For the Record:

I am just going to refuse to talk about the stupid lockout. It really annoys me, and I don't want even think about it. I'm just going on with my life as if it's not happening, free agency will start soon, the draft won't be canceled, and life will be good again. Instead, I'm going to take a nap. I think this will work.

The Prospect of Carson Palmer as a Hawk

Earlier this week, rumors started circulating that Palmer could be a real option in play for the Hawks. There were reports on ESPN Insider, some Cincinnati blogs, and chatter all over twitter about the subject.  Adam Wright posted on his Seahawk Talk twitter account that a "Source telling me that #Seahawks QB Hasselbeck has been told by the front office that they will try to deal for #Bengals QB Carson Palmer" followed by "Hasselbeck was also told if they can't acquire Palmer, they'll re-sign him, if they can agree on a new deal. The two QB's share same agent".  Now, you have to take all these reports and sources with a grain of salt, but it's legitimate that the Hawks could be interested in dealing for Palmer.

Cincy's front office has stated that he will not be traded, and will be forced to retire if he doesn't want to play.  As late as Thursday afternoon, sources had the Bengals offering the automatic response to trade requests as: 'No, thanks. If Palmer plays in 2011, it will be for us.' Of course, anything could happen, but if Cincy is going to turn down a first round draft pick and just let Palmer retire, then that's their choice.

I just don't think that will happen. Bengals' owner Mike Brown has remained steadfast in his word in the past: Ochocinco tried to hold out for a trade, that didn't work; Corey Dillon did the same, with zero success.  These players were good, yes, but neither of them could have fetched what Carson could.  Also, neither of them threatened to retire - something that I believe that Palmer will do if he doesn't get his trade. Why would Brown decide to take nothing and let Palmer retire when he could possibly get a another first round draft pick for this year to continue his team's rebuilding process? He may be stupid enough or stubborn enough, but I just don't see it in this case.

Here's why I'm not against the acquisition (and maybe am hoping for it a little bit):

HawkLinks

Brandon Mebane has been given a third-round tender.  To me, this says that the Hawks want to keep him but will not keep him at too high a cost.  Derek Stevens over at The Blue Bird Herd wrote a good piece advocating against franchising Mebane (a forgone conclusion at this point) and illustrates why losing Mebane might not be the end of the world (because Pete Carroll has him playing the wrong position).  It's also a position review of the Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle spots as well that sheds some light on the Hawks' needs.  The Blue Bird Herd blog is a really well written and researched blog and Derek Stevens seems to really know his football.  I had never really heard of it until just recently, but it's definitely worth checking out.

Since I did a piece on Pete Carroll's offensive philosophy, it's only natural that you as a fan should read up on his defensive philosophy as well.  In a three part series by Damien Lynch from Foul Weather Fans.  Very interesting and one any Hawks' fan should read.  A couple notes of interest about this series of articles:
-It was written before last season, so it's fun to see where Lynch projects each player and what their strengths would be for each position.  Overall he demonstrates good foresight into this for the most part.
-It spells out why Brandon Mebane is a good, if not great 1-Tech player but not ideally suited for the 3-tech position, (which, according to Pete Carroll, is supposed to be "your premier interior pass rusher" and be able to beat the center and guard consistently to get to the QB), and coincidentally is exactly the argument that Derek Stevens of Blue Bird Herd makes in the link I posted above.
-The author notes that Earl Thomas would be a great candidate for FS in Pete Carroll's defense (this was written before the draft had happened last year), and even included a picture of him in the article.  Very good sir!  Two Points!

Brandon Adams over at 17Power pointed out another great article about the Brandon Mebane Conundrum at his blog, written by Kip Earlywine (raddest name ever, by the way). I'll quote from there but you need to check out the article in full. Here's a paragraph that sums up the thesis:

Brandon Mebane is not a natural pass rushing defensive tackle. He is natural at dominating a single gap, penetrating into the backfield, getting hits and tackles behind the line of scrimmage and stopping the run in the process. What Mebane doesn't have is anything resembling elite pass rushing technique, aside from a super-quick first step. When tasked with the "1 tech" role in 2007 and 2008, Mebane was arguably the most valuable defender on the team in that time frame. In 2008 alone, he had 5.5 sacks and 18 QB hits, all of this while essentially acting as the 4th pass rusher. This misguidedly caused Seahawks coaches to think Mebane would be better in a pass rushing role, but just the opposite, the lack of pass rush support turned Mebane into a non-factor. He had only 1 sack and 1 QB hit in 2010 while playing a pass rush position.

John Clayton has a new potential free agent guard to keep your eye on: Davin Joseph.  He may be more attractive to the Hawks because he is much younger than a Robert Gallery and could be more durable. Check out the story here.  I'm intrigued.

