The Seattle Times: Seahawks Blog

Seahawks begin OTAs tomorrow

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:12:20 PDT

A quick reminder that the Seahawks will begin OTAs (Organized Team Activities) on Monday.

Seahawks.com had a good breakdown earlier this week of where the team is in its off-season program.

Not all of the workouts are open to the media, but we will cover those that are.

As the linked story notes, the Monday OTA is the first of 10 in which the offense and defense are allowed to practice against each other.

The OTAs are spread out through June 6. The team then holds a mandatory minicamp June 11-13 before the veteran break begins on June 14.

Morning kickoff --- Irvin suspension, and more

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:42:58 PDT

Bruce Irvin's four-game suspension was obviously the big news of Friday. Here's our story, as well as that from ESPN.com, the ESPN NFC West blog and USA Today. And a 49ers' defender has no sympathy for Irvin.

In other news. ...

--- Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com lists the most pressing need for every NFL team, and cites the pass rush for the Seahawks --- the Irvin suspension won't help there;

--- The Cowboys are studying the Seahawks' defense;

--- Here's one vote for the Seahawks as the No. 5 seed in the NFC this year;

--- And here's a vote for Russell Wilson as the No. 11 QB in the NFL;

--- The ESPN NFC West blog examines key players coming back from injury on each team;

--- And which NFC West team has had the most starts by rookies the last three years;

--- FieldGulls assesses Golden Tate's contract year;

--- More on tryout signee Victor Marshall;

--- And The Sporting News has odds for every NFC West team.

Updated: Bruce Irvin gets 4-game suspension for banned substances

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:31:05 PDT

Bruce Irvin, Seattle's first-round pick a year ago, has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances, the team announced Friday.

Irvin will not get paid for the first four games -- amounting to around $192,000 in lost salary -- but can still participate in all offseason activities, including preseason games. The Seahawks play at Carolina, San Francisco, Jacksonville and at Houston to start the season. He will be eligible to return when Seattle plays at Indianapolis on Oct. 6.

Irvin released a statement on Friday apologizing and saying he won't appeal the suspension.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, coaches and Seahawks fans for making a mistake when I took a substance that is prohibited in the NFL without a medical exemption,” Irvin said in the statement. “I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgment I showed and take full responsibility for my actions. I will not appeal the discipline and instead will focus my energy on preparing for the season so I can begin earning your trust and respect again. I look forward to contributing to the team the moment I return.”

Irvin played in all 16 games for the Seahawks as a rookie last year. He had eight sacks, playing mostly as a pass-rusher off the edge. He also had 10 tackles and one forced fumble.

The suspension leaves the Seahawks’ defensive line with limited options early in the season.

Chris Clemons, who tore his ACL in the playoff game at Washington last year, is still rehabbing and could miss time early in the 2013 season. Defensive end Greg Scruggs, who had two sacks in his rookie season last year, had surgery for a torn ACL last week. The Seahawks haven't ruled out a return this season, but it's likely he won't play.

That leaves Red Bryant, a returning starter, and free-agent additions Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett at defensive end. The Seahawks signed both players this offseason in moves that, at the time, looked like luxury additions. It doesn't look that way anymore.

In addition to Irvin, Winston Guy, Brandon Browner, John Moffitt, Allen Barbre and Richard Sherman were all been suspended for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing substances in the past two years, although Sherman won his appeal.

Updated: Irvin tweeted this image of a note he wrote on an iPad Friday afternoon. In it, Irvin indicated he knew about the pending suspension for weeks and also referenced his personal image. Irvin, who played at West Virginia, was arrested the month before the 2012 NFL draft and also spent time in jail when he was younger after being arrested for a burglary crime.

"It's crazy to see your name runs across the ticker for negative things,” Irvin’s message said. “I messed up and I feel so bad and have been depressed for weeks now. I've had sleepless nights because I know when this came out, I would let so many people down, including myself. I have worked so hard to rebuild my image and it takes another blow. I see the negative comments and I see the positive and both drives me to come back and have a incredible season.

