Free Agency news – Saturday afternoon edition

by: Chris Sullivan

SEAHAWKS — As I stated earlier, Colin Cole is in town today interviewing with the Seahawks — not sure if he got the private float plane treatment or not — and could present good value for the dollar. Cole is one of the few youngish [28] tackles that are expected to have starting value. While he would not likely start for the Hawks, he could definitely plug into the rotation frequently and would be an upgrade from Howard Green. Florio:

The Packers are still hoping to retain the 330-pounder to play nose tackle in their new 3-4 defense, but their chances appear to be dwindling. Cole looks more likely to stay in a 4-3 defense: Seattle or Tampa. On Friday, the Bucs were mentioned as the most likely destination for Cole. If Seattle closes the deal, Cole will likely get many of the snaps that went to Rocky Bernard last year.

SEAHAWKS — TJ Houshmandzadeh is traveling to Minnesota today. It is unknown whether an offer was made, though one would assume it was. I don’t feel that the Seahawks are going to grab him, because I still don’t see his value being that much higher than Engram’s. (It is much higher, but I wouldn’t want to pay Housh more than Burleson, so that’s about $4 million / year.) Housh has said that he will make a decision tomorrow night. My money is on Cincinatti.

Other news:

• Rob Staton has a great article on how free agency may affect the Seahawks’ draft strategy. I think the fact that we’re expressing no interest in the secondary guys right now indicates that we’re happy where we’re at for the most part, and may look to the draft for one or two finishing pieces. 
• Jeff Richards at NextSeasonSports talks Michael Clayton. For a nice biography on Clayton, be sure to check this out, I for one didn’t know he’d been pre-law in college.
• Former Seahawk Jon Kitna will be backing up Tony Romo. Or Tony Romo’s backup. Hard to say at this point, but I’ve got nothing but love for the hometown Kitna-ator.
• The Broncos, who were absolutely terrible in their secondary last year, have added Renaldo Hill and Brian Dawkins and are targeting Andre’ Goodman. In related news, Champ Bailey suffered a mild injury this morning after spraining his face smiling.

New top four mock draft

1. Detroit Lions – Matt Stafford
2. St. Louis Rams – Michael Crabtree
3. Kansas City Chiefs – Jason Smith
4. Seattle Seahawks – Eugene Monroe

Discuss. I am at lunch (omg phone blogzz) but may update it later haha.

New top four mock draft

1. Detroit Lions – Matt Stafford
2. St. Louis Rams – Michael Crabtree
3. Kansas City Chiefs – Jason Smith
4. Seattle Seahawks – Eugene Monroe

Discuss. I am at lunch (omg phone blogzz) but may update it later haha.

What the Cassel Trade to KC Means for the Hawks

by: Mike Parker

In case you hadn’t yet heard, the Patriots shipped off backup QB Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs today in exchange for KC’s second-round draft choice (No.34 overall.)

This could be very bad news for the Seahawks’ hopes of drafting Michael Crabtree. The Chiefs may decide to use their No.3-overall pick on a promising young receiver for Cassel to throw to, since it’s now safe to say they won’t be looking at Matt Stafford (or Mark Sanchez. Excuse me while I fall over laughing.) They also may want to steer away from going defense in the first round, as they did last year with Glen Dorsey.

A strong case could be made against that train of thought, however, when you take into account that the Chiefs have had quarterback problems for several years. They could simply choose to rely on the existing talents of TE Tony Gonzalez and WR Dwayne Bowe, who are solid downfield threats, and now will benefit from having a better man under center.

Additionally, there are still a fair number of free-agent receivers out there that KC could be shopping at the moment. Hence, they may take LB Aaron Curry with their first-round pick to solidify a run defense that was in the cellar at the end of the 2008 season. That choice also would make perfect sense. -END-

Colin Cole Reportedly Meeting with Seattle Today

by: Chris Sullivan

Green Bay DT Colin Cole is in Seattle today meeting with team officials. Cole is not a superstud, but is definitely a solid tackle in this league. The Packers made an attempt to sign him prior to the free agency period beginning. The Packers, who are moving to a 3-4 defense, believed that Cole would be a solid nose tackle in that system.

Now, this is merely a report and it is from the ALWAYS RELIABLE (read: totally unreliable yesterday) Joe Fortenbough, but it is an interesting tale.

Also interesting is that Cole, who the Packers like as a nose tackle (meaning, the sole DT in a 3-4 defense, flanked by two larger Chris Canty-like defensive ends) is presumably being brought in for an interview on the same weekend that Chris Canty, a guy very few had us interested in based on our 4-3 defense, will be showing up. Is it possible that the Seahawks are preparing to operate within a 4-3 defense with a fair amount of 3-4 looks? We know the coaching staff is there. What do you guys think?

