN on Feb 12, 2008 11:42 PM PST up 0 recs

Very nice.

And because he was cut he can sign right away.

by John Morgan on Feb 13, 2008 2:52 AM PST up 0 recs

Can't say I like this

Just kidding this would be a great move

Coach Owens = Scruffy's spell check

by Scruffy Lefty on Feb 12, 2008 8:02 PM PST 0 recs

waivers

Don't all the crappy teams get to decide if they want him first? Don't players that are cut have to clear waivers?

Signing Wahle doesn't alleviate our OL needs.

Jones/Sims/Spencer/Gray/Locklear

Gray is probably done. Locklear may or may not be resigned. I don't think he is viewed in the same way as Faneca by the league. The Hawks OL has been VERY suspect. There were way too many sacks allowed this season (18th worst). The run game was also anemic. How much of this was Locklear's fault is debatable. Regardless, he isn't as hot a commodity as we are all afraid of. The fact he is 26 and played in all 16 games last year is enough in and of itself to get him offers.

In the OL we need to address Gray, Locklear, and eventual replacement of Walter Jones. So we need anywhere from 1-4 OL, depending on how the FO thinks. It is a very good OL draft class so I imagine we will draft at least one OL player this year.

I think it is likely that Willis will start in the OL next year (if healthy) regardless of what happens. He may be replaced by a rookie at some point in the year, but I think he will get a shot. Particularly if Lock goes, since Tackle is his natural position.

by michaelfox99 on Feb 13, 2008 8:26 AM PST 0 recs

the times

The times is reporting that WALL is meeting with the hawks.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2004179328_hawks13.html

It turns out he is actually from Portland, so maybe he wants to be next to his hometown. I hope so.

30 is a great age for an OL player. He is very experienced so he can help out Sims and others but could easily have 3-5 years left in the tank. The guy has missed just 3 games in 10 seasons!

I am also realizing that making this move could smooth things over with resigning Lock too. I am sure it wasn't fun out there needing to play next to Gray. Unless he likes being mowed over by DT's. If we get Wall and Lock signed before the draft we can focus on TE and S in the first two rounds.

If we let Hackett go we better think about getting another receiver too.

by michaelfox99 on Feb 13, 2008 8:37 AM PST 0 recs