This past weekend was the NFL Draft and I have to say I have a really good feeling about the group of guys my Seattle Seahawks drafted:
R1-28 Lawrence Jackson DE USC
R2-38 John Carlson TE ND
R4-121 Red Bryant DT TExas A&M
R5-163 Owen Schmitt FB WV
R6-189 Tyler Schmitt LS San Diego State
R7-233 Justin Forsett RB California
R7-235 Brandon Coutu PK Georgia
You’d think the talk would be about the first rounder, but that is not the case. All the chatter is about our 5th round, #163 overall pick of Owen Schmitt, a fullback out of West Virginia. “The Legend of Owen Schmitt” has become the rage among the Seahawk faithful being carried over from those in Morgantown who loved this guy. I was a huge John L. Williams and Mack Strong fan, so I hope that “The Legend” can carry it on. I have a feeling #12 is going to love Owen Schmitt.
Today, the Seattle Seahawks released Shaun Alexander. With being a Seahawks fan for 30 plus years now, my greatest memory is the 2005 season and Shaun was a HUGE part of that resulting in him winning the MVP of the League and the Seahawks going to their first and only Super Bowl appearance. I think the following quote by Shaun says alot about his status as a Seahawk:
“My family will remain in the Seattle area, and when my days in the NFL do eventually come to an end, I plan to retire here. Our hearts are woven into the fabric of this community, we are blessed to be part of it, and we enjoy contributing to it in every way we can. Thank you, Seattle.”
The Seattle Seahawks finally were able to negotiate a contract with their Franchise Player, CB Marcus Trufant. I think Marcus truly wanted to remain a Seahawks all along, but he also believed he should be paid with the top 3 at his position. I’m not sure if I’d consider Marcus a “shut down” corner or not, but he is definitely ‘very good’ and I’m glad we locked him up through 2013.
Additionally, the Seahawks signed Olindo “Nightmare” Mare to fill the voide that Josh “It’s about winning” Brown created when he decided that the Rams are a better bet for “winning” than the 4-time defending NFC West Champions. The Seahawks have won playoff games the last several years and were in the Super Bowl just 3 years ago while the Rams, well… lets put it this way; Since 2003, the Seahawks are 51-29 in the regular season with 4 straight NFC West Titles and a trip to the Super Bowl. The Rams are 37-43, with no playoff appearances. Sure Josh, it wasn’t about the “money”, it was about “winning”. I hope Olindo can return to his form when he was one of the best kickers in the league, but Josh Brown is a “great” kicker and although I think his comments were insulting and ridiculous, he definitely left huge shoes to be filled in Seattle where kicking is not the easiest job with the weather out there.
Seattle Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell took some criticism in 2005 for trading up in the second-round for USC middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who was considered slightly undersized and a little slow.
Three Pro Bowls and one trip to the Super Bowl later, Tatupu has emerged as the leader of the Seahawks’ defense, and that leadership was rewarded with a six-year contract extension for slightly more than $40 million. Included in the deal is more than $16 million in guarantees.
The deal puts him among the league’s six highest-paid linebackers. His new contract will take him through the 2015 season.
I’m glad they locked my favorite Seahawk (It’s pretty close with Hasselbeck) up for the long term.
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