Coffee & Cigarettes: Seahawks links for Saturday

Weekend, y'all.

DeSean Jackson's potential landing spots - NFL.com
DeSean Jackson is free to sign with any team. Gregg Rosenthal picks the most likely NFL squads to go after the former Philadelphia Eagles speed merchant.

DeSean Jackson walks with gangsters | CSN Bay Area
Back in May 2011, when I was a Bay Area News Group columnist, DeSean's brother, Byron, invited me to join their small group visiting the notorious state prison on the northwest shore of San Francisco Bay. I accepted, curious to see and hear a millionaire NFL star's personal interaction with murderers and rapists and others confined to the margins of society.

A few more thoughts on Jackson and Seahawks | Seahawks Blog | Seattle Times
One thing we do know is that it wouldn’t be hard for Seattle to show interest as the Seahawks are well-acquainted with Jackson’s agent, Joel Segal, who also represents a number of current or recently former Seahawks, including Percy Harvin, Bruce Irvin, Tarvaris Jackson, Walter Thurmond and Michael Robinson.

Which team signs DeSean Jackson? - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN
The Philadelphia Eagles decided to cut ties with receiver DeSean Jackson on Friday after the team uncovered information about Jackson's off-field connections and activities, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Jackson issued a statement saying his release had nothing to do with his off-field activities. "I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang," the wide receiver said. "I am not a gang member and to speculate and assume that I am involved in such activity off the field is reckless and irresponsible."

Five thoughts on DeSean Jackson and the Seahawks - 710sports.com
DeSean Jackson's release from the Eagles means one of the NFL's most talented wide receivers is now a free agent, and the Seahawks have already been mentioned as a potential landing spot. Let's take a closer look at the possibility. - Blog 710 ESPN Seattle at 710sports.com

DeSean Jackson release by Philadelphia Eagles shows that talent isn't all - NFL - Don Banks - SI.com
The demise of DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia is clearly a complicated story with many layers and ample room for interpretation. But on the surface, the real marvel is that his gaudy stats and career-year production last season didn't save his job. That doesn't happen every day in the NFL, a star player in his prime being cut loose despite being a valuable cog in his team's arsenal.

DeSean Jackson landing spots: Where could former Eagles WR end up next? | Audibles - SI.com
It's unusual for a highly talented player in the prime of his career, who is still under contract, to be released to the open market. But that's what happened Friday, when the Philadelphia Eagles released receiver DeSean Jackson for multiple reasons -- between his current contract, possible off-...

Jets make a lot of sense for DeSean Jackson | ProFootballTalk
When DeSean Jackson was still under contract to the Eagles, Jets owner Woody Johnson was the only decision-maker on another team who was willing to brave the possibility of a tampering violation to publicly express his interest in Jackson.

Philadelphia Eagles Release WR DeSean Jackson - Over the Cap
After attempting to trade DeSean Jackson the Philadelphia Eagles have finally opted to release the star wide receiver from his contract.

Was Richard Sherman’s postgame tirade planned? Seattle Seahawks star reveals his marketing secrets - Seattle Seahawks & NFL News
If Fox sideline reporter Erin Andrews had come up to him before the end of the NFC championship game, Seahawks star Richard Sherman still would have delivered the same message he did when he trash-talked 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree, shocking the nation after his game-sealing tip of the ball propelled Seattle into the Super Bowl.

Jeff Fisher: Nothing brewing on draft trade... yet - ESPN
Speaking to reporters at this week's owners meeting in Orlando, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher made it clear that any potential trade involving his team's No. 2 overall pick this year isn't likely to come to fruition in advance of May's draft.

Seattle Seahawks have some stats to make up - ESPN

As almost everyone knows, the Seahawks have taken a hit in free agency, losing seven players from the Super Bowl-winning team -- wide receiver Golden Tate, offensive linemen Breno Giacomini and Paul McQuistan, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond, and safety Chris Maragos.