Also, look for the Seahawks to get in touch with Jovan Haye and perhaps Shaun Cody and some others. It’s clear that the Seahawks are targetting defensive linesmen this offseason, which is probably indicative of the Hawks not liking the top draft options at those positions this year like BJ Raji and Peria Jerry. I would still like them to target Ziggy Hood, but we shall see. ~END~

First Day Free Agency Wrap-up

by: Chris Sullivan

Well guys, I don’t have to tell you this was a big day. While we haven’t heard too awful much about things from the Seahawks point of view, we only lost one of our free agents (adieu, Mo Morris!) and have solid leads on Chris Canty and Houshmandzadeh (who becomes much more important given the Rams’ improved line; they are more likely to grab Crabtree now, though perhaps not much more likely).

A few new pieces of news for you:

• Chris Canty will be in NY visiting the Giants tomorrow and part of Sunday, then flying to Seattle for Sunday / Monday. He could be an incredible addition to the Hawks’ line, and would provide instant help. He probably fills in as a defensive tackle, though would be a DE if the Hawks end up doing a bit of 3-4 hybrid stuff as is all the rage nowadays. Check out Aaron Weinberg’s excellent write-up on Canty this morning at Next Season Sports.
• Kurt Warner’s agent apparently had very “fruitful” talks with the 49ers. I call B.S. on his interest there; I think it’s just to show the Cardinals that there is interest in Warner from other teams.
• The Redskins apparently do not operate under the same salary cap as you and I. They signed G Dockery to a big fat contract today, too.
• The Redskin – Albert Haynesworth contract is not actually as big as it sounded. It’s basically a 4 year, $48 million contract with a whole bunch of ego stroking. There’s a $29 million “poison pill” involved, though what that was is unclear. Anyway, many teams could have afforded Haynesworth for $12 million a year, but it’s clear he wanted to go to Washington.
• Brian Dawkins signed with the Broncos today, shocking me quite honestly. Dawkins in not-green-and-white? Sorry, Pete, guess you’ve gotta get a McNabb jersey now.

Below the cut is a list of every transaction today. There are a LOT, including some big ones. Thanks to WalterFootball.com for putting it in such an easily digestable format:

2009 Offseason Free Agent News Feed:

49ers sign FB Moran Norris
49ers re-sign ILB Takeo Spikes
Bears sign OT Frank Omiyale
Bengals re-sign FS Chris Crocker
Bengals re-sign RB DeDe Dorsey
Broncos sign FS Brian Dawkins
Broncos sign RB Correll Buckhalter
Broncos sign RB J.J. Arrington
Broncos sign WR Jabar Gaffney
Broncos sign FS Renaldo Hill
Buccaneers acquire TE Kellen Winslow Jr. from Browns for a 2nd-round pick (2009) and 5th-round pick (2010)
Cardinals re-sign QB Brian St. Pierre
Chiefs acquire DE/OLB Mike Vrabel from Patriots for an undisclosed pick
Dolphins sign G Joe Berger
Eagles sign OT Stacy Andrews
Falcons re-sign S Jamaal Fudge
Jaguars re-sign C Brad Meester
Jaguars re-sign CB Scott Starks
Jaguars sign SS Sean Considine
Jets acquire CB Lito Sheppard from Eagles for a 2009 5th-round pick and a conditional 2010 pick
Jets re-sign FB Tony Richardson
Jets re-sign G Brandon Moore
Jets sign ILB Bart Scott
Lions sign RB Maurice Morris
Patriots sign RB Fred Taylor
Patriots sign TE Chris Baker
Ravens sign CB Domonique Foxworth
Ravens cut DE Marques Douglas
Ravens re-sign CB Derrick Martin
Redskins re-sign CB DeAngelo Hall
Redskins sign DT Albert Haynesworth
Redskins sign G Derrick Dockery
Redskins cut CB Shawn Springs
Redskins re-sign KR/CB Allen Rossum [that should be the 49ers]
Saints re-sign ILB Jonathan Vilma
Steelers re-sign G Chris Kemoeatu
Texans re-sign DE Stanley McClover
Texans re-sign C Chris White
Titans re-sign QB Kerry Collins
Titans re-sign FS Vincent Fuller
Vikings acquire QB Sage Rosenfels from Texans for a 4th-round pick
Vikings cut QB Gus Frerotte
Vikings re-sign TE Jim Kleinsasser

First Day Free Agency Wrap-up

by: Chris Sullivan

Well guys, I don’t have to tell you this was a big day. While we haven’t heard too awful much about things from the Seahawks point of view, we only lost one of our free agents (adieu, Mo Morris!) and have solid leads on Chris Canty and Houshmandzadeh (who becomes much more important given the Rams’ improved line; they are more likely to grab Crabtree now, though perhaps not much more likely).

