Posted by DHarp75 on June 25, 2010 under PartyHawks Central | 
Personally, we think “Golden-y Delicious!” with a picture of a maple doughnut would be awesome … right behind a “3 a.m. munchies for “Pot” heads” … for Top Pot doughnuts following Golden Tate’s 3 a.m. hijinks, but we can’t argue with Top Pot’s new ad slogan:
“Irresistible … but please wait until we’re open.”
Since they’re a supplier for the Seahawks, are suggestions would probably be thrown out early on the cutting room floor.
Posted by DHarp75 on under PartyHawks Central |
Kevin Elllison could have helped the Hawks, if he could have passed a physical.
We were excited by the small risk, big reward pickup of former Chargers safety
Kevin Ellison off waivers. But the Hawks decided there was indeed too much risk after he apparently failed a physical, so Ellison was waived before ever hitting the practice field.
A big hitter with the potential to win the starting strong safety job, Ellison played for coach Pete Carroll at USC. He was a sixth-round pick last year for San Diego and went on to start nine games.
Oh well, it’s back to nailbiting every time we see a receiver challenge the seem or try to stretch the field deep, because the Hawks’ current list of contenders at strong safety includes veterans who should be backups and a rookie who isn’t ready to start.
In other news, the team parted ways with DT Barrett Moen, a free agent rookie out of Minnesota, and Oregon rookie DL Will Tukuafu. Both had been signed earlier this month.
In their place, Jonathan Lewis was added to the roster. After finishing last season on Cleveland’s practice squad, he was waived by the team earlier this month.
Posted by DHarp75 on June 24, 2010 under PartyHawks Central |
Vincent Jackson would add the vertical threat the Hawks' passing game desperately needs.
The offseason of the great tease continues, as Kevin Acee from the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Seattle called to ask about WR
Vincent Jackson,
but the Chargers weren’t interested in listening to offers.
It’s a shame, because Jackson would be exactly what the Hawks need – a big, physical downfield presence in the passing game. And he wants out of San Diego because he isn’t anywhere close to agreeing to a long-term deal. In fact, he’s threatening to sit out the first 10 games of the season. The Chargers appear ready to call his bluff, or just welcome him back in Week 11, when Jackson has to report to the team in order to get the minimum six games required to accrue a season toward free agency.
Right now Seattle has a slew of possession receivers, but no proven weapons who can stretch the field and prevent safeties from sitting on the short- and medium-range passing game. If I’m Matt Hasselbeck, I’d fork over some of my salary to get a threat like Jackson in the fold. If not, he’s a sitting duck for aggressive pass rushes again.
Posted by DHarp75 on under PartyHawks Central |
The Hawks are installing a new offense, so it was good to see WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deion Branch back on the practice field as the offseason program winded down this week. T.J. had sports hernia surgery, while Branch underwent another knee procedure.
They both got in two days of work before the team shut things down for six weeks leading up to training camp.
“It’s just great to see these guys back in,” coach Pete Carroll said, “so we have a feel for them.”
T.J. and Deion are the team’s top two receivers, but the offense still lacks a dynamic, playmaking threat. Golden Tate was drafted to be that weapon, but the only playmaking he’s done so far was a 3 a.m. post pattern through the back door of Top Pot doughnuts.
Posted by DHarp75 on June 23, 2010 under PartyHawks Central |
Kevin Elllison started nine games as a rookie for the Bolts. ... He's also a fan of painkillers.
He played for USC and he’s had off-field issues, so
Kevin Ellison had all the prerequisites to be tossed onto the Hawks’ roster by coach
Pete Carroll.
OK, that’s a little flip. Ellison was actually a very wise pick-up who could help the Seahawks immediately.
A sixth-round pick out of USC by San Diego last year, Ellison was impressive as a rookie, eventually earning the starting job the second half of the season. He was often-injured while with the Trojans, which led to his draft stock plummeting. But he’s also a hard hitter who could provide a physical presence the Hawks’ secondary is SORELY lacking.
All those big hits and bumps and bruises apparently led to a fondness of Vicodin, as Ellison was caught with more than 100 pills this offseason. The arrest and controversy eventually led to the Chargers dumping him this week.
The Hawks could be the beneficiary if Ellison can learn the playbook. Deon Grant was cut loose, leaving Jordan Babineaux, who can’t cover well enough to be a starting corner or tackle well enough to be a starting safety, and aging Lawyer Milloy as the likely candidates on the strong side if rookie Earl Thomas takes over at free safety (looks unlikely to play corner at this point). Rookie Kam Chancellor is probably a year away from being a factor on the defense.
