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Coffee and Cigarettes: Seahawks Links for Thursday

Seattle Seahawks news, rumors, links, info, interviews, analysis, and more!

Bob McGinn - Seahawks check in at $18.137M under NFL salary cap.

Seahawks Blog | Camp Carroll (kind of) 2.0 -- Week 4, Day 2 | Seattle Times Newspaper - It didn't take Walter Thurmond long after returning from a sprained ankle to show why he's listed as the starting right cornerback on Seattle's depth chart. He made two plays during Wednesday's practice, showing quite clearly his explosiveness in breaking toward the ball. In particular his reaction to recognize an out-route toward the sideline by Doug Baldwin, break on the ball and deflect it away neatly encapsulated the athletic explosiveness.

CB Walter Thurmond likely to see reps in Denver - Blog - MyNorthwest.com - Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond was a little disappointed in himself on Wednesday. Breathing hard after running hills and bleeding from a swollen lip, it was clear that Thurmond was back in action. "I dropped a couple picks out there," said Thurmond. "Shakin' this rust off. Looking forward to a better practice tomorrow."

Seahawks | A continuing story for Seahawks' Mike Williams | Seattle Times Newspaper - Don't call it a comeback, Mike Williams has been here a year. The story line isn't nearly so simple for Williams' second season as a Seahawk. The question is no longer whether he can reclaim his football career, but how far he can take it.

Where NFC West quarterbacks stand so far - NFC West Blog - ESPN - No one even remotely in touch with what matters in this world would track snap counts during an NFL preseason. For the rest of us, I've put together an updated chart showing how much NFC West quarterbacks have played through the first two weeks. First, a few observations:

Walter Thurmond impressive in second practice | Seahawks Insider - Defensive back Walter Thurmond was impressive today playing the nickel back inside the slot, making athletic plays in breaking up passes to Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate.

Seahawks resign Lompoc native Vai Taua two days after cutting him | KSBY.com | San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles - Just two days after releasing Vai Taua, the Seattle Seahawks resigned the running back on Wednesday. The team released the 22 year old undrafted rookie on Monday just two days after he played in his first career NFL preseason game. The Cabrillo High graduate rushed for 15 yards on two carries in the Seahawks' loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Seahawks | Meet the Seahawks' Jeff Reed | Seattle Times Newspaper - You might know me from: The Pittsburgh Steelers where Reed was the kicker for more than nine seasons, winning two Super Bowl rings and scoring the second-most points in franchise history. He began playing soccer at age 4, and people were after him to try out for football from about sixth grade on. "I was kind of a chicken, to be honest with you," he said. "I was the biggest guy on the soccer field, a captain. That was my true love. Finally, after about five years of asking I played my senior year of high school."

Seahawks' rookie Johnson catching some attention " Kitsap Sun - As an undrafted rookie fighting for a roster spot, Jeron Johnson plays with a chip on his shoulder. Then again, that's nothing new for Johnson, a safety who has been impressive in his first month with the Seahawks. When you get ignored by most Division I colleges despite a standout high school career, you're going to have that edge. And when you end up at Boise State, the small-conference school always fighting for respect among the college football elite, that chip on the shoulder will only grow. "That chip has always been there, honestly," Johnson said.

Seattle Seahawks team report: Mike Williams looks to build on big year - NFL - Sporting News - A year ago, receiver Mike Williams reclaimed his NFL career by coming back after two years out of the league to earn a starting job with the Seahawks and catch 65 passes. Now the question isn't whether Williams can make it in the NFL, but how big a role he will command, especially with an offense upgraded with receiver Sidney Rice and tight end Zach Miller.

Fountain of opportunity - Maurice Fountain was preparing to join the Las Vegas Locomotives of the Arena League when the Seahawks called. The defensive end not only answered, he delivered two days later in the preseason home opener.

Okam: Large impact for the Bucs' defense - You can't miss Frank Okam. If William Perry was the Refrigerator, then the backup Bucs defensive tackle is the industrial-sized storage freezer. At 6-foot-5, 350 pounds, the Tampa Bay newcomer is the biggest guy on the defensive line – not to mention a few notches heftier than the famous Fridge, whose appliance-sized frame for the mid-1980s Bears rounded out at a more modest 6-2, 338.

