Seahawks 2018 offseason thread

[Racer8825]

If they 'bring him in.' I doubt it'll even be the football people evaluating him. it'll be the doctor(s) looking at his knee(s).

And if the team doctors don't feel like he can play we don't sign him. Simple as that.

 

[blstoker]

If they 'bring him in.' I doubt it'll even be the football people evaluating him. it'll be the doctor(s) looking at his knee(s).

That’s pretty standard for free agents, especially when coming off injury.

 

[JMR]

Heard something interesting yesterday morning on B&S about trends for late round picks panning out. The gist of it was that players taken in the 5th-7th rounds who ended up being good in the NFL typically had at least one of these characteristics: from a small school, undersized, or had injury in their final year of college. I guess that's fairly intuitive because those are 3 things that would seem to drive down the perceived value/talent of a player, but it's interesting to me because I think of JS/PC's best late round hits -- Kam, Sherm, KJ Wright -- and none really fit the analysis. Maybe you could include Doug Baldwin since was an UDFA, and maybe he fits the undersized thing (though he's probably closer to average than below avg for his position).

Joel Klatt was also on there yesterday and said he really likes Penny, and that in the lead-up to the draft he talked to "several coaches" and it was a clear consensus that he was the #2 RB.

Klatt also shared a theory that teams with a top 4-5 QB salary-wise cannot win the SB due to how much cap is taken up for the 1 player. Steve Young at 13.1% is the highest cap number ever for a SB winning QB, according to USA Today. For 2018, here's what I could find on overthecap for the top 5 cap numbers for QBs: Jimmy G ($37M/20.9%), Matt Stafford ($26.5M/15.0%), Derek Carr ($25M/14.1%), Joe Flacco ($24.75M/14.0%), Andrew Luck ($24.4M/13.8%). In the salary cap era, the only QBs to win SBs while accounting for > 11% of the cap are Steve Young, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Eli Manning. For 2018, RW is the 8th highest cap number at 13.4%. And then the "so what" part of this conversation was: so when RW's current contract us up and he's lined up to make north of $30M, is there any way you don't do it? These QB salaries put teams in a bit of a pickle. You can't really win consistently in the NFL w/o the QB, but then paying big bucks to keep the QB may ultimately prevent you from winning.

 

[Racer8825]

Heard something interesting yesterday morning on B&S about trends for late round picks panning out. The gist of it was that players taken in the 5th-7th rounds who ended up being good in the NFL typically had at least one of these characteristics: from a small school, undersized, or had injury in their final year of college. I guess that's fairly intuitive because those are 3 things that would seem to drive down the perceived value/talent of a player, but it's interesting to me because I think of JS/PC's best late round hits -- Kam, Sherm, KJ Wright -- and none really fit the analysis. Maybe you could include Doug Baldwin since was an UDFA, and maybe he fits the undersized thing (though he's probably closer to average than below avg for his position).

Joel Klatt was also on there yesterday and said he really likes Penny, and that in the lead-up to the draft he talked to "several coaches" and it was a clear consensus that he was the #2 RB.

Klatt also shared a theory that teams with a top 4-5 QB salary-wise cannot win the SB due to how much cap is taken up for the 1 player. Steve Young at 13.1% is the highest cap number ever for a SB winning QB, according to USA Today. For 2018, here's what I could find on overthecap for the top 5 cap numbers for QBs: Jimmy G ($37M/20.9%), Matt Stafford ($26.5M/15.0%), Derek Carr ($25M/14.1%), Joe Flacco ($24.75M/14.0%), Andrew Luck ($24.4M/13.8%). In the salary cap era, the only QBs to win SBs while accounting for > 11% of the cap are Steve Young, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Eli Manning. For 2018, RW is the 8th highest cap number at 13.4%. And then the "so what" part of this conversation was: so when RW's current contract us up and he's lined up to make north of $30M, is there any way you don't do it? These QB salaries put teams in a bit of a pickle. You can't really win consistently in the NFL w/o the QB, but then paying big bucks to keep the QB may ultimately prevent you from winning.

It all depends on if the QB wants to be paid that much money. Look at what Tom Brady has done for the Patriots. He's always taken team-friendly deals to help the team sign all the free agents that they've signed during his time there. I'm not saying all QB's should do this but I wouldn't be surprised if we start to see more guys do this.

 

[JMR]

It all depends on if the QB wants to be paid that much money. Look at what Tom Brady has done for the Patriots. He's always taken team-friendly deals to help the team sign all the free agents that they've signed during his time there. I'm not saying all QB's should do this but I wouldn't be surprised if we start to see more guys do this.

