Seahawks Sign Local WR Herd, Waive WR Matt Austin

Wide receiver Matt Austin, who agreed to terms with the Seahawks as a rookie free agent immediately following the 2013 NFL Draft, has been waived from the club, the team announced this afternoon. Wide receiver Greg Herd, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound product out of Eastern Washington University has been signed in Austin’s place.
Herd, a native of Tacoma, Wash., originally agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys following April’s draft. A 2009 graduate of Washington’s Steilacoom High School, Herd played at quarterback and defensive back for the school before moving to wideout for the Eagles.
In four seasons at Eastern, Herd made 165 catches (good for ninth in school history) for 2,348 yards (11th in school history) and 17 touchdowns (13th in school history). He started 22 of the 47 games in which he appeared and in 2012 was named honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference, when he grabbed 66 passes for 952 yards and seven scores.
At his Pro Day back in March, Herd ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash and added a 33.5-inch vertical leap.

SEAHAWKS SIGN DT MICHAEL BROOKS, WAIVE DT JORDAN ROUSSOS

 Renton, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks have released guard Jordon Roussos and claimed defensive tackle Michael Brooks off waivers (Detroit), the team announced this afternoon.
Brooks originally signed with the Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent in April after a four-year career at East Carolina, where he played in 42 games with 142 tackles in his career. He was named to the All-Conference USA second-team after a senior season with 34 stops in 10 games.
Roussos signed with Seattle as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 10.

"UP AND DOWN" OFF-SEASON FOR SEAHAWKS: REASON FOR CONCERN?

FANS CAN'T WAIT FOR 2013 NFL SEASON TO BEGIN

As the highly-anticipated 2013 National Football League season approaches, all 32 franchises began to survey their chances at competing for a division title, a conference title and the coveted Lombardi trophy.  There are still five teams that have yet to traverse the 16 game regular season, and the playoff challenges to even get to the Super Bowl.  However, with more parity than any of the major professional  sports league in America, that optimism is not too far-reaching for even the worst team to consider.  While it's probable that last place teams from the previous year have a taller mountain to climb, free agency has made it possible for a struggling franchise to go from worst to first in a single off-season.

The NFL salary cap has limited teams from building dynasties the way that the Dallas Cowboys did in the 90s and the San Francisco 49ers did in the 80s.  Players are signing shorter contracts for more money and unrestricted free agents have the freedom to choose the team they will play for, providing the franchise offers up the most money and most secure contract.  The way that the most recent collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was negotiated, veteran players are likely to get bigger contracts, but less likely to play later in their careers.  Rookies are now playing under a CBA that limits their ability to strike big contracts directly out of the draft, but more likely to make  team's rosters due to salary cap restraints causing teams to load up on cheaper players that are easier to fit into a financial model of success and creating much younger rosters.  In other words, the NFL is wiping out the middle earning players the way that the US government is creating a more severe disparity of wealth and poverty among working Americans.  There are fewer players signing lengthy contracts for moderate amounts of money, and more rookies signing for the limited four-year contracts and then waived once the contract expires or the team gambles on a player's viability of being replaced with equal or slightly less talented players.  The best players in football are signing mammoth deals and most of those players are; quarterbacks, wide receivers, left tackles and corners.  It is likely that the current CBA will be renegotiated in the next two years based on the imbalance of player revenue and the team owner's insistence on redefining the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs (PED) and the declining state of player conduct on and off the field.  Yesterday, the NFL announced that they would like to institute immediate testing for the drug "Human Growth Hormone" (HGH).  It is expected that the NFL players Association will respond by rejecting the request by the NFL league office.  In order for drug testing policies to change, the present CBA would have to be renegotiated and that could be a huge rats nest for the league, especially after the lockout two years ago while the NFLPA and league office couldn't come to an agreement and nearly missed a regular-season play stoppage.

The Seahawks had perhaps the best off-season of any team in the NFL this year, trading for the electrifying wide receiver Percy Harvin and signing four high profile free agents; DE Cliff Avril, DE Michael Bennett, DT Tony McDaniel and CB Antoine Winfield.  All five players were highly sought after in the NFL, but all chose the Seahawks as their home team for  the upcoming season and beyond.  However, since then much as been discussed in terms of just how successful the Seahawks were in collecting these five players and some of the negative activity of players already on the Seahawks roster from last season.  Shortly after Michael Bennett was signed to a one-year deal, it was announced that he was nursing a torn rotator cuff and was considering surgery.  He has decided to put off surgery until the end of this upcoming season, and revealed that he played the entire 2012 season with the injury and wasn't affected by it, logging his highest career sack title in a season, 9.5 sacks.  Bennett will play through the injury and has scheduled surgery after the conclusion of the 2013 season.  Recently, Cliff Avril was diagnosed with a foot injury (plantar fasciitis) which was sustained this off-season during his off-season training program.  Pete Carroll addressed the injury saying that Avril will heal from the injury, but will be held out of full practice activity for at least two weeks.  The concern is that this variety of injury can be chronic if not rested properly.  Avril is a veteran defensive end and should be fully capable and ready to play by the first preseason game.  Then, after all this, Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Mike Quinn will have to deal with the most recent step backwards for the Seahawks, Bruce Irvin testing positive for PED's.  The drug has been reported to be the familiar stimulant "Adderall" prohibited by the NFL without a doctor's prescription.  Irvin is without a prescription and is the sixth team player linked to the drug since Pete Carroll was hired as head coach of the Seahawks three years ago.  Irvin has announced that he will not appeal the test results and has been suspended by the NFL for four games at the beginning of the 2013 season.  If that's not enough, the Seahawks are still uncertain of the return of sack specialist, Chris Clemons, after season ending surgery from a torn ACL Clemons suffered in the wild-card playoff game at Washington last season.  Clemons' rehabilitation process is reported to be ahead of schedule, but all reports suggest that he will not be available for the first game of the regular season.  So, what was once considered the greatest improvement for the Seahawks has turned into somewhat of a question mark.  In the Seahawks favor, they did draft two talented defensive lineman in the draft (DT Jordan Hill/NT Jesse Williams) and their offense is much more explosive with addition of Percy Harvin and the maturation of second year quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson had a fantastic rookie season and appears to be getting better with each passing game.  Having Harvin lining up in several positions and his ability to create instant separation, he should become the young quarterbacks favorite target right out of the blocks. Because of the loss of Bruce Irvin in the first four games, it's even more critical that Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett step up and create a reliable defensive pass rush until Irvin returns and Clemons is through rehabbing.  Once they return, the Seahawks defensive line should become one of the best in the NFL. For now, Carroll and Quinn will have to coach the heck out of the new draftees and hope that Bennett and Avril get and stay healthy.

Troubles on the offensive side of the football for the Seahawks are also still looming.  Starting halfback, Marshawn Lynch, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.  Lynch has appealed his arrest and any potential action by the NFL for violation of their personal conduct policy.  Lynch was arrested before the 2012 season, but his case has been delayed several times, including the most recent delay of ruling on May 20.  It's uncertain how many games Lynch could be suspended if he is convicted and the league or the Seahawks decide to take action.  Just one more distraction to the team and more negative attention that the Seahawks do not need.

Chancellor, in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday, said the team had a meeting after Irvin's suspension.

"The vets, we put a meeting together to talk to the guys about not making the same mistakes over and over," he said

 "We have to grow up and move past that," Chancellor said. "That's pretty much the message right now, growing up and not making the same mistakes over and over."
Chancellor called Irvin a "key part of our defense," but said he was confident in Seahawks' depth will help to fill the void left by his suspension in the season's first four games.
"Whoever steps in in that role will do an amazing job as well," Chancellor said. "So we shouldn't miss a beat."

Coach Pete Carroll said last week that the Seahawks go beyond the league requirements for educating players, but he said they will continue to re-evaluate what needs to be done.

