Holmgren adjourns minicamp with message for players

by: Mike Parker

"Behave yourselves" was the theme of what Coach Holmgren told players at the end of minicamp Thursday.

Before players were dismissed for their impending five-week vacation after the team's final minicamp, they were given a lecture on staying out of trouble and coming back better than ever on July 25 - the start of training camp. Clare at the PI quoted Holmgren as saying:

"Before they leave, I have to talk about a lot of things -- the least of which is being careful and how they conduct themselves," he said. "That's kind of a never-ending story."

The speech of course stemmed from the recent legal troubles of Lofa Tatupu and Rockey Bernard, and I think Holmgren felt at least a little obligated to just state the obvious. No harm in that, I say.

And it seems as though certain members of the team - Bobby, cough cough - need these five weeks to sort out some things inside their heads. It's also important to take some downtime before the training camp crunch comes out of nowhere and only serves as the precursor for a very hard-hitting five months after that.

But in the Seahawks' case, it'd be nice to see them on the field come February.

With all this being said, what does everyone foresee as being the team's No. 1 issue they need to fix in preparing for the 2008 season? It could be anything - on the field or off it. GO! END Read More!

Duckett's Deal a Burden?

by: Michael Steffes

I thought I would post this morning in regards to something I have seen circulating through the different sites that compile NFL news. The assertion is that TJ Duckett wouldn't make the Seahawks if it wasn't for his signing bonus. This piece of news is emanating from Frank Hughes and The News Tribune.

Normally, I kind of let the reporters do their thing, but in my humble opinion this is absurd. It is sensationalism journalism and really doesn't do anything but to negatively inflame fan reaction at an extremely premature phase of the offseason.

TJ Duckett is a veteran running back. TJ Duckett has been through numerous offseasons. I am not saying that he doesn't have something to prove, but he knows that there is a long stretch to get ready for the season and it does him no benefit to be the best player at OTA's. He has a training camp and a preseason to show his meddle, his worth, and define his role. THEY HAVEN"T EVEN PUT PADS ON YET. How come it is OK for Owen Schmitt to show nothing because he will show more when pads are on, but the same standard doesn't apply to Duckett? He is a big, physical runner right? Possibly a short yardage guy? Seems part of his value will be determined when he gets to move a pile instead of avoiding contact, right? To continue...

On top of this double standard being applied, get this... Duckett only got 2 million this year! He has a 2 mil roster bonus due next year as well. Maybe his deal isn't quite saving his butt as much as being reported. If it came down to cutting someone the Hawks really wanted to keep vs wasting 2 million, I think the team would make the decision based on the best interest of the team and future. The team has taken bigger losses than that.

TJ Duckett may get cut, no one knows for sure. One thing I do know is that he has a training camp to show who he is. In fact, there were some accounts that he improved dramatically between OTA's. Expect him to make a similar jump between now and July. While we wait for training camp, lets see if we can avoid inflaming fans into believing the team made bad offseason moves, before they get fitted for shoulder pads. That seems fair enough.

If injuries strike the running back position next year, I think we will be glad we have TJ. Kind of like when Mack Strong went down, and Leonard Weaver, who had a terrible offseason, stepped in and made an impact. Read More!

Seahawks Go International

by: Michael Steffes

You may remember several weeks ago I noted that the Seahawks would be allowed an extra player on their practice squad. An international player specifically. Well, they have chosen tackle, Samuel Gutekunst from Germany.

Gutekunst spent 2006 with Baltimore and 2007 with Jacksonville. He was on the practice squad for both teams. He previously played with the Berlin Thunder and Frankfurt Galaxy.

Here is what we know for sure. He is only 24. He is 6-6 and 317 lbs. He has supposedly improved every year he has spent with an NFL team. Lets just hope we don't need him on the active roster.

Here is the complete list of players assigned, if you are interested in that sort of thing. END. Read More!

Times on the Depth Chart

by: Mike Parker

Jose Romero over at the Times has broken down the current depth chart and made a series of predictions as to how the final roster will turn out.