With the Seahawks looking to possibly upgrade at the right tackle position come April's draft, it makes sense to get to know a few of the prospects.  Meet Gabe Carimi.  Says he's the best tackle in the draft.  Could be on the Hawks' radar at #25, if he lasts that long.

Looking Forward: Cornerbacks Part II

In the live chats that Hawks' beat reporters often do, people ask about the Hawks lack of depth at the CB position.  The venerable Eric D Wiliams of the Tacoma News Tribune has indicated that he thinks the Hawks have more depth there than most people give them credit for.  He then will mention a couple of young players named Marcus Brown and Josh Pinkard that have a shot at competing for a roster spot next year.  I took note of this and did a little research on Brown and Pinkard to give you a better idea of what to expect.

Josh Pinkard is a USC product that has most likely been given a chance because of his prior affiliation with Pete Carroll.  He played six years at USC: he was given two years of a eligibility back because he sustained major injuries in 2006 and 2007, tearing the ACL in each knee.  

When he did play, though, he was a very good corner. In 2008, in 12 games, he had 39 tackles, 3 deflections, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles and an interception on his way to an Honorable Mention for All Pac-10 honors. In 2009 he improved on his numbers, managing 59 tackles, 9 passes broken up, and 2 interceptions.

Pete Carroll's Offensive Philosophy

In the last few days and weeks, there have been a lot of rumors flying around about who the Seahawks might bring in next year to play at QB. It's that time of the year where talk is really the only thing you can do.  Things are starting to heat up though as the draft draws nearer and the idea of free-agency actually happening sounds more realisitic.

While we can speculate on who the Hawks might bring in to play QB next year, I think it's important to talk about what type of QB Pete Carroll really wants, and more specifically, what type of offense you can expect the Hawks to be running in 2011.

When Pete Carroll was hired last year, in pure Sinatra style, he promised that he'd do it 'his way'.

"I vowed, 'If this is the last coaching job I ever have I'm going down with the stuff that I want to be my offense,'" Carroll said at the time.

Grading the Seahawks' 2010 Draft: Round 5

Kam Chancellor

5th Round, 2nd pick (133rd overall)

In the fifth round, using the pick they received in the trade of G Rob Sims to Detroit, the Hawks chose a 6'3, 232 lb Safety named Kam Chancellor out of Virginia Tech.  A former high school quarterback, he played Free Safety and Corner for Virginia Tech and was originally projected to play Free Safety in the NFL.  However, he lacks elite ballhawk skills and is more adept as a run-stopper so the Hawks have moved him over to Strong Safety. He's a strong, fairly quick athlete that shows a lot of promise and could compete for the starting SS job next fall.  His experience at Free Safety will serve him well in his pass coverage and defending play action, but his true strength will be as an in-the-box type thumper.

Looking Forward: Cornerbacks Part I

Because CB is such a position of need for the Hawks going into 2011, I'm going to break my review out into several posts.  To start out, I'm going to profile a few young guys that I think could have an impact at OTAs and in camp, and possibly compete for a roster spot and playing time.

First of all, I want to take a look at newly signed CB Brandon Browner.  Signed from the CFL's Calgary Stampeders in late January, I look at this guy as the most probable of the 'futures' guys to have an immediate impact for the Hawks.  One thing that I noticed about him when doing some research is that he is listed as a Strong Safety at some outlets, a Free Safety at others, and a CB at most.  I don't think Pete has really mentioned where they envision him playing, whether it be at Strong Safety, Free Safety backing up Earl Thomas, or Corner; I'd say that CB is the most likely landing spot for Browner.

Looking Forward: Linebackers

The Seahawks linebackers were a bit frustrating this season. Prior to the start, it was basically the only position group that nobody was worried about. They were solid and deep; Lofa Tatupu in the middle, David Hawthorne and Leroy Hill weakside, and Aaron Curry on the strongside. A linebacker corps to be feared and respected. At least I thought it was. Unfortunately it didn't really pan out like that.

Leroy Hill had problems with the law and then with his health and was placed on IR before the season started. David Hawthorne played well and was statistically the best linebacker on the team. Tatupu played alright, considering his myriad injuries and lack of size. Aaron Curry played alright as well. He is frustrating when you compare him to Clay Matthews but he doesn't play the same role as Matthews in our defense and thus doesn't get the same statistical production. That being said, he's not terrible either. He is a good player with the potential to be a great player, and I'm hoping that he takes that step in 2011.

Overall the group underachieved on a statistically terrible defense. They failed to shine in any defensive category.  Their leading tackler was Hawthorne for the second straight year.  He racked up 106 tackles, but compare that to league leaders (174 Jerod Mayo) and it's rather lackluster (26th among linebackers in 2010). In 2011 the Hawks linebacker corps will have to step up and make a bigger statement for the defense to get any better. Everyone tends to focus on the Defensive Line or Defensive Backs when it comes to the Hawks terrible defense, but some blame needs to fall on the linebackers as well.