"Continually because it's not right yet. We all know that there are big issues. It's not just here it's not just in sports. It's in schools. It's everywhere," he said. "We have to try and figure it out and help through education and all of the ways that we can and we'll always compete to try and find more creative ways to make the message clear."

In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio last week, Seahawks general manager John Schneider called Irvin's suspension a "learning opportunity" for the team.

"This is something we take very seriously here," Schneider said in the interview. "The league has done a great job of educating guys and we've actually gone above and beyond what the league has done. We have a guy in place here that helps our player development people. You do what you can. It's very disappointing. Pete and I sat down with Bruce. Pete addressed it with the team. Bruce addressed the team."

The rest of the Seattle Seahawks roster looks great.  Coach Carroll raved about his newly drafted tight end, Luke Willson (with two L's).  Coach said how impressed he was with the rookie's speed and great hands.  The Seahawks have badly needed a tight end to play on the other side of the offensive line, opposite Zach Miller.  Miller has been a fixture at the position and blocks and catches passes equally well.  Willson already possesses all the skills to be a great pass catching tight end, but like most rookies at the position, his blocking will need to improve.  Carroll also praised Chris Harper, the hefty wide receiver with the kind of speed the Seahawks and needed on the outside for some time.  Harper is 6'1" and 235 lbs. and with a 4.45 40, he has the kind of speed to get separation and threaten the top end of defenses.  "He is the size and speed of a wide receiver that we don't presently have," said Carroll.  "He  has the combination of speed, size and hands to make catches with defenders hanging all over him."  Another player receiving good marks from the coaching staff is 6'5" 335 lb. Jesse Williams.  The Seahawks sorely needed a player of Williams stature after losing  Alan Branch to the Buffalo Bills in free agency.  Now that Red Bryant is healthy and the addition of Williams, Jordan Hill and Tony McDaniel, the Seahawks now have a formidable interior defensive line to add to Brendan Mebane and Clinton McDonald.  Stuffing the running game should be something the Seahawks will be able to do again proficiently.

The national view of the 2013 Seahawks began with a huge bang.  The Seahawks were voted the best defense in the NFL and the fourth best offense behind just New England and Denver.  It's a universal belief that the Seahawks possess the most physical and dominating defensive secondary in football.  With the addition of free agents and draft selections, hopefully the Seahawks run defense will also become dominant this year.

Most draft analysts believed the Seahawks would be a much better team if they got help at the linebacker position  and added a threatening wide receiver through the draft or free agency.  Adding Percy Harvin to the Seahawks wide receiver Corps, Seattle became a much more dangerous offensive threat immediately.  However, Carroll and GM John Schneider opted not to take an outside linebacker early in the draft as most expected they would.  Seattle did pick a OLB in the seventh round, Ty Powell, a versatile defensive end drafted to play on the Will position.  Pete Carroll addressed the press and indicated he and Schneider were comfortable with Powell and the players already on the roster to handle the spot vacated by the release of veteran Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill.  Malcolm Smith played the position for most of the snaps in the last half of the season and the Seahawks may have found a hidden gem in John Lotulelei.  Lotulelei was signed as a undrafted free-agent out of the University of Idaho.  He has a huge mane of hair out the back of his helmet, and more importantly, a motor that just doesn't stop.  Lotulelei is just 5'11", which is primarily why he wasn't drafted, but he  weighs in at 240 lbs. and has the lateral speed to play in space and to pursue sideline to sideline.  His highlight reel reminds one of Lofa Tatupu and Troy Polamalu, and not just because they are also of Polynesian dissent.  It's hard however not to think of Polamalu with the black hair flying out of the back of his helmet.  I think Lotulelei could be a real steal for the Seahawks and he might just make the team because of his potential in special teams.  He is like a heat-seeking missile on the field and a real nose and instinct for the football.

There is a lot to be excited about the Seattle Seahawks and the upcoming season.  I'm not big on a lot of Super Bowl talk in May, or November for that matter, but the people who lay down money to guesstimate who will be hoisting the big shiny gold football in February like the Seahawks a lot.  Las Vegas odds have the Seahawks a 17 to 2 favorite to win the Super Bowl. It's a long, long season and it all has to be proven out on the field, but the Seahawks don't care about polls or odds.  I think the leadership on this football team will be focused and ready to play when the whistle blows.

Vegas Odds to win Super Bowl XLVIII:
San Francisco 49ers 6/1
Denver Broncos 7/1
New England Patriots 8/1
Seattle Seahawks 17/2
Green Bay Packers 12/1

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HARVIN CREATES GREAT PROBLEMS FOR SEAHAWKS TO HAVE

Percy Harvin Evading The 49ers In This Futuristic Image.

 The Seattle Seahawks, once again, made a lot of analysts and Seahawks fans alike scratch their heads in disbelief, wondering; "What could possibly be GM John Schneider and HC Pete Carroll's strategy for the 2013 NFL draft?"  Going in to the draft, the Seahawks wanted to improve at various positions, not truly needing any particular player or position.  It was widely believed that the Seahawks would be looking for depth and improvement at; weak side linebacker, deep threat wide receiver and run stuffing defensive tackle.  So, what did Carroll and Schneider do?  Well, first of all they began the draft process by trading away their first round selection (and some change) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for pro-bowl, All-Pro wide receiver, Percy Harvin.  Initially, fans and analysts thought the price for Harvin was much too steep.  This was until they began to see that this 2013 draft class didn't feature a single player considered to be a "playmaking", "sure thing", or "game changer" in any of the draft's seven rounds.  The Seahawks were positioned at the 25 spot in the first round, and Carroll and Schneider knew that there was no equal value in the entire draft to Percy Harvin.  Ever since he exploded onto the football scene at his hometown Virginia high school, Percy has been a highly sought after athlete. The Seattle Seahawks are fortunate enough to have a visionary, dealmaking GM and an innovative HC to recognize Harvin's skill set and how he could become even more dominant in a Seahawks uniform than anywhere he has previously played.  Pete Carroll is the second oldest active head coach in the NFL, but has continued to have success largely because of his willingness to evolve along with the ever-changing NFL game.  Previous coaching greats such as; Tom Landry, Chuck Knox, Don Shula and Bud Grant thrived during eras that fit their coaching styles.  However, when the game began to pass them by, these great leaders didn't adjust to the style of football that continues to evolve evolve with each passing season.

So, why exactly do Pete Carroll and John Schneider feel that Percy Harvin is an ideal fit for the Seahawks, so much so that they sacrificed three valuable draft selections including a number one?

It's a fair question, but I think I can give a more than fair answer for why the duo of Carroll and  Schneider risked losing, in particular a number one draft choice, and some change for one single player.  It can be explained in two words: “Awesome and Versatile”.

Percy Harvin isn’t simply a great wide receiver, he's really a freak in cleats.  While it is true that he is a gifted pass receiver, to pigeonhole him into one position would be a miscarriage of football justice.  Harvin is one of the most unique and multifaceted football players in the NFL today.  He was the most highly sought prep football player in the nation, coming out of his hometown, Chesapeake Virginia.  Harvin caught the eye of every legitimate college football scout in the English-speaking world with his freakish athleticism, his unyielding drive to excel and undying dedication to the sport of football.  He had a spectacular career at the University of Florida as a blue-chip freshman wideout playing both running back and wide receiver, being the only Florida player to run for 100 yards and catch passes also for 100 yards in a single game.  He even played some situational football at the quarterback position for his coach, Urban Meyer at Florida, now the head coach of the Ohio  Buckeyes.  Harvin announced he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.  He was a first-round draft choice by the Minnesota Vikings in 2009, and went on to be awarded the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honor.

