Coffee & Cigarettes: Seahawks links for Monday

Brand new week, gang. I'm back on the grid!

John Clayton's NFL mailbag: Franchise-tag system flaws exposed - ESPN
Originally, the franchise tag was created to give teams the ability to keep their most important players -- the quarterbacks.

The Tape Never Lies: Glover Quin brings physicality to the Lions’ secondary | 100 Yards and Running | Blogs | theScore.com
I think personnel men still don’t know the true value of a quality safety in their defensive backfield. They don’t invest in them enough just yet, be it in free agency with a lucrative contract or in the draft with a high selection. They don’t do it because they’re afraid of how long the safeties’ bodies can hold up after contact and, of course, their money’s tied up in their mighty pass-rush.

Clay Matthews: Strength, Power and Versatility | Pre Snap Reads
Although he had 3.5 sacks during the previous three playoff games the Green Bay Packers played that post-season, the play that would define the early part of Clay Matthews’ career would come on a running play in Super Bowl XLV.

Training Camp Survival Guide: Sleep Edition
TFE's guest blogger Christine Jones, a researcher at Charlottesville Neurology & Sleep Medicine Center, gives sleep tips for surviving NFL Training Camp.

Rams to become free agents in two seasons, but where will they go? | ProFootballTalk
With 31 NFL stadiums and the useful life of each one in the range of 20 to 30 years, it's safe to say that at any given moment at least one NFL team will be jockeying for a new venue. Most of them do their jockeying atop a horse named Taxpayer's Money.

2013 NFL training camp preview: Storylines abound for every team - CBSSports.com
The Patriots are the biggest story as the NFL preseason looms, but we have a little something for everyone as we gear up for training camps.

2013 NFL training camp preview: San Francisco 49ers - NFL - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy
One of the best teams in the NFL in 2012, the 49ers fell short of a Super Bowl win. Now they prepare for another shot.

Mid-round picks who could have an early impact | National Football Post
These players are going under the radar but will contribute sooner than later.

Retaining starters and free agent activity: Training camp edition | National Football Post
Tony Villiotti breaks down which teams are heading into camp with the most experience.

Tavon Austin says Sam Bradford 'definitely believes in me' | National Football Post
Rams rookie looking to make major impact

NFP Sunday Blitz | National Football Post
The Dallas Cowboys’ new-look defense, Matt Ryan’s new-look offensive line and more in this week’s Blitz.

Arizona Cardinals salary cap outlook: Larry Fitzgerald’s cap number jumps in 2014 | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
From the blog Shutdown Corner: The "Shutdown Countdown" is underway. In addition to previewing each team, "Shutdown Corner" will be taking a brief look at each team's salary cap situation heading into the 2013 season and beyond. We continue the series with the Arizona Cardinals. … Continue reading →

Green Bay Packers fans sure to love picture of Golden Tate and replacement ref Lance Easley | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
Hey Packers fans, remember that game you lost at Seattle last year? You know, the one where the replacement official called a touchdown that should have never been? Seattle Screwjob, Fail Mary, etc.? Yes, yes, figured you would.

Colin Kaepernick responds to Miami Dolphins hat flak - NFL.com
Colin Kaepernick was shunned by fans after a photograph surfaced of him wearing a Miami Dolphins hat on the Fourth of July. The San Francisco 49ers QB responded to the scrutiny head-on.

Alfred Morris: I was 'lost little puppy' on Redskins in '12 - NFL.com
Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris had a rookie season to remember, tallying the second-most rushing yards in the NFL in 2012. Still, Morris admitted he went through his share of jitters.

Indianapolis Colts' 2012 draft could be one of NFL's best - NFL.com
Only one playoff team over the past two decades boasted more starts by a rookie draft class than the 2012 Indianapolis Colts. Can Andrew Luck's Colts class hang with the greatest in NFL history? Chris Wesseling explores.

Allen's Top 10 Quarterback Rankings | Fanspeak Fantasy Football
Arguably the first or second most important position in fantasy football is the quarter back. The position has evolved into this hybrid style of quarterback. A dual threat in most cases capable of throwing balls thru tires and breaking 40 times in a matter of strides. I bring to you the best of both worlds. The 10 best fantasy football quarter backs that are sure to take your team to the next level and bring home bragging rights or cash.

United 12th Man - Home - Richard Sherman Throws a Softball Game
The day kicked off with people starting to line up at the doors around 8AM. Richard Sherman said it himself, "You can't find better fans than this." The wait was long but the festivities began with a home run derby. You can guess who won it. Team Sherman won it and smacked 9 out of the park!

Video — Richard Sherman and, uh, Terrell Owens talk about Sherman’s celebrity softball game | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
Seahawk cornerback Richard Sherman held a little reception this afternoon to help promote his celebrity softball game, which is Sunday at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma (details here).

James Carpenter, Bruce Irvin are Seahawks' wild cards - 710sports.com
James Carpenter and Bruce Irvin, the Seahawks' most recent first-round picks, are two of the team's biggest wild cards heading into the 2013 season.

