Coffee & Cigarettes: Seahawks links for Friday

Thank goodness it's TGIF.

Tyrann ‘Honey Badger’ Mathieu to declare for NFL Draft |
Former LSU defensive back and Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu will reportedly declare for the NFL Draft on Thursday, according to Joe Schad of ESPN.com.

The "Honey Badger" to enter 2013 NFL Draft - CBSSports
A Heisman Trophy finalist last season, Mathieu was projected as a top-32 pick this summer based on his play over his first two seasons in Baton Rouge. Although he doesn't have ideal size or speed, he showed a knack for the big play with 20 passes defended, 11 forced fumbles and four interceptions over his career, covering the entire field and always seeming to be around the ball. Mathieu doesn't have the ideal traits of a NFL cornerback, but he is best suited to play a hybrid nickel role where he can line up all over the field, covering both the run and pass. He might not fit the traditional mold, but he has a versatile skillset that makes him a unique blend of several positions, including linebacker, safety and cornerback.

NFL -- Agent's life isn't all glamour - ESPN
There is no career choice I am asked about more than that of being an NFL player agent. I hear from dozens each week -- students, young professionals and those with established careers looking for a change -- interested in becoming an agent.

NFL - Chris Givens gives St. Louis Rams needed deep threat - ESPN
In Week 11, Chris Givens (making his first appearance here) and fellow honorable mention Janoris Jenkins were benched by the St. Louis Rams for violating team rules. How did the pair of talented rookies respond in Week 12? Well, Jenkins intercepted Arizona Cardinals quarterback and fellow rookie Ryan Lindley twice and returned both for touchdowns, while Givens caught another long touchdown pass in the third quarter of the Rams' win.

Seahawks targeting Marshall
When the Bears pass the ball, Brandon Marshall usually is the intended target. So the Seahawks will have to come up with a plan to handle the 81-catch receiver during Sunday’s game in Chicago.

Can Adderall cause a lack of focus? - Seahawks News - MyNorthwest.com
It's been nearly two decades since I put on an NFL uniform. But 18 years later, I can assure you that football players haven't changed much. They have short memories, are supremely focused on their jobs (with or without chemical enhancement) and will forge ahead to the next game with or without the best players on the team.

Cold Hard Facts - Podcasts - MyNorthwest.com
John Clayton explains why the Seahawks will play another one-possession game on the road when they travel to Chicago to play the Bears. He also tells us what Seahawks cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman might use as a defense during their appeals for testing positive for PEDs and explains what the impact could be if defensive end Red Bryant isn't healthy this week against the Bears.

Video: Seahawks try to shrug off controversy | Seahawks Blog | The Seattle Times
Video: Seahawks try to shrug off controversy

The NFL's drug-testing process: Mystery, dishonesty — and no clarity | Jerry Brewer | The Seattle Times
It felt normal, which means it felt weird, too. The Seahawks did their best to shove their cornerback controversy into the background Wednesday...

After Colin Kaepernick Named Starter, What's Next for Alex Smith? | Bleacher Report
It finally appears as if we can put the Colin Kaepernick-Alex Smith starting quarterback nonsense behind us. Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Kaepernick would indeed be the starter heading into Week 13.

Jay Cutler, Von Miller headline nine players who can be trusted - NFL.com
1) Jay Cutler That's right. I believe in Jay Cutler.

Ken Whisenhunt: Arizona Cardinals 'trying to win now' - NFL.com
"Lindley's issues are going to be two things as he progresses," Cosell said on Thursday's "NFL Matchup Podcast." "We know he's scattershot with his accuracy. That's No. 1. If that doesn't improve, he will never be anything more than an average player. And No. 2, is progression reading. Now, that can be learned -- and he's way too early, he's not at that point yet -- but at some point you have to see progress in that, and, we'll see, because that's an issue right now."

Top 5 WR Prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft | National Football Post
NFP takes a close look at the top 5 WR Prospects as of today.

NFP Scout Talk: 2013 Centers | National Football Post
Holmes of USC still tops the list, but another center has moved up on NFL boards.

What is the 'Counter OF?' | National Football Post
All-22: Using Richardson's TD run vs. Steelers to break down the 2-Back power scheme.

Whisenhunt knows his seat is getting hot | ProFootballTalk
The Cardinals are a charter member of the NFL, joining the league in 1920. In 82 years, they've had 41 coaches. Coach 41 knows that, by next year, the Cardinals could be hiring Coach 42. Ken Whisenhunt recently addressed the question of how he deals with talk that his job is in jeopardy.

Week 12 Power Rankings
The contenders have emerged in both conferences. The numbers say that the Broncos, Patriots, 49ers, and Texans are legit, while there are still question marks surrounding Atlanta, Baltimore, and Chicago despite their records. What to make of the Giants? No one ever knows.

End of November Mock Draft | Draft Breakdown
News and analysis of the NFL Draft, 365 days a year, 100% free!

T.Y. Hilton emerging as the Colts' other star rookie after Andrew Luck - Dennis Dillon - SI.com
After pumping weights during the week, football players like to pump up the volume on their iPods on game day before going out to play. Loud, rib-rattling music ranging from rap to heavy metal generally are the genres of choice. But not for T.Y. Hilton.

NFL - Week 13 Upset Watch - Chicago Bears could stumble against stout Seattle Seahawks D - ESPN
Upset Watch: Seattle (+4) at Chicago Chicago Bears fans are thankful that Jay Cutler's recent concussion cost him only one game. When the Bears were forced to start Jason Campbell in Week 11, their offense was horrible. With Cutler back, their offense has gone back to being, well, pretty much just as horrible.

Rewriting the Scouting Report on Andrew Luck | Bleacher Report
Ten games is a career for some NFL quarterbacks, but it is simply the opening act for the most ballyhooed prospect since Peyton Manning ...

Some NFL teams found great bargains -- Adam Schefter's 10 Spot - ESPN
On Black Friday, the Super Bowl of shopping days, the NFL offers some of the best bargains out there. At some point later this season, or possibly shortly after it, teams will have little choice but to pay full price for these players. But for now, here are the NFL's 10 best deals, with base salaries for 2012:

Russ Lande 11-29 - Seattle's live and local sports station
Russ Lande from the National Football Post joins Softy to talk about the NFL, the Hawks playoff chances, and highlights a player from the college ranks that will be playing on Sundays next year.

Seahawks report: Russell Wilson can be much more than game manager - NFL - Sporting News
In September, quarterback appeared to be the weakest spot on Seattle's team. In November, it may have been the team's biggest strength.

2013 Senior Bowl: Tyler Wilson and Kenjon Barner among four players to accept invitations - SBNation.com
The Senior Bowl committee is slowly revealing the list of attendees, which grew by four on Wednesday.

2013 NFL Draft: Tyrann Mathieu Enters the Draft, Faces Uphill Battle to be Drafted | Articles
The Honey Badger is back in the news. This time, it's not about a drug arrest or transferring schools. It's about him taking the next step in his football career.

Seahawks.com Blog | Wednesday in Hawkville: Sore-footed Bryant says he’ll ‘find a way to be out there’
Bryant has plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot that has forced him to sit out a day of practice for the past month. "His foot is really bothering him," coach Pete Carroll said. "He’s had it for a long time, but it’s kind of flared up here in the last couple of weeks. It’s affected him some – enough that we’ve got to slow him down in practice."

Opponents in a big rush to find Seahawks’ failures on defense | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune
Linebacker K.J. Wright did one of those dramatic exhalations that made his lips flutter like a winded thoroughbred. He’d been asked about the Seattle defense in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss at Miami. He then shook his head and offered a poetically brief description: "Total meltdown."

Brandon Marshall faces test in Richard Sherman - NFL.com
"I love their attitude and approach to the game, that's No. 1," Marshall said this week via Seahawks.com. "I think any successful professional athlete has to have a confidence about themselves and a swagger, and those guys have it. I'm impressed about their swagger, and they present some challenges just because of that. I'm excited about the matchup and this opportunity to compete against them."

To take the starting job, underdog quarterbacks must first win the locker room | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
It's not a common story, but it's not unusual, either. A veteran quarterback, established in the locker room and on the field, signs a new contract as a team's seeming incumbent. Through injury or sheer performance, that established quarterback sees himself cast aside by a younger, lower-drafted quarterback who displays an unusual acumen for the game, and the potential to take his teammates and coaches to heights they've not seen before.

Week 13 power rankings: Wide receivers - NFL.com
We've covered power rankings for coaches, quarterbacks, divisions and more. Now it's time to rank the top wide receivers for Week 13. Where does Gregg Rosenthal place the Bengals’ A.J. Green?