Bills add Ruvell Martin - Sacramento Sports - Kings, 49ers, Raiders, High School Sports | Sacramento Bee - The Buffalo Bills have agreed to terms with wide receiver Ruvell Martin. The 29-year-old veteran appeared in five games for the Seattle Seahawks last year and caught seven passes for 158 yards with a touchdown. He also played eight games in 2009 with St. Louis after spending his first three seasons in Green Bay.

Seahawks QB controversy? Sando, Moon weigh in - Daily Links Blog - MyNorthwest.com - Russell Okung's oft-injured ankles? That was so last week. The Seahawks have a new list of topics ripe for discussion after Saturday's preseason loss to the Vikings. The big one, of course, is the play of quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst. Jackson, anointed the starter by coach Pete Carroll early in camp, has been unspectacular this preseason. Whitehurst has appeared more calm and decisive in the pocket than he was last year. Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was 11 of 21 for 75 yards in Saturday's preseason game. (AP) Carroll did his best after Saturday's game to dispel any notion of a quarterback controversy, but that hasn't stopped some fans from clamoring for Whitehurst. The Seahawks' backup was again effective in relief of Jackson, completing 14 of 19 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. He was 14 of 20 for 115 yards in the preseason opener.

A few minutes with David Vobora | Seahawks Insider - New Seattle Seahawks linebacker David Vobora worked with the second unit at strong-side linebacker in his first day of practice with the team on Tuesday. The Seahawks are hopeful that Vobora, who can play all three linebacker positions – will help provide some of the versatility the team lost when Will Herring signed with New Orleans in free agency. "I know right now I’m focusing on some of the strong-side stuff," Vobora said. "But really just to be a great teams player, great on special teams, and then on defense, however they need me and just make plays."

Packers no-huddle? That's a defensive nightmare | National Football Post - Game planning for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense is going to be a test for any defensive player in this league. There is legit talent at every skill position in Green Bay. Now, speed it up (and panic a little) when they go no-huddle. According to Chris Jenkins of the Associated Press, Green Bay has gone to the no-huddle twice in the preseason with their first-team. The results: two TD drives of 70-plus yards. Production for the entire league to get a look at. But why is the no-huddle absolute hell on a defense? Here are a couple of reasons that I experienced during my own career…

Whitehurst showing comfort, confidence at QB | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune - Sink or swim. When Pete Carroll abandoned his overriding philosophy of competition, announcing at the opening of training camp that Tarvaris Jackson – a guy who had never taken a snap for his new team in practice, let alone a game – would be the team’s starting quarterback, Charlie Whitehurst could have gone one of two ways. He could have moped and coasted through camp, blaming his coach for not getting the nod after Seattle chose not to bring back Matt Hasselbeck in free agency.

Seahawks Blog | Camp Carroll (Kind Of) 2.0 -- Week 4, Day 1 | Seattle Times Newspaper - • DE Pierre Allen remains out. DE Dexter Davis and DE A.J. Schable also did not participate in practice. • SS Kam Chancellor did not practice because of a sore foot, which Carroll described as a soft-tissue injury. His status is day to day. There was some question whether the addition of David Vobora was a reflection on Aaron Curry's future with the team, but it's more accurate to say that Vobora was acquired with an eye toward filling the role Will Herring had last season, a player capable of playing all three linebacker spots in addition to being a special-teams staple.

Seahawks.com Blog | Tuesday in Hawkville " - A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center: FOCUS ON Charlie Whitehurst. The team’s backup quarterback is on a roll, but coach Pete Carroll remains committed to Tarvaris Jackson as the starter as the Seahawks prepare for Saturday night’s third preseason game against the Broncos in Denver as well as the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the 49ers in San Francisco.

Seahawks.com Blog | Whitehurst’s Flag Day " - Is there anything Charlie Whitehurst can’t do? The Seahawks’ backup quarterback "lost" to Senior PGA golfer Jay Don Blake this afternoon in a closest-to-the-pin competition after practice. But even Blake had to admire the second of Whitehurst’s three shots, as it hit the flag that was 80 yards away. "I didn’t really realize the competition we were going to have with these football players," Blake said. "I went out there and hit a pretty good shot and I think you’ve got to give it to the football team for coming out here, second shot and hitting the flag without knocking it out of the hole. "I mean, I hit it 2½ feet. But I think his shot was better."