“To my real fans, I see the comments and appreciate it during this tuff time. Just shows people only love you when your on top, but when adversity hits they show their true colors. Once again, I'm sorry and take full responsibility for my actions.

“I will take this on the chin and move forward to become the best person on and off the field. 12thman I'm sorry I let you down but I promise you when I come back -- all hell will break loose! West Virginia, I love u always and know you have my back and always will. Love on my fans and shout to my haters I know you loving it right now! #comebackkid #12thman #WVU”

Morning kickoff --- A few Seahawks links

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:46:06 PDT

I'll start off with the personal note that I will be in-studio on KJR-AM 950 this morning from 10 a.m.-Noon with Elise Woodward.

We will probably talk mostly about the Sonics situation. But we also plan to talk some Seahawks.

Now, a few links. ...

--- Earl Thomas is No. 66 on the NFL Network's countdown of the top 100 players.

--- The Chiefs have hired longtime Seahawk scout Will Lewis as Director of Pro Scouting.

--- In case you missed it the other day, Richard Sherman has hired the replacement ref who called the Golden Tate TD good against Green Bay to ump his charity softball game.

--- ESPN's Mike Sando and the ESPN710 guys compared the rosters of the Seahawks and 49ers.

--- FieldGulls looks at how to measure the type of athletes the Seahawks are looking for.

--- Pre-Snap Reads breaks down Sherman's 2012 season.

--- CBSSports.com ranks the top offensive linemen and mentions both Russell Okung and Max Unger.

Seahawks sign Spencer Ware

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:01:04 PDT

The Seattle Seahawks have just announced they have signed sixth-round draft choice fullback Spencer Ware to a multi-year contract.

Ware was the 194^th overall selection in April's NFL Draft out of LSU and becomes the eighth Seahawks draft choice under contract.

Running back Christine Michael (second-round), cornerback Tharold Simon (fifth-round) and tackle Michael Bowie (seventh-round) remain unsigned.

Governor Inslee to sign Seahawks and Sounders license plate bill

Thu, 16 May 2013 16:16:04 PDT

Governor Jay Inslee will sign the Seahawks and Sounders license plate bill on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Seahawks training facility in Renton. The bill will allow Seahawks and Sounders fans to buy special license plates with the proceeds going to three non-profit organizations. Inslee will be joined by Seahawks/Sounders FC president Peter McLoughlin, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and Senator Tracey Eide.

Morning kickoff --- ESPN assesses Seattle's off-season, and more

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:01:06 PDT

Not a lot out there this morning on the Seahawks, but here are a few things. ...

--- ESPN.com has an off-season glance at the Hawks;

--- Jason LaConfora of CBSSports.com ranks the Seahawks fifth among NFL front offices;

--- Grantland.com says the rest of the NFL should be worried now that Percy Harvin is a Seahawk;

--- Here's a little bit more on receiver Victor Marshall, who signed with the Seahawks after last week's tryout;

--- PennLive.com with more on the Jordan Hill-Jesse Williams connection;

--- Seahawks.com with more on DE Benson Mayowa, who also was signed out of the tryout camp;

--- Finally, an interesting chart here on players drafted by high school.

Report --- Seahawks claim Raiders' long snapper

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:01:05 PDT

The Seahawks announced today they have claimed long snapper Adam Steiner from the Raiders. They waived/injured DB Chandler Fenner to make room on the 90-man roster.

Seattle has one long snapper on the roster in Clint Greshman, who is due to make $1.32 million this season.

Steiner had been cut by the Raiders on Monday.

Here's a story on Steiner from last month.

NFL releases entire preseason schedule

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:01:06 PDT

The NFL has today released the entire 2013 preseason schedule. Here it is.

Here is Seattle's full 2013 schedule.

Seattle's preseason games are as follows:

Aug. 8 --- at San Diego, 7 p.m.

Aug. 17 --- Denver, 7 p.m.

Aug. 23 --- at Green Bay, 5 p.m.

Aug. 29 --- Oakland, 5 p.m.

All times Seattle time.

Six Seahawks on CBSSports.com lists of top 100 players in the NFL

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:16:03 PDT

This may be a slow time of the NFL season, but it's far from listless. Instead, it's the time of year when there are lists galore, of best this and top that, as NFL writers try to fill the void.