Well, Brady has typically re-negotiated contracts when the team needed some cap space. When you play beyond the age of 40, you have more opportunity to push some money around and still make a huge amount. He's re-worked his deals 5 times so far and has made around $192M. His cap number has typically been just a touch above or below 10%.

But I do agree Brady's willingness to take a little less (hard to actually type that when the guy has made almost $200M playing a game) has been a main reason NE has been able to sustain a championship level team for 2 decades. If RW isn't amenable to something like that, it'll be tough to get back to the SB with him accounting for 15+% of the cap. Look at GB...Rodgers is the highest rated passer of all time and probably the best player in the league but has only been to 1 SB, and it was more than 7 years ago now (an uncapped year, but his $6M salary would have been around 5%). You have to have the QB, but it can't be all you have if you want to contend consistently.

 

[MrS]

The only way wilson is let go is if we can trade him for a spot in the draft high enough to take a qb we really really love.

Otherwise get ready to pay him 30m+ per year.

I say sign him long term asap, dont wait until you have to franchise him.

 

[JMR]

The only way wilson is let go is if we can trade him for a spot in the draft high enough to take a qb we really really love.

Otherwise get ready to pay him 30m+ per year.

I say sign him long term asap, dont wait until you have to franchise him.

If the cap increases 8% each of the next 2 years, $30M a year will be nearly 15% of the cap in 2020. That puts it up there in the territory that no team has been able to win a title with. I am not saying we shouldn't or we wont, but it may not be the best thing to do in order to get the team back (or remain) to being a SB contender. It's somewhat counter to how much value we place on the QB position, but it's hard to argue with the facts of what's happened so far in the salary cap era.

The franchise tag is actually a viable option after the current deal ends. It would be right around that $30M number, and there would be no long term cap ramifications should something unfortunate happen like a Kam Chancellor type injury situation. Team control through the 2020 season, and then you could even tag him again in 2021 for about $35M when the cap would be north of $220M and when RW will be playing as a 33 y/o by the end of the season.

 

[Racer8825]

Well, Brady has typically re-negotiated contracts when the team needed some cap space. When you play beyond the age of 40, you have more opportunity to push some money around and still make a huge amount. He's re-worked his deals 5 times so far and has made around $192M. His cap number has typically been just a touch above or below 10%.

But I do agree Brady's willingness to take a little less (hard to actually type that when the guy has made almost $200M playing a game) has been a main reason NE has been able to sustain a championship level team for 2 decades. If RW isn't amenable to something like that, it'll be tough to get back to the SB with him accounting for 15+% of the cap. Look at GB...Rodgers is the highest rated passer of all time and probably the best player in the league but has only been to 1 SB, and it was more than 7 years ago now (an uncapped year, but his $6M salary would have been around 5%). You have to have the QB, but it can't be all you have if you want to contend consistently.

That's part of the reason why the Patriots have been so successful for so long. Brady knows that it's a team sport and does what he can so BB and Kraft can continue to give him the best offense possible year in year out.

 

[JMR]

That's part of the reason why the Patriots have been so successful for so long. Brady knows that it's a team sport and does what he can so BB and Kraft can continue to give him the best offense possible year in year out.

They've done a great job of keeping a high quality OL in front of him. They haven't really paid skill position players other than Gronk (maybe Randy Moss), but they have ensured the protection was there. I think Brady has only had 2 LTs his entire time there or something ridiculous like that. They've made the most out of over-achieving type players like Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Edelman, etc., and had some good production from older or second chance RBs w/o ever really having that true workhorse featured back. They've built everything around Brady. It seems the Hawks are moving that direction as well based on many of the personnel & coaching moves over the last 12 months or so: Bevell out, Schotty in; Cable out, Solari in; traded for a legit LT; 2 poor blocking TEs out, 2 very good ones in; Justin Britt extended (first OL to get a 2nd contract here in the PC era); Pocic drafted in the 2nd round; Penny in the 1st. Hopefully we finally get this OL thing and running game figure out.

