First, my apologies to anyone reading this blog for the lack of updates. I see my last post was two weeks ago. Pathetic considering all that is going on in the sports world. I’d love to get to the mountain of evidence that is piling up on Barry Bonds, exposing him for the cheater he truly is, or the host of stupid NFL Free Agent signings over the past week, or even the NCAA bracket (quite the scare last night for Gonzaga, no?). But for right now it’s time for a Seahawks update.

The Seattle Times is running a story this morning suggesting that Keyshawn Johnson, recently released from the Dallas Cowboys, is eyeing the ‘Hawks as a possible new home. Now, there was a time many seasons ago when such a thought would have made me rush to the men’s room and pray diligently to the porcelain Gods. But now the thought of Keyshawn wearing a Seahawks uniform makes me downright giddy.

Keyshawn has matured with time. Ten years in the league can do that to a guy. That’s probably why this is ringing in my head as something palatable. With the loss of Jurevicious (6′5″) the ‘Hawks could use another big, tall receiver. Keyshawn fits the bill perfectly. Plus, maybe more importantly, he’d fit well in the West Coast offense that Holmgren runs. Think about it - ever since Keyshawn came into the league folks have criticized him for a lack of speed and “big play” ability, saying he’s a #2 receiver and not a #1. But Keyshawn is ideally suited to be a receiver in the West Coast offense, which doesn’t ask it’s receivers to run 40-yard post patterns every other down. What they do ask their receivers to do is run crisp short and intermediate routes, create separation, use their big bodies and hands to catch the ball and then make plays after the catch. That’s Key’s speciality, much like Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram.

And Keyshawn apparently is very open to the idea of playing in Seattle. The Seattle Times quotes him as saying:

Man, I think about [Seahawks quarterback] Matt Hasselbeck putting the ball between the 1 and the 9 on my jersey, and my heart starts racing.

Think about this four receiver set next year: Darrell Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson wide, and Bobby Engram and Peter Warrick in the slot. Who you going to stop?

I like this match. I thought losing Jurevicious during the opening stanza of free agency sucked (he did catch 10 touchdowns last season) but if Seattle could land Keyshawn then suddenly that loss doesn’t seem so bad. In fact, Keyshawn would be an upgrade.

Make it happen Tim Ruskell.

Hutchinson’s Contract Could Go To Arbitration

The contract offer to Steve Hutchinson by Minnesota has been intriguing and gut-wrenching at the same time. Gut-wrenching because I absolutely hate the thought of Seattle losing one of their best offensive linemen and going into the draft forced to find a replacement. Intriguing because of the way this is going to happen.

According to reports on ESPN.com and the Seattle Times, Minnesota’s offer sheet has a clause that specifies all $49 million of the contract is guarenteed if Hutchinson isn’t the highest paid linemen on the team. That clause was crafted carefully and skillfullly by the Vikings in order to prevent the Seahawks from matching it and thus retaining Hutchinson, because currently the highest paid linemen on the Seahawks’ roster is left tackle Walter Jones. It’s a neat trick by the Vikings. However, reports are surfacing that according to NFL rules a team only has to match principal clauses in the offer sheet. Which means the Seahawks could match the offer from the Vikings in dollar amount - excluding silly clauses - allowing them to retain one of their best players. In all likelyhood this whole thing could go to an arbitraitor to decide who gets to sign Hutchinson.

Bernard Resigns

Maybe the biggest free agent deal for Seattle wasn’t the huge, backloaded contract for Shaun Alexander, but this week’s resigning of Rocky Bernard. He lead the team in sacks this season with 8 1/2. That might not seem like a large number, but consider this: Bernard plays defensive tackle, not defensive end, so he doesn’t have the luxery of rushing on the outside edge, one-on-one against a tackle. He’s got to push his way up through the middle of the center and both guards. Plus, he played in four-tackle rotation, designed to keep guys fresh, but also preventing him from playing a lot of downs and thus missing some sack opportunities. On a team that lead the league in sacks Bernard was the best at getting to the quarterback. You just can’t afford to let those guys go. I thought he was the most important defensive signing that Seattle had to make happen during the free agency period. The fact that Ruskell and Co. got it done tells me a lot about this team. They understand who the important guys are and how to keep them around.

Peter Warrick Resigns: 1-Year Contract

I thought this was a great move by Seattle. Warrick is a younger Bobby Engram. Great in the slot. A former #1 draft choice I think Warrick still has his best days ahead of him if he gets put in the right position. Last year he got cut by the Bengals so late in the pre-season that he never had a chance to pickup Seattle’s offense completely, which prevented him from making any kidn of impact. Receivers need the mini-camps and training camp practices to get the timing down with their quarterback. I think having a full offseason in the Seahawks’ system will really benefit Warrick. I expect him to make an impact this year.

The 1-year deal is interesting. It shows some caution on the part of the Seahawks. Obviously they think there’s a chance Warrick could get hurt or just not produce, so they are hedging their bets with the contract. But if Warrick gets the offense and makes an impact look for Seattle to sign him to an extension next year and make him the replacement for aging Engram.

What’s Next?

Clearly the Free Agency period isn’t finished. Seattle has until Sunday to match Minnesota’s offer for Hutchinson and even then it could go to arbitration. There’s still Keyshawn to think about and the ‘Hawks have to find help at cornerback and linebacker. There’s a lot of big-name players still available and the Draft is more than a month away. Busy times ahead.

Overall I give the ‘Hawks a B-minus thus far. They get an A+ for resigning Alexander and keeping him in town. Retaining Bernard was a great move and signing Warrick could give them an explosive slot receiver if the best-case scenario plays out. But not slapping the Franchise tag on Hutchinson was a bad move, I think. Minnesota could pry him away and Seattle would get no draft picks in compensation, and that would suck. If they match the offer for Hutchinson and somehow get Keyshawn for a reasonable price, this is an A+ free agency period for the ‘Hawks.