Coffee & Cigarettes: Seahawks links for Monday

Here are some things that you may read:

Report: Seahawks' Michael Bennett on Bears' radar - NFL.com
The Chicago Bears are expected to make a play for pass rusher Michael Bennett once free agency starts Tuesday. Is Bennett ready to leave the Seattle Seahawks?

Seahawks face challenging free agency | Seahawks Draft Blog
The Tweet above appeared last night, just after the ‘legal tampering’ phase of free agency began.

Rounding up Rams' free-agent mentions - NFC West Blog - ESPN
The three-day negotiating window for teams and free agents began in earnest Saturday, and along with it came the expected rumor and innuendo that will

Will Griffen deal make the market that much hotter for Michael Bennett? | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
Here’s why Seahawk free-agent-to-be defensive end Michael Bennett decided to wait to see what might be out there before signing with anyone — the deal Minnesota’s Everson Griffen got today from the Vikings.

Griffen cashes in, which should thrill Bennett | Seahawks Insider - The News Tribune
Griffen played 699 snaps to Bennett’s 598 last season. Despite the more than 100-snap difference in playing time, Bennett had more sacks (8.5-5.5), combined tackles (31-28) and stuffs (5-3).

Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings strike 5-year deal - NFL.com
In addition to his 13.5 sacks, Griffen has generated an impressive 62 quarterback hurries over the past two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus.

Finding the Best Fits for the Fastest Players in 2014 NFL Draft
In the NFL , speed kills. Speed is one of the only attributes that can't be taught. A player either has it or he doesn't. Teams not only want players that will make noteworthy plays, but athletes that will make the plays at a record pace...

Done deals: Early moves before free agency starts - NFL.com
Some teams didn't wait until free agency to make a splash. Gregg Rosenthal breaks down early signings by Green Bay, Minnesota and Jacksonville. Here's what you missed over the weekend.

Cardinals eye Jared Veldheer, 'Fins like Brandon Albert - NFL.com
Free-agent offensive linemen Branden Albert, Jared Veldheer and Rodger Saffold all are drawing a ton of interest around the league, with the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins leading the charge.

Report: Packers eye Lamarr Houston, Arthur Jones - NFL.com
The Green Bay Packers are showing interest in defensive ends Lamarr Houston and Arthur Jones. Can one of those players help turn Dom Capers' defense around?

Hakeem Nicks wants to play with Colts' Andrew Luck - NFL.com
Free agent reveiver Hakeem Nicks believes he would be "dangerous" with a quarterback like Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts. Find out which other teams Nicks wants to join.

Jared Allen won't return to Vikings, to test free agency for 1st time - CBSSports.com
Likely to negotiate his final NFL contract, four-time All-Pro Jared Allen is not returning to the Vikings, according to a league source.

Top 10 free agent medical issues for 2014 | National Football Post
What NFL teams will need to be aware of when signing injured free agents.

Antonio Cromartie joins deep free-agent cornerback pool after Jets cut him | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo Sports
From Yahoo Sports: Antonio Cromartie's last game representing the New York Jets was the Pro Bowl. The cornerback was informed he will be released, and can hit the market along with the other top cornerbacks who will be free agents, like Alterraun Verner and Aqib Talib. Cromartie had three interceptions last season and was added to the AFC's Pro Bowl roster as an injury replacement.

Free agency preview: Not a lot of great linebackers, but there are some hidden gems | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo Sports
From Yahoo Sports: Here is Shutdown Corner’s breakdown of free agent linebackers.

Cardinals offered Dansby two-year deal worth $10 million to $12 million | ProFootballTalk
It's been a good year for Karlos Dansby. Cut by the Dolphins last year after Dannell Ellerbe arrived via free agency, the veteran linebacker returned to Arizona on a one-year, $2.5 million deal.

As free agency approaches, Dan Rooney urges college players to stay in school | ProFootballTalk
The NFL enjoys a tenuous relationship with college football. The league benefits greatly from a farm system that costs the NFL nothing, allowing the many major college programs to develop players and weed out pretenders and allow the 32 franchises to welcome an annual crop of boys who have become ...

Report: Colts, Vontae Davis closing in on a contract | ProFootballTalk
Another top-end free agent appears poised to re-sign with his current club. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS, the Colts and cornerback Vontae Davis are “nearing a deal” that’s anticipated to be completed on Monday. The 25-year-old Davis is the second-ranked cornerback and the No.

Report: Cardinals set their sights on Jared Veldheer | ProFootballTalk
The Cardinals are looking for a tackle in free agency and expressed early interest in Branden Albert, but they are turning their attention elsewhere with word that Albert will be headed to Miami.

A Look at Cash Spending in the NFL and the Impact on Free Agency - Over the Cap
In addition to the salary cap spending one of the things we need to keep a close eye on is cash spending per team in the NFL. Im not sure how many readers know this but we also track cap spending each year as best we can so you can see what teams pay their players in real terms. The CBA removed the salary cap floors in the NFL and instituted cash minimums that will be applicable to each team and the NFL as a whole over four year periods. Last year was the first year in the current four year period.

NFC North Draft Winds: Rumors connecting players, NFL teams - NFL.com
College Football 24/7 takes a look at the buzz surrounding the NFC North teams leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft.

2014 NFL Draft: Winners, losers, surprises in combine medicals - CBSSports.com
The 40-yard dash and bench press might get all of the hype but in terms of draft positioning, the most important tests administered at the annual scouting combine are the medicals. Who appears well on the way to recovery? Whose stock is in flux?

Isaiah Crowell works in rainy conditions - NFL.com
Crowell measured in at 5-10 3/8, which was quite a bit different from his 5-11 measurement at the combine. He was measured twice just to make sure it was correct. He stayed on his 40 time from the combine (4.57), but posted a 4.51 short shuttle and a 7.25 cone drill. I thought he had a good workout. He’s had some baggage from before his transfer from Georgia, but I think he’ll be a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick.

Top 10 free agent medical issues for 2014 | National Football Post
What NFL teams will need to be aware of when signing injured free agents.

Brandon Pettigrew hopes his blocking pays
At a time when tight ends such as Jimmy Graham want to be relabeled as receivers, soon to be free agent Brandon Pettigrew qualifies as a throwback.