Seahawks offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, has been with Pete throughout the three year Carroll regime in Seattle.  Bevell was also the OC for the Vikings in 2009 while Harvin played his first year in Minnesota.  So, it’s suffice to say that the decision to trade for Harvin was largely influenced by the fact that Bevell knew how to use Harvin’s talents and how the multi talented player would fit in to the Seahawks offensive scheme.  It was also of major consideration on how Harvin would fit with the Seahawks starting quarterback, Russell Wilson. Wilson has shown a propensity to utilize multiple position pass catchers checking down as many as four receivers on a single play before delivery a past or pulling down the ball and running. Wilson will certainly need to utilize all of his senses of field awareness with the Seahawks current offensive weaponry, especially with the addition of Percy Harvin. There will be offensive sets were; Marshawn Lynch, Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Percy Harvin will all be on the field simultaneously.  This will create an ultra-competitive environment, not only in practice, but in games where receivers will have to work extra hard to get open and give Russell Wilson a big open target to throw to on each passing down.  I didn't even mention tight ends; Zach Miller, Luke Willson and wideout; Chris Harper.  Also fighting for the sixth wide receiver spot are;, Steven Williams, Brett Swain, Jermaine Kearse, Charly Martin, Phil Bates and super speedy local rookie, Justin Veltung, who will undoubtedly receive a lot of support from Seattle fans.  Wilson's biggest problem is going to be figuring out how to distribute the ball to the many weapons he will have with him on the field at all times.

Harvin is most known for his countless position skills and is believed to be the most effective  versatile players in the game.  He is listed as a wide receiver, his usual position to line up in, however it would be a mistake for a defender to assume that Harvin is simply a pass catching receiver.  This is one of the huge reasons that the Seattle Seahawks were willing to give up such a large combination of trade particulars to get Harvin on the Seahawks roster before he re-signed with the Vikings or anyone else snatched him up.

As I mentioned, Percy Harvin played slot and wide receiver positions, but he alsothe played flanker, halfback and even quarterback for the Florida Gators. He was also their primary punt and kick returner, imposing his sprinter’s speed and elusive running style to evade tacklers in open field.  Watching him on high school highlight films in Virginia and college reels at Florida, Harvin looked like a man running among boys.  He was simply running in a faster gear than everyone else on the football field, and add-in his shifty, elusiveness and he is a scary player to try and stop from taking the ball to the house every time he touches the ball.

Harvin took his “Human Highlight Film” skills to Minnesota and continued ripping up large chunks of football field real estate while opposing players watched him whiz by, leaving nothing but a breeze for them to remember him by.  No doubt, the Seahawks were impressed watching him make fools of some of the best open field tacklers in football.  The Seahawks had a very capable kick returner in Leon Washington, but Washington did possess skills even close to Percy Harvin or the pure versatility to cause problems for defensive coordinators every time he walked on the field.  Washington was a great teammate in the locker room, and a great kick returner to help Seattle start their offensive possessions in very good field position.  He’ll be messed as a teammate, but Harvin more than makes up for the loss, plus Harvin has soft hands and is brutally difficult to bring down after the catch.

Darrell Bevell was speaking at a press conference shortly after the NFL draft and began to elaborate on the plans he and Carroll had for Percy Harvin once he was on the field with the Seahawks this year.  The word “Nightmare” keeps coming up in discussion topics regarding Harvin.  He simply creates a nightmare for defensive coordinators, and opposing defensive personnel every time he touches the ball or simply walks onto the field.  Because he can line up at the X, or the Y receiver positions is not certain until the ball is snapped whether he’s going to be covered by a corner, safety or linebacker.  The Seahawks often run an empty backfield, giving the defense an opportunity to substitute extra corners or safeties that operate in the nickel or dime defensive sets.  In this scenario, Harvin could go in motion from the split end or the slot and line up in the backfield as a halfback or in the pistol, with the quarterback in the shotgun formation.  Obviously, with a speedy and physical running back on the field, it’s a disadvantage for the defense to have too many defensive backs and not enough defensive lineman or linebackers.  Running the ball right up the gut would create problems and much smaller defensive backs would have to come in tight, were linebacker would normally play.  Just the reverse, Harvin could line up as a halfback in the (11 or 12 personnel) causing the DC to substitute an extra linebacker or defensive end to stuff a possible rushing play.  Harvin could then motion to the Pro or nasty position and gain a mismatch with a much bigger, slower linebacker or even a defensive end forced to drop into space.  This would be a perfect scenario for Russell Wilson to make lineup changes just before the snap.  This kind of offensive weaponry requires a bright quarterback to recognize opposing substitutions and defensive sets immediately.  The QB must also be able to recognize whether or not there are mismatches to be exploited… and it must be done on-the-fly.  Russell Wilson is precisely the type of QB to run an offense with this type of systematic play calling.  Usually, a player substitution is necessary to convert a passing play to a run, or vice versa.  This is where Percy Harvin gives his team a gigantic advantage schematically.  Harvin can equally transition from receiver to rushing back without the coaching staff having to make unnecessary substitutions.  He could go in motion from tailback to the slot and back again, making it nearly impossible for defensive coordinators and the “on field play caller” (usually the “Mike” LB) to set up a specific defensive package to fit the offensive formation.  

The New England Patriots like to use “Hurry-Up” and “No-Huddle” schemes to take advantage of opposing defenses trying to substitute the right position players before the ball is snapped.  It’s important for me to clarify the difference between a “Hurry-Up” and “No-Huddle” offense.  A “Hurry-Up” offense requires the quarterback and position players to memorize a predetermined sequence of; formations, plays, cadence and snap count, without huddling up.  The “Hurry-Up” may also include offensive substitutions.  On the other hand, a “No-Huddle” offense includes no substitutions, simply forming at the line of scrimmage before the opposing defense can use any substitutions.  The two-minute offense is a prime example of a “Hurry-Up” scheme, designed to utilize clock time and limit opposing defenses from schematically substituting players to stop a specific an obvious sequence of plays to score.

Once again, to emphasize Percy Harvin’s value to the Seahawks 2013 roster, the man is just flat out, no argument, the most versatile, dangerous man in the NFL with the football in his hands.  There is no team in the National Football League that can match up against him if there is even the smallest amount of talent on their offensive roster.  The Seahawks have the most dangerous sets of offensive weaponry in football.  If a defense focuses on Russell Wilson, they will have to cope with Beast Mode running over them.  If Beast Mode is stopped, Russell Wilson will simply pick them apart using Harvin, Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Zach Miller, or rookies; WR Chris Harper and TE Luke Willson.  This is hard to fathom, but if all of those awesome weapons are covered, then the 4.4 speed QB Wilson will tuck the ball and rip off as much yardage and they will give him.  There is simply no direction that the defense can ignore without opening up all sorts of dangerous weapons from the Seahawks all over the field.  The Seahawks should be considering a new sponsor for the currently named “CenturyLink Field” to “Excedrin Field” because anyone foolish enough to enter the Seahawks gridiron will be suffering the worst kind of headache known to mankind.  “Excedrin Field” will be the perfect storm for headache sufferers from faraway places.  Bring your earplugs to the Pacific Northwest if you value your sense of hearing in the future.  Percy Harvin is going to bring Seattle Seahawks fans to their feet… and they will be leaving hoarse and exhilarated.  Go Hawks!

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GET YOUR BUTT UP TO THE VMAC MARSHAWN!

This is a statement Lynch gave after being arrested on the suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

The Seattle Seahawks 2013 organized team activities (OTA) are in full swing at the VMAC (Virginia Mason Athletic Center) in Renton, where the Seahawks workout facility is located.  First, the Seahawks conducted a mini camp with the veterans that lasted three days, followed by a rookie minicamp, also three days, which is how it's been for the last three years.  The Seahawks are perhaps on the precipice of a season to be remembered and every single veteran and rookie was present for phase 3 of the off-season protocol developed by the recent collective bargaining agreement reached between the NFLPA and the NFL.  Well, every single player was present for phase 3, the first phase where rookies and veterans report at the same time and the first OTA where coaches can also be working with the players on the same field.  Head coach Pete Carroll was delighted to see all of his 90 man roster present for this most recent OTA.  Every player except for Marshawn Lynch.  By league rule, the first three OTA's are considered "voluntary", and Marshawn Lynch utilizes the full extent of the term voluntary as he has never attended any of the voluntary OTA's conducted by the Seattle Seahawks team.

