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The Seahawks said goodbye to an important player in the Pete Carroll era this week: Chris Clemons announced his retirement (although the team has yet to make the move official). Clemons amassed 38 sacks over the four years he spent in Seattle and was a key figure that helped to change the culture and identity of the team.
Also, after a long period of negotiation, the Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick were able to agree to a deal. Recognizable players like Anquan Boldin and Hakeem Nicks were given short contracts this week, as teams look to add veteran experience to their rosters. Training camp started for all teams this past week and as a result almost every team made moves to optimize their rosters.
Here is a look at the moves that were made this week, as well as my thoughts down below.
NFC West
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed LB Donald Butler.
- Signed WR Franky Okafor.
Released/Waived:
- Cut LB Quayshawn Nealy.
- Cut WR Rico Richardson.
Released/Waived:
- Cut QB Nick Foles.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed DE B.J. McBryde.
Retirements:
- DT Kaleb Ramsey announced his retirement.
- OT Anthony Davis was reinstated to the 49ers.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed WR Montarlo Hunter.
Released/Waived:
- Cut OL Lene Maiava.
Retirements:
- DE Chris Clemons. announced his retirement.
NFC North
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed WR B.J. Daniels.
- Signed DB Brandon Boykin.
- Re-signed DE Willie Young to a two-year deal.
Released/Waived:
- Cut P Ben LeCompte.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed WR Anquan Boldin to a one-year contract.
- Signed LB Raphael Kirby.
Released/Waived:
- Cut WR Damian Copeland.
- Cut LB Jerry Franklin.
- Cut LB Dominique Tovell.
Retirements:
- DE Corey Wootton announced his retirement.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed LB Jason Wittingham.
- Signed OG Sean Hickey.
- Signed DT Claudell Lewis.
- Signed LB Terrence Plummer.
Retirements:
- DT Kevin Williams announced his retirement.
NFC South
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed TE Arthur Lynch.
- Signed WR Corey Washington.
- Signed DE Efe Obada.
- Signed WR Chris King.
Released/Waived:
- Cut WR/KR Devin Hester.
- Cut WR Daje Johnson.
Retirements:
- FS Charles Godfrey announced his retirement.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Re-signed FS Kurt Coleman to a three-year extension.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed OG John Fullington.
- Signed WR Hakeem Nicks to a one-year contract.
Released/Waived:
- Cut WR Vincent Brown.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed G Joel Hale.
Released/Waived:
- Cut CB Joel Ross.
NFC East
Released/Waived:
- Cut OT David Hedelin.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed DT Davon Coleman.
- Signed DT Jermelle Cudjo.
Released/Waived:
- Cut DT Melvin Jones.
- Cut WR Donte Foster.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed WR David Watford.
- Re-signed RB Darren Sproles to a one-year contract.
Released/Waived:
- Cut OLB Travis Long.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed WR Kendal Thompson.
- Signed WR T.J. Thorpe.
AFC West
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed LB Darnell Sankey
- Signed WR Marlon Brown.
- Signed TE John Phillips.
Released/Waived:
- Cut LS Nathan Theus.
- Cut RB Cyrus Gray.
- Cut TE Manasseh Garner.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Re-signed OT Eric Fisher to a four-year contract.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed DT Derrick Lott.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed OT Marcel Jones.
- Signed DB Carrington Byndom.
- Signed NT Bruce Gaston.
Released/Waived:
- Cut C Trevor Robinson.
- Cut CB Terrell Chestnut.
- Cut DE Carlos Wray.
AFC North
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed WR Dobson Collins.
- Signed LB Kavell Conner.
- Signed P Michael Palardy.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed WR Rashaun Simonise.
- Signed DE Jack Gangwish.
Released/Waived:
- Cut RB Dy’Shawn Mobley.
- Cut LB Dezmond Johnson.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed TE David Reeves.
- Signed DB Jimmy Wilson.
- Signed DE Jason Neill.
- Signed OG Cory Tucker.
Released/Waived:
- Cut LB Jackson Jeffcoat.
- Cut OL Conor Boffeli.
AFC South
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed RB Abou Toure.
Released/Waived:
- Cut DB Daniel Davie.
- Cut TE Michael Miller.
- Cut DB Andrew Williamson.
Retirements:
- FB Tyler Varga announced his retirement.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed OG Ronald Patrick.
- Signed WR Andre Johnson to a two-year contract.
Released/Waived:
- Cut OT Sam Carlson.
AFC East
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed DT Casey Walker.
- Signed RB Reggie Bush.
- Signed WR Kain Colter.
Released/Waived:
- Cut DE Cedric Reed.
- Cut WR Davonte Allen.
- Cut K Marshall Morgan.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Re-signed FS Michael Thomas.
- Signed CB Rashaan Melvin.
Released/Waived:
- Cut TE Jake Stoneburner.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed RB Bernard Pierce.
- Signed QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to a one-year contract.
Released/Waived:
- Cut RB Zac Stacy.
- Cut P Tom Hackett.
Signings/Waivers/Options:
- Signed OG Jon Halapio.
- Signed TE Bear Pascoe.
My Thoughts:
- As I mentioned above, Clemons played a pivotal role in the development of this franchise under Carroll and John Schneider. He was acquired from Philadelphia in 2010 for a 4th-round pick which proved to be a steal since Clemons’ three best seasons were in Seattle. Players like him and Red Bryant helped set the standard of what we expect from the Seahawks each Sunday.
- I was surprised to see the Chiefs give Eric Fisher a four-year $48M extension. Fisher seemed to not live up to his draft billing, but even average offensive line are needed in the league today. I and I’m sure a lot of you would feel comfortable being able to start Fisher somewhere along Seattle’s current offensive line.
- After his release from Atlanta this week, I think this may be the end of Devin Hester’s career. He’ll turn 34 this month and for a player that relies so much on speed and explosiveness you have to wonder how much of it he has lost. He is by far the best kick returner of all-time and I hope his contributions toward special teams earns him a spot in Canton one day.