'Hawk Talk' highlights: Pivotal year ahead for Rice, Tate - 710sports.com
he foursome of Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin give the Seahawks one of the NFL's deepest and most talented wide receiver corps in the NFL. That may not be the case for long.

Brandon Coleman vs Louisville, Virginia Tech & Cincy « Seahawks Draft Blog
This is the guy.

Making the Leap, No. 31: Seahawks WR Golden Tate - NFL.com
Golden Tate rivaled Sidney Rice as the Seattle Seahawks' best wide receiver down the stretch last season. Will Percy Harvin's arrival stand in the way of a true breakout for Tate in 2013?

Seahawks WR Golden Tate: ‘I don’t think anyone can mess with us’ | Seattle Seahawks & NFL News - seattlepi.com
“If we can stay in games, play hard to the fourth quarter, I think — I don’t think anyone can mess with us,” Tate told SiriusXM Sports radio Thursday. “We’re gonna outplay everybody and we’re going to be well-coached, we’ll all play disciplined and we’re gonna limit our penalties. And I think we have a chance to be really, really special, and special for a long time.”

2013 NFL training camp preview: Seattle Seahawks - NFL - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy
One of the league's most exciting teams in 2012, the Seahawks have their sights set on Russell Wilson's improvement and a title run.

Mirror Images: Percy Harvin-Lardarius Webb | The Rookie Scouting Portfolio
A game I’ve been playing in my head in recent months is to take an offensive player and find his mirror image on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage. For example, Joey Galloway and Darrell Green were stylistically mirror images of each other. Both had amazing speed that sometimes overshadowed their underrated displays of craft at their respective positions over the course of lengthy and productive careers. Now I’m putting it on the blog and having some of my friends play.

Seahawks.com Blog | Wednesday round-up: Richard Sherman launches “Blanket Coverage” family foundation
With the help of his close family and friends, cornerback Richard Sherman has announced the launch of “Blanket Coverage – The Richard Sherman Family Foundation.” The All-Pro, Stanford graduate says the foundation will “channel it’s resources to ensure that as many children as possible are provided with proper school supplies and adequate clothing.”

Seahawks have one of NFL's deepest receiver corps - 710sports.com
A breakdown of the wide receivers on the Seahawks' roster, including the three locks to make the team, a pair of safe bets and a handful of players likely competing for one final spot. - Blog 710 ESPN Seattle at 710sports.com

Brown Aims to Raise Level of Play
Tarell Brown raised his performance in 2012 and expects to continue his ascending play in his seventh season with the San Francisco 49ers.

Where Can the Seattle Seahawks Improve Most in 2013? | Bleacher Report
The Seattle Seahawks are one of the few teams on the short list of favorites to win Super Bowl XLVIII . My confidence in this team has been no secret this offseason, already choosing Seattle to become the NFL ’s next dynasty...

From the combine: More teams are using ‘Moneyball,’ but tape still tells the primary story | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports
"I think you've got to know what the Joneses are doing, and know what other people are looking at," Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider said on Thursday. "Not necessarily in terms of how much money we spend on a player, or where we put a player on our board, but it's something you definitely have to look at. There are so many different tools out there now. I don't know how Phil [Emery] does it, but It's something that we don't blow off at all. We'll look at it in comparison to the types of grades we put on a player, and then, how that player would fit in with us."

ATL writers weigh in on best divisional all-star team - NFL.com
Dave Dameshek has proposed a Pro Bowl fix. Instead of AFC vs. NFC, what if the NFL rolled out eight all-star teams, one from each division? Around The League explores who would prevail.

Delanie Walker, one of the NFL's unsung good guys, shaped by tragedy - CBSSports.com
After playing in a Super Bowl, Delanie Walker would learn that his aunt and uncle were killed by a drunk driver. Everything changed for Walker.

Moreno stayed with Broncos because he’s cheaper, more versatile | ProFootballTalk
Last month, the Broncos dumped running back Willis McGahee. They opted to keep running back Knowshon Moreno. So why would the Broncos cut a former first-round pick who has had a very solid career and keep another first-round pick whose NFL tenure has been mediocre, at best? According to Mike...

Neck training could be key to concussion issues | ProFootballTalk
NFL players can’t strap their brains to a weight machine to help them avoid concussion problems. But some strength coaches are advocating more emphasis on neck strength to help limit the damage and speed recovery. Alex Marvez of FOXSports.

Fantasy Football Breaking News - Rotoworld.com
Appearing on NFL32 Tuesday, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the Seahawks "haven't moved to extend" Golden Tate going into the final year of his rookie contract. Per Mort, the Seahawks "are not going to sit there and say let's get this guy signed to a contract extension." Mort intimated the Seahawks will view any contributions they get from Tate this season as a bonus in the wake of Percy Harvin's addition. Tate has a nose for big plays, but is frozen out of two-wide sets with Harvin and Sidney Rice both signed to big-money deals. We expect him to move on next winter.