One list of the Top 100 Players in the NFL comes today from CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco.

Six Seahawks made the list --- you can read what they said about the players below:

9. Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks: He is cocky, brash and plays with a nasty edge. Oh, he can also cover. He had eight picks and led the league with 32 passes defended. He's damn good. Just ask him.

51. Earl Thomas, S, Seattle Seahawks: He is the centerfielder on a good defense, showing off both range and the ability to tackle. He is just now getting to his prime.

82. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks: Despite his size, he showed in his rookie season that he has what it takes to be a top-level quarterback. It's early, but he gets it.

86. Russell Okung, T, Seattle Seahawks: He is the anchor of the Seattle line, the guy who protects Russell Wilson's backside. He is coming off his best season.

87. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks: He had 1,590 yards and averaged 5 yards per rush. He is a big reason why Seattle made the playoffs.

97. Percy Harvin, WR, Seattle Seahawks: He is an explosive playmaker when he's on the field. But he's had trouble staying there and his per-catch average of 10.9 needs to be better.

Morning kickoff --- Assessing the draft picks, and more

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:01:06 PDT

Time for a few morning links. ...

--- Jayson Jenks reviews how the Seahawk draft picks performed during last weekend's rookie mini-camp;

--- ESPN.com's Mike Sando says Jesse Williams, Luke Willson and Spencer Ware should all compete for playing time this season;

--- A few Seahawks mentioned in this CBSSports.com piece rating the NFL's defensive linemen;

--- CBSSports.com also calls Cliff Avril the No. 2 most impactful free agent of 2013;

--- LB Bobby Wagner is one of Pete Pricso's top players under the age of 23;

--- NFL.com says the Seahawks are "the trendiest team'' in the league;

--- NFL.com also says the Seahawks have one of the best receiving corps in the league;

--- ProFootballTalk is accepting nominees for the Seahawks' Mt. Rushmore;

--- The Sporting News assesses the Seahawks' fantasy values.

Morning kickoff --- Wrapping up mini-camp, and more

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:31:04 PDT

Some links wrapping up the rookie mini-camp, and other stuff. ...

--- Jayson Jenks wrote the story for our paper this morning on the quest of Jerrod Johnson to win the backup QB job.

As Jenks wrote of the competition for the backup spot:

Johnson previously had stints with two other NFL teams — the Eagles in 2011 and Steelers in 2012 — but he never played in any games and therefore was allowed to participate in Seattle's three-day rookie minicamp. The Seahawks signed Johnson in late April, so he entered with some familiarity with the playbook and calls.

He will compete with Brady Quinn and Josh Portis for a backup quarterback spot; the Seahawks kept only two quarterbacks on the active roster last season.

--- The Associated Press focused on the receiver spot;

--- Here's a wrapup from Seahawks.com;

--- Casey Brockman, one of the QBs in on a tryout, did not get an offer;

--- Here's a little feature on another player who got a tryout, WR Austin Coleman;

--- FieldGulls has some thoughts on Seattle's offensive line draft class;

--- ESPN.com recaps the rookie camps around the NFC West;

--- Former Seahawk Aaron Curry signed with the New York Giants over the weekend.

Rookie mini-camp day three --- Notes and quotes

Sun, 12 May 2013 17:01:05 PDT

The rookie mini-camp concluded Sunday.

As it did, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll walked off with one of the 38 players here getting a tryout --- running back Peter Nguyen of Bellevue High and Montana.

Only a few --- if any --- of the players who got tryouts this weekend will be signed, and Carroll understood that for many of the players here, this minicamp could serve as both a highlight of their careers, as well as an ending.

"Some of these guys won’t play football again, this might have been their last day on the football field,'' Carroll said. "So we tried to show them that we really did appreciate and respect the heck out of what they did for us. Peter Nguyen was one of those guys. Walked off the field with him here and he had a good time out here, he did fine, so it’s a fun part of the game.

The three workouts were no pads, no contact, so concrete evaluations are a little hard to make in this setting.