 

[Racer8825]

They've done a great job of keeping a high quality OL in front of him. They haven't really paid skill position players other than Gronk (maybe Randy Moss), but they have ensured the protection was there. I think Brady has only had 2 LTs his entire time there or something ridiculous like that. They've made the most out of over-achieving type players like Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Edelman, etc., and had some good production from older or second chance RBs w/o ever really having that true workhorse featured back. They've built everything around Brady. It seems the Hawks are moving that direction as well based on many of the personnel & coaching moves over the last 12 months or so: Bevell out, Schotty in; Cable out, Solari in; traded for a legit LT; 2 poor blocking TEs out, 2 very good ones in; Justin Britt extended (first OL to get a 2nd contract here in the PC era); Pocic drafted in the 2nd round; Penny in the 1st. Hopefully we finally get this OL thing and running game figure out.

The Seahawks are in fact moving in that direction. Fleece the coaching staff and bring in much better guys for both sides of the ball as well as players along the OL. This is the first time in the last couple years I'm excited about the potential of who we have to protect Russell Wilson.

 

[Anointed One]

Wilson will not be traded... That's just crazy talk...

 

[cdumler7]

I like his play on the field but i question about hus locker room presence.

I don't want a harvin situation

He has been a much better locker room guy ever since he got some of his medications/medical issues figured out. He really hasn't had any bad situation pop up for quite a while so I wouldn't worry as much about his locker room fit as that of can the guy stay healthy for an entire season and actually be productive?

 

[cdumler7]

That's part of the reason why the Patriots have been so successful for so long. Brady knows that it's a team sport and does what he can so BB and Kraft can continue to give him the best offense possible year in year out.

It does help though when his wife makes ridiculous money as well. Not saying that these guys are not making big money whether it be $15 million or $30 million but it does seem a bit easier when you know you are set so many different ways with outside income coming into the house.

The QB taking up so much cap space I feel like is heading to a point that teams will finally just say enough is enough. Above average QB's are getting paid ridiculous money and teams are seeing that often those top salaries lead to a team that can't compete even to make the playoffs. I mean you look at those top-5 salaries in Stafford, Luck, Jimmy G, Carr, and Flacco and not a single one made the playoffs this past season.

 

[chf]

Wilson is building a brand.

I personally don't see him as wanting to add 'mercenary' to that brand. He's so clean he squeaks. You don't have to be in a NY or LA to kill it in merchandising. Russ is already a top earner in that regard.

I'd be shocked if he goes anywhere.

 

[Racer8825]

It does help though when his wife makes ridiculous money as well. Not saying that these guys are not making big money whether it be $15 million or $30 million but it does seem a bit easier when you know you are set so many different ways with outside income coming into the house.

The QB taking up so much cap space I feel like is heading to a point that teams will finally just say enough is enough. Above average QB's are getting paid ridiculous money and teams are seeing that often those top salaries lead to a team that can't compete even to make the playoffs. I mean you look at those top-5 salaries in Stafford, Luck, Jimmy G, Carr, and Flacco and not a single one made the playoffs this past season.

It's quite bizarre that QB's who are in the "middle-tier" are demanding more and more money while the best QB's in the league like Tom Brady always take team-friendly deals.

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

It's quite bizarre that QB's who are in the "middle-tier" are demanding more and more money while the best QB's in the league like Tom Brady always take team-friendly deals.

It's a tough sport and contracts aren't guaranteed so not many are going to take pay cuts and I can't really blame them.

 

[Racer8825]

It's a tough sport and contracts aren't guaranteed so not many are going to take pay cuts and I can't really blame them.

No I don't blame them either.

 

[JMR]

It's a tough sport and contracts aren't guaranteed so not many are going to take pay cuts and I can't really blame them.

They're becoming more and more guaranteed though, and the one Kirk Cousins just signed is 100% guaranteed -- $84M for 3 years. Matt Ryan's deal has $94.5M of the $150M fully guaranteed. Those are the 2 freshest QB contracts, and of course they are now the 2 highest paid in the league.

The interesting thing about Russell's upcoming negotiation is his agent is primarily a baseball guy, so a totally different economic structure in MLB vs NFL.

 

[Racer8825]

Dadi Nicolas isn’t going to Cleveland. He’s instead found a new home in Seattle.

The Seahawks signed the linebacker Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.

Nicolas appeared headed to Cleveland two weeks ago when the Browns and Chiefs agreed to a player-for-player deal with tight end Randall Telfer headed to Kansas City. But the teams called off the trade and released the players.

The Chiefs made Nicolas a sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech in 2016. He played 11 games as a rookie, though he saw only 28 snaps on defense and 45 on special teams.

Nicolas, 25, missed last season with a knee injury.

 

[JMR]

According to what I just heard on 710, Rasheem Green is the only unsigned draft pick now that Griffin and Flowers reached deals today.