I can't speak for everyone of course, but it looks like his predictions are pretty realistic, if not solid. Then again, we could have some freak injur...well, nevermind, I'm not gonna go there. There will be no jinxing this year! (Tubbs, are you paying attention?! Good.)

One thing I noticed is Jose drops a name I hadn't heard up until this point - LB Wesly Mallard. Anyone know anything about the guy? He's apparently in competition with Lance Laury, DD Lewis and Will Herring for a backup job behind Lofa. Heavy competition much? Naaaah. Good luck on that one, Wes.

In other brief snippets, CJ Wallace is back in Seattle after his operation, and Holmgren also made his return to the sidelines. From the way Matt was joking about it, I'm taking bets as to whether or not Holmgren's problem had anything at all to do with his bowels. Just sayin'. Read More!

What Did We Learn From OTAs?

by: Michael Steffes

I wish I had some grand answers, but unfortunately we didn't learn that much about this team. That is one of the things I like about May and June. It is all about optimism. Everybody is set for a great year. Lots of guys make an impact...with out actually hitting anyone. Here are some of the themes that can be built on as we wade through the next six weeks.

First, the wide receivers. Everyday a different one shined. Bobby has opened the door. Lets hope he comes back and shuts it. Regardless, these young guys are all going to get a chance in the preseason, and one or two will be seeing lots of regular season snaps too. To continue on...

The one receiver who is least likely to contribute, is the one whose mini camp meant something, Jordan Kent. Kent was a huge project last year. This year, he is by all accounts a football player. Good news, but he may be the catalyst of a tough decision, either at WR, or another position. I say keep him. Speed cures a lot of ales on a football team.

Next, the kickers. Honestly, nothing has been decided on the field. It is great and all that Mare can kick during mini camps. He obviously could last year too. As other readers have attested, the fantasy world was a buzz about Mare before the season last year. Supposedly he looked great. The team is going to give Coutu every chance to win this job. They may even trade Mare if they get an offer, assuming Coutu looks passable. It is the simple fact that they can control him for 4 years and not have to waste more resources on another kicker in two years or so.

On another topic, it is a good thing the line is pretty much set, because I don't know how they would have made an accurate assessment. It was a mash unit most of the last two months. The one to watch is clearly Spencer. I would say the season hinges most on whether he makes a turn towards being a first round linemen, or another 2005 bust (have you seen that first round?). In fact, he has as much on the line this season as any other Seahawk. Step it up Spence!

Finally, I think it is clear that the strength of this defense is going to be in the depth up front. The rotation is going to be solid all the way through out. If Atkins continues as we have heard this week, the team will have four ends and 5 tackles, and will cut some quality players. That is just crazy considering the problems this team has had at those positions in recent years. Fresh legs in the fourth are a beautiful thing, especially if the team has the lead. Read More!

OTA's End... Training Camp Looms

by: Michael Steffes

Mike Holmgren gave out some nuggets following the final OTA practice. First off, he is fine, he just doesn't feeling like disclosing the procedure he had done.

He said that he is hopeful Tubbs, who was mentioned in an earlier post will be ready for Camp. That is good news. He also thinks Fudge will be ready by week one, so cancel the punter auditions for now.

The thing I found funny is that he said the right corner spot is an open competition. If you believe him, more power to you. I don't for a second. This is just like last year with right guard. He was never going to trust that spot to Willis or Wrotto. Similarly, Jennings is the man he wants over there. He just wants to push him to be his absolute best. He wants him to play like the late first rounder he is. I trust coach to know who's buttons he can push like this. Click here to...

Speaking of offensive line, Coach said that unit is pretty much set. I think that probably rules out LeCharles Bentley coming in, unless there is a freak injury in the next couple weeks.

Also, despite the reporters declaring Carlson to start, Coach said he thinks the best battles will be at RB, WR, and TE. I think that spot is up for grabs far more than the RCB spot. Either way, all three TE's will see time.