Still, Carroll said he saw enough to be excited about the 2013 draft class.

"It was cool to see these guys able to really run the offense and defense after three days time and working against each other,'' he said. "Today was kind of the test day to see how much they learned. … real pleased with the draft guys. Everybody looked like they fit into the role that we hoped for. A million miles to go but I thought the tackles up front looked, the defensive tackles looked nice and fit in right, both Luke (Willson) at tight end, you continue to see him get a lot of balls, and Chris Harper got a lot of balls today, and the running backs are going to be a factor. Really happy with Spencer Ware playing both fullback and tailback and all the way down the line. A big jump for (center) Jared Smith and a lot to ask him early and we gave him some problems out here but physically he’s going to be able to do what we want. … and (QB) Jerrod Johnson did a nice job, too, running the club. You could see he benefited from being with us and able to give us a little bit of expertise out there kind of like the vet because he’d been around the older guys. All of that made for a good camp and I think the momentum coming out is just like we hoped.''

Asked if there were any surprises, Carroll mentioned defensive end Benson Mayuowa of Idaho and Inglewood, Calif., who was in on a tryout.

"He did a nice job,'' Carroll said. "There are a number of guys that showed some stuff but we have some big decisions to make to figure out how we are going to round up the roster here with about 5-6 guys. But he was a guy that really jumped out rushing the passer and looked pretty fast on the edge.''

Here are a few other thoughts from Carroll:

--- On Willson, who was one of the standout players of the camp: "We really did give him a chance in this camp to see if the speed did show up and it did, he’s very fast. He will be our fastest tight end in camp. We don’t know anything about his blocking at this point --- we won’t know about that until camp. But as far as calling him to fit a role and be a downfield type of guy and mix in with these fellas and compete for it it was pretty cool.''

--- On the shape of defensive tackles Jesse Williams and Jordan Hill: “Those guys did very well. They were in better shape than the other guys. They were not taxed by the workload, and that just means they have been working hard to get here. Jordan Hill is really in good shape and I thought Jesse handled it well. He weighed in at 329 or whatever it was and that was really a pleasant surprise that he could handle it. ... We played Jordan at nose tackle a lot and Jesse at the three technique. Jordan is an accomplished nose tackle, he knows how to play the position. … he’s got good long arms for his size and heuses his hands really well. He got in the backfield and penetrated a lot and he looks like he could be a really good addition to complement (Brandon) Mebane in there.’’

--- On cornerback Tharold Simon: “He did a good job. He fits the profile of the guys that we like --- he’s long, he’s an aggressive kid. Has good savvy, could anticipate routes and things. We don’t know what kind of condition he is in yet but we will get him stronger and right and when he gets into camp I would think he would be able to compete with our guys.’’

--- On Johnson’s throwing mechanics which he had to alter due to shoulder surgery: "I don’t know much about what he was before. I asked him to throw his old way and he said he couldn't do it, so that’s a good thing. He’s got a very good arm, he can really gun the football down the field. He’s got a great presence and he’s such a big guy in the pocket, totally different than our guys. If he can hang with us you will see us utilize him doing the things that he can do well and he’s bright and has handled things very well, so we are excited about him.’’

--- On the difference between this rookie class and last year's: "It’s different when you don’t have the quarterback. My whole focus last year was watching the quarterback (Russell Wilson). But what is similar is the the guys that we picked, specifically for roles, look like they are going to fit. If they can make a spot for themselves is the question. But everybody fit right. Having Bruce (Irvin) and Russell showing up at camp last year that was pretty flashy start and Russell just dominated the camp with 500 throws. Imagine these guys all of those throws (there were three QBs here), Russell made every one of those throws. He didn’t let anybody else throw. So it’s quite a bit different in that regard.''

Videos --- Carroll, Johnson

Sun, 12 May 2013 15:46:05 PDT

The Seahawks' three-day rookie mini-camp has concluded. I'll pass along some notes later.

For now, here are a couple of videos.

First, coach Pete Carroll with his opening statement wrapping up the camp:

And quarterback Jerrod Johnson talking about the camp and being healthy: