Coffee and Cigarettes: Seahawks Links for Wednesday

Hump day.

Pre-Draft Insider News & Notes: Week of 4-9
Two-plus weeks left until the draft starts. Here is the latest buzz and news swirling around the league and scouting community.

Does Petrino's Firing Make Tyler Wilson Available? - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football
Some will call it karma, others will just chalk it up to natural consequences, but the University Of Arkansas has chosen to dismiss head coach Bobby Petrino for lying about the circumstances surrounding the motorcycle accident he was in last week.

Reason To Love The Marcus Trufant - Seahawks signings, 2012 NFL Free Agency Update
NWSB Insider and Seattle Seahawks blogger Brett Bivens tells us on Monday the Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with free agent cornerback and former draft pick of the Seahawks Marcus Trufant on a 1 year contract. John Schneider today on KJR Radio with Dave Softy Mahler said he hopes Trufant will come in and compete at the Nickel spot.

2012 NFL draft countdown: SN's No. 16 prospect, Penn State DT Devon Still - NFL - Sporting News
This is the 25th in a daily series of in-depth evaluations on the top 40 prospects leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, which runs April 26-28. Today: Devon Still, DT, Penn State.

New York Times Fifth Down Series: No. 2 RB Doug Martin | The Rookie Scouting Portfolio
Martin reminds me of Ray Rice in the respect that he’s not abundantly fast once he reaches the second or third level, but his initial burst is top notch. He consistently defeats the angles of defenders as he enters and exits a hole because they misjudge his quickness, which is excellent for a back of his dimensions. Combined with the fact that he’s a strong, downhill runner who isn’t afraid to create a hole by ramming up the backsides of his linemen, he seems to be the product of a mad football scientist who spliced Rice with Frank Gore’s build.

2012 NFL draft countdown: SN's No. 15 prospect, Washington DT Alameda Ta'amu - NFL - Sporting News
This is the 26th in a daily series of in-depth evaluations on the top 40 prospects leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, which runs April 26-28. Today: Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington.

NFL Draft 2012: Coby Fleener tops TE rankings - NFL - Sporting News
Just weeks away from the 2012 NFL Draft, Sporting News examines talent depth at every position before the first pick is made. The draft's first round will be April 26, followed by rounds two and three on April 27 — both in prime time. Rounds 4-7 will be called April 28. Today: tight ends.

Reports: DT Aubrayo Franklin visiting with Seahawks - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
The Seahawks already added an interior defensive lineman this offseason by signing Jason Jones to a one-year deal. They're apparently looking to add another.

NFL.com news: Tannehill, Blackmon highlight potential draft-day trade targets
Deal ... or no deal? That is the question teams are pondering now that they have evaluated prospects in anticipation of the 2012 NFL Draft and have a general idea of where players may land in the first round.

Bob and Groz Show - Podcasts - MyNorthwest.com
Mike Sando of ESPN.com joins "Bob and Groz" and offers his thoughts on the Seahawks' additions of Marcus Trufant, Barrett Ruud, Deuce Lutui and Matt Flynn before discussing Ryan Tannehill's rising draft stock and why the Cardinals might not draft a quarterback.

Fast, and faster
Ricardo Lockette longs to be viewed as a complete receiver, but that's difficult when you run as fast as he does because the first thing - and often only thing - anyone focuses on is his speed.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Word of Muth: Scouting the Ravens
Word of Muth is spending the offseason going through the league team by team, and this week I looked at the Baltimore Ravens offensive line. The game I studied in particular was the AFC Championship game. I want to point out how great Vince Wilfork played in this one: The man was unstoppable. It didn’t matter if he was matched up against Ben Grubbs, Matt Birk, Marshal Yanda, Michael Oher, or some combination of them. Wilfork was flat-out unblockable. Watching the game live, it was clear that he dominated, but watching the replay made it clear that he was on another level. Given the stage, it was probably the greatest game I’ve ever seen an interior defensive lineman play.

NFL Exec: 'Half of the teams in the top 10 are trying to trade out' - CBSSports
Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman made waves a few days ago when he commented that he'd be willing to make a trade out of the No. 3 overall pick while his team was on the clock. While last moment deals are common over the course of the NFL draft, don't fool yourself into thinking that these deals aren't being discussed long before the curtains are raised at Radio City Music Hall. In fact, one NFL executive told me to anticipate plenty of fireworks as "half of the teams in the top 10 are trying to trade out."

Draft team needs: Arizona Cardinals - NFL - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com
The Arizona Cardinals chased Peyton Manning, but didn't get him. That means it's now on either Kevin Kolb or John Skelton -- and it will be a real competition -- to lead this talented young team to the playoffs. Kolb, who came over in trade from Philadelphia last season, struggled to pick up the Arizona offense and then was knocked out with concussion problems that gave Skelton a chance to show he might be the long-term answer.

Rams announce coaching staff with no defensive coordinator | ProFootballTalk
The Rams officially have unveiled coach Jeff Fisher’s 20-member coaching staff. And the lengthy announcement makes no mention whatsoever regarding the status of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

NFL - New reality regarding draft-day trades - ESPN
Toward the end of last week, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said he would be willing to trade the third pick in the first round, a crazy thought in the old collective bargaining agreement. Not now.

Weeden to Blackmon: a look at the fade route | National Football Post
Using video to breakdown the goal line fade vs. Cover 1.

Mr. Safe Pick | National Football Post
They might not be the most exciting of selections, but these prospects will make NFL rosters better.

New connections on the block | National Football Post
Several offenses will trot out new-look passing attacks in 2012. Which ones will succeed?

NFL.com Blogs " Blog Archive Non-combine invitees impress at ECU’s pro day "
Despite not having a player present at the NFL Scouting Combine, East Carolina features two potential late-round draft picks.

NFL.com news: Scout: Top five QBs in draft rival any chosen last year
Five quarterbacks were taken in the top 36 overall picks of last year's draft. No one expects that many quarterbacks to go that early this April, but there is an argument to be made that this year's crop is actually deeper. One scout thinks it is incredibly deep.

NFL.com news: Tanard Jackson cut by Buccaneers after failed physical
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released safety Tanard Jackson after a failed physical, the team announced Tuesday.

NFL.com news: Report: Lots of action among top 10 teams in draft
Beware to those who take pride in the accuracy of their mock draft boards: Things might not be as they appear. An NFL executive told CBSSports.com in a Tuesday report that "half of the teams in the top 10 are trying to trade out."

Cosell Talks: Diamonds in the Rough : NFL Films Blog
Every year, I watch and evaluate more than 250 college players on film. The objective is straightforward: Project and transition them to the NFL. While the goal is clear-cut, the devil is in the details. I like to think (many might see me as delusional) I have a fairly well-honed sense of evaluation and projection based on my extensive film study of the NFL game during each season. Unfortunately, it’s never that simple and uncomplicated.

Trufant adds depth, experience to Seahawks secondary - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
Marcus Trufant's nine-year career with the Seahawks ended last month when Seattle released the veteran cornerback in a salary-related move. He returns a month later, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal.

Chandler Harnish visiting Seattle " Seahawks Draft Blog
Today, the player confirmed the visit via his own Twitter account and posted the picture at the top of this blog post showing the team’s now famous ‘welcome’ to any visiting prospects.

Draft Spotlight: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska " Seahawks Draft Blog
Rundown: Lavonte David is a senior linebacker from Nebraska. He was not heavily recruited out of high school and began his college career at the junior college level. David transferred to Nebraska in 2010 from Fort Scott Community College. He produced immediately, and was named an All American in 2010. The next season he was awarded the Butkus-Fitzgerald award, given to the best linebacker in the Big Ten.

Nike unveil NFL uniforms: Seattle Seahawks get complete makeover | Mail Online
The NFL and Nike launched their five-year partnership in New York this week, unveiling lighter, tighter and stronger uniforms for all 32 franchises. In line with the NFL’s traditionally conservative nature, the Oregon-based sports equipment manufacturer engineered from the inside-out, with a focus on innovation and performance.

Scout's take: Grading NFC West offseasons - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Best move: The Seahawks made a few good ones, from keeping Red Bryant to re-signing Marshawn Lynch before free agency. Adding quarterback Matt Flynn at a reasonable price (for a quarterback) stands above the others. Williamson: "I don't love Flynn, but I don't know how you can't commend a team when they get better at quarterback. They are not leaps and bounds better, but they are better and it's such an important position. Of all their moves, I cannot come up with an unimpressive one. Jason Jones will be a really good fit as well."

Ourlads' 2012 NFL Mock Draft
Outstanding junior year and great workout.Fills big pass rushing need. Ran a 1.55 /10 That is running back territory.16 sacks, 22.5 TFL, 9 forced fumble in 2011 Seattle needs pressure off the edge to help the back end. Nick Perry and Andre Branch are options