Starting linebackers out, David Vobora in - Blog - MyNorthwest.com - Linebacker David Vobora is happy to be here. "I’m just excited about the opportunity," said Vobora after practice on Tuesday. "Right now we’ve got some guys banged up so I stepped right in, learn this system, be able to be versatile and play multiple positions. I know right now I’m focusing on some of the strongside stuff, but really just to be ... great on special teams, be a playmaker, and then defense, however they need me just to get the system and make plays." Signed by the Seahawks on Monday, Vobora is expected to contribute immediately in light of the recent injuries to the linebacker corps. All three of Seattle's starting linebackers – Aaron Curry, Leroy Hill and David Hawthorne – sat out practice on Tuesday, suffering from what coach Pete Carroll said were "sore knees."

Carroll finds some good in ugly Seahawks loss | KPIC CBS 4 - News, Weather and Sports - Roseburg, OR | - Roseburg, Oregon | Professional - -Mike Williams simply chalks up all the scrutiny around two disappointing performances from Seattle's No. 1 offense to fans having no football to analyze for months while the lockout dragged on. "With this whole lockout and this drought from football and no one being able to watch the game I think now people can watch their teams and they're a little more critical," Seattle's starting wide receiver said. "Everyone has their right to an opinion and we have to go out and perform and we understand we didn't really perform as a first unit."

Pete Carroll says Aaron Curry deal was done ‘months’ ago | Seattle Seahawks & NFL News - seattlepi.com - Pete Carroll was asked Tuesday about the news that linebacker Aaron Curry had his contract restructured from six years to four. Carroll’s response: News? What news? "That’s really old news for us," Carroll said. "As far as I understand, that happened a long time ago." Carroll said Curry’s rookie contract was restructured "quite a while ago — months ago," and that it was not the result of recent developments in training camp.

Seahawks | Meet the Seahawks' Malcolm Smith | Seattle Times Newspaper - You might know me from: USC, where he played linebacker. He's also the younger brother of NFL receiver Steve Smith, who is now with Philadelphia Eagles.

Seahawks | Brandon Browner and Josh Pinkard boost a sagging Seahawks secondary | Seattle Times Newspaper - Cornerback Brandon Browner and safety Josh Pinkard overcame long odds to get here. They can no longer be considered longshots to make Seattle's roster, though. And that is truly remarkable, considering how far these two have come. Browner spent the past four seasons in the Canadian Football League while Pinkard spent most of 2010 coming back from the third torn knee ligament he suffered while at USC. 

Seahawks | Seahawks have no financial commitment to Aaron Curry past this season | Seattle Times Newspaper - Linebacker Aaron Curry's contract change has very little to do with his present situation. He is the Seahawks' starting strongside linebacker, and that was going to be true whether he agreed to change his six-year rookie contract. The change does affect Curry's future, though. The contract now runs four years, leaving Curry to become a free agent after the 2012 season. The team actually has no guaranteed financial commitment to keep him next season. 

Pete Carroll says no quarterback controversy, O-line just needs experience | Seattle Seahawks & NFL News - seattlepi.com - Charlie Whitehurst is "functioning beautifully," but Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says nothing has changed with his team’s quarterback situation. Carroll, asked after Tuesday’s practice if Whitehurst’s progress in the preseason means he’s rethinking his decision to name Tarvaris Jackson the team’s unquestioned starter early in training camp, said it hasn’t come to that. "It doesn’t change at this point, but I’m really pleased with (Whitehurst’s) progress," Carroll said. "Charlie’s taking advantage of everything we’ve done out here, and you can see it. He’s functioning beautifully. He could have been 17 for 19 (on Saturday) very easily, a couple balls that got away from guys. Can’t ask him to do a whole lot more than that. Really, really fired  up that he’s playing at the level he is right now." 

Seattle Seahawks Blog - Hawk Blogger: Offensive Line Controversy: Carroll Announces Open Competition - Pete Carroll announced early Wednesday morning that he would open up competition at every offensive line position following his latest review of Saturday's game vs. Minnesota. Carroll notes that the group of LT Will Robinson, LG Paul McQuistan, C Mike Gibson, RG Paul Fanaika, and RT Breno Giacomini gave up significantly less pressure on the quarterback than his starting offensive line.


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