The "Hoch's" Nest: Matt’s Four-Part Seahawks Extravaganza -- Part Three

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From: http://www.afraidofedhochuli.com

It has been some time since I wrote the 1st two parts to my “Four Part Extravaganza”, but with Free Agency Looming it is time for me to get this one out.

The previous installments: The "Hoch's" Nest: Matt’s Four-Part Seahawks Extravaganza -- Part One (Shaun Alexander)

The "Hoch's" Nest: Matt’s Four-Part Seahawks Extravaganza -- Part Two (Mike Holmgren)

Today: Leavings

According to kffl.com this is the list of Seahawks free agents.

RB Alvin Pearman RFA

FB David Kirtman RFA

FB Leonard Weaver RFA

WR D.J. Hackett UFA

TE Bennie Joppru UFA

TE Marcus Pollard UFA

TE Jeff Robinson UFA

PK Josh Brown UFA

OG Floyd Womack UFA

OT Sean Locklear UFA

DL Chuck Darby UFA

DL Ellis Wyms UFA

LB Kevin Bentley UFA

LB Niko Koutouvides UFA

LB Lance Laury RFA

I will not touch upon all of these guys. Some of them are practice squanders or 5th string players. To me that is not worth us discussing whether they will be back or not. The players we name here will be the ones that will have an impact if they are signed or not.

But first, Wikipedia’s explanation of the Free Agency Terms :

A player who has 3-5 years of experience is eligible for restricted free agency (RFA), whereby his current team has the chance to retain rights to this player by matching the highest offer any other NFL franchise might make to that player. The club can either block a signing or, in essence, force a trade by offering a salary over a certain threshold. In 2006, these thresholds were as follows:

- If a club tenders an offer of $685,000 per year for a three year veteran, and $725,000 for a four year veteran, the player's current team has "right of first refusal" over the contract at those terms, and may sign the player at those terms.

- If a club tenders an offer of $712,000 or 110% (whichever is greater) of the previous year's salary, then the current club has both "right of first refusal" and rights to a draft pick from the same round (or better) from the signing club. Essentially, this means that the new club must forfeit the draft pick to the old club if they wish to sign the player under these terms.

- If a club tenders an offer of $1.552 million or 110% (whichever is greater) of the previous year's salary, then the current club has both "right of first refusal"; and rights to the first round draft pick from the signing club

A player who has 5 or more years of experience is eligible for unrestricted free agency (UFA), whereby his current team has no guaranteed right to match outside offers to that player. This means that players in this category have unlimited rights to negotiate any terms with any team

The franchise tag is a designation given to a player by a franchise that guarantees that player a contract the average of the five highest-paid players of that same position in the entire league, or 120% of the player's previous year's salary (whichever is greater) in return for retaining rights to that player for one year. An NFL franchise may only designate one player a year as having the franchise tag, and may designate the same player for consecutive years. This has caused some tension between some NFL franchise designees and their respective teams due to the fact that a player designated as a franchise player precludes that player from pursuing large signing bonuses that are common in unrestricted free agency, and also prevents a player from leaving the team, especially when the reasons for leaving are not necessarily financial. A team may, at their discretion, allow the franchise player to negotiate with other clubs, but if he signs with another club, the first club is entitled to two first round draft picks in compensation'

Now, on to my discussion these “impact” Free Agents.

CB Marcus Trufant UFA

Seattle Seahawks Round: 1st Round / 11th Pick / 2003 '

His contract wasn’t up, but because of stipulations in the contract he is going to be an Unrestricted Free Agent.

This is the biggest off-season signing they have. Word is he will be franchised on Thursday, which will make things a bit easier for the team going in to Free Agency. Once less starter to have to sign.

FB Leonard Weaver RFA

Undrafted

Weaver is the starting Fullback now that Mack Strong has hung up his pads. He averaged 4.4 yards on 33 carries. He had 1 Touchdown.

It would be stupid for the Seahawks to let him go. He is filled with potential, and even though he has yet to show all of it, when he does he may end up as one of the best in the league. He is a force with the ball and is able to run over almost anyone. He can catch out of the back field and is decent at blocking.

His upside is worth the risk.

WR D.J. Hackett UFA Seattle Seahawks / 5th / 157th pick / 2004

This is the hardest for me. I don't think that he will stay with the team. The Seahawks have a lot of WR that could start and have several waiting in the wings.

Hackett has great potential; but that is all so far. He shows flashes of ability then ends up injured. It is too bad, the kid is good, but with his injury concerns I could see the team being gunshy.

Also, with that potential someone may sweep in and try to sign him away.

I don't see him in blue and green next season.

TE Marcus Pollard UFA

Undrafted The images of the two dropped passes in the Green Bay game will live on in fans minds. He is a great guy but he is on the end of his career. I don’t see him coming back.

PK Josh Brown UFA

Seattle Seahawks / 7th / 222nd pick / 2003

If they don’t sign him, they are stupid. He had a down year (arguably due to the long-snapping issues and the problems on the Offensive Line) but he has won enough games for the team in the last 4 season to give him a long-term contract. He has also stated that he wants to stay in Seattle and be the “next Mack Strong” (finish his career with one team.)

OG Floyd Womack UFA

Seattle Seahawks / 4th / 128th pick / 2001

This is much like the Hackett situation. He was slotted to start at Left Guard in 2006, but he was injured.

The oft-damaged lineman is able to play all line positions, and that may save his job.

OT Sean Locklear UFA

Seattle Seahawks / 3rd / 84th pick / 2004

He is a finesse blocker at Right Tackle that some people think is better suited for guard. Watching him, however, he may end up being the replacement for Walter Jones.

Is that a good thing? I don’t know. Right Tackle is a tough one to call when you don’t have coaches film, but I do know that there are enough issues with the line. They won’t let him go.

DL Chuck Darby UFA

Undrafted

This one will be based on contract desires. He is a great “motor” guy and is really great in the locker room, but he is old. He missed most of the season with a leg injury.

I don’t hold that injury against him since it can happen to everyone. If he wants more money then he is worth they will let him go, but if he wants “back-up money” he will be back and will fit in well in the rotation that the Seahawks use.

DL Ellis Wyms UFA

Tampa Bay Buccaneers / 6th / 183rd pick / 2001

I see him as a younger version of Darby. Because of that he will be back under the same circumstances. He is not a starter but is good at filling a need.

LB Kevin Bentley UFA

Cleveland Browns / 4th / 101st pick / 2002

Bentley isn’t a starter…possibly nowhere in the league. He adds very good depth, but it will come down to how much money he wants. If it is more then the veteran minimum he may be switching teams.

LB Niko Koutouvides UFA

Seattle Seahawks / 4th / 116th pick / 2004

They better keep him here. He is a special teams stud and a solid fill-in if someone needs a break in the linebacker corp. He better be back.

I hope helped. Free agency starts in a couple weeks and hopefully I am right. Depth means a lot in today’s NFL.

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