Seattle Seahawks news, rumors, links, info, interviews, analysis, and more! A LOT OF LINKS TODAY. PUT YOUR READING PANTS ON.
Seahawks | Seahawks lose another veteran player as Jordan Babineaux exits | Seattle Times Newspaper: The Seahawks lost another of their longest-tenured players as safety Jordan Babineaux left for Tennessee, where he'll sign a one-year contract. That's not surprising, given the exodus of Seahawk veterans. Seattle did bring back one veteran, though, agreeing to re-sign Raheem Brock to a one-year contract. Brock, 33, was signed by Seattle eight days before the 2010 season started, and he finished the season with a career-high nine sacks. That ranked No. 2 on the team.
New Hawks QB Tarvaris Jackson is his own worst critic | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune: After standing around for a week, Tarvaris Jackson hurried to get his pads on and get out to the Seahawks practice field Thursday afternoon. Uh … not so fast, Tarvaris. We’d heard he was quick and mobile, but all the paperwork wasn’t quite done on the player vote to ratify the labor deal. So Jackson and the rest of the Seahawks had to cool their heels for almost half an hour until the official go-ahead was given.
Kentwood product Mike Karney meets with Seattle Seahawks, remains free agent | NFL - Kent Reporter: The carpet was pulled from beneath Mike Karney's feet Wednesday afternoon. Karney, a 1999 Kentwood High graduate and current NFL free agent, flew from his Arizona home Tuesday to meet with the Seattle Seahawks. The 5-foot-11, 260-pound fullback had every intention of signing with his hometown team shortly after passing a physical. The offer Karney was seeking, the one both he and his agent expected, however, never materialized. "I was hoping it was going to happen," Karney said by phone Thursday night. "I got a call early in the morning Tuesday by my agent, who told me that a situation came up (in Seattle) where I could go there, take a physical and sign. I was told to pack for training camp and head up. I took the first flight out (Tuesday) and thought that as long as I passed my physical that a deal was going to get done."
Source: Expect announcement on supplemental soon - CBSSports.com: According to a league source, the NFL is likely to make a decision about this summer's supplemental draft in the next 24-36 hours.
Seattle Seahawks Blog - Hawk Blogger: 2011 Seahawks Training Camp: August 4th News & Notes: This is the third in a series of four training camp visits I will be making this year.
Seahawks Blog | Camp Carroll 2.0, Day 8 | Seattle Times Newspaper: Play of the day: Defensive tackle Alan Branch has been overshadowed by the Seattle's other, higher-profile free-agent signings. Branch played only about 300 snaps with the Cardinals last season, obscured in the Cardinals defensive line rotation, but the Seahawks believe he can emerge as a force on their defensive line. One practice is too soon to draw any conclusions, he showed an ability to get in the backfield. During seven-on-seven run-game drills, he got in the backfield and collided with Marshawn Lynch, knocking him to the ground.
Seahawks: Camp Notes – Aug. 4 – News Tribune Photo
A few minutes with Brandon Browner | Seahawks Insider: The CFL experience Brandon Browner spent the past four years in the Canadian Football League playing cornerback for the Calgary Stampeders. And Browner has been impressive, earning All-CFL honors the past three years.
Who's Left? - Offensive Players | ProFootballFocus.com: I think it’s safe to say that things got a bit hectic once the lockout was lifted. Free agency was a much anticipated feeding frenzy as teams were desperate to sign players and rush them to camp. . As things have slowed since the initial push and most of the top free agents have been signed, we’re left looking at the second tier players … but that’s not to say there aren’t guys available who can contribute. . Let’s look at the best of what teams still have to choose from.
49ers e-mailed every NFL team to try and trade Taylor Mays - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports: On the bright side, the San Francisco 49ers didn't put Taylor Mays(notes) on eBay. That's the only bright side. Adam Schefter reports that the 49ers offered second-year player Taylor Mays to all other 31 NFL teams via a mass email. The 2010 second-round pick was drafted out of USC and gained attention for blasting former Trojans coach Pete Carroll for passing him over in the draft.
Five for Fighting: Seahawks finally gain five practicing starters after league year begins - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports: "So boring. It was so boring. We hated it." That was new Seattle Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice's(notes) take on the near week he spent standing around on the practice field -- from his official signing with the team last Friday until he could put on the pads and practice for the first time for head coach Pete Carroll.
The Match-up Zone: The 2011 St Louis Rams under HC Steve Spagnuolo & DC Ken Flajole: Coming off several great years of success during the "Greatest Show on Turf" days, the Rams hit a wall, and by wall I mean 69 losses over last 6 seasons. Enter Steve Spagnuolo. When Spagnuolo arrived 2 yrs ago, it was assumed the defensive schemes that he had learned under Jim Johnson in Philadelphia, and perfected with the Superbowl winning Giants would be brought to the NFC West. That level of domination hasn't materialized quite yet, but if last year was any indication..It's progressing nicely. Scheme: 4-3 Multi Front zone rotation Defense. (also likes to give a 5-2 look vs 2 TE sets)
Seahawks’ Mike Williams mad that Goodell still has discipline authority | ProFootballTalk: Seahawks receiver Mike Williams is expressing what is surely a common sentiment among NFL players: The biggest drawback of the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement is that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has kept his authority to have full control over all discipline imposed under the personal conduct policy. "Goddell retaining full power of the conduct policy is some real bulls**t. Besides that, thanks for gettin it done NFLPA," Williams wrote on Twitter.
A vote of confidence for Seahawks' center - NFC West Blog - ESPN: Nine players started on the Seattle Seahawks' offensive line last season. Five of the nine are no longer on the roster. Two of the remaining four project as starters in 2011. One of them, center Max Unger, has made a positive first impression on a source very, very close to the situation: his quarterback.
The Teams We Love to Hate - Turf Show Times: The Seattle Seahawks... Well they just bug me. They are the "No-See-ums" of the NFL. Don't believe me? Try and recall more than just a few names of their players on winning teams without using Google. I can only think of about ten names off the top of my head, Hasselbeck being chief among them. The Seahawks are that itch you can't scratch. They beat my Rams when they aren't supposed to win. Therefore, I dispise thee!
Eric Davis: 49ers' Mays can't work in space: The 49ers have informed the other NFL teams that safety Taylor Mays is available in a trade. But why would the 49ers seemingly give up on such a big, strong and fast player just one year after making him the 49th overall pick?
8/5: Tarvaris Jackson must set tone for Seahawks - Blog - MyNorthwest.com: In Friday's Wrap Up video, Brock Huard passes along advice from former Seahawks quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn and says Tarvaris Jackson must be aware of the tempo he sets in practice.
Roster Analysis | Seahawks Insider: With the Seattle Seahawks finally settling into the 90-man roster a week into training camp, I thought today would be an appropriate time to take a closer look at the training camp battles as we head into the team’s first preseason game on Thursday. With so many new names and faces, it’s pretty difficult to predict what players might emerge when Seattle tries to get down to a final, 53-man roster in a month. But here we take an early look at who might be on the bubble.
Seahawks Blog | Seattle throws a change-up | Seattle Times Newspaper: Coach Pete Carroll has said -- repeatedly -- he does not expect the team to match or exceed the 300-and-some roster moves the team made a year ago. But already, it's fairly clear the Seahawks will have more changes to the starting lineup. The team has not set its depth chart yet, but a projection fo the starting lineup shows how much things have changed since the Week 1 lineup in 2010 for Carroll's first game as Seahawks coach.
The NFL star and the brain injuries that destroyed him | Science | The Guardian: Dave Duerson killed himself, he asked that his brain be left to researchers studying head injuries among athletes.
Redskins add depth to offensive line, sign Sean Locklear, Donovan Raiola - Washington Times: The Redskins are not expected to immediately sign free agent linebacker Lofa Tatupu, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The team’s decision to bring back inside linebacker Rocky McIntosh precludes acquiring Tatupu, the source said. …
Seahawks.com Blog | The day in pictures ": Check out some images from Thursday’s practice, brought to you by Seahawks.com photographer Rod Mar:
Seahawks Claim RB Thomas Clayton Off Waivers - SB Nation Seattle: The Seattle Seahawks added another player to their back field entourage on Friday by signing running back Thomas Clayton after being waived by the New England Patriots according to his agent JR Rickert. Clayton joins the likes of Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, hopeful to see some time as a backup.