As the Seahawks prepare to answer the critics and put together what could be the best Seahawks football team in its franchise history, you'd like to see every single player on the roster present for all of the team activities, voluntary or required.  Marshawn Lynch has always been a strange cat, marching, not to the beat of his own drum, but to a completely different band.  He rarely takes an interview on a radio or television and simply doesn't involve himself with the media in any way if he can avoid it.  Lynch is more likely to talk to the media after a tough loss than after the Seahawks  trounce their opponent or if he himself has a particularly great game.  The teams starting fullback, Michael Robinson, produces his own behind-the-scenes video montage of the Seahawks players off the field, "The Real Robinson Report", but each time he points the camera or microphone Lynch's way, the halfback turns his back, walks away or sometimes simply pulled the hood of his jacket over his head to avoid being part of the Seahawks effort to personalize the players.  Yes, Lynch is one-of-a-kind, and many people feel like he deserves a pass for some of his idiosyncrasies or his complete oddball way of relating to other people of his same species.  But, the pro-bowl halfback has been with the team long enough to become one of the true leaders and many believe that he should be setting an example, not only on the field, but off as well.  Each of the Seahawks seasons that Lynch has been on the team, he has posted very good to excellent statistics.  He shows up big in big games and always seems to give 100% effort with each carry and with each game.  He catches the ball out of the backfield surprisingly well and is equally difficult to tackle after a reception as he is breaking through the offensinve line and dancing around linebackers and defensive backs. Each of his last two seasons he has eclipsed the 1000 yard marker and last season rushed for nearly 1600 yards.  Lynch is beginning to show signs of wear on his body, however.  He hasn't missed any gametime with Seattle, though they pamper him throughout the week because of a chronic back problem, as he suffers from back spasms that are likely related to his style of relentless, tackle breaking running style.

So, does Lynch deserve a pass for these so-called "voluntary workouts" at the team facility in Renton, Washington?  He's missed the voluntary workouts each of the years he has been in Seattle, and even during the required work out team activities, he is often seen in sweats, standing on the sidelines while the rest of the team goes through walk-throughs and seven on seven drills or real drills with the first team offense.  Years ago, former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson stated that there are some players that produce on the field and it is that every player is evaluated by what they contribute to the team, and those players will obviously be treated in a different manner than those who don't.  Has Marshawn Lynch produced so much on the field that he has carte blanche with Pete Carroll to miss voluntary team workouts and conditioning activities?  Or is it a poor decision to separate himself from the rest of his teammates, back injury or no back injury?  This football team is in better condition, roster wise, than any Seahawks team in the franchises 38 year history.  Having the most accomplished and statistically successful players setting the example for every player on the roster younger or perhaps a rookie seems to be something any coach would encourage, if not outright demand.  Lynch was rewarded with a very lucrative contract extension last year, and no one can argue that he played up to the details of his multimillion dollar, multi-year contract terms.  However, it just seems like Lynch is reluctant or completely antisocial with his fellow Seahawks players when it comes to game preparation or any other kind of organized team activity.

It has been said that; "What makes a champion is;  people who are willing, if not eager, to do the large and small things that losers are not willing to do."(paraphrased). I believe in that notion and that's why I wonder what coach Pete Carroll believes about Marshawn Lynch choosing not to show up with his fellow teammates, especially as they prepare for such a season of hope and expectations.  I've asked myself; Would Barry Sanders skip out because the workouts are voluntary?  How about Earl Campbell, or Jim Brown or the great Walter Payton? Would Dick Butkus, Jack ham, Jack Lambert or Ray Nitchke pass on a team activity just because it was voluntary?  Champions take every opportunity to improve their craft, every moment and every detail to become the best.  When Marshawn Lynch chooses to miss out on an activity with the rest of his entire roster of teammates, rookies and veterans, head coach and all the assistant coaches, that tells me that Marshawn Lynch doesn't desire to be any better than he already is.  He claims he's working out to a personal workout schedule in his hometown of Oakland, but if he can work out in Oakland, why can't he workout in Renton with the rest of his compatriots?  I think it looks bad in Seattle and perhaps one of the problems that seems to be coming out as a symptom, and that is the immaturity of a very young football team without enough strong on and off field veteran leaders.  Russell Wilson is one of the most dynamic and steady leaders in the NFL after just one year in the NFL, but it's the older veterans who have the juice to be able to police the entire team for those selfish enough to violate NFL rules and in turn hurting their team and themselves by using banned substances.  Marshawn Lynch, whether he likes it or not, needs to be in Seattle supporting the team even if he isn't taking full participation in all the drills on the field.  It just looks bad and Marshawn looks bad and he looks more like a guy out for himself, not for his team.  Most players interviewed have said that Lynch is a great teammate and always gives his best for the football team.  However, there are many ways to support your football team and we've seen many different players affect their football team without even stepping onto the field.  Ray Lewis, in Baltimore, while he was out with an injury to his shoulder, was still on the field during practice and on the sidelines during games leading his team.  I know that Lewis and Lynch are two different personalities and I don't expect Lynch to begin behaving like Lewis, but you have to get some sort of leadership from the veteran players on your football team or you end up having the younger players doing things like Seattle is experiencing.  Using performance enhancing drugs is just stupid in the NFL.  All 32 teams are subject to the same drug testing protocols and every player is subject to random drug testing no matter who they are, or whether they are veterans or rookies.  Bruce Irvin was simply playing a game that he could not win.

Should Marshawn Lynch get a pass because he is a superstar, pro-bowl halfback?  I don't think anybody gets a pass, although I do understand that some players will be treated differently based on their production on the football field for their respective team.  Seattle hopes to be one of the few teams who will compete for a Lombardi trophy and you've got to know that head coach Pete Carroll would like to have 100% participation even in the OTA's that are "Voluntary".  That's what good teams do and that's what veteran superstars should be doing.  Come on, Lynch, it's time to start behaving like a veteran on a team that believes it can win its first Super Bowl victory.

Hey Marshawn… Do you really want to wear a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks, or you content with your ridiculous mouth grills you blew thousand of dollars on after signing your big contract last year?

SEA-ADDERALL SEAHAWKS EARNING BAD NAME FROM NINERS, NFL

"PETE CARROLL: DO NOT LET THIS SEASON BECOME THE YEAR THAT ALMOST WAS… THIS SELFISHNESS MUST END NOW!" - 12th MAN

What's going on in the Seattle Seahawks locker room and how is Pete Carroll dealing with his football team dropping the ball,at least figuratively speaking? NFL news shows already discussing whetIallher Seahawks deserve *'s on their record even if they do happen to win a Super Bowl. Something must be done and it must be done NOW. It needs to be swift and severe because subtlety obviously isn't working.