Arians: Andre Ellington might get 10 catches per game - NFL.com
After Bruce Arians said last month that the Arizona Cardinals planned to build their offense around explosive back Andre Ellington, the coach hinted that much of that production could come through the air.

Observations: Likely sale of Bills could speed up NFL's race to LA - CBSSports.com
The likelihood of a Bills sale, and the possibility of a move, should ramp up other teams' interest in being the first to land a new stadium in LA.

Mock Draft No. 7: Atlanta (Clowney), Raiders (Carr) make deals - CBSSports.com
The Falcons and Raiders make big moves in this mock first round for players like Jadeveon Clowney, Sammy Watkins and Derek Carr.

NFL Prospect Focus: Jon Halapio and Seantrel Henderson | National Football Post
Two offensive line prospects with questionable futures.

2014 NFL free agency: New England Patriots secondary among most-improved units | Audibles - SI.com
While free-agency grades and evaluations are always given for the signing of individual players, it's good to look at how specific positional units are affected by offseason moves.

Colts' offseason should have Denver and New England worried | The MMQB with Peter King
Much of the attention in the AFC during the offseason has, rightfully, been focused on the Broncos and Patriots. The two conference finalists each made major free-agent additions: DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward in Denver, and Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner in New England.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2013 Adjusted Games Lost
Wide receiver Michael Crabtree tore his Achilles tendon last May, but returned in time to help San Francisco peak. Denver left tackle Ryan Clady suffered a Lisfranc injury in Week 2 and missed the remainder of the season, including the run to the Super Bowl. New England tight end Rob Gronkowski started the season on the mend, played seven games, and ended 2013 on injured reserve after tearing his ACL. Percy Harvin played just 19 snaps on offense in the regular season for Seattle, but he was healthy enough to make his biggest contribution in the Super Bowl victory.

FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | Failed Completions 2013
We have probably all been guilty at least once of judging a quarterback's performance by his incompletions and not acknowledging that some of the completions may actually have been bad plays too.

Comparing 2014 Vegas Projections to Estimated Wins — FootballPerspective.com
Three weeks ago, Vegas released the first set of 2014 win totals for all 32 teams. I immediately wondered how those win totals compare to the estimated wins I created based on 2013 DVOA ratings. I tweeted a request for someone to write such an article, and Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) was kind enough to oblige. Warren runs SharpFootballAnalysis.com, where he provides handicapping analysis.

NFL 101: The Basics of the 3-4 Defensive Front | Bleacher Report
The latest NFL news, rumors, scores, schedules, predictions, picks against the spread, free agent updates, power rankings, mock drafts and more

How NFL Teams View and Treat Character Concerns for Draft-Eligible Players | Bleacher Report
I spent 30 years of my adult life as a talent evaluator for NFL teams. For nine of those years I was the Director of College Scouting for the Chicago Bears...

The NFL could benefit from using more instant replay technology. | SportsonEarth.com : Dan Pompei Article
When it comes to instant replay, the NFL likes to have a toe in the water. Or the tip of a toe. But the league really could benefit from becoming completely submerged.

Raiders/49ers extra thoughts: The humongous Levi’s Stadium effect, the Kaepernick 2014 game plan, Mark Davis’ words, and more – Talking Points
Just got back home from Orlando (didn’t make it over to Memphis for Stanford vs. Dayton), had some leftover thoughts from a very busy time at the annual meetings this week…

Lorenzo, Storm, Lache and Ka’Deem, Great Names and RB Prospect Arbitrage | RotoViz
There’s no doubt that this upcoming draft has given me receiver fever. My obsession with receivers is beyond control, but everyone eventually reaches their limit. I’ve spent so much time digging into the receivers that I reached a point where I was only seeing the negatives in each prospect, so I finally have to push away from the table.

Pre Snap Reads Mock Draft Version Two | Pre Snap Reads
This is a mock draft where I made the selections for the teams. However, I also tried to be realistic and not go solely off my own opinions on specific players. There are trades because it’s unrealistic to not have trades.