Fiscal Responsibility

Details are trickling in....

• $21 million over 3 years for Hasselbeck from the Titans.  Now you see why the Seahawks walked away.  That's way too much for a rebuilding team to give to a 36 year old QB.  I would argue that it's even too much for the Titans, although I doubt Matt will ever see all that money (no word yet on the guarantees).  At some point Locker will take over the reigns and Matt will once again move on. 

• $12 million over 4 years (with $4 million guaranteed) from the Panthers to pry Olindo Mara away.  That's a TON of money to give to a kicker, especially for a team like the Panthers who are going to struggle just to get in the red zone.  I guess this is an early example of what teams can do with the extra dough they don't have to pay their top picks anymore (sorry Cam Newton.)

• Robert Gallery gets a 3 year deal from the Hawks.  No money figures yet, but the shorter term of the deal would suggest it's not as lucrative as some had suggested Gallery was seeking.  This looks like it could be a great deal for the Hawks. 

• Sounds like Sidney Rice is going down to the wire.  Some reports indicate we are in the lead but have to wait until Friday to meet with him face-to-face (and do a physical... check that hip!).  Again, I would love to get Rice, but if someone outbids us I'm not going to shed any tears over it. 

What a crazy day it's been! 2 big trades in baseball, a NO-HITTER, madness in NFL free agency, and the Mariners scored some runs!  Am I dreaming?

Reality check... off to work.

Is anyone reading this?

Go Hawks!

What's The Plan?

Following the roller coaster of free agency rumors today, one thing jumps out....... where's the defense?

Depending on who you follow/believe.... the Seahawks are close to finalizing deals with OG Robert Gallery and WR Sidney Rice.  These are players who would provide big upgrades at positions of need for the Hawks, but it begs the question, what's the plan?  Why aren't we linked to any defensive players? 

In my mind, the answer is twofold:

A)  Offensively, next year shapes up as one of the best QB drafts in many years, and you can bank on the Hawks taking one of those guys with their first pick.  Kolb wasn't worth dealing a 1st rounder for, and Carroll/Schneider didn't see a franchise guy in the 2011 draft, so the plan is to set up our next franchise QB for long-term success by taking care of things on the offensive side of the ball.  We have devoted the top of our last two drafts to building a nasty, tough, young O-line, and now it looks like Tom Cable-favorite Gallery will be joining the pack.  These guys will open much bigger holes for Lynch, Forsett and Washington to run through.  Rice is the kind of game-breaking, young, #1 receiver we have been seeking for years, and together with Mike Williams gives us an exciting pair of weapons on the outside.  Two years from now, when our starting QB is named Barkley or Luck or Jones or Lindley, he'll be playing behind a big, cohesive line, with a dominant running game to support him, and a couple of big-play receivers to throw to.  This is how you build a successful offense.

B)  Carroll can scheme on defense, and he's shown an afinity for, and an ability to find, undervalued, hungry defensive players (Clemons, Brock, Lewis, Siavii, Brock).  With the glut of free agents available this year, bargains and steals are there to be had.  Carroll also knows that an improved ground game makes the defense better.... keeps them off the field... and shortens the game.  

It's still VERY early, and I'm not predicting that we won't sign any recognizable defensive players.  In fact, word is we are working hard to keep Brandon Mebane, and that's a good start.  We were linked to Ray Edwards earlier this week, but I haven't heard any buzz since then.  It may simply be that The Plan is to set the offense up first, fix the running game, and build a unit that will be conducive to welcoming a young QB in a year or two....... while piecing together what you can on defense, and then throwing all your resources at that side of the ball next offseason. 

Is it the perfect plan?  Only time will tell.  But on the record right now I just want to cast my vote.

I like it. 

End Of An Era

We all knew this day was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier.  Matt Hasselbeck is no longer a Seahawk.  He has reportedly signed a multi-year deal with the Tennessee Titans where he will mentor Jake Locker. 

One cannot understate the significance of this day.  Simply put, Matt is the best QB in Seahawks history.  He led us to our only Super Bowl.  He won more playoff games in his career here (5) then the franchise had won in it's entirety before he arrived (3).  Over the last couple of seasons he has been a polarizing figure, hailed concurrently as our saving grace or a washed-up has-been, but there is no denying the historical context of his tenure in Seattle. 

I've been wanting to start my own Seahawks blog for awhile.  What better time than now.  The hiring of Pete Carroll and all the personnel moves that came with it last year was the beginning of a monumental transition for the team, that was plain to see, but Matt's exit makes it official.  We are in full rebuild mode.  Every position is in flux, every player faces competition for his spot.  Competition is the mantra of the day and youth is the overwhelming trend.  Over the next few days and weeks this roster is going to take shape in ways that right now, some of us can't even envision. 

So I figured, what better time to start blogging about it? 

What I hope this blog will provide is a blend of informed insight and impassioned opinion.  Whether anyone ever reads it or not is really inconsequential.  It's as much a therapeautic and creative outlet for me as it is an actual attempt to be widely published.  That being said, I do hope to attract a few contributors.  Healthy debate is one of my favorite aspects of being a sports fan.  Hopefully you will come with an opinion, some passion, and at least a little bit of common sense and reason. 

For now though, this day is about the transition.  You'll notice I haven't even mentioned the names of the QB's that have been (reportedly) acquired to try and fill the shoes of Number 8.  That's a subject for a later post.  This is about saying thanks for all the memories Matt.  You were a great leader, competitor, and citizen over the last ten years.  You will be missed. 

This already feels really weird.