Early in the off-season, the Seattle Seahawks were on everyone's minds and on their lips as perhaps the best football team in the NFL, at least on paper. The Seahawks defense was selected number one and their offence number four. Russell Wilson continues to make fans and believers all over the nation and the Legion of BOOM is still considered the most frightening defensive backfield in football. How quickly things can change in a few short days;

You've heard the term, "Where there is smoke there's fire?" Well, where there's a Seahawks player, there seems to be performance-enhancing drugs. Nobody knows exactly what the drugs are that the Seahawks are abusing, but most reliable sources report the drug "Adderall" a medication prescribed primarily for people suffering from a condition popularly known as ADHD or (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Primarily young people have, however, been using the drug to gain mental clarity and energy for various reasons. Students have long been using Adderall to gain an edge in studying and also test taking. They find the mental clarity from the drug gives them the ability to process more information and in particular, later into the night when many students find it harder to study with little sleep. An amphetamine, it affects different people in different ways, for instance children with a hyperactivity disorder will find the drug calming, while people who don't have a medical need for the medication will get a stimulant effect. This is where at least seven Seattle Seahawks players come in and it is giving the professional football team from the Pacific Northwest a bad name.
Just this week, another Seahawks has been found to be abusing the drug Adderall and he becomes the seventh Seahawks player to fail a drug test, allegedly using the prescription stimulant medication, only nine of the Seahawks who failed the test for Adderall had doctor's prescriptions of their own.  Just last year, cornerbacks Brandon Browner and All-Pro Richard Sherman were charged with failing drug tests for the drug Adderall.  Brandon Browner accepted the charges, however Sherman appealed the test results and won his appeal and was publicly acquitted.  By rule in the NFL, players who fail drug tests for PED's are handed an automatic four-game suspension for first time offenders.  Ironically, players who fail recreational drug tests must fail multiple tests before the league office hands down fines and or suspensions.  Recreational drug abuse falls under the personal player conduct and players are levied different punishment.  Fortunately for the Seahawks football team, they played very well without him in the lineup and is four-game suspension for the end of the 2012 season didn't turn out to hurt the team.  In fact, in an ironic fashion, Pete Carroll found a very reliable backup corner in Jeremy Lane, but I think it's safe to say he would have rather found out a different way.  Browner returned to the team in the playoffs, but had some rust from the month away from the game and didn't play particularly well.  Regardless of his performance before, during or after his suspension, it didn't play too well with coach Carroll and created a distraction that no professional football team ever wants to deal with, especially approaching a playoff run.

Now, with Irvin's suspension, Pete Carroll is in a peculiar situation with the OTA's and the training camp nearing.  It was reported today that free-agent acquisition Cliff Avril is suffering from plantar fasciitis, a condition that can linger if not rested properly before taking the field again.  In a press conference Monday, Carroll said that Avril will likely rest the foot for another two more weeks before beginning to run on the injured foot again.  Chris Clemons, the Seahawks veteran Leo end (the same position Irvin plays) is recovering from ACL surgery from an injury he suffered during the wild-card playoff in Washington DC last season.  He is reportedly recovering ahead of schedule, but it's not known yet if he will be ready for the opening season road game vs. the Carolina Panthers.  Michael Bennett is expected to have shoulder surgery at the end of the upcoming season, but it's obvious he has an existing rotator cuff tear in his shoulder.  Seattle looked to be stacked on the defensive line just a week ago, now things are looking much more murky putting the Seahawks in a situation where they may have to consider signing another pass rushing defensive end to avoid an early season with a couple of losses going into one of the tougher schedules in the NFL.  John Abraham is still floating around the free-agent market, but it's unlikely that the Seahawks have enough cap room to afford the veteran defensive player who logged 10 sacks last year on a Falcons team that really didn't have any other standout pass rushers on the team.  He may have more in the tank than many teams are willing to consider.  Abraham is 35 years old and in a season where salary caps have strapped most teams and have left many quality veterans without teams to play for, it would be surprising to see anyone sign Abraham until after the beginning of the season, a case teams have significant injuries at the position.  Presently, Pete is trying to shuffle players around to see if any of the players presently on the roster can step in and play the Leo end while Irvin serves his four-game suspension and Clemons rehabs his surgically repaired knee.  Today, coach Carroll hinted that Malcolm Smith could be one of those players to shore up that Leo spot in the interim.  Especially considering Cliff Avril and his foot injury, things might get dicey at a position that most critics believed was one of the best defensive end loaded teams in the NFL.

So, why and the Seattle Seahawks the team with the alleged Adderall problem?  No one really knows, and to be perfectly honest, the NFL legally cannot release the substance that is being abused by players who fail drug tests and are ordered to serve suspensions.  Players who were on the roster and players currently on the roster who have tested positive allegedly for Adderall include; S Winston Guy, G John Moffitt, D Alan Barbre, CB Brandon Browner, RB Vai Tau, DE Bruce Irvin and Richard Sherman, but Sherman appealed his test results and was acquitted after it was found that the testing lab mishandled his urine specimen.  I think it's important to mention, Sherman was acquitted, this doesn't mean he's innocent.  However, in a country where you are supposedly innocent before being proven guilty, he was acquitted.  My opinion is "fancy lawyering", but that's simply m y biased opinion based on other information. Regardless of the guilt and acquittals, it is obviously a problem, not an NFL problem, this is a Seahawks problem and I believe there is a crisis need for the coaching staff and the leaders on that football team to take a stand and eradicate the use of any substances that are on becoming or outright illegal to be used by anyone associated with their football team.  Pete Carroll keeps a very loose and uplifting environment with his football team, playing music during practice and having a general chummy relationship with most of the players on the team, but perhaps it's time to invoke an age-old attitude of "Team Authoritarian" which is a lost art in the NFL with so many players making millions more than their coaches and therefore usually meaning more to the team's success than the coaches who run the football team.  The Seattle Seahawks are a very young football team in comparison to the other teams in the league, but they are adults and should be expected to behave as such.

 "Regardless of the guilt and acquittals, it (Adderall) is obviously a problem, not an NFL problem, this is a Seahawks problem…" -Brad Hobbs

One of the big concerns that not only Pete Carroll and his players should be concerned about, team owner Paul Allen could be hit with a substantial fine from the NFL league office for having multiple players violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.  It's uncertain if any more suspensions will be assigned, but there could be a significant fine in the millions levied to Mr. Allen because of the lack of discipline on his football team.  Pete Carroll insisted at his press conference after the teams first OTA that the Seahawks are not only complying with NFL policies to encourage players to follow the NFL rules, he goes over and above what the NFL requires.  Still, the message isn't getting through to several players and if I were any of them, right now I would be wondering if I was going to have a job with the Seattle Seahawks.  Pete Carroll has one moniker and he shares it whenever he has the chance, compete compete compete.  While some of these players are serving their suspensions, it's clearly possible that when they return, their starting job may not exist any longer.  Bruce Irvin had fairly good numbers in terms of sacks as a rookie (8.5) however it was obvious he was a liability on the field most of the time, particularly on running downs when he was unable to shed blockers or penetrate to make tackles behind the line of scrimmage.  Most notably, Irvin practically disappeared during the two playoff games the Seahawks played in Washington and Atlanta.  His name was conspicuously absent from the PA system and the television analysts who covered the playoff games.  During the two games, he had one tackle and one sack, though one of his sacks was on Robert Griffin III after he collapsed from his much talked about season ending knee injury.

Now, the Seahawks need to move forward and if there is one positive thing that can be found about Bruce Ivin's selfish act, is that it was reported before the teams training camp begins in July.  The Seattle football team is poised to challenge for perhaps its first Lombardi trophy in franchise history.  The last thing this team needs is distraction and these kinds of selfish acts by Browner, Moffitt, Guy, Irvin and perhaps Sherman and Marshawn Lynch (DUI) is something that they do not need and the thing that could take this very talented football team and prevent them from even making the playoffs.  We've seen teams with incredible talent on their rosters fall apart and completely miss the playoffs and disappoint their fan base.  The Philadelphia Eagles had what one of the team quarterbacks "Vince Young" called "The Dream Team" only to have the team implode going 8-8 and disappointing the Eagles fans and missing the playoffs with tremendous talent on the roster.  The Detroit Lions have suffered from a lack of discipline as several players had scrapes with the law, completely unacceptable behavior on the field and a complete and utter lack of respect for the coach and an obvious immaturity problem from the top to the bottom of the roster.  It's humiliating, it's a black mark on the city, the players, the coaches, the team owner and it's bad for the National Football League.  Fans are asking; "When is enough, enough?"  You can bet the people of Seattle are asking the same question right now and you can bet that the Seahawks 12th man is none too happy after watching the team with all the potential in the world, begin to crumble and if someone doesn't stop the bleeding, the Seattle Seahawks could follow in the footsteps of the Eagles, the Lions, the Cowboys and the Bengals.  All of these teams went into the season with great hopes and great athleticism, only to watch the entire team fall like a house of cards because a few people decided that they were better than the team.  It takes a great GM to find the talent, a great owner to pay the talent, a great coach to teach the talent and it takes an entire roster to win a Super Bowl.  It takes only one person to take it all away…

If I were the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, or perhaps any football team in America I think I would invite the entire organization into a building and ask anyone on the team; "If you are not here to give everything you have to your teammates and this organization, if you're not here to ready your mind and your body for your teammates and this organization, if you're not here to give every bit of yourself for your teammates and this organization, LEAVE THE ROOM RIGHT NOW.

