Free Agents

[HaroldSeattle]

Kind of surprised they didn't tender Burley.

That did come as a surprise. Guess the Seahawks feel they can do better.

 

[MKHawk]

That did come as a surprise. Guess the Seahawks feel they can do better.

The thing is, the tender is not guaranteed, so there's really no downside to the tender. Unless they're sure he's not in their plans and they're doing him a solid by cutting him loose at the start of FA.

 

[FirebreathingMonkey]

The Seahawks have agreed to terms on a three-year deal with defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, locking up a key part of their run defense before the start of free agency.

The Seahawks announced the agreement Monday evening but did not reveal the terms. A league source confirmed that it's for three years, which was first reported by Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. The value of Rubin's contract was not disclosed nor has it been reported.

Rubin, 29, made $2.6 million in 2015 while playing on a one-year deal, signing with the Seahawks in March after spending his first seven seasons in Cleveland. He started every game for Seattle and made 36 tackles during the regular season while helping anchor a run defense that finished No. 1 in the NFL.

Rubin was one of 17 Seahawks set to become unrestricted free agents, a group that includes seven starters.

Garafolo stated that he was a priority for Seattle. That much is evident based on the timing of his deal, which comes two days before the start of free agency and marks the first major move of Seattle's offseason. And it's not a surprise that the Seahawks would consider Rubin as such given the season he had as well as their situation at defensive tackle with Brandon Mebane also set to become an unrestricted free agent and no proven in-house replacement for either player.

Coach Pete Carroll raved all season about Rubin's play, at one point saying that he has been the best three-technique defensive tackle that Seattle has had in recent seasons. Carroll mentioned on several occasions how well Rubin pursues the football for a player his size, a trait that proved especially valuable during Seattle's wild-card win over Minnesota when he recovered a late fumble 13 yards down field.

"He's really solid now. He is as tough as you get. You can't move the dude and he pursues the football really well," Carroll told "Brock and Salk" in December before volunteering a superlative. "I think he's been the most effective guy playing 3-technique for us that we've had, and most consistent. He just won't budge. The harder it gets, the tougher he gets and the more he ain't going to move anywhere.

"That position in our defense, we play a lot of over defense, he's on the tight-end side a lot, and there's a lot of plays that go right at him and he gets doubled a bunch. He's fantastic at doing that so he has been instrumental."

And he might have been difficult to replace. Jordan Hill has the most experience of the other defensive tackles on Seattle's roster, and he's only started one game over his three seasons while missing 21 of them due to injuries. The Seahawks could have looked for a veteran in free agency, but they may have had a hard time finding anyone who is equally as effective yet cheaper than Rubin.

That helps explain why the Seahawks are locking up Rubin before the start of free agency, and why they made it a priority to do so.

 

[dude82]

I'm happy to see that Rubin will be sticking around a while.

 

[Uhsplit]

Outstanding. We need another DT, be it Mebane or a pick or a low cost vet.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Heard on 7:10 that the Seahawks have made a offer to Mebane and 3 other teams have interest in him.

 

[blstoker]

Rapoport: Cardinals making huge push for LB Irvin

Irvin to Cardinals? I'd rather that didn't happen.

 

[MrS]

It sounded like irvin to jags was a done deal, would hate to see him in arizona. How can they even afford him though? Arent they squeezed for cap space?

 

[blstoker]

I know it's been reported here - but I don't think the amount has been.

 

[blstoker]

 

[JMR]

Rapoport: Cardinals making huge push for LB Irvin

Irvin to Cardinals? I'd rather that didn't happen.

As long as it's big money, I would be fine with it.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

As long as it's big money, I would be fine with it.

Same here, hopefully really really big money.

 

[dude82]

I don't like the idea of having to face Irvin twice a year, so hopefully if we can't get him back he'll end up somewhere outside the NFC West.

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

I don't like the idea of having to face Irvin twice a year, so hopefully if we can't get him back he'll end up somewhere outside the NFC West.

Hope the Jags step to the plate.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I don't like the idea of having to face Irvin twice a year, so hopefully if we can't get him back he'll end up somewhere outside the NFC West.

Truthfully I don't see the Cards signing Irving despite the buzz. They got less money then the Seahawks to spend. Though they may be able to cut some contracts perhaps.

 

[RegentDenali]

Just saw a flash that Irvin will be signing with the Raiders tomorrow. Looks like they offered the most cash.

 

[Mariners_44]

Well, looks like Bruce is heading to Oakland out of nowhere. Out of the division, and out of the conference. Bummed, but totally understandable.

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

Just got an update from my phone. Bruce Irvin will sign with the Raiders.

 

[RegentDenali]

Norton must of pushed hard to get this done. The Raiders may have the cap space, but they can't afford the current cap of payroll.

Oh well. Irvin gets the max paycheck he believed he was entitled to, but will have to deal with a mediocre team for years to come. Have fun in Oakland.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

It appears lots us get these news flashes. Raiders well surprise surprise .