NFC West
State of the Seahawks – Post Free Agency, Pre-draft
The Seahawks didn’t make a huge splash in free agency but they did make a few key moves:
Additions:
The first and biggest move was signing former Falcon DE Patrick Kerney. Kerney, when healthy, is a solid pass rusher who is always on the move. Kerney can be a great addition to this D IF he is healthy and it should be noted that this was the first season in which he missed significant time to injury. Kerney is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle but it is anticipated he will be ready for training camp. Many Seattle fans and observers see this move as a bit too similar to the signing of big name free agent Grant Wistrom who ended up being a complete bust. We will have to wait and see, but I predict Kerney will be plenty productive and an upgrade on the Seattle defensive front.
The Seahawks also made two moves at Safety in anticipation of losing Ken Hamlin and possibly demoting Michael Boulware. They signed Deon Grant from the Jaguars and Brian Russell from the Browns. Both are known for their ability to quarterback the defense by making sure everyone is in place. Grant is a solid NFL starter who possesses excellent coverage skills on the slot receiver while Russell is probably categorized as a high level backup but not a full time starter. Grant’s coverage ability will likely be the nail in the coffin for Boulware’s starting job.
Marcus Pollard was obtained to temporarily take over the TE spot. He seems to be a bit too gray in the hair and traveled to be the long term answer at this position.
Seattle also retained Floyd Womack and DJ Hackett.
Losses:
The Seahawks let safety Ken Hamlin depart as a UFA to the Cowboys. It is an interesting move since Hamlin appears to be one of the better young safeties in the league and the hawks probably could have signed him to a contract for a relatively cheap price for a starting safety. Maybe the coaching staff was unhappy with his play last season?
Jerramy Stevens put himself out of a job with continual off the field problems combined with lack of on the field production. Chris Henry and Pacman Jones can at least point to great on field production to distract from their run-ins with the law, but Stevens has been nothing but a “potential” guy since he arrived on the team and team management seemed to have had enough with his most recent DUI arrest.
Chris Gray is an unsigned UFA and likely will not return to the team.
Grant Wistrom was released as anticipated.
Trade Rumors:
It is being thrown about that the 49ers are interested in obtaining the services of Darrell Jackson. With the depth that the hawks have at WR I think they should seriously consider any offers they receive (especially if they involve first day picks) and look at moving Nate Burleson or Bobby Engram into the starting lineup.
EFS impact: Grant should continue to be a decent EFS backup but not spectacular and his numbers really won’t change much in Seattle. Some EFS speculation is going on with Pollard. I think he is a bit too old to put up many significant numbers but we will see. He can catch and if Stevens could have done that he would probably have doubled his production. Jackson’s value will change depending on where he ends up, if he stays in Seattle I would expect him to lose some production to Deion Branch. The loss of Gray will probably affect Shaun Alexander’s numbers a bit early in the season while they break in a new guard but Gray is getting old and never was spectacular so he will not be missed too much.
Draft targets:
The Seahawks needs are: DS, DC, OG, OB, TE
The Seahawks #1 pick went to New England in the Deion Branch deal. With pick number 55 (2.23) Seattle will likely target the best remaining DB, hoping for a high level CB to slip to them. If not, they will take an OG or a LB to increase depth at both positions. If somehow Arizona State TE Zach Miller was available with this pick it would be very tempting but he will likely be gone at this point.
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