I will post the transcript of the interview later, when I have it available. You can then make up your own minds on coaches candor. Either way... Now we wait. 44 days to go. Read More!

On the Hot Seat

by: Michael Steffes

Here is a bit of an interesting read. Ross Tucker of SI.com has written an article looking at one player per team who is at a crossroads in their career and need to produce this year. Well, he gave the Rams two players, but it takes two Rams to equal a player on any other team, right. Most of the players on his list carry a pretty high profile.

The Seahawk mentioned is none other than injury prone and impending free agent Marcus Tubbs. He also faces stiff competition for playing time this year as well. Here is what Tucker says...Tubbs' career has been injury-riddled up to this point and he is in danger of losing his roster spot after the selection of Red Bryant and free-agent acquisition of Larry Triplett.

When Tubbs has been on the field the Hawks run defense has been as one of the best in the biz. When he is in the training room, the Hawks are susceptible to being gashed early and worn down late. The good news is that Tubbs will only be asked, at most, to play a small percentage of snaps as part of the rotation. If he stays healthy this may stunt his value on the open market giving the Hawks a chance at retaining his services. Many expect he will injure himself again. I hope that is not the case. Regardless he is going to have to prove his worth and make this team for the first time since being drafted. END Read More!

Getting to Know the New Coaches

by: Michael Steffes

Couple of different articles this morning chose to focus on some of the newer member of the Seahawks coaching staff.

First off, Clare Farnsworth has written about how Matt Hasselbeck and new QB coach Bill Lazor are getting along. How could you not get along with Matt Hasselbeck right? The guy is a walking quote, by all accounts a funny guy, and best of all, he just wants to spend every day getting better and preparing to win.

Next, Scott Johnson wrote a nice piece about Mike DeBoard. DeBoard has probably made the biggest transition of all the coaches. Not only is this his first venture into the NFL, he also moved across the country, and didn't previously know anyone on the Seahawks staff. However, any guy who is willing to go from a big name program coordinator to an assistant line coach just so he can learn from a HOFer like Holmgren and a grizzled coach like Solari is alright in my book. Read More!

Special Thanks To The Staff

by: Michael Steffes

Just wanted to send an extra special thanks to Chris and Mike for helping carry the blog yesterday. It allowed me some needed time to finish up my "other" job. It was a smashing success. Also, I want to pass along an extra special thanks in advance. I am going to be counting on these two spectacular human beings for more coverage this weekend.

Off topic but for those interested. I am spending Fathers day weekend, with my Pops, at Torrey Pines for the US Open. I am very excited. It will be the second major Golf Tournament I have been to. I also attended the PGA Championship when it was at Sahalee in Redmond. A Golf tournament is about as far away from a football game as you can get. It is an individual sport as opposed to a team sport, and silence is appreciated. Can you imagine Tiger trying to hit a 90 yard approach out of the rough with 65,000 Qwest Field faithful screaming. Now that is an image. Remind me to ask Josh Brown how that feels after he tries to kick in Qwest next year.

Anyway.... Thanks a million Chris and Mike. You guys are A Ok in my book! Read More!

Most ridiculous plays in Seahawk History

by: Chris Sullivan

Hey Guys, so here's something I've been thinking about lately... what are some of the most ridiculous Seahawks plays that you can remember? Doesn't have to be totally integral, just like "wtf were you thinking?!" or "did that REALLY just happen?!"

I'll give my top three, all recent (so as to be more accessible), but I'm counting on you guys to add on.

3) Kenny Hamlin taking an interception down the field on 4th down instead of batting the ball down. I think that was just about his only big play of the year, and it was a complete dud. He went down to Pike Place Market and bought himself a Selfish.

2) Tatupu knocking out Nick Goings in the NFC Championship game vs. the Panthers, getting up and finishing the game. Amazing and firmly implanted Tatupu as a Ring of Honor candidate in his rookie year

1) Obvious, but if I don't put it up here, ninety people will mention is... "We want the ball, and we're gonna score!!!" Matt, Matt, Matt... Read More!