Quick look at Friday practice | Seahawks Insider: Probably the biggest fan crowd of training camp was on hand for the Friday afternoon practice. The team certainly seemed more energized and alert. The hitting seemed better, too, as the defense dominated on many of the team-session plays. A big hit early was a little scary, too, as linebacker David Hawthorne decked Marshawn Lynch for a loss. Lynch took a while to get up, but did not miss any action thereafter. A young guy really having an impact is safety Kam Chancellor. He showed his athleticism and size as a rookie, but this time around he's displaying pretty impressive play-making ability. Friday was the third straight day he had an interception. Again, this one was on a tipped pass. He's got a knack for being around the ball and the hands to come up with the play once the ball comes free. Rookie linebacker Malcolm Smith also had an interception of a Charlie Whitehurst pass.
Redskins Sign Former Seahawks Lineman Sean Locklear - Sports News Story - KIRO Seattle: The Washington Redskins have signed former Seattle offensive lineman Sean Locklear. The Redskins announced the move Friday. Terms of the deal were not released. The 30-year-old guard/tackle started 78 of 96 games for the Seahawks the past six seasons, including all but one last year as Seattle won the NFC West.
Babineaux quickly makes his presence known | Titans Insider: Safety Jordan Babineaux introduced himself to his new Titans teammates on Friday and reintroduced himself to an old pal, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Babineaux, who signed a one-year deal with the Titans on Thursday, intercepted Hasselbeck early in practice. They were teammates for seven seasons with the Seahawks. "He just looked at me and we had that quiet communication," Babineaux said with a smile. "It was my first chance to get some real action. I really hadn’t had a chance to do anything but work out on my own, so it was great to be out there."
Clayton: S Dashon Goldson could fill void for Seahawks - Blog - MyNorthwest.com: The Seahawks' decision to not re-sign Lawyer Milloy leaves Kam Chancellor as the likeliest candidate on Seattle's roster to start at strong safety. ESPN's John Clayton thinks the Seahawks could be looking for a veteran to fill the void before handing the job over to Chancellor, a former fifth-round pick who's entering his second year in the league.
Local News | Browner on comeback path after 4 years in CFL | Seattle Times Newspaper: Brandon Browner is far from your typical NFL cornerback. The 6-foot-4, 221-pound Browner towers over the Seattle Seahawks' secondary. He looks out of place, like a wiry linebacker. But the Seahawks are hoping he can bring a physical presence to the edge of their defense. "The only guy I can ever think of that was this big was Mel Blount a million years ago," coach Pete Carroll said Friday. "He just is so tall. Most people would say he can't play being that tall, but he's doing it."
Seahawks | Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice shows off his great hands | Seattle Times Newspaper: Sidney Rice grabbed more than just the football on an overcast Friday afternoon. He snagged the attention of anyone at Seattle's practice with an improbable reception that showed why there was so much fuss about his arrival. Start with the pass, which Tarvaris Jackson zipped like a BB. Then there was Marcus Trufant's coverage, which was better than good. Trufant was at Rice's hip, and came over the top to make a play on the ball. And then there was the grab itself: Rice cradled the ball with one arm, using his hand to pin it against his biceps.
Carroll: ‘We’re running right now’ | Seahawks Insider: If the first game is a race, the Seattle Seahawks are lagging behind right now because of the compressed time schedule created by the lockout, along with the rest of the league. "We’re running right now," Carroll said. "We can’t see the finish line for next Thursday yet. I don’t know who’s going to be out there finishing for us. I’ve got to make some assessments here to see who’s ready to play, and we’re going to take our time in doing that. We will not rush to do that. We don’t have to. We’re just going to keep practicing right now and working."
Bing Training Camp Recap - Day 9
Seahawks practice "much cleaner" on Friday - Blog - MyNorthwest.com: "To get the cloud cover for these guys, it was a great day for the players," said Carroll. "They really responded. We came back and had a very good second day with the whole club. They're out there making some progress." Carroll explained that the team was "much cleaner" on Friday after a rough start on Thursday, the first practice with the entire roster on the field. "It's exciting for all of us to kind of see our guys emerge -- players that we have expectations for are showing up and doing things," Carroll continued, pointing specifically to wide receiver Sidney Rice, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and running backs Leon Washington and Marshawn Lynch as offensive players who stood out at practice.
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