NFL Free Agency

Well, NFL free agency is in full swing, so let's take a quick look at how Seattle is doing….

Priority #1: Keep the offensive starters together! They re-signed Walter Jones and Hasselbeck to long-term deals. They franchised Shaun Alexander. I'd say mission accomplished here!

Priority #2: Improve the D! Not so good here so far. CB Ken Lucas, who had a solid year last year, bolted for Carolina for more money. DE Chike Okeafor, undersized for a DE but with a non-stop motor, fled for Arizona. Even though Seattle offered him identical money. Guess Denny Green said the right things, or Chike just wanted a change of scenery. Anthony Simmons, a solid LB who has played well when healthy, was cut. (Problem is, he was NEVER healthy.)

Let's see how they've done there, shall we?...

So now we need:
1) A DE to replace Chike.
2) An OLB to replace Simmons.
3) An ILB who doesn't suck (there's been a revolving door there for years).
4) A CB to replace Lucas.

Now, there are some interesting options. Maybe even some cheap ones at DE and LB. The big name people are tossing around right now is former Ravens LB Ed Hartwell. Who, depending on who you believe, may or may not be just as good as Ray Lewis, except he keeps his mouth shut, so he hasn't gotten as much recognition. I, for one, would love to see them sign this guy. I can't say I've seen him play much, but there's enough hype around him that some of it must be true. And it's not like we're talking a college kid here, this guy has several years in the league under his belt.

Then there is the CB situation… Rumors are flying every which way here.. Personally, I think Bobby Taylor (who Seattle signed as a free agent last off-season as an expected starter, but got demoted to nickel back after Lucas stepped up) still has the ability to start. But all indications are that Seattle is shopping around. There's been talk of taking a look at former Titan Andre Dyson and former Redskin Fred Smoot (who was drafted a few picks behind Lucas in the same year). The hot rumor, however, has Seattle trading for All Pro Dolphin CD Patrick Surtain. One rumor has the price for Surtain being a 2nd round pick this draft. Another rumor ups the ante on the deal substantially, with Seattle throwing Shaun Alexander into the deal, and Miami then agreeing to swap first round picks with Seattle. Which would give the Seahawks the #2 pick overall. Where they'd likely take Texas OLB Derrick Johnson. The thought is this deal immediately upgrades two defensive areas of need: LB and CB. Of course, with Alexander gone, who runs the ball? Well, former Wolverine the A-Train Anthony Thomas is visiting this week. He might be a slight downgrade from Alexander, but I think he can get the job done given a full-time chance.