Can't play with them
Can't coach them
Can't trust them
Can't rely on them
Can't win with them… They Must Go!

Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider have already proven that if you are not 100% with their program, you will disappear.  It doesn't matter if your starter or a backup, a first-round pick or an undrafted free agent, and it doesn't matter how much money they pay you.  If you can't help the team Win, you are GONE!

Just ask TJ Houshmandzadeh GONE
just ask Lendale White GONE
just ask Aaron Curry GONE

Pete Carroll believes in second chances, you can say he thrives on them.  However, selfishness doesn't win football games.

Many people are scratching their heads and asking "Why would a player like Bruce Irvin, with a good shot at the starting job of defensive end, take a substance that he knows is being tested for by the NFL?"  It's a fair question, some have suggested that Pete Carroll's famous mantra "Always Compete" starts to generate a feeling that no one is safe and his position and you could lose your place on a roster if another player on the roster performs better in Training camp then you do.  It sounds ridiculous, but we're talking about people that spend most of their time learning to be better athletes, not spending a great deal of time studying philosophy or their betterment educationally.  What I'm saying is that it's possible that Pete Carroll is creating a climate of fear on a team that preaches that "no one is safe" on the Seahawks roster, no one.  So, players like Irvin, who got pushed around quite a bit last year, could be fearful that he needs to step up his off-season workout and create an edge… Albeit an illegal edge in the NFL, at least.

Lastly, there are players right now who should be held to a higher standard and expected to lead.  It's time for; Russell Wilson, Kam Chancellor, Max Unger, Sidney Rice, Earl Thomas, KJ Wright, Michael Robinson and Red Bryant to start marshaling a plan to eradicate all negativity from this football team.  After an outstanding rookie season, Russell Wilson has the juice to command respect from every player, rookie or veteran.  It stops here and he has the innate leadership to start something very special in Seattle.  Right now, the Seahawks are becoming the outlaws, the team to hate and right now, they are a punchline on Jay Leno and David Letterman.  This is not how a playoff football team expected to contend for a championship should start the season.  Get with it and do it now… This city has waited far too long for a football championship and this is not the kind of behavior that inspires anyone, least of all Seahawks fans.

NFL SUCCESS CAN BE A "DELICATE THUNDER"

 

Keeping the perfect NFL off-season can be like walking a tight rope with 53 players on it at once.

SEAHAWKS' PERFECT OFF SEASON 

BECOMES FLAWED IN AN INSTANT

Seahawks' defensive end and former first-round draft selection, Bruce Irvin, has been suspended for four games to begin the 2013 season by the NFL for violating its (PED) Performance Enhancing Drug Policy…  Will not appeal ruling…

Renton, Washington:

Going into the 2013 season, the Seattle Seahawks had everything to be optimistic about.  All 11 offensive starters return for the new season and nine of 11 starters on defense will also return.  In addition to the Seahawks already strong and talented roster, GM John Schneider took owner Paul Allen's deep pockets shopping in free agency and he answered nearly every question that the Seahawks had about their upcoming season and any weaknesses they might have going into the new season.  

Cliff Avril was signed first, a very talented defensive end formerly with the Detroit Lions.  Then, just literally days later the Seahawks signed another pass rushing defensive end, Michael Bennett, from Tampa Bay, a player that once played for the Seahawks.  A few days later, defensive tackle, Tony McDaniel, was signed to shore up the interior defensive line after losing DT Alan Branch to free agency. This was a great start to shore up what was already a very strong D line and the Seahawks were looking pretty good during the off-season.  However, Seattle wasn't through yet signing free-agent help to fortify a defense that is already been spoken of in "elite" terms.  Marcus Trufant was not going to be re-signed by the Seahawks after having a subpar 2012 season, and Seattle was looking for a nickel defensive back in his absence.  So, Schneider went out and signed perhaps the best corner in the league versus the slot receivers of the NFL, former Minnesota Vikings, Antoine Winfield.

Going back a couple of days, the Seahawks made the first real big move of the off-season.  It wasn't a free-agent move, it was a trade.  The Hawks traded their first-round selection in the 2013 draft plus a seventh rounder this year and a third-round selection in 2014 to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the most versatile and dangerous offensive player in the NFL, Percy Harvin.  Now, Russell Wilson has a legitimate deep threat and player who can create matchup headaches for defenses all over the NFL.  Defensive coordinators are going to have to specifically plan packages to stop Harvin from tearing them up all over the field and that is always a good thing.  Not only will this create problems for opposing defenses, it will aid all the other receivers on the Seahawks roster making it easier for them to find single coverage, terrorizing linebackers and safeties with superior speed.  The Seahawks now had solved their defensive line weaknesses and now they had a dynamic and versatile wide receiver that is like no other player on the roster.  Things are looking very good at this point… All good, zero negative.  Even sack specialist, Chris Clemons, who was seriously injured in Seattle's wild-card game in Washington DC when he tore his ACL requiring surgery, is rehabbing quickly and looks to be back for the first game or at least the first quarter of the season.  Now, the Seahawks had a defensive line that looked dominant and deep, inside and out, run and pass.

Next, the NFL draft was next for head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider to prepare for.  This was the first draft during the four year history for Pete Carroll's regime that the team could draft for best player available and not necessarily drafting for a specific position of weakness.  I thought the Seahawks could have used one of the great outside linebackers on the board, especially with Arthur Brown being available at 56 where the Seahawks were scheduled to make their first selection.  However, Carroll and Schneider thought differently.  They thought so differently that they waited until the seventh round, the last round of the draft, to select a linebacker (Ty Powell).  Initially, I was upset that Seattle didn't address one of their only areas of concern, but after looking at the draft class selected by Seattle, it was obvious why they selected the players they did.  Christine Michael is a perfect player to be the heir apparent to Marshawn Lynch, but he is so dominating in the run game he could contribute immediately and become the man in the backfield once Lynch's body finally gives out.  Seattle also selected a couple of interior defensive lineman that will fit into Seattle's already stacked defense.  Jesse Williams, once thought to be a middle first-round talent, slid all the way to the fifth round for Seattle to take him.  Williams could possibly be the steal of the draft for the Seahawks.  In the third round, Seattle chose defensive tackle Jordan Hill from Penn State.  He also fits the areas of need for the Seahawks run stuffing defensive plans.  He's very quick and has a good instinct to find the ball carrier and also possesses excellent tackling skills.  In my opinion, the player that could make the biggest immediate impact could be wide receiver from Kansas state, Chris Harper.  He's a big, thick, and fast outside threat and will likely be used early in the season to determine just exactly how badly he can hurt opposing defenses with his 235 lb. frame.  Another instant impact player is Luke Willson from Rice.  He stood out as perhaps the brightest spot in the rookie minicamp, displaying great speed for a man 6'5" 253 lbs. and great hands.  Pete has been looking for  a deep threat tightend since his days coaching with the Jets, Patriots, USC Trojans and now Seattle.  One of the players to look at closely during training camp is linebacker from Idaho, John Lotulelei.  Lotulelei is a monster on the field and flying around making havoc for ball carriers, pass catchers and quarterbacks.  He reminds me more and more of Troy Polamalu every time I see him on the field, it's sniffing out the football wherever it is.

