If you take a look at the Seahawks since 2005, there has been an extraordinary amount of turnover. The team looks dramatically different these days. But maybe, this is for the best. If you looked at the Seahawks after that season, it was clear that they were going to go through a transition. The last two years may have been the rest of the NFC West’s best shot to take the top spot. It would appear the Seahawks have reloaded their core with a mix of draft picks and free agents and are now a younger, more balanced team.

Lets start with the offensive line. This unit was arguably one of the best offensive lines ever. No matter what, the line was going to change. Last year allowed two important cogs of the future to get valuable starting experience. Sims and Spencer struggled at times, but they will be better for it. With those two and Sean Locklear, this team has created some young core players that will make the transition to the next left tackle much easier. Walter Jones is one of two key pieces yet to be replaced. The best part is that they have at least a couple of years to find their next left tackle and get him ready. By then, the other members of this line will be savvy vets (more…)

Bobby has put the Seahawks and Seahawk fans in an interesting dilemma. Bobby wants to be paid for his past performance. The Seahawks make decisions based on future potential. At 35, Bobby has a limited amount of time left, and thus his future value is in doubt. However, he does have a high present value. The Seahawks are breaking in young wide receivers already because of Deion Branch’s ACL injury. Without Bobby, the wide receiver unit becomes a huge question mark. Bobby is using this leverage to maximize his earnings in the twilight of his career.

From Bobby’s perspective it is understandable. It is also reasonable for the Seahawks to hesitate at extending him or giving him new money. Paying for past production was a disaster with Shaun Alexander. There is also a school of thought that Bobby should be a bit more appreciative. The Seahawks extended his contract after 06′, a season where Bobby missed significant time with a thyroid condition.

As a fan, I wish that situations like this could be avoided. Especially on a championship caliber team in Mike Holmgren’s last season. However, for the players, football is a business. Bobby has been a team guy in Seattle for many years. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that what he is asking for is fair. Unless there is more to the story, hopefully both parties will come to a compromise soon. 2008 looks so promising, lets hope Bobby can be a big part of it.

After his freshman year in college, Logan Payne switched his number from 33 to 84. Fitting that he ended up in Seattle. In Seattle the number 84 is synonymous with dependability and clutch. In Seattle, number 84 is the epitome of the unnoticed superstar. 84 is Bobby Engram. Someday soon, it could be Logan Payne. He would be a fitting successor.

For much of his youth, Payne was everything but a football player. Well, actually that is not true, it is just that he was a futbol player, as in soccer. He also played a little hoops. Enough that he was the team MVP his senior season in High School. It never really occurred to him to pick up pigskin until his best friend, former Florida St. QB Drew Weatherford, convinced him. It worked out OK. “My best friend was the quarterback, so naturally we had good chemistry,” said Payne. You could say that. With little experience under his belt, he quickly became a standout. “When he played high school football, he led the state in receptions,” John Benedetto, his high school coach, said. “We had a hard time convincing people he could play college football. The only (school) that would listen was the University of Minnesota. Now, he’s on the outside of playing in the NFL. It’s hard to find a better story than that.” (more…)

Once more though, I see something few will call a good draft. Many will complain about a defensive end, one that’s undersized, though eager, may be a bust. that he was drafted too high. I say, replace the words “defensive end” with “middle linebacker” (ala 2005 in the second) and use your imagination. I feel good about LoJack

I really didn’t know what to think Sunday night. So many guys that I hadn’t seen on many peoples radars, that I really didn’t know anything about. I must admit, as die hard about the ‘Hawks as I am, collage football never really tickled my whiskers. So as for personal scouting reports I lack great insight. After reading and watching the draftees interviews I must say, these are Ruskell guys. High motor, high as I’ve ever seen (thanks YouTube), and especially high character guys. Just watch that video with Owen Schmitt bashing his head with his helmet after the botched punt and tell me you don’t want that intensity on your team.

The day one boys, LoJack and Carlson, really impressed me in their interviews, just endearing. But it’s the boys, Red Bryant, Owen Schmitt that I’m really excited about. These guys are incredible value players. Ruskell mentioned that he was worried he couldn’t get Red without a third rounder so grabbing him out of the fourth was a big value. Owen Schmitt, “The Runaway Beertruck,” as much as I love Weavers’ stiff arm, could be Mack Strong v. 2.0. Just a 120% player. A leadblocker with ballcarrying and ballcatching skills to boot. I can’t wait for him to earn a starting spot on sundays. These are two guys I just want. Both are potential starers as rookies, but at the least they WILL contribute. LoJack and Carlson should be starting week one so long as they work hard in camp and earn their spots - LoJack at least in a three end rotation. And you can bet your ass that Taylor Schmitt will be the starting Long Snapper.

So here we are. A draft that made many scratch its head, saying that needs weren’t filled. But then again we have 5 players that could be ready day one to contribute (including our new kicker prospect should he beat out Mare). How is that not filling a need? I like it overall. I’m actually juiced for the season thanks to these picks, and damnit it’s only May.

