Coffee & Cigarettes: Seahawks links for Thursday

Thursday.

Seahawks hope Avril brings heat to opposing passers | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune
The most glaring weakness for the Seattle Seahawks after they faltered to Atlanta in the final seconds of the NFC divisional playoffs was a lack of a consistent pass rush.

United 12th Man - Home - Richard Sherman: The Man, The Myth, The Legend[VIDEO]
A fan site by the fans, for the fans!, richard sherman: the man the myth the legend

Gut Check No.267 - Insanity Series: Colin Kaepernick
Headlining this group is 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick - one of 12 Fantasy Shutter Island natives who, based on his ADP, might be part of the staff on this rock in the Atlantic, However, if you remember inmates Derek Anderson, Vince Young, and Scott Mitchell, then you know that the pathology of their condition can make their delusions dangerously convincing to fantasy owners.

2nd-year RBs: Daryl Richardson - Going Deep - Rotoworld.com
This is Part 7 in my 10-Part Second-Year Running Back Series, using NFL Game Rewind to analyze each sophomore back's rookie-season tape. For the Lamar Miller, David Wilson, Bryce Brown, Vick Ballard, Bernard Pierce, and Ronnie Hillman writeups, click here:

'Hawk Talk' highlights: The philosophy at LB - 710sports.com
Danny O'Neil discusses the Seahawks' youth at linebacker and the reasoning behind a potential move to OLB for Bruce Irvin in the latest Hawk Talk. - Blog 710 ESPN Seattle at 710sports.com

Seahawks' backfield is an embarrassment of riches - 710sports.com
Danny O'Neil continues his roster breakdown with a look at the Seahawks' backfield, which is loaded with depth after adding two draft picks to a group that includes Marshawn Lynch, Michael Robinson and Robert Turbin. - Blog 710 ESPN Seattle at 710sports.com

Brock and Danny Blue 42 - Podcasts - MyNorthwest.com
What team with a high-priced quarterback is in a worse spot – the Cowboys with Tony Romo or the Lions with Matthew Stafford? With the Seahawks moving Bruce Irvin to outside linebacker, what style will he play? Does the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson have the most pressure on him out of all NFL quarterbacks this season?

Travis Jones brings familiar approach to coaching defensive line
During stints with other NFL teams and in college programs, Dan Quinn and Travis Jones always wondered what if? Now they’re finding out, after new defensive coordinator Quinn hired Jones to coach the Seahawks’ defensive line.

710ESPN Seattle audio: Time to cut loose? - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Brock Huard, John Clayton, Danny O'Neil and I agreed on this during our 710ESPN Seattle conversation Tuesday: Pete Carroll wants a strong running presence in the Seahawks' offense, even if quarterback Russell Wilson can handle a more pass-oriented approach.

Already good, Seahawks Special Teams looking to be even better
After ranking third in the NFL last season and releasing Pro Bowl kick return Leon Washington during the offseason, the Seahawks special teams are focusing on making even more big plays and being even more consistent in 2013.

Countdown to camp — 15 days, 15 questions: So what is Bruce Irvin’s position, anyway? | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
With training camp now just 15 days away, I thought I’d start previewing the season with 15 questions about this season — one to count down each day until camp begins.

How Important Is a Healthy James Carpenter to the Seattle Seahawks? | Bleacher Report
When the Seattle Seahawks drafted Alabama offensive lineman James Carpenter in 2011, they believed they were getting a versatile, road-grading run-blocker...

49ers Blog and Q&A: 49ers to add UC Davis punter, kickoff specialist
The 49ers will bring in some training-camp kicking relief for both Andy Lee and Phil Dawson. The team has agreed to terms with UC Davis punter Colton Schmidt, who averaged 44.5 yards per punt last season, a school record.

Ranking the NFL's backup quarterbacks - NFL.com
After ranking the NFL's starting quarterbacks from top to bottom, it's time to rate the guys behind the guys. Marc Sessler examines the league's flock of backup passers.

Cecil Shorts, Michael Floyd next Camp Fitzgerald stars? - NFL.com
Larry Fitzgerald's summer camp has a reputation for propelling wide receivers to breakout seasons. Are the Jacksonville Jaguars' Cecil Shorts and Arizona Cardinals' Michael Floyd poised to join that crowd?

Jared Allen: 'Old-school' ball makes Vikings contenders - NFL.com
Jared Allen says a strong running game still has a place in today's pass-happy NFL. The Minnesota Vikings defensive end said his team's "old-school" approach makes it a contender.

The Shutdown Corner AFC North Draft Review Podcast with Greg Cosell | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
After a brief hiatus, our good buddy Greg Cosell of NFL Films, ESPN's NFL Matchup, and Shutdown Corner is back to talk a little football. And with more than a month passed since the draft, we thought it would be interesting to review that selection process by division, now that teams have given a bit of insight into how their new players will be used. We've already covered the NFC West, AFC West, AFC South, NFC South, and NFC North. Now, we'll move to the AFC North to see how the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers did with their selections.

Brandon Flowers: Chiefs can have NFL's best secondary - NFL.com
When Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers was asked about the team's pass defense this year, he pulled no punches. "We have the pieces to be the best," Flowers told "NFL AM."

The looming franchise player negotiating deadline | National Football Post
Will the Buffalo Bills reach an agreement on a long-term deal with Jairus Byrd?

Former Broncos C Tom Nalen calls team 'cowards' over DUI arrests - CBSSports.com
Former Broncos center Tom Nalen, recently named to the team's Ring of Fame, wonders why the organization didn't address excutive Tom Heckert's DUI arrest when it happened four weeks ago.

3 questions every player should ask their agent | National Football Post
Most young pro athletes lack the foresight to see if their agents are financially secure, can truly make them a priority, and have a plan when something goes wrong.

PFT Preseason Power Rankings No. 29: Arizona Cardinals | ProFootballTalk
In just a couple of seasons the NFC West has managed to go from being perpetually putrid to perhaps the best division in football. That reality will make the rebuilding job of the Arizona Cardinals under new head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim that much more difficult.

Thoughts on Lions Extension of Matthew Stafford - Over the Cap
Some thoughts on the early details of Matthew Staffords contract extension with the Detroit Lions

57-Day NFL Warning: Alfred Morris, the Old-School Punch in the Redskins' New-Look Offense - The Triangle Blog - Grantland
It might make sense for the first Redskin in this countdown to be another second-year member of the Washington offense, but I’m sorry to say that’s not going to happen. In fact, his name will not appear in this space at any point. Considering my own sports fandom this year, and a considerable fantasy football keeper investment, that is not an evil I plan to bring upon myself. You’ll have to look for you Bob Half-Lion Half-Eagle the Tertiary takes elsewhere.

2013 NFL Preview: NFC North | Audibles - SI.com
With training camps about to begin, we take a division-by-division look at where each team stands heading into the 2013 season. The NFC North has all of one Super Bowl title since the turn of the millennium (Green Bay, Super Bowl XLV) and Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota have all of one champio...