A few new pieces of news for you:

• Chris Canty will be in NY visiting the Giants tomorrow and part of Sunday, then flying to Seattle for Sunday / Monday. He could be an incredible addition to the Hawks’ line, and would provide instant help. He probably fills in as a defensive tackle, though would be a DE if the Hawks end up doing a bit of 3-4 hybrid stuff as is all the rage nowadays. Check out Aaron Weinberg’s excellent write-up on Canty this morning at Next Season Sports.
• Kurt Warner’s agent apparently had very “fruitful” talks with the 49ers. I call B.S. on his interest there; I think it’s just to show the Cardinals that there is interest in Warner from other teams.
• The Redskins apparently do not operate under the same salary cap as you and I. They signed G Dockery to a big fat contract today, too.
• The Redskin – Albert Haynesworth contract is not actually as big as it sounded. It’s basically a 4 year, $48 million contract with a whole bunch of ego stroking. There’s a $29 million “poison pill” involved, though what that was is unclear. Anyway, many teams could have afforded Haynesworth for $12 million a year, but it’s clear he wanted to go to Washington.
• Brian Dawkins signed with the Broncos today, shocking me quite honestly. Dawkins in not-green-and-white? Sorry, Pete, guess you’ve gotta get a McNabb jersey now.

Below the cut is a list of every transaction today. There are a LOT, including some big ones. Thanks to WalterFootball.com for putting it in such an easily digestable format:

2009 Offseason Free Agent News Feed:

49ers sign FB Moran Norris
49ers re-sign ILB Takeo Spikes
Bears sign OT Frank Omiyale
Bengals re-sign FS Chris Crocker
Bengals re-sign RB DeDe Dorsey
Broncos sign FS Brian Dawkins
Broncos sign RB Correll Buckhalter
Broncos sign RB J.J. Arrington
Broncos sign WR Jabar Gaffney
Broncos sign FS Renaldo Hill
Buccaneers acquire TE Kellen Winslow Jr. from Browns for a 2nd-round pick (2009) and 5th-round pick (2010)
Cardinals re-sign QB Brian St. Pierre
Chiefs acquire DE/OLB Mike Vrabel from Patriots for an undisclosed pick
Dolphins sign G Joe Berger
Eagles sign OT Stacy Andrews
Falcons re-sign S Jamaal Fudge
Jaguars re-sign C Brad Meester
Jaguars re-sign CB Scott Starks
Jaguars sign SS Sean Considine
Jets acquire CB Lito Sheppard from Eagles for a 2009 5th-round pick and a conditional 2010 pick
Jets re-sign FB Tony Richardson
Jets re-sign G Brandon Moore
Jets sign ILB Bart Scott
Lions sign RB Maurice Morris
Patriots sign RB Fred Taylor
Patriots sign TE Chris Baker
Ravens sign CB Domonique Foxworth
Ravens cut DE Marques Douglas
Ravens re-sign CB Derrick Martin
Redskins re-sign CB DeAngelo Hall
Redskins sign DT Albert Haynesworth
Redskins sign G Derrick Dockery
Redskins cut CB Shawn Springs
Redskins re-sign KR/CB Allen Rossum [that should be the 49ers]
Saints re-sign ILB Jonathan Vilma
Steelers re-sign G Chris Kemoeatu
Texans re-sign DE Stanley McClover
Texans re-sign C Chris White
Titans re-sign QB Kerry Collins
Titans re-sign FS Vincent Fuller
Vikings acquire QB Sage Rosenfels from Texans for a 4th-round pick
Vikings cut QB Gus Frerotte
Vikings re-sign TE Jim Kleinsasser

Rams Connect with Brown

by: William P. Tomisser

Sando reports that the Rams have signed center Jason Brown. There’s one guy I was hoping the Seahawks were looking at. Brown, at 6′ 3″ and 320 lbs, is only 25 years old and will be a fixture at center for the Rams for a long time to come. He will improve their line immediately, and if they do take a left tackle with their first pick in the draft, expect their offensive line to be much improved this year and Jackson to be doing major damage on the ground.

Hasta,

Bill T

UPDATE — The Rams and Brown have agreed to terms for a contract. It will be 5 years, $37.5 million.

END

Reggie Williams Will Not Return to Seattle

By Chris Sullivan

…but not because he sucks (per se), rather because of this — Florio reports:

Jaguars receiver Reggie Williams has continued the franchise's tradition of illegal extracurricular activities (allegedly) via an arrest for driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana, according to MyFOXHouston.com.

The arrest came in Houston on Friday morning.

Momo is Nono Longer a Hawk

by: Chris Sullivan

The Detroit Lions have signed Maurice Morris to a 3-year, $7 million contract the NFL Network is reporting. I can’t verify this online, but my brother just texted me (thanks Tom!) that he saw it on NFLN. I’m at work, but when I get home, I’ll see if I can’t post some sort of retrospective on what I view as one of the more underrated backups in the league who wasn’t given much of a shot and had his performance perpetually discounted when he did play.