With Russell Wilson coming back with a year under his belt and perhaps the hardest studying QB in football, I think you can expect a much improved player and an even more impactful leader.  The offensive line is in the best health in three years and all five starters return for the upcoming season.  There have also been some additions to the upcoming training camp and the competition should be fierce.  A mountain of a man, James Carpenter, will be returning fully rehabilitated and ready to slip into the interior guard position.  John Moffitt adds depth at the guard spot and JR Sweezy now has a full season of experience at the position despite playing defensive end his entire career in college.  Max Unger will anchor the O line at center and Russell Okung is as solid as it gets at left tackle.  Hopefully, he will have another healthy year after struggling his entire rookie year with ankle and knee injuries. Breno Giacomini will likely start again on the other end of Okung, but there will be competition in camp and as Pete Carroll preaches, they will be competition at every position.

So, with all going so well for the Seattle Seahawks, there is little to be concerned about, right?  WRONG!

Just as the Seahawks had to worry about last year, another player put his own needs above his teammates, coaches, team owner and of course the Seahawks fans.  Bruce Irvin decided to gamble with the NFL league office, taking performance-enhancing drugs despite the fact that each player gets randomly tested for both recreational and performance-enhancing substances.  Ironically, if Irvin would have been found positive for marijuana, cocaine, heroin or crystal methamphetamine, he would have been warned and perhaps required to go through a drug rehabilitation program, but no suspension.  The NFL has a different policy for its performance-enhancing substance cases.  Any band substance found after an athlete has been tested results in an immediate four-game suspension regardless of the frequency or lack thereof.  Multiple offenses result in longer suspensions and Irvin is just one stupid mistake away from a year-long suspension.  The same can be said about fellow Seahawks, Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner.  The Seahawks have had five players in the last three years test positive for the league band medication "Adderall" which is a legal medication by prescription for those suffering from attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  Nor, Irvin, Browner or Sherman have a doctor's prescription for the medication and thus were handed four-game suspensions.  Irvin's suspended games will begin with Seattle's regular-season game vs. the Carolina Panthers.  More critically, Irvin will also miss the nationally televised game against division rival San Francisco 49ers, a game that will be played in Seattle at CenturyLink field.  The only solace in any of this is that the game will be a Seattle home game, but nonetheless, this will be one of the most critical contests for the Seahawks all year.

So, how should the Seahawks owner, coaching staff, players and fans react to such a selfish stunt by Bruce Irvin?  It seems that the reaction has been mixed by a variety of sources who have weighed in via Facebook and Twitter.  Some have accepted the lengthy apology and future promises of Irvin to clean up his act and come back bigger and better and to stay out of trouble on and off the field.  Some are a bit more cynical and skeptical, believing that you just can't rehabilitate people who show a history of stupid decisions and selfish acts.  Irvin already had a checkered past coming out of high school, listing a variety of criminal behavior including burglary, among other numerous infractions.  However, since enrolling in junior-college and later West Virginia University, he has kept himself out of trouble for the most part, despite some academic problems.  Just shortly after he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 15th overall in the 2011 draft he was arrested in March and charged with destruction of property and disorderly conduct after an incident involving a Morgantown, W.Va., sandwich-shop delivery car. Charges were dismissed Tuesday. Irvin had this to say;

“I hate it when people say I have character issues,” Irvin said (via the SeattleTimes' Danny O'Neil). “I could see if I was getting in trouble in junior college. But I’ve never been suspended. I’ve never failed a drug test.”
Irvin called the incident “a lesson learned. They’re going to magnify [anything] on me. I just can’t go out. Everybody doesn’t want you to be successful.”

Now, it all seems so empty and any promises he makes here out also feel empty to most fans.  Irvin, through his or perhaps the Seahawks public relations representative published a statement that was broadcast on NFL Access (NFL Network).  

"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. I am extremely disappointed in the poor judgment I showed and take full responsibility for my actions," Irvin said in the statement.

After the formal statement was released, Irvin went to the social media 140 character Twitter account and wrote this:

"It's crazy to see your name run across the ticker for negative things.  I messed up and I feel so bad and have been depressed for weeks now.  I've had sleepless nights because I knew 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 an incredible season.  To my real fans, I see the comments and I really appreciate it during this tuff time. just shows people only love you when you're 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.  12th man, 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 out to my haters I know your loving it right now!"  #comebackkid#WVU|

 So, you can take from this what you will.  Some will be skeptical and believe that you just can't fix stupidity, while others will find it in themselves to forgive his lapse of mental clarity and wish him a speedy mental recovery and look forward to him returning to the Seahawks lineup five weeks into the season.  Hopefully, there won't be any fodder to look for in blaming Irvin for any games with a lack of rushing on defense. However, he was figured to be involved in a new fold especially created for him.  Pete Carroll and Dan Quinn had plans to utilize Irvin's superior athleticism at the strong side linebacker position, using his quickness to put edge pressure on the quarterback and perhaps chasing down ball carriers also on the perimeter.  Now, I would imagine that plan has been put on the back burner, and now focus turns to Cliff Avril to be the only player to fill that position.  Avril already figured to be involved as an up linebacker, but the depth has taken a serious hit by Irvin's actions off the field.

Now, Pete Carroll and John Schneider are in a position where they need to revisit the possibility of signing another veteran pass rusher to bolster what was nothing more than an average pass rush last year.  John Abraham, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, it's still floating out there in free agency after logging double digits in sacks last year for the Falcons.  It still looks that Abraham has something left in the tank and after sitting on the shelf all off-season without much interest, he could probably be had for little comparatively; probably veteran league minimum.  However, the Seahawks better act quickly if they choose to go that route, because the Tennessee Titans recently had Abraham in for a tryout, but he left Tennessee without a deal in hand.  Dwight Freeney has been in the San Diego Chargers camp recently after their first round draft pick in 2011, Melvin Ingram, suffered a tear to his ACL and will be out for the entire 2013 season.  They would have a very high interest in Freeney as well as Abraham after learning of this untimely injury to an up-and-coming player like Ingram.

This just goes to prove that bad decisions don't always just affect those making the decisions.  The mistakes of Bruce Irvin are like a ripple in a pond.  Those affected directly or indirectly include; Mr. Allen, as Bruce Irvin is an investment in his business.  Head coach Pete Carroll who, along with John Schneider, decided to take a gamble on a young man that made mistakes early on and promised to straighten his ways.  Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who spent a large portion of his defensive planning to include Irvin in some innovative defensive sets to utilize his special and unique athletic abilities to help the team improve its pass rush and perimeter tackling.  The 12th man, the thousands and thousands of people who supported this young man, despite a litany of other mistakes he has made.  They heard the stories about how he has turned his life around with the assistance of a mentor who helped him get off the streets, get away from the crime and get back into school to earn his GED and another opportunity to play football and under scholarship.  This fact is often overlooked, but every time an athlete is given a scholarship, full ride to be educated at no cost to himself, there's another person hungry to learn, if only they had the money to pay for it.  Irvin had that opportunity and his opportunities have been tenfold if not more and he has literally spit on it, disregarding just exactly how fortunate he is to have been given a free education and also the opportunity to play a kids game for enormous amounts of money.  It's not a right to play football in the NFL.  It's a privilege, and a lot of players should be mindful that they have been given an opportunity of a lifetime, opportunities that most of us could only dream of, but most of us wake up and the dream disappears immediately.  What goes on in the mind of a young man who has been gifted an excellent education at some of the finest educational institutions in the world, then have it parlay for an opportunity to play sports in front of thousands of people and all of the privileges that go along with it, only to take it for granted and to lose the opportunity and awareness to know that only a handful of people on this earth get the chance to fulfill their dreams.  What does it take to get through to these young men?  I suppose that's the $64,000 question and so far, no one has been able to unlock that key.  It seems like us humans learn the most as we are struggling through adversity and trials.  I guess this is why God blesses us with these tremendous opportunities to learn so much about ourselves and the world we live in by handing us difficulty and pain.  I don't wish horrible things to happen to anyone, but it is uncanny how people become better human beings after they have suffered and been given the beautiful opportunity to see the difference between incredible pain and blessings.