So the Hawks potentially filled a significant area of need by bringing Ellison on board – if he fulfills more of his potential and less of his prescription drug bottles.
Posted by DHarp75 on June 18, 2010 under PartyHawks Central |
Reggie Williams might have run out of chances to hang on in the NFL.
two-month stint with the Seahawks ended with his release Friday. A good blocker with strong hands but not much speed, the former Husky was out of the league last season following a marijuana possession charge.
It’s a bit of a surprise Williams wasn’t able to stick around until training camp after being signing following a tryout in April. For a team with poor pass blocking that will need to establish a ground game to be competitive in 2010, a strong blocker at wideout figured to have a shot at making the roster. But the Hawks do have a slew of possession receivers and need to identify more options who can stretch the field.
Posted by DHarp75 on under PartyHawks Central |
E.J. Wilson had 12 career sacks for North Carolina and should figure into the Hawks' defensive line rotation in 2010.
The Hawks have done a good job of consistently getting their rookies under contract, with fourth-rounders
E.J. Wilson and
Walter Thurmond agreeing to deals Thursday.
Wilson started 37 career games for North Carolina and was part of a ridiculously deep defensive line rotation in Chapel Hill (The Tar Heels’ defense boasts the No. 1 rated player overall for 2011 and five of the top 50 by NFLDraftScout.com). He had 12 tackles for loss last season and finished his career with 12 sacks. He signed a four-year deal that includes standard base salaries of $320,000, $405,000, $490,000 and $575,000, according to the National Football Post.
Thurmond is out of Oregon, and would have been drafted higher if not for a knee injury suffered early last season that led to ACL surgery. If healthy, he could also be in the mix for returning punts. The National Football Post reported Thurmond has agreed to a deal, although terms were not disclosed.
Posted by DHarp75 on June 17, 2010 under PartyHawks Central |
O.J. Atogwe is trying to drum up interest, and the Hawks might be wise to listen to the beat.
Yesterday afternoon John Clayton reported that free agent safety
O.J. Atogwe plans to visit the Northwest next week. Colleague Adam Schefter followed up that report by saying the Seahawks might not reciprocate that interest.
It’s quietly a very interesting situation, as Atogwe became a free agent two weeks ago when he declined to sign the Rams’ $1.226 million tender as a restricted free agent. That came after the team decided not to tender Atogwe at a higher $6.976 million mark back in March.
Despite finishing last season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and also dealing with a hernia issue, Atogwe apparently is seeking $7 million on the open market. Problem is, he’s not generating anywhere near that kind of interest. In fact, he hasn’t made a single visit since becoming a free agent, and now looks like he’s trying to drum up his own interest.
In the end, the most likely scenario remains Atogwe returning to St. Louis. But the Hawks would be wise to kick the tires to see how much it would actually cost to bring O.J. to town. Seattle drafted Earl Thomas, who can play cornerback or safety, but even if he’s put at free safety the Hawks still need another playmaker in the secondary.
The Rams thought enough of Atogwe to make him their franchise player in 2009. While that was a product as much of the Rams’ lack of other elite players and trying to keep the ones they had, he is adept at forcing fumbles and creating big plays, something Seattle’s defense sorely lacked across the board last season.
Posted by DHarp75 on under PartyHawks Central |
Cord Parks landed a spot on the Rams’ practice squad as a rookie defensive back after transitioning from wide receiver at Northeastern. St. Louis apparently wasn’t that impressed with his development, waiving Parks this week.
The 5-10, 180-pounder was claimed off waivers by the Hawks, who clearly aren’t over their fascination with undersized cornerbacks.
Posted by DHarp75 on June 11, 2010 under PartyHawks Central |
When the roster is as talent deficient as the Seahawks’ and there’s a new regime in town, it’s no surpise that they have the most turnover in the NFL since the end of last season.
The latest additions are a pair of undrafted rookies, defensive tackle Barrett Moen out of Minnesota and Oregon defensive lineman Will Tukuafu. And two seventh-round picks, Arizona State linebacker Dexter Davis and Kent State wide receiver Jameson Konz, signed their rookie contracts.
And with roster management, every action causes a reaction, so the Hawks cut ties with three rookies: Whitworth TE Michael Allan, Louisville wide receiver Patrick Carter and Troy linebacker LB Kevin Dixon. Also cut loose was three-year veteran defensive back Quinton Teal, who had been expected to make the team as a good special teams player.