The first announcement which precluded the signing was that former first round pick Marcus Tubbs had another procedure on his troublesome knee. If you recall, Tubbs made it back from microfracture surgery only to tear the ACL in his other knee. The Hawks run defense has not been the same with out him, allowing backs to average over 1 yard per carry more than when a healthy Tubss mans the middle. It appeared as if he was ready to contribute again, even if only in a situational role. That is now in jeopardy. Coach Mike Holmgren is planning on Tubbs missing the entire preseason, and hopefully being ready for week 1. Anything he contributes at this point will be considered a bonus. (more…)

In the late rounds on Sunday, the Hawks re-emphasized their commitment to making sure they can run the football again.  In the 5th round, they took Owen Schmitt, a throwback fullback from West Virgina.  He is best known for his mohawk and mangled face masks.  They didn’t stop there. With their first pick in the 7th, the team took Justin Forsett from Cal.  While he has a small frame, he packs a lot of punch.  If he makes the team he could be a valuable commodity returning kicks.  Likely they may try to get him onto the practice squad though.

With their other picks on day two,  the team addressed specialists.  They took Tyler Schmitt, who is not related to the new fullback, as the teams new long snapper.  A smart move, considering the hard time recently the team has had in  finding a capable one.   You never know who  the long snapper is, until he is awful.  That is what happened lately with the Seahawks.  Also, the team took Brandon Coutu from Georgia.  He was one of the top kickers available.  He will come to camp and see if he can beat out Olindo Mare, who has struggled in recent years.  It is possible both will be on the team until they figure out if Coutu can cut it.

All and all it was a typical Tim Ruskell draft.  Great value picks mixed in with total head scratchers.    The  O line, as well as the recently depleted linebacking corps were ignored.   Expect the team to have some quality undrafted guys lined up from those positions.  Anyway, the draft is done, and you know what comes next, right?  Football!

Michael Steffes writes primarily for Seahawks fan site, Seahawkaddicts.com. If you are interested in up to the minute news and analysis please visit the site and read more of Michael’s work.

The Hawks opted not to improve their picks so far today, and they managed to get big run stuffer in Red Bryant, who happens to be the son-in-law of former Seahawk great Jacob Green. Bryant is another player who will be able to contribute as part of the rotation right away. A solid pick.

Schmitt is a nasty, bruising full back from WVU. He will add some toughness to the backfield and special teams. He defintely plays with an attitude. This pick is likely insurance in case Leonard Weaver doesn’t develop and the team lets him leave.

Yet to be addressed are the o-line and linebacker depth. Running Back remains a possibility too. I am have been high on Chauncy Washington, but he may be taken shortly. The rest of the draft certainly holds more intrigue. I will provide a summation at days end.

Scouting profiles courtesy of NflDraft101.

Michael Steffes writes primarily for Seahawks fan site, Seahawkaddicts.com. He will be covering the draft from every angle there. If you are interested in up to the minute news and analysis please visit the site and read more of Michael’s work.

In the second round, now with some extra picks to fall back on, the Hawks opted not to wait and see with the tight end they wanted. The wasted little time and flew up the board by swapping 2nds with Baltimore. They added their 3rd to make this happen. They took tight end John Carlson, from Notre Dame. He was the one tight end in this draft who fit what the Hawks want to do at that position. He has prototypical size at 6-5. He can play in-line and block an end. He is also a crisp route runner with good hands. He may never “stretch the seam” like Jerramy Stevens did, but he won’t run his mouth like Stevens either.

All and all, Tim Ruskell and Mike Holmgren called this their “dream scenario.” They now have 4 picks in day two. But don’t be surprised if they become wheelers and dealers again, after all, it is coaches last year.

Scouting profiles courtesy of NflDraft101.

Michael Steffes writes primarily for Seahawks fan site, Seahawkaddicts.com. He will be covering the draft from every angle there. If you are interested in up to the minute news and analysis please visit the site and read more of Michael’s work.

Really, I can’t remember a draft in recent memory that holds so many possibilities for the Seahawks. Tim Ruskell describes it as “not being hostage to any position.” To me, it means, we are full of surprises. What else is new? The Seahawks could draft any player left on the board at #25 and feel Ok about it. However, I suspect, they won’t. The team is far more likely to trade out. There has been talk of this in recent days from Ruskell and the front office. They have been entertaining offers. I have been driving this train for weeks. It is the smart move, if they can do it.

The players in this draft between #15 and #4o are all very similar in talent level. Couple this with the fact that the Hawks only hold 6 picks and it is a match made in heaven. The problem is finding a partner. Because the talent level is so similar, it makes sense to keep your second….unless you need a quarterback. Teams value that position more than others, despite if players are graded similarly or higher. The quarterback market will be what drives the Seahawks trade prospects. It will be fun to watch.

The Verdict: If you had your day planned so you could sit down and watch the Hawks pick at a certain time, make sure your afternoon is flexible. I expect their pick to be fluid.

Michael Steffes writes primarily for Seahawks fan site, Seahawkaddicts.com. He will be covering the draft from every angle there. If you are interested in up to the minute news and analysis please visit the site and read more of Michael’s work.