I hope Bruce Irvin understands that this mistake he has made is just another opportunity for him to realize how blessed he is and perhaps the next time that he is tempted to make a better decision, he will.  Only God knows…

Lastly, it's not all gloom and doom for the Seahawks and not for Bruce Irvin.  It is however, a chance for the Seahawks players, coaches and fans to remember that all of us are fragile beings and although everything looks like a perfect opportunity, it can all come crashing down if or not mindful of what we have now.  The Seahawks have an incredible roster of very talented and uniquely gifted players.  The off-season has been very good to the Seahawks and most of their players are healthy and ready for the new season.  It's "Gut Check" time now and the Seahawks haven't lined up for as many as one single play in the regular-season.  The only way to win an NFL championship is to have everything go right, or at least if anything goes wrong, it's how you react to it.  It takes everyone on the football team to be focused on the same identical goal.  It also takes a fair amount of luck, but all the luck in the world won't win championships.  It takes focus, discipline, preparation, sweat and endless effort, and even then things can go wrong.  But if things go wrong, you don't want them to be self inflicted.  Those who inflict their own wounds can never succeed, because there's always people in business, as well as sports that are perfectly willing to inflict wounds on you themselves.

Be aware Seattle Seahawks.  This could be a very storied and fantastic season for the Seahawks and the city of Seattle, but if you shoot yourself in the foot, you won't be able to walk, let alone, run.

PROJECTING SEAHAWKS 53 MAN ROSTER

The 12th man is primed and ready to cheer for the latest version of the Seattle Seahawks.

 The Seattle Seahawks Projected 53 Man Roster

These are my early picks to make the Seattle Seahawks 2013 opening game roster.  Some of these  players might get released and reassigned to the practice squad, if they clear waivers.  These numbers are based on a basic I-formation offense and a base 4-3 stretch defensive set.  Many of these position numbers would be drastically different, depending on the personnel available, injuries and how the coaching staff decides to use certain players.  

The Seahawks had an outstanding 2013 draft class considering they didn't have a first-round selection after training it to the Minnesota Vikings for Percy Harvin.  Also, Carroll and Schneider chose to move back from their 56 pick to the 62nd, gaining to extra draft selections in the move.  Unfortunately, that move prevented them from drafting perhaps the best all-around linebacker in the draft (Arthur Brown, Kansas State). It was such a conspicuous oversight, it's likely the Seahawks have other plans in store for the vacancy at the outside (weak side) linebacker position. I suppose we have to trust in GM John Schneider and his talent scouts all over the world.

* Lines with multiple names and an * reflect hotly contested positions and players battling for the final position spot.  Listed (left to right) in order of probability to win a spot. 

Total Offense = 24 players.

QB’s (2):

Russell Wilson

*Brady Quinn/Jerrod Johnson

-Brady Quinn has the early nod because of experience, but Jerrod Johnson looked very good at the rookie minicamp.  Now, Quinn's backup job is less secure.

RB’s (4):

Marshawn Lynch

*Michael Robinson/Spencer Ware

Christine Michael

Robert Turbin

-Michael Robinson is due to make $2.5 million in 2013, and if LSU rookie Spencer Ware catches on to the job at fullback, he might be the cheaper version of Robinson (without the interview show of course)

WRs (6):

Percy Harvin

Sidney Rice

Golden Tate

Chris Harper

Doug Baldwin

*Steven Williams/Phil Bates

-This is going to be a very competitive group of wide receivers for Seattle this year.  The sixth receiver on the roster better be able to play special teams in the gutter position.  Williams and Bates are speedy, big, physical receivers which Carroll likes and both could battle for the sixth spot.  There are others that could climb into that position, however.

OL’s (9):

Russell Okung

Breno Giacomini

James Carpenter

JR Sweezy

Max Unger

Paul McQuiston

Lemuel Jean-Pierre

John Moffitt/Jared Smith

*Ryan Seymour/Michael Bowie/Alvin Bailey

-Offensinve line will be a difficult group to grade this off-season Camp.  Schneider and  Carroll have found another project to convert from the D to the O.  Jared Smith might make the conversion like Sweezy last year.  Alvin Bailey also has a shot to make the roster.  John Moffitt and James Carpenter must stay healthy in order to contribute this year, otherwise, the door can open for new fish on the roster.

TE’s (3):

Zach Miller

Luke Willson

*Victor Marshall/Anthony McCoy/Cooper Helfet

-Pete Carroll has found what he believes to be his intermediate passing threat at the tight end position.  Luke Wilson looked mighty good at the rookie minicamp.  Local favorite Victor Marshall has the size and speed that the Seahawks love.  He might oust Anthony McCoy, but Cooper Helfet is a great special teams player.  If Marshall or McCoy can't compete on special teams, they could be expendable.

Total Defense = 26 players.

DL’s (10):

Red Bryant

Brandon Mebane

Cliff Avril

Michael Bennett

Bruce Irvin

Jesse Williams

Jordan Hill

Chris Clemons

Clinton McDonald

*Tony McDaniel/Jaye Howard/Kenneth Boatright

-The defensive line was very good last year, but it's going to be excellent this year.  After acquiring Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, and with Chris Clemons rehabilitating, this could be a scary bunch.  Jesse Williams and Jordan Hill were drafted to stuff up the interior rush.  I think they'll fit in nicely.  McDaniel may be expendable unless he learns to get more leverage with that 6'7" frame.

LB’s (7):

KJ Wright

Bobby Wagner

Malcolm Smith

Craig Wilkins

Ty Powell

John Lotulelei

*Kory Toomer/5 Heath Farwell/Mike Morgan/Kyle Knox/Allen Bradford

-Pete Carroll and John Schneider chose not to get aggressive about replacing Leroy Hill at the weak side linebacker position.  Either the two believed they already had their OLB on the roster or they really like some of the dark course players they selected in the draft and as UDFA's.  Standouts John Lotulelei and Ty Powell could be the diamonds in the rough that they like.  After all, they passed up the best OLB in the draft at number 56 (Arthur Brown Kansas state).  They might regret that faux pas. Lotulelei might be Seattle's Lofa Tatupu, and not just because they're both from Hawaii.

CB's (5):

Richard Sherman

Brandon Browner

Antoine Winfield

Jeremy Lane

*Tharold Simon/DeShawn Shead/Will Blackmon

-This is a position that practically no one believed Seattle would draft for early.  The Seahawks used a fifth round selection to pick Tharold Simon out of LSU, a big and tall DB, just the way they like them.

S’s (4):

Kam Chancellor

Earl Thomas

Walter Thurmond

*Jeron Johnson/Winston Guy/Ray Polk/Chris Maragos

-Seattle has excellent safeties, but they are not particularly deep as a position.  Walter Thurmond is very capable, but injury prone.  If he isn't healthy this year, look for Ray Polk or Jeron Johnson to stick, maybe Tharold Simon could transition to safety.

Total Special Teams = 3 players.

ST’s (3):

P: John Ryan

*PK: Steven Haushcka/Carson Wiggs

LS: Clint Gresham

-Pete Carroll has not yet chosen his placekicker, and Seattle is looking for a kicker who doesn't take a deep swallow before lining up a 50+ yard kick each time.  Wiggs might be the man, but he's going to have to win the position in camp.  Haushcka is relatively accurate and capable, but not the strongest kicker and he is scheduled to make over $2 million this year.  Seahawks might choose the bargain method if he can kick accurately and deep on KOs.  Clint Gresham is also a tight end, but the most value comes from his long snaps on punts and field-goal attempts.  He'll stick.

NOTE: I haven't listed the 46 players that will dress for the opening game, but that is nearly impossible to do at this point in the off-season.

Total 53 Man Roster.