Seahawks Saturday: The Field Gulls Week in Review

This week brought us a schedule, Johnny Manziel roommate drama and even punter forgiveness.  Luckily, it also brought us one week closer to the start of a new season and sweet Sunday’s filled with football.  It wouldn’t be an offseason without ridiculous stories, so let’s get to it!

Home Cookin’

Just like once upon a time VMAC visitor Drake always says; what a time, to read Field Gulls on the daily.  Hey I don’t pretend to get it either, but who am I to disagree with a superstar?  Highlights!

Danny wrote a cool piece over at SBNation.com on the value of drafting wide receivers high in the draft, or if the value is better later on.  It’s good stuff.

Kenny’s reaction piece to the Rams trade was a fun read and hey, click right here.

I revisited a few games from 2012 and 2013 that appear on Seattle’s schedule this season and if you like schedule heat you may just get through this.

Evan Hill put together ten stats that should make you Pete Carroll level fired up for 2016 and wow, it’s right here! How convenient. 

Like Danny Kelly?  Kenneth Arthur?  Rob Staton?  If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you will love the podcasts this week.  Rob joins Kenny and Danny on Real in the Field (Gulls) this week to talk schedule, Rams trade and more.  Rob and Kenny talk explosive athletes and go more in-depth on Rob’s Total Explosive Formula.

Seahawks Stuff

Another week of the Seahawks talking up Thomas Rawls and Jimmy Graham’s rehab.  This time it was John Schneider speaking with KJR-AM on Wednesday, when asked if he would be shocked if the duo weren’t ready for week one he answered, "Yeah, at this point, I would be."  It’s no surprise to hear the optimism around Rawls’ recovery but week one for Jimmy Graham feels like the patented Seahawks injury optimism. 

The Wild Week of the NFC West

You might have missed this, but the Los Angeles Rams traded for the first overall pick this week.  The Rams gave up a massive ransom in a trade that sees them move up fourteen spots in the first round.  If I want to entrust the first pick in the draft with anyone, it’s definitely Jeff Fisher.  At least Hard Knocks got a lot more interesting.

The Rams brought back kicker Greg Zurlein on Friday on a one-year deal.  After a terrific start to his NFL career, the man they call ‘Greg the Leg’ has cooled off in recent years, hitting just 67% of his field goals last year.

Johnny Hekker, noted cheap shot artist and not very smart man, had a pretty awesome reaction to the Rams trade news. 

Wentz to the driving range to hit some Goff balls. This first pick business is gonna be a doozy.

— Johnny Hekker (@JHekker) April 15, 2016

Some great news here; just five months after being shot in the head twice, Rams receiver Steadman Bailey posted a few short clips on Instagram this week of him running routes.  It remains to be seen if Bailey will ever be able to resume his NFL career but it’s great to see his recovery is going well.

MMQB’s Peter King reported this week that the San Francisco 49ers are shopping both tackle Anthony Davis and safety Antoine Bethea.  Bethea, 31, is returning from a season-ending injury and is more likely to be released then traded.  Davis is returning from a year away and previously voiced his displeasure with dealing with general manager Trent Baalke. 

Ex-Brown and 49er Donte Whitner visited the Los Angeles Rams this week.  Whitner was never afraid to pour fuel on the fire of the 49ers/Seahawks rivalry during his time there and could help fill the void left by safety Rodney McLeod’s departure. 

Okay, These Skill Position Players Are Pretty Skillful

Super Bowl Champion Percy Harvin informed the Bills this week of his intentions to retire.  The 27-year old suffered from more hip injuries last season after a bright start and even considered retirement during the Bills trip to England.  It’s the end of a sad, confusing, weird career for the talented receiver.  What could have been. 

After missing all of last season with a shin injury, former seventh-overall pick Kevin White is expected to be full-go at Chicago Bears voluntary workouts on Monday.  One of the most exciting prospects in the draft a year ago, it’ll be fun to finally see White and Alshon Jeffery on the field together.

Possible Johnny Manziel roommate Josh Gordon had his reinstatement application denied this week, following another failed drug test.  The failure was a result of traces of marijuana and dilute, which didn’t work out great for also possible Johnny Manziel roommate Von Miller.  Gordon can reapply for reinstatement in August. 

Oft-injured Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta announced this week his intention to attempt a comeback.  Pitta has played in just seven games since 2013 suffering from multiple hip injuries.  The tight end agreed to take a pay cut from his base five-million-dollar salary as part of his attempt to work back onto the Ravens roster.

The New England Patriots brought back running back LeGarrette Blount this week, signing the big man to a one-year deal worth up to two million dollars.  Blount turns thirty later this season and hadn’t even made a free agent visit before resigning with the Patriots.

You See, the Joke is He Took Their Picket Fence to Make the De-fense Sign!

Panthers cornerback Josh Norman and Broncos linebacker Von Miller will not be attending voluntary workouts this month as they continue to holdout for a long-term contract, unhappy with the franchise tag being placed on them.  Also not attending voluntary workouts is Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson as he holds out in hope of a new contract or a trade.

The Pittsburgh Steelers released cornerback Cortez Allen this week, just two years after signing him to a four-year, 24.6-million-dollar extension.  The move increases the likelihood of the Steelers going after secondary in the first round of this month’s draft, desperate to add talent to a group that celebrates every interception like it’s their last. 

Former Cowboy Jason Hatcher announced his retirement this week, electing to end his ten-year career despite interest from several teams.  After spending his first eight seasons in Dallas, Hatcher signed with Washington in 2013 and played his last two seasons there.

Also retiring was the most New York guy ever, Mike DeVito.  Spending his nine-year career with Kansas City and the Jets, DeVito is excited to spend his retirement in "THE BEST CITY ON EARTH, NEW YORK CITY BRO!" I was about to admit that was untrue, but then I read his son’s name is Rocco(!), so it could very well be true.  DeVito was as consistent of a starter as they came throughout his prime and was noted for his charity work, so congratulations on your career, Mike.  Rocco DeVito!

Cornerback Greg Toler agreed to a one-year contract with Washington this week, after spending the last three seasons struggling opposite Vontae Davis.  The former Colt and Cardinal will join a group that boasts Bashaud Breeland and former Seahawk Will Blackmon. 

Former first-round pick Dominique Easley was released by the Patriots this week, later going unclaimed on waivers.  Easley, reportedly a Seahawk target during the 2014 draft, struggled with injuries during his time in New England.  Still just 24 and coming off a strong season, Easley will drum up some interest sooner rather than later but it appears as if there’s more to the story.

The Rest

About an hour after posting this piece last week, the Jets acquired tackle Ryan Clady in a trade with the Denver Broncos.  Clady will replace now retired tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson at left tackle and agreed to a pay cut as part of the deal.  The Jets sent the Broncos a fifth round pick and got Clady and a seventh round pick in return. 

Recommendation Station

With all the negativity (rightly) surrounding the NCAA’s decision this week to ban satellite camps, I thought I’d go back to a series by a smart college football man, Joel Klatt.  Two months ago or so he put together a four-part series called ‘Taking College Football from Good to Great’ for his podcast Breaking the Huddle, and it’s an interesting listen for sure. 

Era Vulgaris by Queens of the Stone Age.  Never gets old. 

That’s it in the NFL world this week, but stay tuned next week to find out who Johnny Manziel is living with next!  Thanks for reading and Go Hawks.